Kirklees Council met on 17 September 2025, and members discussed and approved recommendations on the council's budget strategy, a joint mass transit spatial development framework, and the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee's annual report. Councillors also received the minutes of a West Yorkshire Combined Authority meeting and the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report.

Council Budget Strategy Update

The council received an update on the Council Budget Strategy for 2026/2027 and future years, noting key risks to the budget delivery in 2025/26 and uncertainty around future funding levels. The council also noted a significant budget gap of approximately £18 million in 2026/27, requiring savings proposals.

The council reviewed the financial planning framework for the 2026/2027 budget and beyond, and approved the recommendations in the Budget Strategy Update 2627 and future years FINAL report. The report highlighted a cumulative estimated budget gap of £56.3 million over five years, with £17.9 million needed for 2026/27. The council agreed to identify budget savings proposals, with initial consideration by the cabinet in December 2025, and a final budget report in February 2026. The council also delegated authority to the Chief Executive and Service Director of Finance to determine whether the council should remain a member of the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool in 2026/27.

The report noted that the General Fund projection for 2025/26 was the lowest Q1 forecast overspend since COVID.

Mass Transit Spatial Development Framework

The council approved recommendations to commence the Joint West Yorkshire Mass Transit Spatial Development Framework (SDF) Development Plan Document, as detailed in the Mass Transit report. This includes an agreement with Leeds City Council, Bradford City Council, Wakefield Council and Calderdale Council to prepare the Joint West Yorkshire Mass Transit SDF Part 1 Development Plan Document. The council delegated authority to undertake initial Regulation 18¹ consultation and Regulation 19[^3] consultation on the draft West Yorkshire Mass Transit Spatial Development Framework Development Plan Document to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Joint Member Committee. The council also delegated authority to the Joint Member Committee to authorise initial early engagement and public consultation (Regulation 18) on the draft Joint West Yorkshire Mass Transit Spatial Development Framework Development Plan Document and to prepare the submission draft and consultation for Regulation 19.

Corporate Governance and Audit Committee Annual Report

The council received and noted the CGAC Annual Report 2024-25, summarising the work undertaken by the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee during 2024/2025. The council also noted the assurances set out within the report that the Committee complies with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's (CIPFA) position statement on Audit Committees in Local Authorities and Police.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report

The council received and noted the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2024_25, which summarised the work undertaken by the council's Scrutiny Committee and Panels during the 2024/25 municipal year.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Minutes

The council received the minutes of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority meeting held on 19 June 2025.

Written Questions

The council received and responded to written questions to the Leader, Cabinet Members, Chairs of Committees and Nominated Spokespersons. Some of the questions included:

• A question from Councillor John Taylor about a road safety audit of the entire length of Barnsley Rd in Flockton
• A question from Councillor Imran Safdar about money saved by ceasing operation of the rubble skips at household waste and recycling centres in Kirklees.
• A question from Councillor Alison Munro about flood alleviation measures in Fenay Beck.
• A question from Councillor Alex Vickers about infrastructure around Crosland Moor for the addition of 700 houses on the old Blackcat Fireworks site.
• A question from Councillor David Longstaff about the search for a new stadium for Huddersfield Giants.
• A question from Councillor Donna Bellamy about the new Kirklees Council tenancy agreements, which are due to come into effect in August, include a requirement for pets to be neutered unless there is a reasonable exemption.
• A question from Councillor Joshua Sheard about the closure of the Nab Lane Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Birstall.
• A question from Councillor Hanifa Darwan about the government's recent pledge of a £900 million investment into major sporting events and grassroots facilities across the UK.
• A question from Councillor David Hall about cameras deployed to catch fly-tippers.
• A question from Councillor Bill Armer about road safety and wearing away of road markings.
• A question from Councillor Cahal Burke about Huddersfield Giants' plans for a new stadium at the former gasworks site off St Andrew's Road.
• A question from Councillor Anthony Smith about missed bin collections in the Lindley Ward.
• A question from Councillor Matthew McLoughlin about the new Devolution Bill.
• A question from Councillor Cathy Scott about the ethical procurement motion passed by Full Council last year.
• A question from Councillor Paul Moore about winter fuel payments to pensioners.
• A question from Councillor Habiban Zaman about the housing crisis in Kirklees.