No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received. 

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 August 2016 be signed as  a correct record.

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

There were no referrals made to this Committee.

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document

“Q”) which provides an update to the report presented to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 8^th October 2015 and subsequently to the District’s Area Committees regarding the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE). It sets out the arrangements that have been put in place, and which continue to develop, to safeguard children from CSE.

Recommended –

(1)       The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee is invited to note       the contents of this report.

(2)       A further report be presented in 12 months.

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a report (Document “Q”) which provided an update to the report presented to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 8^th October 2015 and subsequently to the district’s Area Committees regarding the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE). It set out the arrangements that had been put in place, and which continue to develop, to safeguard children from CSE.

The Strategic Director was accompanied by the Assistant Director Performance, Commissioning and Partnership, an intelligence officer working for the Safeguarding Hub and a Detective Superintendent from West Yorkshire Police to give an overview and respond to Members questions.

The Strategic Director stated that this was the third programmed report on CSE detailing the partnership arrangements in place and how we were dealing with the issue across the piece, stressing the positive work and progress made, he stressed that there was no room for complacency given the seriousness of the crime.

The Assistant Director gave an overview of the national context to CSE and that at a local level the 9 strategic objectives had now been updated.  She alluded to the Member training that was now mandatory as well as work done with the night time economy and the taxi trade to raise awareness and encourage reporting of CSE.  The headline figure of a rise in the number of CSE cases in the district was alluded to and the Assistant Director stressed that this was primarily down to the confidence in reporting the issue.  It was pointed out that CSE remained an area of challenge, however Partnership working was crucial in tackling the issue going forward.

The representative from West Yorkshire Police echoed the sentiments expressed and stated that we were in a better position than before in dealing with CSE and that the CSE live investigation team was now embedded into the work of the Hub which would give it more impetus.  The innovative work of the Hub had been recognised and commended at a national level.

During the discussion, the Chair stated that the reporting of CSE cases had shown an increase of 65%, and he ascertained if there were many cases of people not reporting CSE.  In response the Police representative acknowledged that although there was a percentage of underreporting, the profile of CSE had been raised and information on how to better report the issue to Crimestoppers  and the Police as well as other options were being explored and was showing dividend; and to this end engagement work with the wider community and the awareness raising work in Keighley was highlighted.

In relation to a question on work that had been with the new emerging communities on CSE,  the Police representative confirmed that a piece of work was being undertaken on how we interacted with different communities, however it important to stress that any incidents of CSE would be investigated as a matter of course.

A Member raised concerns regarding the incidence of CSE and Looked After Children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Assistant Director, Policy, Programmes and Change will submit a report  (Document R”) which sets out the Council’s approach to identifying the implications of the EU referendum vote, and the proposed plan for action.

Recommended –

To note the Council’s approach to identifying risks and opportunities

and the proposed plan for action.

The Assistant Director, Policy, Programmes and Change submitted a report  (Document R”) which set out the Council’s approach to identifying the implications of the EU referendum vote, and the proposed plan for action.

A similar report was considered by the Executive at its meeting on 20 September.  It was explained that since the report was written, the Government had announced that it would trigger Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon by March 2017,  paving the exit from the EU.  It was stressed that until such time, the full implications and impact of the referendum vote would not be known, however the message being sent out to businesses is that Bradford was a great place in which to invest and that we would continue to market the district.

A Member agreed that until Article 50 was trigged and negotiations started that we were no way further to knowing the impacts and implications for the district and the country and until such time we would remain in a state of limbo, and he suggested that a report should be presented to this Committee soon after Article 50 is triggered. 

In addition he ascertained the impact on foreign students attending the University and recent Government announcements about students coming to study in the UK from abroad.   In response it was stated that the University had not raised any concerns per se at this stage regarding this, however we will continue to have conversations with the University and monitor the situation.

In response to a question regarding a local company that had switched production to Poland following a drop in the rate of the pound, it was mentioned that we would continue to engage with businesses to ensure concerns were followed up and appropriate information and advice was provided.

The Leader stated that she was keen to ensure confidence in the district remained high and that this needed to continue to encourage growth and investment in the district.

A Member suggested that more work should be done in the district with businesses around exports as this was an area that required further work in order to boost exports from the district.  It was suggested that this issue could be raised with the Bradford Chamber of Commerce.

Resolved–

(1)       That the Council’s approach to identifying risks and opportunities        and the proposed plan for action be noted.

(2)       That this Committee requests that a further report be presented             within 2 months of Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon being           triggered.

(3)       That officers be thanked for being proactive in dealing with the issues arising from the EU Referendum.

ACTION:       Assistant Director Policy, Programmes and Change

The Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny will submit a report (Document “S”) which includes the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2016/17.

Recommended –

(1)       That members consider and comment on the areas of work included in the work programme.

(2)       That members consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that they may wish to conduct.

The Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny submitted a report (Document “S”) which included the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2016/17.

Resolved –

That the work programme 2016-17 continues to be reviewed regularly

during the year.

ACTION:       Overview and Scrutiny Lead