(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.

Cllr Tait declared, in the interest of transparency, that in relation to the item on the City of Culture Update (Minute No. 23) she was the Chair of Friends of Harold Park.

Cllr Mitchell declared, in the interest of transparency, that in relation to the item on Allocation of Combined Funding 2023-2024 (Minute No. 24) that his partner was an unpaid trustee in Kyffin Place Community Centre.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2023 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 434579)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 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. 

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 434579)

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 17 October 2023

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 434579)

There were no questions submitted by the public.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “E”) which gives an update on work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford South Area in the past 12 months and outlines the direction of travel for the next 12 months.

Recommended –

That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford South Area as detailed in Document “E” be welcomed.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

(Ishaq Shafiq - 01274 431155)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “E”) provided members with an update on the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford South Area in the past 12 months and outlined the direction of travel for the next 12 months. Staff from the Youth Service highlighted the work that had taken place in schools to support mental health as well as the partnership work with both the Council and external organisations to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) throughout Bradford South.

A Member asked about the future workforce mentioned within the report and whether the vacancy for a Youth Worker Apprentice had been filled. Officers told Members that the position had been filled in September and that the individual would be supported to complete a degree in Youth Work.

Officers were asked about the 400 referrals that were indicated within the report and informed the Committee that across Bradford South there had been an increase in demand and that Tong, Royds and Great Horton had the highest percentage of referrals throughout the district.

Members noted that previously the Youth Service had offered two open sessions but now sessions were only offered to specific age groups. Officers explained that resources were constrained which could compromise staffing ratios and health and safety. The Area Co-ordinator stressed that budget constraints limited what could be offered by the Youth Service.

The Committee asked who the Youth Service were working in partnership with. Officers explained that it was paramount to develop and grow partnerships and listed some of the partners that the Youth Service were currently engaged with in Bradford South including Saif Space, Sandale Hub, as well as several ‘Friends of’ groups. Members suggested it may be beneficial to share a list of partners and then further suggestions could be added from the Committee.

A Member asked about the outreach work that was mentioned within the report and was told that this involved Youth Workers on the street engaging with young people with the aim to build relationships and inform people what provision was available in the local area.

A Member of the Committee expressed concern that some of the spaces were not being utilised to full potential, particularly in Wisey Methodist Church.

Several young people gave presentations to the Committee about the work that was done by the Youth Service and how it had helped them. The Committee were also given information about the work of the Saif Space partnership project as well as Café South which provided a breakfast club for young people.

Resolved –

(1)           That the work undertaken by the Youth Service in the Bradford South Area as detailed in Document “E” be welcomed.

(2)           That the Area Committee expresses its gratitude to the young people who attended the meeting and thanks them for making their presentations, as well as staff for their hard work and dedication.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children’s Services

(Ishaq Shafiq – 01274 431155)

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “F”) 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 Document “F” be noted.

(2)       That the committee agrees spend activity for the capital allocation      for 23/24.

(3)       That the committee plans to make a decision at the next Area    Committee meeting on how to spend the 24/25 allocation, so             necessary actions can be put in place.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration & Environment

(Ingunn Vallumroed – 07816355406)

The report of the Strategic Director Place (Document “F”) provided a review of the above funding opportunity and provided an outline of how the devolved funding would be distributed in Bradford. The report focussed on the role of the Area Committees in terms of decision maker of local funding and influencer of the district delivery. The Programme Delivery Manager summarised the report and highlighted the larger amounts of funding that would be received in Year 3 as well as the timeframes in which the funding must be allocated and spent by.

A Member asked if it would be possible to get a list of suggestions for what funding could be used for, which could make it easier to make decisions and encourage applications. It was added that it would be beneficial to contact councillors across Bradford South about suggestions for the use of the remainder of the capital allocation for 2023/24.

The Committee spoke about community groups such as TFD centre and Great Horton Community Hub and Library, in particular how funding could have a positive impact and could help increase community access to the provisions.

Resolved –

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

(2)           That the spend activity for the capital allocation for 2023/2024 be agreed.

(3)           That the Committee agrees to allocate TFD centre and Great Horton Community Hub and Library £1500 each for the acquisition of furniture to increase community access in the provision.

(4)           That officers be asked to contact Bradford South councillors about suggestions for the use of the remainder of the capital allocation for 2023/2024, with a view to determining the allocation at its meeting on 22 November 2023.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Ingunn Vallumroed – 07816 355406)

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “G”) which the Area Committee with an update regarding UK City of Culture 2025 and other work the council’s Culture & Events Team deliver, fund and support across Bradford South Constituency.

Recommended –

(1)       That the Area Committee note the content of Document “G”.

(2)       That the Area Committee suggests ways in which the Culture &           Events Team can increase the number of grant funding             applications received for events, festivals and cultural activities for         delivery in the Bradford South Constituency.

