To appoint a Chair for the Municipal Year 2017/2018.

Resolved-

That Councillor Rachel Sunderland be appointed Chair of the Bradford East Area Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

Councillor Rachel Sunderland in the Chair

To appoint a Deputy Chair for the Municipal Year 2017/2018.

Resolved-

That Councillor Stubbs be appointed as Deputy Chair of the Bradford East Area Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

Action:           City Solicitor

(1)       Councillor Janette Sunderland disclosed an interest in Minute 12 as she was the Trustee of the Sprinfield Youth Centre and Chair of Inspired Neighbourhoods.

(2)       Councillor Salam disclosed an interest in Minute 7 as he was the Council’s cycling champion.

Action:           City Solicitor

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on  30 March 2017 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Fatima Butt – 01274 432227)

Resolved-

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2017 be signed as a correct record.

(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. 

(Fatima Butt - 01274 432227)

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

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

To hear questions from electors within the District on any matter this is the responsibility of the Committee. 

Questions must be received in writing by the City Solicitor in Room 112, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, by mid-day on Friday 7 July 2017.

(Fatima Butt - 01274 432227)

There were no questions submitted by the public.

Previous Reference: Executive, Minute 35 (2016/17)

At the meeting of the Executive held on 20 September 2016, the CityConnect 2, Bradford Canal Road Corridor Cycleway Scheme was considered and the principles were approved.

The scheme, in order to be implemented, requires changes to be made to the way in which the highways along the route are used.

The Executive authorised the Strategic Director, place, among other things, to process and advertise any traffic regulation orders that were necessary and it was decided that any valid objections were to be submitted to the Executive or this Area Committee, as appropriate for consideration.

Accordingly, the Strategic Director, Place will now present Document “D” which considers objections to the recently advertised (moving traffic) Traffic Regulation Order and to the (waiting, loading and parking) Traffic Regulation Order. The report identifies factors and options to be considered and makes the following recommendations.

Recommended –

(1)          That the objections be overruled and the (moving traffic) Traffic Regulation Order be sealed and implemented as advertised.

(2)          That the objections be overruled and the (waiting loading and parking) Traffic Regulation Order be sealed and implemented as advertised.

(3)          That the objectors be informed accordingly.

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Chris Bedford – 01274 437645)

Previous Reference: Executive, Minute 35 (2016/17)

At the meeting of the Executive held on 20 September 2016, the CityConnect 2, Bradford Canal Road Corridor Cycleway Scheme was considered and the principles were approved.

The scheme, in order to be implemented, required changes to be made to the way in which the highways along the route were used.

The Executive authorised the Strategic Director, place, among other things, to process and advertise any traffic regulation orders that were necessary and it was decided that any valid objections were to be submitted to the Executive or this Area Committee, as appropriate for consideration.

Accordingly, the Strategic Director, Place presented Document “D” which considered objections to the recently advertised (moving traffic) Traffic Regulation Order and to the (waiting, loading and parking) Traffic Regulation Order. The report identified factors and options to be considered.

The Principal Engineer, Design and Construction informed Members that three objections had been received, one to the TRO regarding prohibiting vehicles turning from Queens Road into Valley Road, prohibiting entry from Queens Road into Valley Road and restricting the one-way flow of traffic to a northerly direction on Valley Road.

The remaining two objections were to the “no waiting and no loading/unloading at any time” along the full length of the Cycle Superhighway comprising lengths of Hillam Road, Valley Road, Bolton Lane, Queens Road, Canal Road, Stanley Road and Lower Kirkgate, Bradford.

It was reported that prior to advertising the Orders a consultation exercise was held.  Businesses were contacted and offered individual meetings to discuss any issues and concerns.  Not all businesses took up that offer and some that did were not satisfied with the outcome.  Others did engage in those meetings and where it was possible to make design modifications to the scheme then those businesses had been satisfied with the proposed Orders.

