Resolved-

That the Audit Strategy Memorandum (Document “A”) be approved.

                                                                        (Cameron Waddell – 01913836300)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund Investment Advisory Panel held on 28 April 2022 were considered.

                                                                        (Rodney Barton – 01274 432317)

Resolved -

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the

consideration of the item relating to the minutes of the West

Yorkshire Pension Fund Investment Advisory Panel meeting

held on 28 April 2022 because the information to be considered is exempt information within paragraph 3 (Financial or Business Affairs) of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.  It is also considered that it is in the public interest to exclude public access to this item.

Resolved –

That the report (Document “C”) be noted and referred to Council for adoption.

Action:  Director of Finance and IT

                                                                        (David Willis – 01274 432361)

Resolved –

That the use of exceptions under Financial Regulation 1.7 detailed in Document “B” be noted.

Action:  Director of Finance and IT

                                                            (Chris Chapman – 01274 433656)

Resolved -

That there is nothing more important than getting services right for children young people in the district.  The Council Executive commit to working closely with the partners to deliver on every one of the recommendations within the developmental action plan, and progressing at pace the extensive wider work underway across the partnership.

ACTION: Chief Executive

Resolved -

(1)  That the adoption of the Bradford Enterprise Zone Business Rate Relief scheme be approved.

(2)  That Delegated authority be given to Strategic Director – Corporate Resources to recommend approvals of rate relief under the scheme.

(3)  That the Strategic Director of Place be given delegated authority to undertake discussions with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on the treatment and payment of Enterprise Zones business rates in consultation with the Director of Finance & IT, Strategic Director of Corporate Resources and the Leader of the Council, the terms of any agreement will be referred to the Executive for approval. 

ACTOIN: Strategic Director of Corporate Resources

Resolved -

That it be noted that Councillor I Khan had been appointed, by the Leader of Council, as Deputy Chair for the Municipal Year 2022/2023.

ACTION: City Solicitor

Resolved that –

i.     Delegated Authority is given to the Council Chief Executive, (in
consultation with the Leader, Portfolio Holders, Strategic Director
Corporate Resources, Director of Finance, City Solicitor, Trust
Chair Designate and the DfE) to agree the final name for the
Children’s Trust.

ii.     Delegated Authority is given to the Council Chief Executive, (in
consultation with the Leader, Portfolio Holders, Strategic Director
Corporate Resources, Director of Finance, Director of Children’s
Services and City Solicitor) to agree the terms of, authorise and
sign the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the
Council, recognising that although it is not technically, a legally
binding document it will, in practice, commit the Council to the
course of action described within it.

iii.    The Executive approves the establishment of the Children’s Trust
as a wholly owned Company Limited by Guarantee. Following
the appointment of the Chair and the other directors, the
company should then decide whether to seek registration as a
Community Interest Company.

iv.   Delegated Authority is given to the Council Chief Executive, (in
consultation with the Leader, Portfolio Holders, Strategic Director
Corporate Resources, Director of Finance, Director of Children’s
Services and City Solicitor) to agree the terms of, authorise and
adopt the Articles of Association on behalf of the Council.

v.    Delegated Authority be given to the Chief Executive to lead
negotiations with DfE on behalf of the Council to (amongst other
matters):

a.    Negotiate the suite of corporate, commissioning and ancillary documentation necessary for the implementation of the arrangements with the Children’s Trust

b.   Undertake appropriate consultation with the Section 151
and Monitoring Officer.

c.   Agree the contract sum and the corporate support
services (amongst other matters such as VAT and tax
treatment).

d.   Establish the ‘best negotiated position’ for the Council
that meets the legal requirements imposed by the
Direction and references the needs of the Company in
relation the effective delivery of the transferring services.

e.   In reference to the recommendations contained in
subparagraphs a-d above, negotiate and agree the
terms of any other contractual and corporate
documentation referenced within the MoU such as the
Governance Side Agreement, Service Delivery Contract,
any support services agreement, pensions agreements,
occupation agreements for property, deed of novation of
third party contracts and other formal agreements, legal
or otherwise, including satisfying and complying with all
procurement and corporate or Council governance
requirements that may be required to enable these
recommendations to be implemented.

f.    Any key decisions in relation to the above to be
undertaken in consultation with the Leader of the
Council and the relevant Portfolio Holders.

vi.    In order to provide effective strategic leadership of the Children’s
Trust a Chief Executive be appointed. The recruitment of the
Chief Executive should commence immediately in liaison with
the Chair of the Children’s Trust as per the terms of the MoU that
are summarised in Appendix 3 of this report. Agreement that
Interim arrangements may need to be put in place in order to make progress with the establishment of the Children’s Trust
board and associated contract negotiations.

vii.   The Executive approve the following proposed scope of services
for which the Children’s Trust will be responsible from 1 April
2023:
i.              Children’s Social Care
ii.             Early Help & Prevention
iii.            Youth Justice Service
And reserve for future decision, the process for finalising the
scope of corporate support services.

vii.   Bi-monthly reports are brought to the Executive with the next report scheduled for August.

