The Director of Legal and Governance will report the names of alternate Members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed Members. 

(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.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2025 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Yusuf Patel - 07970 411923)

(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 – 07970 411923)

The following referrals have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda.

The Committee is asked to note the referrals listed above and decide how it wishes to proceed, for example by incorporating the item into the work programme, requesting that it be subject to more detailed examination, or refer it to an appropriate Working Group/Committee.

The Strategic Director, Corporate Resources will submit a report (Document “Y”) in which it will provide an update on the implementation of Universal Credit in the Bradford District. Universal Credit was first introduced locally in 2015, and the roll-out is now 81% complete. The full roll-out for most working-age claimants is expected to be completed by March 2026, following the managed migration of claims.

Recommended-

That Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the progress being made in the roll-out of UC in the District.

(Caroline Lee- 07811 088644)

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillors learned that Universal Credit had been gradually implemented nationally and was first introduced in the Bradford District in 2015 and that the roll out of Universal Credit was now 81% complete locally.

Aswell as this, Officers also informed Councillors that the roll-out for most working-age claimants was set to be completed by March 2026, following the managed migration of claims.

Councillors were keen to understand the actions that are taken as part of the managed migrations process.

In response, Officers stated that after week 12 of the initial contact with the claimant, further contact is made after 12 weeks.  If this is unsuccessful then a homes visit is made and if this is also unsuccessful, then a case conference is arranged to determine a new approach.

Councillors also asked what they should do, if they were asked to help a claimant and who should they be referred to.

Officers indicated that claimants could be referred to the Department for Works and Pension and Bradford Council for help and advice.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee Councillors, stated that they were keen to keep an overview of the implementation of Universal Credit across the Bradford district.

Resolved –

That the Committee requests a further report be presented in 12 months, focusing on the roll-out of Universal Credit across the Bradford district.

To be actioned by:  Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

                                                            (Caroline Lee – 07811 088655)

The Chair of the Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee will submit a report (Document “Z”) in which it will present the draft Terms of Reference for the scrutiny review relating to Domestic Abuse across the District. This review will focus on assessing and addressing domestic abuse-related issues within the Bradford area.

Recommended-

That the committee adopts the DRAFT Terms of Reference.

(Mustansir Butt- 07582 101597)

The Overview and Scrutiny presented the draft Terms of Reference for the scrutiny review, relating to Domestic Abuse across the District.  The Overview and Scrutiny Lead stated that the draft Terms of Reference included the key lines if inquiry, a list of interested parties and an indicative timetable.

It was also indicated to Councillors that this was a working document and even through Councillors comments were sought, there would be opportunities throughout the duration of this scrutiny review to amend the Terms of Reference.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee members considered and approved the Terms of Reference for the Domestic Abuse Scrutiny Review.

Resolved –

That members considered and agreed the Terms of Reference for the Domestic Abuse Scrutiny Review.

To be actioned by:  Overview and Scrutiny Lead.

                                                (Mustansir Butt – 07582 101597)

The Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee will submit a report (Document “AA”) which includes topics for the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee work programme for 2024/25.  The Committee is asked to consider the work programme.

Recommended-

(1) That members consider and comment on the areas of work in this municipal year.

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

(Mustansir Butt- 07582 101597)

The Overview and Scrutiny Lead shared with Councillors the topics to be considered, as part of the 2024-25 work programme.  Also highlighted was that the work programme would form the basis for the work of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee during the municipal year and that the work programme could be amended as issues arose.

Councillors on the Committee, considered the work programme.

Resolved –

That the Committee considered and reviewed the work programme.

To be actioned by:  Overview and Scrutiny Lead

                                                            (Mustansir Butt – 07582 101597)