(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.

In the interest of transparency, during the discussion in respect of Minute No. 14, Councillor Ahmed declared an interest in that he was a private landlord, however, he considered the debate with an open mind.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2022 be signed as a correct record.

(Farzana Mughal – 07811 504164)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th July 2022, 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. 

(Farzana Mughal – 07811 504164)

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 26 September 2022.

(Farzana Mughal – 07811 504164)

There were no questions submitted by the public.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “D”) which seeks approval of the draft Bradford East Locality Plan 2022-25 and also includes the six Ward Plans.

Recommended:

(1)  That the draft Bradford East Locality Plan 2022-25, as detailed in this report at Appendix A and Bradford East Ward Plans as detailed in Appendix B be approved.

(2)  That the Bradford East Area Co-ordinator presents a progress report to the Area Committee in 12 months, setting out the progress and achievements made for each of the priorities detailed in the Bradford East Locality Plan 2022-25, including the six Ward Plans.

(Louise Williams - 01274 431066)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted a report (Document “D”) which sought approval of the draft Bradford East Locality Plan 2022-25.  The Council, working with partner agencies, was undertaking work to strengthen its approach to Locality Working. A key part of that approach was the development of Locality Plans.

The Locality Plan had been developed in consultation with a range of partners, community groups and residents with the aim of ensuring that the voices of all communities in the Area was heard.

In the ensuing debate, Members highlighted the following points:

• That both plans outlined for the Bowling and Barkerend and Bradford Moor wards were similar. The Area Co-ordinator explained that the plans for both wards were the same owing to the similar nature of the issues. 
• The priority outcomes of obesity levels in children and young people also be included to Eccleshill ward.
• The Area Committee would be responsible to oversee, monitor and hold the Council to account for the implementation of the Locality Plan.
• The approach to deliver the priorities would be through projects.
• The Locality Plan was not set in stone and emerging issues and opportunities would be able to be accommodated.

In the ensuing discussions, Members highlighted the following:

The Committee requested numbers of children absent from school in the Eccleshill and Idle and Thackley wards.  The Committee noted that children persistently absent from school was a huge concern.. It was recognised that the Council want to support every child to attend school or alternative provision. To tackle this, the Council would like to work with schools, youth services and families in ensuring all children received the right support and education.

Whilst, the Committee recognised the pandemic had put a considerable strain on health care services, people were continuing experiencing difficulty accessing their GP and dentist.  It was acknowledged that community partnerships need to work closely together with health services to develop integrated ways of reducing the current pressure on health services, including ways to better support those to look after their health.

Whilst people feared with the cost of living, some were facing difficulties with the rent increase. The Committee stressed the issues with private landlords not carrying out essential repair works and stressed the Council to use powers to ensure landlords were taking onus in carrying out essential works to ensure that private rented properties were safe. In light of this, the Committee requested for an update of the Housing Standards report to be provided at a future meeting. It was agreed that this item be added to the Forward Plan.  The Area Co-ordinator reminded the Committee, that the Council was holding an event in October 2022, to support people who need help with the cost of living. 

The Committee also noted the growing problems with vacant allotments in the district. It was emphasised the importance getting these plots filled and that the Council need to be more flexible to ensure vacant plots were made available for people to take on. 

Whilst the Committee welcomed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “E”) which provides an update on key policing and anti-social behaviour issues in the Bradford East Constituency.

Recommended:

That the work undertaken by the Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team and partners be noted.

(Louise Williams - 01274 431066)

POLICING BRADFORD EAST

The Strategic Director, Place submitted a report (Document “E”) which provided an update on key policing and anti-social behaviour issues in the Bradford East Constituency. The report detailed the issues around anti-social behaviour and drug use.

Inspector Paul Riley (Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team) introduced the report, by doing so, Members’ attention was drawn to appendix 1, which showed the breakdown of crime figures for January to July 2022, compared to the same period in 2019.  It was reported that there had been a 10% rise in crime.

However, it was noted that whilst there was a reduction in crimes, such as burglaries, robberies and theft of motor vehicle, the number of drug related crimes had risen by 20% since 2019.

There had also been a significant increase in incidents relating to anti-social behaviour. In order to tackle the issues, multi-agency response worked hard with partners from the Police, Council, Anti-social Behaviour Teams, Youth Service, social housing landlords and schools. Services were also working together to ensure the relevant support was in place and early intervention work was ongoing.

To help to engage with young people, Police had been visiting primary schools across the Bradford East to offer support and guidance and focusing on three priority areas (knife crime, anti-social behaviour and healthy relationships). This also provided an opportunity for the Police and Council to hold joint contact points at local primary schools during parents’ evenings.

 Arising from the discussion, Members raised the following points:

·         Funding cuts to Youth Services had played a key part in youth engagement as it was a proven way of engaging with young people in a positive way and helping to divert them away from crime.

·         It was also prudent that the Police reached out to secondary schools to provide support and issues, including knife crimes and drugs. Inspector Paul Riley reported on the collaborative work through ‘Safer Schools Partnership’ between schools, Police and Fire Services to ensure young people are safe, reduce crimes and improving behaviour in schools and their communities.

·         Public expectations were so low that people were not reporting on some of the crimes. It was recognised that the Police had to do more to help build trust and confidence between people and the Police.

·         There was a worrying trend of people considering drugs to be socially acceptable, in particular, young people using soft drugs, including the use of Nitrous Oxide. Inspector Paul Riley acknowledged drug crime was a massive problem and tackling drugs was a priority for the Police. Inspector Riley pledged for the communities to work with the Police to help people resist drug misuse and to protect communities.

·         Problem with knife crime were overwhelmingly. It was worrying that more people, in particular, the young people, were carrying knives. Inspector Riley stressed that engagement work with services and communities was important to safeguard people in education from knife crime.

·         Concerns around bonfire and misuse of fireworks, Inspector Riley added that firework misuse was dangerous and should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.