(1)       Councillors Akhtar and Azam disclosed an interest in Minute 36 as they were Ward Councillors of Elizabeth Street and had been involved in discussions with the residents.

(2)       Councillor Shaheen disclosed an interest in Minute 37 as she worked for the voluntary sector.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

(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 City Solicitor in Room 112, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, by mid-day on Monday 21 November 2016.

(Asad Shah - 01274 432280)

The report of the Strategic Director Regeneration (Document “Q”) considers the following petitions relating to traffic matters:

1)    Frizinghall Road, Heaton – Request for traffic calming

2)    Elizabeth Street, Bradford – Request for permit parking

Recommended –

(1)       That the request for traffic calming, Safety Cameras or a one-way system on  Frizinghall Road, Heaton be noted only and no further action be taken.

(2)       That the Elizabeth Street Area remains on the list of requests for traffic measures and be considered by the Bradford West Area Committee when they meet to determine future Traffic Measures Programmes.

(3)       That the petitioners are informed accordingly.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                                        (Andrew Smith – 01274 437645)

Frizinghall Road

The Principal Engineer gave a synopsis of the report.

Following presentation, a question and answer session ensued:

·         The impact of a survey was dependant on the timing it was undertaken during the day. During what time of day was the survey undertaken?

o   The automatic speed survey was undertaken between 26 October and 2 November 2016. In terms of excessive speeds of vehicles; this was during the early morning or later part of the day. During school opening and closing times, the speeds of vehicles would decrease. The petition itself was centred on the theme of safety and the speeds of vehicles;

·         Had speed humps been considered?

o   Yes and there would be no greater difference with the installation of speeds humps;

·         Had vehicle activation signs been considered?

o   There was a criteria for such traffic measures and the Council had a policy that had conditions that were applicable before such measures could be applied; and,

·         What would be the cost for vehicle activated signs?

o   Costs in the region of £3,000-£4,000.

The Chair invited a petitioner who was also a resident to make representations to the Committee. She stated that residents had no alternative but to live with excessive speeds of vehicles on a daily basis. The safety of children was of paramount importance. Young children were using this route for attendance at school and there was significant amount of traffic speeding on the long road and around the bend with no consideration to pedestrians.

Following representations presented by the petitioner, the Committee continued with its questioning, as follows:

·         Were there any school signs on the road?

o   A Member of the Committee responded that there were no signs if coming from Airedale; and,

·         Had a survey been undertaken during term time?

o   Another survey could be commissioned. Traffic measure signs would also be reviewed.

The Chair concluded the item on Frizinghall Road by stating that Ward Councillors, officers from Highways and petitioners meet at the location of concern to discuss measures for the possibility of implementation in the near future.

Elizabeth Street

Following an outline, the Principal Engineer confirmed that local Ward Councillors were supportive of this petition.

The Committee highlighted that the request for Elizabeth Street’s permit parking had been on-going for 6 years. This scheme which had once been a priority and top of the list for works and now lowered in ranking for implementation of works schedule.

The Chair invited a petitioner who was also a resident to make representations to the Committee. The street was heavily congested with excessive vehicle parking from non-residents. There was continuous drug dealing going on in the street. During opening and closing times of school there was excessive speeding of vehicles. Cars were being parked on pavements. The resident and specially elderly residents were unable to find spaces to park own vehicles due to workers of the call centre taking up parking space. The streets immediately surrounding St Luke’s hospital had their parking issues resolved. I have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

The report of the Strategic Director Environment and Sport (Document “R”) 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.

Recommended –

(1)       That the Bradford West Area Committee notes the proposed allocation process for Community Building Grants.  

(2)       That the Bradford West Area Coordinator is requested to organise meetings of the Area Committee’s Grant Advisory Group to consider Community Building Grant applications for funding from groups within the Bradford West Area. 

(3)       That the Bradford West Area Coordinator will bring a further report to a meeting within the 2016-17 municipal year, with recommendations from the Grant Advisory Group on how to allocate the Community Building Grants funds available. 

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                                        (Amria Khatun – 01274 437467)

The Chair invited the Stronger Communities Coordinator to present the report of the Strategic Director of Environment and Sport.

Following the verbal presentation, the Committee asked questions to which officers responded as outlined below:

·         What impact had the grants made?

o   This had increased the active participation of residents in their neighbourhoods and communities;

·         What was the timeframe for applications?

o   To begin from week commencing 28 November 2016 to 9 January 2017;

·         What support was available?

o   There was on-going consultation with Bradford Community Voluntary Services (CVS);

·         Was their capacity for further support by Ward Officers?

o   We would welcome further support and intended to seek guidance on support;

·         Could Bradford Community Voluntary Services be briefed in assisting by providing some form of support?

o   Organisations were not in a position to pay rent rates hence this available support; and,

·         Was CVS involved in the process of assessments?

o   Yes possibly through community centres.

During the latter part of this items discussion, the Committee closed this subject matter with by highlighting that there was not much time and therefore it was important to get to the inexperienced organisations and assist them with as much support as possible. The most vulnerable people in communities were reliant on organisations for assistance and thus the Community Building Grants was an essential element towards bringing communities together.

Resolved –

(1)       That the proposed allocation process for Community Building Grants be noted.  

(2)       That the Bradford West Area Co-ordinator be requested to organise meetings of the Area Committee’s Grant Advisory Group to consider Community Building Grant applications for funding from groups within the Bradford West Area. 

(3)       That the Bradford West Area Co-ordinator be requested to bring a report to the Bradford West Area Committee within the 2016-17 municipal year, with recommendations from the Grant Advisory Group on how to allocate the Community Building Grants funds available. 

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate

ACTION:       Strategic Director – Environment and Sport

The report of the Bradford West Area Co-ordinator (Document “S”) details the Community Chest Grants awarded from applications received from 1^st April 2016 – 30^th September 2016 for the benefit of communities within Bradford West.

Recommended –

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

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

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Bhulla Singh – 01274 432597)

Resolved –

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

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

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate

ACTION:       Strategic Director – Environment and Sport