In the interest of transparency Councillor Ahmed disclosed an interest in the item relating to City Centre Markets Refurbishment Proposals (Minute 51) as he was by profession, a retailer.

ACTION: City Solicitor

(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. 

(Asad Shah/Sheila Farnhill – 01274 432280/2268)

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

NO ACTION

Any referrals that have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda will be reported at the meeting.

There were no referrals to the Committee.

NO ACTION

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “W”) will provide an update for members on the Council’s involvement with high rise residential buildings following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

Recommended –

That the Committee note the report and request a further update on the work relating to high rise residential buildings in 12 months.

(Justin Booth – 01274 434716)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “W”) provided an update for members on the Council’s involvement with high rise residential buildings following the Grenfell Tower disaster.

On 14 June 2017 a fire caused multiple fatalities and injuries at the Grenfell Tower in North Kensington.  Grenfell tower was a 24 storey residential block.  The cause and impacts of this tragedy had been well documented but in summary it had been reported that the fire started in a malfunctioning refrigerator; fire in flat was extinguished but had spread to the cladding; fire in the cladding spread up the external faces of the building; and, the building had been fitted with external foamed polyisocyanate insulation boards and over that, aluminium composite material (ACM) rain screen for appearance and weathering.

In response to the tragedy, the Government had set up a public inquiry and progressed with a formal review of legislation relating to safety in buildings.

The Building Safety Programme’s work had involved working with local authorities to identify any other high rise residential buildings that could have been clad in ACM cladding. The definition of a high rise building being that it is over 18 metres in height.

The Council had completed returns to government relating to the buildings within           the district that are residential, over 18 metres high and faced with cladding.

Following introduction of the report, a question and answer session had ensued:

·         What was the way forward to get owners to give samples of material on their buildings?

o   This was the subject area of Facilities Management however if  owners refrained from complying then this would be through a legal process;

·         Why had it taken a significant time in establishing high rise residential buildings that could have been clad in ACM cladding?

o   It had taken the Council a significant time in recognising buildings with such substances;

·         Has the Council had any indication from government when local authorities should commence with investigations?

o   Not at present due to the fact that the whole regulatory legislative system was not fit for purpose. The whole legal system was being reviewed at this present time and fire regulations were too being rewritten;

·         What was the timescale for cladding to be removed?

o   Advice was being sought from the Fire Service but the Council had been advised that no information would be released until a further 12 months;

·         Had any measures been put in place on an interim basis for any high fire risk buildings?

o   An interim measure would not be a cheap alternative and therefore buildings were being monitored on a 24 hours a day basis;

·         Had the Council thought on the fact that schools may also be at fire risk?

o   Yes and hospitals were in the Council’s radar during the review;

·         Why was the formation of new legislation taking a considerable amount of time?

o   The formation of new legislation was a complicated process due to the complexity of law surrounding the whole building and not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “X”) updates the scrutiny committee on progress with city centre regeneration since its scrutiny hearing in March 2017.

Recommended –

Members are asked to note the content of this report.

(Clare Wilkinson – 01274 433537)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “X”) updated the Committee on progress with city centre regeneration since its scrutiny hearing in March 2017.

The Economic Plans Development Manager introduced the report. Bradford was one of the biggest and fastest growing districts in the UK and a key driver of the wider City Region economy. Business success, jobs growth and an increased evening economy were essential parts of the district’s economy and, while the district had distinct economic areas with different strengths, influences and dynamics, a strong vibrant city centre remained key to a future economic growth.

The City Centre therefore remained a focus for the Council as part of our wider approach to economic growth across the district. Due to its size and scale it was also recognised as a Strategic Priority Area in the city region’s Strategic Economic Plan. 

Bradford City Centre was the key location for employment in the district and was home to over 2000 businesses that supported 22% of jobs (one in five of all jobs in the district) generating 31% of the District’s Gross Value Added (GVA).

