Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - City Hall, Bradford. View directions

Contact: Yusuf Patel/Fatima Butt 

Items
No. Item

200.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 86 KB

(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:

 

Type of Interest

You must:

 

 

Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Disclose the interest; not participate in the discussion or vote; and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

 

 

Other Registrable Interests (Directly Related)

OR

Non-Registrable Interests (Directly Related)

Disclose the interest; speak on the item only if the public are also allowed to speak but otherwise not participate in the discussion or vote; and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

 

 

 

Other Registrable Interests (Affects)

OR

Non-Registrable Interests (Affects)

Disclose the interest; remain in the meeting, participate and vote unless the matter affects the financial interest or well-being

 (a) to a greater extent than it affects the financial interests of a majority of inhabitants of the affected ward, and

(b) a reasonable member of the public knowing all the facts would believe that it would affect your view of the wider public interest;

in which case speak on the item only if the public are also allowed to speak but otherwise not do not participate in the discussion or vote; and leave the meeting unless you have a dispensation.

 

(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.

 

Minutes:

Executive Members had been granted dispensations under the Localism Act 2011 in relation to their declared Disclosable Pecuniary Interests relating to employment, sponsorship and land (The list had been published with the agenda under this agenda item). Councillor Duffy stated that her disclosure that she was a Café West Trustee (a voluntary organisation that received funding) and Councillor Ferriby reported that her disclosure that she was on the Sustainable Development Partnership needed adding to the list.

 

ACTION: Director of Legal & Governance

 

 

201.

MINUTES

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 and 31 January 2023 be signed as a correct record.

(Fatima Butt/Yusuf Patel - 01274 432227/434579)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 and 31 January 2023 be signed as a correct record.

 

202.

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. 

 

(Fatima Butt/Yusuf Patel - 01274 432227/434579)

Minutes:

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

 

203.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE

To note the following recommendation:

 

Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 31 January 2023 –

 

REPORT ON THE USE OF GLYPHOSATE FOR WEED CONTROL WITHIN BRADFORD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

 

Resolved –

 

(1) That, following consideration the solutions set out in Document “V”, that Solution 2: Reduced Use of Glyphosate, be recommended to the Executive for adoption. This would see a reduction in the use of glyphosate, primarily by avoiding those areas of the highest environmental sensitivity, whilst allowing for some form of weed control on the rest of the highway network.

 

 (2) That it be further recommended to the Executive that public engagement and communication regarding the reduced use of glyphosate in some areas be undertaken and that Officers continue to engage with other Local Authorities that are also reducing the use of glyphosate.

 

(3) That an update report be presented to this Committee by the Strategic Director, Place, in 12 months’ that includes information on the trial involving no use (or exceptional use) of glyphosate within 2 parks within the Shipley ward that is planned for 2023 and learning from other Local Authority areas.

 

 

 

 (Fatima Butt/Yusuf Patel - 01274 432227/434579)

 

Minutes:

The following recommendation was received:

 

Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee – 31 January 2023 –

 

REPORT ON THE USE OF GLYPHOSATE FOR WEED CONTROL WITHIN BRADFORD METROPOLITAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

 

Resolved –

 

(1) That, following consideration the solutions set out in Document “V”,  that Solution 2: Reduced Use of Glyphosate, be recommended to the Executive for adoption. This would see a reduction in the use of glyphosate, primarily by avoiding those areas of the highest environmental sensitivity, whilst allowing for some form of weed control on the rest of the highway network.

 

 (2) That it be further recommended to the Executive that public engagement and communication regarding the reduced use of glyphosate in some areas be undertaken and that Officers continue to engage with other Local Authorities that are also reducing the use of glyphosate.

 

(3) That an update report be presented to this Committee by the Strategic Director, Place, in 12 months’ that includes information on the trial involving no use (or exceptional use) of glyphosate within 2 parks within the Shipley ward that is planned for 2023 and learning from other Local Authority areas.

 

Noted: The Executive noted the recommendations and looked forward to seeing the results of the trial detailed in 3 above.

