Devolution

Huddersfield District Committee

A new way of working• Kirklees Council has to change the way it delivers

services to respond to reductions in public spending. This means:-– Individuals and communities are supported to do more to

help themselves.– District Committees working with partners and the

community to make the most of the resources that are available locally.

– Resources and services are aligned to respond to local needs.

Current position

From April 2015 – a new role for District Committees

• Enhanced role in influencing council wide planning• Enhanced community engagement and

involvement • Making recommendations to Cabinet on

prioritising services and assets in their district• Influencing how services and resources are better

aligned to local needs

Proposed approach

Consultation

Prioritisation

Influence delivery

Three tiers of devolution

District Assessment - consider all these things and propose how services are

structured

Services Councillor knowledge

Ward plans

Community intelligence

Community capacity and skills

Assets

District Plan – Plan of Place

Underpinned by Councillor led community engagement and Council strategies

Financial Resources

• Existing District Committee revenue budget. Committee decides how this will be spent

• 10% of New Homes Bonus. Proposals to cabinet

Working at a local level

• Opportunities to work flexibly i.e. across ward boundaries and create new partnerships.

• Piloting approaches to new ways of working

Next Steps• Consultation on proposals - October to December 2014• Council to consider the outcome of the consultation and

agree a way forward - December 2014• Council agree budget - February 2015• District Committees presented with information to provide

the basis for the Plan of Place - March 2015 onwards• District Committees begin process of influencing service

delivery - May 2015• District Committees to present Plan of Place to Cabinet -

Summer 2015

Consultation Questions

• What do you think about the devolution approach that is being proposed?

 

• What do you see as:

– The opportunities of the proposed approach?– The challenges and how they might be

overcome?