Members were informed that consideration had been given to amending the TRO in order to reduce the length of the restriction for one-way traffic flow on Valley Road.  The aim would prevent vehicles entering Valley Road from Queens Road whilst still allowing two way flow of traffic along the rest of Valley Road for local traffic between business premises.  Traffic could still enter Valley Road from the south only but would be able to leave in either direction.  The carriageway would be widened to enable a car and a LGV to pass each other and some passing places could be provided to enable two LGV’s to pass.  However, this option would result in the cycle track width being less than the recommended width for a two-way cycle track and would compromise safety for cyclists.  A high wall on one side and moving traffic on the other side would increase the danger to cyclists as the risk of cyclists catching their handlebars on the wall or with another cyclist whilst shying away from the edge of the cycle track nearest to passing motor traffic.  This option would therefore not be recommended.

It was reported that consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “A”) seeks to update Members on current casualty levels and trends in Bradford East and on the road safety education, training and publicity initiatives aimed at reducing these casualties.

Recommended –

(1)          That the information in respect of casualty trends and road safety activities in Bradford East be noted.

(2)          That the evidence based approach to determining road safety priorities continues to be supported.

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Sue Snoddy – 01274 437409)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “A”) sought to update Members on current casualty levels and trends in Bradford East and on the road safety education, training and publicity initiatives aimed at reducing these casualties.

It was reported that in 2016 there was an overall decrease in casualties in the Bradford District and the long term downward trend had been maintained; this mirrored the long term downward trend for West Yorkshire.

Members were informed that in Bradford East there was an overall decrease in casualties and, as with the District, the long term trend was downward.

In response to Members’ questions it was reported that officers would work with priority schools not participating in road safety sessions being offered.

Resolved –

(1)          That the information in respect of casualty trends and road safety activities in Bradford East be noted.

(2)          That the evidence based approach to determining road safety priorities continues to be supported.

Action:           Strategic Director, Place

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The Area Committee is asked to consider Document “B” in which the Strategic Director, Place seeks approval for a programme of safer roads schemes for Bradford East for the 2017/18 financial year.

Recommended –

(1)          That a programme of Casualty Reduction Schemes for 2017/18 listed in Appendix 1 to Document “B” be approved.

(2)          That the proposed programme of Traffic Management Schemes for 2017/18 listed in appendices 2 and 3 to Document “B” be approved.

(3)          That any Traffic Regulation Orders or any legal procedures linked to the processing of traffic calming measures or pedestrian crossing facilities which are necessary to implement the chosen schemes be approved for processing and advertising subject to the scheme details being agreed with the local Ward Members.

(4)          That any valid objections to the advertised Traffic Regulation Orders, traffic calming or pedestrian facilities be submitted to this Area Committee for consideration or in the event of there being no valid objections the Traffic Regulation Orders be sealed and implemented and the traffic calming or pedestrian facilities be implemented as advertised.

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

Previous Reference: Minute 55 (2016/17)

Document “C” updates Members on a petition regarding through traffic and fly-tipping issues on and around Raglan Terrace which was originally considered at the meeting held on 16 February 2017. At that meeting it was resolved:-

That in relation to New Lane and Raglan Terrace, Bradford, alternative options be explored to reduce the issues raised in the petition, including the possibility of CCTV and a review of the road layout and a report be presented to the Committee in the next three months.

Accordingly the Strategic Director, Place will now update Members on those issues.

Recommended –

(1)          That the white lining layout remains as existing.

(2)          That the Council Wardens regularly patrol the area.

(3)          That the petitioners be informed accordingly.

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

Previous Reference: Minute 55 (2016/17)

Document “C” updated Members on a petition regarding through traffic and fly-tipping issues on and around Raglan Terrace which was originally considered at the meeting held on 16 February 2017. At that meeting it was resolved:-

That in relation to New Lane and Raglan Terrace, Bradford, alternative options be explored to reduce the issues raised in the petition, including the possibility of CCTV and a review of the road layout and a report be presented to the Committee in the next three months.

Accordingly the Strategic Director, Place updated Members on those issues.

It was reported that:

·         It was not considered that the implementation of an alternative white lining layout at this location would deter either fly-tipping or through traffic.

·         An audit of the area was undertaken including rubbish in back gardens.  This was followed by door knocking by Wardens to residents who had rubbish in their back gardens. This rubbish had now all been removed apart from a couple of gardens where agreements were in place as to how and when it would be removed.

·         Bradford Council’s Neighbourhoods Team had worked with local residents to carry out backstreet clean ups in the area and oversaw the removal of fly-tipped items by residents.  The Council Wardens had increased passing patrols who were monitoring the area for any new fly tips.

·         The residents were aware of their responsibilities and had agreed to maintain the cleanliness of their back gardens and not to dump waste in the back street. They had been educated regarding the options available to properly dispose of their waste. They had also been informed how to report fly tipping to the Council so that action could be taken. 

·         The Environmental Enforcement Team manager had also confirmed that this area was not a hot-spot for fly-tipping. It had been agreed that Wardens would regularly patrol the area.

Members commended the work of the wardens and the Area Co-ordinators office.

Resolved –

(1)          That the white lining layout remains as existing.

(2)          That the Council Wardens regularly patrol the area.

(3)          That the petitioners be informed accordingly.

Action:           Strategic Director, Place

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The Strategic Director, Place will submit Document “E” which

informs the Area Committee of the requirement to replace

street lighting columns that have been identified as non-compliant.

That is, they are in need of urgent replacement due their age and condition

based upon the findings of inspections carried out during reactive

maintenance visits.

Recommended-

That the Priority 1 street lighting column replacement scheme listed in Table A of Appendix 1 to Document “E” be implemented.

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                            (Allun Preece – 01274 434019)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted Document “E” which informed the Area Committee of the requirement to replace street lighting columns that had been identified as non-compliant.  That was, they were in need of urgent replacement due their age and condition based upon the findings of inspections carried out during reactive maintenance visits.

Resolved-

That the Priority 1 street lighting column replacement scheme listed in Table A of Appendix 1 to Document “E” be implemented.

Action:           Strategic Director, Place

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The Strategic Director, Place will submit Document “F” which gives an

update on changes to the Youth Service made in response to budget savings

and staff re-structure and gives details of the budget for the Youth Service in

2017/18.

Recommended-

That the changes made to the Youth Service as detailed in Document “F” and the budget for the Service for 2017-18 be noted.

(Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                            (Jonathan Hayes – 01535 618008)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted Document “F” which gave an update on changes to the Youth Service made in response to budget savings and staff re-structure and gave details of the budget for the Youth Service in 2017/18.

It was reported that:

·                    Following the budget decisions approved on 25 February 2016 the Youth Service has had to make savings of £750,000 over the two years 2016/18.  In order to ensure that these savings could be realised, the Youth Service undertook a number of budget saving measures which included discontinuing the support offered to Tier 1 NEET (Not in Education Employment or Training) young people  which was transferred back to Children’s Services.

·                    The measures had also involved the closure of the two Information Shops for Young People in the District (at Culture Fusion and Keighley Town Hall).  Two information officers were transferred to Customer Services and were now based at Britannia House and Keighley Town Hall and a Young People’s Information and Advice ‘App’ was being developed.  Youth Workers in the Area teams would be given training on the use of the App and they would continue to support young people in being able to access appropriate information, Advice and Guidance in the most relevant and helpful way for each young person.

·                    Following consultation with Trade Unions and staff Senior Youth Worker numbers had been reduced from 6.5 to 2.5.  Those senior workers who were not successful in securing a permanent post had been retained on a 12-month fixed term contract due to the extra funding secured from the Buddy contract.

·                    The Service anticipated having to make redundant full-time professionally qualified youth worker staff as part of the budget savings but due to voluntary redundancies and the successful award of a commission from the Bradford and Airedale Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) the Service had been able to complete the restructure with no compulsory redundancies to Youth Workers.

·         In line with the budget decisions staff had been allocated to each Area team according to youth population size rather than an equal number for each area.

Members commented on a number of issues which included:

·                    How easy was it for young people to contact Information Officers based at Britannia House and Keighley Town Hall as the offices were only opened about eight hours.

·                    It was more appropriate for Information Officers to be based in Culture Fusion as it was more accessible and inviting; concerned about Information Officers not being located in a suitable setting.

·                    Did not feel that a Young People’s Information and Advice App would help a young person not engaged in the service.

·                    When would the Young People’s Information and Advice App be launched?

·                    Some people would not be able to access the Advice App on their telephones; what were the Youth Service doing alongside for people who could not access the information App.

·                    It was not appropriate to be reliant on the App;  the App was not going to be the solution for everything and was not contributing to solving  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.