Kirklees Inclusive Economy Strategy
Case ID: IIA-671512717
Date of assessment: 25/06/2025 16:44:38
Lead officer: Jonathan Nunn
Strategic directorate: Place
Directorate: Skills & Regeneration
Service: Business and Skills
What is being assessed: A policy
Outline of the proposal and the overall aims/purposes:The Kirklees Inclusive Economy Strategy is the overarching strategy for the local economy in Kirklees.
Who does this proposal impact upon: Residents
Does this proposal concern health care, education or housing: yes
What wards will be affected by this proposal: All
CLiK survey,Director of Public Health Report,Index of multiple deprivation,Kirklees Observatory,Nomis,ONS inequalities data,ONS Inequality map,ONS Kirklees Census 2021,Project specific engagement and consultation,Other Significant analysis has been undertaken of economic data from a range of sources including ONS. These include GVA, households below average income and custom tables from Census 2021 among others.Comments in relation to intelligence and insight considered:
Analysis of economic outcomes has taken a focus on inequalities to ensure proposals meet the needs of all residents and businesses and not purely improvement in headline metrics. This analysis was the subject of a 'deep dive' session with a range of colleagues including those from the Equality & Diversity Team during its development. Insights about different groups' experiences of our local economy also formed a central part of a number of presentations to partner organisations to support conversations about the appropriate direction of the strategy.
To what extent were Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) aims considered: Fully
Comments in relation to how PSED aims were considered:Consideration of inequalities in different groups' experiences of our local economy has formed a central part of developing the KIES and will continue to inform implementation of individual interventions.
Does the proposal include residents/service users accessing information or a service from the council: no
Details why residents/service users access has not been considered:Residents/ service users access will be of relevance to implementation of some individual interventions but not the overarching strategy.
Does this project involve making a planning application: No
Did this proposal require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) completing: No
Were any groups consulted: yes
Details of consultation:Presentations were made on the economic strategy at an early stage of development at the: • Tackling Inequalities Programme Board (19/04/2023) • Inclusion and Diversity Hub (24/04/2023)Summary of action plan including how negative impacts were mitigated:
Considerations from these discussions informed further data analysis and have informed the development of the strategy.
Equality, diversity and inclusion - Protected characteristics
Level of impact: Medium
Type of impact: Positive
The KIES is a wide ranging strategy with varying impacts for different age groups across the three main themes of employment, business and place making. It is apparent that there are specific issues in employment support in particular at the younger and older ends of the working age spectrum. This is considered in detail in the development of interventions in this area. Place-making also impacts different age groups quite differently. Inclusive design is central to Kirklees' approach including initiatives such as publication of the Kirklees Dementia Friendly Design Guide.
Level of impact: Low
Type of impact: Positive
The KIES recognises the differing experience of services and outcomes by different ethnic groups and the need to ensure there are appropriate services to meet a range of cultural needs.
Level of impact: Medium
Type of impact: Positive
It is recognised that there is a pay gap for those with disabilities as well as challenges for those with disabilities and long-term health and well being issues that wish to gain or stay in employment. Several initiatives within the strategy are targeted at these issues particularly the WY Fair Work Charter and the Health & Work programmes funded by Government and part of the Get Britain Working White Paper.
Type of impact: Neutral
No evidence has been identified of differing experiences for those who have undergone gender reassignment - either positive or negative - during the course of development of the KIES. As such no adjustments to proposals or ways of working have been made to mitigate for or capitalise on these.
Type of impact: Neutral
There is no direct impact of this strategy on the Gypsy, Roma or Traveller communities.
Level of impact: Medium
Type of impact: Positive
People have significantly different experience of our places and the economy depending on their sex and the intersection of sex with other protected characteristics - particularly race and disability. This is taken into consideration in the development of schemes such as town centre regeneration, business support, and employment and skills support. This will continue to be the case and will carry through into the implementation of individual interventions within the strategy with the aim of reducing gender wage gaps, low representation of women within business leadership, and ensuring our places are as accessible and enjoyable for everyone irrespective of their sex and gender.
Level of impact: Medium
Type of impact: Positive
The experience of our economy of those on low incomes has been a specific focus during development of the KIES. There is clear evidence of the impact of low income on other social and health outcomes and as such seeing fewer people economically inactive and increased income for those in in-work poverty is a central concern of this strategy. However, the council and partners are cognisant of the limitations of our impact and the need to work with regional and national government to see wider structural changes that address these challenges.
Type of impact: Neutral
No evidence has been identified of differing experiences based on marital or civil partnership status - either positive or negative - during the course of development of the KIES. As such no adjustments to proposals or ways of working have been made to mitigate for or capitalise on these.
Type of impact: Neutral
No evidence has been identified of differing experiences based on sexual orientation - either positive or negative - during the course of development of the KIES. As such no adjustments to proposals or ways of working have been made to mitigate for or capitalise on these.
Level of impact: Low
Type of impact: Positive
There is no direct impact of this strategy on women in pregnancy or maternity, however, continued pursuit and promotion of fair work should result in improved experiences in employment and training for women at these moments in their lives.
Type of impact: Neutral
As the KIES is a high-level strategy, consideration of ensuring access to housing for members of the armed forces community will be addressed through our Housing Strategy.
Type of impact: Neutral
While there are inequalities related to ethnicity (which has a relationship with this characteristic) no existing inequalities or concerns about the impact of interventions in the strategy have been identified.
Level of impact: Low
Type of impact: Positive
Unpaid carers are more likely to be economically inactive or in low paid insecure work due to the other pressures placed on them. Pursuit of fair work is expected to see increased flexibility on the part of employers and other improvements such as greater predictability of hours that support a more secure income and decrease stress and anxiety associated with combining work and caring responsibilities.
Access to services
Environment
Level of impact: Low
Type of impact: Positive
As a high level economic strategy, this document sets out ambitions for mass transit and development of housing and commercial property that supports and promotes more sustainable lifestyles. We would expect this to result in reductions in road traffic and increases in active travel and thus improved air quality.
Does this proposal affect an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA): No
Type of impact: Neutral
As a high level strategy there is no anticipated impact on biodiversity and nature. However, this will be a key consideration for all development schemes as they reach the project stage.
Does this proposal include changes to a location within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), local wildlife sites or green belt: No
Will the proposal be impacted by climate change: No
Level of impact: High
Type of impact: Positive
The approach taken to developments identified in the strategy (in Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley, Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth and Marsden) places preservation of heritage assets as a core objective. The approach taken to Our Cultural Heart maintaining the Grade 2 listed parabolic structures, and with the Dewsbury Arcade renovation are prime examples of this.
Level of impact: Low
Type of impact: Positive
As a high level economic strategy, this document sets out ambitions for greener industry, creation of more green jobs, and place making that supports and promotes more sustainable lifestyles. We would expect this to result in decreased greenhouse gas emissions across industry, homes and transport.
Type of impact: Neutral
There are no anticipated impacts of the strategy on light pollution.
Type of impact: Neutral
There are no anticipated impacts of the strategy on noise pollution.
Type of impact: Neutral
There is no direct impact on recycling rates anticipated as a result of this strategy.
To what extent was reducing the amount of waste created in the first place been considered: To some extent
Details, information or evidence in relation to waste reduction: The strategy recognises the significant economic opportunities for Kirklees businesses arising from the transition to net zero. In particular, developing the role of the circular economy which reduces waste and supports refurbishment and recycling of materials and products.
Type of impact: Neutral
As a high level economic strategy, this document sets out ambitions for housing growth and economic growth. While these could see impacts on water quality, these are managed through planning policies.
Does this proposal involve the installation or use of a private water supply: No
Type of impact: Neutral
As a high level economic strategy, this document sets out ambitions for housing growth and economic growth. While both could see increased water stress it will be important to consider this in line with the requirements of the Ware Act (2003) in development of the detailed plans at project stage where applicable.