Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - City Hall, Bradford. View directions

Contact: Asad Shah, 01274 432280, Committee Secretariat, City Hall, Bradford BD1 1HY 

Items
No. Item

32.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

(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 may remain in the meeting and take part fully in discussion and voting unless the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an interest which the Member feels would call into question their compliance with the wider principles set out in the Code of Conduct.  Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

 

(2)       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. 

 

(3)       Members are also welcome to disclose interests which are not disclosable pecuniary interests but which they consider should be made in the interest of clarity.

 

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

 

Minutes:

The following disclosures of interest were received in the interest of clarity:

 

Councillor Shaheen disclosed an interest in the item relating to the Allocation of the Community Building Grants (Extended Community Centre Core Costs) (Minute 36) as she was currently working in the voluntary sector.

 

All Councillors disclosed an interest in the items relating to the Annual Report on Street Cleansing, Environmental Enforcement and  Council Wardens and Information about  the Merger of the Parks Service into Neighbourhood and Customer Services(Minute 37) and Parks and Green Spaces Service Annual Report Minute 38) as they were members of GMB Union and UNISON.

 

Councillor Akhtar disclosed an interest in the item relating to Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team Activity to Address the "Safer Communities" Priorities within the Bradford West Constituency Ward Plans For 2018 / 2019 (Minute 40) as she was an employee of West Yorkshire Police.

 

ACTION: City Solicitor

 

 

33.

INSPECTION OF REPORTS AND BACKGROUND PAPERS

(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. 

 

(Asad Shah - 01274 432280)

 

Minutes:

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

 

 

34.

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

(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 XXXXX 2018.

 

(Asad Shah - 01274 432280)

 

Minutes:

There were no questions submitted by the public.

 

 

35.

BONN ROAD, BRADFORD - PETITION pdf icon PDF 1 MB

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “Q”) considers a petition requesting permit parking on Bonn Road, Bradford.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       That no further action be taken on the request for permit parking          on Bonn Road, Bradford.

 

(2)       That the petitioners are informed accordingly.

 

(Andrew Smith – 01274 434674)

Minutes:

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “Q”) considered a petition requesting permit parking on Bonn Road, Bradford.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That consideration of the Bonn Road petition by the Bradford    West Area Committee be deferred until such time as the outcomes       of the members’ permit parking working group are known.

 

(2)       That the lead petitioner be informed accordingly.

 

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Regeneration and Environment

 

 

36.

THE ALLOCATION OF THE COMMUNITY BUILDING GRANTS (EXTENDED COMMUNITY CENTRE CORE COSTS) pdf icon PDF 173 KB

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (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 –

 

Bradford West Area Committee notes the proposed allocation process for Community Building Grants.  

 

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. 

 

Bradford West Area Coordinator will bring a further report to a meeting within the 2018-19 municipal year, with recommendations from the Grant Advisory Group on how to allocate the Community Building Grants funds available. 

 

(Mahmood Mohammed – 01274 437467)

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “R”) 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 Stronger Communities Development Coordinatorgave a synopsis of the report and the attached Appendix - Community Buildings Grant (CBG) Process Flow chart for 2019-20.

 

Resolved –

 

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

 

(2)       That Bradford West Area Coordinator 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 a further report be presented to a meeting within the 2018-19        municipal year, with recommendations from the Grant Advisory   Group on how to allocate the Community Building Grants funds           available. 

 

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate

 

 

37.

ANNUAL REPORT ON STREET CLEANSING, ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT AND COUNCIL WARDENS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER OF THE PARKS SERVICE INTO NEIGHBOURHOOD AND CUSTOMER SERVICES. pdf icon PDF 281 KB

This report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “S”) updates Members on future changes to Street Cleansing, Parks, Environmental Enforcement and Warden Services, providing an update on performance and information on current and planned initiatives.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       Bradford West Area Committee notes and welcomes the information in this report.

 

(2)       That a further report is presented in 2019 outlining a new             operational   model based on constituency working.

 

(Damien Fisher – 01274 437146)

(Louise Williams – 01274 431066)

 

Minutes:

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “S”) updated Members on future changes to Street Cleansing, Parks, Environmental Enforcement and Warden Services, providing an update on performance and information on current and planned initiatives.

 

The Assistant Director, Neighbourhood and Customer Services was present at the meeting and invited to give a synopsis of the report. He stated that the Street Cleansing Service had to deliver a 25% reduction in its budget for the 2019/20 year. The removal of £1m from the budget meant there had to be a significant redesign of how the service was operated to clean all the essential strategic networks whilst maintaining some elements of devolved area-based working. It was the intention to also merge Street Cleansing with the Parks service to ensure greater efficiency between the two services.

