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

To receive disclosures of interests from 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.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 22 January and 4 February 2025 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Yusuf Patel - 07970 411923)

(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. 

(Yusuf Patel / Fatima Butt – 07970 411923 / 07970 411746)

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). 

(Yusuf Patel – 07970 411923)

At its meeting held on Monday 3 March 2025, the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the suite of Budget Documents (Executive Documents AX – BD).  The minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including the recommendations were circulated to the Executive.

Note: The Leader stated that Executive will have regard to the comments/recommendations from Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in considering Budget Documents AX-BD and in our recommendations to Budget Council.

Please click on the following link to access the minutes of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Monday 3 March 2025.

(Councillor Duffy)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report (Document “AV”) which updates Executive on the outcomes/options, following the consultation on the proposed removal of dedicated buses to St Bedes and St Joseph’s College and Bingley Grammar School.

Recommended –

(1)       That Option 2 set out in Document “AV” be approved, there will be     no change in arrangements until at least September 2026 and     eligible pupils and fare paying pupils will continue to travel on         these dedicated bus services. Parents and families will have time             to consider their school options and will be included in the WYCA       engagement around school bus provision across West Yorkshire.

(2)       That Local Authority officers will continue to work closely with WYCA to ensure there is consistency and clarity of communication for all stakeholders moving forward.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children's Services         

(Richard Crane/Michelle Pickles)

Resolved –

(1)      That Option 2 set out in Document “AV” be approved, there       will be no change in arrangements until at least September           2026 and eligible pupils and fare paying pupils will continue to       travel on these dedicated bus services. Parents and families will             have time to consider their school options and will be included in       the WYCA engagement around school bus provision across West   Yorkshire.

(2)      That Local Authority officers will continue to work closely with WYCA to ensure there is consistency and clarity of communication for all stakeholders moving forward.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director Children’s Services

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children's Services         

(Richard Crane/Michelle Pickles)

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

Resolved –

Executive:

(1)       Noted that all Strategic Directors are required to reduce their    expenditure during the remainder of the financial year to                    significantly reduce the current forecast departmental                     overspend;

(2)       Noted the following has been approved under Section 1.7 of the           Financial Regulations:

(i)           £0.199m to complete additional works during a pre-agreed         period of closure in February 2025 at Keighley Leisure

            Centre. This will be funded by the General Contingency

            budget.

(3)      Reviewed and commented on the quarter 3 Finance Position                Statement.

To be actioned by: Director of Finance

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                    (Andrew Cross)

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “AX”) which assesses the adequacy of financial strategy, forecast levels of reserves, the risks associated with the budget, the overall financial position of the Council and actions needed and being taken to secure the Council’s long term financial stability and the robustness of the proposed budget for 2025/26. 

Recommended –

That the recommendations contained in Executive Document “AX” be recommended to Council for approval.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                                (Steven Mair)

Resolved –

That it be recommended to Council: 

(1)       That Members have regard to Executive Document “AX” in setting the budget, and in particular note the conclusions that provided that:

Ø  the current and planned actions are successfully concluded ie that the emerging financial strategy is agreed and implemented in full;

Ø  the Government supports the Council with a “minded to” Capitalisation Direction and will agree to do so in future years;

Ø  the recommendations in this and the other budget reports are agreed and actioned in full;

Ø reserves continue to be built up as required;

Ø risks are properly and promptly managed;

Ø financial management issues are successfully addressed;

then the overall estimates are sufficiently robust for the Council to set a balanced budget for 2025/26.

(2)       That Members agree:

Ø  that the level of general reserves be increased;

Ø  that there is accordingly no planned use of reserves to support the 2025/26 budget;

Ø  to implementation in full of the financial strategy ie that the Council:

·         identifies an estimated £50m of revenue savings for 2026/27 to 2029/30;

·         identifies £150m of assets to be sold to generate capital receipts, and investigates the potential for more;

·         undertakes a further review of the capital programme;

·         operates expenditure control panels as set out in the report until at least 2026/27;

·         continues with its review of financial management and finances of the Council;

·         invests in core functions necessary and subject to business cases;

Ø  any non-delivery of any planned revenue savings will need to be absorbed within cash limited Departmental budgets.

