The following disclosures on matters under consideration were made:

Recommendation from the Governance and Audit Committee – Proposed Changes to the Constitution (Minute 113)

Councillor Farley declared an interest as Chair of the Regeneration and Economy Overview and and Scrutiny Committee; Councillor Love as Chair of the Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee;; Councillor Greenwood as Chair of the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee; Councillor Arshad Hussain as Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and Councillor Dale Smith as Chair of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The disclosures were made on the basis of transparency and those Members remained in the meeting during consideration and voting on the item.

ACTION:       Interim City Solicitor

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Adrian Tumber – 01274 432435)

Resolved -

That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 February 2018 be signed as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hawarun Hussain, Imran Hussain, Khadim Hussain, Tariq Hussain, Mallinson, Miller, Morris and Wainwright.

GIFT TO THE CITY

The Lord Mayor announced  that, during this meeting’s short adjournment, he would  announce details of his gift to the City, given as a memento of his year in Civic office.

ELECTIONS

As this was the last ordinary meeting of the Council for this municipal year, the Lord Mayor asked Members to join him in extending every good wish for the future to colleagues who were standing down from the Council at the forthcoming elections. Council placed on record its thanks and appreciation for their contribution to the life of the District and the wellbeing of its citizens. The Lord Mayor also wished `Good Luck’ at the Polls to those Councillors who were seeking re-election on the 3 May 2018.

There were no restricted documents.

To consider up to five requests for the Council to receive petitions in accordance with Standing Orders. 

Ward

(i)         Bradford Families Against Children’s Services Cuts

(ii)        Proposed reduction to SEND Specialist Teaching Support Teams  

If any further requests are received, in writing, by mid-day three working days before the meeting (Thursday), details will be circulated.

(Tracey Sugden – 01274 434287)

The following petitions were received:

Bradford Families Against Children’s Services Cuts

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive.

Proposed reduction to SEND specialist teaching support teams

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive.

Support all Bradford Schools facing cuts to SEND services

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive.

CCTV in Ilkley

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive.

ACTION:       Interim City Solicitor

There are no public questions.

(Tracey Sugden – 01274 434287)

There were no public questions.

To consider any motions (i) to appoint members to a Committee or a Joint Committee; or (ii) to appoint Chairs or Deputy Chairs of Committees (excluding Area Committees). 

That Councillor Lee be appointed to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee in place of Councillor Wainwright and be the Deputy Chair and Councillor Wainwright be appointed as an alternate.

ACTION:       Interim City Solicitor

A written report by the Leader of Council giving an update on key issues will be circulated before the start of the meeting. There shall be a period of up to 15 minutes during which any Member of Council may ask the Leader of the Council (or a Member of the Council nominated by the Leader) a question on any matter arising out of the written report.

Council Document “S” 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.

To deal with supplementary questions arising from the attached questions of which written notice has been given. 

Notes:

(i)         Answers to written questions shall be circulated at the commencement of the meeting.

(ii)        The Lord Mayor will have regard to the list of questions and the political composition of the Council in calling on Members to put their supplementary question to the Leader of Council and Portfolio Holders.

(iii)       A period of up to 30 minutes shall be available for supplementary questions to Members of the Executive. 

1.         Councillor Azam

Can the Portfolio Holder outline what measures or strategies we have in place to address hate crime?  Islamaphobia, anti-Semitism and hate crime of all kinds cannot be tolerated in our district.

2.         Councillor Gibbons

What preparations have been made by the Council for Brexit?

3.         Councillor Ward

Can the Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment and Skills confirm that if the proposal set out in the consultation on the future of SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services 0-25 years is approved there will be the loss of ten full-time equivalent specialist teachers for Early Years, Autism, Cognitive and Learning and Social and Emotional and Mental Health?

4.         Councillor Love

Can the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport tell us why the Council have purchased the former Branch pub in Shipley, how much was paid for it and why ward members were not informed of the purchase by officers?

5.         Councillor Bacon

Will the Leader and Portfolio Holder join me in thanking the men and women who worked so hard in keeping the district’s roads gritted, especially during the turmoil of the Beast from the East?

6.         Councillor Bacon

Can the Portfolio Holder outline the protections that are in place for the Green Belt in the Core Strategy and national planning regulations?

7.         Councillor Whiteley

I understand that there is a separate fund designed to make good community buildings in disrepair, how can an application be made?

8.         Councillor Engel

I would like to thank all Council workers for their efforts during the cold snap and ask how we support staff in the course of their duties to prevent their injury through accidents?

9.         Councillor Malcolm Slater

How can residents check whether a waste carrier is reputable and licensed?  Is there a public list of registered carriers and are the registered operators obliged to carry and display their licences?

10.       Councillor Heseltine

Are we in a position to move forward on Bingley Priesthorpe Annex with any of the interested parties and has there been a rigorous interrogation of their finances?

