In the interest of transparency Councillors Hinchcliffe and Ross-Shaw disclosed that they were Windhill and Wrose Ward Councillors in which Low Ash Primary School was situated (Minute 69).

ACTION:        City Solicitor

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 6 November and 4 December 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel - 01274 434580 434579)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meetings held on 6 November and 4 December 2018 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

ACTION:        City Solicitor

(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 - 01274 434580)

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

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  - 01274 434580)

There were no recommendations referred to the Executive.

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AF”) estimates the Council’s Council Tax and Business Rates bases for 2019-20. These bases in turn determine the amount of taxation raised in 2019-20.

Section A of this report estimates the Council Tax Base. This involves considering: total dwellings in the district; exemptions, discounts and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme among others items.

Section B estimates the Business Rates base, starting with the total rateable value of property used by businesses in the district.

Section C summarises the implications of the tax bases for the 2019-20 revenue budget.

Recommended -

(1)       That the number of band D equivalent properties estimated by the Council as the Council Tax Base for 2019-20 for the whole of the Bradford Metropolitan District is 142,200 as set out in Appendix A of Document “AF”.

(2)       The Council Tax Base for 2019-20 for each Local Council is set             out in             Appendix B of Document “AF”.

(3)       In 2019-20, Bradford will provide a grant of £0.161m to Local Councils as compensation for the cost of Council Tax Reduction.

(4)       The amount provisionally estimated by the Council as the Business Rates income for 2019-20 as included on the Council’s NDR1 return (Appendix B1) is £130.5m:

(5)       Of the total Business Rates income;-

24% is paid to Central Government - £31.4m

1%   is paid to the West Yorkshire Fire Authority - £1.3m

74% is retained by the Council - £97.8m

A further cost of collection allowance is paid to the Council of £0.7m.

(6)       That authority is delegated to the Section 151 in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any necessary amendments to the calculation of the Business Rates estimate arising from the completion of the 2019-20 NDR1 form received from the Government and to include the amended figures in the 2019-20 Budget papers for Council.

(7)       That remaining unused amounts of the Council Tax and Business Rates earmarked reserves are held to smooth out taxation income for future years.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                            (Martin Stubbs – 01274 432056)

The report of the Director of Finance (Document “AF”) estimated the Council’s Council Tax and Business Rates bases for 2019-20. These bases in turn determined the amount of taxation raised in 2019-20.

Section A of the report estimated the Council Tax Base. This involved considering: total dwellings in the district; exemptions, discounts and the Council Tax Reduction Scheme among other items.

Section B estimated the Business Rates base, starting with the total rateable value of property used by businesses in the district.

Section C summarised the implications of the tax bases for the 2019-20 revenue budget.

The Director of Finance advised members that Bradford had been successful in joining a 2019-20 Business Rates Pilot in which it would retain 74% share of the Business Rates.  It was pointed out that the pilot included authorities in both West and North Yorkshire.

The Director of Finance highlighted that the overall position regarding business rates showed that the funding position for 2019-20, including the relevant elements was £183.7m which was an improvement of £3.7m over the previously reported position.  The Leader noted that assumptions could not be made regarding future years and called on the Government for more certainty regarding finances in future years.

Resolved -

(1)       That the number of band D equivalent properties estimated by the Council as the Council Tax Base for 2019-20 for the whole of the Bradford Metropolitan District is 142,200 as set out in Appendix A of Document “AF”.

(2)       The Council Tax Base for 2019-20 for each Local Council is set             out in             Appendix B of Document “AF”.

(3)       In 2019-20, Bradford will provide a grant of £0.161m to Local Councils as compensation for the cost of Council Tax Reduction.

(4)       The amount provisionally estimated by the Council as the Business Rates income for 2019-20 as included on the Council’s NDR1 return (Appendix B1) is £130.5m:

(5)       Of the total Business Rates income;-

24% is paid to Central Government - £31.4m

1%   is paid to the West Yorkshire Fire Authority - £1.3m

74% is retained by the Council - £97.8m

A further cost of collection allowance is paid to the Council of £0.7m.

(6)       That authority is delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any necessary amendments to the calculation of the Business Rates estimate arising from the completion of the 2019-20 NDR1 form received from the Government and to include the amended figures in the 2019-20 Budget papers for Council.

(7)       That remaining unused amounts of the Council Tax and Business Rates earmarked reserves are held to smooth out taxation income for future years.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

ACTON:         Director of Finance

Following a Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Review in 2016, Councillors and officers have been working with partners to (a) harmonise all strategies and initiatives tasked with alleviating poverty in the district and (b) developing a partnership approach by creating the Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group including partners from the social housing, health, voluntary and community and faith sectors.

This has developed a ‘living document’ which provides an overview of what partners and the council are currently doing and planning to do to alleviate poverty in the District.

Following discussion and a recommendation at the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 15 November 2018, the report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AG”) presents the draft Anti-poverty Strategy: Bradford District Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group’s Approach for Tackling Poverty to Executive for their consideration and approval.

Views from Executive are also requested on how we engage with the community of interest on poverty.

Recommended -

That Executive approve the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy: Bradford District Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group’s Approach to Tackling Poverty.

(Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                            (Helen Johnston – 01274 434401)

Following a Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Review in 2016, Councillors and officers had been working with partners to (a) harmonise all strategies and initiatives tasked with alleviating poverty in the district and (b) developing a partnership approach by creating the Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group including partners from the social housing, health, voluntary and community and faith sectors.

This had developed a ‘living document’ which provided an overview of what partners and the Council were currently doing and planning to do to alleviate poverty in the District.

Following discussion and a recommendation at the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 15 November 2018, the report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AG”) presented the draft Anti-poverty Strategy: Bradford District Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group’s Approach for Tackling Poverty to Executive for consideration and approval.

Views from Executive were also requested on how to engage with the community of interest on poverty.

The Strategic Director of Place introduced the report and emphasised that much of what the Council did was focused on tackling poverty, either through creating good jobs and inclusive growth through the economic strategy, improving quality of life through the health and wellbeing strategy or removing barriers to community cohesion through the stronger communities’ strategy. He added that the Strategy was a live document that would, together with the Delivery Plan, continue to be refreshed.

The Financial Inclusion Officer based in the Bradford District Credit Union reported that membership of the Credit Union had doubled in size in 4 years and that 50% of the members were financially excluded in that they could not access a bank account or finance elsewhere.  The Leader thanked the Financial Inclusion Officer for his work and referred in particular to the impact on individuals of austerity measures and the introduction of Universal Credit.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder referred to the impact of poverty on the health and wellbeing of children and stressed the need to capture the voice of children in all areas of the Council.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder emphasised the importance of the growth agenda and economic strategy in improving the lives of children in the District.

The Leader stressed that everything the Council did was about alleviating poverty and ensuring that people had happy and healthier lives and that the voice of the child was an important part of that process.

The Financial Inclusion Officer  noted the benefit of having a named Councillor as anti poverty champion in raising the profile of the issue of poverty.

The Neighbourhoods and Community Safety  Portfolio Holder highlighted that tackling poverty had to be at the heart of everything the authority did and that austerity had not ended.  He thanked the Anti Poverty Working Group for its work in producing the strategy.

Resolved -

That the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy: Bradford District Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group’s Approach to Tackling Poverty be approved.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee

ACTION:        Strategic Director of Place

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AH”)updates the Executive on the progress of the Ilkley parking review.  It also details the findings from the recent public consultation on the proposed parking controls which have been developed in response to the key recommendations of the parking review, the costs of the implementation and the issues associated with the introduction.  The report also seeks approval from Executive to progress with the introduction.

Recommended -

(1)       That the Executive notes the findings of the Public Consultation

(2)       That Executive notes and endorses the proposals as developed as the first phase of enhancements resulting from the Ilkley Parking Review

(Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

                                                            (Simon D’Vali – 01535 618375)

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AH”)updated the Executive on the progress of the Ilkley parking review.  It also detailed the findings from the recent public consultation on the proposed parking controls which had been developed in response to the key recommendations of the parking review, the costs of implementation and the issues associated with its introduction.  The report also sought approval from Executive to progress with its introduction.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder introduced the report and advised members that consultation was still taking place on the proposals.  The Strategic Director advised that officers were in the process of visiting businesses to discuss the proposals and hear their concerns.

The Leader asked how confident officers were that the proposals would help alleviate  parking problems in Ilkley.  The Strategic Director responded that at present there was not enough  on street parking and that commuters were parking in residential streets for a substantial length of time that was inconveniencing residents.  The introduction of residents permit parking and managing commuter parking on street and in council car parks was being explored.  Officers were confident that this would deal with specific issues raised but that there may be an overspill as a result and that officers needed to be ready to react once the orders were implemented.

The Leader referred to a representation that had been received from a local business through a Ward Councillor asking about the parking provision for businesses and employees.  The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder undertook to reply to the letter.

The Strategic Director confirmed that spaces could be allocated to businesses and staff and that with careful management their needs could be met.  He confirmed that other business parking schemes operated in the district.

A Ward Councillor attended the meeting and welcomed the continued discussions on the proposals.  She was pleased to note the provision of on street parking between 10am and 4pm weekdays.  She was concerned that the impact of the proposals may move the problem from one residential area to another.  She referred to the provision of disabled parking places at Ben Rhydding car park and the Ben Rhydding Conservation Area.  She referred to the need to involve Ward Councillors with local knowledge of the area. 

Another Ward Councillor attended the meeting and referred to the need for a whole town review of parking and added that the survey only covered the town centre.  He contended that no consideration had been given to where the overspill would go and that residents did not know how much permits would cost.  He added that flexibility should be  built into the scheme to take into consideration other key issues such West Yorkshire Combined Authority  proposals regarding Ben Rhydding railway station.

The Strategic Director noted that the permit scheme would cover a wider area than initially considered, however it was not known how far people were prepared to walk from their parking place.  He added that migration to surrounding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AI”) provides a summary of the Bradford CIL for the first financial year 2017/2018 and an update on the total amount of CIL monies collected up to December 2018. The report outlines the future process for allocating the Strategic CIL Fund and proposes minor amendments to the Regulation 123 List.

The report also seeks approval to commence with a review of the charging rates and zones in the adopted CIL Charging Schedule, as recommended following the CIL Examination and adoption in 2017.

Recommended –

(1)       That the proposed minor amendments to the Regulation 123 List          (as set out at Appendix 2 to Document “AI”), be approved for       consultation and the final changes to be agreed by the Assistant      Director (Planning, Transportation & Highways) in consultation             with the Portfolio holder following consideration of any        representations made, and to make any further amendments           considered necessary prior to implementation of the revised      Regulation 123 List.

(2)       That the Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation and Highways) be authorised to commence work towards a review of the adopted Bradford CIL Charging Schedule in 2019 alongside the preparation of the Local Plan Core Strategy Partial Review and Allocations Development Plan, with delegated authority to the Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation and Highways) to undertake any associated consultation required and make any further amendments to the CIL Charging Schedule considered necessary prior to producing a Draft Charging Schedule.

(Regeneration and Environment overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Alex Bartle – 01274 437471)

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AI”) provided a summary of the Bradford CIL for the first financial year 2017/2018 and an update on the total amount of CIL monies collected up to December 2018. The report outlined the future process for allocating the Strategic CIL Fund and proposed minor amendments to the Regulation 123 List.

The report also sought approval to commence with a review of the charging rates and zones in the adopted CIL Charging Schedule, as recommended following the CIL Examination and adoption in 2017.

Resolved –

(1)       That the proposed minor amendments to the Regulation 123 List         (as set out at Appendix 2 to Document “AI”), be approved for       consultation and the final changes to be agreed by the Assistant      Director (Planning, Transportation & Highways) in consultation             with the Portfolio Holder      following consideration of any   representations made, and to make any further amendments           considered necessary prior to implementation of the revised      Regulation 123 List.

(2)       That the Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation and Highways) be authorised to commence work towards a review of the adopted Bradford CIL Charging Schedule in 2019 alongside the preparation of the Local Plan Core Strategy Partial Review and Allocations Development Plan, with delegated authority to the Assistant Director (Planning, Transportation and Highways) to undertake any associated consultation required and make any further amendments to the CIL Charging Schedule considered necessary prior to producing a Draft Charging Schedule.

Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION:        Strategic Director of Place

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AJ”) seeks to update the Executive on progress with schemes identified for inclusion in the Safer Roads strategic schemes programme.

Recommended -

(1)       That Executive notes the proposed schemes prioritised for progression as part of the Safer Roads strategic schemes programmes and the associated initial consultation representations.

(2)       That approval be given to prepare and advertise Speed Limit Orders for:

i.              Bradford City Centre – 20mph zone

ii.            Farnham Road area – schools 20mph zone

iii.           Park Lane area – school 20mph zone

(3)       That the Strategic Director of Place and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning & Transport give consideration to any valid objections in accordance with their delegated authority or, in the event of there being no valid objections, the Orders be sealed and implemented as advertised.

(Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Richard Gelder – 01274 437603)

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AJ”) sought  to update the Executive on progress with schemes identified for inclusion in the Safer Roads strategic schemes programme.

Members were reminded that at the meeting on 12 June 2018 Executive approved a revision to the Safer Roads budget allocation from 2018/19 onwards whereby a strategic schemes budget was established to enable the promotion of strategic or district-wide projects.

Following discussions with the Strategic Director of Place and the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning & Transport the following programme of proposed schemes has been prioritised:

i.              Bradford City Centre – 20mph zone

ii.            Farnham Road area – schools 20mph zone

iii.           Park Lane area – school 20mph zone

The Strategic Director of Place pointed out that the responses to consultation had been mostly positive.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder emphasised that the schemes supported the wider agenda for the city centre and he referred to the proposals regarding Bradford Live, the Rugby Museum, New College and the Market relocation which would bring more people to the city centre.

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder  was please to note that Bradford College was included in the scheme and welcomed the schools 20mph zones and asked whether there were any plans to include other schools in the district.  The Strategic Director of Place responded that it was anticipated that the zones could be extended to other schools but that was dependent on funding.  The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder noted that investigations were taking place with Public Health into safe journeys to school.

The Neighbourhoods and Community Safety Portfolio Holder noted that the Council continued to support the West Yorkshire Police operation Steerside to reduce dangerous driving in Bradford.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder thanked officers and noted that the effectiveness of the zones in reducing speeds would be monitored.

Resolved -

(1)       That the proposed schemes prioritised for progression as part of the Safer Roads strategic schemes programmes and the associated initial consultation representations be noted.

(2)       That approval be given to prepare and advertise Speed Limit Orders for:

i.              Bradford City Centre – 20mph zone

ii.            Farnham Road area – schools 20mph zone

iii.           Park Lane area – school 20mph zone

(3)       That the Strategic Director of Place and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning & Transport give consideration to any valid objections in accordance with their delegated authority or, in the event of there being no valid objections, the Orders be sealed and implemented as advertised.

Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION:        Strategic Director of Place

The report of the Strategic Director of Corporate Services (Document “AK” that contains Not for Publication Appendix 1) will update the Executive on the review of property required for the market relocation and creation of new public realm on Darley Street.

Recommended -

That the Executive approves the following recommendations -

(1)       That the Executive is satisfied that the proposed redevelopment scheme is in the public interest and that any harm caused by the use of compulsory purchase powers to acquire and interfere with third party land and rights needed for the scheme is outweighed by the public benefits which the redevelopment scheme would generate, having also taken into account at this stage, the statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the differential impact a Compulsory Purchase Order might have on various groups of persons with protected different characteristics;

(2)       To authorise

(a)       a Compulsory Purchase Order to be made pursuant to Section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by Section 99 of the Planning           and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004), Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 and all other relevant and enabling powers, to secure the compulsory acquisition of the land and buildings shown edged red and the creation of a new right referred to at 10.2.2 in respect of the building known as Vintry House, shown coloured blue on the plan appended hereto and which land and new right is needed to facilitate and enable a viable and deliverable scheme of redevelopment to be implemented and completed in the interests of promoting the environmental, economic and social wellbeing of the community and wider area;

(b)       a right to be created pursuant to Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to permit the Council to enter and occupy Vintry House, shown coloured blue on the plan annexed hereto, for the purpose of using the building as a site compound for the storage of machinery, equipment and other apparatus necessary to facilitate the proposed redevelopment scheme.

