(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, the following declarations were made:

(i)             Councillor Mitchell declared that he had encouraged organisations to apply in relation to the item on UKSPF (Minute No. 42).

(ii)            Councillor Hickson declared that she worked for an organisation that was involved in the distribution of UKSPF funding (Minute No. 42).

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 19 October 2023 and 22 November 2023 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 434579)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 19 October 2023 and 22 November 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 05 December 2023.

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 434579)

There were no questions submitted by the public.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “P”) which considers objections received to a proposal for a two point closure on Church Street, Bradford and also seeks to provide an update following consideration of this matter by a previous Area Committee.

Recommended –

(1)           That the objections be upheld and the proposal be abandoned.

(2)           That an item for point closures on Church Street and other routes in the vicinity be added to the Safe Roads budget waiting list.

(3)           That the objectors be informed accordingly.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “O”) considered objections received to recently advertised proposals for traffic calming measures on Beacon Road, Bradford. The Principal Engineer summarised the report and informed the Committee that 500 properties had been consulted in relation to the proposal. The objections that had been received in response to the proposal were outlined.

A local resident who was present at the meeting detailed the traffic and speeding issues on Beacon Road and told the Committee that they supported the proposal as they felt traffic calming measures could help stop the issues.

A Member asked what the timescale would be if the scheme were to be approved and was advised that it would be dependent on the availability of contractors and that a start date would likely be towards the end of the financial year. The Principal Engineer acknowledged that adverse weather conditions could also disrupt the work so a definitive timescale could not be provided however Members were informed that the works would take roughly 5-6 weeks and would be carried out in stages to minimise disruption.

Resolved –  

(1)           That the objections to the proposed traffic calming measures on Beacon Road having been taken into account be determined not to outweigh the proposed benefits of the scheme therefore be overruled and the scheme implemented as advertised.

(2)           That the objectors be informed accordingly.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “N”) which considers objections received to recently advertised proposals for traffic calming measures on Park Lane, Queensbury.

Recommended –

(1)           That the objections to the traffic calming measures on Park Lane having been taken into account are determined not to outweigh the proposed benefits of the scheme and the scheme therefore be implemented as advertised.

(2)           That the Speed Limit Order for a 20mph speed limit on Park Lane be sealed and implemented as advertised.

(3)           That the objectors be informed accordingly.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “N”) considered objections received to recently advertised proposals for traffic calming measures on Park Lane, Queensbury. The Principal Engineer outlined the contents of the report and told the Committee that the proposal was a result of the Section 106 Agreement for a housing development on the former Harrowins Farm site which included a ‘Highway Works Contribution’ for the provision of traffic calming measures on Park Lane.

The Committee were advised that there had been informal consultation with residents and the objections contained within the report were outlined.

Resolved –

(1)           That the objections to the traffic calming measures on Park Lane having been taken into account be determined not to outweigh the proposed benefits of the scheme and the scheme therefore be implemented as advertised.

(2)           That the Speed Limit Order for a 20mph speed limit on Park Lane be sealed and implemented as advertised.

(3)           That the objectors be informed accordingly.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “O”) which considers objections received to recently advertised proposals for traffic calming measures on Beacon Road, Bradford.

Recommended –

(1)           That the objections to the proposed traffic calming measures on Beacon Road having been taken into account are determined not to outweigh the proposed benefits of the scheme therefore be overruled and the scheme implemented as advertised.

(2)           That the objectors be informed accordingly.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “P”) considered objections received in response to a proposal for a two point closure on Church Street, Bradford. The report also sought to provide an update following consideration of this matter by a previous Area Committee in March 2023. The Principal Engineer explained that residents did not want the scheme and that the external grant funding which would have been used was no longer available. The Committee were advised that the recommendation was to abandon the proposal.

A Member asked if residents had been notified that the scheme would be abandoned and was told that residents were notified, and no responses had been received.

Resolved –  

(1)           That the objections be upheld and the proposal be abandoned.

(2)           That an item for point closures on Church Street and other routes in the vicinity be added to the Safe Roads budget waiting list.

(3)           That the objectors be informed accordingly.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director, Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “Q”) which provides an update on Bradford Libraries Service since the previous report on Libraries to this Committee in December 2022. It summarises overall developments in the Service, as well as a more detailed update on libraries in the South area.

Recommended –

Members are recommended to note the progress that has been made since the previous report to this Committee and ways in which local libraries can contribute to the priorities in the Local Area Plan.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Christine May – 07970 829265)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place provided an update on Bradford Libraries Service since the previous report on Libraries in December 2022. The Head of Libraries and Archives summarised overall developments in the Service, and gave a detailed update on libraries throughout the Bradford South area. The Committee were informed that following a management restructure there was now a specific Area Manager for each of the Bradford constituencies.

A Member asked about the figure in brackets in relation to Wibsey Library and was informed that the figure in brackets indicated a full year prediction based on data from the previous year.

The Head of Libraries and Archives was asked about libraries in Holmewood and if it would be possible to improve links and connectivity between community managed libraries. The Committee were advised that there had been attempts in the past to link community managed libraries together. The Head of Libraries and Archives explained that work was underway to build the volunteer base with plans to work with the Youth Service as well as local groups. The Bradford South Area Coordinator added that more projects that would utilise the library space would be taking place in Holmewood such as coffee mornings and fitness projects.

A Member asked what the Red Letter Project was in response to the summary of the report and was informed that it was based in St John’s in Great Horton and that they organised community events and also created opportunities for grant funding.

Members of the Committee asked about the decrease in numbers in relation to library loans and visits at both Queensbury and Wibsey Library. It was explained to the Committee that there had been a decline in numbers both in terms of visitors and loans during COVID and the impact of this was still being witnessed. Members were infirmed that figures varied across libraries and that there was not always a correlation between number of visitors and library loans as computer usage was another reason people visited. The Head of Libraries and Archives stated that different patterns of use could be seen across libraries as they were also utilised as warm spaces and to combat social isolation.

A Member asked if the decrease in library loans was due to the genres of book available and was informed that Bradford libraries had an intelligent stock management system that produced reports and that books could be moved to different libraries to reflect lending patterns.

The Committee queried the IT equipment on offer in libraries and asked whether it was up to date. The Head of Libraries and Archives told the Committee that a survey had been carried out which provided useful feedback and stated that the team were constantly striving to make updates to the IT equipment on offer. The Committee were informed that a bid had been submitted to Arts Council England for new devices in order to enhance the digital offer in libraries.

A Member asked about Wi-Fi printing in libraries, in particular when  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Director of Public Health will submit a report (Document “R”) which provides an update to the January 2023 Public Health report on health and wellbeing and focuses on activity to support good Mental Health and Healthy Weight in the Bradford South area.

Recommended –

(1)           That Bradford South Area Committee considers the contents of this report and further information provided at the meeting.

(2)           That Bradford South Area Committee continues to encourage the communities and residents of Bradford South to take up all available and relevant wellbeing offers in order to maximise their health and wellbeing.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Health and Social Care

(Angela Hutton – 07582 109265)

The report of the Director of Public Health (Document “R”) provided an update to the January 2023 Public Health report on health and wellbeing and focussed on local activity to support and promote good Mental Health and Healthy Weight in the Bradford South area. The report drew attention to health inequalities in Bradford South and highlighted the importance of local organisations to signpost towards early intervention and support. The Senior Public Health Specialist summarised the report and drew attention to the table that contained data with the estimated percentage rate (prevalence) of depression in people aged 18 plus by Ward in the Bradford South constituency.

A Member questioned the data contained within Table 1 that contained data with the estimated (prevalence) of depression in people aged 18 plus by Ward in the Bradford South constituency. The Senior Public Health Specialist was asked particularly about Wibsey and was told that the access to GPs in the ward was poor so people suffering from depression may struggle to get diagnosed and find the correct support. A Member drew attention to various community groups that helped people with depression and told the Senior Public Health Specialist that such groups were well attended and therefore expressed scepticism regarding the data contained within the table. The Committee were informed that it may be a possibility to work with community groups in order to bridge the gap.

The Committee asked about the face-to-face stop smoking clinic at Tong Medical Practice detailed in the report and were advised that the project was currently on pause as there was an opportunity to set up a broader offer.

A Member asked about the Living Well BEEP Service and what was done to follow up on people who took part but did not return for the 12-week consultation. The Senior Public Health Specialist explained that whilst trying to make contact via phone or email was pursued there were limitations in follow up.

The Senior Public Health Specialist was asked if the interventions detailed within the report had impacted on life expectancy. It was explained to the Committee that stark inequalities remained, and it would require a long period of time to measure changes in life expectancy. The Senior Public Health Specialist addressed the adverse impact that poverty and the cost-of-living crisis would have on life expectancy and health inequalities.

A Member asked about vaping and the Senior Public Health Specialist acknowledged that whilst it was an alternative to smoking it was not without health risks particularly due to the prevalence of illicit vapes and the lack of long-term research surrounding the usage of vapes.

Resolved –

(1)           That Bradford South Area Committee considered the contents of Document “R” and the further information provided at the meeting.

(2)           That Bradford South Area Committee continues to encourage the communities and residents of Bradford South to take up all available and relevant wellbeing offers in order to maximise their health and wellbeing.

(3)           That a progress report be submitted in 12 months’ time.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “S”) which provides an update of year 2 (2023 / 2024) grant allocation of the UKSP funding for the Bradford South area.  In addition, it also seeks members comments and approval for year 3 (2024 / 2025) grant allocations.

Recommended –

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

(2)           That the committee agrees spend activity for the capital allocation for 2023/2024 as outlined in Appendix A.

(3)           That the committee plans to agree for the Grants Advisory Group to work with the Project Delivery Manager and Area Co-ordinator to progress the development of the UKSP funding for 2024 /2025.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Ingunn Vallumroed – 07816 355406)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “S”) provided an update of year 2 (2023 / 2024) grant allocation of the UKSP funding for the Bradford South area. In addition, the report also sought members comments and approval for year 3 (2024 / 2025) grant allocations. Appendix A of the report detailed the allocations that had been suggested by local ward councillors who had worked with ward officers across Bradford South. The Committee expressed urgency in relation to year 3 and proposed that work should start as soon as possible due to the time constraints.

Resolved –

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

(2)           That spend activity for the capital allocation for 2023/2024 as outlined in Appendix A to Document “S” be agreed.

(3)           That the committee plans to agree for the Grants Advisory Group to work with the Project Delivery Manager and Area Co-ordinator to progress the development of the UKSP funding for 2024 /2025 along the lines suggested by the Area Coordinator at the meeting.

To be actioned by: Bradford South Area Coordinator

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Regeneration & Environment

(Ingunn Vallumroed – 07816 355406)