Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - City Hall, Bradford

Contact: Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel 

Items
No. Item

46.

DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

(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 may remain in the meeting and take part fully in discussion and voting unless the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an interest which the Member feels would call into question their compliance with the wider principles set out in the Code of Conduct.  Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

 

(2)       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. 

 

(3)       Members are also welcome to disclose interests which are not disclosable pecuniary interests but which they consider should be made in the interest of clarity.

 

(4)       Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

 

Minutes:

The following declarations of interest were received:

 

(i)            The Leader, Councillor Hinchcliffe declared an interest in the item relating to the Rating and Council Tax item (Minute 53) as she was the owner of an empty home as a result of inheritance, and she left the meeting during consideration and voting on the matter.

 

(ii)          The following Members of the Executive had also been granted dispensations under the Localism Act 2011 in relation to declared Disclosable Pecuniary Interests relating to employment, sponsorship and land for the purposes of speaking and voting at this meeting in relation to the Budget Consultation item (Minute 49):

 

Employment :

 

Councillors Imran Khan and Ross Shaw

 

Sponsorship:   

 

Councillors Farley, Jabar, Imran Khan and Ross-Shaw

 

Land:      

 

Councillors Farley, Ferriby, Hinchcliffe, Imran Khan, Ross-Shaw and Jabar

 

ACTION: City Solicitor

47.

INSPECTION OF REPORTS AND BACKGROUND PAPERS

(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. 

 

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

Minutes:

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents. 

48.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXECUTIVE

To note any recommendations to the Executive that may be the subject of report to a future meeting.  (Schedule to be tabled at the meeting). 

 

 (Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

 

Minutes:

There were no recommendations referred to the Executive.

LEADER OF COUNCIL & CORPORATE

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

49.

PROPOSED FINANCIAL PLAN UPDATED 2019/20 TO 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 339 KB

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “Z”) which sets out:

 

           the update on budget decisions and Council Tax including new      proposals for consultation with the public, interested parties, staff and    Trade Unions for 2019/20 and 2020/21

 

           revised outlook to 2021/22, to allow further development of spending          proposals to keep the Council effective and financially sustainable

 

Recommended –

 

It is recommended that Executive, having considered the Council’s public sector equality duty as set out above:

 

(1)       Approve for consultation as required with the public, interested             parties, staff and Trade Unions the proposed detailed budget             changes for 2019/20 and 2020/21 set out at Appendix D and any          revisions to previous decisions as set out in Appendix F.

 

(2)       Approve for consultation as required with the public, interested             parties, staff and Trade Unions the proposed detailed budget             changes for 2020/21 as set out in Appendix E.

 

(3)       Approve for consultation as required with the public, interested             parties, staff and Trade Unions the proposed recurrent spending      included in the financial estimates as set out in Appendix C.

 

(4)       Approve for consultation the proposed new capital schemes as            set out in section 8 of this report.

 

(5)       Note the proposed use of reserves as set out in Appendix G.

 

(6)       Approve the consultation mechanisms and processes set out in           Appendix H.

 

(7)       Approve the implementation of the retail relief scheme for            properties with a rateable value below £51,000 for the two year   period 2019/20 to 2021/22 as set out in Appendix I.

 

(8)       Authorise the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Leader         of the Council, to proceed with a pooled 75% business rate pilot if      the application is approved by MHCLG; and

 

(9)       Authorise Strategic Directors to engage with stakeholders to      develop draft plans and options for the reforms and changes   required to deliver a balanced budget in 2020/21.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

 

(Tom Caselton – 01274 434472)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “Z”) which set out:

 

           the update on budget decisions and Council Tax including new      proposals for consultation with the public, interested parties,         staff and        Trade Unions for 2019/20 and 2020/21

 

           revised outlook to 2021/22, to allow further development of spending          proposals to keep the Council effective and financially sustainable

 

The Leader in presenting and tabling the Labour group’s update to the four year plan on the Budget and Council Tax proposals for 2019/20 and 2020/21, stated that recent Government announcements had indicated an end to Austerity, however this was not the case.  The cumulative year on year impact of Austerity had had a profound human cost and services had been severely affected.

 

She added that she had not entered politics to make cuts, however Local Government had faced the brunt of the Government’s Austerity measures, and the shortfall in adult and children social care funding was significant and mirrored the national picture, and in recognition the Local Government Association was lobbying Government vociferously on this issue.

