Councillor Beverley Addy

White Rose Forest Strategic Plan 2025-2050

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 8th July 2025 1.30 pm - July 08, 2025

To approve the White Rose Forest (WRF) Strategic Plan 2025-2050 - the overarching community forestry plan and vision for North and West Yorkshire.   Background papers WRF Cabinet Report 8th July 2025 WRF Strategic Plan 2025-2050 recommended for approval Stakeholder Engagement Survey Report Public Engagement Survey Report   Background information Public Engagement survey ran from 6 to 28 January 2025, comprising a number of multiple choice or rating / ranking type questions, with just over 300 responses received.    This has helped raise the profile of the White Rose Forest and confirmed public support for the proposed long-term direction, level of ambition and approach outlined in the consultation document. In addition, it has provided useful input on the value the public place on trees and woodland and what they would like to see prioritised in the future.    Some key findings in the Public Engagement report were:   ·       Respondents overwhelmingly agreed (93% Strongly agree or agree) that we need more trees and woodland in North and West Yorkshire. ·       Many more respondents thought that trees and woodland close to where they live had declined (40%) rather than improved (25%) in the last 5 years.  ·       Respondents overwhelmingly supported the long-term direction and level of ambition outlined in the consultation document (91% Strongly support or Support)   The engagement of stakeholders, which has taken place throughout the Strategic Plan development process, has broadened the range of place and thematic input, including from:   ·       District White Rose Forest Groups including Kirklees, Leeds, Calderdale, Bradford, Wakefield, North Yorkshire and York ·       Catchment Partnership workshops ·       Green Streets workshop ·       WRF Ancient Woodland Working Group ·       Local Nature Recovery Strategies (both North and West Yorkshire) ·       Community Engagement project ·       Data and Mapping workshops with wide group of stakeholders   A formal Stakeholder Engagement survey ran from 4 December to 17 January 2025, with responses received from a good range of stakeholders. Considerable support for the consultation document was expressed, with it aligning well the stakeholder policies, strategies and plans.    Stakeholders raised many useful suggestions for how the strategic plan could be further developed / enhanced, which have all been considered in finalising the Strategic Plan. All respondents confirmed they felt a degree of alignment between the consultation document and their policies, strategies and plans, with almost half indicating full alignment   All respondents confirmed support for the long-term direction and level of ambition, as articulated in the vision and targets, with over 70% indicating full support.  

Recommendations Approved

Joint West Yorkshire Mass Transit Spatial Development Framework Development Plan Document (Reference to Council)

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 8th July 2025 1.30 pm - July 08, 2025

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) is seeking support from Kirklees Council and other West Yorkshire authorities (Bradford, Calderdale, Leeds, and Wakefield Councils) for the joint production of a Mass Transit SDF DPD (with WYCA acting as co-ordinator). This would be a high-level document setting out the vision for a West Yorkshire wide Mass Transit system providing an overarching framework for Local Plans and more detailed policy guidance.   Additional benefits of an SDF DPD are:   ·       To support WYCA’s business case for a MT network. ·       To support a Transport and Works Act Order which will grant the line and stations deemed consent (or planning permission). To raise awareness of the proposal, a report will be presented to Cabinet for ratification. A decision to proceed with the production of a joint Mass Transit SDF DPD is a decision of Council.   Background papers Local Development Scheme Revisions – Cabinet 8th July 2025   Background information Officer technical working groups with WYCA and West Yorkshire authorities on the vision and development of potential options has led to the consideration of a joint MT SDF DPD to support the delivery of a West Yorkshire wide Mass Transit system.   At the WYCA Transport Committee on 14th March 2024, the Combined Authority approved the allocation of up to £1 million funds from the Mass Transit budget to support the feasibility of the Dewsbury Line Development Project.   WYCA undertook consultation on a Mass Transit Vision between 17th October 2022 and 16th January 2025: West Yorkshire Mass Transit Vision 2040 | Your Voice   To demonstrate support for Mass Transit to the Department of Transport, all West Yorkshire authorities were asked to agree the West Yorkshire Mass Transit Vision 2040 (August 2023)  Mass Transit Vision 2040 (westyorks-ca.gov.uk). Kirklees Council signed up to the vision and is named in the document. However, it should be stated, that the adoption of the vision only commits the council to supporting the scheme in principle subject to further detailed work to be undertaken.   WYCA undertook consultation on Mass Transit Phase 1: (Leeds Line and Bradford Line): Mass Transit Hub | Your Voice between 15th July 2024 and 30th September 2024.

Recommmend Forward to Council

Update Regarding Progress with the Regulatory Notice

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 8th July 2025 1.30 pm - July 08, 2025

Information Only

Council Financial Outturn & Rollover Report 2024/25 incorporating General Fund Revenue, Housing Revenue Account, Capital and Treasury Management (Reference to Council)

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 8th July 2025 1.30 pm - July 08, 2025

To consider and note the financial outturn reports in relation to revenue, capital and treasury management and make rollover decisions, as appropriate, based on the finalised financial position.

Recommendations Approved

Kirklees Inclusive Economy Strategy (Reference to Council)

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 8th July 2025 1.30 pm - July 08, 2025

To approve the Kirklees Inclusive Economy Strategy (KIES) - the overarching strategy for the economy in Kirklees.   The Kirklees Inclusive Economy Strategy is the fourth of the top tier strategies and will replace the Kirklees Economic Strategy 2019-2025.  

Recommendations Approved