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 tranparency, the following declaration were received.

Cllr Davies declared that she was a volunteer library worker.

Action: Director of Legal and Governance

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2022 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Su Booth – 07814 073884)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2022 be held as a correct record.

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.

No referrals were received.

(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. 

(Su Booth – 07814 073884)

There were no appeals submitted to review decisions to restrict documents.

The report of the Interim Strategic Director, Place (Document “P”) will be submitted to the Committee to provide an update on progress within the District’s Museums and Galleries Service, forward plans, regional context, current challenges and opportunities including an update on the transformation work undertaken since the last report November 2021.

Recommended –

That Members consider and comment on the updates provided in this report.

(James Steward – 07977 590336)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “P”) was submitted to the Committee to provide an update on progress within the District’s Museums and Galleries Service, forward plans, regional context, current challenges and opportunities including an update on the transformation work undertaken since the last report November 2021.

As part of the 10-year strategy spanning 2022-2032 and launched in January 2022, the strategic priorities and new vision for the Museums and Galleries Service to develop the service as part of the Council’s wider cultural ambitions.

The new vision statement is as below.

“Our unique buildings and collections enable the people of Bradford District to tell their own stories. We work with our communities and partners to develop and care sustainably for our shared heritage so that everyone can learn, find their voice, create, be ambitious, connect with others and better understand their place in the world.”

Following the decline in visits during the Covid-19 pandemic, the numbers of visitors were increasing indicating a strong public confidence in the service and a steady recovery.  In addition, following a successful application to the Arts Council England (ACE), Bradford would join the National Portfolio from 2023-24. The funding from the NPO award would enable the transformation of the Museums service making them more representative of the local communities.  The report included how the service would engage with the local community, identifying its target audiences and how it would develop community exhibitions and programmes. 

Officers summarised the main points from the report with school visits recovering well but identified their aim to bring children into museums with a target set at 100% for a visit to at least one site.  Members were updated on the Museum’s collections management and the more judicious approach to additions.  The digital engagement gained during the pandemic would be maintained and the service would continue to host apprenticeship placement opportunities.  The success of the Kickstart programme contributed to trainees progressing into full employment and Bradford had also won an award.  In addition, BM&G volunteer gardeners won the Sustainability Starts Award as a result of the work done at Bolling Hall.  These and other volunteer projects would contribute towards the Year of Culture 2025.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions and comment.  The details of which and the responses given are as below.

·                A Member asked how the city centre museum was progressing and was advised that there were 4 strong potential museum sites but there was no additional information.  The project group was starting to focus on 2025 but it was important that there would be an offering for visitors who came during the year

·                A Member asked if the strategy was being accelerated in light of BD25 and was advised that there was a focus on museums to show the District’s legacy for the year of culture

·                A Member stated that there was low ethnic minority representation in more senior roles on a national basis and was there a plan to include minorities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The report of the Interim Strategic Director, Place (Document “Q”) will be submitted to the Committee to provide an update on progress with the implementation of the new vision and model for Bradford Libraries, agreed by Executive in March 2020.  It describes how progress was severely impacted by the Covid19 pandemic, and how libraries are now showing good signs of recovery, with progress made in many areas. 

Recommended –

That Members note and comment on the progress made by Bradford Libraries on service recovery following the pandemic and the implementation of the vision and model for the Service. 

(Christine May - 07970 829265)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “Q”) was submitted to the Committee to provide Members with an update on progress of the implementation of the new vision and model for Bradford Libraries that was agreed at Executive in March 2020.

The vision set out to develop a 21^st century library service providing a core library service that was flexible and would enable the service to enhance the quality of life for people and communities.  It would be inclusive, vibrant and supportive of wider district priorities enabling users to learn, engage and remain connected to their communities with locally focussed outcomes.

The service was severely impacted by the pandemic and delayed implementation of the vision and the numbers of users.  Officers were expecting that they would see a 65% recovery by the end of 2022 which was in line with national figures.

Officers gave Members a summary of the report in relation to the work carried out, funding details including the innovative work to win external funding and to take part in a national pilot scheme, the investment in IT and to help children become school-ready with auto enrolment when registered at birth.

The new vision and model would be rolled out with plans for each library in place by April 2024.  Officers also advised that investment was made by the Public Health department as it would enable people to connect and engage in health services.

·                A Member stated that there was no ethnicity or cultural classification and asked if it had been improved

·                Junior engagement theatres – considered by Members to be important

·                Libraries and museums needed to provide access to theatre and culture

·                Theatres and media were still considered to be for white, middle class people

Officers responded to the above comments and agreed that libraries should be integrated, safe spaces.

·                One Member stated that, as a parent of 2 young children, that the library had been very useful and asked about an exit strategy for the city centre library site.  Officers advised that the lease would expire in 2026 and were planning to explore the options.  They would like to see it form part of the work for BD2025

·                In relation to projected visitor numbers, A Member asked if the numbers could be higher than forecast due to provision of warm spaces and was advised that they were projected so may be higher than expected

·                A Member raised the issue of libraries opening as per their advertised hours and whether relief staff were available – they also asked how it was being managed and would it improve.  Officers agreed that the situation was not ideal and recruitment was being carried out following an injection of funding which was helping to improve the service.  Some small libraries were staffed by volunteers only so they were vulnerable to some opening time issues

·                A Member asked about whether the service could be an off-shoot of 1 City Park as an example of a possible option and was advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The report of the Interim Strategic Director, Place (Document “R”) will be submitted to the Committee to update Members on the progress JU:MP has made since that time along with other strategic developments that Active Bradford are undertaking.

Recommended –

That the report be noted.

(Zuby Hamard – 01274 432671)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “R”) was submitted to the Committee to inform Members of the progress made by JU:MP and other strategic developments taking place as part of Active Bradford (a partnership of agencies from across the Bradford District).

The focus of Active Bradford was to target residents who were either inactive or low participants in sport, who tended to be from those on low incomes, people with disabilities and some women and girls from some ethnic minority groups.

Active Bradford was successful in being selected by Sport England as one of 12 local delivery pilots named JU:MP.

The report provided information on the scheme’s status and details of its 15 work streams with the ultimate goal of helping children and families move and play more in the long term which would lead to improved health and wellbeing for future generations.

Whilst the programme was funded up to 2025, discussions to extend the work were taking place to share research and development learning as well as best practice with other local authorities with the assets created by the JU:MP team allowing the programme to be sustainable beyond the existing funding provision.

Officers presented their report and stated that it aimed to increase physical activity, not just via sports as they reported that one third of adults do less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week.  Delivery was carried out via ‘Born in Bradford’ and was a solution focussed approach to work with families.  A summary of the delivery model was given which consisted of 8 neighbours with JU:MP groups and 14 Connector programmes.  Some examples of groups involved were given but officers stated that secondary schools were hard to engage with.  Officers reported that 17 mosques and madrasas were taking part as well as the formation of a girl’s cricket teams programme.

Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions and comment, the details of which and the responses given are as below.  The Chair and some Members from two Area Committees also attended the meeting and were allowed to address Officers through the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee.

·         A Member asked which mosques and madrasas were involved in Keighley.  Officers advised that they were working with Inner West and Inner East sites but there was a proposed roll out in 2023 which would include Keighley

·         A member asked what was being done to empower communities to identify more green spaces and to engage with JU:MP partners.  Officers advised that they were working with partners with the funding sitting with the Council and that they would want to consult and then map out areas to use.  They wanted to engage with communities from the outset and to provide mobile play facilities

·         A Ward Councillor and Area Committee Chair stated that local Councillors should also be engaged but this was not continuing to happen and queried how funding was allocated.  Additional costs, caused by inflation, of earlier projects had a knock on effect that resulted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “S”) will be submitted and presents the Committee’s Work Programme 2022-23.

Recommended –

That the Work programme 2022-23 continues to be regularly reviewed during the year.

(Caroline Coombes – 07970 413828)

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “S”) was submitted to provide details of the Work Programme for 2022-23.

Resolved –

That the updates discussed be noted and the Work Programme continues to be reviewed regularly during the year.

Action: Scrutiny Lead