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.

No declarations of interest were received.

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 made.

(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 / Louis Kingdom – 07814 073884 / 07890 416570)

No requests to view documents were received.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “U”) which provides an update on developments across Bradford Libraries service over the past 12 months, following the previous report to this Committee in December 2022.

Recommended –

Members are recommended to note and comment on the progress made by Bradford Libraries over the past year, 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 “U”) was presented to the Committee and represented an update on developments across Bradford Libraries service for the previous 12 months, following on from the previous update report from December 2022.  The report provided details of service performance and development under a number of themes.

·            Delivering the vision and model for libraries

·            Highlights from the past year

·            City of Culture readiness

·            Modernisation

·            Green libraries

The report explained that the service was working to achieve the new vision and model (Building a Better Future) as agreed by Executive in 2020.  This was now considered the ‘business as usual’ standard as a model of continuous improvement and modernisation to contribute to a wider range of Council priorities and was aiming to make the service more sustainable.

The report also included a table of key performance indicators (KPI’s) and an overview of visitor statistics, that showed a good level of service recovery post pandemic and increased engagement in activities and events.  It also raised concerns relating to loan recovery and lack of funding to maintain a quality reading offer which would inevitably impact on customer use and satisfaction.  A number of highlighted events were summarised with work being carried out in preparation for Year of Culture in 2025.

Officers provided a summary of some of the activities and opportunities including automatic library membership for babies, Dementia Friendly training for staff working towards libraries of sanctuary status, Health Champions, exercise classes, bumper engagement in the summer Reading Challenge and the creation of the Shipley Enterprise Hub.  Officers also stated that there was a shift from use of the libraries’ PC’s to people using their own devices.  With the pre-existing budget deficit still ongoing, one initiative had been to streamline evening opening hours which was implemented after consultation with the public.

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

With reference to the consultation on changes to opening hours, of which 73% were in favour, a Member asked how many people had been polled.  Officers stated that it was under 2000 and precise numbers could be provided. 

Members were surprised that those polled were in favour of reduced access to library services in the evening and asked what kinds of questions were included in the consultation document.  Officers advised that the questionnaire provided some contextual information such as the ad hoc closures and that evenings were not the busiest times.  By reducing the hours, the opening times would be more reliable.

A Member raised the subject of digital exclusion and commented on the reduction in PC sessions as users were switching to mobile devices.  Officers confirmed that user needs were targeted and PC sessions were still available to those who needed it with assistance being provided.

In relation to figures quoted in the report, a Member sought clarification on whether these included community libraries which they did. 

Further comments are bullet pointed below.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “V”) which updates members on the theatres service, current challenges, and opportunities as we work towards City of Culture 2025.

Recommended –

Members are invited to consider and comment upon the content of this report.

(Adam Renton – 01274 433618)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “V”) was presented to the Committee to provide Members with information relating to the current challenges and opportunities presented to the Theatres service in the run up to City of Culture 2025.

The report provided an overview of the aims of the service with details of the various venues that made up the offer in Bradford.  It also included an account of what occurred as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic and subsequent barriers due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, inflation and travel cost increases.  There was a change in booking habits and availability of productions which, in turn drove production costs up.

Attendance data was broken down year by year and indicated that ticketed attendance was recovering to near pre-pandemic levels so there was a more positive position.  Due to the shift in marketing practices, the service had employed a digital marketing officer to develop and enhance the service’s online presence and functionality.  Financial data from 2020 to 2023 provided a breakdown of costs and income and details of grants from central government during the Covid restrictions.

Officers presented a summary of the report and provided some additional information in relation to the types of productions that were being hosted.  Bradford Theatres did not produce shows, being a host venue only.  They were also able to provide details of the recovery post Covid.  A recent survey showed that a large number of bookings were made by individuals and that bookings were made more last minute.  Heat pump infrastructure works being carried out near the Alhambra had caused some problems.  They also noted the possible impact of ‘Bradford Live’ on St Georges Hall.

Officers also reported that the reduction in parking provision in the city centre was now deemed as inadequate.  On a more positive note, they had met budget expectations and had brought in extra revenue.  In addition, all venues were now ‘Martyn’s Law’ compliant.

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

In relation to parking pressures, A Member asked whether any discussions were taking place with public transport operators to support the night time economy.  Officers advised that it was on the agenda for the 2025 team.  They also stated that the public liked to use their cars as they wanted to be safe.  There were some considerations being given to holding performances as matinees or with earlier evening start times so that people would not be out in the city centre as late in the evening.

Officers were asked if there were any incentives offered to use public transport and advised Members that discussions were taking place with bus and rail operators.

In response to a Member’s comment who stated that he had received multiple copies of the theatres brochure, Officers advised that a data cleanse was carried out each year to avoid duplication and were able to report that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “W”) which provides an update on progress within the District’s Museums and Galleries Service, forward plans, current challenges, and opportunities including an update on service development undertaken since the last report November 2022.

Recommended –

Members are asked to consider and comment on the updates provided in this report.