(3)       That the Area Committee suggests ways in which the Culture &           Events Team can engage with communities in Bradford South            Constituency in respect of further consultation on Culture is Our Plan.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration & Environment

(Nicola Greenan - 01274 431301)

The report of the Strategic Director Place (Document “G”) provided the Area Committee with an update regarding UK City of Culture 2025 and other work the council’s Culture & Events Team delivered, funded, and supported across Bradford South Constituency. The Strategic Lead for City of Culture (CofC) told the Committee that there was increasingly positive coverage surrounding City of Culture. The recruitment that had taken place to bring expertise into the team was highlighted. Members were informed that the Data Dashboard was expected to be completed and go live by the end of the year which would allow the public to see what events are on offer in the local area.

A Member asked how people would initially find out about the dashboard and was told that it was essential to identify any gaps and that work with neighbourhoods teams could improve outreach across the district.

The Strategic Lead was asked what the Data Dashboard would show other than events in the local area. The Committee were informed that the dashboard would also include case studies and that a pilot would be available prior to the dashboard going live.

A Member expressed concern surrounding the quality of an event that was held in Harold Park and stated that there was a need for further engagement with the community.

The Committee asked several questions about the Grants Programme such as where further information could be found so that Members could support local organisations and whether it would be possible to see unsuccessful bids so that groups could be given feedback and supported further. Members were told that further information could be circulated and that it would be possible to have sight of unsuccessful bids and acknowledged that this could be beneficial.

A Member asked how local organisations were supported during the application process and was informed that there were several information sessions available which focussed on what a successful bid looks like.

The Strategic Lead was asked where the decisions surrounding which grants were approved was made and whether there was any consultation with local ward councillors. The Strategic Lead explained that a small internal team made the decisions and that at present there was no consultation with local ward councillors.

Resolved –

(1)           That the Area Committee note the content of Document “G”.

(2)      That the Area Committees’ suggestions on ways in which the     Culture & Events Team can increase the number of grant funding applications received for events, festivals and cultural activities for delivery in the Bradford South Constituency be taken on         board.

(3)      That the Area Committees’ suggestions on ways in which the     Culture & Events Team can engage with communities in Bradford           South Constituency in respect of further consultation on Culture    is Our Plan be taken on board.

(4)      That officers be thanked attending the meeting and for their        candid responses to Members’ questions.

(5)      That the Committee be presented with another progress report in 12 months’ time.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Nicola Greenan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator submitted a report (Document “H”) which summarised the applications received from eligible local organisations, across the Bradford South Constituency, from the amalgamation of funding from United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), West Yorkshire Mayor’s Cost of Living fund (CoLF) and Household Support Fund (HSF). Appendix C was tabled at the meeting and detailed the proposed funding allocations.

The Committee were informed that there was still funding which needed to be allocated so the second round of applications would be considered at the meeting of the Area Committee on 22 November 2023.

Resolved –

(1)      That the funding allocations as outlined at Appendix C to    Document “H” (tabled at the meeting) be approved.

(2)      That the funding allocations for the second round of applications           be considered at the meeting of the Area Committee on 22     November 2023.

(3)      That the Grants Advisory Group be thanked for their work with this funding.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Ishaq Shafiq - 01274 431155)

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator will submit a report (Document “I”) which provides an update on the delivery of the Bradford South Locality Plan 2022 - 2025.  As part of the Council-wide programme of ‘Strengthening Locality Working’, the Neighbourhood Service is working with other Council services and partner agencies, to deliver priorities outlined within the 5 Locality Plans, one for each constituency that make up the Bradford District.

Recommended –

That the Bradford South Area Committee:

(1)       Notes the progress and achievements of delivery of the priorities contained within the Bradford South Locality Plan 2022-2025, as set out in Appendix A to Document “I”

(2)       Agree that the Bradford South Area Co-ordinator presents a further progress report to the Bradford South Area Committee in 12 months, setting out the progress and achievements made for each of the priorities detailed in the Bradford South Locality Plan 2022-2025.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health & Social Care       

 (Ishaq Shafiq – 01274 431155)

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator submitted a report (Document “I”) which provided an update on the delivery of the Bradford South Locality Plan 2022 - 2025.

A Member stated that accessibility to GP appointments remained an issue and acknowledged that it was a national problem, it was put forward that an additional priority, of seeking out ways to bring about an improvement in access to GP appointments, should be added to the locality plan. It was added that it may also be beneficial to ask the Executive to review how the Council was implementing locality plans.

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator was asked if it would be possible for the Committee to receive a report that focussed on third sector services commissioned by Bradford Council in Bradford South and whether this could be added to the Area Committee work programme.

Resolved –

(1)      That the Committee notes the progress and achievements of    delivery of the priorities contained within the Bradford South         Locality Plan 2022-2025, as set out in Appendix A to Document “I”

(2)      That the Committee agree that the Bradford South Area

          Co-ordinator presents a further progress report to the Bradford          South Area Committee in 12 months, setting out the progress and     achievements made for each of the priorities detailed in the    Bradford South Locality Plan 2022-2025.

(3)      That an additional priority for the Bradford South Locality Plan is      included to seek ways to address issues to improve access to GP          primary care appointments.

(4)      That the Committee asks the Executive to review how the Council    is implementing locality plans.

(5)      That a report about third sector services commissioned by Bradford Council be added to the Area Committees work programme.

ACTION: Bradford South Area Co-ordinator

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health & Social Care

(Ishaq Shafiq – 01274 431155)