Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - City Hall, Bradford

Contact: Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel 

Items
No. Item

142.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

(Members Code of Conduct - Part 4A of the Constitution)

 

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

 

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

 

Notes:

 

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

 

(2)       Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

 

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

 

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

 

Minutes:

In the interest of transparency both the Leader and Deputy Leader declared an interest in the item relating to West Yorkshire Devolution (Minute 146),  as they were both Members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The Deputy Leader also declared an interest in the item relating to Community Asset Transfers (Minute 149) as the building he was based at were currently in the process of undertaking a transfer.

ACTION: City Solicitor

 

143.

MINUTES

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June and 7 July 2020 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

 

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the minutes of the meetings held on 9 June and 7 July 2020 be signed as a correct record.

 

144.

INSPECTION OF REPORTS AND BACKGROUND PAPERS

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

 

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

 

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

Minutes:

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

 

145.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE

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

 

 (Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

 

Minutes:

There were no recommendations referred to the Executive.

LEADER OF COUNCIL & CORPORATE

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

146.

WEST YORKSHIRE DEVOLUTION CONSULTATION AND NEXT STEPS pdf icon PDF 324 KB

The Chief Executive will submit a report (Document “BZ”) which provides an update on devolution for West Yorkshire and the progress towards a Mayoral Combined Authority. It considers the outcomes of the recent Devolution consultation managed through West Yorkshire Combined Authority, including responses from across Bradford District. This follows the recent Executive report “Devolution Deal for West Yorkshire – Review of Governance Arrangements (and which proposed the Consultation process) considered on 19th May 2020.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       To consider the Summary of Consultation Responses attached as Appendix 1 to this report and endorse its conclusions.

 

(2)       To agree in principle to the Summary of Consultation Responses and representations set out in Appendix one being submitted to the Secretary of State by 11 September, and to jointly delegate authority to the Managing Director of the Combined Authority, in consultation with the Leader and Chief Executive of each Constituent Council and the Chair of the Combined Authority, to finalise and submit these documents.

 

(3)       To note the updated timetable set out in Appendix 2 to this report and the next steps which are subject to the consent being given by the Constituent Councils and Combined Authority, to the draft Order in November 2020 so that a mayoral combined authority model and associated changes may be adopted and implemented by May 2021, as set out in the Deal.

 

(4)       To refer this report and appendices to Council to consider, provide any comments and endorse the Executive decisions taken.

 

(5)       To resolve that this decision is exempt from call-in on the grounds of urgency, for the reasons set out in paragraph 6.1 of Document “BZ”.

 

Overview & Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

(Phil Witcherley – 01274 431241)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Prior to the consideration of the item, the Leader stated that as the number of positive Covid cases increased in the district and nationally, there was a imperative that everyone remained vigilant about the virus and maintained social distancing, washed their hands frequently and wore face masks in enclosed spaces and when out and about;  and that this required a concerted effort by everyone if we were to reduce the numbers.

The Chief Executive submitted a report (Document “BZ”) which provided an update on devolution for West Yorkshire and the progress towards a Mayoral Combined Authority. It considered the outcomes of the recent Devolution consultation managed through West Yorkshire Combined Authority, including responses from across Bradford District. This follows the recent Executive report “Devolution Deal for West Yorkshire – Review of Governance Arrangements (and which proposed the Consultation process) considered on 19th May 2020.

 

The Leader stated that this devolution deal afforded us with a great opportunity for the district particular in terms of the regeneration possibilities that it would create, driving  economic growth and prosperity.  The Agreement was signed in March with the Chancellor, with a deal worth £38m a year, which was one of the best deals negotiated thus far.  This report would enable us to move to the next steps and complete the process by November, with Council also having oversight over the process.

The Managing Director of the WYCA was present at the meeting and explained the next steps in the devolution process which were detailed in the report, stressing that the respective Councils would have a veto on planning matters.

The Leader of the main opposition group was present at the meeting and stated that that although he welcomed the Deal, people had to be aware of the financial ramifications of such a Deal , including the imposition of a levy and a precept which would see an increase in Council Tax rates once the deal was finalised, as well as a rise in business rates, so the deal had to be looked at in this context.  He also questioned the governance arrangements relating to the Mayoral role, and that effectively 5 elected Council leaders would make decisions affecting the whole region, with a quorum being only three. 

