(Members Code of Conduct – Part 4A of the Constitution)

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

Notes:

(1)       Members must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

(2)       Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(3)       Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

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

No disclosures of interest in matters under consideration were made.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2024 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Yusuf Patel – 07970 411923)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2024 be signed as a correct record.

(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 / Fatima Butt – 07970 411923 / 07970 411746)

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

To note the following recommendation to the Executive:

Regulatory and Appeals Committee – 1 August 2024:

DESIGNATION OF A CONSERVATION AREA IN ECCLESHILL

Resolved –

That the Regulatory and Appeals Committee recommend to the Executive that the part of Eccleshill identified in Appendix 1 to Regulatory and Appeals Committee Document “B” be designated as a Conservation Area.

To be actioned: Strategic Director of Place         (Jon Ackroyd - 01274 434551)

The following recommendation was referred to the Executive from the meeting of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee held on 1 August 2024:

DESIGNATION OF A CONSERVATION AREA IN ECCLESHILL

Resolved –

That the Regulatory and Appeals Committee recommend to the Executive that the part of Eccleshill identified in Appendix 1 to Regulatory and Appeals Committee Document “B” be designated as a Conservation Area.

Note: in receiving the above recommendation the Leader stated that a report on the conservation area designation will be considered at the November meeting of the Executive.

To be actioned: Strategic Director of Place       

(Councillor Hinchcliffe)

The Director of Finance will submit a report (Document “H”) which provides Members with the forecast year-end financial position of the Council for 2024-25 and sets out the very challenging scale of its financial challenges. It outlines the revenue and capital budgets and the year-end forecast financial position based on information at the end of June 2024. It states the Council’s current reserves and school balances.

Recommended –

That the Executive

(1)       Note that all Strategic Directors are required to reduce their       expenditure during the remainder of the financial year to         significantly reduce the current forecast overspend.

(2)       Review and comment on the Qtr. 1 Finance Position Statement.

(3)       Note the following has been approved under Section 1.7 of the Financial Regulations:

·         Accommodation invest to save project - £4.6m budget for the consolidation of the City Centre estate by relocating staff and functions into City Hall and Britannia House.  This has been funded from borrowing and will generate revenue savings of just under £1.1m in a full year.

·         Retaining Wall - £0.075m new budget for the emergency repair of a retaining wall to allow the reinstatement of the Highway. This has been funded from the general contingency budget.  

·         City Centre Market - £2.416m additional budget for construction costs. This will be funded from the 2024-25 Budget (CS0395i) that was set up to mitigate cost pressures, retain the scheme viability and secure desired outcomes.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Andrew Cross - 07870 386523)

The Director of Finance submitted a report (Document “H”) which provided Members with the forecast year-end financial position of the Council for 2024-25 and set out the very challenging scale of its financial challenges. It outlined the revenue and capital budgets and the year-end forecast financial position based on information at the end of June 2024. It stated the Council’s current reserves and school balances.

The financial position till the end of June 2024/2025 was alluded to which indicated a 17.9m forecast overspend across Council departments, details of which were set out in Document “H”; which included a £2.5m overspend within Bradford Children’s and Families Trust which they were planning to mitigate; the £17.9m was offset by £8.8m underspend in the Councils’ general fund, utilising £9.2m contingency arising from the capitalisation direction, which was intended to be short term solution.

The Leader thanked the Finance team for their sterling work in managing the budget in very difficult circumstances as well as staff across the Council, ensuring that we curtail spending and offer best value for money. She alluded to the difficult financial environment facing Local Government, however in the face of rising demands in Social Care we still had to maintain financial prudence.

A Member of the main opposition group stated that a number of budget headings did not take into account previous overspend in service budgets; for example within adult social care the overspend relating to increased overspend in 23/24 in purchased care, if this was a full year impact why was this not reflected in setting the budget for 24/25; similarly in other service areas where they are known factors. the budget was still being set with the existing variables for example additional staffing within the BCFT, should have been factored into the 24/25 budget.  In general, the Council’s overspend was still projected to be high during this financial year and the Council was still pursuing regeneration opportunities, whereas a more prudent course of action was recommended.

