No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were received.

NO ACTION

(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. 

                                                            (Sheila Farnhill - 01274 432268)

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

Previous reference:  Executive Minutes 20 (2015/16) and 29 (2018/19)

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “R”) which updates Members in respect of the development of the proposed £9.738 million improvements to the A650 Hard Ings Road, Keighley. The scheme is to be delivered as part of the West Yorkshire + Transport Fund.

The report also notifies the Committee of the proposal to procure works in excess of £2 million, in accordance with the Council’s Contracts Standing Orders 2018/19.

Recommended –

(1)       That the progress made in respect of the scheme to implement improvements to the A650 Hard Ings Road, Keighley be noted.

(2)       That the proposed procurement approach and timescales, which give rise to an anticipated start date for construction early in the 2019/20 financial year, be noted.

                                                (Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

Previous reference:  Executive Minutes 20 (2015/16) and 29 (2018/19)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted a report (Document “R”) which updated Members in respect of the development of the proposed £9.738 million improvements to the A650 Hard Ings Road, Keighley. The scheme was to be delivered as part of the West Yorkshire + Transport Fund.

The report also notified the Committee of an associated proposal to procure works in excess of £2 million, in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Contracts Standing Orders.

The Strategic Director responded to questions from Members with the following information:

·         In terms of the difference between the anticipated 10% journey time saving in the morning peak period but 71% in the evening peak (between the A629 dual carriageway section and the A650 Aire Valley Road (eastbound)), this resulted from the way in which the traffic fed into the junctions.

·         The pedestrian refuges towards the Bradford Road roundabout would be moved. They had been located at their current position to facilitate access to the bus stop but this would no longer be there. This crossing point was not heavily used and there would be alternatives both at surface level and via the subway at the roundabout.

·         In considering the traffic flow, there was sufficient separation of the main junctions to separate the traffic and so not have a negative impact further along the route. In terms of leakage of traffic into residential areas, the engineers had been conscious of this and would use the signals to try and restrict the amount of traffic diverting in this way.

·         The model used to calculate the outcomes had taken into account the housing development and potential development in the general area.

Members commented that:

·         The progression of this scheme was welcomed.

·         This improvement was long overdue; the current situation was very difficult and it could only be beneficial to get the traffic moving.

Resolved –

(1)       That the progress made in respect of the scheme to implement improvements to the A650 Hard Ings Road, Keighley be welcomed.

(2)       That the proposed procurement approach and timescales, which give rise to an anticipated start date for construction early in the 2019/20 financial year, be noted.

ACTION:       Strategic Director, Place

A report will be presented by the Strategic Director – Health and Wellbeing in relation to air quality in the district (Document “S”).

In March 2018, the Council was required by Defra to carry out a feasibility study to identify solutions to air quality issues. Further to this a Ministerial Direction has been served on the Council to carry out a more detailed study and develop a plan to bring forward legal compliance, in respect of levels of nitrogen dioxide, in the shortest possible time.  The plan is required to be finalised by 31 October 2018.

The report explains that similar requirements have been imposed on fifty other towns and cities including Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Rotherham.

Recommended –

That the Strategic Director – Health and Wellbeing undertake a detailed study and develop a plan to bring forward legal compliance for levels of nitrogen dioxide in the Bradford district, as required by the Ministerial Direction, and submit a further report to this Committee in due course.

                                                (Ralph Saunders – 01274 434782)

A report was presented by the Strategic Director – Health and Wellbeing in relation to air quality in the district (Document “S”) which was recognised as an important issue for public health, particularly for the elderly and very young.

The report explained that the Council had been proactive in addressing this issue, and had been commended on its good practice, but it had not proved possible to reduce the levels as quickly as anticipated by Government projections. In March 2018, the Council had been required by Defra (the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) to carry out a feasibility study, over a 3 month period, to identify solutions to air quality issues. Further to this a Ministerial Direction had been served on the Council to carry out a more detailed study and develop a plan to bring forward legal compliance, in respect of levels of nitrogen dioxide, in the shortest possible time.  The plan was required to be finalised by 31 October 2019.

The report explained that similar requirements had been imposed on fifty other towns and cities including Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Rotherham and Defra had expressed an expectation that the authority would work closely with the Leeds district. It was anticipated that the Ministerial Direction would lead to significant funding and support.

The Strategic Director answered questions as follows:

·         The legal limit of NO₂ was 40 ug/m³. The levels at any particular location could vary significantly throughout a 24 hour period and the levels quoted in the report were an annual mean.

·         If a particular road/section of road would achieve compliance before 2020 it was not included.

·         The Council now had its own monitoring equipment on Tong Street to gather data.

·         At this point it was understood that Defra wished the focus to be on the road links that were of particular concern but in the context of the whole district ie the problem should not simply be moved elsewhere.

·         Defra had indicated the road links it wished to be addressed in this case.

·         There were currently 77 diffusion tubes and 10 full size monitoring stations throughout the district.  The placement of monitoring equipment was influenced by factors including the volume and flow of traffic, numbers of buses and HGVs and whether there were buildings in close proximity to the road.

·         It was hoped that this project would help to address issues such as those caused by difficulties in using public transport and the impact of the introduction of fines in surrounding areas and older bus stock being used in the district.

