Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - City Hall, Bradford

Contact: Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel 

Items
No. Item

1.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

(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 may remain in the meeting and take part fully in discussion and voting unless the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an interest which the Member feels would call into question their compliance with the wider principles set out in the Code of Conduct.  Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

 

(2)       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. 

 

(3)       Members are also welcome to disclose interests which are not disclosable pecuniary interests but which they consider should be made in the interest of clarity.

 

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

 

Minutes:

In the interests of transparency:

 

Councillor Hinchliffe disclosed that she was a member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

 

Councillor Khan disclosed that he was an alternate member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

 

Councillor Ferriby disclosed that she was a member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Green Economy Panel.

 

Councillor Ross-Shaw disclosed that he was a member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business Innovation and Growth Panel, Business Investment Panel, Inclusive Growth and Public Policy Panel, Place Panel and West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee.

 

ACTION: City Solicitor

2.

MINUTES

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2021 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

 

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2021 be signed as a correct record.

 

ACTION: City Solicitor

 

3.

INSPECTION OF REPORTS AND BACKGROUND PAPERS

(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. 

 

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

Minutes:

There were no appeals submitted to review restricted documents.

 

4.

APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIR

The Chief Executive will report on the allocation, by the Leader of the
Council, of the appointment of Deputy Chair for the Municipal Year
2021/2022.

(Kersten England – 01274 434353)

Minutes:

Resolved -

 

That it be noted that Councillor I Khan had been appointed, by the Leader of Council, as Deputy Chair for the Municipal Year 2021/2022.

 

ACTION: City Solicitor

 

5.

ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIOS OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS pdf icon PDF 121 KB

(Executive Procedure Rules – Part 3D of the Constitution)


The Chief Executive will report on the allocation, by the Leader of the
Council, of Portfolios of Executive functions to members of the
Executive.


(Kersten England – 01274 434353)

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the allocation, by the Leader of the Council, of Portfolios of Executive functions to Members of the Executive be noted.

 

The Leader welcomed Councillor Duffy to the Executive.

 

ACTION:       City Solicitor

 

6.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE

To note any recommendations to the Executive that may be the subject of report to a future meeting.  (Schedule to be tabled at the meeting). 

 

 (Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

 

Minutes:

There were no recommendations to the Executive.

LEADER OF COUNCIL & CORPORATE

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

7.

WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MAYOR FOR WEST YORKSHIRE 2021-2025 pdf icon PDF 119 KB

The newly elected Mayor for West Yorkshire will be invited to share initial thoughts on priorities for her term of office and opportunities for working in partnership with Bradford District.  The report of the Chief Executive is submitted (Document “A”).

 

Recommended -

 

That the Executive thank the newly elected Mayor for attending the meeting to discuss our shared priorities.

 

                                                            (David Walmsley - 01274 432131)

 

Minutes:

The newly elected Mayor for West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin attended the meeting to share initial thoughts on priorities for her term of office and opportunities for working in partnership with Bradford District.  The report of the Chief Executive was submitted (Document “A”).

 

 

The Leader referred to three key priorities for the District namely transport, skills and culture.  She highlighted the importance of Northern Powerhouse high speed rail line and that a stop was vital for the District as Bradford was the biggest city in the UK that was not on the Main Line train Network.  She stressed the need to ensure that people have the right skills to succeed in the workplace as Bradford was the City with the youngest population in the UK.  She expressed her belief in the people of the District and welcomed the Mayor’s support for the Capital of Culture bid.

 

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder referred to the Government Kick Start scheme but felt that there was a need for something that was more tailored to the needs of Bradford.  He invited the West Yorkshire Mayor to visit the Skills House project that was targeting those unable to access the jobs market to increase their skills and find sustainable jobs.

 

The Regeneration, Transport and Planning Portfolio Holder referred to the Towns Fund and reported that it had been announced that Shipley was to be allocated £25m and Keighley £33m and thanked all those involved in the securing the funding.  He also referred to the Projects supported by the Combined Authority.

 

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder referred to the need for partnership working with the West Yorkshire Mayor, for example, on Capital of Culture, which if successful would attract investment, enhance employment opportunities and bring businesses into the District which would in turn improve the mental and physical wellbeing of the people of the District.  She referred to the District’s response to the climate emergency in planting trees and moving to a cleaner transport fleet.

 

The Neighbourhoods and Community Safety Portfolio Holder stressed that one of his key priorities was to crack down on dangerous driving and anti-social behavior and referred to Bradford’s unique partnership with the police on operation Steerside.

 

The Chief Executive referred to the huge pool of talent and energy in the District with a young and diverse population, and the need to realise their full potential.  She added that the covid19 pandemic had hit the District hard and exposed the fault lines of socio economic disadvantage, including low pay and the impact on mental health.  She stressed the need for major investment in raising education attainment and addressing the levels of youth unemployment to move the District forward.  She added that progress being made in the areas of domestic violence and poverty had been affected by the pandemic.  She referred to the accolades bestowed on the District and the potential of Yorkshire Water’s proposed Green Science Park and housing development at Esholt.

