Kirklees Council 'ruled by partnership' say new leaders

Jan 23 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Kirklees Council to be ruled by partnership

SENIOR councillors leading the new-look Kirklees authority admitted: It’s going to be a challenge.

Labour group leader and new council leader Clr Mehboob Khan said there would be challenges in working with the Lib Dems, who have four of the nine Cabinet posts.

He said: “This is a partnership, not a merger. There are quite significant policy differences between us but we’re both committed to tackling inequality and providing value for the taxpayer.”

And Lib Dem leader Clr Kath Pinnock, who is the new deputy leader of Kirklees, agreed.

She said: “Both parties know we will have to work together to deal with the huge challenges we’re facing.”

The Cleckheaton councillor said the new Cabinet would have to study the council’s finances before making commitments.

She said: “The Tories kept the accounts very tight to their chest but when I did see the books last week it filled me with horror. The Tories have squandered millions.”

Clr Pinnock added that the Cabinet couldn’t make any commitments on the council tax increase – which must be decided next month – or on the controversial redevelopment of St George’s Square.

But Clr Pinnock did reveal that Conservative plans for a special referendum on schools in north Kirklees had been ditched. On Tuesday, a day before they lost power, the Conservatives promised to let parents decide which schools would close.