(i)        The following Elected Members have been granted dispensations under the Localism Act 2011 in relation to their declared Disclosable Pecuniary Interests relating to employment, sponsorship and land.

 

EMPLOYMENT

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

SPONSORSHIP

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Duffy

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

LAND

Councillor Duffy

Councillor Ferriby

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

TENANCY

Councillor Duffy

 

(ii)       The following members disclosed a personal interest in the item on the agenda relating to the Budget 2022-23 and of the nature and description indicated by each category:

 

Members with a spouse, partner or close relative in the employment of the Council

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Members employed by or who have a spouse, partner or close relative employed by a voluntary organisation/public body funded by the Council.

Councillor Duffy

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Members who occupied land or who had a spouse, partner or relative who did or who were directors of companies or sat on the management committee of an organisation that occupies land under a lease or licence granted by the Council.

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Members of other public authorities.

Airedale Partnership

Councillor Ross Shaw

 

Arts Council North

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Bradford Economic Partnership

Cllr Hinchcliffe

Cllr Ross-Shaw

 

Bradford Partnership (Safeguarding)

Councillor Duffy

 

City Regions Board (LGA)

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Key Cities

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Leeds Bradford International Airport – Consultative Committee

Councillor Cunningham

 

Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Nell Bank Outdoor Education Centre

Councillor Ferriby

 

Northern Acceleration Council

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Rail North

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Sir Titus Salt Trust

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Transport for the North

Councillor Hinchcliffe (alternate for the WY Mayor)

 

University of Bradford - Court

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan (alternate)

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Culture, Arts, and Creative Industries Committee

Councillor Sarah Ferriby

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Inclusive Growth and Public Policy Committee

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Finance, Resources, and Corporate Committee

 Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan (alternate)

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business, Economy and Innovation Committee

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business Investment Panel

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Employment Skills Committee

Councillor Imran Khan

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Governance and Audit

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan (alternate)

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee

Councillor Ferriby

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Leeds City Region Partnership Committee

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan (alternate)

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Place, Regeneration and Housing Committee

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Vision Zero Board

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

West Yorkshire Employers Association

Councillor Duffy

 

West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee

Councillor Duffy

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Imran Khan

 

Yorkshire Leaders Board

Councillor Hinchcliffe

 

Yorkshire Libraries and Information

Councillor Ferriby

 

Parish Councillors

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Members who sit on the management committee/ trustee of a voluntary organisation in receipt of Council Funding

Councillor Ferriby

Councillor Hinchcliffe

Councillor Jabar

Councillor Imran Khan

Councillor Ross-Shaw

 

Members who are members of a Council funded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

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

 

There were no recommendations to the Executive.

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

The report of the Director of Finance (Document ”BC”) provides Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Estimates for 2022/23.

 

Recommended –

 

That the recommendations contained in Document “BC” be approved.

 

(Andrew Cross – 07870386523)

The report of the Director of Finance (Document ”BC”) provided Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Estimates for 2022/23.  An addendum to Document “BC” reflecting the final Government Settlement Council Document “E” was circulated to members and published following the publication of the agenda.  A further updated Council Document “E” was tabled at the meeting.

 

The Director of Finance noted that there were no new redundancies or cuts to services arising from the proposals.  He added that the final Government Settlement had resulted in a reduced call on reserves to balance the budget and that the additional funds would be allocated to Children’s and Adult’s Social care reserves.

 

The Leader thanked officers and noted that the spending power of the authority was half of that 10 years ago.  She added that there was an expectation from Government that Council Tax should increase and that she was aware of the effect on Council Tax payers.  She noted that for 2022-23 a one off payment of £50 per eligible recipient had been made to the Council Tax Hardship Scheme.  She clarified that the £150 off Council Tax announced by Government to offset increases in fuel bills would be sent to each eligible household via electronic banking and would not reduce Council Tax bills and that guidance from Government was awaited.

 

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder welcomed the allocation of reserves to Children’s Social Care.  She noted that pressure on Social Care was immense and awaited the results of the McAllister review into social care funding.  She looked forward to working with the Commissioner as he took up his post.

 

The Health People and Places Portfolio Holder thanked officers and staff and stressed the need to support the growing elderly population of the district to enable them to live happy and healthy lives in their own home.

 

The Leader congratulated the Bradford Home Support Team on retaining its outstanding CQC judgement.

 

Resolved that the following recommendations to Council be approved:

 

(1)         REVENUE ESTIMATES2022/23

 

(a)      That the Base Revenue Forecast of £388.498m for 2022/23 be approved as set out in this report.

 

(b)      That the recurring investment proposals of £604k in 2022/23 as set out in Appendix C beapproved.

 

(c)      That the existing pressures of £10.5m in 2022/23 as set out in Appendix E beapproved.

 

(d)      That the one off investment of £1.6m in 2022/23 as set out in Appendix F be approved.

 

(e)      That the prior agreed savings in Appendix G be noted and the amendment to previous budget decisions totalling £350k in 2022/23 as set out in Appendix H be approved.

 

(f)        That it be noted that within the revenue budget there is a net use of £3.626m in revenue reserves in 2022/23, and the creation of a Social Care reserve of £10.024m to be funded by £13.650m of reserves as set out in Appendix I.

 

(g)      That the comments of Director of Finance set out in the Section 151 Officer’s Assessment of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “BD”) seeks Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2022/23 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

 

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

It is recommended that the Executive asks Council to:

 

a)    Accept and approve the proposals for the allocation of the 2022/23 Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in this report.

 

b)   Approve the total amount of £665.617m to be appropriated in respect of all schools covered by the Bradford Scheme for the Local Management of Schools, so as to establish the Individual Schools Budget for 2022/23.

 

 (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “BD”) sought Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2022/23 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

 

In presenting the Schools Budget, The Business Advisor, Schools Funding stated that the recommendations set out were fully supported by the Schools Forum. He went onto detail the specific aspects of the schools’ budget, including the allocations made within the different sectors which were detailed in the report.  He noted that, as a result of spending decisions in previous years, there was a surplus which would be used to support pressures going forward.  He added that there has been a substantial increase in High Needs Block funding between 2020-2022, alongside increases in the numbers of children and young people with EHCPs and in the number of specialist places. He explained that, though future year funding was uncertain, uplift to High Needs Block was expected to slow, whilst increases in the number of children and young people with EHCPs, and in the demand for specialist places, were forecasted to continue. 

 

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder thanked officers and the Schools Forum for their work in putting together the budget.  He noted that the SEND provision was in a better position than in 2017-18 due to prudent financial planning, which demonstrated the Council’s commitment to making the best possible provision for children with SEND.

 

The Leader thanked the Chair and Schools Forum for all their work on the budget.

 

 

Resolved that the Executive asks Council to:

 

a)    Accept and approve the proposals for the allocation of the 2022/23 Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in this report.

 

b)   Approve the total amount of £665.617m to be appropriated in respect of all schools covered by the Bradford Scheme for the Local Management of Schools, so as to establish the Individual Schools Budget for 2022/23.

 

 (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

 

ACTION: Director of Finance

 

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “BE”) presents in Section A the Council’s Capital Investment Plan 2022-23 to 2025-26.

 

Section B presents an updated Capital Strategy for 2022-23. This strategy underpins the spending proposals within the Capital Investment Plan.

 

Section C presents the Investment Strategy for 2022-23.

 

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       Executive is asked to note the contents of this report and to have regard to the information contained within this report when considering the recommendations to make to Council on the CIP for 2022-23.

 

(2)       That commitments against reserve schemes and contingencies can only be made after a business case has been assessed by Project Appraisal Group and approved by Executive.

 

(3)       that delegated authority is given to Section 151 Officer to repay debt on an annuity basis, for chosen properties purchased during or after 2018-19. Delegated authority could only be exercised if two conditions are met:

                        1. the asset retains or increases its value;

        2. the return from the capital scheme is sufficient to repay the capital sum invested.

 

(4)       That the proposed 2022-23 Minimum Revenue Policy set out in Appendix 2 to Document “BE” is approved

 

(5)       That specific approval be given for the following schemes previously approved by Executive to commence following a detailed review by Project Appraisal Group:

 

·         The 2022-23 Property Programme has a proposed total cost of £4m and this will be funded by the £2m allocated and an additional £2m.

·         Baildon Library – The £1.445m scheme is for the relocation of Baildon Library from Ian Clough Hall. The scheme will be funded by corporate borrowing and generate c£1m in corporate capital receipts.

 

 (Lynsey Simenton  - 01274 434232)

 

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “BE”) presented in Section A the Council’s Capital Investment Plan 2022-23 to 2025-26.  Section B presented an updated Capital Strategy for 2022-23. This strategy underpinned the spending proposals within the Capital Investment Plan. Section C presented the Investment Strategy for 2022-23.

 

Members were advised that capital spending was to increase as was projected borrowing, however traditionally the authority had under borrowed so the Council has scope to borrow for this.

 

The Leader referred to the need to ensure regeneration of the district to attract high value jobs and that the Council needed to play its part as well as Government in moving ahead with Northern Powerhouse Rail.

 

The Regeneration and Environment Portfolio Holder thanked officers and was pleased to note the number of regeneration projects in the district such as the Conditioning House that had been delivered; One City Park for which planning permission had been applied; Darley Street Market and Bradford Live which were both on site.  He noted that business cases were being prepared for submission to Government for the Towns fund in Shipley and Keighley.  He also referred to the Wellbeing Hub in Keighley, Bradford Beck regeneration and the Baildon Library relocation which was a key development for the centre of Baildon and would provide a wider stimulus effect for the whole of Baildon.

 

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       Executive note the contents of Document “BE” and to have regard to the information contained within this report when considering the recommendations to make to Council on the CIP for 2022-23.

 

(2)       That commitments against reserve schemes and contingencies can only be made after a business case has been assessed by Project Appraisal Group and approved by Executive.

 

(3)       That delegated authority is given to Section 151 Officer to repay debt on an annuity basis, for chosen properties purchased during or after 2018-19. Delegated authority could only be exercised if two conditions are met:

                        1. the asset retains or increases its value;

        2. the return from the capital scheme is sufficient to repay the capital sum invested.

 

(4)       That the proposed 2022-23 Minimum Revenue Policy set out in Appendix 2 to Document “BE” is approved

 

(5)       That specific approval be given for the following schemes previously approved by Executive to commence following a detailed review by Project Appraisal Group:

 

·         The 2022-23 Property Programme has a proposed total cost of £4m and this will be funded by the £2m allocated and an additional £2m.

·         Baildon Library – The £1.445m scheme is for the relocation of Baildon Library from Ian Clough Hall. The scheme will be funded by corporate borrowing and generate c£1m in corporate capital receipts.

 

 (Lynsey Simenton  - 01274 434232)

 

ACTION: Director of Finance

 

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “BF”) assesses the robustness of the proposed budget for 2022/23, the adequacy of forecast levels of reserves and associated risks. 

 

It concludes that the estimates are sufficiently robust for the Council to set the budget. 

 

The report also provides commentary on the financial resilience of the Council over the medium term and the level of reserves held.

 

 

Recommended -

 

That Members have regard to this report in setting the budget, and in particular note the conclusions that:

 

• the estimates presented to Council are sufficiently robust

 

• the reserves are adequate for the 2022/23 proposed budget

 

·         the projected corporate reserves, on current estimates, are adequate in the medium term, subject to the implementation of the rest of the proposed financial plan

 

·         the Medium Term Financial Strategy will be updated and reported to Executive as clarity on future local government funding is received.  

 

As with all budgets there is the potential for amendments to be proposed/agreed which could change the overall package of proposals. In that respect, it should be highlighted that this statement would be amended or added to if a decision was proposed that lead to the Council’s reserves falling below their recommended level. In addition, any other amendments would be considered against the scale of the overall budget and depending upon the extent and nature, may result in a revised statement.

 

 

(Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “BF”) assessed the robustness of the proposed budget for 2022/23, the adequacy of forecast levels of reserves and associated risks.  It concluded that the estimates are sufficiently robust for the Council to set the budget.  The report also provided commentary on the financial resilience of the Council over the medium term and the level of reserves held.

 

The Director of Finance advised members that he had high levels of assurance regarding the robustness of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.  He added that all assumptions behind the figures had been scrutinised and tested.  He confirmed the adequacy of reserves for critical areas that would be drawn on in the future.  He noted that £22.4m had been put aside to meet rising inflationary costs. He referred to the post Covid impact on revenue streams such as parking, and theatres; and higher costs and demands for services.  He added that reserves had been earmarked for Children’s Social Care and that this would be kept under review.  He stressed that there had been no new budget reductions and that he was assured that the appropriate processes were in place with a management team experienced in budget processes.  He was assured that critical issues had been highlighted and discussed at the Chief Executive’s Management Team and that Executive was kept informed as appropriate.

 

 

The Leader thanked the Director of Finance and his team and noted the common concerns nationally.

 

 

Resolved -

 

That Members have regard to Document “BF” in setting the budget, and in particular note the conclusions that:

 

• the estimates presented to Council are sufficiently robust

 

• the reserves are adequate for the 2022/23 proposed budget

 

·         the projected corporate reserves, on current estimates, are adequate in the medium term, subject to the implementation of the rest of the proposed financial plan

 

·         the Medium Term Financial Strategy will be updated and reported to Executive as clarity on future local government funding is received. 

 

As with all budgets there is the potential for amendments to be proposed/agreed which could change the overall package of proposals. In that respect, it should be highlighted that this statement would be amended or added to if a decision was proposed that lead to the Council’s reserves falling below their recommended level. In addition, any other amendments would be considered against the scale of the overall budget and depending upon the extent and nature, may result in a revised statement.

 

 

(Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

 

ACTION: Director of Finance