(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.

The following declarations were made in the interest of transparency:

(i)             In the interest of transparency Councillor Jamil declared an interest in the items relating to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (Minute No. 19), and Community Buildings Grants for 2023-25 (Minute No. 21), namely that she was the Chair of WomenZone.

(ii)            In the interest of transparency Cllr Ahmed declared that he owned a retail shop in relation to the Policing Update (Minute No. 20).

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Louis Kingdom – 07890 416570)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 be held 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. 

(Louis Kingdom – 07890 416570)

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 Director of Legal and Governance in Room 112, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, by mid-day on Tuesday 3 October 2023.

(Louis Kingdom – 07890 416570)

There were no questions submitted by the public.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “F”) which considers objections and support received to recently advertised proposals for a permit parking scheme on Rowanberry Close/Whitebeam Walk, Eccleshill.

Recommended –

(1)      That the objections to the proposed permit parking measures on both Rowanberry Close and Whitebeam Walk having been taken into account are determined not to outweigh the proposed benefits of the Order and the Order therefore be sealed and implemented as advertised.

(2)           That the objectors and supporters be informed accordingly.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted a report (Document “F”) which considered objections as well as support received in response to recently advertised proposals for a permit parking scheme on Rowanberry Close/Whitebeam Walk, Eccleshill. The Principal Engineer outlined some of the objections that had been received and highlighted the amount of support that had been received and noted that the amount of support outweighed the objections. The Principal Engineer told the Committee that a petition that had been organised by a resident of Rowanberry Close/Whitebeam Walk which requested a permit scheme had 55 signatures. Members were told that local ward councillors had been consulted and that they supported the scheme.

Residents who were in attendance detailed the long history of parking issues and the impact it had on elderly and disabled residents who had accessibility issues due to parking being unavailable. The Committee were told how a permit scheme could benefit residents and solve any parking disputes.

A resident of Stone Hall Road outlined their objection to the proposed scheme and stated that there was ample parking space on Rowanberry Close and asked if it would be possible to incorporate Stone Hall Road into the scheme to which the Principal Engineer explained that it would not be possible under the current scheme.

A Member asked if bays would be remarked to aid with correct parking in relation to one of the objections that had been received, the Principal Engineer explained that it would be beneficial to see how the scheme goes without lining first but acknowledged that, if necessary, it would be possible to implement in the future as it would be low cost.

Resolved –

(1)           That the objections to the proposed permit parking measures on both Rowanberry Close and Whitebeam Walk having been taken into account are determined not to outweigh the proposed benefits of the Order and the Order therefore be sealed and implemented as advertised.

(2)           That the objectors and supporters be informed accordingly.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “G”) which seeks to provide Members with a progress report on the Smart Street Lighting Project and the work undertaken to date.

Recommended –

(1)           That Members acknowledge the progress of the Smart Street Lighting project and welcome future updates

(2)           That Members endorse the project and the positive impact for Bradford East area constituency and its wards.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Allun Preece – 01274 434019)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted a report (Document “G”) which provided Members with an update on progress of the Smart Street Lighting project, specifically, the work completed in the Bradford East constituency replacing old street lighting luminaires, life expired columns and the installation of the Central Management system and LoRaWAN network. The Project Coordinator highlighted that it was an Invest to Save project and highlighted how these savings would be achieved with lower maintenance costs and increased lifespan. The Committee were told that the project had been split into two work streams “In Scope” works which were the standard column replacements, connections and luminaire replacements on the majority of streets across the district and “Out of Scope” works which were the more challenging assets such as heritage assets, pole mounted and wall mounted luminaires. The Project Coordinator explained that by using energy efficient LED’s the Council’s energy consumption for street lighting would be reduced by 65% which in turn would provide a significant reduction in emissions, roughly 6000 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per annum.

The Project Coordinator drew attention to the graphs within the appendices and described what each graph showed. The Committee were told that the third graph in Appendix A, which indicated the projected annual energy cost, should be looked at with caution as energy prices were constantly changing which could mean the figures vary based on energy costs at the time.

A Member asked when the main ‘In Scope’ works were expected to be completed. The Project Coordinator stated that there had been some delays during COVID due to difficulties purchasing steel, but the contract was expected to be completed by August 2024.

A Member queried section 7.3 of the report which stated that there were 700 structurally unsafe columns and whilst most had been replaced there was still 15 outstanding across the district. The Project Coordinator explained that this number may have reduced since the report was created and assured the Committee that none of these columns were on footpaths and that they were likely part of the ‘Out of Scope’ works.

A Member stated that they were aware of a column on Clipstone Street which was not working but that they had been unable to report it as it was not on the Council app. The Project Coordinator assured the Committee that they were contactable and that if Members were aware of any faults and were having difficulties reporting then they could follow this up directly with the Project Coordinator.

