Members agreed under Standing Order 9.1.4 that a combined debate take place on the motions EU Referendum Result and Bradford’s Response to the EU Referendum (Minutes 26 and 27 refer) and the motions on Bradford’s Equalities Priorities and Standing Alongside Our Neighbours to Fight Hate and Prejudice (Minutes 28 and 29 refer) with separate votes on each motion.

The following disclosures in matters under consideration were received:

Motions – EU Referendum Result and Bradford’s Response to the EU Referendum (Minutes 24 and 25)

Councillors Malcolm Slater and Val Slater declared an interest as they had close relatives living in Europe. As the disclosures were made on the basis of transparency those Members remained in the meeting during consideration and voting on the items.

Motion – Assets of Community Value (Minute 28)

Councillors Riaz Ahmed, Dodds, Miller, Peart and Tait declared a prejudicial interest as members of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority, left the meeting for that item and therefore did not participate in the debate or the decision.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

Resolved -

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2016 be signed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Carmody, Ellis, Imran Hussain, Shabir Hussain, Naylor, Salam and R Sunderland.

THE DEATH OF JO COX, MP

The Lord Mayor together with his Chaplain, the Reverend Sarah Jemison, led a one minute’s silence in memory of Jo Cox, the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen, on the day after her death and also wrote, on behalf of the people of the district, to her widower and to the Chief Executive of Kirklees Council. Jo’s death shocked the region, the nation and reverberated much farther afield.  Many felt that it was not only a dreadful attack on Jo – a devoted public servant, a wife and mother of young children – but also on democracy.

TERRORIST ATROCITIES

Since the last Council meeting it had been the sad duty of the Lord Mayor to lead silent tributes to people around the world who had lost their lives as a result of terrorist atrocities. 

A minute’s silence was observed to remember those killed on 12 June in the Pulse nightclub, Orlando at a vigil held on 16 June; on 27 June the first anniversary of the terror attacks on the Tunisian resort of Sousse was marked, and on 4 July there was a silent tribute to the victims of the Atatürk Airport terror attack, Istanbul on 28 June and those who lost their lives in attacks in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 1 July and Baghdad, Iraq on 3 July 2016. 

DEATH OF TIM PICKLES

Tim Pickles served for many years on the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee as a representative of the Strategic Disability Partnership. Tim championed the needs of disabled people and his cheerfulness and sound advice would be sadly missed.

Members and Officers joined the Lord Mayor in standing for a minute’s silence to reflect on the lives and contributions of all those mentioned.

SOMME COMMEMORATIONS

The Lord Mayor thanked all the individuals and groups who contributed to the variety of events in the City Centre and in other places to commemorate the Battle of the Somme which was of special significance because of the history of the Bradford Pals. In particular attention was drawn to the Bradford World War 1 Group whose research had enhanced knowledge of the impact of the Somme events on communities in Bradford.

There were no restricted documents.

In support of the use of ‘A’ boards in Saltaire

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee to include in its review of the findings from the trial period for the removal of advertisement boards obstructing the pavement.

In support of the use of ‘A’ boards in Ilkley

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee to include in its review of the findings from the trial period for the removal of advertisement boards obstructing the pavement.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

Council Document “B” details the questions from members of the public and the responses given.

Council Document “D” details the verbal questions from Members to the Leader of Council and the answers given on the matters contained in the Leader of Council’s written report.

Council Document “E” details the questions from Members to the Leader of Council and Portfolio Holders and the answers given.

At the meeting of the Executive on 14 June 2016 the report of the Assistant Director Policy, Programmes and Change (Executive Document “B”) presented the completed Bradford District Plan 2016-2020 providing background on its development and the next steps in ensuring its delivery.

Resolved –

That the Bradford District Plan 2016-2020 be endorsed.

