No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received. 

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

The following recommendation to the Executive was received:

Resolved –

(1)       That the findings and recommendations contained within the draft Water Management Scrutiny Review Report appended to Document “AM” (2016-17) be adopted.

(2)       That the Water Management Scrutiny Review Report be submitted to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

(3)       That the Water Management Scrutiny Review Report be submitted to the Executive for endorsement.

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “G”) which gives Members an insight into the Council’s overall position at the end of the 2016-17 financial year by integrating finance and performance information. It provides a detailed statement of the final financial position of the Council at the 31 March 2017 as well as the annual outturn for the Corporate Indicator Set. The report specifically details how Services are performing within the context of the Council’s stewardship of its revenue resources.

Recommended –

That the Executive is recommended to:

(1)       Note the financial position of the Council reported for the year ended 31 March 2017.

(2)       Approve additional £0.314m better use of budget requests as outlined in Section 2.1 of Appendix 1 to Document “G”.

(3)       Note the performance position and endorse the actions to address the identified areas of underperformance in Section 1 of Appendix 1 to Document “G”.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “G”) which gave Members an insight into the Council’s overall position at the end of the 2016-17 financial year by integrating finance and performance information. It provided a detailed statement of the final financial position of the Council at the 31 March 2017 as well as the annual outturn for the Corporate Indicator Set. The report specifically detailed how Services were performing within the context of the Council’s stewardship of its revenue resources.

The Policy Programmes and Change Manager explained that in relation to performance this was a retrospective look at last year’s performance and in summary, of the 43 indicators that have targets, 25 were on target, 8 were within acceptable variance and 10 were below target.

Details of those areas of good and improving performance as well as those areas of underperformance were alluded to and detailed in appendix 1 to Document “G”. 

In relation to Finance, the Strategic Director Corporate Services stated that in 2016/2017, the Council underspent the approved net budget of £378m, by £0.3m in line with previous forecasts.  The Strategic Director alluded to the significant variance within  the overall total, with Children’s Services overspending by £3.5m and a £3.7m overspend within Adult Services respectively, the details and the reasons for this overspend were set out in the report.  In addition the Capital expenditure together with the reserves position were also set out.

In conclusion the overall financial results were good as was performance, in the context of the difficult financial climate and the on-going reductions in Government funding.

During the discussion the Leader stated that this time last year the Council was posting a £6m projected overspend, and through a collective effort the budget had come on balance, and for this, she congratulated officers and Strategic Directors, however she asked the Strategic Director to comment on the reserves position. 

In response the Strategic Director stated that at 31 March 2017, unallocated reserves stood at £14.5m, and  that the Auditors were of the view that this had to be held as a minimum amount.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder stated that in relation to Adult Social Care, the report demonstrated the complexity of what we do in social care in looking after the most vulnerable in society.  In addition the pressures in Adult Social Care were recognised as a national issue and in this context, the Council was not only performing well, but leading in good practice in a number of areas such as how we dealt with the issue of bed blocking.

In the area of Children’s Services, the service dealt with a complex issues and again the Council was performing well to protect vulnerable children in the district.

In the area of housing, the Portfolio Holder alluded to the good performance on delivering the number of affordable homes in the district as well as the number of private sector homes, exceeding the 850 target set in the Council Plan.

In relation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “H”) which provides Members with an overview of the forecast financial position of the Council for 2017-18.

It examines the latest spend against revenue and capital budgets and forecasts the financial position at the year end. It states the Council’s current balances and reserves and forecasts school balances for the year. 

Recommended –

That the Executive

(1)       Note the contents of this report and the actions taken to manage the forecast overspend.

(2)       Approve the following capital expenditure schemes.

• £1.1m to fund the development of sports pitches and construct new changing facilities on the King George V Playing Fields. The scheme is to be funded by £0.7m grants, £0.2m from the Canal Road budget already approved within the Capital Investment Plan and £0.2m from general contingency.
• £0.4m for the demolition of the former Keighley College Cavendish Street Building to be funded from general contingency.
• The movement of £0.667m from the Disabled Facilities Grant to support the provision of equipment by BACES.
• The Executive is asked to approve the additional funding of £3m for the St Georges Hall refurbishment.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Andrew Cross - 01274 436823)

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “H”) which provided  Members with an overview of the forecast financial position of the Council for 2017-18.

It examined the latest spend against revenue and capital budgets and forecasted the financial position at the year end. It stated the Council’s current balances and reserves and forecasted school balances for the year. 

In explaining the financial position, the Strategic Director stated that based on the 31 May 2017 projection, the Council was forecasting that spend would be £10.5m above the approved budget of £375.2m, however this was based on information which was gathered at an early point in the financial year and the ultimate outturn position would depend on what actions are taken to mitigate the projected overspend.  The main pressure points in terms of service areas related to Adult and Children’s Services.

