(Members Code of Conduct – Part 4A of the Constitution)

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

Notes:

(1)       Members must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

(2)       Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(3)       Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

No disclosures of interest were received in relation to matters under consideration.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 27 July and 28 September 2023 be signed as correct records (previously circulated).

(Asad Shah – 07970 414022)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 27 July and 28 September 2023 be signed as correct records.

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

(Asad Shah – 07970 414022)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

Any referrals that have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda will be reported at the meeting.

There were no referrals to this committee.

The report of the Director of Public Health (Document “M”) presents an update on Living Well whole systems approach to obesity and wellbeing in Bradford District. It outlines the rationale for Living Well, key elements of the approach and provides an update on the key achievements by all the direct delivery projects so far.

Recommended –

(1)       That members note the depth, breadth, and detail of the Living Well Approach to improve health and wellbeing across the Bradford District as detailed in the report.

(2)       That members continue to support Living Well in their work and in their communities.

(3)       That a further progress report is made in 12 months’ time to this committee.

(Rose Dunlop – 07834062144)

The report of the Director of Public Health (Document “M”) presented an update on Living Well whole systems approach to obesity and wellbeing in Bradford District. It outlined the rationale for Living Well, key elements of the approach and provided an update on the key achievements by all the direct delivery projects so far.

The Chair opened the discussion of the item by acknowledging the progress made by the commissioners in their strategic management role to promote the Living Well agenda on a larger scale. In specific, the abundance of information available in various community establishments such as health centres, GP surgeries, community centres, and schools within her ward. This extensive display of information indicated that there had clearly been a significant effort to make the concept of Living Well known and accessible to the general public. The Chair praised this accomplishment.

A Q&A session ensued:

·         Information was sought on the possibility of obtaining a breakdown of the work undertaken on an individual ward basis, specifically including the engagement level of schools' contribution towards Living Well. This information would greatly assist Ward Councillors in gaining a deeper understanding of the current activities within their respective wards. Furthermore, having access to this breakdown would also enable Ward Councillors to effectively promote the agenda in their respective wards. It would provide them with valuable insights and allow them to identify areas where they may be able to actively contribute and support the overall goals.

o   The request for tailored information could be made available to individual Councillors as and when required. The assistance and commitment of elected officials towards Living Well would be greatly appreciated.

·         Since the introduction of Living Well, had there been a significant difference of behavioural changes within individual wards following post Covid?

o   Working in partnership with well-known service providers to offer programmes with support that had been designed psychology of behaviour change and was delivered via community groups and online platforms to help people break old habits and change their lifestyle, giving them the confidence to commit to healthier new habits, for life.

·         Historically, programmes were restricted to time frames. In reference to health and fitness activities, such events were often short lived and with past experiences, people were known for returning to their habitual lifestyles. Therefore, had a scale of continuity been factored in the Physical Activity Strategy following the cessation of health and fitness programmes?

o   The support had been designed using the psychology of behaviour change and was delivered via community groups and online platforms to help people break old habits and change their lifestyle, giving them the confidence to commit to healthier new habits, for life.

·         How were local communities able to access local community-based services?

o   Access to Community Living Well services was easy - direct online self-referrals or through primary care and local community health teams.

·         What other changes had been set into motion?

o   Councils were benefiting from greater legislative powers to help address long-term public health  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document *O*) provide of the forthcoming procurement of a framework agreement with a value, in excess of £2 million.

Bradford Council's Adaptation Team within the Department of Place (Housing Service) currently utilises a framework agreement for the delivery of major disabled adaptation work through the Council’s Agency Service.

The current framework agreement has been in place since 1 April 2020 and is due to expire on 31st March 2024.

Recommended –

That the committee notes the report and supports the continuation of the approach to procure a Bradford Council specific framework of 4 contractors, Option 1 above, providing significant benefits in terms of flexibility, risk, time management, competitiveness, supplier relationships and performance, without the need to guarantee any volume of business.

(Alison Garlick – 01274 434512)

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document *O*) provided the forthcoming procurement of a framework agreement with a value, in excess of £2 million.Bradford Council's Adaptation Team within the Department of Place (Housing Service) currently utilises a framework agreement for the delivery of major disabled adaptation work through the Council’s Agency Service.The current framework agreement has been in place since 1 April 2020 and is due to expire on 31st March 2024.

The Private Sector Housing Manager (Adaptations) was in attendance and at the invitation of the Chair gave a synopsis of the report. She explained that, The Council Plan – Priorities and Principles 2021-2025 identified seven priority outcomes.  The Decent Homes priority outcome set out an ambition for everyone to have a comfortable home which met needs and helped to fulfilling lives.  This included supporting residents to live independently and ensuring that elderly and vulnerable people could access specialist housing that met their needs.  The Better Health, Better Lives priority outcomes also focused on supporting people to lead long, happy and productive lives and supporting vulnerable children and adults to remain safe and secure. Under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 the Authority had a statutory duty to deliver Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG). The current maximum mandatory grant was £30,000.Since 2020-21 Bradford had received an annual government funding allocation of £5,137,133, per year. In 2023-24, the authority had received an initial allocation of £5,137,133 and an additional in year allocation of £448,266, which was received in September 2023. All local authorities received the additional in year allocation. The total allocation in Bradford for 2023-24 was £5,585,399. Government guidance to the DFG legislation had identified that it was good practice for local authorities to provide an agency service to offer practical help with building works for vulnerable clients (whether homeowners or tenants). In particular, the guidance explained that delivery through agency services could enable a better service to applicants and allow the authority to better control standards of work and regulatory compliance, as part of a regular monitoring and vetting process. The Council's Housing Service provides an in-house Agency Service to DFG applicants which completes the necessary paperwork for clients, organises the adaptation works and oversees the on-site contract management of the works. Housing Technical Officers co-ordinate and project manage this service, but the delivery of construction works is procured.

Resolved:

That the information provided in the report, and the intended continuation of the approach set out in Option 1 (to procure a Bradford Council specific framework of 4 contractors), be noted.

The report of the Director of Legal and Governance (Document “P”) presents the Committee’s work programme 2023/24.

Recommended –

That the Committee notes and comments on the information presented in Appendix A.

(Caroline Coombs – 01274 432313)

The report of the Director of Legal and Governance (Document “P”) presented the Committee’s work programme 2023/24.

No resolution of was passed on this item.