(3)       To delegate to the Strategic Director: Corporate Resources authority to - 

            (a)             make, if necessary, minor or technical amendments to the Compulsory Purchase Order;

            (b)             modify and settle the draft “Statement” to justify the use of compulsory purchase powers, the Compulsory Purchase Order Map and Schedule and all other legal documentation necessary to support and accompany the Compulsory Purchase Order to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government for confirmation;

            (c)             approve agreements with landowners setting out the terms for withdrawal of any objections to the Compulsory Purchase Order, including where appropriate, seeking exclusion of land from the Compulsory Purchase Order;

            (d)             confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order, if satisfied that it is appropriate to do so, in the event that the Secretary of State notifies the Council that the Council has been given the power to confirm the Compulsory Purchase Order;

            (e)             promote any modifications to the Compulsory Purchase  ...  view the full agenda text for item 66.

The report of the Strategic Director of Corporate Services (Document “AK” that contained Not for Publication Appendix 1) updated the Executive on the review of property required for the market relocation and creation of new public realm on Darley Street. It provided the Executive with an update on the proposed relocation of the ‘Food Market’ to a new bespoke building on Darley Street which followed on from the report submitted to Executive on 10^th July 2018.  It was proposed to extend the scope of the development in order to maximise the regeneration impact of relocating the ‘Food Market’ onto Darley Street and also allow the creation of an area of quality Public Realm adjacent to it. 

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder commented that the proposals would lever in many benefits by providing a modern market and open up Piccadilly to bring those buildings into use.  It would also bring the city centre together with Broadway and provide an open space for people to meet and a space in which to run different events to those in City Park.

The Leader commended the proposals in promoting Bradford to become a destination and place to live and work.

Resolved -

That the Executive approves the following recommendations -

(1)       That the Executive is satisfied that the proposed redevelopment scheme is in the public interest and that any harm caused by the use of compulsory purchase powers to acquire and interfere with third party land and rights needed for the scheme is outweighed by the public benefits which the redevelopment scheme would generate, having also taken into account at this stage, the statutory obligations under the Equality Act 2010 in relation to the differential impact a Compulsory Purchase Order might have on various groups of persons with protected different characteristics;

(2)       To authorise

(a)       a Compulsory Purchase Order to be made pursuant to Section 226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by Section 99 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004), Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 and all other relevant and enabling powers, to secure the compulsory acquisition of the land and buildings shown edged red and the creation of a new right referred to at 10.2.2 in respect of the building known as Vintry House, shown coloured blue on the plan appended hereto and which land and new right is needed to facilitate and enable a viable and deliverable scheme of redevelopment to be implemented and completed in the interests of promoting the environmental, economic and social wellbeing of the community and wider area;

(b)       a right to be created pursuant to Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 to permit the Council to enter and occupy Vintry House, shown coloured blue on the plan annexed hereto, for the purpose of using the building as a site compound for the storage of machinery, equipment and other apparatus necessary to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

(Councillor Ferriby)

The Strategic Director of Place will present a report (Document “AL” which contains a Not for Publication Appendix 2)that provides a progress update on delivery of the adopted Bereavement Services Strategy covering:-

·         Appointment of external specialists to assist with delivery of crematoria programme

·         Land Acquisition

·         The new Muslim burial ground lease with the Bradford ‘Council for Mosques’

·         Extension of Muslim burial ground at Scholemoor cemetery

·         Infrastructure repair to cemeteries

·         Revised Memorial Policy

Recommended that the Executive:-

(1)          Approve the recommendation made by the Strategic Director Place to remove Northcliffe Park from the list of potential sites for a new crematorium

(2)          Instruct the Strategic Director Place to communicate the decision made for removal of Northcliffe Park from the list of proposed sites for a new crematorium to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee of the Council sitting as Corporate Trustees.

(3)         Instruct the Strategic Director Corporate Services to commence land acquisition negotiations for the two sites specified within Not for Publication Appendix 2 of Document “..” up to the option to buy stage

(4)          Note and welcome the procurement of external specialist resources to complete the feasibility stage for the remaining 4 identified sites and subject to further approval, deliver progress to RIBA stage 3 for the design and build of two new crematoria

(5)          Instruct the Strategic Director Place to submit a report recommending the two sites to be approved for the construction of new crematoria and the estimated costs at the earliest opportunity.

