Local democracy

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 3 - City Hall, Bradford. View directions

Items
No. Item

33.

ALTERNATE MEMBERS (Standing Order 34)

The City Solicitor will report the names of alternate Members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed Members. 

 

Minutes:

Cllr Dunbar for Cllr Shafiq.

34.

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:

Cllr Dunbar disclosed an interest in the item relating to Gambling in the Bradford District, (Minute 6), as Cllr Dunbar is the problem gambling Councillor spokesperson for Bradford Council.

35.

MINUTES

Recommended –

 

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

(Mustansir Butt - 01274 432574)

 

Minutes:

Resolved –

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 14 November 2019 be signed as a correct record.

36.

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. 

 

(Yusuf Patel - 01274 434579)

 

Minutes:

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

37.

REFERRALS TO THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

No referrals were made at the time of the publication of the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no referrals to the Committee.

38.

GAMBLING IN THE BRADFORD DISTRICT pdf icon PDF 110 KB

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “N”) which updates Members on the recommendations of Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee, following the meeting of 12 September 2019.

 

Recommended –

 

The committee is invited to comment on the current draft Local Area Profile and other action points detailed at Section 2 of Document “N”.

 

(Melanie McGirk 01274 431873)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

GAMBLING IN THE BRADFORD DISTRICT

 

The report of the Strategic Director Place, (Document “N”), highlighted the progress made in relation to the recommendations made by Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Thursday 12 September 2019, to members.

 

In relation to the Local Area Profile, members were informed that an interactive mapping tool had now been produced, which enabled gambling operators to consider risk in relation to specific premises location.

 

Members also learned that a cross departmental and cross organisational plan had not been produced yet and that there was representation by officers from the Gambling Commission.

 

The representative from the Gambling Commission stated that they were working with Local Authorities, Public Health and the local Police services.  Key to their work was the development of a public health approach to gambling and working with trade organisations to encourage them to improve staff awareness in relation to under 18 gambling.  However, the Gambling Commission said that there was still a lot of work that needed to be undertaken.

 

In response to members questions about the powers of the Gambling Commission, the officer informed members that every organisation who offers gambling need a Licence.  It is the Gambling Commission who issue the condition of a licence and the Gambling Commission can also apply individual specific conditions to gambling operators.

 

Furthermore, there was debate around the use of Loot boxes.  Officers stated to members that use of Loot boxes was not classed as gambling activity and the Gambling Commission had no jurisdiction over the use of Loot boxes.

 

There was some discussion amongst members and officers in relation to the Public Health Framework and members agreed that a copy of this should be circulated.

 

There was considerable discussion between members and officers in relation to the specific gambling concerns for Bradford.  Such concerns included the fact that as a City Bradford has a young profile, particularly for males aged between 18 and 25.  Officer indicated that it was this group that was more at risk to problem gambling than other sections.

 

Members were keen to establish if the Gambling Commission revoked gambling licences.  The representative form the Gambling Commission informed members that most of the work they undertook was with organisations who do not have a gambling licence and not revoking gambling licences.

 

Moreover, members expressed that even though good, robust work was being undertaken, the Local Area Profile would not mean anything, unless the cross departmental organisational plan was developed.  Furthermore, members were concerned that they had been asked about scrutinising the plan; but this had not happened.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)          This Committee would like to thanks officers for their efforts in this area and to Rob Burkett from the Gambling Commission, for his attendance and input.

 

(2)          This Committee requests that the Cross Departmental and Cross Organisational Plan be presented to this Committee in 6 months.  The departments involved in the development of the Plan should include but not limited to, Public Health, Children’s Social Care and Adults Social Care.

 

(3)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

39.

ANTI-POVERTY COORDINATION GROUP PROGRESS REPORT pdf icon PDF 337 KB

The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 15 November 2019 received a report that presented a draft of the Bradford District Anti-poverty Co-ordination Group’s Approach for Tackling Poverty, along with data measures that would be used to evidence the impact of activity across the District.

 

The District Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group’s Approach for Tackling Poverty was subsequently approved by Council Executive of the 8 January 2019.

 

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “O”) which presents a progress update on the District Anti-poverty Co-ordination Group’s delivery plan, along with a table of key data used to evidence:  changes in poverty across the district and evidence of impacts from interventions.

 

Recommended –

 

That the Committee:

 

(1)       Accept the report.

 

(2)       Suggest additional actions or areas for consideration by the Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group.

 

(3)       Receive a further progress report in 12 months time.

 

(Helen Johnston – 01274 434401)

Minutes:

ANTI-POVERTY CO-ORDINATION GROUP REPORT

 

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “O”), which presented a progress update on the District Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group’s delivery plan, along with a table of key data used to evidence:  changes in poverty across the District and evidence of the impact of interventions.

 

The Committee had previously considered this at its meeting on 15 November 2019.

 

The report presented the progress that had been made in relation to the implementation of the District Anti-Poverty Co-ordination Group’s delivery plan and the impacts made on addressing poverty through the interventions delivered.

 

There was a considerable level of concern amongst members in relation to the key outcomes from the work of the Anti-Poverty Group and how this was addressing poverty across the Bradford district.  It was felt that there needed to be a clearer explanation of how the actions that have been undertaken have actually addressed poverty across the District.  Members were in consensus that the areas listed as outcomes in the report, were actually outputs.

 

In addition to this, member were also concerned about the co-ordination of foodbanks and how the Council can be certain that the right people are being targeted.

 

In response officers informed members that the cause and link between the actions taken to address poverty will be difficult to show, however, there had been a greater awareness of the Credit Union and more people were now taking up credit union accounts and there had been a reduction in unemployment and improvement in skills.

 

Officers stated that the role of the Anti-Poverty group was to influence poverty  and was more of an enabler.  Despite this, members were of the view that future reports should clearly set out how poverty across the District was being addressed, as a result of the actions being taken.

 

Members scrutinised the use of school uniform banks and that more should be done in this area to tackle poverty across the District.

 

Having considered the data in the report, members indicated to officers that it was difficult to interpret the data and that in future in should be presented in a more user friendly manner.

 

 

 

 

 

Resolved –

 

(1)  This Committee requests that a more focused report on how peoples lives are being improved through the work of the Anti-Poverty Co-ordinating groups, be presented within 12 months.

 

(2)  That the Leader of Council be requested to write to the Schools Minister about plans to put current school uniforms guidance on a statutory footing, so that no child is ever priced out of going to a school that meets their needs.

 

 

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place

 

40.

BREXIT PREPARADENESS - VERBAL UPDATE

Members will receive a verbal update on the Council’s preparedness for Brexit. 

(Phillip Witcherley – 01274 431241)

 

Minutes:

BREXIT PREPAREADENESS – VERBAL UPDATE

 

Officers provided a short verbal update in relation to Brexit Preparedness.

 

A update relating to Brexit was also considered by Corporate Overview and Scrutiny at its meeting on Thursday 14 February 2019.

 

Officers informed members that the Withdrawal Agreement was in place and the Britain would leave the European Union at the end of January 2020.  At this point, Britain would go into a transmission period, until the end of the 2020.

 

Officers stated that work was being undertaken to support EU citizens  living in the Bradford district, of which there are approximately 26,000.  Such work included informing European Union citizens what their rights are and also supporting 40% of the European Union residents who have applied for Settled Status.

 

Officers also highlighted that work was being undertaken with local businesses, with regards to Trade Agreements, as a result of Britain leaving the European Union.

 

In response to members questions, officers informed members that the Police reports do not report any specific Brexit related Hate Crime reports and these were monitored on a weekly basis.

 

There was agreement amongst members, that officers should produce Brexit guidance for members, so that members can in turn inform residents.

 

Members were seeking clarification, in relation to the looked after children.  Subsequently, officers indicated that the Council has statutory responsibility to look after all European Union looked after children in settlement status.

 

Resolved –

 

The Committee would like to thank officers and look foreward to receiving future updates.

 

                                                                       

ACTION:  Strategic Director of Corporate Services

41.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC

Recommended –

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication report and appendices relating to ISG on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 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 434579)

42.

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROUP (ISG) - FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE UPDATE

The Strategic Director Corporate Services will submit a report (NOT FOR PUBLICATION DOCUMENT“P”) which provides an update to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the current financial performance of ISG and future plans for the organisation.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       The views of the Committee on the actions already being taken by       management and the Steering Board as set out in Appendix 1 to    Document “P” are requested.

 

(2)       To advise officers on when any future reports will be required,   and in particular the timing for an update on progress made           following this report.

(Peter Keeley - 01274 431103)

Minutes:

INDUSTRIAL SERVICES GROUP (ISG) – FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE UPDATE

 

The Strategic Director Corporate Services submitted a report, (NOT FOR PUBLICATION “P”), which provided members an update to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee relating to the current financial performance of ISG and future plans for the organisation.

 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the Not for Publication report and appendices relating to ISG on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the proceedings, that if they were present, exempt information within Paragraph 3 (financial or business affairs) of schedule 12 A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) would be disclosed and that 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.

 

Resolved –

 

(1)          The Committee would like to thanks officers for their efforts in the work undertaken.

 

(2)          This Committee requests that the Portfolio Holder investigates the purchases of Council assets, to support ISG.

 

(3)          This Committee requests a further update in 12 months.

 

 

ACTION:  Strategic Director of Finance

43.

HANSON SCHOOL'S FINANCIAL POSITION pdf icon PDF 123 KB

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report

(Document “Q”) which is a follow up report on the financial circumstances relating to Hanson School’s overspend.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       The Committee is asked to consider and to note the information provided in the report.

 

(2)       An update on the School’s financial position be presented to the Committee at a future meeting.

 

(Marium Haque - 01274 431078)

Minutes:

HANSON SCHOOL’S FINANCIAL POSITION

 

This item was deferred as all the individuals who were due to present this report, were not present.

 

Resolved –

 

As all the individuals who were due to present this item were not present, this report has been deferred to the meeting taking place on Thursday 6 February 2020.

 

                                                                       

ACTION:  Strategic Director of Children’s Services

44.

CORPORATE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - WORK PROGRAMME 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 89 KB

The Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee will submit a report (Document “R”) which sets out the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2019/20.  The Committee is asked to consider which items it wishes to include in the work programme.

 

Recommended –

 

(1)       That members consider and comment on the areas of work        included in   the work programme.

 

(2)       That members consider any detailed scrutiny reviews that          they may wish to conduct.

(Mustansir Butt - 01274 432574)

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

CORPORATE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – WORK PROGRAMME 2019-20

 

The report of the Chair of the Committee (Document “R”), includes the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2019-20.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Lead presented the work programme for the committee.

 

There was discussion amongst members in relation to the Hate Crime and Fireworks Scrutiny Reviews.

 

Resolved –

 

That the work programme continue to be reviewed.

 

                                                                       

Action:  Overview and Scrutiny Lead