In response to the issues raised, the Director of Finance stated that the MTFS will reflect a more accurate financial position in November; in areas where there was projected overspend this was primarily due to increased service demand and that within the Trust there were mitigation measures being brought in place to bring the budget into balance.

The Leader added that regeneration projects were crucial in order to create jobs and reduced poverty in the district.

Resolved –

(1)      That it be noted that all Strategic Directors are required to reduce        their expenditure during the remainder of the financial year to           significantly reduce the current forecast overspend.

(2)      Executive reviewed and commented on the Qtr. 1 Finance Position Statement.

(3)      Executive noted the following had been approved under Section 1.7 of the Financial Regulations:

·        Accommodation invest to save project - £4.6m budget for the consolidation of the City Centre estate by relocating staff and functions into City Hall and Britannia House.  This has been funded from borrowing and will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The Chief Executive will submit a report (Document “I”) which provides an overview of performance against the Council’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which are set out in the Council Plan for the full municipal year 2023-24 and a summary of some of the Council’s achievements against its priorities. 

Recommended –

(1)       That the performance against the key performance indicators in           the 2021/25 Council Plan be noted.

(2)       That members comment on the Council’s performance over the           last 12 months. 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Jenny Cryer - 01274 432438)

The Chief Executive submitted a report (Document “I”) which provided an overview of performance against the Council’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which were set out in the Council Plan for the full municipal year 2023-24 and a summary of some of the Council’s achievements against its priorities. 

The Assistant Director Officer of the Chief Executive gave an overview of the full year performance report, details of which were set out in the report.  The Assistant Director alluded to the fact that the Plan was now under review, with the new plan going forward being quite different in terms of its format.  Key achievements were highlighted such as the city centre transformation programme, Darley Street Market, 1 City Park and the continued improvements within Children’s Services as reflected in the Ofsted Monitoring visits. 

Positive performance such as the number of adults educated to Level 3 was alluded to as well as the homeless prevention work bucking national trends and the reductions in obesity levels in children; improvements in air quality; council tax collection and use of local suppliers were also showing improvement.  A number of improvements still needed to be made and these will be the key areas of focus going forward such as improving the number of adults going into work, school absenteeism, number of affordable homes and reductions in the number of children seriously injured or killed on our roads.

The Leader in welcoming the report stressed the importance of receiving these performance reports and that it gave us a focus and oversight on the activities being undertaken by the Council.

Portfolio Holders gave a resume of the key achievements in their respective service areas, such as the work on the decent homes initiative; delivery of more affordable homes; earnings of those in employment was also increasing; work on implementation of the Clean Air Zone and its impact on improving air quality and health and wellbeing; independent living within adult social care; launch of vision zero to reduce the number KSI; partnership working across all service areas was seen as key in delivering these improvements.

Resolved –

(1)      That the performance against the key performance            indicators in the 2021/25 Council Plan be noted.

(2)      That members commented on the Council’s performance over the       last 12 months. 

No Action

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Corporate

(Councillor Ferriby)

The Strategic Director for Adult Social Care and Health will submit a report (Document “J”) which provides an update to the Executive on the work undertaken to enhance the Safe and Sound Service, including the activity required for the Digital Switchover, revised service offer and our plans to maintain a sustainable service through the implementation of a varied charging model.

Recommended –

That the Executive:

(1)            Recognise the developments in the Safe and Sound Service to implement a Technology Enabled Care offer.

(2)            Agree for a formal consultation to be undertaken with current service users and stakeholders on the proposal to change the charging model.

(3)            Agree for the Strategic Director for Adult Social Care and Health to bring a report back to the Executive setting out the feedback from the consultation and recommendations on the proposed way forward.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health and Social Care

(Rachael Meadows-Hambleton - 07484 535480)

The Strategic Director for Adult Social Care and Health submitted a report (Document “J”) which provided an update to the Executive on the work undertaken to enhance the Safe and Sound Service, including the activity required for the Digital Switchover, revised service offer and plans to maintain a sustainable service through the implementation of a varied charging model.

The Strategic Director gave a detailed overview of the proposed changes which were set out in the report.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder stressed that the changes would give a tiered level of cover and enable individuals to stay in their homes longer.

Resolved –

That the Executive:

(1)           Recognised the developments in the Safe and Sound Service to implement a Technology Enabled Care offer.

(2)           Agreed for a formal consultation to be undertaken with current service users and stakeholders on the proposal to change the charging model.

(3)           Agreed for the Strategic Director for Adult Social Care and Health to bring a report back to the Executive setting out the feedback from the consultation and recommendations on the proposed way forward.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director for Adult Social Care

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Health and Social Care

The Council has a duty to develop and implement a winter service operational plan to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable traffic keeps moving even in unforeseen weather conditions and that safe passage on the highway network is not endangered by the presence of snow or ice.

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “K”) which details the arrangements which have been incorporated in the years’ Highways Services Winter Service Plan to discharge this duty. It outlines the changes to the plan which have been made as a result of the reviews of winter 2024-25 operations and details how the plan complies with the new Code of Practice for Well Managed Highways Infrastructure.

Recommended –

(1)       That Executive approve the adoption of the Winter Services Plan         2024-25 and that a copy of the approved plan be placed on the          Council’s website in accordance with the requirements of the           Code of Practice for Well Managed Highways Assets.

(2)       That in addition to placing the Winter Service Plan 2024-25 on the website electronic copies of the plan shall be circulated to all senior managers, elected members, parish and town councillors prior to the commencement of the winter season.

(3)       That the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder be delegated responsibility for consideration and approval of all requests relating to changes of the length and scope of treatment routes described and shall exercise due diligence in relation to such decisions in relation to the budget implications of such.

(4)       The Executive note the urgent need for the maintenance upgrade of the Council’s current weather stations at Queensbury and Silsden and that funding be allocated from the current winter maintenance budgets for this work.

(5)       That Executive endorse the continued work by the Highways service to increase the sustainability and efficiency of the winter service operations and in particular that:

(6)       The development of a detailed business case for arrangements for salt storage be undertaken and that funding for the initial ground investigation survey at Wakefield Road depot be allocated from within the existing winter maintenance budget.

(7)       That enhanced digitisation of decision making in winter operations be progressed and that Executive endorse the submission of a proposal to the Council’s Section 151 Officer for purchase of road surface temperature sensors and that an upgrade to the Council’s current Visala subscription be agreed to support the use of thermal mapping.

(8)       A further report be presented to a future meeting of the Executive on the above matters including details of any efficiencies delivered in 2024/25 through the use of targeted network treatment supported through the use of thermal mapping.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee:  Regeneration & Environment

(Richard Gelder - 01274 437603)

The Council has a duty to develop and implement a winter service operational plan to ensure that as far as reasonably practicable traffic keeps moving even in unforeseen weather conditions and that safe passage on the highway network is not endangered by the presence of snow or ice.

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “K”) which detailed the arrangements which had been incorporated in the years’ Highways Services Winter Service Plan to discharge this duty. It outlined the changes to the plan which have been made as a result of the reviews of winter 2024-25 operations and detailed how the plan complied with the new Code of Practice for Well Managed Highways Infrastructure.

The Highways Services Manager gave a detailed overview of the Winter Service Plan set out in the appendix to the report.

The Leader in welcoming the report stressed the difficulties in apportioning a budget in this area as demand, weather conditions and climate change all played a part.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder commended the work of the service and the developments in improving the Winter Plan going forward.

Resolved –

(1)      That the adoption of the Winter Services Plan 2024-25 be            approved and that a copy of the approved plan be placed on the Council’s website in accordance with the requirements of the                       Code of Practice for Well Managed Highways Assets.

(2)      That in addition to placing the Winter Service Plan 2024-25 on the website electronic copies of the plan shall be circulated to all senior managers, elected members, parish and town councillors prior to the commencement of the winter season.

(3)      That the Strategic Director of Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder be delegated responsibility for consideration and approval of all requests relating to changes of the length and scope of treatment routes described and shall exercise due diligence in relation to such decisions in relation to the budget implications of such.

(4)      That the urgent need for the maintenance upgrade of the Council’s current weather stations at Queensbury and Silsden be noted and that funding be allocated from the current winter maintenance budgets for this work.

(5)      That the continued work by the Highways service to increase the sustainability and efficiency of the winter service operations be endorsed and in particular that:

(6)      The development of a detailed business case for arrangements for salt storage be undertaken and that funding for the initial ground investigation survey at Wakefield Road depot be allocated from within the existing winter maintenance budget.

(7)      That enhanced digitisation of decision making in winter operations be progressed and Executive endorsed the submission of a proposal to the Council’s Section 151 Officer for purchase of road surface temperature sensors and that an upgrade to the Council’s current Visala subscription be agreed to support the use of thermal mapping.

(8)      A further report be presented to a future meeting of the Executive on the above matters including details of any efficiencies delivered in 2024/25 through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “L”) which proposes to deliver an E-Bike Hire Scheme in the District to be operational in Spring 2025 and coincide with the UK City of Culture. The Council intends to procure an e-bike hire scheme operator funded via the reinvestment of the net proceeds from the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) with potential, additional funding, and support from stakeholder partners.

Recommended –

(1)       That the option to deliver an E-Bike Scheme for Bradford be      approved.

(2)       That Council subsidy for the introductory period of the scheme            will be capped and not extended beyond this period.

(3)       That authority is delegated to the Strategic Director, Place, for the       purpose of entering contract with an e-bike hire scheme operator. 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Andrew Whittles - 07581 007609)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “L”) which proposed to deliver an E-Bike Hire Scheme in the District to be operational in Spring 2025 and coincide with the UK City of Culture. The Council intended to procure an e-bike hire scheme operator funded via the reinvestment of the net proceeds from the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) with potential, additional funding, and support from stakeholder partners.

The Assistant Director Sustainability gave an overview of the proposed scheme, details of which were set out in the report.

The Healthy People and Places Portfolio Holder in welcoming the scheme, stressed that it would enable commuters and visitors to easily transport themselves around the city centre and that it would also be a welcome addition as the Council approached the 2025 City of Culture.  She added that E Bikes would also help  reduce emissions and improve health and wellbeing.

Resolved –

(1)      That the option to deliver an E-Bike Scheme for Bradford be      approved.

(2)      That Council subsidy for the introductory period of the scheme            will be capped and not extended beyond this period.

(3)      That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Place, for the      purpose of entering contract with an e-bike hire scheme operator. 

To be actioned by: Strategic Director Place

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “M”) which seeks Executive approval for the investment of the CIL Strategic Fund for monies accumulated up until March 2024.

Recommended –

(1)       That the executive agree the allocation of the CIL Strategic Fund and CIL Strategic Pot as set out in Tables 3 and 4 to (Document “M”) to be used to contribute to highways, habitat mitigation, education and parks and green spaces projects on the capital plan to assist in reducing corporate borrowing.

(2)       That any allocation from the Strategic Fund and Strategic Pot is allocated to assist in the funding of the schemes stated within this report. Updates on the programming and spend of the allocations to be provided twelve months from the date of allocation.

(3)       That if updates on the spend of allocations confirm the project has not started or a start date is not known, the allocation is returned to the CIL Strategic Fund for reallocation. The date for this return to be confirmed in consultation with the Director of Finance and Director of Legal and Governance.

(4)       That any expenditure plans following an allocation from the Strategic Fund and Strategic Pot be subject to Legal and Finance approval to ensure full compliance with the CIL Regulations.

(5)   That the Executive request that a full review of previous CIL allocations is undertaken. The review to consider the reallocation of any unspent CIL sums. This review to be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place and the Assistant Director of Planning, Transportation and Highways in consultation with the Portfolio Holder. Such reviews to then be carried out on a regular basis. 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Michala Bartle - 01274 432522)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted a report (Document “M”) which sought Executive approval for the investment of the CIL Strategic Fund for monies accumulated up until March 2024.

The Planning and Transport Strategy Manager gave an overview of the CIL Strategic Fund, details of which were set out in the report. 

A Wharfedale Labour Councillor was present at the meeting and welcomed the CIL invesment in his ward, in particular with the expansion of Grange Park Surgery and also the funding that had been earmarked for a number of transport schemes and a play area in the ward.

Resolved –

(1)      That the allocation of the CIL Strategic Fund and CIL Strategic Pot as set out in Tables 3 and 4 to (Document “M”) be approved to be used to contribute to highways, habitat mitigation, education and parks and green spaces projects on the capital plan to assist in reducing corporate borrowing.

(2)       That any allocation from the Strategic Fund and Strategic Pot be allocated to assist in the funding of the schemes stated within this report. Updates on the programming and spend of the allocations to be provided twelve months from the date of allocation.

(3)       That if updates on the spend of allocations confirm the project has not started or a start date is not known, the allocation be returned to the CIL Strategic Fund for reallocation. The date for this return to be confirmed in consultation with the Director of Finance and Interim Director of Legal and Governance.

(4)       That any expenditure plans following an allocation from the Strategic Fund and Strategic Pot be subject to Legal and Finance approval to ensure full compliance with the CIL Regulations.

(5)       That the Executive request that a full review of previous CIL allocations be undertaken. The review to consider the reallocation of any unspent CIL sums. This review to be delegated to the Strategic Director of Place and the Assistant Director of Planning, Transportation and Highways in consultation with the Portfolio Holder. Such reviews to then be carried out on a regular basis. 

To be actioned by: Strategic Director Place / Directors of Finance/Interim Director of Legal and Governance (3 & 4)

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Councillor Duffy)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services will submit a report

(Document “N”) which provides an overview of the Monitoring Visit undertaken on the 22nd and 23rd May 2024.

Recommended –

It is recommended that:

(1)       The Council acknowledge the progress and outcome from the Monitoring Visits undertaken to date that have provided evidence     and validation that the work undertaken to address and improve        practice is showing progress in a number of areas.

(2)       The Council and partners continue to work with the DfE appointed      Commissioner to support the work of the Trust and to ensure             improvements are made in line with the Children’s Social Care     Improvement Plan.

(3)       The Council provides support to the Trust to ensure         recommendations from the Monitoring Visits are effectively            implemented to bring about positive change and improvement of      outcomes for children and families.

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

(Ophelia Rix - 01274 436064)

The Strategic Director Children’s Services submitted a report

(Document “N”) which provided an overview of the Monitoring Visit undertaken on the 22nd and 23rd May 2024.

The Strategic Director welcome the improvements made by the Trust and that this was reflected in the latest monitoring visit.

The Leader echoed the comments made and stressed that the Council was fully supportive of the work being undertaken by the Trust and Children’s Services.

Resolved –

(1)          The Council acknowledged the progress and outcome from the            Monitoring Visits undertaken to date that have provided           evidence       and validation that the work undertaken to address and improve    practice is showing progress in a number of areas.

(2)       The Council and partners continue to work with the DfE appointed Commissioner to support the work of the Trust    and to ensure improvements are made in line with the             Children’s Social Care Improvement Plan.

(3)       The Council provides support to the Trust to ensure         recommendations from the Monitoring Visits are effectively            implemented to bring about positive change and improvement of      outcomes for children and families.

To be actioned by: Strategic Director Children’s Services

Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Children’s Services

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 20 June 2024. (Please click the minutes to access the minutes).

The minutes of the meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority held on 20 June 2024 were received.