The Committee asked several questions regarding faults and what could be done if a light was not working. The Project Coordinator told the Committee that the public could still report a fault with a streetlight but added that any faults or damage should flag up with the Central Management System (CMS). Members were told that the contractor remained in charge of the CMS until the handover upon completion of the project. The Project Coordinator told the Committee that the CMS would facilitate dynamic control of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “J”) which provides a review of the above funding opportunity and provides an outline of how the devolved funding will be distributed in Bradford. The report will focus on the role of the Area Committees in terms of decision maker of local funding and influencer of the district delivery.

Recommended –

(1)           That the contents of this report are noted.

(2)           That the Area Committee accept an annual report on the progress on UKSPF delivery.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Ingunn Vallumroed – 07816 355406)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “J”) provided a review of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding opportunity and provided an outline of how the devolved funding would be distributed in Bradford. The Programme Delivery Manager gave a brief background to UKSPF and highlighted that UKSPF replaced the European Structural and Investment Fund following Brexit. That UKSPF would be allocated over a 3-year period and that £7.578 million of the UKSPF funding would be allocated to Bradford. The Programme Delivery Manager stressed that it was important to start planning for 2024/25 so that organisations were prepared, and that the funding opportunity was not missed.

A Member asked how the funds were allocated for Year 1 and was told that due to restricted timescales there were less options so discussion took place with Area Committee Chairs and Area Coordinators, the cost-of-living grant programme could be developed quickly and could benefit each ward hence why it was chosen.

The Programme Delivery Manager was asked how groups and organisation could find out about funding opportunities and explained that the scheme was advertised but ward councillors could assist and spread the message with local community groups and encourage applications.

A Member of the Committee expressed concern that similar organisations regularly benefitted from such funding opportunities and that smaller groups were left behind and not included as they may not have the time or resources to commit to the application. The Area Coordinator and Programme Delivery Manager explained that the application process was streamlined and that groups must comply with the set requirements but that ward officers would work with any group and offer support. The Programme Delivery Manager added that it would be possible to share a government document with Members that provided more information surrounding the application and necessary criteria.

Resolved –

(1)           That the contents of Document “J” be noted.

(2)           That the Area Committee accept an annual report on the progress on UKSPF delivery.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

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

Recommended –

That the Committee notes the work undertaken by the Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team and partners.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

(Louise Williams – 01274 431066)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “I”) provided an update on key policing and anti-social behaviour issues in the Bradford East Constituency. Inspector Paul Riley (Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team) introduced the report and highlighted the partnership work with the ward teams and summarised the crime statistics within the report. The Committee were informed that in general crime levels had fallen although burglary dwelling was on the increase, and this was a trend seen nationally. Inspector Riley explained that a preventative approach was being adopted such as the school engagement programme which delivered talks to Year 6 pupils which focussed on knife crime, anti-social behaviour, and healthy relationships. Members were told that the first year of the programme saw 24 primary schools take part but now 31 primary schools had signed up for the programme.

Inspector Riley stated that a Bradford East Faith Group was being developed which would see the Police meet with faith leaders from across different faiths and wards of Bradford East to increase accessibility and create a forum where issues could be raised and addressed.

A Member asked about motor vehicle theft and if any particular trend was seen. Inspector Riley explained that motor vehicle theft was on the increase nationally and that there had been a number of keyless thefts which typically targeted high-value cars and vans.

A Member queried if it would be possible to obtain data relating to domestic violence and was informed that the Bradford East Neighbourhood Policing Team did not deal with this issue but that the data could be sent across.

The Committee asked several questions about the crime statistics and asked if future reports could incorporate outcomes/prosecutions so that it would be possible to see the prosecution rate against number of recorded cases, and if recorded crime could be broken down by ward. Inspector Riley confirmed that it would be possible to include in future reports.

A Member told the Committee that they were aware of lots of people who did not feel confident reporting a crime to the Police and that many felt no action would be taken. Inspector Riley acknowledged the issue that many crimes go unreported and spoke about street surveys which had been successful in the past as they helped build confidence and anonymised reporting but added that the Police remain reliant on reports from the public.

Inspector Riley was asked about the school engagement programme and why no work was being done with secondary schools. The Committee were told that most schools in Bradford East have an embedded police officer who work with the school.

Resolved –

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

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “K”) which outlinesthe recommendationsof the Bradford East AreaCommittee GrantsAdvisory Group for the allocation of Community Buildings Grants 2023-2025.

Recommended –

That the Committee notes and endorses the Community Buildings Grants as set out in Para 3.4 and 3.5 of Document “K”.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

(Louise Williams – 01274 431066)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “K”) outlined the recommendations of the Bradford East Area Committee Grants Advisory Group for the allocation of Community Buildings Grants 2023-2025.

Resolved –

That the Community Buildings Grants as set out in Para 3.4 and 3.5 of Document “K” be noted and endorsed by the Committee.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “H”) which provides the Committee with information about the BT Digital Voice Programme.

Recommended –

That the Committee notes the information presented within the report.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate

(Louise Williams – 01274 431066)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “H”) provided the Committee with information about the BT Digital Voice Programme.

Resolved –

That the information presented within Document “H” be noted.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate