(i)         During consideration of the Parks and Green Spaces Service annual report (Minute 45) Councillor Heseltine declared, in the interest of transparency, that he was a member of the Friends of Prince of Wales Park group as a volunteer.

(ii)        During consideration of the Dementia Friendly Communities report (Minute 46) Councillor Riaz declared, in the interest of transparency, that he was a director of a healthcare company that specialised in Dementia.

ACTION:       City Solicitor

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 this is the responsibility of the Committee. 

Questions must be received in writing by the City Solicitor in Room 112, City Hall, Bradford, BD1 1HY, by mid-day on Monday 17 October 2016.

(Palbinder Sandhu - 01274 432269)

In accordance with the provision at Part 3B, Paragraph 6 of the Council’s Constitution the following public question was presented by Councillor Peter Ashton of Baildon Town Council:

“The proliferation of advertising signage and banners on the highway and on public land is of increasing concern to Baildon Town Council. Can the committee ascertain the current Bradford Council policy in relation to the toleration of such displays and the process of enforcement for their removal?”

The Shipley Area Co-ordinator stated that he had discussed the matter with the Highways enforcement team and reported that there was no coherent enforcement policy currently in place. 

A Member, who was also Chair of the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, informed Members that there was a 12 month trial ban on advertising boards taking place in four areas of the District – Bradford City Centre, Saltaire, Ilkley and Leeds Road corridor.  The trial of the ban was due to conclude in December and a report on the findings of the trial would be considered by the Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee; if successful, the ban would be rolled out across the District.

The Chair stated that he shared the questioner’s concerns and referred to cars being abandoned on the highway as well as inappropriately displayed signage.  As this matter related to signage other than advertising boards he considered it appropriate to ask the relevant Strategic Directors to develop a policy to keep streets clear of inappropriate advertising.

Resolved –

That the Strategic Director of Regeneration and the Strategic Director of Environment and Sport be requested to develop a policy to remove, dispose and enforce against those erecting illegal banners, posters and other advertising material on street furniture on adopted highways, including the parking of vehicles used solely for the purposes of advertising.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Environment and Waste Management

ACTION: Strategic Director, Regeneration and Strategic Director, Environment and Sport

The Strategic Director of Environment and Sport will submit Document “U” which summarises the activities of Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services and how they are contributing to addressing priorities within ward plans in the Shipley Area.

Recommended –

That the information provided about the work of Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services which has contributed to addressing the priorities within the Shipley Constituency Ward Plans and to supporting a wide range of voluntary and community organisations across the Shipley Constituency be noted.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Paul Stephens – 01274 781222)

The Strategic Director of Environment and Sport submitted Document “U” which summarised the activities of Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services (SBVS) and how they are contributing to addressing priorities within ward plans in the Shipley Area.

The Chief Executive of SBVS provided a summary of the report, particularly in relation to the services provided to support older people.  He referred to the reduction in funding streams and the recent success in receiving support from the business community.  Despite a cut in funding, SBVS had managed to support a number of organisations.  He stated that a merger was planned with other voluntary organisations but this would not be a noticeable change to service users.

In response to Members’ questions it was reported that:

·        A plan for the Bingley Youth Café was being finalised in conjunction with local community organisations as it was vital to develop services for young people within their own communities.

·        Work was being undertaken to transfer information from  the DIVA database to a joint database which would be easier to use.

·        The befriending project was undertaken in partnership with HALE and there were approximately 60 volunteers, some of whom carried out more than one befriending visit.  The project had been successful in securing funding until September 2019.

·        There had been funding opportunities to take on two apprentices.

·        There were more volunteer led organisations in the Shipley constituency compared to other areas of the district.

The Chair praised the SBVS team and its volunteers for the work they undertook within the Shipley constituency.

Resolved –

(1)  That the information provided about the work of Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services which has contributed to addressing the priorities within the Shipley Constituency Ward Plans and to supporting a wide range of voluntary and community organisations across the Shipley Constituency be welcomed.

(2)  That the Shipley and Bingley Voluntary Services team and its volunteers be thanked for the work they undertake for the communities within the Shipley Constituency.

NO ACTION

The Director of Public Health will submit Document “V” which seeks to raise awareness of the Warm Homes Healthy People programme which offers short term interventions during the winter months to support vulnerable households in the District and explore methods to sustain the programme beyond Public health funding.

Recommended –

That the report be noted and that Members and their support officers engage with the Warm Homes Healthy People programmeby raising awareness and positively identifying vulnerable households and encouraging referrals through to the programme.

(Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Sarah Possingham/Pam Bhupal – 01274 431319)

The Director of Public Health submitted Document “V” which sought to raise awareness of the Warm Homes Healthy People programme which offers short term interventions during the winter months to support vulnerable households in the District and explore methods to sustain the programme beyond Public health funding.

The Senior Public Health Manager provided a summary of the report and tabled information on the programme specifically relating to the Shipley constituency.  It was explained that a breakdown per ward could not be provided due to the way the information was collated but would be provided by postcodes within the Shipley constituency.

The Chair suggested that a flow diagram explaining what support people were eligible for and how to access it would be useful for Members. The Senior Public Health Manager agreed to produce and distribute this to Members.

