Local democracy

Agenda item

MEMBER QUESTION TIME (Standing Order 12)

To deal with supplementary questions arising from the attached questions of which written notice has been given. 

 

Notes:

 

(i)         Answers to written questions shall be circulated at the commencement of the meeting.

 

(ii)        The Lord Mayor will have regard to the list of questions and the political composition of the Council in calling on Members to put their supplementary question to the Leader of Council and Portfolio Holders.

 

(iii)       A period of up to 30 minutes shall be available for supplementary questions to Members of the Executive.

 

1.    Councillor Angela Tait

Would the leader join me in congratulating the organisers of the Bradford Dragon Boat Festival for delivering a wonderful event for the district to be proud of and raising much needed funds for The Lord Mayor's Charities and multiple other charities.

 

2.    Councillor Sally Birch

How many Council owned residential class properties have been empty/unoccupied for over a year and what are is the criteria for managing these in light of the housing demands in the district?

 

3.    Councillor Jeanette Sunderland

At the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 30th June 2022 the issue of apparently hundreds of computers bought for staff in Children's Services remaining unused was raised. Can the Leader assure us that the Council knows how many devices there are, exactly where they are now and can she confirm that there is no information about Bradford's most vulnerable children left on those devices?

 

4.    Councillor Matt Edwards

Can the leader of the Council tell us what Bradford Council have done to make sure: a) every individual and small business that is eligible for an exemption for the Clean Air Zone has been made aware of the options; b) ensure the website is accurate and up to date with all the relevant information; and c) The Council has in place information and process to assist residents who don’t have access to the internet.

 

5.    Councillor Luke Majkowski

Can the portfolio holder finally provide feedback for members, as well as for the very hardworking and dedicated Queensbury Tunnel Society, on the studies carried out on Queensbury Tunnel? This information has been in the hands of the council for a significant amount of time now. Also, do recent events at Cumbria's Great Musgrave Bridge, in his opinion, have any impact on the in filling of Queensbury Tunnel?

 

6.    Councillor Fozia Shaheen

Can the leader join me in congratulating Bradford District in securing the City of Culture 2025. This is an amazing achievement for our city. Please could the leader assure this money will be used to reflect and support all communities through regeneration, heritage and cultural opportunities, and advise what are the plans for the next steps.

 

7.    Councillor Angela Tait

Could the portfolio holder provide an update on progress of the domestic violence pilots across the district.

 

8.    Councillor Mike Pollard

Further to the airing of “Bradford on Duty”, does the Leader of the Council believe that contributing to the programme was a good idea, conducive to promoting to the reputation and perception of Bradford District?

 

9.    Councillor Paul Godwin

How much are Keighley Town Council spending on their referendum? Including sending a letter to voters to explain the arrangements? What proportion of Town Council's annual precept would this represent?

 

10.Councillor Paul Godwin

In the event of development not going ahead on the old Keighley College site, what would be the financial implications for the Council in terms of 'clawback' of the funding provided for the site preparation?

 

11.Councillor Zafar Ali

In light of residents’ confusion regarding the responsibility for the clearance of leaves on public footpaths etc, they now often report problems to Ward Councillors as a first port of call and when advised to ring the generic Bradford 01274,431000, as this is what the Council advises members to pass on, they sometimes respond with disappointment and sometimes hostility towards elected members, would the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport, Planning and Housing, please advise as to how the council proposes to improve / streamline this situation?

 

12.Councillor Brendon Stubbs

Following the freedom of information request from the Times newspaper that revealed that Bradford Council still has around 90%of office space unused due to continued home working of staff, can the leader please detail the current occupancy levels and the steps being taken to ensure that unused office space is not becoming a financial burden and ensure that staff are encouraged to return to the workplace.

    

13.Councillor Kevin Warnes

Can the Leader of Council reassure the Shipley ward councillors that officers implementing the Active Travel Neighbourhood in Saltaire will make sure that (a) local Town and District councillors are kept fully informed about its performance on a regular basis; (b) residents are similarly updated about the impacts on traffic in their community; and (c) the Executive undertakes to respond fully to any concerns that residents and councillors may have about this scheme?

 

14.Councillor Nazam Azam

With the cost of living crisis is there an opportunity to do more to support the roll out of Citizen Coin?

 

15. Councillor Marcus Dearden

It’s good to see the council investing in the Doe Park centre – please could the portfolio holder outline what are the recent improvements to the building and the expected benefits. Are there discounts in place for disadvantaged young people?

 

16.Councillor Geoff Winnard

In view of the Bradford’s success in being named 2025 City of Culture, can the leader confirm that the Council’s culture policy is supportive of artistic freedom of expression, whether through books, paintings, films, sculpture etc. (unless illegal) and in opposition to censorship? 

 

17.Councillor Julie Lintern

Can the portfolio holder advise what events are planned for the Holiday Activities and Food programme in the school summer holidays for children throughout the district?

