Councillor Philip James

National Scheme of Delegation - Planning (Reference from Corporate Governance and Audit Committee)

From: Council - Wednesday 21st October 2026 5.30 pm - October 21, 2026

Recommendations Approved

Motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Undeclaration of Climate Emergency

From: Council - Wednesday 21st October 2026 5.30 pm - October 21, 2026

Recommendations Approved

Kirklees Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2031

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 6th October 2026 1.30 pm - October 06, 2026

The Air Quality Action Plan 2026-2031 has been produced as part of the Council’s statutory duties required by the Local Air Quality Management framework. It outlines the actions we will take to improve air quality in Kirklees between 2026 and 2031 to ensure national air quality standards are met across the Borough. The Air Quality Action Plan 2026–2031 applies to all wards across the Kirklees borough. However, particular attention is given to wards where Air Quality Management Areas have been declared, as these are locations where national air quality standards were not being met: · Colne Valley West Ward · Crosland Moor Ward · Dalton Ward · Dewsbury East Ward · Greenhead Ward · Heckmondwike Ward · Lindley Ward · Netherton and Newsome Ward Engagement and Consultation A Steering Group was established in line with Defra guidance LAQM.TG(22) to aid the development of the AQAP. Environmental Health (EH) held a cross-council engagement activity in January 2026, followed by a February Steering Group workshop to review and appraise the long list of potential measures and agree a deliverable shortlist. The final AQAP therefore brings forward a targeted package of measures across traffic, active travel, planning and policy, council fleet and public information to address the remaining NO2 hotspots and support borough wide improvement. This will require the ongoing engagement of stakeholders to deliver on the measures and initiatives contained in the AQAP 2026 - 2031. Schedule 11 to the Environment Act 1995 sets out the statutory consultees that a Local Authority must consult when preparing or revising an Air Quality Action Plan. In accordance with these requirements, the Council has circulated the draft Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP) to relevant statutory consultees including the Environment Agency, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Peak District National Park Authority, neighbouring authorities including Barnsley, Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford and Calderdale, Oldham and the Chamber of Commerce. The draft AQAP was submitted to Defra via the LAQM portal for appraisal and review by the Secretary of State. In addition, a public consultation was undertaken (between the 2nd – 31st March 2026) to test the shortlist that was established by a steering group. Of the 72 responses received during the public consultation, respondents broadly supported the Plan's focus on reducing traffic-related emissions in the remaining AQMAs The consultation highlighted additional concerns around domestic wood burning and vehicle idling, these issues are already addressed within the AQAP’s awareness and behaviour change measures and do not warrant any change to the Plan’s overall strategic direction. The period of public consultation was limited by the pre-election period coming into effect, as a result, a proportionate and scaled consultation exercise was undertaken. The Council has received confirmation from the LAQM Helpdesk that the early consultation undertaken on the proposed measures is sufficient to support submission of the draft AQAP. The draft plan was submitted to Defra in May 2026 and appraised in July 2026. Defra proposed a number of minor technical amendments, which have been incorporated where appropriate. Defra did not require any further public consultation as part of its appraisal.

Recommendations Approved

Proposed trial of Cross-Pavement Channels in Kirklees

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 6th October 2026 1.30 pm - October 06, 2026

The report will seek Cabinet approval for a 12-month trial of cross-pavement electric vehicle charging channels in Kirklees. The channels would allow residents without off-street parking to safely run an EV charging cable from their home to a vehicle parked on-street, helping to reduce the cost gap between households with driveways and those reliant on public charging. During the trial, residents would meet the installation and associated licence/application costs, with delivery managed through a third party provider. This approach means the Council can test demand, safety, maintenance, highways and operational issues without requiring Council funding. The evidence gathered will inform a longer-term policy and operating model. From 2027, Kirklees expects to receive grant funding via West Yorkshire Combined Authority, following a successful regional bid. This funding should allow future installations to be subsidised, creating a cheaper route for residents and supporting fairer access to home EV charging.

Recommendations Approved

Simpler Recycling - Introduction of new materials and separate paper and card collections

From: Cabinet - Tuesday 6th October 2026 1.30 pm - October 06, 2026

To meet the full requirements of the Simpler Recycling legislation, Kirklees Council must make changes to its current household recycling model. This report focuses on the paper/card and mixed dry recycling elements only. Background paper Simpler Recycling for Kirklees Cabinet Report 09 September 2025.pdf Previous public engagement will inform implementation planning and resident communications. The Kirklees Resources and Waste Strategy Engagement Survey, undertaken between October 2020 and January 2021, received 7,212 responses and covered additional recycling containers and kerbside glass collection. While respondents raised concerns about storage space, the preferred option was a three-wheeled-bin model rather than separate boxes, bin inserts or shared bins. The survey also found that 83% of respondents would use a kerbside glass collection, although some households reported producing only small amounts of glass. The Environment and Climate Change Scrutiny Panel has also provided oversight.

Recommendations Approved