(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.

No disclosures of interest in items under consideration were received.

(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 - 01274 434580)

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

documents.

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 - 01274 434580)

Council 12 December 2017 – Petition Car Parking at Oastler Road

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive.

In noting the receipt of the above the Leader requested that a report be presented to the Executive on 6 February and that the petitioners be informed accordingly.

ACTION:        Strategic Director of Place

On 20 June 2017, Executive agreed to a period of consultation until 31 August 2017 with a range of stakeholders on the proposed remodelling of SEND services for children and young people from ages 0-25.

As a result of feedback and responses during this period of consultation, particularly from schools, internal staff teams and national organisations representing children and young people with sensory impairment, the proposals in the previous report to Executive have been changed.

The changes take account of the feedback received in order to:

·         Ensure that the proposals improve the quality of support and provision for all SEND pupils and meet the SEN Improvement Test (See Appendix 1);

·         Ensure that the funding from the Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block (HNB) is used effectively and efficiently to meet the full range of SEND needs across the  0-25 years age range;

·         Specifically, we need an option which both reduces pressure on the High Needs Block and increases specialist places.

The Strategic director children’s Services will present a report (Document “AQ”) which seeks approval for a further period of formal consultation on a revised preferred option for transforming the SEND specialist teaching and support services.

Recommended -

(1)          That the Executive accepts Option 3 as set out in Document “AQ” as the preferred option for consultation.

(2)          Executive is asked to approve a period of consultation from 17 January 2018 to 28 February 2018 with children, young people, families, partners, stakeholders, staff and all interested parties, see Appendix 4 to Document “AQ”.

(3)          That Executive receives a further report in April 2018 following the period of formal consultation.

(Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Judith Kirk 01274 439255)

On 20 June 2017, Executive agreed to a period of consultation until 31 August 2017 with a range of stakeholders on the proposed remodelling of SEND services for children and young people from ages 0-25.

As a result of feedback and responses during this period of consultation, particularly from schools, internal staff teams and national organisations representing children and young people with sensory impairment, the proposals in the previous report to Executive had been changed.

The changes took account of the feedback received in order to:

·         Ensure that the proposals improved the quality of support and provision for all SEND pupils and met the SEN Improvement Test (See Appendix 1);

·         Ensure that the funding from the Dedicated Schools Grant High Needs Block (HNB) was used effectively and efficiently to meet the full range of SEND needs across the  0-25 years age range;

·         Ensure the Council had an option which both reduced pressure on the High Needs Block and increase specialist places.

The Strategic Director Children’s Services presented a report (Document “AQ”) which sought approval for a further period of formal consultation on a revised preferred option for transforming the SEND specialist teaching and support services.

A representative of UNITE attended the meeting and raised the following:

·         There are concerns about the proposed model in the absence of credible evidence in the report.

·         The evidence that the High Needs Block would be reduced by 50% could not be found on the DfE website, only the Council web site.

·         The figures in the Financial Appraisal in Section 5 of Document “AQ” did not add up

·         The Council will still need to find £1m and the budget is still £1.5m over but the Council will have fewer specialist staff.

·         There is no feasibility study in Document “AQ” on how the 30% traded services are likely to be achieved.

·         UNITE was concerned that money saved would be used to support redundancy costs rather than support children with Special Needs. 

·         The appendices to the June 2017 report were not available.

·         The proposals today were revised but there was no explanation of what the feedback back was.  The data on feedback was not published.  Does it back management’s proposals?

·         Proposals on Prevention and Early Help are linked because of the locality model proposed in the report. 

·         In June 2017 no job losses were mentioned.  The proposals today include job losses. UNITE suspect that this is what is behind the proposals.

·         FTE’s (Full time equivalent) equate to more members of staff. 

·         The proposals for Prevention and Early Help equate to axing approximately 500 jobs.  In the preferred option for SEND, 40 FTE are proposed to be cut out of 108 FTE. The union believe this could be as high as 100 staff.

·         Section 8.6.1 of the report states that the proposals were shared with the unions at OJC level 2 in December 2017.  The minutes of the meeting state that there would be 20 -25 job losses.  The numbers are very important for Unions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

The Revenue Support Grant, which includes funding for Council Tax Reduction (CTR), has been subject to year on year reductions; and is expected to reduce further so that by 2020/21 it will cease entirely

The expanded scope of Universal Credit will significantly increase the administrative burden of the current CTR scheme for the Council and will create council tax collection difficulties

Following the decision of Executive (10 October 2017), public consultation on proposed changes to the CTR scheme to reduce cost and mitigate the administrative burden has been undertaken

The report of the Strategic director corporate Services (Document “AN”) sets out the results of that consultation; and makes recommendations to revise the CTR scheme for 2018/19 and that transitional support is put in place to help those that see a significant reduction in their CTR as a consequence of those proposed changes.

Recommended –

That Executive consider and agree the following recommendations to Council –

(1) That the outcome of the public consultation as set out in appendix 1 to Document “AN” is considered and noted

(2) That members have due regard to their responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty and consider the potential impacts of the proposed changes on working age claimants as set out in the Equality Impact Assessment at appendix 3 to Document “AN”

(3) That the following amendments to the current Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme are adopted and take effect from 1 April 2018

(4) That the CTR discretionary support scheme as set out in Appendix 4 to Document “AN” is adopted from 1 April 2018

(Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Martin Stubbs – 01274 432056)

The Revenue Support Grant, which included funding for Council Tax Reduction (CTR), had been subject to year on year reductions; and was expected to reduce further so that by 2020/21 it would cease entirely

The expanded scope of Universal Credit would significantly increase the administrative burden of the current CTR scheme for the Council and would create council tax collection difficulties

Following the decision of Executive (10 October 2017), public consultation on proposed changes to the CTR scheme to reduce cost and mitigate the administrative burden had been undertaken

The report of the Strategic Director Corporate Services (Document “AN”) set out the results of that consultation; and made recommendations to revise the CTR scheme for 2018/19 and that transitional support was put in place to help those that saw a significant reduction in their CTR as a consequence of those proposed changes.

The Strategic Director introduced the report and referred to the responses received to the consultation.  The Equality Impact Assessment identified that people who were disabled would be disproportionally affected by the proposals, however he pointed out that there were measures in place in the Council Tax scheme that sought to provide additional support for disabled claimants and that there was a hardship fund available to that group.  He added that female claimants would also be disproportionally affected and that the hardship fund would also be available to them. 

The Leader pointed out that if the current scheme were unchanged it would cost the Council £37m next year which would equate to 1% of income.  She added that this was not sustainable as by 2020, the Council would receive no Government funding.  The new scheme would reduce by approximately £4m.  She acknowledged the need to protect vulnerable individuals and supported the hardship scheme.

The Strategic Director noted that in talks with Advice Centres they recognised the challenges faced by the Council and understood the reasons for the changes and had helped in developing the mitigation.

The Leader referred to the impact of welfare changes on individuals and  requested that the Strategic Director report to her on steps that could be taken to support individuals affected by the changes.

Resolved –

(1)          That the following recommendations to Council be agreed –

(a) That the outcome of the public consultation as set out in appendix 1 to Document “AN” is considered and noted

(b) That members have due regard to their responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty and consider the potential impacts of the proposed changes on working age claimants as set out in the Equality Impact Assessment at appendix 3 to Document “AN”

(c) That the following amendments to the current Council Tax Reduction (CTR) scheme are adopted and take effect from 1 April 2018

(i) Set the maximum CTR for all working age recipients at 70% of a Band A property for all claimants

(ii) Limit entitlement of CTR to those that qualify for £4.00 or more per week

(iii) Remove the Second Adult  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

The purpose of the report of the Strategic Director Corporate Services (Document “AO”) is to calculate both the Council’s Council Tax and Business Rates bases for 2018-19, which in turn will determine the amount of income the Council will raise locally in 2018-19.

