The Chair informed the meeting that the City Solicitor had granted dispensations regarding interests to all Executive members and details were published on line.

 

(i) The following Elected Members have been granted dispensations under the Localism Act 2011 in relation to their declared Disclosable Pecuniary Interests relating to employment, sponsorship and land.

 

EMPLOYMENT

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

SPONSORSHIP

Councillor Farley

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

LAND

Councillor Farley

Councillor Ferriby

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

(ii) The following members have disclosed a personal interest in the items on the agenda relating to the Budget 2021-22 and of the nature and

description indicated by each category:

 

Members with a spouse, partner or close relative in the employment of the Council

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Members employed by or who have a spouse, partner or close relative employed by a voluntary organisation/public body funded by the Council.

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Members who occupied land or who had a spouse, partner or relative who did or who were directors of companies or sat on the management committee of an organisation that occupies land under a lease or licence granted by the Council.

Councillor I Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Members of other public authorities.

Airedale Partnership

Councillor Ross Shaw

 

Arts Council North

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Bradford Economic Partnership

Cllr Hinchcliffe

Cllr Ross-Shaw

 

City Regions Board (LGA)

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Drake and Tonson Foundation

Cllr Farley

 

Haworth Exhibition Trust

Cllr Farley

 

Key Cities

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Leeds Bradford International Airport – Consultative Committee

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre

Councillor Ferriby

 

Northern Acceleration Council

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Transport for the North

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

University of Bradford - Court

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan (alternate)

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Inclusive Growth and Public Policy Panel

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority West Yorkshire & York Investment Panel

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business Innovation and Growth Panel

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business Investment Panel

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Employment Skills Panel

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Governance and Audit

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan (alternate)

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Green Economy Panel

Councillor Ferriby

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority City Region Partnership

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Place Panel

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Wrose Carnival Management Committee

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Yorkshire Leaders Board

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Yorkshire Libraries and Information

Cllr Ferriby

 

Parish Councillors

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Members who sit on the management committee/ trustee of a voluntary organisation in receipt of Council Funding.

Councillor Ferriby

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Members who are members of a Council funded organisation.

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Members appointed by the Council to a public body with an interest in the Council’s budget

 

Members who are appointed to external bodies

Bradford Business Improvement District  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206.

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5 January 2021 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

 

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

 

Resolved –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

 

There were no appeals submitted to review decisions to restrict documents.

 

There were no recommendations referred to the Executive.

 

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “DG”) which presents at Section A, the Council’s Capital investment Plan 2021-22 to 2024-25.

 

Section B presents an updated Capital Strategy for 2021-22. This strategy underpins the spending proposals within the Capital Investment Plan.

 

Section C presents the Investment Strategy for 2021-22. This provides an update to the Investment Strategy, with particular reference to recent Government announcements.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       Executive are asked to note the contents of this report and to have regard to the information contained within this report when considering         the recommendations to make to Council on the CIP for 2021-22.

 

(2)       Commitments against reserve schemes and contingencies can             only be made after a business case has been assessed by Project           Appraisal Group and approved by Executive.

 

(3)       Delegated authority is given to Section 151 Officer to repay debt on an            annuity basis, for chosen properties purchased during or after 2018-19. Delegated authority could only be exercised if two conditions are met:

                       

            1. the asset retains or increases its value;

2. the return from the capital scheme is sufficient to repay the          capital sum invested.

 

(4)       The proposed 2021-22 MRP policy set out in Appendix 2 is          approved

 

(5)       The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy is approved.

 

(6)       Specific approval be given for the following schemes previously           approved by Executive to commence following a detailed review           by Project Appraisal Group:

 

•           The 2021-22 Property Programme has a proposed total cost of £2.5m and this will be funded by the £2m allocated and the      movement of £0.5m from the Argus Chambers Property Scheme.

