(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 Majkowski declared, in the interest of transparency that in relation to the item on BT digital voice (Minute 29) that the company he worked for provided technical support to BT.

(ii)          Councillor Mitchell declared, in the interest of transparency, that in relation to the item on Allocation of Combined Funding 2023-2024 (Minute 31) that his partner was a trustee for the Sandale Community Development Trust and Emerge (UK).

(iii)         Councillor Edwards declared, in the interest of transparency, that in relation to the item on West Yorkshire Mayor’s Climate Grant Scheme (Minute 32) that he was a trustee for the Valley Project.

ACTION: Director of Legal & Governance

(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 Monday 20 November 2023.

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 434579)

There were no questions submitted by the public.

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “K”) which set out details about BTs’ switch to a digital home phone service, Digital Voice.

The Digital Voice coordinator for the Yorkshire/Humber region was present at the meeting and gave the following update/information regarding the switchover:

·         The good news was that the landline isn’t going away, it’s just being upgraded for most customers, the upgrade will be as simple as connecting your home phone handset to a router rather than the phone socket on the wall.

·         Digital Voice has extra benefits, most notably a new scam protect

feature which blocks most scam calls, protecting customers from fraud.

·         The switch from analogue to digital phone lines, alongside the upgrade to a new full fibre network, will change the way we watch TV, connect our homes and businesses, and help the UK maintain its position as one of the most advanced digital economies in the world.

·         It will connect everyone now and into the future with a more resilient, sustainable and energy-efficient digital phone service.

·         Analogue landline technology will be switched off in December 2025.

·         We paused the rollout of our digital phone service in 2022 to address some of our customers’ concerns. We’ve listened to their specific needs, to make sure we have the right options and equipment in place.

·         We set up the Digital Voice Advisory Group, bringing together charities and representative groups to help us understand all our customer’s needs. We continue to run extensive focus groups with diverse panels to help get the roll-out right for customers. Pilot schemes have helped us learn, and improve Digital Voice so it supports the needs of all our customers.

·         From April 2023 we’ve expanded our trials and started the switch to Digital Voice with a small initial group of low-risk customers nationwide – those who use their landline very little or not at all, and who already have a broadband connection.

·         When we start the full regional rollout this summer, we’ll prioritise customers who already have the right setup for a digital home phone, and shouldn’t need an engineer visit.

·         Around two million of our customers are more dependent on their home phone line. We’re going to be doing all we can to reassure them that we’ll be there to help them on every step of the switch.

·         We’ll send emails and texts to customers on the day they’re being switched to Digital Voice, with the same visuals as the communications they received earlier – reinforcing the message of unplugging from the wall, and plugging into their router.

During the discussion and in response to a question on the number of telephone lines affected, it was stated that this information can be provided to Members, and in particular the relevant number of lines in the Bradford south area.

In response to a question regarding the setup of the equipment required for the switchover, it was explained that for those without a broadband connection, a separate router will be provided and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “L”) which sets out the background and purpose of the Bradford Development Framework.  It outlines the approach taken to public engagement on the draft framework.

Recommended –

The views of the Area Committee on the Draft Development Framework are requested. 

Overview & Scrutiny Area: Regeneration and Environment

(Sarah Carling/Will Ridley-Ellis - 0781 635 1362/07582 101342)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “L”) which set out the background and purpose of the Bradford Development Framework.  It outlined the approach taken to public engagement on the draft framework.

It was explained that the development framework was intended to be a broad vision for the area and that the public engagement phase was nearly completed and that member engagement sessions had also been undertaken.

A Member representing the Great Horton Ward suggested that improving the street furniture and planting would go some way in enhancing and uplifting the area. It was also suggested that the team feed into the wildlife conservation work being undertaken in the area.

The Chair expressed his concerns around the Richard Dunn development proposals and that the proposed inclusion of a road through the site would potentially devalue the site and inhibit the development of a viable commercial / retail /residential development in the future.  He urged that these concerns be taken on board, and that any future consultation event regarding the site be held in Wibsey.

In response to a question regarding proposals going forward, it was stressed that the Plan was very much a wish list of what we wanted to do in an area and an opportunity to showcase and present these plans to potential investors and developers, and therefore this was very much about partnership working.

In relation to a question regarding Odsal stadium and future development of, it was stated that no information was available on the proposals, but further information could be sought from the relevant service area.

Resolved –

That the views of the Area Committee on the Draft Development Framework be taken on board and a response to the issues raised be provided at the 15 February 2024 meeting of the Area Committee.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director Place

Overview & Scrutiny Area: Regeneration and Environment

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator will submit a report (Document “J”) which summarises 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) for Round 2.

Recommended –

(1)       That the Area Committee agree the proposals for the funding    allocations as outlined at Appendix C (TO BE TABLED AT THE         MEETING).

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

Overview & Scrutiny Area:  Corporate

(Ishaq Shafiq – 01274 431155)

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator submitted a report (Document “J”) 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) for Round 2.

The Chair expressed his sincere thanks to all the officers involved with the application process and to the Grants Advisory Group for their hard work in scoping the applications and for their due diligence.

During the discussion it was stated that further information should be sought on the proposals put forward for funding by Royds Community Association before the funding was agreed, in order to avoid the duplication of work that is already being carried out by another organisation, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

(1)       That proposals for the funding allocations as outlined at            Appendix C (TABLED AT THE MEETING) be approved, pending      clarification on the proposed funding relating to Royds            Community Association (12/CF).

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

To be actioned by: Bradford South Area Coordinator

Overview & Scrutiny Area:  Corporate    

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator will submit a report (Document “J”) summarises the applications received from eligible local organisations, across the Bradford South Constituency from West Yorkshire Mayor’s Climate Community Grant Scheme (Bradford).

Recommended –

(1)       That the Area Committee agree the proposals for the funding    allocations as outlined at Appendix B to Document “M”. (To be         tabled at the meeting).

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

(3)       That the Grants Advisory Group supported by the Area

            Co-ordinator and Sustainability Service run a further round 2 call        out to spend remaining funds available if there is any unallocated        funding remaining.

Overview & Scrutiny Area:  Regeneration & Environment

(Ishaq Shafiq – 01274 431155)

The Bradford South Area Co-ordinator submitted a report (Document “J”) summarised the applications received from eligible local organisations, across the Bradford South Constituency from West Yorkshire Mayor’s Climate Community Grant Scheme (Bradford).

The Chair expressed his sincere thanks to all the officers involved with the application process and to the Grants Advisory Group for their hard work in scoping the applications and for their due diligence.

It was also stated that a number of these projects should be showcased, given their innovative nature and that the dissemination of information would enable and encourage applications in future funding rounds.

Resolved –

(1)       That proposals for the funding allocations as outlined at Appendix     B to Document “M” (TABLED AT THE MEETING) be approved.

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

(3)       That the Grants Advisory Group supported by the Area

            Co-ordinator and Sustainability Service run a further round 2 call        out to spend remaining funds available if there is any        unallocated funding remaining.

To be actioned by: Bradford South Area Coordinator

Overview & Scrutiny Area:  Regeneration & Environment