(6)          Note and welcome the signing of the revised lease with Bradford Council for Mosques for the Muslim burial area at Scholemoor cemetery.

(7)          Note and welcome adoption of the revised Memorial Policy

(Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

                                                                        (Phil Barker – 01274 432616)

The Strategic Director of Place presented a report (Document “AL” which contained a Not for Publication Appendix 2)that provided a progress update on delivery of the adopted Bereavement Services Strategy covering:-

·         Appointment of external specialists to assist with delivery of crematoria programme

·         Land Acquisition

·         The new Muslim burial ground lease with the Bradford ‘Council for Mosques’

·         Extension of Muslim burial ground at Scholemoor cemetery

·         Infrastructure repair to cemeteries

·         Revised Memorial Policy

The Strategic Director had recommended that Northcliffe Park be removed from the list of potential sites for a new crematorium.

The General Secretary, Bradford Council for Mosques attended the meeting and noted that since 1981 there had been a large increase in Muslim burials due to an increase in the population and a reduction in the number of repatriations.  He added that the Council for Mosques was working with Bradford Council Bereavement Service to meet this increase and draw up a Muslim burial strategy that was fit for purpose, working with all stakeholders.  He welcomed the proposals in the medium term but emphasised the need to investigate future provision.

The Leader was pleased to note that a Bradford based firm had been appointed as external specialists.  She added that a feasibility study would be completed for the remaining 4 identified sites and a report would be presented to a future meeting of the Executive with recommendations on 2 of the sites.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder referred to the petition received at Council on 16 October regarding Northcliffe Park and noted the severe constraints, two of which were unique to this site, and that it had been recommended that the site be removed from the list of potential sites.  She stressed that there was a shortage of suitable sites and that a report would be presented to a future meeting on the 4 remaining sites.  She thanked the Council for Mosques and Council officers for their work.

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder welcomed the strategy in ensuring that bereaved families and deceased were treated with respect. He thanked the Council for Mosques for their work and noted the need for increased space to meet future needs for Muslim burials due to an increasing population and a reduction in repatriations.

The Leader anticipated the signing of the revised lease with Bradford Council for Mosques for the Muslim burial area at Scholemoor cemetery following the meeting.

Resolved -

(1)          That the recommendation made by the Strategic Director Place to remove Northcliffe Park from the list of potential sites for a new crematorium be approved

(2)          That the Strategic Director Place be instructed to communicate the decision made for removal of Northcliffe Park from the list of proposed sites for a new crematorium to the Regulatory and Appeals Committee of the Council sitting as Corporate Trustees.

(3)         That the Strategic Director Corporate Services be instructed to commence land acquisition negotiations for the two sites specified within Not for Publication Appendix  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

The petition entitled ‘Petition against Consideration of Northcliffe Park as a Site for a New Crematorium’ was received by Full Council on 16 October 2018 and referred for consideration by Executive.

The petition relates to the inclusion of Northcliffe Park on a list of 3 sites under consideration for the building of a new crematorium to replace the facility at Nab Wood cemetery.  The report of the Strategic director of Place (Document “AM”) considers the concerns raised in the petition regarding the possible use of part of the Park, which is held in trust, for the building of a crematorium.

Recommended that the Executive:-

Refer the lead petitioner to the recommendations passed within the Bereavement Services Strategy Delivery Plan Update report (Document “AM”).

Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Phil Barker – 01274 432616)

A petition entitled ‘Petition against Consideration of Northcliffe Park as a Site for a New Crematorium’ was received by Full Council on 16 October 2018 and referred for consideration by Executive.

The petition related to the inclusion of Northcliffe Park on a list of 3 sites under consideration for the building of a new crematorium to replace the facility at Nab Wood cemetery.  The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “AM”) considered the concerns raised in the petition regarding the possible use of part of the Park, which was held in trust, for the building of a crematorium.

Resolved -

That the lead petitioner be referred to the resolutions passed within the Bereavement Services Strategy Delivery Plan Update report (Document “AL”).

Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION:        Strategic Director of Place

(Councillor I Khan)

The report of the Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “AN”) asks the Executive to approve changes to the Nursery provision at Low Ash Primary School from 1 September 2019.

Recommended -

(1)          That taking into account that the majority of responses received reject the proposal to close the nursery (82%) and of those the majority suggested a 26 place nursery, the Executive approves a reduction in nursery places from 30 to 26 children at any one time at Low Ash Primary School Nursery from 1 September 2019. This will also help to address some of the financial concerns of the school.

(2)          That if approved, Bradford Council’s Childcare Sufficiency Officers will work with the school to ensure the offer is in line with community needs.

(Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Marium Haque – 01274 431078)

The report of the Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “AN”) asked the Executive to approve changes to the Nursery provision at Low Ash Primary School from 1 September 2019.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder welcomed the proposal that was supported by the local community.  The Leader, who was a local Ward Councillor was pleased to note that the nursery would remain open.

Resolved -

(1)          That taking into account that the majority of responses received reject the proposal to close the nursery (82%) and of those the majority suggested a 26 place nursery, a reduction in nursery places from 30 to 26 children at any one time at Low Ash Primary School Nursery from 1 September 2019 be approved. This will also help to address some of the financial concerns of the school.

(2)          That Bradford Council’s Childcare Sufficiency Officers work with the school to ensure the offer is in line with community needs.

Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee

ACTION:        Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services

The report of the Chief Executive/Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “AO”)provides updated information about the Council’s response to the OFSTED ILACS judgement published on 29 October 2018.

Recommended -

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

(2)          That the draft Statement of Action to be tabled at the meeting be considered.

(Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(David Walmsley – 01274 431241)

The report of the Chief Executive/Interim Strategic Director of Children’s Services (Document “AO”)provided updated information about the Council’s response to the OFSTED ILACS judgement published on 29 October 2018.

The Interim Strategic Director tabled the draft Statement of Action at the meeting for consideration.  She reminded members that the Improvement Plan had to be submitted to OFSTED by the beginning of February 2019.  She explained that the draft Improvement Plan had been divided into 6 key themes that referenced the 10 OFSTED recommendations and 28 other wider Areas for Improvement.  It described the actions to be taken against areas for improvement, measures of success, who would be taking them forward and a Red Amber Green rating for progress.  She added that 6 Task Groups had been established to look at each of the key themes.  The Task Group Leads would report to the Partnership Steering Group on a monthly basis on progress and any barriers to progress.  It was anticipated that the appointment of the Independent Advisor, who would take over chairing the Improvement Board from the Chief Executive, would be known shortly.  She stressed that now that the key actions were contained in a single plan work could progress on putting them into action. 

She summarised the progress made to date and advised members that additional resources had been agreed;

·         a robust communication plan had been agreed;

·         Doncaster had undertaken a peer review of the Front Door and Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) arrangements;

·         a recruitment and retention strategy for social workers was being developed;

·         revised manager and social work standards were being looked at;

·         new key interim and permanent appointments had been made;

·         audits on children in need were being examined;

·         a 6 month programme had been agreed with the Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee;

·         an external provider had been commissioned regarding the voice of the child;

·         all existing forums and groups were being asked for their views on the draft Improvement Plan and their experiences of services in Bradford;

·         integrated children’s systems of recording were being reviewed;

·         work was being undertaken on user friendly, reliable and accurate data gathering;

·         a multi agency group was considering the Front Door and MASH arrangements;

·         work was being undertaken on a sufficiency strategy for looked after children;

·         a tracker of key milestones in the next 12 weeks had been created. 

She explained that the first monitoring visit would take place on 7-8 March 2019 that would focus on the front door and MASH.  She stressed that the council was working closely with Regional colleagues, the Local Government Association and high performing authorities nationally to model good practices.

The Chief Executive was pleased to note that all departments would have to show how the voice of the child was embedded in their work.  She added that work was also being undertaken with partner organisations such as police and health colleagues.

The Children and Families Portfolio Holder thanked the Interim Strategic Director and staff in Children’s Service’s and the Officer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority  held on 11 October 2018 (to be added)

The Minutes of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 11 October 2018 were received.