11.       Councillor Farley

Can the Leader of Council join me in thanking Bradford Fairtrade Zone, voluntary groups and businesses across the District that have come together over Fairtrade Fortnight to raise awareness of this important subject?

12.       Councillor Jeanette Sunderland

In December the Portfolio Holder for Education, Employment and Skills said that he was "absolutely fuming” and that £2 million pounds had been taken from Bradford  ...  view the full agenda text for item 112.

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

The report of the Interim City Solicitor provides Members with details of changes that could be made to the Constitution by combining the Regeneration and Economy and Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committees. The changes arise from the need to make savings in the budget of Legal and Democratic Services for 2018/19.

            Recommended-

That the merger of the Regeneration and Economy Committee and Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee with the Terms of Reference proposed in Appendix A to Governance and Audit Committee Document “X” be approved and the Interim City Solicitor be authorised to amend the Constitution accordingly.

                                                                        (Michael Bowness – 01274 435928)

Previous reference: Governance and Audit Committee Minute 38 (2017/18)

On 25 January 2018 the Governance and Audit Committee considered the report of the Interim City Solicitor (Governance and Audit Committee Document “X”) providing details of changes that could be made to the Constitution by combining the Regeneration and Economy and Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committees. The proposed changes arose from the need to make savings in the budget of Legal and Democratic Services for 2018/19.

Resolved –

That the merger of the Regeneration and Economy Committee and Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee with the Terms of Reference proposed in Appendix A to Governance and Audit Committee Document “X” be approved and the Interim City Solicitor be authorised to amend the Constitution accordingly.

ACTION:       Interim City Solicitor

To be moved by Councillor Kevin Warnes

Seconded by Councillor Martin Love

Council notes that:

a)    many Bradford District residents are wondering why they are paying more in council tax despite the ongoing cuts to local services;

b)    central government funding support for local council services has been cut substantially since 2010;

c)    the Local Government Association is warning that councils are now “reaching a financial breaking point” which they describe as “a funding cliff-edge”;

d)    Bradford has been disproportionately badly hit by these cuts due to our relatively low local tax base and greater reliance on support from central government;

e)    these huge reductions in central government funding for Bradford have resulted in an unprecedented decline in local services across our district;

f)     the impact of this reduction in Council services has had a disproportionate impact on our poorer and more vulnerable residents and communities.

Council therefore:

1)    requests that the Chief Executive initiates a detailed review of the ways in which government funding cuts and other national policy changes since 2010 have had an impact on Bradford Council’s services;

2)    requests that this review encompasses all aspects of Council service delivery, broken down by department;

3)    requests that this review also considers the ways in which the Council’s broader policy objectives (including investment in energy efficiency and other low carbon energy projects) have been affected by changes in national policy and funding frameworks;

4)    requests that this review is completed by the end of September 2018 and that the resulting report is sent to the following Full Council for further consideration.

A motion was moved by Councillor Warnes.

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

Resolved –

Council notes that:

a)    many Bradford District residents are wondering why they are paying more in council tax despite the on-going cuts to local services;

b)   central government funding support for local council services has been cut substantially since 2010;

c)    the local Government Association is warning that councils are now “reaching a financial breaking point” which they describe as “a funding cliff-edge”;

d)   Bradford has been disproportionately badly hit by these cuts due to our relatively low local tax base and greater reliance on support from central government;

e)    these huge reductions in central government funding for Bradord have resulted in unprecedented cuts in local services across our district;

f)     the impact of this reduction in Council services has had a disproportionate impact on our poorer and more vulnerable residents and communities.

Council therefore:

1. Notes the formal response from our representative body, the Local Government Association, to Government regarding the Local Government settlement in December.  Nationally all local authorities expressed overwhelming disappointment that the funding issues around adult social care and children’s social care were not addressed.
2. Notes that those people worst affected by Government cuts need to have their voices heard when it comes to formulating policy.  We therefore ask the Council Senior Management to work with the Anti-Poverty Champion to develop the Council’s engagement with the Poverty Truth Commission in order to strengthen anti-poverty measures.  We believe such measures are best informed by people with lived experience of poverty 
3. Reiterates our commitment to lobby strongly around the “Fair Funding” Review which Government is currently undertaking which will decide how the relative needs of Councils will be calculated and how business rates are going to be redistributed in the future.  The Council will provide clear evidence to Government around population and deprivation to demonstrate the clear need there is in the district.
4. To draft a submission from Bradford to feed into the Autumn statement in November and bring the key principles of this submission and the rationale behind it to Full Council prior to submission.

ACTION:       Chief Executive/Council Management Team

To be moved by Councillor Gerry Barker

Seconded by Councillor Jackie Whiteley

Council believes communities directly affected by housing and other development should have first call on proceeds from Community Infrastructure Levy.

Council instructs the Strategic Director Place to draw up proposals prioritising investment in education, recreation and health within communities directly impacted by housing development.

A motion was moved by Councillor Barker.

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

Resolved –

Council notes:

·         Communities with a Parish or Town Council that are affected by housing and other developments that generate a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) will receive 15% of any funds generated through the CIL in that area, rising to 25% if a Neighbourhood Plan is in place.

·         CIL does not replace the need for the developer to provide on-site provision of infrastructure in the community affected by development.  This is dealt with separately through the planning application.

·         Ward members are encouraged to engage in the debate about the infrastructure needs of their community, whether through the planning process or the development of any Neighbourhood Plan.

·         Many areas of the district were given a nil CIL value by the government inspector and in any case the amount raised by CIL does not come close to meeting our infrastructure needs if we are to ensure a prosperous and well-connected district in the future.

·         The list of approved areas for CIL spend, known as the ‘123 List’ already includes education, recreation and health alongside other areas such as transport, habitat mitigation and environmental improvements.

Council instructs the Strategic Director of Place to prepare a report outlining the infrastructure requirements of the whole district, the work that needs to be undertaken to address these needs and the potential funding streams that can be accessed to try plug this gap.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

To be moved by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe

Seconded by Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw

Council notes that the Bradford Economic Partnership has recently launched its new Economic Strategy, ‘Pioneering, Confident and Connected’, which sets out our ambition to be the UK’s fastest growing economy by increasing the number of productive businesses and supporting young and enterprising people to innovate, invest and build fulfilling lives in the district.

The strategy sets out Bradford’s four key opportunities:

·         Our Young & Enterprising Population – ensuring all our people are equipped with the skills and confident to succeed

·         Our Distinctive Offer – using our unique architecture, heritage and cultural assets to create an environment for growth

·         Our Growth Potential – building on our business and sector strengths to drive innovation, increase productivity and create wealth

·         Our Globally Connected District – improving our transport and digital connectivity to strengthen trading links and access to markets

A number of foundations for growth are already in place, including Community Led Local Development, our Industrial Centres of Excellence, Keighley Business Improvement District and new rail stations at Apperley Bridge and Low Moor.

Over the coming year the Bradford Economic Partnership will work with Bradford Council to deliver further catalysts for growth, rolling out our rate relief scheme, expanding the number of Industrial Centres of Excellence, delivering a Bradford city centre Business Improvement District and supporting the Next Stop Bradford campaign for a high-speed rail link in Bradford City Centre, which has won support in principle from the government minister and Transport for the North.

Sustainable economic growth is vital because it will bring high quality jobs, better living standards and prosperity and more opportunities for a wider range of people to contribute to and share in the district’s future success.

Council resolves to:

·         Thank the Bradford Economic Partnership and its Chair David Baldwin for their leadership on developing this strategy.

·         Engage with all our communities around the strategy, starting with an Economy Roadshow, taking the strategy to locations across the district to discuss ways of working together to unlock our growth potential

·         Work with businesses and the Export Exchange to increase the number of Bradford Export Exchange Patrons, so businesses can support each other to grow and expand their business into new markets

·         Instruct officers to work on the delivery of catalysts for growth, for example the plan to re-purpose heritage mills for a successful new era.

·         Promote Bradford District vigorously across the UK and beyond starting with launching our Economic Strategy in London as well as Bradford.

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

Resolved –

Council notes that the Bradford Economic Partnership has recently launched its new Economic Strategy, ‘Pioneering, Confident and Connected’, which sets out our ambition to be the UK’s fastest growing economy by increasing the number of productive businesses and supporting young and enterprising people to innovate, invest and build fulfilling lives in the district.

The strategy sets out Bradford’s four key opportunities:

·         Our Young & Enterprising Population – ensuring all our people are equipped with the skills and confident to succeed

·         Our Distinctive Offer – using our unique architecture, heritage and cultural assets to create an environment for growth

·         Our Growth Potential – building on our business and sector strengths to drive innovation, increase productivity and create wealth

·         Our Globally Connected District – improving our transport and digital connectivity to strengthen trading links and access to markets

A number of foundations for growth are already in place, including Community Led Local Development, our Industrial Centres of Excellence, Keighley Business Improvement District and new rail stations at Apperley Bridge and Low Moor.

Over the coming year the Bradford Economic Partnership will work with Bradford Council to deliver further catalysts for growth, rolling out our rate relief scheme, expanding the number of Industrial Centres of Excellence, delivering a Bradford city centre Business Improvement District and supporting the Next Stop Bradford campaign for a high-speed rail link in Bradford City Centre, which has won support in principle from the government minister and Transport for the North.

Sustainable economic growth is vital because it will bring high quality jobs, better living standards and prosperity and more opportunities for a wider range of people to contribute to and share in the district’s future success.

