(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.

In the interests of clarity and in relation to Minute 39 (Update on Economy and Development Services Activity in the Keighley Constituency) Councillors Brown and Ali disclosed that they were members of the Keighley Community Led Local Development programme (CLLD).  Councillor Brown also disclosed that he was a member of the Bradford Towns Fund.

Action: Director of Legal and Governance

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Jane Lythgow – 01274 432270)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023 be signed as a correct record.

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

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

To hear questions from electors within the District on any matter that is the responsibility of the Committee. 

Questions must be received in writing by the Director of Legal and Governance in Room 112, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, by mid-day on Tuesday 14 March 2023.

(Jane Lythgow - 01274 432270)

There were no public questions received.

Previous reference: Minute 21 (2021/22) and Executive Minute 149 (2020/21)

The Executive, at its meeting on 8 September 2020, changed the process for the listing of Assets of Community Value and required that an annual update be provided to each Area Committee.

The report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, (Document “M”) presents the changes to the process and lists the Assets of Community Value approved in the Keighley constituency during the current municipal year.

Members are asked to consider and note the update on Assets of Community Value in the Keighley constituency presented in Document “M”.

(Simon Sharp - 07816 117754)

Members were reminded that the Executive, at its meeting on 8 September 2020, changed the process for the listing of Assets of Community Value and required that an annual update be provided to each Area Committee.

The report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, (Document “M”) presented the changes to the process and listed the Assets of Community Value approved in the Keighley constituency during the current municipal year.

It was questioned if Bocking Men’s Working Club, which had been listed as an ACV, was to close and it was explained that it was believed that the owners intended to dispose of the building.  Proper procedure would be followed and community groups would have the opportunity to prepare bids to purchase the property. The ownership of the club was questioned and it was explained it was brewery owned and operated by a committee. In response to enquiries about help which could be provided to that facility it was explained that the Council could offer advice to businesses but could not financially assist a commercial operation. 

Members questioned planning permission for the 1^st Keighley Scout Hut and were advised that the developer had obtained planning permission for its replacement but there was no guarantee that all facilities and outside space would be retained.

A Member asked if Council owned buildings or land could be designated as an ACV and it was confirmed that assets could be classified as ACV if they were private or council owned land assets.  The Kirkgate Centre in Shipley was quoted as an example of a Council owned property designated as an ACV.

A Member queried if issues previously raised about cottages at Jubilee Garden in Oakworth had been resolved.  In response it was explained that a planning application was in place at that location but that would not be dealt with by the officers responsible for ACVs.  It was agreed to discuss the issue with that Member outside of the meeting.

Resolved –

That the report be noted. 

Action: Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Previous reference: Minute 25 (2021/22)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “N”) provides information on the Capital Highway Maintenance funding element of the Local Transport Plan for 2023/24 and makes recommendations on the allocation for Non-Classified road resurfacing schemes and Surface Dressing sites in the Keighley constituency.

Recommended –

That the proposed list of schemes for 2023/24 as shown in Appendices 2 and 3 to Document “N” be approved.

(Andy Fisher - 01535 618297)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “N”) provided information on the Capital Highway Maintenance funding element of the Local Transport Plan for 2023/24 and made recommendations on the allocation for Non-Classified road resurfacing schemes and Surface Dressing sites in the Keighley constituency.

Appended to the report (Appendix 1) was a summary of the resurfacing schemes completed and those outstanding from the 2022/23 approved list. Appendix 2 contained the recommended list of Non-Classified resurfacing schemes for the 2023/24 municipal year.  A recommended list of Surface Dressing sites for the 2023/24 year was attached as Appendix 3.

Members were advised that the varying types and classifications of roads were surveyed annually using standardised survey and video equipment.  The sites chosen for inclusion were those that were shown to be in most need of repair following in-house and third party condition analysis and listed in priority order.  The analysis was supplemented with routine site monitoring by officers.  The roads that were known to have suffered increased deterioration due to the ageing process and recent winter weather conditions were also considered when formulating annual scheme lists.

A Member referred to Kings Road in Ilkley, which was included on the reserve list, being in a worse condition than a scheme on the priority list and requested that a substitution be made.  The status of the schemes on the reserve list were questioned and it was reported that it was expected works at those sites would be on the priority list for consideration in the next municipal year and beyond, bearing in mind the current number of schemes on the priority list.