·         The provision of electric vehicle charging points would be considered but it would require a significant switch to use of electric vehicles to have an impact on air quality. One of the issues with provision of these charging points outside private curtilage was the question of maintenance and liability for the Council in the future. In terms of provision on the public footway, in most cases the electric  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

Previous reference: Regeneration and Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee 6/3/18

The report of the Strategic Director – Place (Document “T”) updates the Committee in relation to the progress made in respect of the regeneration of the City Centre since the last report to the meeting held on 6 March 2018.

Members are asked to consider the contents of Document “T”.

                                                (Clare Wilkinson – 01274 433537)

Previous reference:             Minute 48 (2017/18)

The report of the Strategic Director – Place (Document “T”) updated the Committee in relation to the progress made in respect of the regeneration of the City Centre since the last report to the meeting held on 6 March 2018.

He explained that the recent ballot on the introduction of a Business Improvement District (BID) in the City Centre had resulted in a ‘yes’ vote of 79% which, for a first result, was one of the strongest in the country. Members were encouraged to look at the website for further details of the BID objectives which would be progressed using an anticipated income of £0.5 million per annum.

In response to Members’ questions, he explained that:

·         In terms of increased footfall, there was a camera on Broadway that was recording in the region of 10 million people per annum. It was acknowledged that there had been some movement from the top of town which meant that the data was not as clean as would be liked but it was believed that there had been an overall increase of between 6 and 8 million visits per annum.

·         Footfall at the Broadway Centre had increased year on year.

·         The new City Village development aimed to be family orientated (rather than focusing on apartments) and the aim was to encourage a more settled population within the City Centre. Analysis of need and desire was being undertaken and demand planning would be carried out.

·         The housing would be a mix of type and tenure to attract a range of people and create a mixed community; this was a great opportunity to create a quality liveable environment. There were well established developments in the locality and lessons would be learned from these.

·         The Master Delivery Plan would look at the top of town but also more widely at what was available. It was considered that there was still too much poor quality accommodation and it was very important that the Council got this right.

·         Parking in the centre was not a problem during evenings and weekends and was very affordable.  In terms of office/college space, the Douglas Mill and Future House sites had their own off-street parking provision and there would also be parking within the Nelson Street site; travel to this facility via public transport would also be promoted.

·         The jobs quoted in relation to the City Centre Growth Scheme were all new/additional jobs.

·         One of the drivers for the BID initiative had been to increase footfall in the City Centre and to improve safety with achievement of the Purple Flag accreditation indicating a safe evening/night time environment.

·         If the offer and standard of the new bars was right then it was considered that people would use them and they would prove to be sustainable.

·         The parking at the entrance to the Interchange was being reconfigured, not removed completely, and this was part of the scheme to improve the image of this gateway to the City Centre.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

Previous references:           Regeneration and Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee 6/3/18

Executive, Minute 21 (2018/19)

The Strategic Director – Place will present a report which updates Members on the proposals for the redevelopment of the City Centre Markets (Document “U”).

Members are asked to consider the contents of Document “U” and it is:

Recommended –

That the Strategic Director – Place submit a further progress report on the redevelopment of the City Centre Markets to this Committee in twelve months time.

                                                (Colin Wolstenholme – 01274 432243)

Previous references:           Minute 49 (2017/18)

Executive, Minute 21 (2018/19)

The Strategic Director – Place submitted a report which updated Members on the proposals for the redevelopment of the City Centre Markets (Document “U”).

The Markets Manager gave a detailed report and powerpoint presentation on the proposals including:

·         A brief history of the markets in Bradford.

·         The current provision.

·         The work undertaken to date on redevelopment proposals.

·         The concept plans for the new markets, and

·         The forthcoming consultation process and programme for implementation.

He responded to questions from Members with the following information:

·         It was considered important to engage with City Centre businesses, including those on Darley Street and Piccadilly adjacent to the entrances to the new food focused market (on the site of the former M&S building), and it was hoped to increase confidence and encourage the improvement of existing vacant properties in this locality.

·         It was anticipated that the new market would act as a catalyst for the regeneration of this part of the City Centre generating up to 300,000 visitors a week.

·         There would be a number of different options for the existing market traders who did not relocate to the new market. It was anticipated that a number would decide to stop trading or retire and assistance would be provided to those wanting to find a different location, for example Keighley Market. Support would also be given to those traders wishing to improve their offer.

·         Part of the selection process would include consideration of what both new and existing traders were offering; there was a desire to ensure that the best products were on offer, that there was a wide range of goods and that customers were given good service. This was important as there was a need to attract new customers and encourage younger people to use the market.

·         Talks were being held with the operator of the Asian market at the former Rawson Temporary Market about their future plans and options.

·         The initial concept plans showed a canopy roof extending out over Darley Street at the entrance point but not covering the complete area.

·         A marketing and branding company had been appointed to assist the Council with the stakeholder consultation process and in collecting and managing feedback. They would also provide expertise in terms of branding, press and publicity material and creating a strong online and social media presence. It was important that assumptions were not made about what customers wanted.

·         One of the major advantages of this new development would be continuity in that traders could close on the Saturday at the Oastler Centre and re-open on the Monday at the new location.

·         A considerable amount of time had been spent on modelling in respect of business and financial risk and he was confident that if the right offer could be provided then it would result in a sustainable and profitable market. The overall size would be reduced; the location would be more central; and the food offer would be consolidated  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The Committee’s Work Programme for 2018/19 is submitted (Document “V”) for Member’s consideration.

Members are asked to:

(1)       Consider and comment on the areas of work included in the Work Programme.

(2)       Consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that they may wish to conduct.

                                                (Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

(Licia Woodhead – 01274 432119)

No resolution was passed on this item.