Councillor John Taylor

Variation to the Terms of the Tenancy Agreement

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

Kirklees Council provides social housing to c.21,500 tenants across the Kirklees District. The Tenancy Agreement is the legal contract between Kirklees Council and its tenants. It details the tenant’s rights and responsibilities, and the Council’s rights and responsibilities as the Landlord.   Under Section 102/103 of the Housing Act 1985 the Council has recently undertaken statutory consultation regarding the proposed amendments to Kirklees Council’s Tenancy Agreement.   Background papers Preliminary Notice of Variation to Tenancy Agreement to tenants. Kirklees Council, Draft Revised Tenancy Agreement.   Background information The proposal to vary the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement was reported to the Tenant Led Panel on the 26 March 2025. Prior to the Preliminary Notice of the proposed variation being sent to tenants, the Tenant Led Panel were provided with information about the proposed changes at a meeting held on the 9 April 2025.   Cllr Crook, Deputy Leader & Transport and Housing has been provided with information about the proposal to vary the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement at Portfolio Holder Briefings held on the 4 March 2025 and the 27 May 2025.   A full consultation exercise with tenants has been undertaken. The details of this is outlined in the ‘Consultation’ section.   The proposed variation to the Tenancy Agreement has been drafted following support and advice from Kirklees Councils, Legal Services.   There is a statutory duty under Section 103 Housing Act 1985 to consult all tenants likely to be affected by a change in an area of housing management. The variation to the conditions of the Tenancy Agreement requires a full tenant consultation exercise and all tenants (circa 21,500) have been notified in writing of the proposed changes.     Tenants were sent a Preliminary Notice of the proposed variations to the Tenancy Agreement, and this outlined the proposed changes. A set of frequently asked questions was also provided.   The statutory consultation period with tenants commenced on the 14 April 25 and tenants were invited to comment on the proposed changes. The consultation period has remained open to capture as much feedback from tenants as possible.   Tenants could provide feedback in the following ways:   ·       By completing a questionnaire via a dedicated consultation webpage on the Council website ·       By e-mail ·       By completing a feedback form at the back of the Preliminary Notice and posting this to the Council ·       By telephone ·       Face to face with Housing Management staff   A summary of the feedback received from tenants has been incorporated into the Cabinet Report.   A brief for all Members was circulated at the commencement of the consultation period with tenants.  

Recommendations Approved

Air Quality Management Areas for Revocation or Amendment 2025

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

A report recommending the revocation or amendment of Air Quality Management Areas in Kirklees.   As the decision relates to the revocation or amendment (reduction in area) of Air Quality Management Areas it is a significant, positive impact for people living/working/visiting those areas as there has been sufficient reduction in air pollutants that the local air quality now meets national guidelines.    The revocation/amendment of AQMAs, is largely an administrative process, however it does have the resultant impact of removing that locality from the Council’s obligations to develop and implement an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP).  AQAPs are required to identify and implement interventions to lead to a reduction in the pollutants of concern in designated AQMAs.    Background papers;   -       Air Quality Management Areas for Revocation or Amendment Cabinet Report -       Kirklees Council Air Quality Annual Status Report 2024: www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/crime-and-safety/pdf/kirklees-annual-status-report-2024.pdf     The proposed decision is a statutory requirement for local authorities as part of their obligations under Local Air Quality Management.  The proposed actions are in accordance with the requirements contained within the Environment Act 1995 (as amended), Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) guidance.

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

2025/26 - 2026/27 Corporate Landlord Capital Plans - Proposed allocation of capital funding

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

This report will identify potential projects, for Member approval, to be funded from the 2025/26 – 2026/27 Corporate Landlord Programme baselines of the Capital Plan. It will seek Officer Delegations to manage the programmes within the two-year budget envelope.

Recommendations Approved

Update Regarding Progress with the Regulatory Notice

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

Information Only