 

 

The Education  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

BRADFORD COUNCIL'S APPROACH TO GOVERNMENT LEVELLING UP FUNDING pdf icon PDF 122 KB

The Government has recently announced a series of funding programmes for levelling up and economic growth. This includes:

 

-         The Levelling up fund - a £4.8 billion national fund with the aim in investing in high-value local infrastructure.  Of this, Bradford District has potential access to £100 million in capital funding (£20 million per Parliamentary constituency).

-         The Community Renewal Fund – where priority one areas such as Bradford District are entitled to up to £3 million investment to support skills, local businesses and communities and places.

-         The Towns Fund – Keighley and Shipley were selected by government as two of 101 places across England eligible for investment through the Towns Fund. We are currently awaiting a decision from the Government on our Towns Fund proposals for the two towns.

 

The purpose of the report of the Chief Executive (Document “B”) is to outline these upcoming and continuing opportunities and how we intend to make the most of these as an authority for the whole District.

 

Recommended -

 

(1)  That Executive note the information on the levelling up fund. 

 

(2)  That the Council continues to work with Area Committees, MPs, businesses and wider partners on future rounds.

                                                                       

                                                            (Phil Witcherley – 02174 431241)

Minutes:

 

The Government had recently announced a series of funding programmes for levelling up and economic growth. This included:

 

-         The Levelling Up fund - a £4.8 billion national fund with the aim in investing in high-value local infrastructure.  Of this, Bradford District has potential access to £100 million in capital funding (£20 million per Parliamentary constituency).

-         The Community Renewal Fund – where priority one areas such as Bradford District are entitled to up to £3 million investment to support skills, local businesses and communities and places.

-         The Towns Fund – Keighley and Shipley were selected by Government as two of 101 places across England eligible for investment through the Towns Fund. A favourable decision from the Government had just been announced on the Towns Fund proposals for the two towns.

 

The purpose of the report of the Chief Executive (Document “B”) was to outline these upcoming and continuing opportunities and how it was intended to make the most of these as an authority for the whole District.

 

The Leader was of the opinion that the Levelling Up fund should have been targeted at areas in the north where the needs were greatest and that it should have been allocated regionally rather than through a national bidding process, at short notice.

 

The Leader of the Opposition Group asked questions on behalf of another member regarding the type of business the Council was working with and the criteria used to ensure that it  was prioritising working with companies operating in business areas with significant long-term market growth potential.  She also asked how it was to be ensured that business goals align with the strategy detailed in the emerging Local Plan?

 

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder responded that the Council wanted to work with all businesses large and small and in partnership with the Combined Authority.  Engagement with a range of businesses was anchored in the Council’s economic recovery plan and the West Yorkshire recovery plan. Bids will be assessed having regard to where they will have the greatest economic impact.

 

The Leader of the Opposition Group welcomed the announcement regarding the Towns Fund allocations.  She asked what discussions were taking place with Councillors and MP’s regarding the levelling up bids given the tight time scale for submission.

 

The Leader responded that the Government saw MP’s as the lead on levelling up so discussions had taken place with MP’s.  She added that the Community Renewal Fund was being allocated through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and that all parties could bid for funding.

 

 

Resolved -

 

(1)  That the information on the levelling up fund be noted.

 

(2)  That the Council continues to work with Area Committees, MPs, businesses and wider partners on future rounds.

ACTION: Chief Executive

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS PORTFOLIO & DEPUTY LEADER

(Councillor I Khan)

9.

PERSONAL TRAVEL ASSISTANCE BUDGET RATE: POST CONSULTATION ANALYSIS AND OPTIONS pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Further to a public consultation held on personal travel assistance budgets (PTAB), the report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

(Document “C”) seeks to present an overview analysis of the data acquired and provides a range of implementation options with associated cost implications.

 

Recommended -

 

 

That the Executive adopts option 4, as set out in Document “C" in respect of its PTAB rates.

 

                                                            (Michael Bunting - 07970 828949)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to a public consultation held on personal travel assistance budgets (PTAB), the report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services

(Document “C”) sought to present an overview analysis of the data acquired and provided a range of implementation options with associated cost implications.

 

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder noted that the proposals would bring the rates in Bradford in line with other authorities.  He added that it was important that consultation had taken place and that those who responded were listened to.

 

Resolved -

 

That option 4, as set out in Document “C" be adopted in respect of Personal Travel Assistance Budget rates.

 

ACTION: Strategic Director of Children’s Services

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES PORTFOLIO

(Councillor Duffy)

10.

OFSTED MONITORING VISIT - 28 TO 29 APRIL 2021 pdf icon PDF 90 KB

Following Ofsted’s Inspection of Children’s Social Care Services from the 17 to 28 September 2018, the fifth of a series of Monitoring Visits took place on the 28 to 29 April 2021.  The Director of Children’s Services will present a report on the monitoring visit (Document “D”)

 

The focus of the Monitoring Visit was around Children in Need and Child Protection.

 

The findings will be  published by Ofsted on 4 June 2021.  Until such a time, the letter remains under Embargo.

 

 

Recommended -

 

The Executive are asked to note the contents of the letter from OFSTED.

 

 

                                                                        (Irfan Alam – 01274 432904)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Following Ofsted’s Inspection of Children’s Social Care Services from the 17 to 28 September 2018, the fifth of a series of Monitoring Visits took place on the 28 to 29 April 2021.  The Strategic Director of Children’s Services presented a report on the monitoring visit (Document “D”).

 

The focus of the Monitoring Visit was around Children in Need and Child Protection.  The findings were published by Ofsted on 4 June 2021. 

 

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder thanked staff for their continued hard work during the Covid19 pandemic and for their motivation to deliver on the improvement journey.  She added that the Council had allocated significant resources to support the improvement journey recommended by Ofsted.  She recognised that there was still a lot to do and at speed.  She added that Early Help and the recruitment and retention of social workers was a priority for which there was a clear plan going forward which had been discussed in detail and in depth.

 

The Strategic Director of Children’s Services stated that the Ofsted visit was welcomed and the comments were balanced.  A number of areas had been identified where improvements were being made while not shying away from areas where change was needed.  He outlined the strengths identified while still acknowledging that there were challenges around the rate of improvement. In  particular, he highlighted that positive practice in relation to section 47 enquiries had been maintained; recruitment to all levels of management had been successful; assessments were proportionate and included the child’s voice; when risks escalated intervention was timely; children were seen as integral to  that process; additional investment had been made and level 3 social workers were being employed on 12 month contracts which was having impact on service delivery; children had continued to be seen during the Covid19 pandemic.  He added that the churn in level 3 social workers was still an issue and work was ongoing to stabilise this.  He noted that demand during Covid 19 had increased by 30% and that 2,400 children were open to the service during the period of the visit.

 

He was satisfied that the challenges were known and a clear improvement plan was in place.  It was anticipated that the next visit would be in August and would focus on children in care and care leavers.

 

The Leader referred to the unprecedented year due to the Covid19 pandemic and appreciated the difficulties faced by staff.  She added that there was a need to make improvements at a faster pace and increase the recruitment of level 3 social workers.

 

The Opposition Group Leader expressed concern that the pace of improvement was not quick enough and questioned the rate of improvement after 3 years from the original Ofsted judgement.  She asked whether there were any issues hindering the development and training of existing staff to reach level 3 social worker.

 

The Strategic Director responded that measuring the progress from where the authority was in 2018, it was where it was expected  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

MINUTES OF THE WEST YORKSHIRE COMBINED AUTHORITY pdf icon PDF 90 KB

To receive the minutes of the meeting(s) of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 4 February and 9 March 2021 (attached)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority meetings held on 4 February and 9 March 2021 were received.

12.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

Recommended –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items relating to Partner Future Pension Arrangements (item 13) and Proposed Acquisition of a Regeneration Opportunity (item 14) on the grounds that it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 3  (Finance 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 excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceedings outweighs the interest in publication of the report.

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items relating to Partner Future Pension Arrangements (Minute 13) and Proposed Acquisition of a Regeneration Opportunity (Minute 14) on the grounds that it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 3  (Finance 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 excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceedings outweighs the interest in publication of the report.

 

13.

PARTNER-FUTURE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS-TREATMENT AS A SUBSUMPTION BODY IN THE WEST YORKSHIRE PENSION FUND

The report of the Director of Finance (NFP Document “E”)sets out the context and considerations in relation to a request from a Partner Organisation for the Council to guarantee Pension Fund arrangements in the form of a subsumption agreement.

 

Recommended –

 

That the recommendations contained in NFP Document “E” be approved.

 

                                                                        (Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the recommendations contained in NFP Document “E” be approved.

 

ACTION: Director of Finance

14.

PROPOSED ACQUISITION OF A REGENERATION OPPORTUNITY IN THE BRADFORD DISTRICT

The Strategic Director of Corporate Resources will present a report

(NFP Document “F”) on the proposed acquisition of a regeneration opportunity in the Bradford district.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)  That the recommendations contained in NFP Document “F” be approved.

 

(2)  It is recommended that in accordance with paragraph 8.7.4 of Part 3E of the constitution, that the recommendations above are not subject to call-in as the matter is urgent for the reasons set out in paragraphs 2.3.5 of NFP Document “F”, as any delay which may result from calling-in the decision may be prejudicial to the interest of the Council or a third party.

 

 

            (Ben Middleton/Chris Chapman – 07582 101816/07971 725105)

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

(1)  That the recommendations contained in NFP Document “F” be approved.

 

(2)  That in accordance with paragraph 8.7.4 of Part 3E of the Constitution, the above resolutions be not subject to call-in as the matter is urgent for the reasons set out in paragraphs 2.3.5 of NFP Document “F”, as any delay which may result from calling-in the decision may be prejudicial to the interest of the Council or a third party.

 

 

ACTION: Strategic Director of Corporate Resources