THE leader of Kirklees Council will play no part in Cabinet decisions about his daughters’ schools.

Clr Robert Light wants to avoid any clash of interests when the future of schools in Birkenshaw, Gomersal and Cleckheaton is decided.

But a political rival has accused him of ‘bottling’ the issues.

Parents, staff and governors at schools in the Whitcliffe Mount pyramid are being consulted on the issue.

Clr Light’s two daughters go to schools in the area and he is also a governor of East Bierley First School.

So the Birstall and Birkenshaw councillor has decided not to chair Cabinet meetings or vote when the pyramid is discussed.

Clr Light explained: “I would not want to be in a position where there were expectations at local level that, as leader of the council, I could influence a particular line of action.

“Neither would I want to be in a position of being constrained from carrying out my role as parent and governor.”

Changes to the pyramid are part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which will see £500m invested in schools across Kirklees.

Clr Light said: “As leader of the council I will maintain an overview of BSF. But I will withdraw from my role as decision-maker on the details of the programme which effect my ward.

“This means I will surrender my votes and rights as a Cabinet member on the proposals affecting Birstall and Birkenshaw ward. Another member of Cabinet will chair these meetings.

“Consequently, I will be able to freely represent the views of parents and residents in my area and advocate within the council on their behalf.

“Any comments I make or opinions I express will be purely in my roles as parent, governor and ward councillor.”

But Lib Dem leader Clr Kath Pinnock attacked his decision.

The Cleckheaton councillor said: “Clr Light has a duty to take a leading role in the crucial decisions the Cabinet faces on the future of education in Kirklees, but he has bottled out of his responsibility.

“He is hiding behind his position as a school governor and because he has children at a local school. Many other councillors are in the same position, but are not using it as an excuse to opt out of their responsibilities.

“The only time that opting out is required is if the particular school where he is a governor or where his children attend is under specific discussion.”

Clr Pinnock says Clr Light should resign if he is not prepared to play a full part in the decision.

She added: “Faced with the first major test of his leadership Clr Light has bottled out. It demonstrates his ineptitude and inability to effectively lead Kirklees.

“He is being incredibly feeble. He should be leading the debate about the need for change in our schools and taking the lead on the tough decisions that will be required.

“Clr Light must either be prepared to lead this debate or resign and let someone else with more moral courage take over.”