Kirklees Labour Group’s former Leader, Cllr Cathy Scott, has reflected on the “formidable challenges” faced during her tenure.
Councillor Scott came into post last July following the shock resignation of Shabir Pandor as Labour Leader of the Council. Councillor Pandor was expected to face a vote of no confidence from the Labour group in the following week.
As Cllr Scott had been Deputy Leader, she automatically assumed the position of Acting Leader upon Pandor’s resignation. She was then elected to lead the council at a full council meeting in September.
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Shortly after becoming leader, Councillor Scott pledged a “fresh start” for Kirklees with a focus on setting a fair and balanced budget, regenerating towns and villages, improving Children’s Services and delivering on the climate emergency.
Her role as Leader of the Council has been set against a backdrop of a precarious financial position, with the local authority making cuts to plug a £47m black hole in its budget and stave off effective bankruptcy. For more stories like this sign up to our daily newsletter here.
The council successfully balanced its budget for the financial year 2023/24 and much to the relief of the community, many facilities in the firing line like some of the borough’s KAL-run leisure centres and dementia care homes were saved from the council’s axe.
Soon after becoming leader, Cllr Scott also unveiled plans to reduce councillors’ allowances by five percent which caused controversy in the council chamber, particularly on the Conservative benches. Fifty-one of all 69 elected members agreed to take the cut.
We asked Cllr Scott to reflect on her time as Leader of the group and she said: “As the first female leader of the Labour group, I faced formidable challenges, particularly during a precarious financial period amid global concerns like the incidents in the Middle East. I had to navigate these complexities while staying true to my principles.
“Securing significant funding from various sources to avert bankruptcy reflected on my team’s resourcefulness and dedication to safeguarding the council’s interests.
“Advocating for community needs and concerns remains central to my mission, even in the face of external and internal pressures and attempts to sow division. My steadfast direction in upholding these values is vital in safeguarding the interests of the communities I serve.”
During her time in post, the shape of Kirklees’ Labour has shifted dramatically with the party’s stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict the crucial factor in this. The group also took a hit at the local elections, losing four seats.
Five members – Cllr Ammar Anwar, Cllr Jo Lawson, Cllr Imran Safdar, Cllr Mus Khan and former councillor, Ebrahim Dockrat – left the group over the situation in Gaza. Councillors Anwar, Lawson, Safdar and Dockrat formed a new group – the Kirklees Community Independents.
Some of those exiting the Labour group criticised Cllr Scott’s leadership style and the culture of the local Labour group. Councillor Lawson described the group as a “toxic swamp” with an alleged lack of democracy and discussion, and most recently, Cllr Mus Khan alleged a “toxic and bullying” environment within the group.
The group’s annual meeting this week saw Cllr Carole Pattison (Greenhead) elected to lead the group going forward. Replacing Cllr Paul Davies (Holme Valley South) in the role of Deputy Leader is Cllr Moses Crook (Holme Valley South).
Councillor Scott is expected to resign from her post as Leader of the Council in the coming days to make way for a new Leader who is due to be elected at next Wednesday’s council meeting.
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