The Strategic Director also drew attention to the reserves position and the capital investment programme, as well as the Council Tax/Business Rates collection rates.

During the discussion, the Leader drew attention to the projected £10m overspend and the particular demands being put on Adults and Children’s Social Care.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder expressed her concerns at the funding crisis facing Adult Social care nationally and the failure to bridge the gap in funding.  In relation to the projected overspend, the Portfolio Holder stated that a number of initiatives were being looked at to try and identify savings.  However within Children’s Services demand was increasing, with cost of placements, a particular cause for concern.

In addressing the projected overspend, the Portfolio Holder stated that she was hopeful that early help and intervention work with families should pay dividend in due course.

The Leader stressed that there needed to be a national debate on how we fund adult and children’s social care, and that there needed to be a willingness from Government to address this issue and fund these services adequately.

In relation to capital expenditure, the Regeneration, Transportation and Planning Portfolio Holder stated that the ambition to support the district’s heritage and regeneration projects remained a high priority, and that the additional cost for the refurbishment of St Georges Hall had already been earmarked.

The Leader stated that in the context of the projected £10m overspend, that Strategic Directors discuss what measures could be put in place to address this and that a report on this be presented to September meeting of the Executive, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

(1)       That the contents of Document “”H” and the actions taken to     manage the forecast overspend be noted.

(2)       That  the following capital expenditure schemes be approved:

(i)    £1.1m to fund the development of sports pitches and construct new changing facilities on the King George V Playing Fields. The scheme is to be funded by £0.7m grants, £0.2m from the Canal Road budget already approved within the Capital Investment Plan and £0.2m from general contingency.

(ii)  £0.4m for the demolition of the former Keighley College Cavendish  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “I”) which sets out the financial envelope for the Council to deliver its key priorities as set out in the revised Corporate Plan based on assumptions made from the relevant data available.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy focuses on how the Council intends to respond to the forecasted public sector funding reductions as a result of the on-going austerity measures imposed by the Government’s spending plans. It sets out the approaches and principles the Council will follow to ensure the Council remains financially viable and delivers on its priorities.

Recommended –

(1)       That Executive consider the Medium Term Financial Strategy as an assessment of the Council’s financial outlook to 2020/21 and beyond, and a framework for it to remain financially viable and deliver sustainable public services in line with its priorities and the principles set out in Appendix 1 to Document “I”.

(2)       That Executive recommends the updated and revised Medium Term Financial Strategy at Appendix 1 to Document “I” be forwarded to Council for approval.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Tom Caselton - 01274 434472)

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “I”) which set out the financial envelope for the Council to deliver its key priorities, as set out in the revised Corporate Plan based on assumptions made from the relevant data available.

The Medium Term Financial Strategy focused on how the Council intended to respond to the forecasted public sector funding reductions as a result of the on-going austerity measures imposed by the Government’s spending plans. It set out the approaches and principles the Council will follow to ensure the Council remains financially viable and delivers on its priorities.

During the discussion the Leader stated that in the context of uncertainties about an end to austerity, the Rate Support Grant was essential to deliver the services that were required and that clarity was needed from Government in relation to the proposals for Business Rates retention by Local Authorities.

She added that the austerity measures imposed on Local Government had had a demonstrable impact on this Council,by limiting growth in the district.

Resolved –

(1)       Executive considered the Medium Term Financial Strategy as an assessment of the Council’s financial outlook to 2020/21 and beyond, and a framework for it to remain financially viable and deliver sustainable public services in line with its priorities and the principles set out in Appendix 1 to Document “I”.

(2)       That the updated and revised Medium Term Financial Strategy at Appendix 1 to Document “I” be forwarded to Council for approval.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Corporate Services

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document “J”) which asks the Executive to:

•           Approve the proposals to enlarge All Saints’ C of E Primary School             premises by increasing the capacity of the school from 315 to 420 from             September 2018 onwards.

•           Approve the proposals to enlarge Poplars Farm Primary School       premises by increasing the capacity of the school from 210 to 420 from       September 2018 onwards.

Recommended –

(1)       The Executive is asked to approve the proposals to enlarge the            premises of All Saints’ C of E Primary School (Ilkley) by           increasing the capacity of the school premises from 315 to 420     from 1 September 2018  (subject to the granting of planning       permission).

(2)       The Executive is asked to approve the proposals to enlarge the            premises of Poplars Farm Primary School by increasing the          capacity of   the school premises from 210 to 420 from 1          September 2018 (subject to the granting of planning permission).

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

(Judith Kirk - 01274 431078)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a report (Document “J”) which asked the Executive to:

•           Approve the proposals to enlarge All Saints’ C of E Primary School             premises by increasing the capacity of the school from 315 to 420 from             September 2018 onwards.

