Document “E” is a report of the Bradford Environment Forum explains the role of the organisation and provides a summary of some of the current and recent projects that illustrate the types of contribution that the voluntary and community sector contribute to life in Bradford and to supporting the District’s priorities.

The report also provides a summary of the commissioned environment initiatives.

Recommended –

(1)  That the Committee acknowledges the achievements of the Bradford Environment Forum with the Council Grant.

(2)  That the Committee continues to support the work of the VCS partners in the Bradford Environment Forum.

(3)  That a further report be provided to this Committee to update them on the work undertaken in 2017-18.

(Mahmood Mohammed – 01274 437399)

The Strategic Director, Place, presented, Document “E”, which was a report of the Bradford Environment Forum outlining the role of the organisation and providing a summary of some of the current and recent projects to illustrate the types of contribution that the voluntary and community sector contributed to life in Bradford and to support the District’s priorities.  The report also provided a summary of commissioned environmental initiatives. 

It was explained that Bradford Environment Forum (BEF) brought together third sector organisations and groups which were involved in environmental activity in the Bradford District.  BEF sought to provide representation in strategic discussions and provide communication tools to enable groups to work together to maximise positive environmental activity in the Bradford District.

The report highlighted, as examples of their work, three current projects being delivered in the district and emphasised the importance of support received from the Council through the Environmental Commissioning Fund (EFC).

Representatives of the Forest of Bradford; Bradford Environmental Education Service (BEES) and the Bradford Community Environment Project (BCEP) were in attendance at the meeting to talk about their projects.

·         Bradford Community Environment Project (BCEP)

The representative from BCEP explained that since the time of report writing, the organisation had ceased to operate as they were unable to continue in the current financial climate.  Because of the very recent events representatives were still considering the next steps although it was hoped to continue with partners working with recyclable paint.

·         Forest of Bradford

The representative of the Forest of Bradford reported that the scheme had been set up in 1998 with the aim of establishing 480 hectares of native woodland, equivalent to one million trees.  It was explained that, to date, the project had planted 465,000 native trees / shrubs at over 350 different sites.

Challenges, in terms of financing its core work, were presented and that the Environment Commissioning Fund (ECF) from the Council continued to play a crucial role in supporting core work and levering in outside sources of funding was emphasised.

The successful level of public engagement developed in delivering the project’s work was reported.  A tree planting session involving Members of the Sant Nirankari Mission and 25 volunteers from the Forest of Bradford was discussed.

·         Bradford Environmental Education Service (BEES)

It was explained that in the current financial climate capacity had massively reduced and without core funding it was impossible to secure other outside grants.  The core services funded by the ECF were reported and included the following:-

·         The Conservation Volunteer Group, engaging a wide range of volunteers to make positive environmental change in their neighbourhoods.

·         A programme of Wildlife Field Visits offering a shared learning experience; lifelong learning and a valuable resource of species recoding for sites in the district and beyond.

·         Community Orchard providing local food and events.  Details of an Apple Day being held on Sunday 15 October 2017 were circulated. 

Feedback from participants illustrating how the BEES services was addressing the environmental outputs such as habitat management and also providing a chance for residents’ personal development and a framework for support was provided.

Following those presentations Members expressed concern about the long term sustainability of the work of BCEP and questioned how much of their work could be continued.  It was explained that the Repaint Project was self financing and it was hoped that other elements of the project would continue through a new organisation, Bradford Organic Composting Service (BOCS). 

A Member paid tribute to the work of BCEP, a lot of which had been undertaken in the Wibsey Ward, and expressed his dismay that a project which was so greatly needed in the city had been wound up.  He believed that a lack of ‘joined up’ thinking was short sited.  He referred to Bradford’s national reputation in Forest Schools and was worried that the expertise could be lost.

The sustainability of the Forest of Bradford was discussed and assurances were provided that the project was continually attempting to secure and generate funding.  The project was a delivery agent for White Rose Planting and for the previous five years had carried out work out of the district to support the work in Bradford.

It was questioned if funds allocated to BCEP could be transferred to other organisations and officers were urged to ensure that those funds were utilised in the environment arena. 

Resolved –

1.    That  the achievements of the Bradford Environment Forum with the Council Grant be acknowledged.

2.    That the work of the Voluntary and Community Sector partners in the Bradford Environment Forum continues to be supported.

3.    That the collapse of the Bradford Community Environmental Project (BCEP) be noted with regret; that the staff be thanked for the tremendous achievements the project has accomplished and it be hoped that as much of the work as possible continues in the months ahead.

4.    That the Strategic Director, Place, be requested to endeavour to ensure that the remaining BCEP funding be made available for environmental projects in the Bradford District.

5.    That a view that there is a role for a continuing strategic environmental social enterprise/charity in the Bradford area be expressed.

6.    That a further report be provided to update the Committee on the work undertaken in 2017-18.

ACTION: Strategic Director Place