Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - City Hall, Bradford

Contact: Jill Bell / Yusuf Patel 

Items
No. Item

36.

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:

Councillor I Khan disclosed a pecuniary interest in the item relating to Update on Bradford Council’s Preparations for Brexit (Minute 41) as he was employed by an organisation that was in receipt of finance from the Council under the EU Settlement Scheme and he withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.

37.

MINUTES

Recommended –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2019 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

 

(Jill Bell - 01274 434580)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2019 be signed as a correct record.

 

38.

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.

 

39.

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:

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee 12 September 2019

GAMBLING IN THE BRADFORD DISTRICT

 

Resolved –

 

(1)       That this Committee requests that the final Local Area Profile be      presented to this Committee at its meeting on 14 November 2019.

 

(2)       That this Committee requests that a cross departmental and cross   organisational plan be presented to this Committee on 14 November   2019, which focuses specifically on the issues identified in the Local   Area Profile and also identifies other potential populations    that could      be deemed to be at risk.

 

(3)       That this Committee requests that representatives from treatment     services and the Gambling Commission be requested to attend the meeting in November 2019.

 

(4)       That this Committee requests that the Executive consider           organising a cross sector group conference to examine the issue          of problem gambling in the Bradford district and to also explore             local solutions.

 

 

NOTE: In receiving the recommendation contained in (4) above the Leader undertook to meet the Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee to discuss how to take the recommendation forward.

 

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

 

REGENERATION, PLANNING & TRANSPORT PORTFOLIO

(Councillor Ross-Shaw)

40.

OBJECTIONS IN RELATION TO THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ON-STREET PARKING PLACES CONSOLIDATION ORDER 2015 pdf icon PDF 77 KB

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “U”)requests that any objections received in relation to the amendments to the On–Street Parking Places Consolidation Order 2015, are considered by the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder. This would require authority from the Executive to delegate consideration of objections to the proposal and make recommendations regarding whether the Order is sealed as advertised or if any modifications are to be made before implementation.

 

Recommended -

 

That the Executive delegates consideration of objections to the Schedule as outlined in 9.1 – On Street Parking Places, shown in Appendix A to Document “U” , to  the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to seal the Order as advertised or make any modifications before implementation.

 

(Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny)

(Louise Williams - 01274 431066)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Strategic Director of Place (Document “U”)requested that any objections received in relation to the amendments to the On–Street Parking Places Consolidation Order 2015, be considered by the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder. This would require authority from the Executive to delegate consideration of objections to the proposal and enable decisions to be made regarding whether the Order was sealed as advertised or if any modifications were to be made before implementation.

 

The Opposition Group Leader attended the meeting and spoke about parking issues in Bingley and Ilkley to illustrate his opposition to the proposals for the City Centre.  He was of the opinion that any additional income would be depleted by the cost of implementing the proposals and that increased charges would deter visitors. 

 

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder reminded him that the proposals were to implement a budget decision and that no alternative plans had been put forward.  He considered that the charges were not unreasonable and were in line with other cities and towns in the Country.  He stressed that the proposals were designed to achieve a turn over of parking and manage premium parking spaces in the City Centre which would be beneficial for businesses.

 

The Leader and the Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder stressed the importance of making Bradford a destination and referred to initiatives such as Sparkling Bradford that had led to an increase in footfall.

 

Resolved -

 

That consideration of objections to the Schedule as outlined in 9.1 – On Street Parking Places, shown in Appendix A to Document “U” , be delegated to  the Strategic Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with power to seal the Order as advertised or make any modifications before implementation.

 

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place        

Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny

 

LEADER OF COUNCIL & CORPORATE

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

 

NOTE

 

The following item is 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.

 

 

41.

UPDATE ON BRADFORD COUNCIL'S PREPARATIONS FOR BREXIT pdf icon PDF 1 MB

A report will be submitted (Document “V”) that provides an assessment on the latest position of our businesses, residents and service providers in preparing for Brexit.

 

Due to committee reporting deadlines, this version of the report was prepared on the 25 September and is up to date at the time of writing.  Please note that given the rapidly changing context of Brexit, it is possible that this report may not be fully up to date with external events at the time of the Executive Committee.