The Leader stated that there would be opposition member representation on the Mayoral Committee as well as Scrutiny Committee oversight.  The Managing Director of the WYCA also stressed that we awaited the finer details and that there was no final decisions that had been made regarding charges etc at this stage.

Another Opposition Member was also present and stated that he was concerned that we do not end up with a Leeds centric position and that the scrutiny role had to be an effective one, to ensure oversight of the decisions that will be made.  The Leader acknowledged the points made, stating that good governance arrangements would be in place to ensure there was effective oversight.

The Deputy Leader thanked the Leader for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 146.

147.

MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY UPDATE, 2020/21 TO 2022/23.THE REPORT ALSO SEPARATELY OUTLINES THE IMMEDIATE NEED FOR THE LOCAL TEST & TRACE SERVICE EXPANSION IN 2020/21 TO HELP MANAGE A REDUCTION IN COVID-19 INFECTIONS; AND AN IMMEDIATE NEED TO DLIVER THE CARE HOME RESILIENCE PLAN pdf icon PDF 337 KB

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “CA”) that sets out the financial envelope for the Council to deliver its key priorities as set out in the revised Corporate Plan.

 

Prior to Covid, the outlook for Council Finances looked significantly healthier than at any point since 2010. The impact of Covid-19 on Council services through additional expenditure and reducing income, coupled with the impact on the wider economy have now altered that outlook for the worse and have added a great deal of additional uncertainty. Additional pressures on Childrens Social Care, the impact of Brexit, and delays to Government reforms of Local Government finance also add further pressures and uncertainties.

 

The revised forecast identifies for planning purposes a financial gap of £47.9m in 2021-22, reducing to c£42.3m in 2022/23.

 

Seperately, the report also recommends approval of immediate funding in 2020/21 for the expansion of the Local Test and Trace service. The £1.6m of funding to derive from £300k of remaining Test & Trace Grant, £380k of Public Health Grant, with the remainder deriving from Council Financial resources in leiu of any additional Government Funding.

The report also recommends approval of immediate funding in 2020/21 for the delivery of the Care Home Resilience plan

 

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       That having considered the Medium Term Financial Strategy as an assessment of the Council’s financial outlook to 2023/24 , and a framework for it to remain financially viable and deliver sustainable public services, in line with its priorities, that Executive recommends the updated and revised Medium Term Financial Strategy at Appendix 1 to Document “CA”.

 

(2)       That the Executive approve the investment of £1.6m into the expansion of the Local Test & Trace service as outlined in Appendix 2 to Document “CA” Option 2. The £1.6m of funding to derive from £300k of remaining Test & Trace Grant, £380k of Public Health Grant, with the remainder deriving from Council Financial resources in leiu of any additional Government Funding.

 

(3)       That the Executive approve the investment of £264k to enable the delivery of the Care Home Resilience Plan, to be funded from Council Financial resources in leiu of any additional Government Funding

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

(Andrew Cross - 07870 386523)

 

Minutes:

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “CA”) that set out the financial envelope for the Council to deliver its key priorities as set out in the revised Corporate Plan.

 

Prior to Covid, the outlook for Council Finances looked significantly healthier than at any point since 2010. The impact of Covid-19 on Council services through additional expenditure and reducing income, coupled with the impact on the wider economy have now altered that outlook for the worse and have added a great deal of additional uncertainty. Additional pressures on Childrens Social Care, the impact of Brexit, and delays to Government reforms of Local Government finance also add further pressures and uncertainties.

 

The revised forecast identified for planning purposes a financial gap of £47.9m in 2021-22, reducing to c£42.3m in 2022/23.

 

Separately, the report also recommended approval of immediate funding in 2020/21 for the expansion of the Local Test and Trace service. The £1.6m of funding to derive from £300k of remaining Test & Trace Grant, £380k of Public Health Grant, with the remainder deriving from Council Financial resources in leiu of any additional Government Funding.

 

During the discussion , the Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder stated that support for Care Homes was crucial, especially as we headed into the winter months, there was an imperative that those in a care setting were not moved during this period ,and thus investment from central government was required to offset such issues.

The Leader stressed that protecting and preserving lives was a key priority during these unprecedented times.

In the area of Children’s Social Care, the Portfolio Holder stressed that demand was increasing, in line with trends seen nationally and that he expected referrals to increase as a consequence, and therefore it was important to maintain the levels of support, in order to safeguard children.

A Conservative Member was present at the meeting and stated that he acknowledged that these were difficult times for the Council’s finances, however he was confident any shortfalls in funding as a result of the pandemic would be met by Government.  He however queried was the line in the report relating to construction inflation as a consequence of Covid.  He also questioned the success of track and trace, and that it needed reviewing as a matter of urgency if it was going to deliver on the numbers.

The Leader stated that Government had left Councils in a very difficult situation and that the shortfall in funding as a consequence of Covid had to be bridged as a matter of urgency.  In relation to track and trace, the Leader commented that again this was a national government responsibility, however if resources were forthcoming a local track and trace would yield much better results as we would be in position to drive it.

The Director of Finance stated that no announcements had been made to date regarding how Government would meet the shortfall in funding as a result of the pandemic, and he also acknowledged that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 147.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES PORTFOLIO

(Councillor Farley)

148.

THE TFD CENTRE EARLY HELP AND PREVENTION ALL AGE HUB pdf icon PDF 158 KB

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document “CB”) which presents the background, model, approach and benefits of an all age Early Help and Prevention hub at the TFD Centre in Holme Wood.   As part of a developing District wide approach across sectors and partners the hub will help build capacity within communities to prevent problems arising, support children, young people, families and adults sooner, and reduce the demand for more costly interventions at a later date. These changes are taking place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and significant reductions in public spending.

 

Recommended –

 

That Executive approve the project and incorporate the financial implications within the capital programme subject to PAG agreeing the capital investment.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

 

Lisa Brett

Phone: (01274) 431610

(Lisa Brett - 01274 431610)

 

 

Minutes:

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a report (Document “CB”) which presented the background, model, approach and benefits of an all age Early Help and Prevention hub at the TFD Centre in Holme Wood.   As part of a developing District wide approach across sectors and partners the hub would help build capacity within communities to prevent problems arising, support children, young people, families and adults sooner, and reduce the demand for more costly interventions at a later date. These changes were taking place against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic and significant reductions in public spending.

 

It was explained that the proposed plan was to develop the TFD Centre in

Holme Wood, Bradford South in to an Early Help and Prevention all age hub.

There is commitment and support from Children’ Services, Adult Services,

Libraries, Neighbourhood Service, Voluntary Sector, adults and children

Disability Service’s and Health providers to co-locate into the newly developed

Hub. The proposed Hub would become the new South Area office for the LA

parenting and family support services whilst accommodating Youth and

Neighbourhood Services staff and co-locating members from the Bradford &

District Care Trust currently based at Holme Wood Health Centre. A

dedicated Medical room will be a base for Midwives and Health Visitors. The

centre has capacity for 44 desks of which all have been accounted for by the

services listed above. The proposals would retain the sports facilities, library

and a café area would be created with a view to establishing a fully

operational community café to increase community cohesion.

                                       

Holme Wood Children Centre would still remain a delivery site. Holme Wood

Children Centre is leased to BHT Early Learning and training. BHT Early

Learning and training is charitable organisation that offers childcare and group

based activities e.g. Baby Massage, Stay and Play.  They offer full day care

and 2/3 year offer places.  This offer would remain in place as it is a valuable

resource to the families in Holmewood.

 

A Ward member was present at the meeting and in welcoming the proposals,

suggested that officers work closely with the Ward Councillors on

the details and delivery of the Hub going forward.

 

The Leader of the Conservative Group was present at the meeting and stated

that although he welcomed the proposal, other development opportunities had

failed to gain planning permission because it was in contravention of the

Holme Wood and Tong Neighbourhood Development Plan, and he urged that

private developers should also be assisted.

