(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.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Recommended – That the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting and the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 23 May 2023 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Guy Close – 07811 503906)

Resolved – That the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting and the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 23 May 2023 be signed as a correct record.

To receive any apologies for absence.

(Guy Close – 07811 503906)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Falak Ahmed, Joan Clarke, Felstead, Loy, Majkowski, Nazam, Salam and Sullivan.

(To be circulated before the meeting).

A copy of the Lord Mayor’s announcements had been circulated and published on the Council’s website.

(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. 

(Guy Close – 07811 503906)

There were no restricted items.

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

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

(Su Booth – 07814 073884)

There were no petitions to consider.

There are no public questions.

(Fatima Butt – 07970 411746)

There were no public questions to consider.

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).

Recommended –

a)    That Councillor Neal Cameron (Oxenhope Village Council) replaces former Town Councillor Mick Westerman (Keighley Town Council) as a non-voting co-opted member on Standards Committee.  (Former Town Councillor Westerman did not seek re-election at the Local Elections 2023.)

b)    That the following non-voting co-opted members be appointed to the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2023/24 municipal year:

-       Susan Crowe – Bradford and Craven Co-Production Partnership

-       Trevor Ramsay – i2i patient involvement Network, Bradford District NHS Foundation Care Trust

-       Helen Rushworth – Healthwatch Bradford and District.

c)    That Councillor Naylor replaces Councillor Stubbs as an alternate on Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

d)    That following a change in political proportionality the membership of Keighley Area Committee be as follows:

(9 places in total)

-       Labour three places

-       Conservative three places

-       Green one place

-       8th place to be divided between the Labour Group and the Ilkley Independent with the Labour Group taking the first six months.

-       9th place to be divided between the Conservative Group and the Independent with the Conservative Group taking the first six months.

e)    That Councillor Nazam be appointed to the Licensing Committee as an Independent Member.

That the following membership changes be approved:

Resolved –

a)    That Councillor Neal Cameron (Oxenhope Village Council) replaces former Town Councillor Mick Westerman (Keighley Town Council) as a non-voting co-opted member on Standards Committee. (Former Town Councillor Westerman did not seek re-election at the Local Elections 2023.)

b)    That the following non-voting co-opted members be appointed to the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 2023/24 municipal year:

·         Susan Crowe – Bradford and Craven Co-Production Partnership

·         Trevor Ramsay – i2i patient involvement Network, Bradford District NHS Foundation Care Trust

·         Helen Rushworth – Healthwatch Bradford and District.

c)    That Councillor Naylor replaces Councillor Stubbs as an alternate on Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

d)    That following a change in political proportionality the membership of Keighley Area Committee be as follows:

(9 places in total)

·         Labour three places

·         Conservative three places

·         Green one place

·         8th place to be divided between the Labour Group and the Ilkley Independent with the Labour Group taking the first six months.

·         9th place to be divided between the Conservative Group and the Independent with the Conservative Group taking the first six months.

e)    That Councillor Nazam be appointed to the Licensing Committee as an Independent Member.

Action: Director of Legal and Governance

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.

The report of the Leader of the Council had been circulated and published on the Council’s website.

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 Simon Cunningham

Will the Leader join me in congratulating the staff and children at Poplars Park Primary School for being shortlisted for Primary School of the Year in the national Tes Schools Awards?

2.    Councillor Debbie Davies

Could the Leader of the Council confirm how much funding the Council contributes to Bradford Literature Festival?

3.    Councillor Matt Edwards

Given the serious issues of street racing taking place on Euro ways Industrial Estate, can the portfolio holder advise how many Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued under the PSPO following the installation of the camera last year?

4.    Councillor Jeanette Sunderland

On the 14^th March 2023 the Council resolved to treat care experience as if it were a Protected Characteristic.  Can the Leader of Council and each of the Portfolio Holders please list the changes made to policies, processes and procedures to put this resolution into practice.

5.    Councillor Talat Sajawal

Given the latest reports nationally on Policing standards can the Portfolio holder please let me know what steps he has taken to ensure that West Yorkshire Police have correctly vetted officers when recruiting?  As well as reassure the public, that proper and in-depth investigations have been carried out, against officers that have faced complaints and disciplinary action.

6.    Councillor Nazam Azam

With One City Park quickly taking shape can the portfolio holder give an update on interest from prospective tenants and what are the timescales for opening?

7.    Councillor Aneela Ahmed

I understand that the escalators (provided by a Keighley based manufacturer) have now been installed at Darley Street Market. Will the portfolio holder give a progress update on construction of the market?

8.    Councillor Hasan Khan

Works are now getting underway on the Transforming Cities scheme to improve the city centre and a project of this size will undoubtedly have an impact on traffic flow while the works are being done.  For the benefit of residents will the portfolio holder remind us what these works are, and what can bus users and car drivers expect in the coming weeks and months?

9.    Councillor Peter Clarke

Does the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, support Sir Keir Starmer’s recent announcement that if Labour win the next general election, a Labour Government would relax planning restrictions to allow more homes to be built on the green belt and how does the proposal fit with the Council’s Local Plan for future development across the district?

10.Councillor Aneela Ahmed  ...  view the full agenda text for item 34.

Details of the questions from Members to the Leader of Council and Portfolio Holders and the answers given had been circulated and published on the Council’s website.

To consider any recommendations arising from meetings of the Executive and Committees.

1)    At the meeting of Governance and Audit Committee held on 15 June 2023, consideration was given to a report (Document C) of the Director of Finance and IT, which presented the Annual Treasury Management Report 2022-23 for adoption by Council.

Recommended – That the Annual Treasury Management Report 2022-23 be adopted by Council.

(Colin Standish – (01274) 432361)

2)    At the meeting of Governance and Audit Committee held on 15 June 2023, consideration was given to a report (Document G) of the Director of Finance and IT, which provided details in relation to the appointment of independent members or an advisor to the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee.

Recommended –

a)    That Article 9 of the Council’s constitution be amended so that the composition of Governance and Audit Committee includes two non-voting Independent Members, subject to a recruitment process.

b)    That the recruitment process of the non-voting Independent Members be delegated to the Director of Finance and IT in consultation with the Chair of Governance and Audit Committee.

(Mark St Romaine – (01274) 432888)

1)    At the meeting of Governance and Audit Committee held on 15 June 2023, consideration was given to a report (Document C) of the Director of Finance and IT, which presented the Annual Treasury Management Report 2022-23 for adoption by Council.

Resolved – That the Annual Treasury Management Report 2022-23 be adopted by Council.

Action: Director of Finance and IT

2)    At the meeting of Governance and Audit Committee held on 15 June 2023, consideration was given to a report (Document G) of the Director of Finance and IT, which provided details in relation to the appointment of independent members or an advisor to the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee.

Resolved –

a)    That Article 9 of the Council’s constitution be amended so that the composition of Governance and Audit Committee includes two non-voting Independent Members, subject to a recruitment process.

b)    That the recruitment process of the non-voting Independent Members be delegated to the Director of Finance and IT in consultation with the Chair of Governance and Audit Committee.

Action: Director of Finance and IT / Director of Legal and Governance

To consider notices of motion set out below:

12.1 – Council (and schools) provision of plant-based food

To be moved by: Councillor Kevin Warnes

To be seconded by: Councillor Anna Watson

Council notes:

a)     All relevant UN and UK Climate Change Committee reports emphasise the need to significantly reduce our use of animal products in response to the climate crisis. In the UK, for example, approximately 10% of greenhouse gas emissions are linked to agriculture, most of which is the methane produced by livestock.

b)     The 2021 National Food Strategy, led by Henry Dimbleby, set a ten-year goal of a 30% reduction in meat consumption in the UK.

c)     The West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s 2020 Emission Reduction Pathway Report estimates that a 32% reduction in red meat and dairy consumption is needed across the region if our goal of net zero carbon is to be met by 2038.

d)     Supporting plant-based food systems (that do not include meat and dairy products) is one of the practical steps we can take ourselves as a council in response to the Climate Emergency we recognised in January 2019.

e)     Other UK councils (including Cambridge City Council, Edinburgh City Council, Exeter City Council, Lewisham Borough Council, Norwich City Council, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council) have adopted measures in support of plant-based food systems in recent years, notably plant-based catering for all internal council meetings and events.

f)      A study published in 2022 by the Vegan Society revealed that most parents support introducing more plant-based meals in schools.

Council therefore:

1. Requests that the Chief Executive conducts a formal review of (a) the options for rolling out comprehensive plant-based catering for all Council meetings and other Council-run events (with specific reference to the impressive progress being made in this respect by Exeter City Council, Lewisham Borough Council and Oxford City Council) and (b) the options for extending plant-based catering across all Council-run external sites (leisure centres etc.);
2. Requests that the results of this review are included in the agenda for our scheduled Council meeting on 17 October 2023;
3. Further requests that the Chief Executive liaises with the Chair of Bradford’s Schools Forum to seek to identify opportunities for expanding the provision of plant-based meals in our local schools, and updates Council accordingly at our October meeting.

12.2 – Animal homelessness crisis and support for pet owners during the cost of living crisis

To be moved by: Councillor Matt Edwards

To be seconded by: Councillor Janet Russell

Council notes:

Animal homelessness is a massive problem that has only been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic and the current cost of living crisis. At any given time, there are an estimated 100,000 dogs without homes in the UK. Research from Cats Protection has estimated that there are as many as 50 stray cats per square kilometre in some cities.

The simplest, and most effective way to tackle animal homelessness is making sure that pets are spayed or neutered.

There is a network of remarkable open-admission shelters  ...  view the full agenda text for item 36.

Resolved – That the following notices of motion be approved:

12.1 – Council (and schools) provision of plant-based food

Moved by: Councillor Si Cunningham

Seconded by: Councillor Sarah Ferriby

That with the addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be amended to read as follows:

Council notes:

Bradford Council, together with our partners, is taking a comprehensive range of actions to tackle the climate emergency, reduce our carbon footprint, improve our environment and deliver clean growth.

As reported to the Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 15 November 2022, we have almost halved the Council’s total emissions from 42,000 tonnes of CO2e to 22,000 tonnes between 2014-15 and 2021-22 and we are continuing to make progress.

This year the Council has adopted a Good Food Strategy to improve access to healthy food and make it more affordable for people across the District to make informed choices about what they eat. The Strategy recommends encouraging residents to choose a more balanced, more plant-based diet.

Through our Facilities Management service to schools we enshrine choice in the offer which includes plant-based options for students and a full vegan diet for anyone who requests it. National nutritional guidance still recommends a balanced diet is most easily accessible to all children if it includes fish, poultry, meat and dairy products so we continue to offer those choices too.

An increasing number of our Council-run events – such as the recent Culture and Climate Symposium and the Culture Is Our Plan showcase – are already offering fully plant-based catering, and there is a commitment for future events to satisfy a percentage of plant-based options.

All relevant UN and UK Climate Change Committee reports emphasise the need to significantly reduce our use of animal products in response to the climate crisis. In the UK, for example, approximately 10% of greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be linked to agriculture, most of which is the methane produced by livestock.

The agriculture sector has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by around 16% between 1990 and 2020, according to Defra data. Whilst this is heading in the right direction there is clearly much more to do if we are to meet our Net Zero target.

The 2022 Farm Practices Survey indicated that 64% of farmers thought it important to consider greenhouse gases when making farm business decisions.

The 2021 National Food Strategy, led by Henry Dimbleby, set a ten-year goal of a 30% reduction in meat consumption in the UK.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s 2020 Emission Reduction Pathway Report estimates that a 32% reduction in red meat and dairy consumption is needed across the region if our goal of net zero carbon is to be met by 2038.

Our district is two-thirds rural and our farmers and food producers make an important contribution to the local economy and the local environment by providing good quality local food.

Council therefore:

Requests that the Director of Public Health provides a report to Health and Social Care Overview  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Human Resources, which provides details of the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2023/24, including details of the pay award for Chief Officers.

Recommended – That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2023/24, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

(Anne Lloyd – (01274) 432031)

The Director of Human Resources submitted a report which provided details of the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2023/24, including details of the pay award for Chief Officers.

Resolved – That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2023/24, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

Action: Director of Human Resources

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Human Resources, which seeks approval to appoint Lorraine O’Donnell to the post of Chief Executive on the salary package as detailed in this report and in accordance with the Council’s Pay Policy Statement.

Recommended –

a)    That the Council approves the appointment of Lorraine O’Donnell as Chief Executive.

b)    That the Council confirms it agrees with the proposal to appoint to the position of Chief Executive on the salary package as detailed in paragraph 2.7 of the report in accordance with the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2023/24.

(Anne Lloyd – (01274) 432031)

The Director of Human Resources submitted a report which sought approval to appoint Lorraine O’Donnell to the post of Chief Executive on the salary package as detailed in the report and in accordance with the Council’s Pay Policy Statement.

Resolved –

a)    That the Council approves the appointment of Lorraine O’Donnell as Chief Executive.

b)    That the Council confirms it agrees with the proposal to appoint to the position of Chief Executive on the salary package as detailed in paragraph 2.7 of the report in accordance with the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2023/24.

Action: Director of Human Resources