(3)       That Members note:

Ø  the assessment of the current financial position of the Council;

Ø  that this assessment is the result of emerging and recent work.  The situation will change and the estimated financial position and solutions will require continual development and refinement and will likewise vary as the year progresses;

Ø  the s151 officer is not minded to issue a s114 notice at this point working on the basis that the above assumptions will be supported and seen through on time and in full;

Ø  given the extremely challenging financial situation the Council finds itself in, which it has in recent months started to address, if the recommendations are not agreed, or if the assumptions are not delivered as assumed then very serious consideration will be given to the issuing of a s114 notice;

Ø  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 budget not being in balance.  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.

To be actioned by: Director of Finance

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                        (Steven Mair)

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “AY”) which provides Members with an update on the Council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) presented to Executive previously in July 2024 and January 2025. It takes account of the final local government financial settlement and the delivery of the council’s improvement plan. It sets out the current estimated journey to financial sustainability, the estimated total Capitalisation Direction the Council will require and the assumptions that underpin this.

This report should be read alongside the other reports on the agenda as it will help inform the decision making, particularly in regards to the 2025/26 Budget Report.

Recommended –

That the recommendations contained in Executive Document “AY” be recommended to Council for approval.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                                   (Steven Mair)

Resolved –

That it be recommended that Council: 

(1)       Approve the updated Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2025/26       to 2029/30 and the base case deficit and recovery period; 

(2)       Agree that revenue savings of £50m per annum be actioned each        year from 2026/27 to 2029/30; 

(3)       Agree that a target for capital receipts of £150m by 31/3/28 be set; 

(4)       Agree that the capital programme be subject to continuous       reviews and reductions where costs are funded from general fund    borrowing; 

(5)       Agree the continuous review of the financial management          practices currently being undertaken; 

(6)       Note the progress on the finance restructure and support the    approach to this; 

(7)       Agree the continued spending panel and related processes until          such time as the Council can evidence a sustainable financial           position; 

(8)       Note the current work on the DSG, the likely Council forecast for         this and agree that further work be undertaken; 

(9)       Note the previously reported Improvement Plan.

To be actioned by: Director of Finance

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                       (Steven Mair)

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “AZ”) which sets out the proposed Capital Strategy for Bradford Council for the five-year period between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2030. The Council has a proposed gross capital programme up to 2029-30 of £1.172bn, partially offset by £668m of income, giving a net budget of £504m – which is to be funded by borrowing. The cost of borrowing has been built into the revenue implications of the capital strategy.

Recommended –

That the recommendations contained in Executive Document “AZ” be recommended to Council for approval.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                        (Lynsey Simenton)

Resolved –

That Council be recommended: 

(1)       To approve the Capital Strategy (including Prudential Indicators) as   set out at Section A to Executive Document “AZ”.

(2)       To approve the capital expenditure for the General Fund and HRA       as set out in Appendix D to Executive Document “AZ” for 2025-26        to 2029-30 subject to:

§  all future schemes being included in the Council approved Capital Programme;

§  all new schemes, including third party funded, only commencing with a full business case approved via PAG, CMT and the Executive and subject to being in the Capital Programme;

§  authority being given to the Director of Finance to allow specific exceptions to the approval process when in his opinion it is in the Council's interest. The Director of Finance will keep a record of these exceptions and report to Executive;

§  a further review of the capital programme and a report back to Executive; and

§  an update on the capital receipts potential (to include an update on the asset disposal strategy including accommodation and related assets strategy).

(3)       Approve the inclusion of the new capital requirements for 2025-26      onwards as detailed in Appendix D to Executive Document “AZ” for inclusion in the programme and subject to the same as above.

(4)       To approve that all projects follow the approved business case            governance process as set out in section A5 of Executive          Document “AZ”. Commitments against reserve schemes and       contingencies can only be made after a business case has been             assessed by Project Appraisal Group, CMT and approved by     Executive.

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

§  The 2025-26 Property Programme has a proposed total cost of £2m and this will be funded by £2m allocated in Reserve Schemes.

