No disclosures in matters under consideration were received at the commencement of the meeting but, at the commencement of the item in respect of Trade Waste Service Update (minute 59), Councillors Riaz and Stubbs both disclosed in the interest of transparency that their employers held a trade waste contract with the Council .

ACTION; City Solicitor

(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. 

(Jane Lythgow/Tracey Sugden – 01274 432270/434287)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

Previous reference: Minute 56 (2015/16)

The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report, (Document “X”) in response to a request for an annual progress report on the work programme for the approved Woodland Strategy for Bradford District.

Members are requested to note the detail contained in Document “X” and the actions taken to deliver the Woodland Strategy for the Bradford District during 2016/17.

(Phil Barker – 01274 432616)

Previous reference: Minute 56 (2015/16)

The Strategic Director, Place, presented a report, (Document “X”) in response to a request for an annual progress report on the work programme for the approved Woodland Strategy for Bradford District.

The Trees/Woodlands Manager gave a detailed presentation in respect of the report, highlighting that the strategy covered a period of five years and that over the last year there had been significant progress and consolidation of the strategy. He stressed that the first duty under the strategy was to public safety and that a system of annual inspection had been established for that purpose. He also outlined the woodland creation which was on going which meant that the overall woodland cover across the District was increasing.

He explained the impact of a blight among larch trees which was affecting the whole of the Country and which had been discovered in the District. The remedy was to remove diseased trees and any affected rhododendrons which acted as host to the blight.

He went to explain the policy of encouraging native woodland, including the tree and woodland development fund being put in place to enable local funds to be drawn down. He also explained the difficulties of planting trees on the highway due to the increased use of the space under the highway for cabling etc.

He advised Members about the effect of weather patterns, including severe weather events known as “weather bombs” and the effect of planting from the 1970s coming to the end of its natural lifespan.

He concluded his presentation by stressing that community collaboration and community asset transfer continued to be important, following on from fifteen years of involvement with local communities.

Members then asked questions of the Trees/Woodlands Manager in respect of his report, beginning with a request to know how many trees had been planted. He advised that it was in the tens of thousands.

The Chair then queried the involvement of the woodland strategy when land was sold and was advised that the issue of ensuring a good quality urban forest as the Council divested assets or devolved management of land would need to be resolved and that this issue may need to become part of the strategy in future.

In response to a question from a Member in respect of accessibility and footpath maintenance, he explained the safety inspection regime and stressed that access was not artificially constrained. He expected that woodlands would become more and more important as the “staycation” phenomena continued and that investment would need to be made or footpaths would deteriorate through increased usage.

A Member commented that developments such as tree planting as a memorial were increasingly popular and noted that Member awareness of the woodland strategy would be useful to enable them to dispel concerns that Councils were actively seeking to remove trees. He also encouraged collaborative working with groups such as the Woodcraft Folk and considered that the District was blessed with fantastic woods and that they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

The Assistant Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services, will provide a verbal update on the results of the alternate refuse collection trials in the Wyke Ward.

(John Major – 01274 433996)

The Assistant Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services, provided a comprehensive verbal update on the results of the trial of alternate weekly collection of refuse in the Wyke Ward, especially how it had meant a reduction in the amount of residual waste and an increase in the amount of recycling collected.

Members were also advised that alternate weekly collections were due to begin in Keighley in May 2017 and would come into Bradford in July 2017. They were also advised that Ward Members would be invited to information sessions as this had proved to be very successful in the Wyke trial.

The Chair noted that the trial had been very successful and that it was very promising for the roll out across the District.

A Member queried whether the level of investment in the Wyke trial could be sustained across the wider District and was advised that, as it was recognised that face-to-face contact had been so important to the success of the trial that additional resources had been requested for the transition period.

A Member recalled that an item had recently been considered at Bradford South Area Committee in respect of waste and untidy gardens and suggested that there was an opportunity to join up with that initiative as the process of engagement had been transformational to the area involved.

A Member queried what arrangements had been put in place to engage with communities with first languages which were not English. She was informed that practical arrangements such as pictorial stickers, different languages on-line, face to face demonstrations, social media and contact via places of worship were already in use and that results had been extremely encouraging. A lot of work had already been undertaken with larger families who had requested larger sized bins, with exceptionally good results.

A Member commented that a supportive approach would be better than enforcement, especially in the early stages of the scheme. He was advised that enforcement would not be used until residents had the necessary bins and that requests for bins were turned around in less than two weeks.     

Resolved –

(1)  That the update be welcomed and officers be commended for their efforts.

(2)  That this Committee looks forward to receiving updates as alternate weekly collection of refuse is implemented across the District.

ACTION: Assistant Director, Waste, Fleet and Transport Services

Previous reference: Minute 14 (2016/17)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “Y”) provides an update on the progress of the waste treatment services for the Council’s residual waste.  The item was last discussed at the meeting on 26 July 2016.

Recommended –

That the information provided in the Document “Y” be considered and a further progress report be requested at key stages of the procurement process.

(Richard Longcake – 01274 432855)

Previous reference: Minute 14 (2016/17)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “Y”) provided an update on the progress of the waste treatment services for the Council’s residual waste.  Members were reminded that the item was last discussed at the meeting on 26 July 2016.

The Principal Officer, Waste Services gave a detailed presentation in respect of the procurement process, advising that the deadline for the submission of tenders had now been reached and that the aim was to have a robust contract with the successful party. The contract would be enforceable and could, if necessary be terminated. An annual report would be required and would be brought to this Committee.

The Chair noted that it was a very complex process and queried whether the parameters were still appropriate given recent changes. He was informed that modelling had taken into account issues such as population growth and alternate week collections.

A Member questioned whether the operation of a site would be included in the contract. He was informed that any contractor would have to demonstrate that they had all necessary permissions in place and that the schedule attached to an environmental permit would be closely scrutinised.

