(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.

 No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received. 

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 434579)

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 January 2018 be signed as a correct record.

(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. 

No referrals were made at the time of the publication of the agenda.

There were no referrals made to this Committee.

The Assistant Director of Finance and Procurement will submit a report (Document “AC”) which provides Members with an overview of the forecast financial position of the Council for 2017-18.

It examines the latest spend against revenue and capital budgets and forecasts the financial position at the year end. It states the Council’s current balances and reserves and forecasts school balances for the year. 

This report was considered by the Executive at its meeting held on 6 February 2018.

Recommended –

That the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee review and comment on the Qtr 3 Finance Position Statement for 2017-18.

(Andrew Cross - 01274 436823)

The Assistant Director of Finance and Procurement submitted a report (Document “AC”) which provided Members with an overview of the forecast financial position of the Council for 2017-18.

It examined the latest spend against revenue and capital budgets and forecasted the financial position at the year end. It stated the Council’s current balances and reserves and forecasts school balances for the year. 

This report was considered by the Executive at its meeting held on 6 February 2018.

During the discussion Members asked a number of questions, the questions together with the responses are detailed below:

A Member ascertained that under a number of the budget headings, anticipated savings had not been realised and the savings that had been made, what impact had  this had on the unplanned savings.  In response the Assistant Director Finance and Procurement explained that a number of actions had been taken to balance the budget, albeit some of this money was one of monies such as the use of non-spend capital financing and the use of corporate contingencies.  He urged caution in delivering the 2018/19 budget, as this would pose a number of challenges to implement and his concerns were outlined in the Section 151 officer’s report being considered at the Budget Council meeting on 22 February 2018.

In relation to the Adult Social Care budget, officers from the department explained that the Service was making significant progress in demand management, and it was on track to deliver saving by reducing the number of placements in residential care and offering more care in peoples own homes.  It was however acknowledged that in the area of learning disabilities savings had not been realised.  The cost of providing certain types of care was alluded to and that key risks remained in a number areas.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder in acknowledging the issues raised stressed that a number of projected changes were taking longer than anticipated but that efforts were on-going to ensure the budget was brought back on track.

In relation to a question regarding school balances the Strategic Director Children’s Services explained that reserves have been reducing over a number of years, and that there was an imperative to maintain an adequate level of reserves to deal with the budgetary challenges facing schools and that the Schools Forum were fully aware of the issues.

In relation to Children’s Social, the Strategic Director also stated that despite efforts to reduce the number of children in care, in hindsight this had been over ambitious as there had been a corresponding increase in demand, which mirrored the national picture.

In addition the projected savings in transport assistance had not been realised, in the context of growing demand and historical overreliance on assistance.  He added that in conjunction with the Department of Place, a new tender would look at what efficiency savings can be made, however any savings would be modest compared to the original forecast.  The Portfolio Holder added that this had been an area of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

In 2017, a Housing Benefit claimant complained to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) because the Council had delayed referring their case to the First Tier Tribunal Social Entitlement Chamber

Following its investigation, the LGO published a public interest report, which highlighted that a build-up of work prevented the complainant’s case from being dealt with in a timely manner 

The Interim Director Corporate Resources will submit a report (Document “AD”) which sets out the role and functions of the Appeals team, the circumstances leading to the build-up of work, and the actions taken to reduce the build-up and to reduce the time taken to complete appeal cases.

Recommended –

That Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee is being asked to note the contents of the report and the work undertaken to reduce the build-up of appeal cases.

(Martin Stubbs - 01274 432056)

In 2017, a Housing Benefit claimant complained to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) because the Council had delayed referring their case to the First Tier Tribunal Social Entitlement Chamber.

Following its investigation, the LGO published a public interest report, which highlighted that a build-up of work prevented the complainant’s case from being dealt with in a timely manner. 

The Interim Director Corporate Resources submitted a report (Document “AD”) which sets out the role and functions of the Appeals team, the circumstances leading to the build-up of work, and the actions taken to reduce the build-up and to reduce the time taken to complete appeal cases.

The Assistant Director Revenues and Benefits explained that in the context of the investigation by the Ombudsman, the Service had now prioritised the housing benefits  backlog, and he was confident that the remaining cases, which were mainly older complicated cases would be dealt with in due course.

Resolved –

That the report and the work undertaken to reduce the build-up of appeal cases be noted.

ACTION:       No Action

The Interim Director Corporate Resources will submit a report (Document “AE”) which provides an update on the support provided by the Council, to financially vulnerable residents, through the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme and the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme during the period 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017.

Recommended –

That the Committee;

(1)       Note the contents of this report and the work that has taken place        on both Discretionary Housing Payments and Local Welfare             Support.

(2)       Consider the ideas outlined in 4.3 to Document “AE” and provide         any feedback for consideration by the Executive.

(Martin Stubbs - 01274 432056)

The Interim Director Corporate Resources submitted a report (Document “AE”) which provided an update on the support provided by the Council, to financially vulnerable residents, through the Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) scheme and the Local Welfare Assistance Scheme during the period 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017.

During the discussions Members made the following comments in relation to the different discretionary payments in place:

That the take up of Smarterbuys should be looked at, as a higher proportion were accessing used goods scheme, or seeking help from family and friends when purchasing white goods.

There had been an increase in the number of lump sum payments being made to landlords to clear rent arrears, and this was primarily to stop eviction proceedings.

