In the interest of transparency Councillors Hinchcliffe and Imran Khan disclosed an interest in the item relating to the Proposed Expansion of Low Ash Primary and the Closure of Sixth Form at Carlton Bolling College and the increase in the school’s Publish Admission Number from 240 to 300 (Minute 66), as the respective schools were situated in their Wards.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2017 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2017 be signed as a correct record.

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

Note:  The City Solicitor stated that the Council’s Constitution did not allow for an exception to be made, and therefore the request from the Shipley Area Committee could not be acceded to, and that the Chair of the Shipley Area Committee be advised accordingly.

ACTION: City Solicitor

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “AJ”) which sets out:

• update on budget decisions and Council Tax including new proposals for consultation with the public, interested parties, staff and Trade Unions for 2018/19 and 2019/20

• revised indicative budget plans to 2020/21, to allow the further development of spending proposals to keep the Council effective and financially sustainable

Recommended –

It is recommended that Executive, having considered the Council’s public sector equality duty as set out above:

(1)       Approve for consultation as required with the public, interested             parties, staff and Trade Unions the proposed detailed budget             changes for 2018/19 and 2019/20 set out at Appendix E(i) and any      revisions to previous decisions as set out in Appendix G(i);

(2)       Approve for consultation as required with the public, interested             parties, staff and Trade Unions the proposed detailed budget             changes for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix F;

(3)       Approve for consultation as required with the public, interested             parties, staff and Trade Unions the proposed non-recurrent    spending included in the financial estimates as set out in         Appendix D;

(4)       Note the proposed use of reserves;

(5)       Approve the consultation mechanisms and processes set out in           Appendix H;

(6)       Approve the proposed indicative spending totals for each           outcome set out in tables 1(a) and 1(b) for 2020/21 to inform future         planning and engagement with stakeholders, the budget for    2020/21 to be subject to detailed formal consultation in future     budget rounds;

(7)       Approve that the £10m p.a. included in the existing Capital          Investment Plan for strategic acquisitions can be deployed    flexibly between the years of the Capital Investment Plan, so that             acquisitions exceeding that figure could be considered;

(8)       Authorise the Strategic Director Corporate Services, in     consultation with the Leader of the Council, to proceed with a           pooled 100% business rate pilot if the application is approved by             DCLG; and

(9)       Authorise Strategic Directors to engage with stakeholders to      develop draft plans and options for the reforms and changes   required to deliver a balanced budget in 2020/21.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Stuart McKinnon-Evans - 01274 432800)

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “AJ”) which set out:

• update on budget decisions and Council Tax including new proposals for consultation with the public, interested parties, staff and Trade Unions for 2018/19 and 2019/20

• revised indicative budget plans to 2020/21, to allow the further development of spending proposals to keep the Council effective and financially sustainable

The Strategic Director stated that the proposed consultation process would inform the budget meetings in February and that the report gave a current assessment of the financial envelope and implementation of the Council Plan to date, together with a financial assessment for 2018/19 up to 2020/21.

The Strategic Director explained that since 2010, the Council had approved £255.8m of budget savings, however adults and children’s social care continued to experience pressures and no new announcements had been made in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget in relation to alleviating these pressures.

The future level of the Revenue Support Grant remained uncertain, however the assumption was that this would become zero by 2020/21.

The Strategic Director also highlighted that for the first time Council Tax will now account for in excess of 50% of the Council’s net budget due to the reductions in central government grants.

In relation to the public consultation on the budget proposals, it was stated that the formal consultation process will continue until the 28 January 2018, and that the Executive will receive a feedback on the consultation at its 6 February 2018 meeting. 

In tabling the Labour Group’s update to the four-year plan, the Leader stated that since 2010, the Council has had to find cuts and savings of £256m and that by 2020 the government grant would be zero.  She alluded to impacts the cuts had had to vital services the Council provides, whereas demand in the sphere of adult and children social care was rising, and despite intense lobbying no extra funding had been announced by the Chancellor in the recent Autumn Budget, nor on the issue of Local Government pay.

She added that Bradford would bear an additional burden in the context of its low Council Tax base, compounding the inequality in services depending on where you lived in the country.

