Kirklees

What Kirklees does

Kirklees Council (Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council) is a local government authority in West Yorkshire, England, established in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972. It serves residents across towns including Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley, Cleckheaton, Holmfirth, and Marsden, delivering statutory public services including council tax administration, benefits support, housing, planning and development, waste management, highways and transport, adult and children's social care, libraries, cemeteries, and registration services for births, deaths, and marriages. The council is operating a digital-first service model through its Digital Kirklees platform and My Kirklees Account portal, complemented by 24 physical library locations, customer service centers, telephone contact centers, and community outreach via partners including Third Sector Leaders Kirklees.

The council operates a diversified revenue model funded by council tax across property bands A-H, business rates on commercial properties, central government grants (including from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Homes England), and statutory fees for planning, licensing, parking, registrations, and other services. Sub-brands include Digital Kirklees, Kirklees Libraries, Kirklees Jobs, and Kirklees Homes and Neighbourhoods. The technology stack is conventional enterprise/SaaS: GovDelivery for email, AccessAble for accessibility information, Giraffe360 for virtual tours, Overdrive and PressReader for digital library content, TicketSource for event booking, and Ancestry for genealogy services. No proprietary AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Strategically, the council is executing a multi-year district regeneration pipeline including a £27m Huddersfield Bus Station transformation, £16.5m market hall regeneration, £5.6m New Mills redevelopment, a 30-home affordable housing development in Newsome, and the Castle Hill visitor centre projected to deliver £5m-£10m annual economic uplift. The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and targets Net Zero by 2038, with regional recognition including CDP Cities A List status and the first UK Quality for Health Award (2022). Its customer base is structurally diffuse: residents and businesses across the district, with no commercial revenue concentration.

Name

Kirklees

Legal name

Kirklees Council

Website

https://kirklees.gov.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Kirklees Council is a metropolitan borough council in West Yorkshire, England, serving residents across Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley, and surrounding towns with statutory local government services, a digital self-service portal (My Kirklees Account), 24 libraries, and community programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Local Government Public Services

NAICS

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (921), Administration of Housing Programs (925110), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support (9211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Sanitary Services (4950), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Municipal Tax & Revenue Administration (Local) (BPAIACAD), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI), Public Works Departments (Streets, Bridges, Stormwater, Fleet, Maintenance) (BPAIALAD)

Keywords

• Local government services
• Public administration
• Council tax administration
• Waste management services
• Public library services

Headquarters

HQ city

Huddersfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Council Tax: Primary local government funding stream from residents based on property bands. Council tax funds core services including social care, waste collection, highways, and local services.
2. Business Rates: Levies on commercial properties and businesses operating within Kirklees district.
3. Government Grants: Central government funding including formula grants, specific grants for services like housing benefits, and regional funding from bodies like West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
4. Fees and Charges: Various service fees including planning application fees, licensing fees, parking charges, cemetery and crematorium fees, marriage ceremony fees, and other statutory charges.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Kirklees Council is the local government authority responsible for delivering statutory public services across the Kirklees district in West Yorkshire. Its core offerings include council tax administration, business rates, housing and homelessness services, adult and children's social care, planning and development, waste collection and recycling, highways and transport, library services across 24 locations, registration of births/deaths/marriages, licensing, and community support programmes. Services are funded through council tax, government grants, and statutory fees, delivered through digital self-service portals, physical offices, and community outreach.

Product overview

Kirklees Council provides a comprehensive suite of public services through its digital and physical channels. The core offering consists of 24 library locations supported by the My Kirklees Account digital portal, enabling residents to access council tax and benefits administration, connecting Kirklees transport services, Community Plus support programmes, climate emergency initiatives targeting Net Zero by 2038, and cost of living support services. Libraries serve as community hubs providing accessibility services including the Kirklees Transcription Service and Home Library Service, health and wellbeing resources through bibliotherapy, and digital access including free computers and Wi-Fi. The Council also operates Kirklees Jobs for employment services and provides registration services for births, deaths, marriages, and nationality matters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• My Kirklees Account: Online account portal for residents to access council services, make payments, and track requests

