Kirklees Council has accepted the opportunity to host a stage of the Tour de France Femmes 2027, with the race route passing through Kirklees as part of a nationally coordinated UK hosting programme. This presents significant opportunities for global visibility, civic pride, promotion of women’s sport, active travel, and alignment with the Council’s strategic priorities around health, wellbeing, culture and place.
The decision has been taken to proceed with delivery of the event on a One Council basis, utilising existing officer capacity and a capped delivery budget of £150,000, focusing on core event responsibilities such as traffic management, stewarding, safety, communications and city dressing.
A cross?service Project Delivery Working Group has been established to ensure coordinated planning, risk management and operational readiness.
Alternative options considered included:
· Declining the opportunity to host the race stage, which was discounted due to the reputational risk of Kirklees being bypassed while neighbouring authorities host the event, and the missed opportunity for economic, cultural and community benefit.
· Limiting involvement to a minimal compliance role only, which was rejected on the basis that it would significantly reduce the Council’s ability to mitigate risk, manage disruption effectively, and deliver positive community impact.
The decision relates solely to the Tour de France Femmes 2027.
Background information
The United Kingdom will host the Women’s Tour de France event in 2027, marking the first time the event will start outside France. The Tour de France Femmes race will travel from Leeds to Manchester, with Kirklees included as a host authority along the route.
The decision builds on:
· Executive Leadership consideration of the opportunity and associated risks and benefits
· Negotiations led by UK Sport and the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO)
· The establishment of a Project Delivery Group with agreed Terms of Reference
· Early engagement with Highways, Events, Communications, Emergency Planning, Finance and other services
Supporting documents include:
· Executive Leadership Team discussion paper (July 2025)
· Project Delivery Group Terms of Reference
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Wards affected: Almondbury; Birstall and Birkenshaw; Colne Valley; Crosland Moor & Netherton; Dalton; Heckmondwike; Holme Valley North; Kirkburton; Liversedge and Gomersal; Mirfield; Newsome;
Notice of proposed decision first published: 21/04/2026
Decision due: 14 Apr 2026 by Service Director - Culture & Visitor Economy
Lead member: Leader of the Council
Lead director: Service Director - Culture & Visitor Economy
Department: Public Health
Contact: Jaime Nalson, Head of Culture and Tourism Email: jaime.nalson@kirklees.gov.uk.
Members/Officers Involved: Steve Mawson Chief Executive, Rachel Spencer-Henshall Executive Director – Public Health and Corporate Resources, Adele Poppleton – Service Director – Culture and Visitor Economy, Jaime Nalson Head of Service – Culture and Visitor Economy, Richard Smith Creative Development Manager, Kerry Wheelwright Events Operational Manager, Donna Hodgson Highways and Infrastructure, Lisa Taylor Communications, Sean Westerby Emergency Planning, Rebecca Ashurst Legal Services, Leigh Webb Governance, Ruth Calladine Procurement, Phil Carver Finance