The Kirklees Council Cabinet was scheduled to meet on 9 September 2025 to discuss a range of issues, including the council's financial performance, community asset transfers, and transport and recycling strategies. The meeting was also scheduled to include a performance update, a review of corporate risks, and a discussion on the Our Cultural Heart project.

Council Performance and Finance

The cabinet were scheduled to discuss the 2025-26 Quarter 1 Council Plan and Performance Update Report, which provides an overview of progress against the council's priorities and key measures. The report highlights key issues such as the rising number of people open to adult social care, the increase in looked after children, and the rise in fly tipping incidents. Key highlights included improvements in the timeliness of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), a significant reduction in open damp, mould and condensation cases, and a reduction in the number of households in temporary accommodation.

The Corporate Financial Monitoring Report for Quarter 1, 2025-2026 was also scheduled for discussion. This report contains financial monitoring information for the General Fund Revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Plan. The report notes a forecast revenue overspend of £5.9 million and that executive directors have been asked to bring forward sustainable proposals to reduce the overspend and bring the budget back into balance.

A Budget Strategy Update for 2026-2027 and future years was also due to be discussed, to determine the approach to the annual update of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy. The report notes a significant gap of around £18 million in 2026/27, which requires either a reduction in budget pressures or new savings proposals to be brought forward.

The Corporate Risk Report for Quarter 1 2025-26 was also scheduled to be presented to the cabinet. The report provides an update on the Corporate Risk Register, noting that one new risk has been raised, and two risks have been removed.

Kirklees Transport Strategy

The cabinet were scheduled to consider the adoption of the Kirklees Transport Strategy, and the results of the consultation that was undertaken. The strategy sets out a vision for a more inclusive and sustainable transport network, with a focus on improving health and wellbeing, protecting the environment, and prioritising economic growth. The report pack included a summary of the consultation responses, which indicated strong support for the strategy's vision and objectives.

Simpler Recycling

The implementation of a simpler recycling collection model was scheduled for discussion. The report pack states that Kirklees Council must comply with new Simpler Recycling legislation from 2026, which requires all local authorities in England to collect a core set of recyclable materials from households and businesses. The report pack also notes that the council is planning to implement a new collection model in 2028, in line with the start of a new waste disposal and treatment contract.

Community Asset Transfers

The Cabinet were scheduled to consider two community asset transfers:

• The Hudawi Centre, Great Northern Street, Huddersfield. The report pack requests that the Cabinet consider and approve the community asset transfer of the property to BBSA (Black Business Support Agency) C.I.C The proposal is to transfer the property by way of a 125-year lease.
• The DRAM Centre, Ridgeway, Dalton, Huddersfield. The report pack requests that the Cabinet consider and approve the community asset transfer of the property to Moldgreen ARLFC (DRAM Holdings) Community Interest Company. The proposal is to transfer the property by way of a 125-year lease.

The report pack notes that both asset transfers support the council's ambitions of allowing local people and communities greater control over local assets and the services delivered from them, and that the grant of a long leasehold is in accordance with the council's Community Asset Transfer Policy 2020.

Our Cultural Heart

The cabinet were scheduled to discuss the Our Cultural Heart, part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, Phase 2 Gateway 4. The report pack says that the report builds on previous approvals and delegations and seeks permission to draw down funding from the Our Cultural Heart budgets. The report pack also states that the report provides an update on Phase 1 and outlines proposals for the demolition of the remaining retail units in preparation for delivery of the park as the next phase (Phase 3). The report pack also mentions an overview of the remaining phases of the master plan, including the ongoing review of the venue and the feasibility study to develop one of the options for the Queen Street plot as a multi-storey car park.

Lane Rental Scheme

The cabinet were scheduled to discuss the Kirklees Council Lane Rental Scheme. A Lane Rental Scheme is a regulatory framework that allows highway authorities to charge utility companies and contractors a daily fee for occupying the most traffic-sensitive roads at the busiest times. The aim is to incentivise faster, more efficient roadworks and minimise disruption to road users. The report pack says that Kirklees Council has developed a Lane Rental Scheme and would like to apply to the Secretary of State (SoS) for Transport for powers to operate its 'Scheme'. The report pack notes that applications to the Department of Transport must be submitted before 1 October 2025.