Council resolves to:

·         Thank the Bradford Economic Partnership and its Chair David Baldwin for their leadership on developing this strategy.

·         Engage with all our communities around the strategy, starting with an Economy Roadshow, taking the strategy to locations across the district to discuss ways of working together to unlock our growth potential

·         Work with businesses and the Export Exchange to increase the number of Bradford Export Exchange Patrons, so businesses can support each other to grow and expand their business into new markets

·         Instruct officers to work on the delivery of catalysts for growth, for example the plan to re-purpose heritage mills for a successful new era.

·         Promote Bradford District vigorously across the UK and beyond starting with launching our Economic Strategy in London as well as Bradford.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place  

To be moved by Councillor Abdul Jabar

Seconded by Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe

This Council notes:

-       We are celebrating the centenary of women’s suffrage. 100 years on it is high time to take on the next challenge – Votes at 16.

-       Local Elections in Bradford this year is an opportunity to engage more people about the importance of voting and particularly encourage our young people to have their say on their future.

-       16-year-olds are denied the right to vote yet are legally allowed to: pay income tax and National Insurance, become a company director, obtain tax credits and welfare benefits, consent to sexual relationships and consent to medical treatment.

-       All 11 to 16-year-olds in England study citizenship education as a statutory part of the National Curriculum to develop their understanding of how to engage as responsible citizens in society.

-       Bradford is the youngest city in the UK and our youth are key to the district’s future success.

-       Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy.

This Council:

-       Asks our council officers to redouble their efforts to encourage people to vote and to register their vote before the deadline.

-       Supports the national ‘Votes at 16’ campaign.

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

Resolved –

This Council notes:

-       We are celebrating the centenary of women’s suffrage. 100 years on it is high time to take on the next challenge – Votes at 16.

-       Local Elections in Bradford this year is an opportunity to engage more people about the importance of voting and particularly encourage our young people to have their say on their future.

-       16-year-olds are denied the right to vote yet are legally allowed to: pay income tax and National Insurance, become a company director, obtain tax credits and welfare benefits, consent to sexual relationships and consent to medical treatment.

-       All 11 to 16-year-olds in England study citizenship education as a statutory part of the National Curriculum to develop their understanding of how to engage as responsible citizens in society.

-       Bradford is the youngest city in the UK and our youth are key to the district’s future success.

-       Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy.

This Council:

-       Asks our council officers to redouble their efforts to encourage people to vote and to register their vote before the deadline.

-          Supports the national ‘Votes at 16’ campaign.

ACTION:       Chief Executive/Interim City Solicitor

To be moved by Councillor Sarah Ferriby

Seconded by Councillor Abdul Jabar

This Council notes:

-          The excellent work of Council staff, partner agencies and residents who pulled together during the adverse weather in early March.

-          The superb work of communities, Friends groups and volunteers in our district who work tirelessly to improve their local neighbourhoods and facilities.

-          Through the People Can campaign we support community groups working to improve the district.

-          The importance of our enforcement activities in tackling the scourge of environmental antisocial behaviour such as littering and flytipping.

This Council resolves to:

-          Build on the success of events such as the Community Stars awards to celebrate individuals who go the extra mile and show pride in their local areas.

-          After the city centre pilot, roll out the successful environmental enforcement measures to other town centres in the district wherever possible given their success in the city centre.

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

Resolved –

This Council notes:

-          The excellent work of Council staff, partner agencies and residents who pulled together during the adverse weather in early March.

-          The superb work of communities, Friends groups and volunteers in our district who work tirelessly to improve their local neighbourhoods and facilities.

-          Through the People Can campaign we support community groups working to improve the district.

-          The importance of our enforcement activities in tackling the scourge of environmental antisocial behaviour such as littering and flytipping.

This Council resolves to:

-          Build on the success of events such as the Community Stars awards to celebrate individuals who go the extra mile and show pride in their local areas.

-          After the city centre pilot, roll out the successful environmental enforcement measures to other town centres in the district wherever possible given their success in the city centre.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

In accordance with the Localism Act 2011 Local Authorities are required to produce and publish a Pay Policy Statement for each financial year.  The Pay Policy Statement must be approved by full Council before publication. The report of the Interim Director of Human Resources (Document “U”) presents the draft Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 for approval.

Recommended –

That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2018/19, as set out at Appendix 1 to Document “U”, be approved.

                                                                                    (Tim Barker - 01274 432031)

In accordance with the Localism Act 2011 Local Authorities were required to produce and publish a Pay Policy Statement for each financial year.  The Pay Policy Statement must be approved by Full Council before publication. The report of the Interim Director of Human Resources (Document “U”) presented the draft Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 for approval.

Resolved –

That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2018/19, as set out at Appendix 1 to Document “U”, be approved.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Corporate Resources