Kirklees Council has a new nine-strong Cabinet – but it won’t meet for the first time until September.
The council’s newly-elected leader, Reform UK’s Sarah Wood, has named her Cabinet but has cancelled meetings scheduled for July 28 and August 25.
The monthly Cabinet meetings are where most of the important decisions are taken and where opposition councillors and the public have the opportunity to ask Cabinet members questions and hold the administration to account.
The council’s last Cabinet meeting, under the previous Labour administration, was held on March 24, ahead of the all-out elections on May 7.
After a two-month stand-off in the council chamber, Clr Wood was elected council leader last Wednesday but she won’t hold her first Cabinet meeting until September 8, which has come in for criticism from opposition parties.
Clr Habiban Zaman, leader of the Kirklees Independents, said “democracy doesn’t stop for summer” and added: “Cabinet meetings are one of the few opportunities for decisions to be made in public, challenged and scrutinised.
“Cancelling them for months reduces transparency and limits democratic oversight. If there are no Cabinet meetings where is the public scrutiny?”
It’s not unusual for Cabinet meetings to be cancelled if there’s not enough business on the agenda. However, Cabinet meetings are not routinely cancelled during the summer holiday season.
Last year Cabinet meetings were held in June, July and September but not August. In 2024 there was no meeting in June but meetings went ahead in July, August and September. In 2023 there were meetings in June, July, August and September.
Here’s the new Reform UK Cabinet:
Clr Wood said her Cabinet brought together people with “real expertise, practical experience and a shared commitment to serving the people of Kirklees.
“Every Cabinet member brings valuable knowledge and professional experience to their portfolio. That means better-informed decision-making, stronger leadership and a clear focus on delivering high-quality services for our residents.
“Just as importantly, they are a dedicated team who are ready to get to work from day one. Together, we’ll provide the leadership needed to deliver on the commitments we’ve made to local people.
“We promised change in Kirklees, and we’re wasting no time in getting started. Our administration will be guided by clear principles: putting Kirklees citizens first, promoting civic pride and patriotism, keeping our communities safe, and ensuring the council lives within its means through responsible financial management.
“We’re determined to build a council that residents can trust, that delivers excellent services and is something Kirklees can be proud of.”
Despite the cancellation of two meetings, Clr Wood added: “The Cabinet begins its work immediately, working with council officers and partners to review existing priorities and develop the administration’s programme for the months ahead.
“Further announcements on Cabinet priorities will follow shortly.”