The Leader stated that despite the bleak financial situation facing the Council, growth and investment were key to unlocking Bradford’s potential, and to this end it was important to harness the strengths we had as a district;  one of the youngest populations in the UK, strong global links with 85% of our businesses trading internationally and therefore the right growth and investment plan was key in unlocking this potential.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder stated that she had grave concerns around the funding of adult and children social care and that no additional funding had been earmarked.

The Environment, Sport and Culture Portfolio holder stated that within her service area there had been a concerted effort to try and generate income from the facilities we had; the move to fortnightly bin  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “AI”) which sets out a rationale and policy for Commissioners, Procurers and Suppliers for the Social Value the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council is seeking to achieve for the residents and businesses of the Bradford District and the wider Leeds City Region economy. The Policy is designed to provide a reasonable, scalable and proportionate approach to realise Inclusive Growth benefits from the contracts the Council procures, awards and manages.

Recommended –

It is recommended that:

(1)       The content of this report is noted, and

(2)       The Council’s Social Value and Inclusive Growth Rationale and             Policy Document (as set out at Appendix 1 to Document “AI”) is    accepted and implemented by the Council after the 1st of April           2018.

(3)       There is an annual review and evaluation of the Social Value      benefits secured through the application of the Policy.

(Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Duncan Farr – 01274 434588)

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “AI”) which set out a rationale and policy for Commissioners, Procurers and Suppliers for the Social Value the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council was seeking to achieve for the residents and businesses of the Bradford District and the wider Leeds City Region economy. The Policy is designed to provide a reasonable, scalable and proportionate approach to realise Inclusive Growth benefits from the contracts the Council procures, awards and manages.

The Senior Commissioning and Category Manager explained that the proposal was about creating job opportunities, improving social mobility as well as encouraging local spend on local suppliers.

In welcoming the report, the Leader stated that this was a valuable document which would encourage and enable local businesses to tender more frequently and thereby make the Bradford pound go further.

Resolved –

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

(2)       The Council’s Social Value and Inclusive Growth Rationale         and Policy Document (as set out at Appendix 1 to          Document “AI”)      be accepted and implemented by the Council after the 1st of April    2018.

(3)       That there is an annual review and evaluation of the Social          Value             benefits secured through the application of the Policy.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Corporate Services

(Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

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

•           Agree to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) and       approve the publication of Statutory Proposals for the expansion of            Low Ash Primary School.

•           Approve the publication of Statutory Proposals for the alteration of the       upper age range of Carlton Bolling College  from 11-18 to 11-16 so as       to remove the sixth form provision and approve the increase in the         school’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from 240 to 300.

Recommended –

(1)       That the Executive approve the increase in the PAN at Low Ash Primary School from 60 to 90 as from September 2019 and approve the publication of Statutory Proposals to enlarge the school premises by increasing the capacity of the school from 420 to 630 from September 2019.

(2)       Approve  the publication of Statutory Proposals for the alteration of the upper age range of  Carlton Bolling College changing the age range from 11-18 to 11-16 so as to remove the sixth-form provision and to approve  increase in the PAN from 240 to 300 for statutory age pupils from September 2018.

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Judith Kirk - 01274 431078)

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

•           Agree to increase the Published Admission Number (PAN) and       approve the publication of Statutory Proposals for the expansion of            Low Ash Primary School.

•           Approve the publication of Statutory Proposals for the alteration of the      upper age range of Carlton Bolling College  from 11-18 to 11-16 so as       to remove the sixth form provision and approve the increase in the         school’s Published Admission Number (PAN) from 240 to 300.

The Head of Pupil Planning stated that in relation to the proposals for Low Ash Primary, concerns around parking and highways issues had been raised through the consultation process and they will be dealt with at the design/planning stage. 

In relation to the proposals for Carlton Bolling, the proposed closure of the sixth form would allow for an increase in the 11-16 year old provision, in what is now an outstanding school.

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder stated that there was good alternative sixth form provision in the area, and that parents were overwhelmingly supportive of the proposal. 

Resolved –

(1)       That the increase in the PAN at Low Ash Primary School from 60 to 90 as from September 2019, and the publication of Statutory Proposals to enlarge the school premises by increasing the capacity of the school from 420 to 630 from September 2019 be approved.

(2)       That  the publication of Statutory Proposals for the alteration of the upper age range of  Carlton Bolling College changing the age range from 11-18 to 11-16 so as to remove the sixth-form provision, and to increase in the PAN from 240 to 300 for statutory age pupils from September 2018 be approved

ACTION: Strategic Director Children’s Services

(Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

The Council has a duty to develop and implement a winter service operational plan to ensure so far as reasonably practicable, that traffic keeps moving even in unforeseen weather conditions and that safe passage is not endangered by the presence of snow and ice.

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AL”) which details the arrangements in place to discharge this duty, outlines the changes to the plan which have been made as a result of the review of the Winter 2016-17 operation and details potential future changes that may be necessary to comply with the implementation of the new Code of Practice for Well Managed Highway Infrastructure in October 2018.

Recommended –

(1)          That Executive approves the adoption of the Winter Services Plan 2017-18 and that a copy of the approved plan be placed on the Council’s website in accordance with the requirements of the revised Code of Practice.

(2)          That the Winter Service Plan 2018-19, which is fully compliant with the recommendations in the revised Code of Practice be presented to Executive prior to the commencement of the winter service 2018-19.

(Environment & Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Richard Gelder - 01274 437603)

The Council has a duty to develop and implement a winter service operational plan to ensure so far as reasonably practicable, that traffic keeps moving even in unforeseen weather conditions and that safe passage is not endangered by the presence of snow and ice.

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AL”) which detailed the arrangements in place to discharge this duty, outlined the changes to the plan which have been made as a result of the review of the Winter 2016-17 operation and detailed potential future changes that may be necessary to comply with the implementation of the new Code of Practice for Well Managed Highway Infrastructure in October 2018.

The Highways Services Manager stated that the plan introduced a risk based approach to the winter plan based on the new code of practice.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder welcomed the Plan and thanked officers for the efficient manner in which the service had undertaken its operation during the winter months.

Resolved –

(1)          That the Winter Services Plan 2017-18 be approved and adopted and that a copy of the approved plan be placed on the Council’s website in accordance with the requirements of the revised Code of Practice.

(2)          That the Winter Service Plan 2018-19, which is fully compliant with the recommendations in the revised Code of Practice be presented to Executive prior to the commencement of the winter service 2018-19.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

(Environment & Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

Recommended –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendix relating to the Bradford Odeon on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present,

exempt information within paragraphs 3 and 5 (financial or business affairs and legal privilege)  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 and legal implications of any decision.

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 43479)

Resolved –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Appendix relating to the Bradford Odeon on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within paragraphs 3 and 5 (financial or business affairs and legal privilege)  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 and legal implications of any decision.

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (Document “AM”with NOT FOR PUBLICATION APPENDIX 1) which considers the options available to the Council in securing funding for the proposed refurbishment of the Bradford Odeon.

Recommended –

The Executive is asked to:

(1)       Endorse the risk assessment in the Not For Publication Appendix.

(2)       Endorse  further detailed consideration, with partners, of the      optimal legal and financial structures to develop the Bradford       Odeon.

(3)       Support the principle that the Council provides loan or other      forms of capital to enable the development to proceed

(4)       Support bids to other bodies who are willing to co-fund    development.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Ben Middleton - 01274 439067)

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report (Document “AM”with NOT FOR PUBLICATION APPENDIX 1) which set out the options available to the Council in securing funding for the proposed refurbishment of the Bradford Odeon.

Resolved –

Executive resolved as follows:

(1)       To endorse the risk assessment in the Not for Publication           Appendix to Document ‘AM’.

(2)       To endorse further detailed consideration, with partners, of the optimal legal and financial structure to develop the Bradford         Odeon with their preferred delivery option being Option 2 as set      out in the Not For Publication appendix to Document ‘AM’.

(3)       To support the principle that the Council provides loan or other             forms of capital to enable the development to proceed.

(4)       To support bids to other bodies who are willing to co-fund          development.

(5)       To receive a further report at the earliest opportunity or at its      scheduled meeting on 9 January 2018 on the preferred option and      any other relevant matters.

ACTION:  Strategic Director Corporate Services

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)