The Director of Legal and Governance will report the names of alternate Members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed Members. 

(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 must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

(2)       Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(3)       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. 

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

(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 / Jane Lythgow – 07970 411923 / 07970 411623)

The following referrals have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda.

The Committee is asked to note the referrals listed above and decide how it wishes to proceed, for example by incorporating the item into the work programme, requesting that it be subject to more detailed examination, or refer it to an appropriate Working Group/Committee.

The Director of Finance will submit Executive Document “AW” which provides Members with the forecast year-end financial position of the Council for 2024-25 and sets out the very challenging scale of its financial challenges. It outlines the revenue and capital budgets, and the year-end forecast financial position based on information at the end of December 2024. It states the Council’s current reserves and school balances.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Andrew Cross – 01274 436823)

The Director of Finance presented the report to members, which set-out the forecast year-end financial position of the Council for 2024-25 and set out the very challenging scale of its financial challenges.  The Director of Finance also outlined the revenue and capital budgets and the year-end forecast financial position based on information at the end of December 2024, as well as the Council’s current reserves and school balances.

In response to members enquiry, officers indicated that the £8.4m overspend was not taking into account the settlement, as the settlement was for the next year.

With regards to the Bradford Children’s and Families Trust Business Plan, officers highlighted whilst the plan was moving in the right direction, the Trust were looking to make further improvements and a session with the Trust was being planned to continue this work.

Resolved –

That this Committee requests the comments raised at the meeting, be considered by officers.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                                   (Andrew Cross – 01274 436823)

The Director of Finance will submit Executive Document “AX” which assesses the adequacy of financial strategy, forecast levels of reserves, the risks associated with the budget, the overall financial position of the Council and actions needed and being taken to secure the Council’s long term financial stability and the robustness of the proposed budget for 2025/26.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

The Director of Finance presented the report and addressed the adequacy of the financial strategy, forecast levels of reserves, the risks associated with the budget, the overall financial position of the Council and actions needed and being taken to secure the Council’s long term financial stability and the robustness of the proposed budget for 2025-26.

Members questioned that at the moment officers were not mindful of issuing a Section 114 notice, whilst increasing Council Tax and were prepared to borrow more money in the future, therefore members were concerned about how sustainable this approach would be.

In response, officers indicated that Bradford Council was doing everything it could do to move to a more stronger position and focusing on the delivery against the Council Plan.  However, Finance officers did state that they would keep the section 114 notice under review.

Resolved –

That this Committee requests the comments raised at the meeting, be considered by officers.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                                   (Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

The Director of Finance will submit Executive Document “AY” which provides Members with an update on the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) presented to Executive previously in July 2024 and January 2025. It takes account of the final local government financial settlement and the delivery of the council’s improvement plan. It sets out the current estimated journey to financial sustainability, the estimated total Capitalisation Direction the Council will require and the assumptions that underpin this.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

The Director of Finance provided members of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an update on the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), presented to the Executive previously in July 2024 and January 2025.  The Director of Finance also highlighted the final local government financial settlement and the delivery of the council’s improvement plan and the current estimated journey to financial sustainability, the estimated total Capitalisation Direction the Council will require and the assumptions that underpin this.

Councillors also learned that this report should be considered alongside the other reports on the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda, as this would help inform the decision making, particularly in regards to the 2025-26 Budget report.

Resolved –

That the Committee considered the report.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                                   (Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

The Director of Finance will submit Executive Document “AZ” which sets out the proposed Capital Strategy for Bradford Council for the five-year period between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2030. The Council has a proposed gross capital programme up to 2029-30 of £1.172bn, partially offset by £668m of income, giving a net budget of £504m – which is to be funded by borrowing. The cost of borrowing has been built into the revenue implications of the capital strategy.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Lynsey Simenton – 01274 434232)

Officers from Finance stated the proposed Capital Strategy for Bradford Council  for the five-year period between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2030.  Members learned that the Council has a proposed gross capital programme up to 2029-30 of £1.172bn, partially offset by £668m of income, giving a net budget of £504m, which is due to be funded by borrowing and that the cost of borrowing has been build into the revenue implications of the capital strategy.

