(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.

In the interest of transparency Councillor Ross-Shaw disclosed an interest in the items relating to Prevention and Early Help (Minute 116) and SEND Specialist Teaching  Support Services (Minute 117) as his family member worked in a school.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 February and 6 March 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Jill Bell - 01274 434580)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 February and 6 March 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(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.

Council 20 March 2018

(1)          Petition - Bradford Families Against Children’s Services Cuts

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive

(2)          Petition - Proposed reduction to SEND specialist teaching support teams

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive

(3)          Petition - Support all Bradford Schools facing cuts to their SEND services

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive

(4)          Petition - CCTV in Ilkley

Resolved –

That the petition be referred to the Executive

NOTE: The receipt of the above recommendations was noted and the Leader advised that (1), (2) and (3) would be considered in the meeting with the reports on 0-19 Prevention and Early Help and Proposals to Restructure SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services.  The Leader requested that (4) be the subject of a report to the next meeting of the Executive. 

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place for a further report on petition 4

On 7 November 2017 the Executive considered a report of the Strategic director of children’s Services that outlined the proposal to create a new 0-19 Prevention and Early Help service which would work across the District.  This new service would bring together a range of existing services to form a new set of preventative arrangements for children, young people and families.  By working in a more coordinated way with partners and communities, the new arrangements would deliver more effective and efficient ways of whole family and community based working.

The Council held extensive public consultation on a proposed preferred model between 15 November 2017 and 12 February 2018.  Peopletoo were commissioned to provide an independent analysis of the consultation feedback.

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “BI”) sets out the Council’s final Family Hub model taking on board some changes arising from the consultation feedback. 

Executive is asked to approve this Family Hub model taking into account the analysis of the public consultation, changes made to increase front-line delivery and an updated Equalities Impact Assessment.

Recommended -

(1)           That the Executive, approves the Family Hub model of co-produced service delivery for prevention and early help and to the implementation of this model as per the timeline set out in Document “BI”.

(2)          That Executive agrees to the Strategic Director of Children’s, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, producing a detailed plan on the best collective use of buildings across the Council, key partners and communities so we can sustain as much funding into frontline workers by 2020/21 which would be subject to further consultation as required.

(Judith Kirk – 01274 431078)

On 7 November 2017 the Executive considered a report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services that outlined the proposal to create a new 0-19 Prevention and Early Help service which would work across the District.  This new service would bring together a range of existing services to form a new set of preventative arrangements for children, young people and families.  By working in a more coordinated way with partners and communities, the new arrangements would deliver more effective and efficient ways of whole family and community based working.

The Council held extensive public consultation on a proposed preferred model between 15 November 2017 and 12 February 2018.  Peopletoo were commissioned to provide an independent analysis of the consultation feedback.

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “BI”) set out the Council’s final Family Hub model taking on board some changes arising from the consultation feedback.  Executive was asked to approve this Family Hub model taking into account the analysis of the public consultation, changes made to increase front-line delivery and an updated Equalities Impact Assessment.

The Strategic Director acknowledged the level of concern regarding the proposed reduction in the workforce and referred to the wide level of engagement and work undertaken with key partners.  He highlighted the need to focus on people, relationships and service provision and noted that as much funding as possible would be released from buildings to support this.  He advised that an additional £1m transitional funding had been allocated to support Early Help; that reductions had been made in the management structure; that the proposed workforce had been increased from 197 to 246 FTE and that the number of key workers had been strengthened.  He was confident that this was the best model given the available finance and opportunities would be sought to continue development of the service, for example, work would be undertaken with schools and GPs to develop the offer .

A member attended the meeting and spoke against the proposals for both Early Help and SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services which he stated would both affect vulnerable people in need of help.  He was concerned that the proposals would have far reaching consequences in the future with individuals failing to reach their potential.  He added that the skills and experience of existing staff would be lost which would not be regained even if  additional funding was secured.  He added that early intervention saved money and avoided other issues escalating later on.  He urged the Executive members to consider the effect of the proposals.

The Leader referred to the context in which the proposals were being considered and stated that due to Government cuts the Council was half the size it had been 10 years ago with £183m of Government funding in 2013-14 being reduced to nil by 2020.  She added that the Council was having to make difficult decisions because of the austerity measures imposed by the Government on Local Authorities.

A representative of UNITE the Union  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “BJ”) requested the Executive to approve the final model for transforming the SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services taking into account the analysis of consultation representations, an updated Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) and SEN Improvement Test.

Recommended –

That the Executive having considered the consultation responses (Appendix 3) and the Equalities Impact Assessment (Appendix 4) and SEN Improvement Test (Appendix 2) approves the proposed model to restructure SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services into one 0-25 Inclusive Education Service to include two teams supporting high occurring special needs and low occurring special needs children and young people, and agrees to the implementation of this model as per the timeline set out in Document “BJ”.

(Judith Kirk – 01274 439255)

A proposed model to transform SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services was first presented to the Executive in June 2017.  As a result of feedback and responses during consultation particularly from schools, parents, internal staff teams and national organisations the proposals were revisited and changed.

The growing population of children and young people in Bradford including those children and young people with SEND and the increased complexity of special needs had led to an increased demand for SEND specialist services and places for children and young people with SEND.

Following the announcement from Central Government in September 2017 regarding the introduction of a National Funding Formula (NFF) from April 2018, Bradford would only gain £7.5m and not £15m which was indicated in the previous national consultation on the NFF. The impact of this was significant with the High Needs Block (HNB) spending forecasted to exceed what is available by approximately £2m per year for the next four years. 

On the 9 January 2018, three options including a preferred model for a restructured SEND Specialist Teaching Support Service was presented to Executive for consideration.  Executive agreed to a further period of public consultation on the revised preferred model. 

Peopletoo was commissioned to provide an independent analysis of the consultation feedback.  The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “BJ”) summarised the results from that consultation and set out for approval a refined model for Specialist Teaching Support Services resulting from the representations made during consultation.

The Executive was requested to approve the final model for transforming the SEND Specialist Teaching Support Services taking into account the analysis of consultation representations, an updated Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) and SEN Improvement Test.

The Chair of the Schools Forum who was also the Head teacher of Swain House Primary School attended the meeting.  She explained that the Schools Forum had been concerned about  SEN funding for a number of years and in 2016 had reached an agreement to transfer money from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block but that it had not been possible to do the same this year.  She added that the Schools Forum had looked at costs, how to get value for money and items that were double funded through schools and the High Needs Block.

The former Chair of the Schools Forum who was the head teacher of Southfields Special School attended the meeting.  He noted that there had been in excess of 25% growth in demand for SEN in the last three years but that funding in the High Needs Block did not match the increase in SEN.  He added that the Schools Forum had been working with officers to deal with this.  He explained that as funding could not be moved from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block this time the Forum recommended making efficiencies.  He stressed that the proposals from the Schools Forum did not equate to cuts, but how best to provide places for children with SEN using the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “BK”) asks the Executive to approve:

The outlined short term special school proposals

• 116 Additional proposed maintained special school places

The outlined permanent Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) proposals

• 54 Additional proposed Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) places in maintained schools

The outlined permanent Early Years Enhanced Specialist Provision (EYESP) proposals

• 28 Additional proposed 0.6 Early Years Enhanced Specialist Provision (EYESP) places

Recommended -

(1)       It is recommended that the Executive:

(2)       Approve the proposal to increase the number of places for pupils at Chellow Heights Special School by increasing the pupil numbers from 200 to 248 with effect from 16 April 2018 onwards (subject to the proposed capital building programme and the granting of planning permission)

(3)       Approve the proposal to increase the number of places for pupils at Delius Special School by increasing the pupil numbers from 124 to 148 with effect from 1 September 2018 onwards (subject to the proposed capital building programme and the granting of planning permission)

(4)       Approve the proposal to increase the number of places for pupils at Beechcliffe Special School by increasing the pupil numbers from 114 to 144 with effect from 16 April 2018 onwards (subject to the proposed capital building programme and permissions)

(5)       Approve the proposal to increase the number of places for pupils at Oastlers School by increasing the pupil numbers from 80 to 94 with effect from 16 April 2018 onwards

(6)       Approve the proposal to establish DSP at Crossley Hall Primary School with up to 12 places for primary aged children and young people with communication and interaction needs including autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) with effect from 1 September 2018 onwards

(7)       Approve the proposal to increase the existing DSP at Crossflatts Primary School for primary aged children and young people with communication and interaction needs including autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) from 12 places to 16 places, with effect from 16 April 2018 onwards

(8)       Approve the proposal to increase the existing DSP at The Holy Family Catholic School for secondary aged children and young people with communication and interaction needs including autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) from 12 places to 16 places, with effect from 16 April 2018 onwards

(9)       Approve the proposal to increase the existing DSP at Titus Salt School for secondary aged children and young people with cognition and learning needs from 16 places to 30 places, with effect from 16 April 2018 onwards (subject to the proposed capital building programme and the granting of planning permission)

(10)     Approve the proposal to establish DSP  at Long Lee Primary School with up to 10 places for primary aged children and young people with social emotional and mental health needs (SEMH) with effect from 16 April 2018 onwards (subject to the proposed capital building programme)

(11)     Approve the proposal to establish DSP at Cottingley Village Primary School with up to 10 places  for primary aged children and young people with social emotional and mental health  ...  view the full agenda text for item 118.

The Local Authority had a statutory duty to keep under review the specialist provision it makes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Whilst also ensuring there were sufficient specialist places available to meet the needs of the growing SEND population.

Under Part 1 of Bradford’s SEND Review that commenced in July 2016

schools and academies, in partnership with the Local Authority, mapped current provision across the District and identified a need for additional specialist places. The Schools Forum agreed to fund the additional places from the High Needs Block and commissioned an additional 400 specialist places across SEND and Behaviour.

Bradford’s long term plan was to deliver 300 of these additional places through the opening of 2 new Generic SEND Free Schools and for the remaining places to be provided in Designated Specialist Provisions across the District.

However the Local Authority could no longer open new maintained schools, therefore the only way additional places could be created was via the routes below:

·         Maintained schools can seek approval from Executive to increase specialist places by way of expansion

·         Maintained schools converting to an academy and increasing their published admission number at the point of conversion with approval from the Department for Education (DfE)

·         Academies are able to increase specialist places by expanding with the approval of the Department for Education (DfE)

As there was no clarification from the DfE on the funding of the Generic SEND Free Schools, the Local Authority had to move forward with the proposed transient delivery plan. This would ensure the needs of children and young people could be met until the DfE approved the two Generic SEND Free Schools.  The first two tranches of development could be seen in the proposals outlined within the report and further work was being carried out to address the remaining shortfall of specialist places.

The Capital works required to deliver all of the proposed additional places outlined in the report would be funded through an agreed amount of £4m from the Local Authority’s Basic Need Allocation.

In addition Bradford was successful in its bid to establish a 72 place LA commissioned Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Free School through the Free School Programme.

The report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “BK”) asked the Executive to approve:

The outlined short term special school proposals for 116 Additional proposed maintained special school places

The outlined permanent Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) proposals for 54 Additional proposed Designated Specialist Provision (DSP) places in maintained schools

The outlined permanent Early Years Enhanced Specialist Provision (EYESP) proposals for 28 Additional proposed 0.6 Early Years Enhanced Specialist Provision (EYESP) places

The Leader referred to the point raised by a parent under the previous item (Minute 117) that it was preferable that children with SEN be educated in a mainstream setting rather than a specialist unit.  The Strategic Director confirmed that the assessment process for EHCP would take account of the needs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

The report of the Assistant Director of Finance (Document “BL” ) 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 -

(1)          That the Executive note the contents of Document “BL”  and the actions to be taken to manage the closure of the Council’s financial position for 2017-18.

(2)        That in preparing the Final Accounts the Assistant Director Finance & Procurement be authorised to take appropriate steps to secure the best advantage for the Council's financial position.

(Andrew Cross – 01274 436823)

The report of the Assistant Director of Finance (Document “BL” ) 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 forecast the financial position at the year end. It stated the Council’s current balances and reserves and forecast school balances for the year. 

