(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 must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

(2)       Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(3)       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. 

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

No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

ACTION: City Solicitor

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

The Executive received the following recommendation from the Bradford South Area Committee meeting held on 8 and 29 September 2022 regarding the Bradford South Locality Plan 2022-25:

That the Executive be requested to review how the Council can           

better integrate its services to prioritise delivery of the Locality Plan within Bradford South as well as in other locality plan areas.

Note: In receiving the above recommendation the Leader stated that the Executive would agree with the sentiments expressed in the recommendation, adding that the additional resources that had been put into Neighbourhoods would assist in the delivery of the Locality Plan and that the role of the Area Coordinator was also crucial in this aspect.

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

As part of the Council-wide programme of ‘Strengthening Locality Working’, the Neighbourhood Service is working with other Council services and partner agencies, to develop five Locality Plans, one for each constituency that make up the Bradford District. 

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “R”) which sets out the Bradford South Locality Plan, and the associated Ward Plans, for 2022-25.

Recommended –

That the Executive:

(1)       Review and recommend any amendments to the draft Bradford South Locality Plan 2022-25, as set out in Appendix A to Document “R”.

(2)       Agree that the Bradford South Area Co-ordinator and Chair of Bradford South Area Committee, presents a progress report to the Executive in 12 months, setting out the progress and achievements made for each of the priorities detailed in the Bradford South Locality Plan 2022-25.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health and Social Care

(Ishaq Shafiq - 01274 431155)

As part of the Council-wide programme of ‘Strengthening Locality Working’, the Neighbourhood Service was working with other Council services and partner agencies, to develop five Locality Plans, one for each constituency that make up the Bradford District. 

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “R”) which set out the Bradford South Locality Plan, and the associated Ward Plans, for 2022-25.

The Chair of the Bradford South Area Committee was present at the meeting and he thanked the area office for their hard work in drafting the Plan, as well as local residents for their input.  He stressed that the Plan was a live document that will evolve as new priorities emerge, and it was important that we learn the lessons on how we can better engage and consult in the future.  The main issues identified in the Plan centred around anti-social behaviour and traffic and highways, adding that although the south area did not have an identified town or district centre, a strong village identity existed and residents were keen to see that they remained vibrant centres.  A number of large companies were also situated in the area and these companies should be given the appropriate support from the Council, in order to unlock the job potential for those living in the area. Support should also be afforded to small businesses so that they remain viable and bolster the local economy. The issue of quad bikes remained a pertinent issue across south and the Council needed to continue to work with the Police, as well as with our health partners to improve on dementia services and make improvements on the overall health of local residents.

The Healthy People and Place Portfolio Holder also extended her thanks to officers in devising the Plan and she acknowledged the points made by the Area Committee Chair, adding that the addition of Low Moor station had created good transport links to Leeds and London, and in turn this had improved business connectivity and opportunities for existing and new businesses in the area.  Wyke sporting village continued to provide a good offer, enhancing and regenerating the area further, and with the excellent transport links, would only go to make the area more viable in the future.

The Neighbourhoods and Community Safety Portfolio Holder added that the additional investment in Neighbourhoods would go to strengthen locality and partnership working.

The Assistant Director Neighbourhoods commented that a real energy had been seen through renewed partnership working across a number of organisations including fire and rescue and health colleagues on shared priorities and joint working, which would be further strengthened through the Locality Plan.

The Leader thanked the Area Committee Chair, adding that in tackling the plethora of issues identified, one of the main needs was for more police officers on the ground, as Neighbourhood Policing was crucial to effective localities working and reducing crime.

Resolved –

That the Bradford South Area Co-ordinator and Chair of Bradford South Area Committee, presents a progress report to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 153.

The Strategic Director of Corporate Resources will submit a report (Document “S”) which sets out the decision made by the Executive in July 2016 to dispose of the former playing field at Elliott Street, Silsden, in conjunction with the Executive considering the petition received regarding the future use of the site.

Recommended –

It is recommended that Option 3 set out in Document “S” is progressed thus allowing the majority of the Elliott St pitch to be retained for the benefit of the local community, whilst still providing a small area of land for much needed housing.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Alistair Russell - 07973 885399)

The Strategic Director Corporate Resources submitted a report (Document “S”) which set out the decision made by the Executive in July 2016 to dispose of the former playing field at Elliott Street, Silsden, in conjunction with the Executive considering the petition received regarding the future use of the site.

Following consultation, It was being proposed that a more modest residential development is progressed, thus allowing much of the Elliott St pitch to be retained as public open space for the benefit of the local community. This strategy would still contribute a capital receipt, albeit reduced, to the cost of the new school.  The Council would continue to work with the Hive on their aspirations for the open space.

A Green Party Ward Councillor was present at the meeting and urged the Executive to support the proposals put forward by the petitioners for the benefit of the local community, in particular as there was a lack of recreational open space in Silsden.  She added that the assumption for housing demand in the area was not supported locally, and details on the type of housing needed was also lacking.

The Lead petitioner was present at the meeting and although she appreciated the compromise that had been reached, the wider use of the open space would benefit the activities of the Hive, and that the proposed housing would inhibit local people from utilising the wider open space which they had enjoyed for many decades.  Highway safety concerns were also expressed on the access proposals for the proposed new housing.

A Conservative Ward Councillor was also present at the meeting and stated that the assumption that there was a need for more housing was unfounded and once built would create an urban sprawl and ruin the village aspect of Silsden; that details on the number of dwellings proposed were lacking, and he urged that the proposals put forward by the Hive should be supported.

In response it was stated that in terms of the access proposals, no details were available at this stage, however the number of dwellings proposed would be in the region of five or six, a modest number, compared to the 20/25 that could be accommodated on a plot of this size.

The Regeneration, Transportation and Planning Portfolio Holder stated that although he appreciated the concerns and comments that had been raised, there was an obligation through the Local Plan to release suitable land for housing and that this would also generate much needed capital receipts for the school; at the same time provide the much needed open space for local residents, and it was therefore:

Resolved –

That Option 3 set out in Document “S” be progressed thus allowing the majority of the Elliott St pitch to be retained for the benefit of the local community, whilst still providing a small area of land for much needed housing.

ACTION: Strategic Director Corporate Resources

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “T”) which provides a review of the above funding opportunity and provides an outline of how the devolved funding will be distributed in Bradford. The report will inform on how the funding program has been developed and outline plans for implementation.

Recommended –

That the Executive agree the proposals for funding prioritisation as outlined in Appendix three to Document “T”.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Regeneration & Environment

(Ruth Davison - 01274 432111)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “T”) which provided a review of the funding opportunity on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and provided an outline of how the devolved funding will be distributed in Bradford. The report informed on how the funding program had been developed and outlined plans for implementation.  To this end seven projects had been identified that should go forward in line with the overall objectives, themes and aims set out in the report.

The Regeneration, Transport and Planning Portfolio Holder thanked the team for their work on the Prosperity Fund, stating that it was important to deliver on our cultural and growth ambitions, and ensure that the funding went as far as possible.

Resolved –

That the proposals for funding prioritisation as outlined in Appendix three to Document “T” be agreed.

ACTION: The Strategic Director Place

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Regeneration & Environment

The Strategic Director of Place will submit a report (Document “U”) which update members on the schemes submitted by Bradford as part of the Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund covering Bradford South, Bradford East, Keighley and Shipley constituencies building on the district’s previous success in Round 1.

In addition this report is requesting approval to progress with limited feasibility work prior to the outcome of the Government appraisal, where this would be required to meet delivery timeline if successful.

Recommended –

(1)       That noting the content of this report, members approve further           limited development and feasibility work on proposal prior to      formal notification of the outcomes of the Government appraisal,     where this would be essential to meet delivery timeline if bids are         successful. Costs would be funded from the Project Feasibility            reserve.

(2)       Officers have assessed the 4 proposals and identified that further       feasibility work will be required for the large-scale Bradford South            proposal to meet required delivery timescale. The Bradford South proposal is a complex project, requiring phased delivery with key     interdependency related to the delivery programme of the City of         Culture resulting in particularly challenging timescales. 

(3)       Feasibility work would encompass the Park and Ride proposal,            land decontamination, Solar Farm proposal and the development      of the             Richard Dunn site.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Angela Blake - 01274 432589)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “U”) which updated members on the schemes submitted by Bradford as part of the Round 2 of the Levelling Up Fund covering Bradford South, Bradford East, Keighley and Shipley constituencies building on the district’s previous success in round 1.

In addition, the report was requesting approval to progress with limited feasibility work prior to the outcome of the Government appraisal, where this would be required to meet the delivery timeline if successful.

The report outlined the ambitious set of proposals developed and submitted by the district, with bids attracting over £100 million in funding if successful, including one large scale bid for £50M with exceptional economic and social impacts. If successful, the combined projects provided an opportunity to address longstanding challenges across the district, providing in excess of 500 jobs, up to 325,000 sqm of redeveloped land, with the largest bid potentially providing up to £1Bn of social economic benefit to the district, if successful.

The range of proposals were designed to build on the best opportunity to level up, optimise the opportunity of the City of Culture and Net Zero to grow the Bradford economy and promote the district as a place to work, live and visit, as well as providing significant and tangible benefits to residents

The Leader welcomed the ambitions behind the Programme.

The main opposition group leader was present at the meeting and stated that she welcomed the proposed bids that had been put forward, however she express concern at the lack of consultation with Ward Councillors and urged that this needed to improve going forward, as this would add value to the bids.

The Leader stressed that the respective MPs had been involved in the bids, and the Strategic Director added that the time constraints for submitting bids had been challenging.

Resolved –

(1)      That further limited development and feasibility work on proposal        be approved prior to formal notification of the outcomes of the Government appraisal, where this would be essential to meet          delivery timeline if bids are successful. Costs would be funded             from the Project Feasibility reserve.

(2)      That it be noted that officers have assessed the 4 proposals and          identified that further feasibility work will be required for the large-         scale Bradford South proposal to meet required delivery     timescale. The Bradford South proposal is a complex project,             requiring phased delivery with key interdependency related to the       delivery programme of the City of Culture resulting in particularly            challenging timescales. 

(3)       That it be noted that feasibility work would encompass the Park           and Ride proposal,  land decontamination, Solar Farm proposal     and the development of the Richard Dunn site.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Angela Blake - 01274 432589)

(Councillor Farley)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document “V”) which informs the Executive of the details of the recent Monitoring Visit on the theme of Leaving Care. Bradford has been subject to a number of Monitoring Visits and a Focused Visit since the outcome of the full Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) in 2018, where services were judged to be Inadequate. Inspectors have provided feedback at subsequent Visits that whilst there have been improvements within the service, that overall more improvements are necessary.

Recommended –

It is recommended that the Executive takes note of the content of this report and its implications.

Overview & Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

(Marium Haque - 01274 43 1078)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a report (Document “V”) which informed the Executive of the details of the recent monitoring visit on the theme of leaving care. Bradford had been subject to a number of monitoring visits and a focused visit since the outcome of the full Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) in 2018, where services were judged to be Inadequate. Inspectors had provided feedback at subsequent visits that whilst there have been improvements within the service, that overall more improvements were necessary.

The progress made since the last monitoring visit was highlighted by the Strategic Director, adding that this was an important milestone in our improvement journey, however issues had been flagged up by the monitoring visit, requiring improvement, and these will be taken on board.

The Leader thanked the Service for their work in supporting the most vulnerable children in the district.

The main opposition group leader was present at the meeting and stated that she welcomed the direction of travel and the real positives that had been identified through the monitoring visit, and she urged that improvements around medical health plans were made in conjunction with our Partners.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder stressed that support arrangements were in place to ensure that we continued with our improvement journey.

Resolved –

That the contents of the report and its implications be noted.

ACTION: No Action

Overview & Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services