In the interests of transparency, the following declarations were made by Members of the Committee:

Councillor Kamran Hussain had received both telephone calls and emails relating to agenda item 6 (Minute Number 23)

Councillors Lintern, Love, Heseltine, Dodds and Herd had all received emails relating to agenda item 6 (Minute Number 23).

Action: City Solicitor

The Strategic Director, Place will give a verbal presentation in relation to Covid-19 and how the pandemic has affected the areas of regeneration and environment across the district.

(Steve Hartley – 01274 434748)

The Strategic Director, Place gave a verbal report to Members to answer Member questions relating to how the Covid-19 pandemic was affecting regeneration and environment areas. 

Members were given the opportunity to submit questions in advance of the meeting and received responses in a document circulated.  During the meeting the questions were read out and responded to by Officers as per the report circulated.  Members were given the opportunity to ask one supplementary question provided it related to the original subject and not to start a new topic of discussion.

Questions related to a number of topics including cycle lanes, fly-tipping, rough sleepers, leisure facilities and the impact on city centre regeneration work.

Resolved –

That officers be thanked for attending the meeting and providing detailed responses to Members questions.

                                                            (Steve Hartley – 01274 434748)

                                                            (Ian Day – 01274 433507)

                                                            (Shelagh ONeill – 01274 432076)

                                                            (Phil Barker – 01274 432616)

                                                            (Julian Jackson – 01274 433766)

                                                            (Susan Spink – 01274 434779)

The report of the Strategic Director (Document “A”) is to seek Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee approval to the procurement strategy for the development of the Outline and Full Business Cases for the proposed South East Bradford Link Road which is to be delivered as part of the West Yorkshire+ Transport Fund portfolio.

Recommended –

That the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee approve the procurement strategy for the appointment of a suitably qualified consultant to develop the required business cases (OBC and FBC) to support the delivery of the South East Bradford Link Road project through an appropriate Framework as described in this report.

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “A”) was submitted seeking approval of The South East Bradford Link Road (SEBLR).  This was one of the key schemes of the £1bn+ West Yorkshire+ Transport Fund (WY+TF) portfolio for Bradford. The Combined Authority had already approved Strategic Outline Case (SOC) and allocated funding of £1,154,250 for the development of the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the SEBLR scheme which was the next stage of the Combined Authority’s Assurance process.

In order that this scheme could be progressed effectively the Council was seeking to appoint a Consultant to undertake the development of the Outline Business Case, development of design options, stakeholder management / engagement and potentially support the project through the development of its Full Business Case subject to satisfactory approval being obtained for further progression.

The meeting was attended by a number of external organisations whose representatives were given the opportunity to address the Committee and Officers with their position in relation to this type of development in the context of the environment and climate emergency being faced.

Members discussed the proposal at some length and raised concerns regarding the age of the proposal in view of the prevailing climate emergency declaration.  Some Members did not wish to support the recommendation proposed and despite further discussion and suggestions to edit the original wording, Members were unable to change their position.

Resolved –

No resolution was made by the Committee.

                                                                        (Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “B”) details the progress made against the resolutions passed by the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee, during the 2019-20 Municipal Year.

Recommended –

That members consider and comment on the recommendations made in the 2019-20 Municipal Year, with particular focus on recommendation areas where no or insufficient progress has been made.

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “B”) was submitted to the Committee to present the progress made against the resolutions passed by it during the 2019/20 municipal year.  Topics covered during the year included the following:

§  Climate Emergency and Green Economy;

§  Air Quality;

§  Libraries and Museums;

§  Fly tipping;

§  Causality Reduction;

§  Single Use Plastics;

§  Housing and Homelessness.

Members were provided with a document detailing the recommendations made as an appendix to the main report.

Resolved –

That the progress made against the recommendations made by the Committee in the 2019-20 Municipal Year be acknowledged.

                                                            (Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

The report of the Chair of Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “C”) presents the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee draft work programme for 2020/21. 

Recommended –

(1)       That members consider and comment on the areas of work included in the work programme.

(2)       That members consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that they             may wish to conduct.

(Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “C”) was submitted to the Committee to provide Members with the opportunity to review and discuss the draft programme of work for 2020-21.

Resolved -

That Members discussed, amended and agreed the Committee’s Work Programme for 2020/21.

                                                              (Mustansir Butt – 01274 432574)