In response to a question in respect of TUPE issues, Members were advised that there were none envisaged in respect of this contract.   

Resolved –

That the information provided in the Document “Y” be noted and a further progress report be requested in July 2017.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Previous reference: Minute 70 2015/16)

The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report (Document “AA”) in response to a request that Members be updated on a review of arrangements to increase the items collected by the Bulky Waste Service and changes to Household Waste Recycling Centre Permits.

Recommended –

(1)  That the information contained in Document “AA”, particularly in relation to the inclusion of fixtures in the scope of bulky waste collections, be considered.

(2)  The Strategic Director, Place be requested to seek a conclusion on the operational considerations to collect bulky waste and, in any event, provide a progress report to this Committee no later than June 2017.

(Richard Longcake – 01274 432855)

Previous reference: Minute 70 2015/16)

The Strategic Director, Place, presented a report (Document “AA”) in response to a request that Members be updated on a review of arrangements to increase the items collected by the Bulky Waste Service and changes to Household Waste Recycling Centre Permits.

Members were advised that all households were to be issued with a permit in the same mailing as their Council Tax bill in April 2017 so that every household would have access to a household waste recycling site. They were reminded that the sites were extremely well resourced in terms of recycling, with a much bigger offer than that currently possible at the kerbside.

Members were also advised that more time was required to conclude discussions on the future collection of bulky waste as the current system operated on an appointment basis which was booked to capacity most of time.

Members expressed some concern that bulky waste collections were open to misuse by local tradesmen if it was not made clear what would and would not be collected. They were advised that the fair usage policy was intended to prevent such problems but remained concerned about future operations.

A Member queried whether the distribution of permits with Council Tax bills was being publicised and was informed that it was. In response to another  query about the possibility of permits being sold on to non-residents, Members were advised that, while it was not possible to police such matters entirely, it was unlikely. One possible indicator would be the level of tonnage recycled in future.  

Resolved –

(1)  That the information contained in Document “AA”, particularly in relation to the inclusion of fixtures in the scope of bulky waste collections, be noted.

(2)  That the Strategic Director, Place be requested to take account of feedback from this Committee as he seeks a conclusion to the operational considerations to collect bulky waste.

(3)  That a progress report be provided to this Committee no later than June 2017.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Recommended –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendices relating to the Trade Waste Service report on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 3 (Financial or Business Affairs) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in allowing the public to remain is outweighed by the public interest in excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceeding for the following reasons:

It is in the public interest in maintaining the exemption because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision without prejudicing the financial position of the Authority.

                                                                        (Jane Lythgow - 01274 432270

Resolved –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendices relating to the Trade Waste Service report on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 3 (Financial or Business Affairs) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in allowing the public to remain is outweighed by the public interest in excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceeding for the following reasons:

It is in the public interest in maintaining the exemption because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision without prejudicing the financial position of the Authority.

ACTION: City Solcitor

Previous reference:  Minute 19 (2015/16)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “Z” including NFP appendices 1 & 2) provides an update on the position of the Trade Waste Service improvements following an initial report to the Committee in September 2015.

Recommended –

That the information contained in Document “Z” be considered and a further report be requested in 12 months time on the progress of service improvements, particularly the ability for the domestic refuse service to undertake certain trade waste collections during 2017.

(Richard Longcake – 01274 432855)

Previous reference:  Minute 19 (2015/16)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “Z” including NFP appendices 1 & 2) provided an update on the position of the Trade Waste Service improvements following an initial report to the Committee in September 2015.

Resolved –

That the information contained in Document “Z” be noted and a further report be requested in twelve months time on the progress of service improvements, particularly the ability for the domestic refuse service to undertake certain trade waste and recycling collections during 2017.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

Recommended –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendix relating to the Civic Quarter District Heat report on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 3 (Financial or Business Affairs) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in allowing the public to remain is outweighed by the public interest in excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceeding for the following reasons:

It is in the public interest in maintaining the exemption because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision without prejudicing the financial position of the Authority.

                                                                        (Jane Lythgow - 01274 432270)

Resolved –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendix relating to the Civic Quarter District Heat report on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 3 (Financial or Business Affairs) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in allowing the public to remain is outweighed by the public interest in excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceeding for the following reasons:

It is in the public interest in maintaining the exemption because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision without prejudicing the financial position of the Authority.

ACTION: City Solicitor                                                                             

The report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services (Document “AB” including NFP appendix 1) sets out the progress made towards achieving the Council’s ambition to develop a City Centre based District Energy Network supplying low carbon heat and electricity on commercial terms to City Centre civic buildings, other public sector buildings and commercial properties.

Recommended –

That the progress made on the development of the scheme, its technical scope and currently delivery timetable be noted.

(Neill Morrison – 01274 434003)

The report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services (Document “AB” including NFP appendix 1) set out the progress made towards achieving the Council’s ambition to develop a City Centre based District Energy Network supplying low carbon heat and electricity on commercial terms to City Centre civic buildings, other public sector buildings and commercial properties.

Resolved –

(1)  That the progress made on the development of the scheme, its technical scope and current delivery timetable be noted and officers be thanked for their work to date.

(2)  That a progress report be provided to this Committee in Autumn 2017.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Corporate Services

Document “AC” presents the Committee’s work programme 2016/17.

Recommended –

(1)  That Members consider and comment on the areas of work included in the 2016-17 work programme for the Committee.

(2)  That Members consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that they may wish to conduct.

(3)  That the work programme 2016-17 continues to be reviewed regularly during the year.

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

Document “AC” presented the Committee’s work programme 2016/17.

No resolution was passed on this item, however Members indicated that they were content with it.

ACTION: Scrutiny Lead