No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received. 

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2017 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

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

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2017 be signed as a correct record.

(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

None.

There were no referrals made to the Committee.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “X”) presents budget proposals pertaining to the Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee which were approved for consultation by the Executive on 5 December 2017.

Recommended –

That the budget proposals be noted and comment be provided to inform the consultation process.

(Steve Hartley – 01274 434748)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “X”) presented budget proposals pertaining to the Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee which were approved for consultation by the Executive on 5 December 2017.

Document “X” reiterated that the Council, during 2016, had embarked on an exercise to develop a financial plan to show how the forecast revenue budget deficit over four years would be closed.

Members were aware that, as stated in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), local government continued to face various challenges amidst a backdrop of uncertainty. As such, the four year plan must be monitored and action taken to reflect changes to the forecast position. The MTFS forecasted a financial gap of £12.4m in 2018/19 rising to £20.1m in 2019/20 and a potential gap of £45.8m by 2023/24.

The report made detailed proposals for refreshing the 2018/19 position and set out comprehensive plans for 2019/20.

For 2020/21 it indicated the level of affordable spending on Council priorities, and signalled the need for continuing engagement with stakeholders in developing plans and proposals for those years.

Appended to the report were specific proposals for recurring pressures and investment proposals; non recurring investment proposals; new proposals open for consultation until 28 January 2018; a schedule of proposals for 2019/20 open for consultation until 28 January 2018 and a schedule of amendments to previous budget decisions not subject to consultation.

The Strategic Director and officers explained those proposals in detail.  Members acknowledged that the Committee were due to receive reports on a number of the topics, however, following that presentation they raised a number of issues and comments to which the following responses were provided:-

Appendix C: New Proposals Open for Consultation until 28^th January 2018

·         Reduced de-trunked road maintenance

It was confirmed that it was more costly to close roads for maintenance during the night than through the day as there was a requirement for a Traffic Management Consultant to be on site during the closure.  Efforts were made to co-ordinate maintenance activities during the closures and Traffic Management Consultants now offered a range of services.  The guidance required accredited Traffic Management Consultants to be used which meant it was not possible to utilise Council officers for those positions.

Appendix D: Schedule of 2019/20 proposals open for consultation until 28^th January 2018 (2018/19 for reference only)

·         Road Safety Team

Alternative sources of funding to continue the work of the Road Safety Team were being explored.  If that funding could not be secured it may be necessary to reconfigure the composition of the team or combine with other West Yorkshire Local Authorities for the provision of the service. A joint service could now be provided with only two authorities involved.  A report to consider progress against the Safer Roads element of the Single Transport Plan would be presented for discussion at the Committee’s meeting on 27 March 2018.

Members acknowledged that an amalgamation of teams facing similar cuts could enable a larger team to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

Previous reference: Minute 46 (2016/2017)

Members are aware that the redevelopment of Bradford Forster Square Train Station is one of the key schemes of the £1b West Yorkshire Transport Fund (WY+TF).

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “Y”) informs Members of a commission document to procure consultancy services for the Full Business Case (FBC) for the Forster Square Gateway Project.  The exact value of the contract is yet to be determined but is likely to be in excess of £2m.  As such officers are reporting to the Committee for Member engagement and contribution on the commission.

Recommended -

(1)  That Members give views and comments in relation to the Full Business Case Procurement.

(2)  That the procurement documentation, in its final form, be presented to Members at the meeting on 20 February 2018.

(Steve Hartley – 01274 437336)

The report of the Strategic Director, (Document "Y”) advised Members that officers had prepared a draft commissioning document for the development of a Full Business Case (FBC) for the Forster Square Station Gateway Project. The commission was likely to have a value in excess of £2m and as such must be seen by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Appendix to Document “Y” provided the draft wording for the Procurement Brief on the development of the FBC for the scheme.  Members were asked to read through and comment upon the content of that Appendix.  Officers would take account of comments made at the meeting and return the final version of the procurement documentation to the February meeting of the Committee.

Members questioned if there had been any indication of interest in the commission and were advised that officers were, in the course of their duties, in regular contact with the key players in the industry who were capable of delivering such a prestigious project.  It was suspected that a number of the large consultant firms in the UK would express an interest.

Members expressed their appreciation that the project was progressing.  It was believed that the development would provide a pleasing welcome to visitors arriving in the city; would create business opportunities for the district and could assist the redevelopment of the top of the town area.  The stylish and innovative designs were also commended.

In response to questions about the potential timescale of the project it was explained that it should commence in 2019 and be completed by 2021. It was acknowledged that problems could occur when working with the rail network and it was agreed that the commission included a requirement for a senior responsible person with experience of dealing with Network  Rail to be nominated by each tenderer.  That person would be responsible for driving the scheme through any Network Rail processes. 

The ability to accurately calculate costs was discussed and Members were advised that indicative costs for the commission were within the FBC envelope.  It was agreed that failure to deliver on time and within budget would not only be detrimental to the project but to the reputation of the authority. 

Resolved –

That the Strategic Director, Place, be requested to present the procurement documentation, in its final form, to the meeting on 20 February 2018.

Action: Strategic Director, Place

Previous reference:  Minute 47 (2017/18)

The report of the Chair of the Committee (Document “Z”) presents for Members’ consideration the Committee’s work programme for 2017-18.

Recommended –

(1)  That Members consider and comment on the areas of work included in the 2017-18 Work Programme for the Committee.

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

(3)  That the work programme 2017-18 continues to be reviewed regularly during the year.

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

Members were reminded that a resolution had been passed by Council, at its  meeting on 16 January 2018, requesting the Committee look at the matter of single use plastics in more depth cross party and make recommendations.  A scrutiny review on Air Quality was also still to be scheduled on the work programme. 

It was acknowledged that the review into air quality could be a larger body of work involving other Committees and bodies.  It was agreed it would be prudent to undertake that work after the review of Single Use Plastics had been undertaken.  Members were informed that Terms of Reference for the Singe Use Plastics Review would be available at the next meeting.

No resolution was passed on this item.