The Executive notes:

a)    The DfE appointment of Steve Walker and Eleanor Brazil as
Commissioners to support Children’s Social Care Improvement and the
establishment of the Children’s Trust.

b)    The appointment of PWC to provide Programme Director / Programme
Management support to the process.

c)    The appointment of Bevan Brittan as external legal advisors to the
Council

d)    The appointment of Eileen Milner as Chair of the Children’s Trust
following a competitive selection process undertaken in partnership with the DfE. The Council welcomes Eileen to the role and looks forward to future working relationships.

e)    Consultation and engagement will continue. This will include full TUPE consultation with all employees affected by the creation of the Children’s Trust.

f)     The high-level programme plan and governance arrangements
programme to establish the Children’s Trust.

ACTION: Chief Executive

Resolved –

(1)       That Document “A” be noted, and the implementation of the scheme, set out in the annexed Foster Carer Payments Policy, be approved with immediate effect.

(2)       That the Strategic Director of Children’s Services be authorised to receive and, in consultation with the Foster Carer Association, consider feedback on the Policy quarterly during the first 12 months of its operation, and to decide in the light thereof, together with any other considerations including equality impact assessment, whether to continue operation of the Policy in its current form or refer it back to the Executive for further consideration and modification.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Resolved -

(1)       That the children’s home at Valley View that has previously provided care for disabled children should be confirmed for closure on the basis that it has been effectively inoperative for nearly twelve months and does not provide a physical environment that is consistent with the care of children.

(2)     That alongside the decision to close Valley View it is also recommended that the former BEST service does not resume on the basis that the health funding that underpinned it has been directed into other alternative projects.

(3)       That the previous decision to allocate capital funding for a new build project at Fell Lane is rescinded on the grounds that the scale and nature of the proposed project is no longer consistent with the services strategic needs.

(4)     That in principle agreement is given for a potential new build project aimed at increasing short term break capacity for disabled children and in particular those with complex needs associated with neuro-diversity developmental issues.

(5)       That in principle, agreement is given for the development of six additional small group homes via either purchase or rental to include the disposal of the site at Meadowlea, to be replaced with two linked small group homes with a revised focus.

(6)       That in principle agreement is given to the development of linked staying close flats via either purchase or rental for the supported transition of young people from the homes into the community

ACTION: Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Resolved -

That the Petition be accepted and the proposal for the development of the Community Health & Wellbeing Centre as detailed in Document “F” be progressed.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Corporate Resources

Resolved –

(1)       That the Executive recognises the importance of securing and maximising the legacy of bidding UK City of Culture irrespective     of the             outcome of the bid and sees the cultural, economic and    social benefits to be gained by 2030 in both scenarios.

(2)       That in the event of winning, the executive considers further full          legacy investment for district of £7,119,434 will be required to    realise levelling up gains of a successful bid.

(3)       That the Strategic Director of Regeneration explores further      funding opportunities from external agencies and partners   alongside the Council’s own funding.

(4)       That additional investment is proposed to be identified within   2023/24 budget proposals and Medium Term Financial Planning     considerations and reported to the Executive as part of future          budget consultation exercises.

(5)       That support recommendations to invest in a Place and Investment   Marketing Partnership at £309,000 a year for staff          costs, and hosting costs, with additional marketing, PR and             campaigns resourced at £275,000 through realignment of some             existing budgets and securing funding from other partners which       is included in the above commitment            of £7,119,434 million

ACTION: Strategic Director of Place

Resolved -

That the contents of the letter from Ofsted be noted.

ACTION: Strategic Director of Children’s Services

Resolved –

That the allocation, by the Leader of the Council, of Portfolios of Executive functions to Members of the Executive be noted.

ACTION: City Solicitor

Resolved –

(1)       That the Bradford District Licensing Panel (sub-committee)
be appointed, with the functions as indicated in the terms
of reference approved by Council on 9 October 2004 and
amended on 21 May 2013.

(2)       That the Bradford District Licensing Panel shall comprise three members.

(3)       That the Bradford District Licensing Panel shall include the
Chair of the Licensing Committee (or Deputy Chair when
the Chair is unavailable) who shall chair the Panel and two
other members of the Licensing Committee drawn on a rota
basis.

(4)       That the quorum of the Bradford District Licensing Panel
shall be three members.

Action: City Solicitor

Resolved -

1)         That the minutes of the Committee held on 31 January 2022 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(2)       That the minutes of the Bradford District Licensing Panels held on the following dates be signed as correct records:

2 February 2022

3 February 2022

24 February 2022

2 March 2022

8 March 2022

29 March 2022 at 1000

29 March 2022 at 1300

31 March 2022

12 April 2022 at 1000

12 April 2022 at 1130

29 April 2022 at 1000

29 April 2022 at 1130 

ACTION: City Solicitor