In relation to members enquiry regarding the ratio of Capital costs to income, Finance officers highlighted that Capital was not just relating to buildings, but also linked with borrowing , which is within capital rather than revenue.

Resolved –

That the Committee requests the comments raised at the meeting, be considered by officers.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                                   (Lynsey Simenton – 01274 434232)

The Director of Finance will submit Executive Document “BA” which sets out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 and covers:

• capital spending including Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP)

• borrowing and debt reduction strategy;

• managing cash balances

• prudential indicators

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Lynsey Simenton – 01274 434232)

Bradford Council Finance officers indicated that the report focused on the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2025-26 and covered the following key areas:

§  Capital spending including Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP);

§  Borrowing and debt reduction strategy;

§  Managing cash balances;

§  Prudential indicators.

Councillors heard that the Council is required to operate a balanced budget and that a key function was the funding of the Council’s capitals plans, which is the key driver for the borrowing needs of the Council.  This may involve arranging new or replacement loans or the planned use of cash balances.

Resolved –

That the Committee considered the report.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                                   (Lynsey Simenton – 01274 434232)

The Director of Finance will submit Executive Document “BB” which provides Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Budget Estimates for 2025/26.

The report also outlines feedback received through the consultation undertaken on the budget proposals that Council Executive approved for consultation and public engagement at their meeting of the 5 November 2024 and 3 December 2024.

Executive and Council will need to have regard to this feedback when setting the budget for 2025/26.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

Officers from Bradford Councils Finance Team informed Councillors that the report provided them with the details of the Council’s Revenue Budget Estimates for 2025-26.

Councillors also learned about the feedback which was received through the consultation undertaken on the budget proposals that Council Executive approved for consultation and public engagement at their meeting of the 5 November and 3 December 2024.

There was some discussion centred around the key events and activities for the proposed 2025-26 Revenue Budget and how and who decides whether there is a bespoke referendum.

In response, officers indicated that Bradford Council could ask, but it was the MHCLG who would decide.  Furthermore, once the settlement had been released, there was a  criteria in which the Council could apply for.  Bradford Council did this quickly to meet the MHCLG timetable.

Resolved –

That the Committee requests the comments raised at the meeting, be considered by officers.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                                   (Steven Mair – 07786 525809)

The joint report of the Director of Finance and the Strategic Director Place Executive Document “BC” sets out the proposed 30-year Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and considers both the Revenue and Capital position. The Revenue Business plan over a 5- year period projects gross income of £15.704m and gross expenditure of £11.816m. The HRA Capital Programme provides for a total capital investment of £3.975m over the next 5 years, of which £2.655m relates to existing properties, and £1.32m relating to new property acquisitions. Over the 30-year business plan period, £23.077m is to be spent on the HRA Capital Programme.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Ade Solanke – ade.solanke@bradford.gov.uk)

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillors heard that this was a joint report of the Director of Finance and the Strategic Director Place. 

Councillors learned about the proposed 30-year Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), which considers both the Revenue and Capital Revenue position.  The Revenue Business Plan over a 5-year period projects gross income of £15.704m and gross expenditure of £11.816m.  The HRA Capital Programme provides for a total capital investment of £3.975m over the next 5 years, of which £2.655m relates to existing properties and £1.32m relating to new property acquisitions.  Over the 30-year business plan period, £23.077m is to be spent on the HRA Capital Programme.

Resolved –

That the Committee considered the report.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                         (Ade Solanke – ade.solanke@bradford.gov.uk)

The Director of Finance will submit Executive Document “BD” which seeks Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2025/26 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment on the report.

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

Bradford Council officers presented a report to Councillors, which seeked Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schols Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2025-26 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillors were keen to understand what learning had been gained from other Councils, to ensure that the amount of borrowing required was minimal.

In response  officers stated that areas of expenditure were being explored, a great deal of investment was required in this area at national level.  Aswell as this, Councillors were informed that funding systems had not kept pace with the increase in demands, for instance with children requiring and Educational Health Care Plan.

Moreover, Bradford Council is a pilot and is already a pilot authority in relation to key areas from the Green Paper, especially in the areas of language and alternative provision.

Resolved –

That the Committee requests the comments raised at the meeting, be considered by officers.

To be actioned by:  Director of Finance

                                                   (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)