 

18.Councillor Mohammed Shafiq

How many electric or low emission buses do we now have in the Bradford district?

 

19.Councillor Debbie Davies

A report that went to scrutiny in the spring stated “getting office workers back into our city and centres is the key remaining element to recovering to pre-pandemic footfall levels” – could we have an update on council office workers and what the current working arrangements are working from home and the office?

 

20.Councillor Taj Salam

The recent finance report to Executive predicts the council will face an additional £20m cost from rising inflation, with transport fuel costs already up 25% and an estimated doubling of energy unit prices. The report also predicts a continuing impact from Covid yet our Covid funding from government has ended. Does the Leader share my concern, how will the government put its levelling up rhetoric into practice given councils across the country are facing such immense budget shortfalls for the coming year?

 

21.Councillor Rizwana Jamil

Can I have an update on our planting a tree for every child project?

 

22.Councillor Mike Pollard

Would the Leader concede that Government merely endorsed the CAZ charging structure proposed by Council, it did not mandate the charging structure to be adopted.

 

23.Councillor Hassan Khan

Can the portfolio holder explain the Vision Zero initiative to reduce road casualties and what more we can do with police and partners to make our roads safer for everyone?

 

24.Councillor Kamran Hussain

Can the Portfolio Holder for Housing outline the steps taken by the Council’s Homelessness teams to reduce the number of people in temporary accommodation and support them into secure, permanent accommodation of a decent standard?

 

25.Councillor Andrew Loy

What funding, if any, has been allocated to Backstone Way playground in Ilkley for new and replacement equipment?

 

26.Councillor Jeanette Sunderland

There have been a number of incidents in local woodlands and parks where members of the public have felt scared or intimidated or even experienced a dog-on-dog attack from dogs being walked by professional dog walkers. Does the Portfolio Holder agree it is essential that dog walkers comply with the requirements of the law and local bylaws relating to dog walking and will she consider implementing a scheme to licence professional dog walkers which also limits the number of dogs that can be walked, restricts the meeting up of professional dog-walkers and ensures standards of welfare for the dog, respect for other walkers or riders, the environment and peace of mind for the dog-owners.

 

27.Councillor Celia Hickson

Will the leader of the Council and officers agree to meet ward councillors and representatives from Tong Leadership Academy to discuss the ongoing situation at the former Yorkshire Martyr’s Site? Given the location of the site and the limited possible uses, would the Council consider purchasing the site to ensure this eyesore is finally demolished?

 

28.Councillor Kamran Hussain

Can the portfolio holder tell me what provisions have been put in place to support grassroots organisations in deprived areas post-pandemic?

 

29.Councillor Mohammed Shafiq

Can the portfolio holder give an update on our investment in skills and supporting people into work post-Covid?

 

30.Councillor Geoff Winnard

On Sunday,15 May a section of the northbound A650 Bingley Bypass was closed to motorists to allow filming for a BBC television programme. This caused widespread disruption for local residents, most of whom were unaware of the planned road closure, with significant congestion on routes through the town. What assessment of the likely traffic impact was made by the Council before deciding to whether to agree to the road closure?  How much did the Council charge the filming company for use of the highway throughout the day? 

 

31.Councillor Mohsin Hussain

Can the portfolio holder give an update on the Towns Fund plans for Keighley and which projects are likely to be delivered most quickly?

 

32.Councillor Liz Rowe

Can I have an update from the portfolio holder for regeneration on our investments with our partners in Shipley constituency, including the latest on the Towns Fund schemes?

 

33.Councillor Debbie Davies

Culture is our plan’ target is “by 2031 50% of Bradford District creative workforce, audiences and cultural leadership will be drawn from people currently underrepresented in Culture and Creative Industries sector.”  Could you explain which people are underrepresented?

 

34.Councillor Julie Humphries

An LGA survey found 98% of councils do not have confidence that the funding from the government’s adult social care reforms will be enough to meet need – does the portfolio holder share that concern?

 

35.Councillor Kyle Green

What projects are being considered for the Keighley Constituency for the Government’s Levelling up Funding and what consultation will take place with local ward Councillors regarding this funding?

 

36.Councillor Debbie Davies

It states in the Infrastructure Funding Statement 2020/2021 that there was £9.52m unspent Section 106 contributions – what is the current figure and when is this money going to be spent on the important items it has been allocated towards such as affordable housing, highway works and recreation?

 

37.Councillor Alun Griffiths

Does the leader agree that this council should be standing up for fair and responsible tax conduct, and as such will she commit to supporting the “Councils for Fair Tax declaration”?

 

38.Councillor Anna Watson

Now that we have secured our forthcoming City of Culture status, will the Leader of Council please (a) write to Network Rail to press them to invest more resources in clearing away the refuse/litter from the approaches to Bradford’s railways stations and (b) share Network Rail’s response with councillor colleagues?

Minutes:

Details of the questions from Members to the Leader of Council and Portfolio Holders and the answers given had been circulated and published on the Council’s website.

Supporting documents: