No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received. 

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2017 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Yusuf Patel– 01274 434579)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2017 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 the Committee.

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “G”) which outlines the requirements of the statutory Prevent Duty and progress towards the Prevent Action Plan for the District.

Recommended –

(1)       The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee acknowledge the progress on work undertaken in implementing the Prevent agenda in Bradford and its approach to supporting vulnerable people.

(2)       The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee acknowledge this report and the intended direction for Prevent in the district.

(3)       That Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee makes any suggestions for raising awareness of Prevent across Bradford District

(4)       A report is presented in twelve months’ time giving a progress update.

(Ian Day - 01274 433507)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “G”)

which outlined the requirements of the statutory Prevent Duty and

progress towards the Prevent Action Plan for the district.

The Prevent Coordinator gave an overview of the Prevent Strategy, stating that its principle aim was about protecting vulnerable individuals from extremism in all its different forms.  He alluded to the components of the Prevent Strategy around the key elements of safeguarding and channelling individuals from extremism, adding that the Programme was transparent and open to scrutiny, including scrutiny from this Committee, and although resources were limited, reliance on partnership working was a crucial element of the Strategy and its effectiveness.

The Prevent lead for Bradford College was also present at the meeting and gave a brief overview of the work being undertaken at Bradford College around the Prevent agenda.  She alluded to how Prevent was incorporated within the Colleges UNITED values framework, which was about ensuring core values and respect for individuals were central to the life of every student at the College.  The College also actively challenged stereotypes and discussed with students issues surrounding hate crimes, personal experiences and violent extremism.

A project around safeguarding which had been developed to actively work with mothers was also showcased, and how it had empowered mothers to talk about radicalisation, which in turn enabled them to talk about the issue at home and challenge views.  Mothers who had been involved with the project were present at the meeting and they stated that the project had given them a platform to have conversations with their children around what was a very sensitive issue, and through this process empower their children to be happy and healthy.

The Prevent Coordinator stressed that West Yorkshire Police were also a crucial element in the Prevent agenda, particularly in their role as an arbitrator and building faith across a number of agencies and organisations.

During the discussion a Member ascertained how stereotypes were challenged and how much people were aware of the issue of radicalisation.  In response it was stated that radicalisation did not just affect Muslim communities, and that attitudes had to be challenged across the piece. 

In response to a question regarding resources, it was stated that more resources were always welcomed and to this end conversations were being had with the Home Office to dedicate more resources, given the Bradford demographics with a particular focus on having additional resources to deal with mental health issues, in the context of referrals that were made via the Prevent Programme.

In response to a question on what the advice was on those travelling to the border areas of Turkey, it was stressed that up to date travel advice was available via the Government Foreign Travel Advice website. 

The work being undertaken in Mosques and Madresssahs which were supplementary schools on Safeguarding procedures and understanding and challenging  extremism were also alluded to, and how it was being rolled out across the district, with early indications suggesting a good  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Bradford Council invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to undertake an independent Corporate Peer Challenge review, which took place in March 2017. 

The Assistant Director Office of the Chief Executive will submit a report (Document “H”) which details the areas the review looked at, its findings and the Council’s response in the form of an Improvement Action Plan.

Recommended –

(1)       That the recommendations and actions are directed to the          relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as appropriate. 

(2)       That the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee receive    periodic progress reports against the Improvement Action Plan.

(David Greenwood - 01274 431341)

Bradford Council invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to

undertake an independent Corporate Peer Challenge review, which

took place in March 2017.

The Assistant Director Office of the Chief Executive submitted a report

(Document “H”) which detailed the areas the review looked at, its

findings and the Council’s response in the form of an Improvement

Action Plan.

The Assistant Director gave an overview of the Peer review and its findings  which were detailed in the report, drawing attention to the positive messages and the Council’s direction of travel.  Particular emphasis was given to the Council’s ‘People Can approach’ and how services were being structured around this initiative.

During the discussion, a Member questioned the balance of the Peer Review team, and it was stated that the Peer Review Team always consisted of an elected member, normally a Leader or Deputy Leader of a Council. 

In relation to the comments made by the review team pertaining to Scrutiny, a Member commented that a distinction had to be made in terms of policy making and policy shaping, as there was scope for Scrutiny to be more involved in policy development.

On a related issue, a Member stated the role of Scrutiny was crucial in challenging policy and the decision making by the Executive.

In response to the finding by the review team that the transformation fund was insufficient, the Deputy Leader acknowledged that the amount allocated would be kept under review.

The Chair suggested that in the context of the review teams’ comments on the ‘People Can Approach”, this Committee should receive a report back on its progress to date.

Resolved –

(1)       That this Committee requests that a report in relation to the         progress being made against the Improvement Plan be presented in 12 months.

(2)       That a further report be presented in 6 months time which focuses       on engaging with residents through the “People Can” approach.

ACTION:       Assistant Director Office of the Chief Executive

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “I”) which sets out the Council’s performance in, and the challenges for, the collection of Business Rates. The report also examines the impact on the Council and businesses of the revaluation of rateable values; and considers the future of Business Rates retention.

Recommended –

That the committee note the report and requests that a further Business Rate report be presented in 12 months.

(Martin Stubbs - 01274 432056)  

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report

(Document “I”) which set out the Council’s performance in, and the

challenges for, the collection of Business Rates. The report also

examined the impact on the Council and businesses of the revaluation

of rateable values; and considered the future of Business Rates

retention.

The Assistant Director Revenue, Benefits and Payroll explained that Local Government finance was evolving quickly and Business Rates had to be seen in that context.  Following an overview of the report, he reported that discussions were being had around putting in a pilot bid to pool Business Rates between the West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire authorities, however these discussions were at a very early stage and therefore the details were scarce.  He also alluded to the increasing number of Business Rates appeals being lodged, which was a national issue.

During the discussion, a Member raised a question about overall collection rates in terms of the debt element , to which the Assistant Director responded that 98.5% to 99% of the debt was collected, however this was resulting in approximately £1.5m in loss revenue.  He also referred to a number of businesses using legal loopholes to avoid payment of business rates, and again this was a issue affecting authorities across the country.

The Assistant Director stressed that his officers were working tirelessly to ensure businesses paid on time, and this area of work was increasingly challenging. 

Resolved –

That a further Business Rates report be presented at the end of the Financial Year.

ACTION:       Assistant Director Revenues, Benefits and Payroll

(Martin Stubbs – 01274 432574)

The Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee will submit a report (Document “J”) which sets out the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2017/18.

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.

(Mustansir Butt - 01274 432574)

The Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

submitted a report (Document “J”) which set out the Corporate

Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2017/18.

Resolved –

That an item on Housing Benefit Appeals backlog be added to the Committee’s Work Programme and that future agendas have a more thematic approach.

ACTION:       Overview and Scrutiny Lead

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)