•           Approve the proposals to enlarge Poplars Farm Primary School       premises by increasing the capacity of the school from 210 to            420 from September 2018 onwards.

The Deputy Leader stated that the proposals had been widely consulted on and would deliver additional school places in areas of greatest demand.

It was highlighted that during the consultation, issues had been raised regarding parking and this issue will addressed as part of the proposed expansion plans, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

(1)       That  the proposals to enlarge the premises of All Saints’ C of E             Primary School (Ilkley) by increasing the capacity of the school         premises from 315 to 420 from 1 September 2018 be approved      (subject to the granting of planning permission).

(2)       That  the proposals to enlarge the premises of Poplars Farm      Primary School by increasing the capacity of the school premises        from 210 to 420 from 1 September 2018 be approved (subject to         the granting of planning permission).

ACTION:       Strategic Director Children’s Services

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

(Councillor V Slater)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document “K”) which sets out a vision for supporting families at the earliest point, improving children and young people’s life chances and reducing demand for crisis services.

Recommended –

In order to secure the best possible outcomes for families with the      

resources available to the Council and our partners, Members are asked to:

(1)  Note the contents of this report;

(2)  Authorise the Strategic Director for Children’s Services to commence consultation with relevant partners on the redesigning and remodelling of the Early Help arrangements and services across a locality footprint.

(3)  Agree to receive a further paper in October 2017 detailing the final proposals for formal consultation which will encompass feedback received from stakeholders.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Judith Kirk - 01274 431078)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a report (Document “K”) which set out a vision for supporting families at the earliest point, improving children and young people’s life chances and reducing demand for crisis services.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder stated that the proposal would aim to inform the Council how we provide early help services differently, with better and clearer outcomes, and therefore the consultation process would be a start of a journey that would inform these outcomes.

The Deputy Leader acknowledged that there were instances where issues were addressed too late and therefore a meaningful consultation would enable us to make an informed decision of how to configure services that best met the needs of service users.

Resolved –

(1)       That the contents of this report be noted.

(2)       That the Strategic Director for Children’s Services be authorised           to commence consultation with relevant partners on the     redesigning and remodelling of the Early Help arrangements and             services across a locality footprint.

(3)       That the Executive receives a further paper in October 2017        detailing the final proposals for formal consultation which will         encompass feedback received from stakeholders.

ACTION: Strategic Director Children’s Services

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

Recommended –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendix 3 relating to Bradford Trident 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.

                                                                        (Yusuf Patel - 01274 434579)

Resolved –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendix 3 relating to Bradford Trident 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.

Bradford Trident is a social enterprise company, based in the Little Horton, Bradford BD5 area.  It has been in operation since 2000.

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “L”, which contains Not for Publication Appendix 3) which seeks to update the Executive on Trident’s achievements to date and obtain approval to their future proposals.

Recommended –

It is recommended that Members approve the disposal of the three remaining sites described as A,B and C within this report at a nominal sum, subject to the terms described  in the report in respect of ensuring the delivery of developments and use of the proceeds of sale,  the Council being satisfied that the disposal of these sites at a ‘less than Best’ value will make a contribution to the achievement of promoting or improving the economic, social or environmental well being of the locality of the land and the wider community.

All of the transactions are subject to the detailed terms and conditions being agreed and approved by the Strategic Director of Corporate Services.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Martyn Baldwin – 01274 432255)

Bradford Trident is a social enterprise company, based in the Little Horton, Bradford BD5 area.  It has been in operation since 2000.

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “L”, which contained Not for Publication Appendix 3) which sought to update the Executive on Trident’s achievements to date and obtain approval to their future proposals.

The Regeneration, Transportation and Planning Portfolio Holder in welcoming the proposal stated that subject to the terms set out in the report, this was a good opportunity to achieve a number of objectives on these 3 sites.

In addition it was acknowledged that Trident’s record of achievements were impressive and this proposal would enable this work to continue.

Resolved –

That the disposal of the three remaining sites described as A,B and C within Document “L” be approved at a nominal sum, subject to the terms described  in the report in respect of ensuring the delivery of developments and use of the proceeds of sale,  the Council being satisfied that the disposal of these sites at a ‘less than Best’ value will make a contribution to the achievement of promoting or improving the economic, social or environmental well being of the locality of the land and the wider community.

All of the transactions are subject to the detailed terms and conditions being agreed and approved by the Strategic Director of Corporate Services.

ACTION: Strategic Director Corporate Services

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

To receive the minutes of the meeting(s) of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 6 April 2017(Minutes attached).

Resolved -

That the minutes of the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 6 April 2017 be received.

ACTION: No Action