(James Steward – 07977 590336)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “W”) was presented to the Committee to provide Members with an update relating to forward plans, current challenges and opportunities including service development that was undertaken since the previous report was presented in November 2022.

The Bradford Museums and Galleries service launched a 10-year plan in January 2022 with a mission statement with the ambition to ensure that everyone in the District had opportunities and access to ambitious, world class art, heritage and cultural experiences.

Alongside the written report, Officers provided a verbal summary of the main hi-lights and work being carried out.

·       Museum Accreditation was re-awarded in April 2023 by the Arts Council England

·       Arts Council England announced the award of National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status to Bradford Museums & Galleries in November 2022 with funding for a 3-year development and activity plan – details were included in the written report

The value of the Bradford Museums and Galleries offer was contingent on achieving Accreditation.  As a result of the NPO status award, 6 new staff (5.5FTE) were recruited for the duration of the programme(until March 2026). 

·       Improving accessibility with site access audits which would feed into the actions plan in order to be fully DDA compliant

·       Income from school attendance increased

·       Partners with the V&A Museum – Design Lab Nation programme

·       Established a target for family and repeat visitors which had been exceeded

·       Local foster carer and CLA programmes

·       National award given for Windrush partnership exhibitionwork

·       Significant increase in the number of volunteers – now exceeded 100

·       New Young Ambassador scheme – this would be developed as part of NPO

·       Provision of work experience opportunities

·       Provision of industry work placements

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

Members commented on the great initiatives with work experience and industry placements.

A Member commented on the varied locations and noted that some were difficult to get to, due to the nature of the topography in the District and asked if there was a travel plan and how visitors were travelling to visit locations.  They asked if there was anything that could be done to encourage sustainable travel options.  Officers advised that they were in the process of obtaining some anecdotal information on travel options and as part of the NPO, visitor evaluations would provide them with this and other valuable information which could be shared.

A Member asked why the weekly closure day was always on a Monday and was advised that it allowed for work to be carried out and to manage staff costs down.  They further added that rotas had been looked into in the past but it was generally the same in the sector.

A Member asked if there were any items in the Bradford collections that should be returned and was advised that it was most likely there were some artefacts held in the permanent collection with uncertain provenance and the museum service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “X”) which updates the Committee on the outcome of the delivery programme for the Highways and Transportation teams’ capital work programmes during the 2022/23 financial year.

An indication of the forward programme of capital works is also provided against emerging and existing funding streams and Council priorities including details of any funding bids which have been submitted.

Recommended –

That progress on the transport programmes across both the programmes described in this report be noted.

(John Davis – 07970 596213)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “M”) was presented to provide Members with an update on the outcomes of the Highways and Transportation teams delivery programme on capital works programmes during 2022/23.

The report provided information on sources of funding and the challenges faced arising from the aftermath of Covid-19 and inflationary pressures.

Schemes successfully awarded funding from the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) were listed as below with an allocation of £89 million.

a)    Bradford Interchange Station Access.

b)    Bradford City Centre Cycling and Walking Improvements.

c)    South Bradford Park and Ride and Bus Expressway; and

d)    West Bradford Cycle Superhighway Extension.

The West Yorkshire + Transport Fund consisted of a number of programmes either underway or completed.  A number of additional schemes either managed by WYCA or led by other district Councils on Bradford’s behalf were also reported including details of costs that impacted on Bradford’s transport network.

An additional £2.5 million was awarded to support active travel schemes with examples included for Members’ information, as well as a summary of work programmes as part of the Integrated Transport Block of the Local Transport Plan with indicative costings provided.

An update on Smart Street Lighting scheme indicating the scale of work to be carried out following a survey.  The project would also include a dynamic control system and data collection to inform on faults and power consumption.  Other LoRAWAN sensors could also be installed to capture data for the Council as well as the public and private sectors.  The work to be completed would be a combination of contractor and in-house teams dependant on workload levels.

Other updates included the programme of Mass Rapid Transit such as light rail or tram as new low-carbon travel modes, Northern Powerhouse Rail which was transferred to DfT meaning less local input, electric vehicle charging points as these were related and relevant to Highways and Transport, despite sitting outside of the departments’ budget.

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 whether an evaluation of active travel schemes had been carried out and what their impacts were as part of the ATF tranche 1 funding.  Officers replied that the schemes were developed and implemented quickly in response to Covid pandemic so there had been no pre-scheme monitoring so no baseline data was available to to post-scheme monitoring.

The Member then asked whether any other information or feedback was available.  Officers advised that ATF tranche 2 had included public consultation and engagement and was delivered differently to ATF 1.  There was no pre-monitoring for ATF 2.  As schemes were undertaken in ATF3 and 4, comparisons and contrasts of the benefits would enable the necessary learning between 1 and 4 to develop measures on the network.

A Member referred to the report and work not undertaken as part of ATF tranche 3 and asked whether the work would go ahead and whether it would be within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

The report of the Chair of the Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Document “Y”) will be submitted to Members and presents the Committee’s Work Programme for 2023/24.

Recommended –

That the Work programme 2023-24 continues to be regularly reviewed during the year.

(Caroline Coombes – 07970 413828)