1.         The following declarations of interest were received In the interest of    transparency:

            (i)         Councillor Dodds declared an interest in the item relating to Big                       Local (Minute 39) as she was a member of the Big  Local                             Board.

            (ii)        Councillor Sharp declared an interest in the item relating to                               Community Building Grants (Minute 41) as she worked in                               the voluntary sector.

2.         Councillor L Cromie declared a prejudicial interest in the item relating             to Community Building Grants (Minute 41) as an organisation she was    a member of was in receipt of a grant.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2016 be signed as a correct record.

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

There were no questions submitted by the public.

                                                                        (Andrew Smith - 01274 434674)

                                                                        (Andrew Smith - 01274 434674)

Tom Jones, Assistant Transport Planner

The Strategic Director Regeneration submitted a report (Document “Z”) which identified the requirement for an outside sourced study using industry and academic expertise to properly understand the issues and identify a preferred parking facility option to tackle the problem in recognition of the well established issues relating to freight parking in South Bradford.   

The Transport Planning Officer explained that in the context of the freight parking issues affecting different locations in Bradford South, that the proposed study would provide some clarity and suggest a way forward.

A Member in welcoming the approach, highlighted the issue with freight parking and its impact in the Bradford South area and that a lorry park would alleviate many of the concerns that had been expressed over the years.

The Transport Planning Officer acknowledged that it was important to come up with a comprehensive solution rather than offering something that was piecemeal and therefore the study would focus on all the key issues, including a secure location, which provided good facilities.

Resolved –

(1)       That the report be noted and the proposal to undertaken a study           to fully understand the issues and identify a preferred parking           facility option to tackle the problem be supported.

(2)       That a further report be presented to the Area Committee in 12   months time.

ACTION: Strategic Director Regeneration

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Environment and Waste Management

The Strategic Director Regeneration submitted a report (Document “T”) which set out a petition from residents of Rook Lane requesting:

i.              Prohibiting access to the area for heavy goods vehicles of 7.5 tonne and above from the A650 Tong Street access point

ii.            Prohibiting access to all industrial and commercial premises off the A6177 Ring Road.

iii.           A prohibition of overnight heavy goods vehicle parking (except permitted areas for 1 hour maximum).

Permit parking for the residents and no waiting at any time restrictions to maintain access for all through traffic.

The Principal Highways Engineer stated that Rook Lane was a wide road that connected the A650 to the A6177 and he suggested that the road could be looked at as part of the freight parking study.

Members in acknowledging the problems experienced by the residents of Rook Lane ascertained the options that could be explored  The Principal Highways Engineer explained that a number of measures could be looked, including introducing a no waiting restriction, however it would better to await the outcomes of the freight study.

The lead petitioner was present at the meeting and explained that the issue had to be addressed head on and not pushed away.  He stated that the proposed lorry park would not help resolve the issues on Rook Lane, as many firms already had parking facilities, but drivers insisted on parking on the road, causing unnecessary problems for residents. He stressed that lorries turning up in the early hours of the morning or late at night, revving their engines and having their refrigeration units on were a particularly issue, resulting in him and other residents losing sleep.  He added that he had approached the firm in question to express his concerns but they had failed to resolve the issues.    In addition he had also contacted the firms headquarters in Manchester who had expressed a willingness to assist.  The lead petitioner circulated photographs showing the extent of the problems along with correspondences.

During the discussion Members empathised with the concerns raised by the lead petitioner and suggested that a survey could be undertaken as a way forward to get an idea of the extent of the problem and it was therefore:

Resolved –

(1)          That an independent traffic survey be commissioned in order to fully understand the extent of HGV parking on Rook Lane.

(2)          That the petitioners be informed accordingly.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Regeneration

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Environment and Waste Management

The Strategic Director Environment and Sport submitted a report (Document “U”) which informed  the Area Committee on progress to develop the GreenMoor Big Local Programme.