 

ACTION:  Strategic Director of Place

 

 

 

LEADER OF COUNCIL & CORPORATE

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

204.

THE COUNCILS REVENUE ESTIMATES FOR 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 292 KB

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AU”) provides Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Estimates for 2023/24.

 

Recommended –

 

Executive is asked to approve the following recommendations to

Council:

 

(a)      That the Base Revenue Forecast of £453.159m for 2023/24 be approved as set out in the report.

 

(b)      That the Existing pressures of £62.0m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix B beapproved.

 

(c)      That the Investments previously approved of £0.5m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix C benoted.

 

(d)      That the Recurring investment proposals of £1.098m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix D beapproved.

 

(e)      That the prior agreed savings in Appendix E be noted.

 

(f)        That New savings of £13.580m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix F be approved.

 

(g)      That the Capital Financing and Central budget adjustments of £22.390m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix G be approved.

 

(h)      That it be noted that within the revenue budget there is a net use of £44.299m in revenue reserves in 2023/24 to balance the budget as outlined in Appendix A.

 

(i)        That it is noted that £4.250m of pre-approved reserve use is required for City of Culture and a Regeneration opportunity.

 

(j)        That £6m of reserves are earmarked to the Energy Price Volatility reserve.

 

(k)      That £3.163m is earmarked to the General Fund Reserve balance so that it remains at 5% of the net revenue budget in line with recommended practice.

 

That the comments of the Director of Finance set out in the Section 151 Officer’s Assessment of the proposed budgets on the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of reserves taking account of the recommendations made at (a) to (k) above be noted.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Corporate 

                                                                      (Andrew Cross – 07870 386523)

Minutes:

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AU”) provided Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Estimates for 2023/24.

 

It was reported that the balanced 2023/24 revenue budget was predicated on the total available general resources (Council Tax income, Business Rates income, Top up Grant, Revenue Support Grant and use of reserves) of £453.270m in 2023/24; the use of £48m from reserves in order to balance the budget could not be sustained; the Local Government Settlement was also published on the 7 February 2023 which resulted in some small scale changes to the final settlement the Council would receive; the closure of the Keighley Household Waste and Recycling Centre would no longer happen.

 

The opposition spokesperson commented on the Children’s Trust budget and financial challenges facing the Council in future years.

 

In response the Leader emphasised that the extreme financial challenges were being faced by Councils across the Country which was a national issue and that negotiations with the Bradford Children’s and Families Trust were continuing.

 

The Opposition Leader spoke on the financial challenges relating to Children’s Social Care and highlighted some aspects of the Ofsted Inspection Report and the cost of using agency staff in Children’s Social Care. She welcomed the decision that the Keighley Household Waste Site which was a valuable service to the residents of Keighley was no longer closing.

 

In response the Leader emphasised that the years of cuts to public services had not helped and that other Councils across the Country were also having to use agency staff; the leadership were sorry that Children’s Services was not as good as it should be but the direction of travel would now ensure improvements were being made at a faster pace.

 

The Lead Petitioner attended the meeting and spoke on how vital the Keighley Household and Waste Recycling Centre was to the people of Keighley and emphasised the high number of residents that were in support of the petition.

 

A Ward Councillor spoke about the work that had been undertaken in listening to the resident’s concerns relating to the Keighley Household and Waste Recycling Centre. She reported that it was a challenging time for Councils in terms of balancing their budgets due to years of austerity.

 

The Leader thanked the Ward Councillor for the work undertaken on behalf of the residents of Keighley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resolved –

 

Executive is asked to approve the following recommendations to

Council:

 

(a)      That the Base Revenue Forecast of £453.159m for 2023/24 be approved as set out in Document “AU”.

 

(b)      That the Existing pressures of £62.0m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix B to Document “AU” beapproved.

 

(c)      That the Investments previously approved of £0.5m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix C to Document “AU” benoted.

 

(d)      That the Recurring investment proposals of £1.098m in 2023/24 as set out in Appendix D to Document “AU” beapproved.

 

(e)      That the prior agreed savings in Appendix E to Document “AU” be noted.

 

(f)        That New savings of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 204.

205.

ALLOCATION OF THE SCHOOLS BUDGET 2023/24 FINANCIAL YEAR pdf icon PDF 247 KB

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AV”) seeks Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2023/24 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

 

Recommended-

 

That the Executive asks Council to:

 

a)    Accept and approve the proposals for the allocation of the 2023/24 Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in this report.

 

b)   Approve the total amount of £708.868m 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 2023/24.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Corporate

 

                                                            (Andrew Redding – 01274 432678)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AV”) sought Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2023/24 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

 

The Leader and Deputy Leader thanked schools and the Schools Forum for the valuable work they undertake in difficult financial times.

 

Resolved-

 

That the Executive asks Council to:

 

a)    Accept and approve the proposals for the allocation of the 2023/24 Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in Document “AV”.

 

b)   Approve the total amount of £708.868m 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 2023/24.

  

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Corporate

 

Action:  Director of Finance

 

                                                     

 

206.

CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN FOR 2023-24 TO 2026-27 pdf icon PDF 534 KB

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AW”) presents in Section A the Council’s Capital Investment Plan 2023-24 to 2026-27. Section B presents an updated Capital Strategy for 2023-24. This strategy underpins the spending proposals within the Capital Investment Plan.  Section C presents the Investment Strategy for 2023-24.

 

Recommended -

 

(1)       That the Executive are asked to note the contents of the report and to have regard to the information contained within Document “AW” when considering the recommendations to make to Council on the Capital Investment Plan for 2023-24.

 

(2)       That the updated Capital Plan for 2023-27, be approved; (Appendix A). Commitments against reserve schemes and contingencies can only be made after a business case has been assessed by the Project Appraisal Group and approved by Executive.

 

(3)       That Specific approval be given for the following schemes to commence following a detailed review by the Project Appraisal Group:

 

·         The 2023-24 Property Programme has a proposed total cost of £4m and this will be funded by corporate borrowing.

·         IT software – three schemes are planned to improve IT security. The cost of the capital spend is £0.965m and it will be funded by corporate borrowing.

 

In addition:

·         £6m from Reserve schemes for SEND provision across the district funded by corporate borrowing. It will be used to complete a number of SEND expansions across both the mainstream school sector and SEND schools. The budget is required to allow for the development of up to three proposed schemes. Once the initial design and development works have been completed, the necessary statutory processes will commence, including approval from Executive and an update will be provided to the Project Appraisal Group.

 

·         The utilisation of the Inflation Contingency as set out in the report be delegated to the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources. The additional costs will be funded through corporate borrowing.

 

(4)       That the amendment to the 2022-23 Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and the proposed 2023-24 MRP policy set out in Appendix 2 is approved.

 

(5)       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.

 

(6)       That the Capital Strategy (including Prudential Indicators), set out at Appendix 3, be approved.

 

(7)       That the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy as presented at Appendix 4 - is recommended to the Executive to:

 

·         Approve the Flexible use of Capital Receipts policy for 2022-23 and 2023-24 as outlined in Appendix 4 section 2.2.

 

·         Delegate powers to the Section 151 office in consultation with the Leader to vary the values outlined in Appendix 4 section 2.2 subject to the value of Capital receipts achieved in 2023-24, whilst ensuring compliance with the Direction from DHLUC outlined in section 2.1.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

                                                                        (Lynsey Simenton – 01274 434232)  ...  view the full agenda text for item 206.

Minutes:

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AW”) presented in Section A the Council’s Capital Investment Plan 2023-24 to 2026-27. Section B presented an updated Capital Strategy for 2023-24. The strategy underpinned the spending proposals within the Capital Investment Plan.  Section C presented the Investment Strategy for 2023-24.

 

Resolved –

 

Executive is asked to approve the following recommendations to Council:

 

(1)      That the Executive are asked to note the contents of the report and to have regard to the information contained within Document “AW” when considering the recommendations to make to Council on the Capital Investment Plan for 2023-24.

 

(2)      That the updated Capital Plan for 2023-27, be approved; (Appendix A to Document “AW”). Commitments against reserve schemes and contingencies can only be made after a business case has been assessed by the Project Appraisal Group and approved by Executive.

 

(3)      That Specific approval be given for the following schemes to commence following a detailed review by the Project Appraisal Group:

 

·       The 2023-24 Property Programme has a proposed total cost of £4m and this will be funded by corporate borrowing.

·         IT software – three schemes are planned to improve IT security. The cost of the capital spend is £0.965m and it will be funded by corporate borrowing.

 

In addition:

·         £6m from Reserve schemes for SEND provision across the district funded by corporate borrowing. It will be used to complete a number of SEND expansions across both the mainstream school sector and SEND schools. The budget is required to allow for the development of up to three proposed schemes. Once the initial design and development works have been completed, the necessary statutory processes will commence, including approval from Executive and an update will be provided to the Project Appraisal Group.

 

·       The utilisation of the Inflation Contingency as set out in the report be delegated to the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources. The additional costs will be funded through corporate borrowing.

 

(4)      That the amendment to the 2022-23 Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and the proposed 2023-24 MRP policy set out in Appendix 2 to Document “AW” is approved.

 

(5)      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.

 

(6)      That the Capital Strategy (including Prudential Indicators), set out at Appendix 3 to Document “AW”, be approved.

 

(7)      That the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy as presented at Appendix 4 to Document “AW” - is recommended to the Executive to:

 

·        Approve the Flexible use of Capital Receipts policy for 2022-23 and 2023-24 as outlined in Appendix 4 section 2.2 of Document “AW”.

 

·        Delegate powers to the Section 151 officer in consultation with the Leader to vary the values outlined in Appendix 4 section 2.2 of Document “AW” subject to the value of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 206.

207.

HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) 2023-24 pdf icon PDF 95 KB

The Director of Finance will submit Document “AX” which reports on the  introduction of a Housing Revenue Account from 1st April 2023. The report provides Members with details of the Housing Revenue Estimates for 2023-24.

 

Recommended -

 

That the Executive is asked to approve the following recommendations to Council:

 

(1)  That Rent increase of 7%   be applied from 1st April 2023 as set out in section 4.7 of Document “AX”.

 

(2)  That Transfer of housing reserves of £503k from General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account as set out in section 4.4 of Document “AX” be approved.

 

(3)  That Service charges to apply from April 1 2023 as set out in section 4.11 of Document “AX”.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Area:  Corporate

 

                                                                        (Arfat Lohn – 0786 6887377)

Minutes:

 

The Director of Finance submitted Document “AX” which reported on the introduction of a Housing Revenue Account from 1st April 2023. The report provided Members with details of the Housing Revenue Estimates for 2023-24.

 

Resolved -

 

That the Executive is asked to approve the following recommendations to Council:

 

(1)  That Rent increase of 7%   be applied from 1st April 2023 as set out in section 4.7 of Document “AX”.

 

(2)  That Transfer of housing reserves of £503k from General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account as set out in section 4.4 of Document “AX” be approved.

 

(3)  That Service charges to apply from April 1 2023 as set out in section 4.11 of Document “AX”.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Area:  Corporate

 

Action:  Director of Finance

 

                                                                       

208.

2023/24 BUDGET PROPOSALS AND FORECAST RESERVES - SECTION 151 OFFICER ASSESSMENT pdf icon PDF 174 KB

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AY”) assesses the robustness of the proposed budget for 2023/24, 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 the report in setting the budget, and in particular note the conclusions that:

 

  • the estimates presented to Council are sufficiently robust to set a balanced and deliverable budget in 2023-24.

 

  • the reserves are adequate for the 2023/24 proposed budget. The level of reserves has reduced substantially to support the Council budget and in line with Central Government expectation that Councils should use their reserves

 

·         the projected corporate reserves, on current estimates, are adequate in the short term, subject to the implementation of the rest of the proposed financial plan, however they do not represent a sustainable solution to addressing budget pressures beyond 2023-24.

 

·         the Medium Term Financial Strategy will be updated and reported to Executive as clarity on future local government funding, reforms of adult and social care and other relevant issues are 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 have to be amended if a decision was proposed that leads to the Council’s reserves reducing below their recommended General Fund balance 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.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Corporate

 

                                                                        (Andrew Cross – 07870 386523)

Minutes:

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AY”) assessed the robustness of the proposed budget for 2023/24, the adequacy of forecast levels of reserves and associated risks.

 

It concluded that the estimates were 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 Leader emphasised the importance of national government listening to local Councils and the need for an end to the cost of living crisis and the impact it was having.

 

Resolved –

 

Executive is asked to approve the following recommendations to Council -

 

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

 

·    the estimates presented to Council are sufficiently robust to set a balanced and deliverable budget in 2023-24.

 

·    the reserves are adequate for the 2023/24 proposed budget. The level of reserves has reduced substantially to support the Council budget and in line with Central Government expectation that Councils should use their reserves

 

·        the projected corporate reserves, on current estimates, are adequate in the short term, subject to the implementation of the rest of the proposed financial plan, however they do not represent a sustainable solution to addressing budget pressures beyond 2023-24.

 

·        the Medium Term Financial Strategy will be updated and reported to Executive as clarity on future local government funding, reforms of adult and social care and other relevant issues are 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 have to be amended if a decision was proposed that leads to the Council’s reserves reducing below their recommended General Fund balance 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.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Corporate

 

Action:  Director of Finance

 

Note:  This part of the meeting was adjourned as Budget Council would consider the above reports at its meeting on the 23 February 2023.

 

                                                         

 

209.

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS TO SERVE AS DIRECTORS ON BOARDS OF COMPANIES pdf icon PDF 108 KB

The Director of Legal and Governance will submit a report (Document “AZ”) which details that that the former Director of Finance and IT left the Council’s service on 31 of December 2022, was a Council appointed director of a number of companies and new director appointments are required to replace him. This report deals with the appointment of replacement directors to those companies as well as an opportunity to review new director officer appointments on boards of companies. 

 

The Council’s Constitution states that the Executive is responsible for the appointments to outside bodies. This report presents the nominations for the appointment of officers as directors to the companies referred to in Appendix 1 to the report.

 

Recommended -

 

(1)      That officers’ appointments to serve as directors to the boards of companies as detailed in Appendix 1 to Document “AZ” be approved.

 

(2)      That Authority be given to the Director of Legal and Governance in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make new director officer appointments to ensure ongoing Council representation on the boards of companies and to advise Executive members of any such appointments thereafter.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Corporate

 

                                                            (Christine Meakins – 0785 5177224)

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Legal and Governance submitted a report (Document “AZ”) which detailed that that the former Director of Finance and IT left the Council’s service on 31 of December 2022, was a Council appointed director of a number of companies and new director appointments were required to replace him. The report dealt with the appointment of replacement directors to those companies as well as an opportunity to review new director officer appointments on boards of companies. 

 

The Council’s Constitution stated that the Executive was responsible for the appointments to outside bodies. The report presented the nominations for the appointment of officers as directors to the companies referred to in Appendix 1 to Document “AZ”.

 

 

Resolved -

 

(1)      That officers’ appointments to serve as directors to the boards of companies as detailed in Appendix 1 to Document “AZ” be approved.

 

(2)      That Authority be given to the Director of Legal and Governance in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make new director officer appointments to ensure ongoing Council representation on the boards of companies and to advise Executive members of any such appointments thereafter.

 

(3)    That this decision is exempt from call-in on the grounds of urgency for the reasons set out in the report.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Corporate

 

Action:  Director of Legal and Governance

 

                                               

 

HEALTHY PEOPLE AND PLACES PORTFOLIO

(Councillor Ferriby)

210.

CONSULTATION FEEDBACK AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOWING THE CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED CHANGES TO ADULT SOCIAL CARE NON-RESIDENTIAL CHARGES pdf icon PDF 188 KB

The Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing will submit “Document BA” which provides feedback following the consultation on the proposed changes to Adult Social Care Non-residential charges and makes recommendations based on the consultation feedback.

 

Recommended –

 

That the Executive, following consideration of the issues raised within Document “AB” and the Equality Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 1, authorises the Strategic Director for Health and Wellbeing to implement charges based on actual costs of the service for adult social care non-residential services to apply from 1 April 2023.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Health and Social Care

 

                                                                        (Jane Wood – 01274 437312)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing submitted “Document BA” which provided feedback following the consultation on the proposed changes to Adult Social Care Non-residential charges and made recommendations based on the consultation feedback.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places thanked all those who provided feedback on the consultation.

 

Resolved –

 

That the Executive, following consideration of the issues raised within Document “AB” and the Equality Impact Assessment set out in Appendix 1, authorises the Strategic Director for Health and Wellbeing to implement charges based on actual costs of the service for adult social care non-residential services to apply from 1 April 2023.

  

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Health and Social Care

 

Action:  Strategic Director, Health and Wellbeing

 

                                                               

211.

SQUIRE LANE LEISURE, COMMUNITY, HEALTH AND WELLBEING CENTRE pdf icon PDF 124 KB

The Strategic Director, Place will submit Document “BB” which provides an update on the progress with the delivery of the Squire Lane Leisure, Community, Health and Well Being Centre and seeks approval from the Executive to proceed with the delivery of the project.

Recommended –

 

That the Executive:

 

(1)  Approve the appointment of the current Design Team for RIBA Stage 3 and subsequent development stages subject to meeting value for money and affordability criteria.

 

(2)  Approve the appointment of a contractor to engage in the design process and also for the subsequent construction contract within the funding envelope previously approved by the Executive

 

(3)  Delegate Authority to the Strategic Director Place, in consultation with the Executive Members for Regeneration, Planning and Transport and Healthy People and Places, the Director of Finance and Monitoring Officer, to make such further decisions as are required to deliver the project, within the funding available including;

a.    The undertaking of a community consultation exercise and

b.    The subsequent submission of a Planning Application having regard to the outcome of the community consultation process.

 

(4)  Delegate authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to enter into all legal agreements to enable implementation of the above recommendations subject to prior satisfaction that the requirements of the best value duty and Subsidy Control Act 2022 are met.

Overview and Scrutiny Area:  Regeneration and Environment

 

                                                                        (Ian Smart – 01274 431735)

 

Minutes:

The Strategic Director, Place submitted Document “BB” which provided an update on the progress with the delivery of the Squire Lane Leisure, Community, Health and Well Being Centre and sought approval from the Executive to proceed with the delivery of the project.

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport stated that he was pleased that the scheme was progressing and that it would provide high quality services.

Resolved –

 

That the Executive:

 

(1)  Approve the appointment of the current Design Team for RIBA Stage 3 and subsequent development stages subject to meeting value for money and affordability criteria.

 

(2)  Approve the appointment of a contractor to engage in the design process and also for the subsequent construction contract within the funding envelope previously approved by the Executive

 

(3)  Delegate Authority to the Strategic Director Place, in consultation with the Executive Members for Regeneration, Planning and Transport and Healthy People and Places, the Director of Finance and Monitoring Officer, to make such further decisions as are required to deliver the project, within the funding available including;

a.    The undertaking of a community consultation exercise and

b.    The subsequent submission of a Planning Application having regard to the outcome of the community consultation process.

 

(4)  Delegate authority to the Director of Legal and Governance to enter into all legal agreements to enable implementation of the above recommendations subject to prior satisfaction that the requirements of the best value duty and Subsidy Control Act 2022 are met.

 

(5)  That this decision is exempt from call-in on the grounds of

urgency for the reasons set out in paragraph 2.3 to Document “BB”.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Area:  Regeneration and Environment

 

Action:  Strategic Director, Place

 

                                                                       

 

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES PORTFOLIO

(Councillor Duffy)

212.