§  Stockbridge Depot Retaining Wall - £0.16m for structural repairs to a  section of a retaining wall. This scheme is funded from the general contingency budget.

§  Supeconnected Cities – £0.22m for two projects to implement public Wi-Fi along the Keighley Worth Valley Railway in the Worth Valley to address poor mobile coverage and additional Wi-Fi in the City Centre to support City of Culture events. These schemes are funded by grant from WYCA and are linked to scheme CS0266 already in the CIP.

(6)       To approve that no financing sources, unless stipulated in         regulations or necessary agreements, are ring fenced.

(7)       To approve the proposed financing of the capital programme and        revenue implications as set out in Executive Document “AZ”.

(8)       To delegate to the Director of Finance the decisions surrounding         financing of the capital programme to provide sufficient flexibility to allow for the most effective use of the Council’s resources.

(9)       Reasons for Decision

            The objectives of the CIP are to:

o   Prioritise and co-ordinate funding to achieve the Council’s Plan;

o   Ensure that capital resources are directed to maintain the Council’s statutory requirements across its asset base;

o   Invest in the most beneficial projects  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “BA”) which sets out the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 and covers:

·         capital spending including Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP)

·         borrowing and debt reduction strategy;

·         managing cash balances

·         prudential indicators;

Recommended –

That the recommendations contained in Executive Document “BA” be recommended to Council for approval.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                        (Lynsey Simenton)

Resolved –

That it be recommended that Council: 

(1)       Approve the Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 including:

Ø  the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2025/26 (Set out in Appendix 1 to Executive Document “BA”)

Ø  the Annual Investment Strategy for 2025/26 (Set out in Appendix 2 to Executive Document “BA”);

(2)       Approve the Prudential Indicators set out in the Treasury           Management Strategy, which demonstrate that the Council’s short term capital investment plans are affordable, prudent and             sustainable (the Prudential Indicators are summarised in Section        4). In the medium term work is required as reported in the S25        report; and

(3)       Any future loans to third parties to be charged at a minimum     interest rate to cover all the Council’s capital financing costs in          providing the loan, namely MRP and interest plus 1% for risk    (paragraph 89 of the TMS).

          Reason:

          To promote effective financial management relating to the Authority’s borrowing and investment powers contained in the Local Government Act 2003, associated regulations and guidance including:

Ø  the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting)(England) Regulations 2003, as amended;

Ø  CIPFA Prudential Code and Treasury Management Code of Practice (2021 editions); and

Ø  MHCLG Statutory Guidance on Local Government Investments (2018) and Statutory Guidance on Minimum Revenue Provision (2024).

To be actioned by: Director of Finance

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                    (Lynsey Simenton)

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “BB”) which provides Members with details of the Council’s Revenue Budget Estimates for 2025/26.

The report also outlines feedback received through the consultation undertaken on the budget proposals that Council Executive approved for consultation and public engagement at their meeting of the 5 November 2024 and 3 December 2024.

Executive and Council will need to have regard to this feedback when setting the budget for 2025/26.

Recommended –

That the recommendations contained in Executive Document “BB” be recommended to Council for approval.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                                   (Steven Mair)

Resolved –

That it be recommended to Council: 

(1)       That the Base Revenue Estimated Budget of £591.627m for        2025/26 be approved as set out in Appendix A to Executive            Document “BB”.

(2)       To note the confirmation included in Appendix K to Executive   Document “BB” of the in-principal capitalisation support for 2025/26 of £127.104m by the Minister for Local Government and    English Devolution.

(3)       That within the Base Revenue Estimated Budget of £591.627m for       2025/26, the             Directorate Net Expenditure Budgets are approved as      set out in Appendix B to Executive Document “BB”.

(4)       That amounts for Growths and Pressures of £66.506m in 2025/26         as set out in Appendix D to Executive Document “BB” be            approved.

(5)       That amounts for Inflationary Uplifts to Directorate Net    Expenditure Budgets of £40.601m in 2025/26 as set out in         Appendix E to Executive Document “BB” be approved.

