On 6 December 2016 the Executive approved new budget proposals for consultation as required with the public, interested parties, staff and the Trade Unions.  The report of the Chief Executive (Document “BA”) and appendices provide feedback from the public engagement and consultation programme and sets out a summary of the equality assessments carried out on the Executive’s Budget proposals for 2017-18 and 2018-19. There is particular reference to the Council’s responsibilities under equality legislation to enable the Executive to have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty when considering its recommendations to Council on a budget for 2017-18 and 2018-19.

Recommended -

That in accordance with Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the Executive has regard to the information contained in this report, appendices and equality assessments when considering the recommendations to make to the Council on a budget for 2017-18 and 2018-19 on 23 February 2017.

(Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee) (Dave Preston – 01274 431241)

On 6 December 2016 the Executive approved new budget proposals for consultation as required with the public, interested parties, staff and the Trade Unions.  The report of the Chief Executive (Document “BA”) and appendices provided feedback from the public engagement and consultation programme and set out a summary of the equality assessments carried out on the Executive’s Budget proposals for 2017-18 and 2018-19. There was particular reference to the Council’s responsibilities under equality legislation to enable the Executive to have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty when considering its recommendations to Council on a budget for 2017-18 and 2018-19. The Chief Executive also submitted an addendum to Document “BA”. 

It was noted that the consultation would close on 12 February 2017 and that a final addendum would be presented to the Executive on 21 February.  The Chief Executive summarised the consultation and engagement programme, the level of responses received and specific issues raised.  It was noted that community interest groups had raised Adult Social Care and Public Health as areas of most concern.  Petitions had been received regarding Ian Clough Hall, Baildon and Silsden Town Hall.  

The Leader stressed that no decision would be made at this meeting, that updated feedback would be reported to the Executive on 21 February at which meeting recommendations would be made to Council on 23 February.

It was noted that the number of on-line responses and letters received was similar to the previous year.

The Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder referred to the additional feedback on Adult Social Care contained in the addendum and noted that it accounted for £158m which was a large proportion of the Council’s overall budget.  She stressed the need to ensure that the views of these vulnerable people were taken into account.

The Chief Executive emphasised the events that had been undertaken with partnerships and service users to receive their feedback, which were recorded in the report.  It was noted that suggestions had been received on how to manage services going forward which were similar to those received in previous years and that respondents had tended to focus on the first two years of the four year period being consulted on.  Participants had been encouraged to put forward alternative suggestions at consultation events.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder referred to the consultation that had taken place with the business sector.

The Strategic Director reported on the building rationalisation programme which had been in operation for a number of years and had made an impact on the number of buildings that the Council occupied.  He referred to buildings with backlog maintenance issues and also the need to make them more energy efficient and noted the on going programme to reduce the footprint of buildings used by the Council.

The Chief Executive confirmed that the Equality Impact Assessments would be updated in line with feedback received and presented to the Executive on 21 February.

A number of Silsden Town Hall petitioners attended the meeting  one of whom addressed the Executive on behalf of the Friends of Silsden Town Hall.  She requested that Silsen Town Hall be removed form the list of halls to be considered for Community Asset Transfer and that they be given the opportunity to work with the Council to make Silsden Town Hall more viable.  The friends of Silsden Town Hall had taken a decision at its AGM that it did not have the expertise or capacity to take responsibility for the building.  She stated that the building had recently been refurbished which had been paid for from the sale of two other community buildings.  The library had been moved into the building two years ago and the building was extensively used.  She pointed out that Silsden was a growing community.  She acknowledged that hard decisions had to be made in the light of cuts in Council funding but was confident that they could work in partnership with the Council to increase income and the use of the Town Hall. She endeavoured to share a report on suggestions to generate more income and increase the use of the Hall with the Portfolio Holder and the Bradford Theatres General Manager.

The Environment, Sport and Culture Portfolio Holder confirmed that there was an on going dialogue with Town and Parish Councils and interest groups which would take into consideration how to future proof and manage halls in communities.  She added that members would take account of the representations and make recommendations to Council at the Executive on 21 February.

The Leader recognised the value of community halls but stressed that after 6 years of cuts, options available to the Council were becoming more difficult.  She thanked the petitioner for their petition and valued their input.

An Ian Clough Hall petitioner attended the meeting and spoke in objection to the proposal to transfer responsibility for Ian Clough Hall.  He expressed the view that if the building was transferred to the Parish Council or other group it should be transferred as an asset not a liability and that anyone who took over responsibility should consider the issue of maintenance.  He urged that should  the hall go to a private developer there should be no loss of parking spaces. 

The Environment, Sport and culture Portfolio Holder stressed that difficult decisions had to be made and that members were open to dialogue with communities.

A representative of Bradford, Airedale and Wharfedale, and Worth Valley Crown Green Bowling Associations attended the meeting and addressed the Executive and expressed concern at the intention that by 2020 the Council would no longer have responsibility for bowling greens.  He pointed out that a steering group had been set up  to introduce charges which in three years had raised £92,000 from 1,400 bowlers.  He added that over 70% of bowlers were over 65 and that bowling contributed to achieving “better health better lives” in line with the Council Plan.  He was of the opinion that, if the Council stopped maintaining bowling greens a number of smaller clubs would close.  He stressed the impact on the health of individuals and the implications for social care.  He accepted that bowlers needed to pay more but that no figure had been put to them. 

The Environment, Sport and Culture Portfolio Holder welcomed the feedback and noted that the points raised would be put to officers at the next steering group meeting. 

Two Baildon Ward Councillors attended the meeting and urged member to consider the impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals and the NHS if bowling clubs closed.  One of the Ward Councillors questioned the meaningfulness of the consultation and why the proposals were being consulted on which would not take effect until 2010.

In response the Leader stressed the need to be open about the Council’s finances in 2020 and the need to do things differently.

The Environment, Sport and Culture Portfolio Holder commented that she would continue to have  an on going dialogue with bowling clubs and the steering group.

The Leader emphasised that any further comments received by the deadline would be taken into consideration and the Executive would meet on 21 February to make recommendations to Council on 23 February 2017.

Resolved -

That in accordance with Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, the Executive has regard to the information contained in Document “BA”, appendices and equality assessments when considering the recommendations to make to the Council on a budget for 2017-18 and 2018-19 on 23 February 2017.

ACTION: Chief Executive