The Leader thanked members and officers on achieving a balanced budget in what had been a difficult process.  However, she noted that there were still overspends in Children’s Social Care and Adult Social Care and  stressed the importance of growing the economy of the District.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder referred to the rising demand for Children’s Social Care which was a national issue and the challenge in the 2017-18 budget to deliver £20.2m savings in Adult Social Care.  She stressed the need to continue to put pressure on Government to ensure that funding for Children’s Social Care and Adults Social Care in the district was adequate.

Resolved -

(1)          That the contents of Document “BL”  and the actions to be taken to manage the closure of the Council’s financial position for 2017-18 be noted.

(2)       That in preparing the Final Accounts the Assistant Director Finance & Procurement be authorised to take appropriate steps to secure the best advantage for the Council's financial position.

ACTION: Assistant Director Finance & Procurement

Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “BM”) details revised policies and procedures that are to be adopted by the Network Resilience and Management Team in relation to Highway Enforcement and Operational Matters from 1^st April 2018

Recommended –

(1)       That Executive approves the initial Highway Enforcement Policy Documents with effect from the proposed implementation date of 1^st April 2018

(2)       That responsibility for the determination and adoption of additional future enforcement policies and the alteration/adaptation of previously approved policies is delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport and the City Solicitor.

(Darren Badrock - 01274 437420)

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “BM”) detailed revised policies and procedures that were to be adopted by the Network Resilience and Management Team in relation to Highway Enforcement and Operational Matters from 17 April 2018

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder referred to the examples of enforcement issues highlighted in the report and noted that they would be able to be dealt with more effectively with the policy in place. 

The Environment, Sport and Culture Portfolio Holder referred to problems of fly tipping next to clothing banks and welcomed the proposed policy which would assist in the enforcement process.

Resolved –

(1)       That the initial Highway Enforcement Policy Documents contained in Document “BM” be approved with effect from the proposed implementation date of 17 April 2018

(2)       That responsibility for the determination and adoption of additional future enforcement policies and the alteration/adaptation of previously approved policies is delegated to the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport and the City Solicitor.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place

Environment & Waste Management Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “BN”)sets out changes in the Department for Transport’s approach to Street Works and seeks Executive’s approval to modify the existing permit scheme in order to adopt an all streets scheme.

Recommended -

(1)       That the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Housing, Planning and Transport, be given delegated authority:

a.    To consult all relevant stakeholders, including local Ward Councillors, in relation to the arrangements for the implementation of an All Street Permit Scheme in the Bradford District.

b.    That following completion of the aforesaid consultation, to approve the details of the operation and scope of an All Street Permit Scheme and the making of relevant legal orders - in conjunction with the City Solicitor - to implement the scheme at the earliest possible opportunity and no later than 1^st April 2019.

c.    To develop and implement any future street works management methods and systems proposed by DfT

(2)       That the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Housing, Planning and Transport be granted delegated authority to approve and implement the financial aspects of any scheme.

                                                                        (Darren Badrock – 01274 437420)

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “BN”)set out changes in the Department for Transport’s approach to Street Works and sought Executive’s approval to modify the existing permit scheme in order to adopt an all streets scheme.

It was noted that in the 2016/17 financial year approximately £0.5m had been saved to the local economy that equated to 40,944 of hours delay saved and that these effects should increase as the scheme was rolled out.

Resolved -

(1)       That the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, be given delegated authority:

a.    To consult all relevant stakeholders, including local Ward Councillors, in relation to the arrangements for the implementation of an All Street Permit Scheme in the Bradford District.

b.    That following completion of the aforesaid consultation, to approve the details of the operation and scope of an All Street Permit Scheme and the making of relevant legal orders - in conjunction with the City Solicitor - to implement the scheme at the earliest possible opportunity and no later than 1^st April 2019.

c.    To develop and implement any future street works management methods and systems proposed by DfT

(2)       That the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Assistant Director Finance and Procurement and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport be granted delegated authority to approve and implement the financial aspects of any scheme.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place

Environment & Waste Management Overview & Scrutiny Committee