Representatives from the Big Local Board were present at the meeting and highlighted a number of projects that had been funded by the Board, including the Spencer Fields lighting project and the Well Being Café in Scholemoor and also alluded to a number of projects that were in their infancy.  It was stressed that the aim was to try and get the most value for money from the projects that were funded, with a view to securing match funding, and that all projects were thoroughly scrutinised by the board prior to the release of any monies.

Members welcomed the progress made by the Big Local Programme since its inception, and that the projects that had been funded so far, and commended the work of the board and ward councillors for their input.

Resolved –

(1)       That the Bradford South Area Committee welcomes the report   and thanks all those involved in the Greenmoor Big Local project             on the progress made.

(2)       That a further report be presented to the Area Committee in 12   months time.

ACTION:       Bradford South Area Coordinator

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

                                                                                    (Phil Barker - 01274 432616)

The Strategic Director Environment and Sport submitted a report (Document “V”) which gave an update on progress on moving three libraries in Bradford South, which included Great Horton, Holme Wood and Queensbury from direct Council staff management to Community Managed Libraries.

The Assistant Director Sport and Leisure acknowledged that in moving to community managed libraries a number of issues had been encountered around IT and data protection, which were in the process of being resolved.  In addition the number of volunteers coming forward had been slow and efforts were on going to try and address this.  It was also mentioned that the Executive had recently received a petition requesting that Holme Wood Library continues to operate under the old structure. The Assistant Director stressed that although the intention was to move to a community managed library model, all libraries would still be part of the Bradford Libraries network.

The Chair stated that in relation to the Holme Wood Library, although progress had been slow in moving to a community managed library model, there had now been some traction in the last few weeks  and it was important to keep the momentum going in order to meet the April 2017 deadline.

In relation to a question on the progress of the Great Horton library to move to a community managed library, it was explained that there were ongoing discussions with St Johns Church with a view to undertaking a community asset transfer in due course, however a number of issues still had to be resolved.

Resolved –

That the report be noted and that officers be thanked for providing detailed responses to Members’ questions.

ACTION:       No Action

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Economy

The Strategic Director Environment and Sport will submit a report (Document “W”) which sets out the Community Building Grants allocation process.  Community Building Grants are for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations to support them in meeting their associated building related costs.

                                                                        (Amria Khatun – 01274 437467)

The Strategic Director Environment and Sport submitted a report (Document “W”) which set out the Community Building Grants allocation process.  Community Building Grants were for Voluntary and Community Sector organisations to support them in meeting their associated building related costs.

The Bradford South Area Coordinator explained the process and the options open to organisations affected and what help would be available to meet their costs, including community organisations moving to charitable status and obtaining relief on their business rates.  He added that all the organisations affected had been informed and invited to a consultation event.

The Assistant Director Children’s Social Care will submit a report (Document

“X”) outlines the multi agency work to deliver the Bradford’s District wide

Families First Programme which forms part of the National Troubled Families

Programme.

Recommended –

(1)       That the South Area Committee notes this report.

(2)       That the South Area Committee notes the need for a continued assertive and intensive approach to reach, engage and improve o     outcomes for the agreed number of families. A whole system          approach will be required to reach and engage these families lead        by the Targeted Early Help Service, other key Council teams and     wider partners and commissioned services.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

                                                                        (Martyn Stenton - 01274 432558)

The Assistant Director Children’s Social Care submitted a report

(Document “X”) which outlined the multi agency work to deliver the

Bradford’s District wide Families First Programme which forms part of

the National Troubled Families Programme.

Representatives from the Families First Programme were present at the

meeting and gave an overview of the programme, highlighting the success of

the programme and the activities being undertaken in Phase 2.  To date 1416

families had been reached and payment by results claims had been made for

214 of these families.  In addition in Phase 2 the intention was to deliver

interventions to 5,990 families by March 2020 against locally agreed payment

by results targets.