 

A question and answer session ensued:

·         Was the reduction of the 5 mechanical sweepers only from the Bradford West area or District wide?

o   Overall District wide;

·         The separation of Council Wardens into two distinct roles – civil enforcement and community engagement/environmental enforcement could possibly cause tension between communities and the local authority?

o   The role of a Council Warden was an important role and there were some exceptional Wardens who played an active participation in undertaking their duties within communities and the contents of this report recognised this. Current Wardens that were exceptional in engagement roles would be phased into this title role;

·         How many hours would be allocated to each Ward on a weekly basis for the purpose of cleansing?

o   A model could not be formulated at this present time due to service changes and the high number of employee turnover. In addition, not every Ward was an even split, some covering larger areas;

·         It seemed the reduction of resources being invested into communities for street cleansing was pushing the Council into the opposite direction and the true essence of community cleansing would be ignored as a result?

o   It was about building resilience for the purpose of street cleansing on a strategic basis under a layer of reduction in resources. However other measures would be implemented to compensate the financial loss, such as Smart Bins (once waste is placed inside the bin, the camera and sensors identify its type and place it in one of the smaller bins. Then it compresses the waste so it occupied less space).

·         What plans were in store for the strategy of behavioural change?

o   It was about starting new campaigns in educating people to refrain from littering on the streets and to place into bins. Educating young people in schools would also be crucial in future campaigns;

·         Do you intend to work with local business during campaigns?

o   In order for behavioural change, the service would welcome the opportunity to work alongside businesses in local communities;

·         What would be the role of Community Engagement Officers and Community Development Officers for the future?

o   No role would undertake two roles but differing focused roles. Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

38.

PARKS AND GREEN SPACES SERVICE ANNUAL REPORT pdf icon PDF 94 KB

The annual report of the for the devolved Parks & Green Spaces Service by the Strategic Director, Place (Document “T”) reviews activity during thepast year and also considers the significant issues and proposed management structural changes that will have an effect over the coming 12 months with optionswhere available for future service delivery, investment and savings.

 

Recommended –

 

That the West Area Committee note the content of this report and welcome the planned merger of the Cleansing Service.

 

(Ian Wood – 01274 432648)

 

 

Minutes:

The annual report of the devolved Parks & Green Spaces Service by the Strategic Director, Place (Document “T”) reviewed activity during the past year and also considered the significant issues and proposed management structural changes that would have an effect over the coming 12 months with options where available for future service delivery, investment and savings.

 

The Assistant Director, Neighbourhood and Customer Services, was invited to introduce the report to the Committee. He highlighted that the play area maintenance, highway weed-spraying and technical services were all delivered on a District wide basis whilst the management and maintenance of local parks and green spaces was provided through at least one operational depot based within each Area Committee boundary. The operational areas, using a total of 74 permanent gardeners, managed and maintained 36 parks, of which 6 had Green Flag status, 115 recreational ‘grounds’ (including football, rugby, cricket, tennis and bowls facilities), 283 outdoor play/fitness facilities across 163 sites, 50 pavilion/changing rooms, 20 lodges and 5 cafes and 40 War Memorials. The PGS also provides support to communities, voluntary and ‘friends of’ groups, including the booking of some 230 events held annually within Parks and Green Spaces ranging from Bingley Music Live to the local village gala.

 

During the discussion, the Committee praised the service for the past year’s events and further frontline roles were needed in order for the efficient management and maintenance of local parks. Children were waiting at least half an hour to get on the swings during their summer park visits and therefore more should be done for young people during their summer park days out

 

The Assistant Director, Neighbourhood and Customer Services explained that management posts would be combined in order to create efficiency and this was not about recruiting new staff but to bring two posts together and there would be an overall reduction of managers.

 

Resolved –

 

That the contents of Document “T” be noted.

 

LEAD: Strategic Director, Place

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Regeneration and Environment

 

 

39.

DRIVING COHESION INITIATIVE pdf icon PDF 109 KB

This report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “U”) provides an overview of the Driving Cohesion Initiative led by the Bradford West Area Coordinator’s office as part of the changing places (controlling migration) fund.

 

Recommended –

 

After a team debrief we agreed that it would be beneficial to build on this years event and repeat next year. The project has real potential and proven ability to break down barriers to community tensions and create space for consensus building. As a service the opportunity to hold an annual event that brings communities together has a positive impact on creating resilient relationships for ongoing problem solving and ward partnership work. The team agreed the following recommendations going forward:

 

·         Expand the number of groups involved and target hard to reach groups such as refugees, Adults from Eastern European community and Black and Caribbean groups.

·         Build this to be an annual event with additional targeted community cohesion activities that can compliment the Go Kart race.

·         Empower staff, specifically wardens, to engage with the project and have a role in facilitating groups.

·         Build sustainability through developing a partnership with community groups to source external funding and run the event long term.

 

(Kate Lightstead – 01274 432597)

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “U”) provided an overview of the Driving Cohesion Initiative led by the Bradford West Area Coordinator’s office as part of the changing places (controlling migration) fund.

 

The Ward Officer was invited to introduce the report to the Committee. She reported that Bradford West Driving Cohesion Initiative was created as a result of two key issues: Firstly the need to engage with Bradford West communities on conversations around the issues of migration and community cohesion as set out by the controlling migration fund. Secondly the need to create a greater sense of team in Bradford West coordinators office between the youth service, ward officers and wardens that transcended professional roles and created a team underpinned by appreciation and support.

 

The Committee sought clarification on whether any work had been undertaken with women in the Toller Ward to which she replied that not to date but this was an aspect that could be targeted in the near future.

 

The Chair thanked the Ward Officer for the well planned and organised event in December 2017 and equally the contents of the report.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the number of groups involved in the initiative be expanded          and hard to reach groups such as refugees, Adults from Eastern         European community and Black and Caribbean groups be     targeted.

 

(2)       That the initiative be an annual event with additional targeted     community cohesion activities that compliment the Go Kart race.

 

(3)       That staff, specifically wardens, be encouraged to engage with the       project and have a role in facilitating groups.

 

(4)       That sustainability be provided through developing a partnership         with community groups to source external funding and run the         event long term.

 

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Corporate

 

 

40.

BRADFORD WEST NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM ACTIVITY TO ADDRESS THE "SAFER COMMUNITIES" PRIORITIES WITHIN THE BRADFORD WEST CONSTITUENCY WARD PLANS FOR 2018 / 2019 pdf icon PDF 585 KB

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “V”) gives an update of some of the work undertaken by the Bradford West Area Neighbourhood Policing Team and an overview of the Bradford West Constituency Performance data.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       That Bradford West Area Committee notes the work undertaken            by the Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team from April      2018 and October 2018 that contributed to addressing priorities       within the ward plans for the Bradford West Area.

 

(2)       That the Bradford West Area Committee notes the positive          partnership working that has been established with Elected       Members, Council Officers, community organisations, volunteers    and residents within the   Bradford West Area.

 

(Kate Lightstead – 01274 432597)

(Tom Casey – 01274 376391)

 

 

Minutes:

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “V”) gave an update of some of the work undertaken by the Bradford West Area Neighbourhood Policing Team and an overview of the Bradford West Constituency Performance data.

 

The Policing Team was represented by a Police Inspector who introduced the report to the Committee. He explained that there are now named Police and Council Ward Officers aligned to Wards across the Area who were supported by designated staff with allocation to specific areas. The boundaries were co-terminus and therefore enable effective co-ordination, tasking and problem solving. Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team worked closely with Bradford Council’s Neighbourhoods Team across the West Constituency. This relationship had been strengthened over the last 7 years, since Bradford West Area Co-Ordinators Office co located to Lawcroft House. A number of joint community initiatives had taken place including piloting new contact points, street surgeries, attendance at parents’ consultation events, fun days and also attendance at other public engagement opportunities. Days of Action had been undertaken including information-giving, door knocking by staff from the teams, traffic operations, fines warrants, and environmental activities. Ward Partnership Team meetings, continued to be supported by partners, including the West Yorkshire Police, Social Landlords, Youth Service, West Yorkshire Fire Service, Environmental Health Officer and Elected Members to problem solving and information-sharing focussing on strategic priorities, entrenched issues and emerging challenges. Neighbourhood officers from the Council and Police had participated in more robust joint patrols and enforcement activities managing school gate parking issues to reduce traffic congestion, illegal / inappropriate parking and risks to pedestrians as well as other road users. Traffic operations were planned throughout the year. The Council’s CCTV car was also deployed to support enforcement activities. Where possible, engagement work including school assembly presentations, attendance at school events to meet parents, children taking part in speed watch and other road safety educational activities had also taken place.

 

A question and answer session ensued. What were the reasons behind the trend of less crime in the Bradford West area. In response, a repeat offender committing crime due to strong addictions to either alcohol or drugs and eventually get caught, therefore out of the equation can reduce a significant amount of crime in a whole area. The Police equally focused on targeting repeat offenders and crime prevention was also about educating individuals. It was then requested whether it be possible for someone from the EID project team to commence with networking with the NHS and Council for Mosques meetings. It was confirmed that the Police would be more than willing to attend the next meeting.

 

The Committee profusely thanked the Bradford West Neighbourhood Policing Team and in particular, praised the Police Inspector lead of the Bradford West area for exceptional efforts in trying to keep the Bradford West area safe and for maintaining strong relationships with individual Members and communities.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That the work undertaken by the Bradford West Neighbourhood           Policing Team from April 2018 and October 2018 that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.