A question and answer session ensued:

·         In relation to the rate of vacancy levels, how did Bradford compare to city centres of other cities and towns?

o   Vacancy levels of shops and inner mall units were difficult to compare like for like due to the varying sizes of cities and towns around the country;

·         The Broadway Shopping and Leisure Complex saw a year on year increase in footfall over the main Christmas trading period in December 2017 with 1.5 million visits to the centre. But did this equate to Broadway Shopping and Leisure Complex as being a success?

o   It was not only about the increase or decrease of footfall, but rather the fact whether there was a significant amount of continuous spending. Nevertheless, footfall had increased by 1.5% which was considered a satisfactory outcome;

·         What was the anticipated opening date of the Indian street food restaurant, Pappadums?

o   It was believed that the recruiting of staff would commence around Easter 2018;

·         Some older buildings would be sold to the highest bidder but companies may not have money to invest into businesses despite purchasing buildings?

o   There were business rate incentives for the purpose of bringing back buildings into economic use. Rate relied schemes would also prevent city centre units to remain vacant for a considerable amount of time;

·         How was the monitoring the businesses undertaken when grants were awarded?

o   A contract was drawn up as part of the condition when so that Council had access to ensure that the businesses were operating the same equipment and people still had jobs;

·         What had been the life expectancy of business that had received grants?

o   Around 90% of businesses were still operating successfully;

·         What continuous action was being undertaken to tackle problems such as anti social behaviour?

o   Individuals guilty of such behaviour were prosecuted; and,

·         How was begging tackled?

o   This was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “Y”) will update Members on the refurbishment proposals for the city centre markets.

Recommended –

Members are asked to note this report and to recommend that a future report is presented to this Committee following the regeneration proposals for the City Markets being presented to this Committee.

(Colin Wolstenholme – 01243 432243)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “Y”) updated Members on the refurbishment proposals for the city centre markets.

The Chair invited the Markets Manager to introduce the report to the Committee. He stated, in order to take the market proposals forward the Council undertook a comprehensive tendering exercise in June 2017 to appoint experienced consultants to design and deliver the markets project.

The Council invited submissions from lead consultants who could provide or build a multi-disciplinary team to cover a broad range of tasks to include, but not be limited to, Project Management, Architectural Design Services, Quantity Surveying, Structural Design, Mechanical & Electrical Design, building works supervision.

A question and answer session ensued:

·         What was the position with the ex Morrisons Supermarket building?

o   There were plans for demolition;

·         What were plans by the Council for shops that were outside of the Oastler Centre?

o   There would be a transitional allocation process within a scheme but at present was too early for an analysis as there would be a consultation process with all traders;

·         Would there be any form of assistance for traders during the allocation process?

o   There would be some form of financial incentive for businesses;

·         Were the empty units (previous Marks and Spencer building) on Darley Street large enough to house all the food stalls that were operating in the Oastler Centre at present?

o   Yes and there were plans to house all the hot food stalls on the upper floor;

·         Was the Council subsidised for working with Arndale Centre?

o   The Council wished to work with Arndale Centre and wished to establish long terms proposals;

·         The loss of Ostler Centre would eliminate car park space. Would provision be made elsewhere for the loss:

o   The Oastler Centre car park provision was only one level and other parts of the city centre could accommodate the loss of provision. On the positive, intentions of relocating businesses to Darley Street would be pulling businesses into the heart of the City as opposed to the present upper side of one part of the city;

·         Did the Council have any control over private car parking prices?

o   None whatsoever.  These were private businesses and the Council had no say towards the costing of the car parks;

·         Would the closing of Oastler Centre and relocation of businesses cause a loss of revenue for the Council?

o   Exercising of revenue was yet to be carried out by the Council;

·         What was in mind for housing following the demolition process?

o   This was unknown at present; and,

·         When would the master plan for the top of the city centre Oastler Centre area be released?

o   The plan had only just begun and not completed as yet.

Resolved –

The Committee welcomes the report and requests an update report in the next municipal year prior to the tendering of the project

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “Z”) presents the Committee’s Work Programme 2017-18.

Recommended –

That the Work programme 2017-18 continues to be regularly reviewed during the year.

(Licia Woodhead – 01274 432119)

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “Z”) presented the Committee’s Work Programme 2017-18.

Resolved –

That the 2016/17 Work Programme continues to be regularly reviewed during the year.

ACTION: Overview and Scrutiny Lead