ACTION:       Assistant Director Policy Programmes and Change

At the meeting of the Governance and Audit Committee on 28 June 2016 consideration was given to a proposal to amend the Members’ Code of Conduct regarding the training for elected members on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). The report of theCity Solicitor (Document “C”) recommended a paragraph be inserted into the Members’ Code of Conduct requiring that the completion by elected members of a training course on CSE be mandatory.

Resolved-

(1)       That the proposed amendment to the Members’ Code of Conduct, which forms part of the Council’s Constitution, as set out in paragraph 3.2 of Document “C” and attached to the report at Appendix 1 be adopted.

(2)       That the City Solicitor ensures that the agreed amendments are implemented. 

(3)       That the City Solicitor be granted delegated authority to make consequential amendments to the Constitution as a result of this approval.

ACTION:       City Solicitor           

A motion was moved by Councillor Jeanette Sunderland.

An amendment,as set out in the resolution below, was moved by Councillor Cooke was carried.

Resolved -

Council notes that the British people have voted to leave the European Union and that this will have consequences for Bradford’s economy, Council services and community cohesion.

Council believes that the decision of the British people should be respected and welcomes the early decision of government to include representatives of English Local Government in developing plans to implement that decision.

Council resolves:

(1)       To make appropriate arrangements to scrutinise progress towards leaving the EU and its impact on Bradford.

(2)       To prioritise actions to support minority communities facing an uncertain future and an increase of racist incidents.

(3)       To ask the Chief Executive to prepare proposals for these resolutions and submit them to Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee for review and the Executive for approval.

ACTION:       Chief Executive/Strategic Director City Solicitor (Overview and Scrutiny Lead - referral to Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Executive) 

A motion, as set out in the resolution below, was moved by Councillor Hinchcliffe and was carried.

Resolved -

This Chamber notes that the country voted to leave the EU on 23^rd June by 52% to 48%.  The close result and the divisive campaign that led up to the result means that it has left many people upset and angry.  As civic leaders it is our responsibility to work together now for all of Bradford’s residents so that we focus on getting the best deal we can for Bradford in a new relationship with the European Union and the world.  The social and economic impacts of the decision are as yet unclear but are likely to be significant for the future of the district.

We are grateful to all residents in the district who may have been born in other countries, who live, work and are raising their families here.  They pay their council tax like other residents and should be assured that they remain welcome in our district, a district with ambition, pride and a strong future. We also recognise that we have a good number of Bradfordians living abroad and know that they will also be needing reassurance from their country hosts that they will be accorded usual rights and respect.

We are a district which has strong international links and are committed to maintaining our reputation as a strong trading city (86% of our small businesses trade internationally). We task the Leader and Chief Executive with:

(1)       Making an assessment of the social and economic impacts that the EU Referendum result might bring and how the work of the council and partners might change to accommodate these.

(2)       Looking at how we can strengthen our links across the globe to put Bradford and West Yorkshire in a good position when it comes to trading decisions.

(3)       Writing to country-specific groups across the district to reiterate that they are welcome in Bradford.

ACTION:       Chief Executive

A motion moved by Councillor Cooke was defeated.

An amendment moved by Councillor Stubbs was defeated.

NO DECISION

A motion, as set out in the resolution below, was moved by Councillor Hinchcliffe and was carried.

Resolved -

This Council expresses sympathy on behalf of the people of Bradford to the friends and family of Jo Cox MP and to all the people of Batley & Spen following Jo’s brutal murder in Birstall on 16^th June 2016.

We ask the Chief Executive to offer any practical support possible to Kirklees Local Authority to help them through this challenging time.

This Council resolves to challenge bigotry, hate, violence and oppression in all its forms; reaffirm our respect for diversity; and call for renewed peace and unity among all communities. It is beholden on each and every one of us as elected members to follow Jo’s example and to promote the values of fairness, social justice and understanding of others.

ACTION:       Chief Executive

A motion was moved by Councillor Cooke.

An amendment, as set out in the resolution below, was moved by Councillor Dunbar and was carried.

Resolved -

Council recognises the importance of the provision for local communities to designate buildings as Assets of Community Value and the importance of the elected members in supporting these provisions to support community life and character.