•           IT Processes and Systems – End to End Review. The scheme is for a planned programme of improvement work to systems and processes in Children’s Services. The cost of the capital spend is £0.330m and it will be funded by corporate borrowing.   

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

(Chris Chapman - 01274 433656)

 

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “DG”) which presented at Section A, the Council’s Capital investment Plan 2021-22 to 2024-25.  Section B presented an updated Capital Strategy for 2021-22. This strategy underpinned the spending proposals within the Capital Investment Plan.  Section C presened the Investment Strategy for 2021-22. This provided an update to the Investment Strategy, with particular reference to recent Government announcements.

 

The Director of Finance stated that essentially this was the same report that was presented to the Executive at its meeting on 2 February 2021, with the exception that an additional two capital schemes had now been assessed by the Project Appraisal Group, which required Executive approval.  Section A of the report set out the three-year capital programme, with the capital strategy and investments strategy set out in appendix B and C respectively.  All capital schemes underwent prudential monitoring and as the Section 151 officer, the Director of Finance stated that he was content that the programme was being managed prudently and efficiently.

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “DH”) which seeks Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2021/22 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

 

Recommended –

 

It is recommended that the Executive asks Council to:

 

(1)       Accept and approve the proposals for the allocation of the          2021/22 Dedicated Schools Grant as set out in this report.

 

(2)       Approve the total amount of £634.679m to be appropriated in      respect of all schools covered by the Bradford Scheme for the        Local Management of Schools, so as to establish the Individual      Schools Budget for 2021/22.

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

(Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

 

 

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “DH”) which sought Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2021/22 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

 

The Principal Schools Funding Officer stated that in presenting the Schools Budget, the recommendations set out therein were fully supported by the Schools Forum.  He went onto detail the specific aspects of the schools’ budget, including the allocations made within the different sectors which were detailed in the report, drawing attention that the 2021/22 Schools Block primary and secondary mainstream National Funding Formula provided broadly for an increase in funding per pupil.

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “DL”) which provides Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Estimates for 2021/22.

 

Recommended –

 

Executive is asked to approve the recommendations to Council as set out in the report.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

(Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

 

                                                

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “DL”) which provided Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Estimates for 2021/22.

 

The Director of Finance stated that a one year budget was being proposed in the context of the current fiscal uncertainties.  Since the publication of the proposed financial plan, an additional £2.1m had been provided by Government to support the higher number of Council Tax Reduction Scheme claimants due to the pandemic.

 

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “DI”) which assesses the robustness of the proposed budget for 2021/22, the adequacy of forecast levels of reserves and associated risks. 

 

It concludes that the estimates are sufficiently robust for the Council to set the budget. 

 

It also concludes that the General Fund and unallocated reserves should be maintained at their current levels over the period of the financial strategy to ensure the continued financial resilience of the Council

 

Recommended –

 

That Members have regard to this report in setting the budget, and in particular note the conclusions that:

 

• the estimates presented to Council are sufficiently robust

 

• the reserves are adequate for the 2021/22 proposed budget

 

• the projected corporate reserves, on current estimates, are adequate in the medium term, subject to the implementation of the rest of the proposed financial plan

 

• the Medium Term Financial Strategy will be updated and reported to Executive as clarity on future local government funding is received.  

 

As with all budgets there is the potential for amendments to be proposed/agreed which could change the overall package of proposals. In that respect, it should be highlighted that this statement would be amended or added to if a decision was proposed that lead to the Council’s reserves falling below their recommended level. In addition, any other amendments would be considered against the scale of the overall budget and depending upon the extent and nature, may result in a revised statement.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

(Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

 

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “DI”) which assessesd the robustness of the proposed budget for 2021/22, the adequacy of forecast levels of reserves and associated risks. 

 

It concluded that the estimates are sufficiently robust for the Council to set the budget. 

 

It also concluded that the General Fund and unallocated reserves should be maintained at their current levels over the period of the financial strategy to ensure the continued financial resilience of the Council.

 

The Director of Finance stated that in his role as the Section 151 officer, the proposed budget was sufficiently robust and provided Council with the assurances to enable them to set the budget.

 

 

 

 

The following documents will be tabled at the Executive Meeting:

 

1. Bradford Council Executive’s Budget and Council Tax proposals for 2021/22: Amended budget recommendation to full council

 

2. Updated Council’s Revenue Estimates for 2021/22

 

3. Addendum to Document “DI” - s151 Officer Report on the proposed Council Budget 2021/22

 

 

Prior to the tabling of documents, the Human Resources Director confirmed that since the Executive meeting on 2 Feb there had been no additional Trade Union feedback on the budget proposals.

In relation to public consultation, again no further responses had been received on the budget proposals, however the Equality Impact Assessments had been updated, including departmental responses and they were available to view on the Council’s website, and it was stressed that Executive should have regard to these in recommending their budget to Council.

The Leader presented the Executive’s Budget and Council Tax proposals for 2021/22 and amended budget recommendation to full council and thanked the Finance team for their diligent work in preparing a budget at a time of great uncertainty.

In setting out the Executive’s amendments to the budget proposal, there was now a need to draw on reserves, given we were in the midst of a pandemic and the enormous challenges this had created.

The Leader added that Government announcements on Local Government finance were mute, particularly on the Children’s and Adult social care elements, with the expectation that these would be funded though the social care levy.

However, the main thrust of this budget was about looking to recovery and how we build the district post pandemic, by improving education and skills opportunities, regeneration and the creation of jobs, and thus the proposed budget was aimed at supporting these objectives.

There were no plans for redundancies and the Leader thanked all Council staff for their sterling effort during the past year, and the resilient manner in which they had adapted and responded to the challenges created by the pandemic.

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder echoed the sentiments expressed by the Leader and added that within the education sector, staff had risen to the challenges and had responded well to the pandemic, and that the proposed budget was aimed at improving the life chances of young people in the district with an emphasis on improving skills across the piece.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder stated that in her respective portfolio area, the dedication of staff during the past year was commendable and despite the pressure on services, the respective service areas had responded well with an increase seen in the use of outdoor spaces and an increase in waste collection services.  Pressures remained in Adult Social Care and it was imperative to support these front line services and the most vulnerable, adding that in a post pandemic world initiatives such as the City of Culture bid would provide a welcome boost.

The Children & Families Portfolio Holder stated that the proposed budget was aimed at strengthening social care practice.  He highlighted that the service was still on a improvement journey and that progress had slowed during the pandemic, however some positive changes had been implemented, despite the increase in service demands, and he thanked all staff in their efforts to protect and keep children safe in these unprecedented times.

In the area of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 214.

Recommended –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication Document “DM” 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 proceedings for the following reasons:

 

It is in the public interest in maintaining these exemptions because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision.

 

(Yusuf Patel – 07970 411923)

 

Resolved –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication Document “DM” 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 proceedings for the following reasons:

 

It is in the public interest in maintaining these exemptions because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision.

 

 

The Director of Finance will submit a report Not for Publication (Document “DM”) which sets out a number of arrangements in relation to Bradford live.

 

Recommended –

 

That the recommendations set out in Not for Publication Document “DM” be approved.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate and Regeneration & Environment

(Chris Chapman - 01274 433656)

 

 

 

The following item was included on this agenda as an exception to the Forward Plan in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 10 (General Exception to the Forward Plan) of Part 3D of the Constitution.

 

Accordingly the proper officer had notified in writing the Chairs of the Corporate and Regeneration & Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the matter on which the decision is to be made.

 

The Director of Finance submitted a report Not for Publication (Document “DM”) which set out a number of arrangements in relation to Bradford live.

 

Resolved –

 

That the recommendations set out in Not for Publication Document “DM” be approved, subject to the amendment in recommendation 3.

 

ACTION: Director of Finance

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate and Regeneration & Environment