 

In response the Leader stated that as an Executive they could not comment

on planning matters, which was a quasi judicial function of the Council.

 

The Childrens and Families Portfolio Holder in welcoming the investment

stated that this would give a significant boost to our early help offer and it was

therefore:

 

Resolved –

 

That the Executive approves the project and incorporates the financial implications within the capital programme, subject to PAG agreeing the capital investment.

 

ACTION: Strategic Director Children’s Services

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services  ...  view the full minutes text for item 148.

REGENERATION, PLANNING & TRANSPORT PORTFOLIO

(Councillor Ross-Shaw)

149.

REVIEW OF THE COUNCIL'S COMMUNITY ASSET TRANSFER POLICY AND ASSETS OF COMMUNITY VALUE PROCESS pdf icon PDF 159 KB

The Community Asset Transfer policy and process was approved by the Executive in 2015 and the Assets of Community Value process was approved by the Executive in 2012.  The Strategic Director Corporate Resources will submit a report (Document “CC”) which sets out proposed changes to update both policies and processes and seeks Executive’s approval to both.

 

In addition, on the 19th March 2019, Full Council requested that the Executive considered four matters regarding Community Asset Transfers, and this report addresses each of the matters raised

 

Recommended –

 

(1)          That the new Community Asset Transfer policy and revised process attached to this report be approved.

 

(2)          That authority be provided to the Strategic Director Corporate Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance and City Solicitor to approve disposals (including any disposals at ‘less than Best Consideration’) under the new Community Asset Transfer policy and revised process.

 

(3)          That the amendments to the Assets of Community Value process are adopted without amendment.

 

(4)          That Executive have considered Full Council’s proposals and determined:

 

·         Not to offer an affordable loan product

·         To enhance the toolkit already provided

·         That the Community Infrastructure Levy cannot be used to provide funding towards Community Asset Transfer Projects or consider Community Asset Transfer requests for Community Infrastructure Levy alongside other requests

·         To improve the community’s awareness of finance options

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration & Environment

 

(Neil Charlesworth – 01274 433622)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

 

The Community Asset Transfer policy and process was approved by the Executive in 2015 and the Assets of Community Value process was approved by the Executive in 2012.  The Strategic Director Corporate Resources submitted a report (Document “CC”) which set out proposed changes to update both policies and processes and seeks Executive’s approval to both.

 

In addition, on the 19th March 2019, Full Council requested that the Executive considered four matters regarding Community Asset Transfers, and the report addressed each of the matters raised.

 

The Assistant Director gave a detailed rationale behind the proposed changes

to the policy and process.

 

A Bingley Ward Councillor was present at the meeting and stated that he

currently had a live community asset transfer with Bingley Pool and suggested

that maintenance of buildings is brought up to date, so that at transfer the

new owners are not left with a huge maintenance bill.

 

In response the Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder

explained that, the Council where feasible, would facilitate repairs, however

this was not always possible, but having said that the Council would actively

engage with any interested groups during the transfer process on such

issues.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)          That the new Community Asset Transfer policy and revised process attached to Document “CC”be approved.

 

(2)          That authority be provided to the Strategic Director Corporate Resources in consultation with the Director of Finance and City Solicitor to approve disposals (including any disposals at ‘less than Best Consideration’) under the new Community Asset Transfer policy and revised process.

 

(3)          That the amendments to the Assets of Community Value process be adopted without amendment.

 

(4)          That Executive have considered Full Council’s proposals determined:

 

·         Not to offer an affordable loan product

·         To enhance the toolkit already provided

·         That the Community Infrastructure Levy cannot be used to provide funding towards Community Asset Transfer Projects or consider Community Asset Transfer requests for Community Infrastructure Levy alongside other requests

·         To improve the community’s awareness of finance options

 

ACTION: Strategic Director Corporate Resources

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration & Environment

 

 

150.

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

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

 

Recommended –

 

That the recommendations set out in Not for Publication Document “” be approved.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

                                                        (Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That consideration of this matter be deferred to a future meeting.

 

ACTION: Director of Finance

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate