One of the newest additions to Kirklees Council has put forward new plans for change, after Cabinet meetings were axed for months.
Previously, Cabinet meetings were cancelled after a stalemate in which Kirklees Councillors were unable to elect a leader for several months following the May all-out elections.
As a result, all Cabinet meetings were cancelled until September, with Kirklees Council explaining that the decision to keep the meetings cancelled was made to “allow staff to brief new Cabinet Members fully on the key issues”.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “Retaining the meetings would have limited the time available for Cabinet members to properly influence those key decisions.”
At the time, Cllr Sarah Wood, the Leader of the Council, said “it was unfortunate” that her group “had to wait for this moment,” which has caused “delays” to some council governance processes.
Now, as Kirklees Council prepares to resume full Cabinet meetings in September, an “additional opportunity” is being introduced for councillors by the Chair of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee, Cllr Khuram Amjad.
Elected for the first time to represent his ward in May, Cllr Amjad for Batley West said that in an attempt to “hit the ground running”, he has sent an open invitation to councillors wishing to attend a Corporate Governance and Audit Committee meeting to raise, seek clarification on, or challenge a relevant matter.
Under Council Procedure Rule 36 (CPR 36), a Councillor who is not a member of the Committee may attend a meeting as an observer and may speak once for up to five minutes on any items on the agenda, subject to the provisions within the Rule.
Speaking on the invite, Cllr Amjad said: “The important point is that, under CPR 36, any contribution must relate to an item that is on the agenda for that particular meeting.
“Thankfully, the work of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee is broad and our agendas cover a wide range of matters, so there are many opportunities for Members to raise relevant issues, seek clarification or challenge matters that fall within the Committee’s remit.”
Cllr Amjad said he thought the “open door” would help councillors new to Kirklees raise issues.
Cllr Amjad said: “The recent situation around the lack of Cabinet meetings over the last couple of months has made me think about how Members can continue to engage with important Council business and get answers to legitimate questions.”
Cllr Amjad said the invitation was made as Chair of Corporate Governance and Audit and was “not intended to replace Cabinet meetings” or “replace the Council’s scrutiny arrangements.”
Cllr Amjad said: “What I am offering is an additional opportunity for Councillors to engage with matters that are actually coming before the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee.
“If a Councillor has a relevant issue arising from a report that is on our agenda, CPR 36 provides an opportunity for them to attend as an observer and speak for up to five minutes. I want to make sure that Members know that the opportunity is there.”