FULL OFSTED INSPECTION (ILACS) 21 NOVEMBER TO 2 DECEMBER 2022 pdf icon PDF 100 KB

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit “BC” which reports on

the details of the Ofsted full inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) which took place in November 2022.  The Council 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 were necessary.   

 

Recommended –

 

That the Executive ask Officers to work quickly towards the

establishment of the Trust and that the Improvement Plan

which has been endorsed by the Commissioner be supported.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Children’s Services

 

                                                (Picklu Roychoudhury – 01274 431867)

 

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted “BC” which reported on the details of the Ofsted full inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS) which took place in November 2022.  The Council 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 and that whilst there have been improvements within the service, that overall more improvements were necessary.   

 

The Leader thanked the Strategic Director Children’s Services for the work being undertaken but stressed that the pace of improvements needed to be made urgently.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Children and Families accepted that the progress being made was not fast enough; she emphasised work continued with all concerned to make improvements; the use of agency staff was a national picture and that the Children’s Social Care Service needed to be appropriately funded by national government.

 

The Leader of the Opposition spoke on her disappointment on the outcome of the Ofsted Inspection and the areas of concern highlighted in the Ofsted Report; she reported that the situation in Children’s Social care had got worse since the 2018 inspection failing families and young people; neighbouring authorities who were in similar situation had made significant progress and hoped improvements would be made with the Trust taking over.

 

The Chair of Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee expressed disappointment on the outcome of the inspection and the lack of improvements being made and asked when the improvements to Children’s Services would be made.

 

The Strategic Director of Children’s Services reported on the improvements being made which included early help, strengthening front door and tackling exploitation. She reported that the improvements being made in these areas allowed children coming through the system to be dealt with appropriately, the Trust would build on the improvements and enhance on the progress being made.

 

It was reported that the next Ofsted visit would be October/November this year.

 

The Leader accepted that the Service provided to children was not good enough and welcomed Charlotte Ramsden the New Chief Executive of the Bradford Children’s and Families Trust to her new role and looked forward to seeing the improvements being made.

 

 

 

 

 

Resolved –

 

That the Executive ask Officers to work quickly towards the

establishment of the Trust and that the Improvement Plan

which has been endorsed by the Commissioner be supported.

 

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Children’s Services

 

 Action:  Strategic Director, Children’s Services

 

                                                  

213.

UPDATE ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BRADFORD CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TRUST pdf icon PDF 340 KB

The report of the Chief Executive (Document “BD”) provides an update on the progress to date of establishing the Bradford Children and Families Trust, including an update on progress towards agreeing commercial arrangements and sets out the proposed draft governance arrangements.  The report also outlines the critical next steps and makes a number of recommendations to the Executive.

 

Recommended –

 

That the Executive are requested to:

 

·         Note the update report and note the progress undertaken to date.

 

·     Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families authority to take all steps to enable the Council to enter into the Service Delivery Contract and the Support Services Agreements, leases and all necessary associated agreements to enable the establishment of the Bradford Children and Families Trust and commence of the delivery of services.

 

·     Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families authority to approve the adoption of the new Articles of Association and sign any required written resolution.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Children’s Services

 

                                                            (Joanne Hyde – 01274 432131))

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Chief Executive (Document “BD”) provided an update on the progress to date of establishing the Bradford Children and Families Trust, including an update on progress towards agreeing commercial arrangements and set out the proposed draft governance arrangements.  The report also outlined the critical next steps and made a number of recommendations to the Executive.

 

The Leader emphasised that all concerned supported working with the Bradford and Children’s Families Trust and the necessary improvements that needed to be made.

 

Resolved –

 

That the Executive are requested to:

 

·         Note the update report and note the progress undertaken to date.

 

·     Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families authority to take all steps to enable the Council to enter into the Service Delivery Contract and the Support Services Agreements, leases and all necessary associated agreements to enable the establishment of the Bradford Children and Families Trust and commence of the delivery of services.

 

·     Delegate to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Children and Families authority to approve the adoption of the new Articles of Association and sign any required written resolution.

 

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Children’s Services 

 Action:  Strategic Director, Children’s Services