(6)       That amounts for Historic Structure Issues relating Directorate             Net Expenditure Budgets of £12.502m for 2025/26 as set out in         Appendix F to Executive Document “BB” be approved.

(7)       That new savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £11.905m that            have been subject to the Council’s Budget Consultation and Engagement process as set out in Appendix G to Executive             Document “BB” be approved.

(8)       That savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £11.002m as set out         in Appendix G to Executive Document “BB” that were approved        in March 2024 Full Council are to be noted.

(9)       That the savings proposal for 2025/26 of £2.600m following a    review of the Council’s Capital Programme as set out in Appendix   G to Executive Document “BB” be approved.

(10)     That the two savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £0.500m as           set out in Appendix G to Executive Document “BB” which are          subject to separate consultation be approved.

(11)     That savings proposals for 2025/26 totalling £16.800m as set out         in Appendix G to Executive Document “BB” to be delivered by          Bradford Children & Families Trust be noted.

(12)     That the comments of the Director of Finance set out in Executive       Document “AX" (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 above be noted.

(13)     That the consultation response outlined in Appendix I to Executive Document “BB” be noted.

DELEGATION TO OFFICERS

(14)     That the Chief Executive Officer be granted delegated authority to       approve requests for time-limited investment based on the             recommendation of the s151 Officer as supported by a business       case.

(15)     That the Chief Executive Officer be granted delegated authority to       approve requests to allocate items of growth held centrally to       directorates based on the recommendation    of the s151 Officer as       supported by a business case for the following items:

a.    estimated new burdens associated with the Extender Producer Responsibility: £5.928m.

b.    estimated new burdens associated with Children’s Social Care Prevention: £4.463m

c.    estimated contract pressures associated with Homelessness Temporary Accommodation: £2m

(16)     That for the avoidance of doubt and without prejudice to any of            the powers contained in  ...  view the full decision text for item 11.

A joint report of the Director of Finance and the Strategic Director Place (Document “BC”) sets out the proposed 30-year Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and considers both the Revenue and Capital position. The Revenue Business plan over a 5-year period projects gross income of £15.704m and gross expenditure of £11.816m. The HRA Capital Programme provides for a total capital investment of £3.975m over the next 5 years, of which £2.655m relates to existing properties, and £1.32m relating to new property acquisitions. Over the 30-year business plan period, £23.077m is to be spent on the HRA Capital Programme.

Recommended –

That the recommendations contained in Executive Document “BC” be recommended to Council for approval. 

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                                   (Ade Solanke)

Resolved –

That it be recommended that Council approves: 

(1)       The HRA revenue budget for 2025/26 (set out in Table 1 &           Appendix A to Executive Document “BC”).

(2)       The HRA 5-year capital programme for a total of £3.975m (set out        in Table 3 & Appendix C to Executive Document “BC”).

That Council notes:

(3)       The HRA 5-year revenue budgets for 2025-26 to 2029-30 (set out in      Table 1 & Appendix A to Executive Document “BC”).

(4)       The HRA 30-year revenue budgets for 2025-26 to 2054-55            (set out in Appendix B to Executive Document “BC”).

(5)       The 30-year capital programme for 2025-26 to 2054-55 ( set out in        Appendix D to Executive Document “BC”).

(6)       The draft HRA reserves and balances for the 5-year business plan       (set out in Appendix E to Executive Document “BC”).

To be actioned by: Director of Finance / Strategic Director Place

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                     (Ade Solanke)

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “BD”) which seeks Executive approval of the recommendations of Bradford’s Schools Forum in allocating the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2025/26 and subsequent recommendation to Full Council.

Recommended –

That the recommendations contained in Executive Document “BD” be recommended to Council for approval.

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                                (Andrew Redding)

Resolved –

That it be recommended that Council: 

(1)       Accept and approve the proposals for the allocation of the 2025/26     Dedicated Schools Grant, as set out in Executive Document “BD”.

(2)       Approve the total amount of £825.337m 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 2025/26.

To be actioned by: Director of Finance

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Corporate                      (Andrew Redding)

To receive the minutes of the meeting(s) of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 12 December 2024 (Please click to access the minutes).