Products and services

• My Kirklees Account Online self-service portal allowing residents to make requests to Kirklees Council, track requests, manage council tax, view benefit payments, and access various digital transactions.
• Council Tax and Benefits Administration Online and offline services for council tax payment, discounts, benefits claims including Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, and Council Tax Reduction Scheme for eligible residents.
• Kirklees Libraries Network Network of 24 libraries across Kirklees offering free access to books, computers, Wi-Fi, events, digital resources including eBooks and eAudiobooks, and community support services.
• Connecting Kirklees Transport and connectivity initiative delivering sustainable transport projects including roads, walking and cycling paths, parking, and major transformational transport schemes.
• Community Plus Community support service offering one-to-one support, group support, healthy activities, and community development to help residents stay safe, connected, and well.
• Climate Emergency Programme Council initiative targeting Net Zero and climate readiness by 2038, including climate education, community engagement, and climate action planning across the district.
• Cost of Living Support Comprehensive support package including financial advice, energy cost assistance, food support, warm spaces, and mental health resources for residents facing cost challenges.
• Adult Social Care and Health Services arranging support, safeguarding, social activities, carers support, care homes, and paying for care for adults requiring assistance.
• Births, Deaths, Marriages and Nationality Registration Registration services for births, deaths, marriages, civil partnerships, citizenship ceremonies, and nationality documentation.
• Kirklees Jobs and Careers Portal Employment portal for Kirklees Council careers, apprenticeships, and job opportunities across various council departments.
• Bins and Recycling Services Waste collection services including grey, green, and brown bin collection, household waste recycling centres, and trade waste services for businesses.
• Kirklees Transcription Service Service helping individuals who have difficulty reading printed material, providing free information and support related to visual impairment.
• Home Library Service Free book delivery service for people who cannot access their local library due to mobility or health issues.
• Health and Wellbeing Services Library-based health and wellbeing support including bibliotherapy sessions, reading well collections, and health information resources.
• Licensing Services Licences for taxis, animals, waste, food, highways, gambling, entertainment, and other statutory regulated activities.
• Planning and Development Services Search for planning applications, regulations and policies, conservation, regeneration, and pollution control services.
• Housing and Homelessness Services Council housing, applying for property, homelessness support, travellers, housing strategies, and policies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved sustained workforce capacity gains and cost avoidance over seven years through Moving & Handling Ergonomics Team program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• West Yorkshire Combined AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional government partnership for major transport and infrastructure projects including £27m Huddersfield Bus Station transformation and affordable housing developments. WYCA provides significant funding and strategic direction for regional connectivity improvements.
• Homes EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational housing agency partnership for affordable housing delivery. Homes England provides funding and support for the 30-home affordable housing development in Newsome, Huddersfield.
• Unity Homes and EnterprisecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing association partner delivering affordable housing developments in Kirklees. Partnership on 30-home development targeting local people in Newsome.
• Lindum ConstructioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMain contractor for £27m Huddersfield Bus Station redevelopment project. Yorkshire-based construction firm delivering the transformation with engineering support from HJCE.
• HJ Consulting Engineers (HJCE)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYorkshire engineering firm providing engineering services and technical consultancy for Huddersfield Bus Station transformation. Wakefield-based specialist subcontractor to Lindum Construction.
• Third Sector Leaders KirkleescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for volunteering opportunities, community development, and third sector support across Kirklees. Manages volunteering portal and provides funding guidance.
• Kirklees Climate CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent advisory body established with council support to bring public, private and third sectors together to support climate actions across Kirklees. First meeting July 2021 in Dewsbury Town Hall.
• Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission (YHCC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional climate commission partnership for stakeholder engagement on Climate Change Action Plan. Kirklees actively supports YHCC Net Zero Group.
• West Yorkshire Archive ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Kirklees Local Studies Library providing access to original documents, maps, and historical records. Services by appointment only.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Homes England: National housing agency that partners with Kirklees on affordable housing delivery. Not a competitor but a funding/development partner that supplies capital for housing programs like the 30-home Newsome development.
• Local Government Association: National membership body representing English councils including Kirklees. Provides policy advocacy, guidance, and shared services that shape the operating environment for all UK metropolitan borough councils.

Direct peers

• Bradford Council: Adjacent metropolitan borough council in West Yorkshire delivering the same comprehensive set of local government services. Directly comparable as a neighboring local authority with similar statutory responsibilities and population scale.
• Barnsley Council: Metropolitan borough council in South Yorkshire delivering comparable local government services including council tax, housing, regeneration, and adult social care. Comparable scale and operational structure.
• Leeds City Council: Neighboring metropolitan borough council in West Yorkshire providing identical local government services including council tax, housing, social care, libraries, and planning. Direct peer given geographic and functional proximity within the same metropolitan area.
• Calderdale Council: West Yorkshire metropolitan borough council with similar scale and service portfolio. Direct peer sharing WYCA partnership and governance structure, with comparable housing and regeneration programs.
• Wakefield Council: West Yorkshire metropolitan borough council providing statutory local government services. Direct peer operating under the same Combined Authority framework with similar council tax, social care, and infrastructure responsibilities.

Regional players

• West Yorkshire Combined Authority: Regional governance body that funds and partners with Kirklees on transport and infrastructure projects. Functions as a strategic partner and funding provider rather than direct competitor, but shapes the operating environment.

Broad incumbents

• Birmingham City Council: Major metropolitan borough council providing the same statutory local government services. Comparable function but significantly larger scale and has experienced high-profile financial distress (Section 114 notice), representing a cautionary peer.
• Manchester City Council: Larger metropolitan borough council with broader regeneration agenda and larger budget. Comparable statutory functions but operates at a materially larger scale with more high-profile capital programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KirkleesCouncil
• Facebookfacebook.com/liveinkirklees
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kirklees-council
• Instagraminstagram.com/kirklees.council
• TikToktiktok.com/@ilovekirklees

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kirklees