Concern was expressed that the lists were compiled without consideration of the effects of an inclement winter and the resulting pot holes appearing in the roads.  It was explained that schemes could be moved onto priority lists if they had worsened but that there were other methods, such as surface patching, to deal with potholes, not just resurfacing. 

In response to questions it was confirmed that the most recent third party survey of roads was conducted in July 2022.  Following suggestions that the survey be conducted at other times of the year it was explained that it was hoped to do the survey in May 2023.  The survey was dependant on contractor availability and had been conducted later in the year than usual in 2022 to give the opportunity for identification of Ash Die-back disease by the arboriculture team.  In formulating the annual schemes lists, it was also necessary to consider results of the annual skid survey which highlighted roads with poor skidding resistance.

Following discussions about the priorities it was confirmed that the lists were compiled in priority order from the annual survey and officer inspections but that priority could also be influenced by factors such as the location of schools, the number of properties served, traffic volumes, number of HGV’s, etc.

A Member referred to the recent resurfacing on Harewood Crescent and the marked deterioration in that location  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, (Document “O”) provides an overview of the progress made within the Keighley area on Family Hub Prevention and Early Help Services and progress on our district-wide Family Hubs Start for Life delivery plan.

Members are requested to note Document “O” and provide comments as necessary and to make recommendations which support the implementation of local services and plans.

(Elke Crunden -  01535 61 8005/Zoe Crosby - 01274 438149)

The report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Services, (Document “O”) provided an overview of the progress made within the Keighley area on Family Hub Prevention and Early Help Services and progress on district-wide Family Hubs Start for Life delivery plan.

Members were advised that Prevention and Early Help was targeted to early life and to prevent issues from occurring later.  Work was conducted with other agencies to work with families.

The Government had introduced the Start for Life agenda to target 0 to 5 year olds and included midwives; play; mental health and early years’ initiatives.  The work linked to family hubs which not only conducted with young children but included families and considered the bigger picture. The programme was a three-year project and had already provided a good offer to parents.

It was explained that Supporting Families was the name for the previous ‘troubled families’ programme.  The report revealed ten headline outcomes contained in the outcomes framework for Supporting Families. At least three of the outcomes, one of which must be getting a good education and children being in schools, must be evidence to receive payment.  It was reported that the target of three would be increased next year and additional money received would be reinvested in the services.

In relation to the Family Hub initiative it was explained that the Keighley Rainbow was the main hub in the area although the service was committed to providing services in the town centre. Work, including play and learn sessions and open sessions for families with children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) was also being undertaken at Keighley Library.  It was explained that the families had requested SEN sessions weekly but these were currently held only once per month.  Participation had been good and parents, particularly those with children who were home educated, had been delighted to see their children being able to interact with others.  A six- month pilot of the scheme was being conducted and if successful it would be rolled out across the district.

Provision at Keighley Rainbow included a Breastfed Together group; an Incommunities Job Club; on site nursery and youth provision.  Significant building work was being carried out including to create a confidential area for computer access and play gardens.  Services available at Strong Close included midwife clinics and speech and language sessions which were provided in additional to other speech services. 

Families would be directed to the family hubs and Members were advised of a link to gain further information which would be circulated after the meeting.

Teams of Navigators would be commencing in May/June together with Key Workers who would spend time with families to understand their needs. 

Members raised a number of issues to which the following responses were provided:

·           Details of the Navigators in the area would be shared once people were in post.

·           The play garden at the Rainbow Centre, whilst not yet built, would when completed, be open for all the community and not just when the Rainbow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The Strategic Director, Place, will present a report (Document “P”) which updates Members on economic development activity across the Keighley constituency.

Recommended –

That the report be noted.

(Angela Blake – 01274 432076)

The Strategic Director, Place, presented a report (Document “P”) which updated Members on economic development activity across the Keighley constituency.

The report detailed each of the projects contained within the Keighley Town Fund’s Town Investment Plan and their current status.

Issues with the Keighley Community Health and Wellbeing Centre were discussed.  The decision made by the Executive to proceed with that site and the acquisition of grant funding to purchase the site on the understanding that the site should be developed for economic or employment use was confirmed.  It was reported that, following the resistance of the local MP and some residents, other sites had been considered for the centre but a suitable site had not been found. 

A Members reported his recollections from some years previously when a plan for a Keighley Health Centre had been discontinued in 2002 and explained that a number of sites had been considered and found to be not suitable at that time.   He was concerned that the chance to provide a much needed facility which had been wanted for years would be lost and the funding would be given to a project elsewhere if this site was not utilised. 

The Strategic Director confirmed that if the site was not developed there was insufficient time framework for the funding to be utilised to develop elsewhere and the funding would be lost. 

A Member referred to the previous use of the site and stressed that the area had never been a green field site which the MP and some residents were requesting at this time.   Members echoed that view and believed that residents had been given the wrong impression about the potential use of the site.  They were informed that discussions had been undertaken with the MP about the provision of green space elsewhere. 

A Member raised the possibility of using empty retail sites within the town centre but was advised that these were unsuitable for the provision of a modern health centre’s requirements which only a new build could provide.  The limited timeframe to spend the funding, which had to be used by 2026, was reiterated and it was explained that any alternative site would incur the cost of clearing which could not be achieved within the timescale imposed.

It was recognised that there was no shortage of green space in the Keighley area but it was acknowledged that this was not relevant if the local and MP and residents were not supportive of the proposed site of the health hub.

A Member, who was a bidder to the Keighley Towns Fund but did not appear in the report, raised concerns about the Keighley Creative Community Arts Hub being partnered with a Leeds based group. It was believed that the group were competing for funds but had now amalgamated.  In response it was reported that the partner group were operating in the Keighley and Bradford areas. 

A view that the Committee had been treated badly and misinformed in the past was expressed.  It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “Q) provides an update of work undertaken by the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team during 2022/2023.

Recommended –

1.    That the work undertaken by the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team during the year 2022/23 that contributed to addressing Community Safety priorities within the Ward Plans for the Keighley Area be noted.

2.    That the positive partnership working to address crime and community safety between the Police, Elected Members, Parish and Town Councils, Bradford Council Officers, community organisations, volunteers and residents within the Keighley Area be noted.

(Jonathan Hayes – 01535 618008)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place, (Document “Q) provided an update of work undertaken by the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team during 2022/2023.

Police Inspector John Barker addressed the meeting and presented an interim annual report.  The report highlighted work which had been co-ordinated across the Keighley constituency.   The report presented a breakdown of crime figures April 2022 to January 2023 and it was agreed that a full years’ figures would be provided after the meeting. He asked Members to understand that comparisons in the report with previous years must be considered whilst recognising the impact of COVID during that timescale.  It was explained that places which were not fully open during the COVID period had resulted in reduced crime figures.

In addition to the information presented in the report Members were advised of a change to Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines for the use of speed cameras and the ability for cameras to be deployed in areas where there was evidence of excessive speed. 

The change in driver behaviour in the four to five months since the cameras had been deployed on roads without warning signage was reported and it was confirmed that the cameras had changed behaviour.  It was explained that the presentation of evidence was also more efficient when presented via a camera.

A Member referred to off road vehicles being driven on private roads and questioned the fines imposed for such behaviour.  It was reported that the vehicles had been towed away but had left tracks in roads and damaged dry stones walls. Inspector Barker confirmed that fines of up to £2,000 could be imposed and that the police needed to take preventative measures to stop driving on private land.

A Member praised the Police Cadet initiative which had been developed and was advised that 10 cadets had attended meetings during the year.  Although it had previously been difficult to encourages attendees, the scheme would be promoted.

A Member questioned if Operation Steerside was still being utilised and was referred to Appendix B of the report which revealed that results of Operation Steerside pre-planned operations in Keighley and the resulting actions from 15 operations.

The provision of surveillance cameras at Hard Ings Retail Park was queried and it was confirmed that community warnings could be considered to deter bad behaviour.

Members discussed ‘Violence Against Person’ statistics contained in the report and expressed a belief that those crimes dwarfed other offences.  In response it was explained that the statistic included other issues such as harassment which was a distance based crime. It was agreed that the statistics could be broken down to include more information such as night time or youth related data.

Staffing issues were discussed and it was confirmed that the Keighley area had two PCSO and one Police Constable vacancies.  It was reported that recruitment to PCSO posts were more challenging as people were more attracted to Police Constable roles.

Resolved –

1.    That the work undertaken by the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.