In response to Members’ questions, it was reported that:

·        Due to the nature of the programme and to ensure it was targeting the right people, the programme was not openly advertised but relied on referrals being made.  This was one of the reasons it was being highlighted to Members.

·        The Bradford District Community Fund was administered by the Leeds Community Fund.

·        Grants for community organisations in the region of £500-£2000 were available through the Winter Warmth Community Grants Scheme. 

·        Cooking demonstrations took place on the HALE bus; this often led to further conversations with participants about other support services available to them.

·        The annual budget for the programme was £622,000.

It was explained that details of the grants would not be available on an open website but would be provided to Members as requested.

Resolved –

(1)  That the report be welcomed and that Members and their support officers engage with the Warm Homes Healthy People programmeby raising awareness and positively identifying vulnerable households and encouraging referrals through to the programme.

(2)  That officers and providers be thanked for the work they are undertaking on the Warm Homes Healthy People programme for vulnerable people within the Shipley Constituency.

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: Health and Social Care

ACTION: Director of Public Health and Strategic Director, Environment and Sport

The Strategic Director of Environment and Sport will submit an annual report for the Parks and Green Spaces Service (Document “W”) which reviews activity during the past year and also considers the significant issues that will have an effect over the coming 12 months with options where appropriate for future service delivery.

Recommended –

That the report be noted, particularly in relation to the bowls club agreement and the outcomes following consultation around the flower bed provision.

(Environment and Waste Management Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Ian Wood – 01274 432648)

The Strategic Director of Environment and Sport submitted an annual report for the Parks and Green Spaces Service (Document “W”) which reviewed activity during the past year and also considered the significant issues that would have an effect over the coming 12 months with options where appropriate for future service delivery.

The Principal Manager, Parks and Green Spaces, provided a summary of the report and highlighted the good dialogue in place with ‘friends of’ groups.  In addition to the information provided in the report, he stated that the Heritage Officer post for Roberts Park, which had been vacant for a number of years, had been filled.

In response to Members’ questions, it was reported that:

·        There had been disputes around the maintenance of grass at bowling greens.  It had since been agreed that the grass would be cut to a height of 5mm.

·        Officers met with the Steering Group for the bowling greens every 6 weeks.

·        There were no intentions to increase precept charges for Town and Parish Councils to fund the planting of flower beds.

·        A saving of £200,000 had been made by shutting down the central nursery.  Since then, the purchase of plants required had cost £10,000 and had been purchased through the Council’s procurement process.

·        Additional planting on the main roundabout in Baildon town centre would be considered and the health and safety concerns which prevented the roundabout being maintained by Baildon in Bloom would be discussed with the Highways department.

·        The main reason St Ives in Bingley had failed to retain its Green Flag status was due to a lack of cohesion of all partners on the site at that time.

·        The budget saving in relation to bowling greens had not been met fully; there was a slight shortfall and discussions were being held with clubs about how to close the gap.

The Shipley Area Co-ordinator informed Members that a review of snickets was due to take place over the winter period and requested that problematic snickets be reported to Ward Officers.

The Chair welcomed a proactive approach being taken to encourage un-constituted groups to become ‘friends of’ groups.  He stressed the importance of Ward Members and other interested groups being kept updated on works taking place in their areas, particularly in relation to ‘friends of’ groups where it was evident that there had been communication issues. He asked that this issue be addressed at the most appropriate senior level.

Resolved –

That the report be noted, particularly in relation to the bowls club agreement and the outcomes following consultation around the flower bed provision.

NO ACTION

The Strategic Director of Environment and Sport will submit Document “X” which informs the Committee how the work of the Shipley Area Co-ordinator’s Office and the Alzheimer’s Society is contributing to the creation of dementia friendly communities within the Shipley area.

Recommended –

That the work to support communities within the Shipley area to become Dementia Friendly be noted and welcomed.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

(Paula Truman – 01274 437146)

The Strategic Director of Environment and Sport submitted Document “X” which informed the Committee how the work of the Shipley Area Co-ordinator’s Office and the Alzheimer’s Society was contributing to the creation of dementia friendly communities within the Shipley area.

The Ward Officer and Dementia Champion introduced the report and highlighted that the main principles of being a dementia friend were about being a friendly, supportive and helpful neighbour.  She stated that if anyone was interested in becoming a Dementia Friend, a short training session could be arranged.  She emphasised the importance of acknowledging that dementia was not a natural part of ageing and outlined further work to deliver Dementia Friends sessions to young people in the Shipley constituency.

In response to Members’ questions it was reported that:

·        The programme was marketed by word of mouth.  Organisations such as supermarkets and places of worship had been approached and information had been disseminated at neighbourhood forums.

·        The request for additional provision of the Wellbeing Café in Baildon, which currently took place monthly at the Moravian Church, would be explored.

It was acknowledged that the delivery of dementia awareness sessions being targeted at voluntary groups with large numbers of older people would help them stay connected with their communities and help them to continue to enjoy hobbies and activities which they had a keen interest in.

Members welcomed the work being undertaken to create dementia friendly communities and the awareness if was raising.

Resolved –

(1)  That the work to support communities within the Shipley area to become Dementia Friendly be noted and welcomed.

(2)  That Dementia Friendly volunteers be thanked for their work.

NO ACTION