Talking Housing Policy - Kirklees Cabinet and John Healey MP

Cllr Steve Hall, Cllr Cathy Scott, John Healey MP,
Cllr Graham Turner, and Leader of Kirklees Council
Cllr David Sheard (not pictured, Cllrs McBride and Kendrick)

Member of the Labour Cabinet met recently with John Healey MP, the shadow housing Minister, to discuss the housing crisis.

Over a 2 hour meeting many ideas where discussed on how the current housing crisis in Kirklees could be addressed. 

John took on board the comments from the Cabinet, and is to feed this back to his team. These will contribute to developing policies to help address the current Government's abject failure to ensure a decent home for all. 

Ensuring everyone in Kirklees has access to a decent home is a priority of the Cabinet, and they will look at all the possible options to achieve this. 




 

Future Library Provision in Kirklees

At the Kirklees Cabinet meeting of 22 September 2015, Labour Cabinet Member Cllr Graham Turner presented the Future Library Provision for the Kirklees District. It came after months of public and cross party consultation.

The objectives were always clear: Preserve as much service as possible; find new and innovative ways of doing things; work closer with communities; provide as many access points as possible.

These savings have been achieved through a review of senior management and modernising the service (pdf). 

The belief is that the proposals put forward achieve these objectives, but cannot be met without the continued hard work of staff, supportive volunteers and community groups.

Here you can see the presentation of the proposals in full.

 

LAST MEETING OF 14/15

LAST CABINET MEETING OF 2014/15 YEAR

This afternoons Cabinet Meeting only had one item on the agenda re the setting up of a joint Building Control Service with Bradford, hopefully the forerunner of many combined authority collaborations.

The Group would like to put on record their thanks to the contributions made to the running of Kirklees made by Cath Harris and Peter O'Neill, both Cabinet members who have taken the decision to stand down this year. Both will be missed in their own ways, but not least for their dedication to their respective roles over the years.

The Labour Cabinet, 2014-2015

At the Kirklees Annual Council meeting of 4 June 2014, Cllr David Sheard, Leader of Kirklees Council, announced his Cabinet for the coming year.

Some new faces join some already established members of Cllr Sheard's Cabinet, as Kirklees Labour look to drive on in tackling issues brought upon communities of Kirklees by cuts imposed by the Tory / Lib-Dem Coalition Government.

Below is a brief introduction to the Cabinet members and their roles:

	Cllr David Sheard, Leader and Heckmondwike Ward   Working with the Chief Executive and Directors of Kirklees Council, the key themes will be Strategic Economic Investment, LDF, Organisational Change and Engagement, and the Comprehensive Spending Review.
	Cllr Cath Harris, Deputy Leader, Cabinet (Children’s Services) and Ashbrow Ward   Recently undertaking the role of Deputy Leader, responsibility for elements of the Children's Services portfolio will be retained, including Statutory responsibility for Children.
	Cllr Peter McBride, Cabinet Member (Place) and Dalton Ward   Recently re-elected as ward councillor for Dalton with a big majority, retains responsibility within the Place portfolio for Investment and Regeneration.
	Cllr Cathy Scott, Cabinet Member (Place) and Dewsbury East Ward   Recently re-elected as ward councillor for Dewsbury East with a big majority, retains responsibility within the Place portfolio for Streetscene and Housing. Will also be one of four Leads for a District Committee.
	Cllr Steve Hall, Cabinet Member (Place) and Heckmondwike Ward New member of the Kirklees Cabinet, taking up a role in the Place portfolio for Planning and Highways.
	Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet Member (Resources) Denby Dale Ward   New member of the Kirklees Cabinet, taking up the role of Resources portfolio, covering a wide range of responsibilities, including: Financial Management, Risk and Performance; Legal, Governance and Monitoring; Physical resources and Procurement
	Cllr Shabir Pandor, Cabinet Member (Health, Wellbeing and Communities) and Batley West Ward   Will now apply his experience to the Children's Services portfolio, specifically covering Schools (Learning & Skills) and Schools Facilities Management. Will also be one of four Leads for a District Committee.
	Cllr Jean Calvert, Cabinet Member (Children's Services) and Ashbrow Ward Recently re-elected as ward councillor for Ashbrow with a big majority, retains responsibility within the Children's Services portfolio, specifically focusing on Family Support and Child Protection. Will also be one of four Leads for a District Committee.
	Cllr Viv Kendrick, Cabinet Member (Health, Wellbeing & Communities) and Heckmondwike Ward   New member of the Kirklees Cabinet, taking up the role of Health, Wellbeing and Communities portfolio, covering a wide range of responsibilities, including: Wellbeing and Integration; Commissioning and Health Partnerships; with Statutory Responsibility for Adults.
	Cllr Peter O’Neill, Cabinet Member (Health, Wellbeing and Communities) and Batley West Ward Will now apply his experience to the Health, Wellbeing and Communities portfolio, with specific focus on Communities and Leisure. Will also be one of four Leads for a District Committee.