That the Assisted Purchases Scheme needed to be better publicised, although it had been publicised extensively through the existing advice network.

That fuel poverty was a particular issue amongst the elderly and more work was needed to ensure any help was taken up by this group.

Resolved –

(1)       That the report and the work that has taken place on both         Discretionary Housing Payments and Local         Welfare Support be            noted.

(2)       That members views and comments be taken into account in     developing the Discretionary Housing Payment and Local Welfare   Support schemes. 

ACTION: Interim Director Corporate Resources

(Martin Stubbs - 01274 432056)

The Assistant Director Procurement and Finance will submit a report (Document “AF”) which sets out progress of the roll out in Bradford, highlighting the key issues for the district and the actions taken, and planned, over the coming months and years to ensure it is implemented successfully.

This is an update of the reports that this committee received in September 2015 and December 2016 that detailed the introduction of Universal Credit in Bradford and highlighted some of the cultural, organisational and logistical challenges and concerns faced by residents, the Council and others, and the action taken to respond to these challenges.

Recommended –

That Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

(1)       Note progress made in the development of arrangements to       support residents, and in responding to adverse impacts on       Council service delivery.

(2)       Consider the issues raised in this report, the likely impacts on the         district’s residents, the Council, and other providers and agencies   and provide any comments and views for consideration by the         local delivery partnership.

(Martin Stubbs – 01274 432056)

The Assistant Director Procurement and Finance submitted a report (Document “AF”) which set out progress of the roll out in Bradford, highlighting the key issues for the district and the actions taken, and planned, over the coming months and years to ensure it is implemented successfully.

This was an update of the reports that this committee received in September 2015 and December 2016 that detailed the introduction of Universal Credit in Bradford and highlighted some of the cultural, organisational and logistical challenges and concerns faced by residents, the Council and others, and the action taken to respond to these challenges.

The Assistant Director highlighted the number of changes and the delays to Universal Credit system which were detailed in the report.  He cited that the date to migrate Bradford residents to Universal Credit had been extended to 2022, adding that the policy marked a fundamental shift in welfare support.

The Assistant Director stressed that online take up in Bradford was generally good and that amendments to the new benefit by the Government, should also make a difference.

During the discussion, the Chair stated that there were communities not IT literate and how did he envisage the new credit would impact on them.  In response it was pointed out that the advice aspect of Universal Credit had been looked and it was felt that the advice network were equipped with the necessary skills to advise clients. In addition any language barriers would be addressed as per the normal process.  It was also pointed out that advice services were working to capacity and a close eye was being kept on this situation.

Resolved–

(1)       That the progress made in the development of arrangements to            support residents, and in responding to adverse impacts on   Council service delivery be noted.

(2)       That Members considered the issues raised in the report and the likely impacts on the district’s residents, the Council, and other providers and agencies.

(3)       That a progress report on the roll out of Universal Credit be considered by this Committee in December 2018.

ACTION: Interim Director Corporate Resources

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AG”) which presents the draft Bradford District Strategic Approach to Tackling Poverty 2018-2020 along with data measures that will be used to evidence impact of activity at a District and lower levels.

Recommended -

That Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

(1)       Accept the progress made to date against the recommendation of        the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 2 February          2017.

(2)       Provide their comments on the draft Strategic Approach presented.

(3)       Suggest other action the Committee believes the Anti-poverty

            Co-ordination Group should or could be taking to make a positive        impact against poverty in the District.

(Helen Johnston/Martin Stubbs - 01274 434401/432056)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AG”) which presented the draft Bradford District Strategic Approach to Tackling Poverty 2018-2020 along with data measures that will be used to evidence impact of activity at a District and lower levels.

It was explained that the multi-agency strategy group set up in February, would be addressing the actions arising from the Poverty Scrutiny Review undertaken by this Committee, and that the Strategy was work in progress incorporating the work done by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on poverty.

It was also envisaged that more work would be done at a ward level which would tap into the expertise of the Area Committee.

During the discussion, the Chair expressed his concerns at the delays on implementing the Poverty Strategy that was undertaken by this Committee, which was some years old.  In response it was explained that a lot of work had taken place since the review and that this will be documented going forward, and that pulling the Strategy together had taken longer than anticipated.

The Chair also highlighted the increase in the number of rough sleepers in Bradford and that the problem had now extended outside of the city centre.

A Member urged a word of action, and stated that although he empathised with the broad sentiments expressed around poverty, the key to tackling poverty in the district was to address the low skill base and the barriers which prevented women from the  Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities from accessing education, training and job opportunities.

In response the Strategic Director Place stressed that education and skills were key priorities in the Council’s economic strategy, as well as components to strengthen families and the community.

A Member stated that what the Strategy lacked was any involvement of the Area Committees, and that their expertise and knowledge of the ward was crucial in tackling poverty.

The Leader of Council of Council was also present at the meeting and stated that a lot of work the Council was undertaking was around tackling poverty via economic growth.

Resolved –

(1)       That the progress made to date against the recommendation of             the  Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 2     February 2017 be accepted.

(2)       That this Committee requests that the comments raised by         Members be considered in the development of the Strategy.

(3)       That the Poverty Strategy be presented to this Committee in June        2018.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

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

Resolved –

That the work programme 2017-18 continues to be reviewed regularly

during the remainder of this Municipal Year.

ACTION:       Overview and Scrutiny Lead