Councillor Moses Crook

Update Regarding Progress with the Regulatory Notice

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

Information Only

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

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

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

Surplus Property Disposals 2025/26 and consideration of objection to the disposal of Public Open Space at Grasscroft, Almondbury

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

The purpose of this report is to seek approval and delegated authority from Cabinet to bring forward the latest proposed Capital Receipts Schedule for 2025/26 in alignment with the Council’s approved budget and Capital Strategy. It also updates on past disposal performance.   Background papers;                       i.    Surplus Property Disposals 2023/24                     ii.    Asset Review November 2023                    iii.    Surplus Property Disposals January 2025  

Recommendations Approved