Council further recognises the limitations of the Assets of Community Value policy, which risks giving false hope to residents concerned about changes happening in their community.

Council understands the concerns of residents in Haworth over the closure of Haworth Fire Station and encourages further dialogue between the Fire Authority and residents.

Council resolves to:

• Brief Area Committee Chairs on the Government legislation surrounding Assets of Community Value and when this is and isn’t applicable to community buildings.
• Ask the Council’s Neighbourhoods team to meet with the Haworth Fire Station group to see how they can be supported with realising their ambitions.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Regeneration/Strategic Director of Environment and Sport 

A motion was moved by Councillor Cooke.

An amendment,as set out in the resolution below, was moved by Councillor Ross-Shaw was carried.

Resolved -

Council recognises that:

•        It is absolutely essential for the prosperity of the Bradford District and its residents to be included within the high-speed rail Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) project

•        The conditional outputs required of NPR could still be met with the inclusion of a Bradford station on a new NPR line

•        As a £9 billion economy and one of the youngest and largest cities in the UK, Bradford's inclusion in NPR will be vital if the Government is to achieve its stated aim of narrowing the economic output gap between North and South

•       Including a Bradford station on a new NPR line would generate economic benefits of over £1.3 billion and support the creation of 10,000 jobs

•        The benefits of including Bradford in NPR would reach every corner of our district, boosting connectivity to our rural and micro economies along the Airedale Corridor as well as stimulating growth in our city centre

•        Historic infrastructure investment in the north of England and in Yorkshire in particular has been significantly below the levels of investment seen in London and a new NPR line including Bradford would go some way to rectifying this historic injustice

•        NPR represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform Bradford's economy and ensure the future success of the Northern Powerhouse

•        We have cross-party Council support for Bradford to be included in the NPR route

Council resolves to:

•        Support the work being done to make the case for a new NPR line that includes Bradford

•       Ask officers to prepare a briefing for members on the Council's advocacy for Bradford's inclusion in NPR

•        Ask the Chief Executive to write to Lord Adonis, Chair of the National Infrastructure Commission, outlining Bradford's case and inviting him to a meeting where we can set out our case in detail

ACTION:       Chief Executive/Strategic Director Regeneration      

A motion, as set out in the resolution below, moved by Councillor Imran Khan was carried.

An amendment moved by Councillor Ward was defeated.

Resolved -

Making sure our children have a good education leading to a successful working life has to be our prime concern. We commit to having every child in Bradford in our line of sight. 

This Council however notes that:

• The Government’s aim is for every state school in the country to become an academy. This remains the case despite the fact that in May 2016 it backtracked on its proposal to force every school to become an academy by 2020.
• When a local authority school becomes a sponsored academy, if the school has a financial surplus then the academy keeps that surplus. But if the school has a deficit, the local authority is required to take on that debt. 
• Over and above this the Government expects local authorities to pick up the bill for rising PFI costs, utilities and other conversion costs.  The public land which schools are built on is transferred (currently, on a 125-year lease) to the Multi Academy Trust without any recompense to the local authority.
• We currently have 43 academies in the district and in view of Government policy the number of schools converting to academy could quickly accelerate.
• The Regional Schools Commissioner has an objective to support schools to become academies but is shackled by not having the finances to make the process happen.  In short it is an unfinanced Government policy which is putting an unacceptable financial burden on councils at a time when sustained year on year government cuts show no sign of abating.

This Council resolves to:

• Ask Scrutiny to work with officers to prioritise a full examination of this issue so that the prospective costs can be quantified.
• Write to the District’s MPs to ask them to lobby the Secretary of State for Education to request a fairer, more equitable system regarding the financial burden placed on the local taxpayer when a maintained school switches to sponsored academy status.
• Work with other local authorities to make the case for Government to grant some funding to accompany their unfinanced academisation agenda.

ACTION:       Chief Executive/Director of Children’s Services/City Solicitor (Overview and Scrutiny Lead)