Councillors have taken the first step to devolving power to communities.

The first cross-party Policy Committee agreed that Kirklees Council had to ask the community to get involved in local decision making.

Kirklees leader Clr David Sheard said it should be ward councillors and not him making decisions on parks and roads.

Clr Sheard said: “We’ve talked and talked about re-organisation. I want progress not procrastination.

“I’m not looking to split Kirklees, I’m looking at four areas and councillors more involved in what services they want in their area.

“I’m proposing Batley and Spen; Dewsbury and Mirfield; Huddersfield which includes Golcar, and the rural areas.

“I’d like a Cabinet member who doesn’t live in that area to oversee it.”

He added: “I’ve had people come to Cabinet to ask about a park I’ve never been to and don’t understand what it means to people, but I know the local councillors do and it’s them who need to be make the decision not me.”

Opposition councillors agree in the need for change, but were divided on boundaries.

Clr Kath Pinnock, Lib Dem leader, said Golcar should be linked with the rural area, while the Spen Valley and Batley were not on each other’s radar.

She said: “One of the lessons of the Area Committee system is that some work and some don’t work at all.

“What we need is to come up with the offer and ask the communities ‘can you work with us to make it achievable’ not tell them just to do it.”

Clr Andrew Cooper, Green Party leader, said: “I think our starting point is knowing what the priorities are for the communities we serve.

“We should be comfortable and confident in our role as councillors to trust the community to work on plans and projects.”

Clr Robert Light, Conservative leader, said: “If we are going to devolve power and ask councillors to be involved with budget and decision making then I think that is positive for members.

“But are you David, as leader, going to let someone in Dewsbury make a decision you don’t agree with?”

Clr Sheard replied: “If they’re looking to support one idea when I would support another then yes I will let them do it. That’s what democracy is about.

“If they’re looking to do something on the cheap, run by staff on zero hours minimum wage contracts then no I won’t allow that.

“We have to agree the parameters and governance criteria.

“If people want the Cabinet to decide then I’ll decide, and if people want I’ll take the blame, but I’ll look after my area too.”

Seven Area Committees currently manage a revenue budget of £12,759 for each of the 23 wards.

Functions likely to be transferred to localities include parks, street cleaning and road repairs.

Parish and town councils are the likely body to take on services, but similar bodies can see a transfer of power and budgets.

Clr Sheard will ask the council’s Corporate Governance committee to set the wheels in motion, with further details expected at June’s annual council meeting.

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