Union members are being urged to protest against cuts and job losses outside a full council meeting next week.

UNISON – the council’s biggest trades union – will take a deputation to address councillors inside Huddersfield Town Hall and want members protesting with banners and placards outside.

The full council meeting is on Wednesday September 13 (5.30pm) and it is also the meeting where acting council leader Clr Cathy Scott is expected to be elected as the permanent replacement for Clr Shabir Pandor who quit in July.

Kirklees Council is facing a financial crisis and must find savings of £47.5 million. UNISON says that at least 250 jobs will be lost through compulsory redundancy.

UNISON is urging stewards and members to be outside the town hall at 4.30pm to lobby councillors as they arrive.

In a newsletter to members, the union says job losses could be avoided if the council postpones the £250 million Huddersfield Blueprint and instead carries it out in stages.

At the first meeting of the new-look Cabinet, on Tuesday September 6, the council will set out its Medium Term Financial Strategy, outlining the principles that will drive its financial decision-making over the coming months.

One of the three key factors will be to grow the Kirklees economy by ensuring more new homes are built and making sure infrastructure attracts further investment.

Cabinet member for finance and regeneration, Clr Graham Turner, said: “Every day, we’re hearing stories about councils facing significant financial pressures.

“It’s not just a local issue, it’s regional and national. In Kirklees, we’ve been open about our finances and how the cost-of-living crisis and our longstanding under-funding has given us particular challenges this year.

“But this financial plan shows we’re facing up to the challenge. Over the past few months, we’ve taken urgent action to address the immediate financial issues and this updated strategy will build on that work to safeguard the financial future of the council, which is key to delivering all our services.

“Growing our economy, making efficiencies and prioritising spending will be key to overcoming the pressures we face and setting the council on a firm financial footing.

“There are tough decisions to come. But we will continue to be open with residents and keep putting pressure on Government to give Kirklees residents the fair deal on funding they deserve.”

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