The report is divided into two sections. Section A sets out how the Council Tax Base is calculated. It takes into account the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme, exemptions and discounts and an estimate of the growth in new residential builds. Section B estimates the amount of income that will be generated from Business Rates.

Recommended -

(1)       That the number of band D equivalent properties estimated by the Council as the Council Tax Base for 2018-19 for the whole of the Bradford Metropolitan District is 140,348 as set out in Appendix A1 of Document “AO”.

(2)       The Council Tax Base for 2018-19 for each Local Council is set out in Appendix A3 of Document “AO”.

(3)       That from 1 April 2018, in calculating the Council Tax Base, care leavers up to the age of 21 are exempted from paying Council Tax. This exemption applies up to the end of the financial year in which the care leaver attains the age of 21. Further, care leavers are disregarded for the purpose of assessing the number of adult residents in a property for the calculation of Council Tax. This disregard applies up to the end of the financial year in which the care leaver attains the age of 21.

(4)       The amount estimated by the Council as the Business Rates income for 2018-19 as included on the Council’s NDR1 return (Appendix B1 to Document “AO”) is £129.6m

(5)       Of the total Business Rates income;-

50% is paid to Central Government - £64.7m

1%   is paid to the West Yorkshire Fire Authority - £1.3m

49% is retained by the Council - £63.5m

A further cost of collection allowance is paid to the Council of £0.7m.

(6)       That authority is delegated to the Strategic Director for Corporate Services (or interim Section 151 officer) in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any necessary amendments to the calculation of the Business Rates estimate arising from the completion of the 2018-19 NDR1 form received from the Government and to include the amended figures in the 2018-19 Budget papers for Council.

(Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee)     

(Martin Stubbs – 01284 432065/ Andrew Crookham  - 01274 433656)

The purpose of the report of the Strategic Director Corporate Services (Document “AO”) was to calculate both the Council’s Council Tax and Business Rates bases for 2018-19, which in turn would determine the amount of income the Council would raise locally in 2018-19.

The report was divided into two sections. Section A set out how the Council Tax Base was calculated. It took into account the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme, exemptions and discounts and an estimate of the growth in new residential builds. Section B estimated the amount of income that would be generated from Business Rates.

The Leader noted that Bradford had the lowest band D Council Tax rate in West Yorkshire.  She asked how the anticipated deficit of £0.4m wold be dealt with and was advised that it would be carried forward into 2018-19 and that this had been taken into account in setting the Council Tax base for 2018-19.

The Leader noted with disappointment that the government had not allocated additional funding to adult and children’s social care despite the increasing demand in both areas.  She noted that the Council was minded to increase Council Tax by a further 1% to fund social care and asked about consultation on the proposed increase.  The Strategic Director advised that as the budget consultation was already underway the proposed increase of 1% in Council Tax would be added to the information on the Council Web site in the same way as the previous year.

The Leader pointed out that a 1% increase in Council Tax raised £1.8m in Bradford yet a 1% Council Tax increase in Surrey raised £6m.  She stressed that the Council was determined to keep delivering quality services.  She thanked officers and noted that services were still excellent in many areas.

Resolved -

(1)       That the number of band D equivalent properties estimated by the Council as the Council Tax Base for 2018-19 for the whole of the Bradford Metropolitan District is 140,348 as set out in Appendix A1 of Document “AO”.

(2)       The Council Tax Base for 2018-19 for each Local Council is set out in Appendix A3 of Document “AO”.

(3)       That from 1 April 2018, in calculating the Council Tax Base, care leavers up to the age of 21 are exempted from paying Council Tax. This exemption applies up to the end of the financial year in which the care leaver attains the age of 21. Further, care leavers are disregarded for the purpose of assessing the number of adult residents in a property for the calculation of Council Tax. This disregard applies up to the end of the financial year in which the care leaver attains the age of 21.

(4)       The amount estimated by the Council as the Business Rates income for 2018-19 as included on the Council’s NDR1 return (Appendix B1 to Document “AO”) is £129.6m

(5)       Of the total Business Rates income;-

50% is paid to Central Government - £64.7m

1%   is paid to the West Yorkshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

The report of the Strategic Director of Corporate Services (Document “AP”) proposes a strategy for growing the Council’s sources of income from Council Tax, Business Rates and investment in assets, recommending an Investment Advisory Group is established to oversee activity and manage risks.

Recommended –

(1)          To accept the basic premise underpinning Document “AP”, that targeted activity should be undertaken to grow income from:

(a)  Council Tax

(b)  Business Rates

(c)  Income-generating investment

(2)          To pursue the next steps outlined at Section 8 of Document “AP”.

(Corporate Overview & Scrutiny) (Stuart McKinnon-Evans – 01274 432800)

The report of the Strategic Director of Corporate Services (Document “AP”) proposed a strategy for growing the Council’s sources of income from Council Tax, Business Rates and investment in assets, recommending an Investment Advisory Group was established to oversee activity and manage risks.

The Leader emphasised that Bradford was a city with all the right elements to be successful and that there was a need to stimulate growth and generate more income to spend on public services.

The Director of Corporate Services introduced the report and highlighted the proposals in relation to Council Tax and Business Rates and the establishment of an investment fund.

The Leader noted that the Council had been cautious in the its  investment in assets in the past and that they could be used to generate income and growth in the future.  She referred to the purchase of the NCP car park, Hall Ings which generated an income which was in excess of the mortgage on it and which could be used to spend on local services.

In response to a question from the Leader, the Strategic Director of Corporate Services conjectured that the government may introduce regulations to stop Councils over extending their portfolio and gave an assurance that this Council would not do that and would spread its portfolio appropriately.  He added that a decision would have to be made on whether the Council invested outside the local authority area and that an investment strategy would have to be in place.  As Section 151 officer he stressed the importance of having a prudent investment strategy.

The Leader welcomed the proposal that opposition members would serve on the Investment Group.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder welcomed the proposals as a means of generating income to support services in the future and bring jobs into the district.  He noted the imminent launch of the Economic Strategy which would build on the strengths of the district to unlock growth potential.  He noted that the housing delivery team would help bring forward sites in the district and promote the district as a great place in which to invest.  Unlocking brown field sites would increase Council Tax and support the Core Strategy.

 Resolved –

(1)          That the basic premise underpinning Document “AP” be accepted, that targeted activity should be undertaken to grow income from:

(a)  Council Tax

(b)  Business Rates

(c)  Income-generating investment

(2)          That the next steps outlined at Section 8 of Document “AP” be pursued.

Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION: Strategic Director Corporate Services

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 5 October 2017 attached.

The minutes of the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 5 October 2017 were received.

Recommended –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication Appendix to Document “..” 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.

Resolved –

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication Appendix to Document “AR” on the grounds that it was 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 was considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in allowing the public to remain was outweighed by the public interest in excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceedings for the following reasons:

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

The report of the Strategic Director Corporate Services (Document “AR” which contains a Not for Publication appendix)) will provide an update on Bradford’s city centre regeneration projects including further details in respect of the Bradford Odeon, following on from Executive on 5^th December 2017.

Recommendation -

Members are recommended to note the contents of Document “AR” and the recommendations in the confidential appendix.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Ben Middleton – 01274 439607)

The report of the Strategic Director Corporate Services (Document “AR” which contained a Not for Publication appendix)) provided an update on Bradford’s city centre regeneration projects including further details in respect of the Bradford Odeon, following on from Executive on 5^th December 2017.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder referred to the regeneration projects in the city centre and noted that in the next  3 to 4 years the city centre would be very different.  He was pleased to note the investment that the projects had attracted from partner organisations.

Resolved -

(1)          That the contents of Document “AR” be noted and the recommendations in the confidential appendix be approved as amended.

(2)          That the Chair of the Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee be requested to add the report to the work programme for the 25 January 2018 meeting and it be noted that the report is on the work programme of the Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the 23 January meeting.

Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION: Strategic Director Corporate Services