 

In addition Central Government funding to Local Authorities  had been cut and by 2020 the Rate Support Grant would be down to zero.  That Ministers were being lobbied in order to get a fairer funding formula for Bradford.  Despite the difficult fiscal climate and the continued impact of Austerity, Bradford was still managing its finances well and good progress was being made in service delivery.  Bradford had taken a proactive approach with an ambitious business/economic strategy, and growing the economy was the only viable way of creating jobs for the district and improving the lot of Bradford folk.  In the sphere of Adult Social Care, Bradford had spearheaded the concept of independent living;  Bradford had also seen a significant increase in the number of new homes being built, the majority being erected on brownfield sites;  visitor numbers to the district were up and the success of the literature festivals in Bradford and Ilkley were alluded to; Illuminate and the Saltaire festivals were events worthy of note;  school attainment levels were continuing on a upward trajectory and further improvements would be seen as initiatives to drive up improvements came to fruition.

 

Portfolio Holders alluded to successes in service delivery in their respective areas and commented on the priorities for the forthcoming year.  The funding crisis within Adult and Children Social Care was particulary highlighted as an on going issue going forward, although the Council had earmarked additional resources in these areas.  Investment was also seen as a major driver to boost the Bradford economy and create jobs.

 

The Leader acknowledged that increasing spending in Adult and Children Social Care impacted on the spend in other service areas.  The Leader added that that this budget consultation would continue till the end of January 2019, and that she wanted people to participate in the budget consultation process and make their views known.

 

Resolved –

 

That Executive, having considered the Council’s public sector equality duty as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

50.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

Recommended -

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendix 4  to the Osfted Inspection report for the reason that it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraphs 1 (information relating to an individual) and 2 (information identifying an individual) of Section 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in applying these exemptions outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendix 4  to the Osfted Inspection report for the reason that it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraphs 1 (information relating to an individual) and 2 (information identifying an individual) of Section 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in applying these exemptions outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

 

51.

OFSTED INSPECTION OF LOCAL AUTHORITY CHILDREN'S SERVICES (ILACS) pdf icon PDF 251 KB

The Chief Executive  and the Interim Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a joint report (Document “AA” which contains Not for Publication Appendix 4)) which provides updated information about the Council’s response to the OFSTED ILACS judgement published on 29 October 2018.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       To note the actions taken in response to OFSTED inspection     findings.

 

(2)       To note the plans to establish the Improvement Board and provide      comment.

 

(3)       To note and comment on plans to produce the draft Improvement        Plan.

 

(4)       To refer the draft Improvement Plan for discussion at the             Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children’s Services

 

(David Walmsley – 01274 431241)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chief Executive  and the Interim Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a joint report (Document “AA” which contained Not for Publication Appendix 4)) which provided updated information about the Council’s response to the OFSTED ILACS judgement published on 29 October 2018.

 

The Chief Executive stated that following on from the consideration of the OFSTED report in October, the Council had taken urgent steps to drive up improvements in a sustainable manner and this report set out the draft statement of action to continue the improvement journey.  To this end the Improvement Board was coming on stream with an independent improvement advisors in the process of being appointed.  She added that OFSTED would be making a return visit in the new year and progress will be reported to the Executive thereafter.  The Council had also appointed a new Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services who will be overseeing the improvements and we were confident that these improvements will be made in the interest of the children of the district.

 

The Interim Strategic Director was present at the meeting and stated that she had now been in post for a few weeks and that she was intending to take decisive action to ensure improvements in Children Social Care are made.  To this end plans were in place to ensure that the right improvements were made and that staff and key stakeholders were fully involved in the process.

 

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder stated that he had met with the Interim Strategic Director as well as with staff, and he had sensed that there was a real urgency to make the necessary improvements following the OFSTED judgement.

 

In response to a question on how the voice of the child would be captured within the improvement plan, the Interim Strategic Director stated that this element would have to be captured and evidenced in our case work in order to ensure it was recorded.  She added that 1700 case files had now been audited and a number of immediate actions had taken place to ensure issues were dealt with appropriately.

 

Resolved–

 

(1)       That the action taken in response to the OFSTED inspection      findings be noted.

 

(2)       That the plans to establish the Improvement Board be noted.

 

(3)       That the plans to produce the draft Improvement Plan be noted.

 

(4)       That the draft Improvement Plan be referred for discussion at the          Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

 

ACTION:       Interim Strategic Director Children’s Services

 

Overview and Scrutiny Area: Children’s Services

 

 

EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT AND SKILLS PORTFOLIO & DEPUTY LEADER

(Councillor I Khan)

52.

PROPOSED INCREASE OF THE PUBLISHED ADMISSION NUMBER AT TITUS SALT SCHOOL pdf icon PDF 77 KB

The Interim Strategic Director will submit a report (Document “AB”) which asks the Executive to :

 

·         Approve the increase in the Published Admission Number (PAN) at Titus Salt School from 240 to 250 from 1 September 2020

 

Recommended –

 

That the Executive approves the increase in the Published Admission Number (PAN) at Titus Salt School from 240 to 250 from 1 September 2019

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

 

(Marium Haque - 01274 431078)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Interim Strategic Director submitted a report (Document “AB”) which asked the Executive to approve the increase in the Published Admission Number (PAN) at Titus Salt School from 240 to 250 from 1 September 2020

 

The increase would ensure there was sufficiency of places and following consultation two objections had been received, which were set out in the report.

 

Resolved –

 

That the increase in the Published Admission Number (PAN) at Titus Salt School from 240 to 250 from 1 September 2020 be approved.

 

ACTION:       Interim Strategic Director Children’s Services

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

 

 

REGENERATION, PLANNING & TRANSPORT PORTFOLIO

(Councillor Ross-Shaw)

53.

RATING (PROPERTY IN COMMON OCCUPATION) AND COUNCIL TAX (EMPTY DWELLINGS) ACT 2018 pdf icon PDF 219 KB

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AC”) which sets out options for changes to Council Tax premiums for long term empty homes to support the Council’s objectives to bring empty homes back into use in line with the Empty Homes Action Plan which forms part of the Council’s ‘A Place to Call Home: Housing and Homelessness Strategy for Bradford District 2014 – 2019’ in line with recent legislative changes.

 

Recommended –

 

It is recommended that Option 2 be approved so that:

 

                      From 1 April 2019 – the charge is 100% for properties empty                    for at least two years

 

                      From 1 April 2020:

 

·         the charge is 100% for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200% for properties empty for at least five years

·          

                      From 1 April 2021:

 

·         the charge is 100%  for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200%  for properties empty for at least five years but less than ten years

·         the charge is 300% for properties empty for at least ten years

 

These charges (or premiums as they are known) are charged in addition to the usual council tax charge that applies to the property.

 

(Overview & Scrutiny Area: Regeneration and Environment)

 

(Julie Rhodes - 01274 431163)

Minutes:

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AC”) which set out options for changes to Council Tax premiums for long term empty homes to support the Council’s objectives to bring empty homes back into use in line with the Empty Homes Action Plan which forms part of the Council’s ‘A Place to Call Home: Housing and Homelessness Strategy for Bradford District 2014 – 2019’ in line with recent legislative changes.

 

Members welcomed the proposals and also commended the Service on winning the Empty Homes practitioner of the Year award, adding that the proposals would go some way in addressing the issue of homes remaining unoccupied.

 

Resolved:

 

That Option 2 be approved so that:

 

                      From 1 April 2019 – the charge is 100% for properties                                empty for at least two years

 

                      From 1 April 2020:

 

·         the charge is 100% for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200% for properties empty for at least five years

 

                      From 1 April 2021:

 

·         the charge is 100%  for properties empty for at least two years but less than five years

·         the charge is 200%  for properties empty for at least five years but less than ten years

·         the charge is 300% for properties empty for at least ten years

 

These charges (or premiums as they are known) are charged in addition to the usual council tax charge that applies to the property.

 

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

 

Overview & Scrutiny Area: Regeneration and Environment

 

54.

PLANNING FOR GROWTH: THE LEEDS CITY REGION CONNECTIVITY STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 419 KB

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AD”) which provides an update on the development of the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy. It follows a report to West Yorkshire Transport Committee on 9 November 2018.

 

Building on existing connectivity priorities for each West Yorkshire district, it develops the first tranche of Inclusive Growth Corridors (those areas with greatest economic need/opportunity), as identified in the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy.

 

The report sets out how transforming connectivity in the communities of greatest economic need will help raise productivity, living standards and improve air quality, thereby helping to deliver Inclusive Growth.

 

Alongside local priorities, the approach set out in this report, the City Region Transit Network, have the potential to shape future connectivity priorities at a City Region level in the period up to HS2 opening in 2033 and beyond. The proposals are designed to complement, maximise and accelerate inclusive growth associated with HS2 coming to the Leeds City Region.