 

The Government is committed to leaving the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal. Bradford Council’s preparations are aimed at ensuring that services, residents, businesses and partners are supported through Brexit. This preparation continues to follow the key themes and actions outlined in the Brexit Preparedness Report approved by Executive on the 5 March 2019. 

 

The Government has also issued a further £104,000 to support Local Authorities to prepare for Brexit. 

 

This report recommends that this money be held in readiness to deploy to cover eventualities which the Council may need to react to over the coming weeks in this fast changing environment.

 

Recommended –

 

That the additional £104,000, awarded by Government in August 2019 to help with Brexit preparations, be held in readiness to deploy to cover eventualities which the Council may need to react to over the coming weeks in this fast changing environment.

 

 

(Corporate/All Overview & Scrutiny Committees)

                                                                               (Phil Witcherley – 01274 431241)

Minutes:

A report was submitted (Document “V”) that provided an assessment on the latest position of our businesses, residents and service providers in preparing for Brexit.  It was noted that the report was prepared on the 25 September and was up to date at the time of writing.

 

The Government was committed to leaving the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal. Bradford Council’s preparations were aimed at ensuring that services, residents, businesses and partners were supported through Brexit. This preparation continued to follow the key themes and actions outlined in the Brexit Preparedness Report approved by Executive on the 5 March 2019. 

 

The Government had also issued a further £104,000 to support the Council to prepare for Brexit.  The report recommended that this money be held in readiness to deploy to cover eventualities which the Council may need to react to over the coming weeks in this fast changing environment.

 

Members were advised that the Strategic Director of Corporate Resources had been identified as Brexit Lead Officer to act as a link to national Government and co-ordinate all Brexit preparations at a District level.

 

The Head of Policy and Performance  reported that 5,270 of the 37,000 EU citizens living in the District had applied for Settled or Pre-Settled Status.  He added that local social care providers had been surveyed to assess their readiness for Brexit and that 84% of those providers that had replied employed less than 10% of their staff from EU nationalities. 

 

The Leader underlined the importance of planning in such uncertain times.  She stressed that EU citizens living in the District were welcome and that there was a need to ensure that they stayed and contributed to the economy of the District.  The Neighbourhoods and Community Safety Portfolio Holder reiterated that EU citizens living in Bradford were valued but noted that a significant number had not yet applied for Settled Status and gave an assurance that they would be supported in this process.  The Head of Policy and Performance acknowledged that this was a high priority and commented that the Authority was working with partner organisations regarding vulnerable groups and Settled Status.  Particular issues faced by vulnerable residents were being raised with the Home Office and different methods of communication were being rolled out.

 

The Stronger Communities Delivery Co-ordinator advised members that the Authority supported VCS organisations working as community hubs offering support and guidance on the EU Settlement Scheme.  He added that funds had been made available to gain level 1 advice worker status at these centres.  He noted that all leaflets and posters were available on the Council web site.  He explained that families in the West Bowling area were being visited in their homes, organisations were visiting factories in Keighley and the Authority was working through schools to reach parents to provide advice and guidance on Settled Status.  He reported that the Roma community had been identified as the group most likely to require more intensive support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

42.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

Recommended –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of  Not for Publication Document “W” relating to Partner Future Pension Arrangementson the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within paragraphs 3 and 5 (financial or business affairs and legal privilege) 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 and legal implications of any decision.

 

(Jill Bell – 01274 434580)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of  Not for Publication Document “W” relating to Partner Future Pension Arrangementson the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within paragraphs 3 and 5 (financial or business affairs and legal privilege) 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 and legal implications of any decision.

 

43.

PARTNER FUTURE PENSION ARRANGEMENTS

The report of the Director of Finance (NOT FOR PUBLICATION Document “W”) will set out the options for the potential Subsumption of another body within the Council Pension arrangements.

 

Recommended –

 

That The Recommendations contained in Not For Publication Document “W” be approved.

 

(Corporate Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

Minutes:

The report of the Director of Finance (NOT FOR PUBLICATION Document “W”) set out the considerations in respect of a request for the Council to guarantee pension arrangements (by way of subsumption) of another body within the West Yorkshire Pension Fund.

 

 

Resolved –

 

That consideration of this item be deferred to the meeting of the Executive on 5 November 2019.

 

ACTION: Director of Finance

Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee