Five decisions that affect Kirklees residents

A NUMBER of big decisions that will affect residents across the borough have been made by Kirklees Council this month.

- By ABIGAIL MARLOW

There's been a lot going on in Kirklees in recent weeks, including the council's Labour administration setting out its draft budget for the next financial year.

The local authority needs to make a saving of £6.9m in order to balance the books and plans to do so through reducing administrative costs and improving productivity.

Money saving and cash raising measures that were already approved continue to be implemented, with more assets to be sold off in a bid to raise a minimum of £6m in 2025/26 and a further £4m in 2026/27.

A rise in rent and service charges for Kirklees tenants was also agreed, with this part of an annual review.

Elsewhere, the administration progressed its plan for a new leisure centre to serve North Kirklees, though this came under fire from some opposition members who feared the announcement was no more than an “electoral spin”.

This has been disputed by Labour members, with Clr Eric Firth (Labour, Dewsbury East), saying that there are “no smoke and mirrors”.

Here are five of the biggest developments at Kirklees Council this month:

Draft budget approved

Labour's draft budget was approved by Cabinet this month, and now, members of the public can have their say on the proposed spending plans. Consultation is under way and will continue to run until January 7.

The draft budget features a 4.99 per cent increase in council tax from April 2026, with two per cent of this earmarked to fund extra demand for social care.

This equates to an extra £1.88 per week for a Band D property in Kirklees.

In addition, 55 full time equivalent roles would be lost, though 28 of these are already vacant.

The proposals include £15.2m which would be used to meet the needs of increasing numbers of older and disabled local people who need social care, as well as £5.9m in additional funding for services for children who need the council's support.