Recommended –

 

Executive are requested to:

(1)       Note the update on the work undertaken to date by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners to progress the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy, as reported to the Combined Authority Transport Committee.

(2)       Request that officers continue to work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to drive forward the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy to deliver appropriate solutions for the city.

(3)       Support the proposed West Yorkshire Transport Committee member working group to oversee the connectivity and mass transit strategy. 

(4)       Endorse the opening of a conversation with the public and stakeholders around the role of mass transit, as a part of an integrated solution to the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire.

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Julian Jackson – 01274 433766)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AD”) which provided an update on the development of the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy. It follows a report to West Yorkshire Transport Committee on 9 November 2018.

 

Building on existing connectivity priorities for each West Yorkshire district, it develops the first tranche of Inclusive Growth Corridors (those areas with greatest economic need/opportunity), as identified in the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy.

 

The report set out how transforming connectivity in the communities of greatest economic need will help raise productivity, living standards and improve air quality, thereby helping to deliver Inclusive growth.

 

Alongside local priorities, the approach set out in the report, the City Region Transit Network, had the potential to shape future connectivity priorities at a City Region level in the period up to HS2 opening in 2033 and beyond. The proposals were designed to complement, maximise and accelerate inclusive growth associated with HS2 coming to the Leeds City Region.

 

A representative from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority was present at the meeting and he stated that this was a start of a conversation with stakeholders across the West Yorkshire region to ascertain whether the solutions proposed were the right ones, with the aim of improving connectivity.

 

The Leader welcomed the report and stated that this was an important piece of work, predicated on receiving money from Central Government, and she cited that connectivity was crucial in readiness for HS2 and Northern Power Rail.

 

The Portfolio Holder added that integrated transport links and growing the network were crucial in improving connectivity as well as providing economic benefits to the region.

 

Resolved -

 

 (1)      That the update on the work undertaken to date by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners to progress the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy, as reported to the Combined Authority Transport Committee be noted.

(2)       That officers be requested to continue to work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to drive forward the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy to deliver appropriate solutions for the city.

(3)       That the proposed West Yorkshire Transport Committee member working group to oversee the connectivity and mass transit strategy be supported. 

(4)       That the opening of a conversation with the public and stakeholders around the role of mass transit, as a part of an integrated solution to the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire be endorsed.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

55.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

Recommended –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication Report relating to the Future delivery of the Public Health (0-19) Children’s Services on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within paragraphs 3 (financial or business affairs) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in allowing the public to remain is outweighed by the public interest in excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceedings for the following reasons:

 

It is in the public interest in maintaining these exemptions because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision.

 

(Yusuf Patel – 01274 43479)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication Report relating to the Future delivery of the Public Health (0-19) Children’s Services on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within paragraphs 3 (financial or business affairs) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and it is considered that, in all the circumstances, the public interest in allowing the public to remain is outweighed by the public interest in excluding public access to the relevant part of the proceedings for the following reasons:

 

It is in the public interest in maintaining these exemptions because it is in the overriding interest of proper administration that Members are made fully aware of the financial implications of any decision.

 

56.

FUTURE DELIVERY OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH (0-19) CHILDRENS SERVICES (CURRENTLY HEALTH VISITING, SCHOOL NURSING AND ORAL HEALTH)

The Head of Commissioning, Public Health will submit a report (Not for Publication Document “AE”) which provides an update on:

 

(1)          The procurement of the Public Health (PH) 0-19 Children’s Service (currently health visiting, school nursing and oral health services)

 

(2)          Progress on the development of the  new delivery model and specification and

 

(3)          Progress in the  competitive tender process relating to 1. 

 

Recommended –

 

That the recommendations set out in Not for Publication Document “AE” be approved.

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health and Social Care

 

Liz Barry - 01274 431565

Minutes:

The following item was included on this agenda as an exceptions to the Forward Plan in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 10 (General Exception to the Forward Plan) of Part 3D of the Constitution.

 

The Head of Commissioning, Public Health submitted a report (Not for Publication Document “AE”) which provided an update on:

 

(1)          The procurement of the Public Health (PH) 0-19 Children’s Service (currently health visiting, school nursing and oral health services)

 

(2)          Progress on the development of the new delivery model and specification and;

 

(3)          Progress in the competitive tender process relating to 1. 

 

Resolved –

 

That the recommendations set out in Not for Publication Document “AE” be approved.

 

ACTION:       Strategic Director Health and Wellbeing

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health and Social Care