The new leader of Kirklees Council has announced her Cabinet and has pledged to cut debt and turn the local authority around.
Reform UK’s Sarah Wood is the new council leader and she’ll serve on the Cabinet with eight other Reform councillors.
Reform UK emerged from the all-out elections on May 7 as the biggest party but the council was deadlocked for two months, unable to elect a leader.
Finally, the Conservatives backed Reform in a ‘secret’ ballot allowing Clr Wood to be elected as leader.
Clr Wood described the last two months as “challenging” and added: “Now the real work to improve efficiency, effectiveness and fiscal competence begins.
“Reform is at the helm of a tanker. It’s going to get choppy and the turning of it will take time.”
Clr Wood said the council’s “debt has to come down” and “every penny of Kirklees residents’ money spent has to be riven with responsibility to our communities.”
While the new Cabinet members will have briefings and detailed discussions behind the scenes with council officers, there won’t be a public Cabinet meeting until September.
Cabinet meetings planned for July 28 and August 25 have been cancelled.
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 meaning by the time of the next Cabinet meeting on September 8, it’ll be almost six months since the last one.
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.”
Opposition parties aren’t happy that Cabinet meetings have been cancelled.
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?”