During the discussion a Members commended the families first programme

and how it changed the lives of the families who had engaged with the

programme.

In response to a question regarding referrals, it was pointed out that although

a  referral could be made or individuals could self refer, consent of the

individual being referred was crucial and without this, no engagement work

would take place with the family.

In response to a question regarding engagement, it was explained that where

families are hesitant to engage, other routes/relationships would be explored

to try and engage with the family.

Resolved–

(1)       That the report be noted.

(2)       That the need for a continued assertive and intensive approach to        reach, engage and improve outcomes for the agreed number of             families be noted. A whole system approach will be required to          reach             and engage these families lead by the Targeted Early Help             Service, other key Council teams and wider partners and             commissioned services.

ACTION:       Assistant Director Children’s Social Care

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

The Director of Public Health will submit a report (Document “Y”) which

seeks to raise awareness of the Warm Homes Health People programme which offers short term interventions during the winter months to support vulnerable households in the District and explore methods to sustain the programme beyond Public health funding.

Recommended –

That option 2 as set out in Document “Y” be adopted and that the area committee and their support officers engage with Warm Homes Healthy People by raising awareness and positively identifying vulnerable households and encouraging referrals through to the programme.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health and Social Care

                                                (Sarah Possingham/Pam Bhupal – 01274 431319)

The Director of Public Health submitted a report (Document “Y”) which sought to raise awareness of the Warm Homes Health People programme which offered short term interventions during the winter months to support vulnerable households in the district and explored methods to sustain the programme beyond Public health funding.

It was explained that the programme was Bradford’s response to cold weather and assisting the vulnerable though a number of initiatives around active communities; connecting people; keeping warm and healthy heating.

In the current programme 9 organisations had been grant aided to deliver interventions including Age UK and innchurches.

In response to a question regarding referrals it was pointed out that there was no emergency referral system, however any referrals were assessed on a triage basis, in order to assess the level of need and help.  In addition people could also self refer and the help being offered would be publicised widely.

Resolved –

That option 2 as set out in Document “Y” be adopted and that the Area Committee and their support officers engage with Warm Homes Healthy People by raising awareness and positively identifying vulnerable households and encouraging referrals through to the programme.

ACTION:       Director of Public Health

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health and Social Care

                                                                        (Mick Charlton – 01274 431155)

The Bradford South Area Coordinator submitted a report (Document “AA”) which outlined the work of the Bradford South Area Co-ordinator’s Office in the period 1 April to 30 September 2016 to support Ward priorities within the Bradford South.

The Chair and Members of the Committee extended their thanks to the ward officers and the support team for the work they had undertaken.

Resolved –

That the work of the Bradford South Area Co-ordinator’s Office in the period 1 April to 30 September 2016 to support Ward priorities within the Bradford South Area Committee Action Plan 2014-17 be noted.

ACTION:       NO ACTION

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

The Strategic Director Environment and Sport will submit a report (Document “AB”) which details the Youth and Community Chest Grants awarded from applications received prior to the 31August 2016 deadline.

Recommended –

(1)       That the wide range of applications from groups, organisations             and individuals across Bradford South are noted and welcomed.

(2)       That the Bradford South Area Co-ordinator’s Office continue to             ensure the effective allocation of the Youth and Community Chest          budget by providing appropriate advice and support to applicants.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

                                                                        (Mick Charlton – 01274 431155)

The Strategic Director Environment and Sport submitted a report (Document “AB”) which detailed the Youth and Community Chest Grants awarded from applications received prior to the 31August 2016 deadline.

Resolved–

(1)       That the wide range of applications from groups,    organisations          and individuals across Bradford South be noted and welcomed.

(2)       That the Bradford South Area Co-ordinator’s Office continue to             ensure the effective allocation of the Youth and Community Chest          budget by providing appropriate advice and support to applicants.

ACTION: Bradford South Area Coordinator

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

                                                            (Mick Charlton – 01274 431155)