The leader of Kirklees Council has announced her cabinet team, naming councillors who will take responsibility for major service areas as the newly formed administration begins work.
Cabinet named amid paused meetings
Councillor Sarah Wood, who was chosen as council leader earlier this month, has appointed an all‑Reform cabinet. The appointments were published on Tuesday, 21 July, while all scheduled council cabinet meetings have been removed from the council’s calendar until September. The council and Coun Wood have been approached for further comment on why meetings have been paused.
The cabinet is the authority’s principal decision‑making body, charged with setting priorities, overseeing major services and agreeing spending. With formal cabinet meetings not listed until September, residents and partner organisations are likely to want clarity on how urgent decisions will be made in the interim.
Who is in the new cabinet
- Sarah Wood – Leader
- Mark Smith – Deputy Leader
- Gill Floyd – Children’s services (statutory responsibility for children)
- Rob Butler – Education and SEND
- Michael Simmons – Adult social care and public health communities
- Philip James – Housing and physical communities
- Pip Harvey – Place, culture and volunteering
- John Hardie – Regeneration, highways and transport
- Simon Brophy – Strategic finance and local government efficiency
Coun Wood said the appointments bring together councillors with practical experience and professional knowledge aimed at improving decision‑making and service delivery for local residents.
"We are here now and I’m delighted to appoint a cabinet that brings together people with real expertise, practical experience and a shared commitment to serving the people of Kirklees."
Local impact and questions about governance
The announcement underlines the start of a new political administration in Kirklees. It also raises immediate governance questions for residents and partner bodies: with cabinet meetings absent from the calendar until September, how will time‑sensitive decisions be handled, and what temporary arrangements, if any, will be used to maintain services?
Some cabinet roles carry statutory responsibilities — notably Children’s Services — meaning oversight and decision‑making in those areas must comply with legal and safeguarding duties regardless of the meeting schedule. The new cabinet includes the portfolio leads whose work will affect daily services such as education, social care, housing, transport and public health.
| Portfolio | Cabinet member |
|---|---|
| Leader / overall responsibility | Sarah Wood |
| Children’s services (statutory) | Gill Floyd |
| Education & SEND | Rob Butler |
| Strategic finance | Simon Brophy |
The council’s website currently shows no cabinet meetings listed until September; the authority was contacted for clarification about whether urgent business will be conducted through officer delegations, special meetings or other mechanisms. Residents seeking updates on council business and service changes should monitor official council communications.
The new leader framed the appointments as fulfilment of electoral promises to bring change to Kirklees and said the administration will be guided by principles including putting residents first, promoting civic pride, community safety and responsible financial management.
InfoRadar has asked the council for further details on the suspended meeting schedule and any interim decision‑making arrangements and will publish responses when received.
