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MOTION 2 - SAFE HOMES, SAFE STANDARDS AND A
FAIRER
                   
 HOUSING SYSTEM FOR BRADFORD
 
As set out in the published agenda Motion 12.2
was moved by Councillor Saddiq and seconded by Councillor
Elahi.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an amendment (additional published papers
Amendment B) was moved by Councillor Sunderland and seconded
by Councillor Naylor.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an additional amendment (additional published
papers Amendment C) was moved by Councillor Davies and
seconded by Councillor Pollard.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 a further  amendment (additional published papers
Amendment D) was moved by Councillor Ross-Shaw and seconded by
Councillor Hinchcliffe.
 
Following
a number of speakers in accordance with
Council Standing Order 18.12 Amendment D as set out below was then
put to the vote, was carried and became the substantive motion,
was then voted on and was
carried.         
 
Resolved-
 
That with the
addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be
amended to read as follows:
 
Council notes:
 
1.            
That the latest Council figures show continuing high demand for
housing, with over 18,105 households on the housing register,
including around 1,716 in Band 1, and many families waiting years
due to the chronic shortage of available homes.
 
2.            
That the lack of suitable and affordable housing means more
residents are becoming homeless, sofa-surfing or placed in
temporary accommodation.
 
3.            
That Bradford faces a significant shortage of high-quality,
affordable homes, and increasing reliance on the Private Rented
Sector (PRS), a sector that now represents almost 20% of all homes
in the district, in line with the national average, which can only
meet demand where properties are safe, compliant and fit for
occupation.
 
4.            
To support this, the government have announced that for the first
time, the Decent Homes Standard will be applied to the Private
Rented Sector, which will increase standards in millions of homes
across the country. This is in addition to the ongoing work of our
Housing Standards team, who successfully made over 1,600
interventions raising standards in the sector in 2024/25, an
increase of over 100% in the last four years thanks to improved
service delivery.
 
5.            
Bradford Council has delivered over 400 homes through our
Affordable Homes Programme, in addition to 1,000 homes planned
through our City Village programme, which has already secured
£43m in external funding, 200 through our New Bolton Woods
joint venture, and secured funding to support the delivery of other
housing developments such as High Point and Conditioning House in
the city centre.
 
6.            
Nationally, the government has announced a huge £39bn Social
and Affordable Housing Programme, which aims to ensure 60% of
houses delivered under the programme will be for Social Rent, which
equates to around 180,000 homes.
 
7.            
That reports from residents and community organisations, including
a serious incident in BD5 where a resident fell through unsafe
internal floors in a property allegedly rushed back into use,
highlight cases of homes being let despite structural dangers or
severe disrepair.
 
8.            
That Awaab’s Law strengthens requirements on social landlords
to identify and remedy damp, mould and other hazards within strict
timeframes, and that damp, mould and cold homes contribute to
respiratory illness, hospital admissions and health inequalities.
Bradford Council ensures its own practices reflect the spirit and
purpose of this law across all tenures and has worked closely with
Incommunities in preparing for this for
the approximately 400 Council-owned homes, managed by Incommunities.
 
9.            
That best practice in the homelessness and public health sectors
recommends that councils consider “feels like”
temperatures, wind chill, prolonged rainfall and other risk factors
when activating the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP),
rather than relying solely on a 0°C temperature threshold.
 
10.         
Bradford Council outperforms the national average on Homelessness
Prevention Duties, has invested in a best practice Homeless
Outreach Partnership and pioneered a Housing First programme that
has supported over 200 of the most vulnerable rough sleepers into
secure accommodation with strong wraparound support. Our Housing
First programme has seen wider benefits for users including reduced
offending, improved physical and mental health benefits and a
significant increase in tackling substance misuse.
 
11.         
That the Renters’ Rights Act has become law, and although
Awaab’s Law will be extended to the private rented sector
under the Act, the full implementation including the Decent Homes
Standard and EPC C requirements is not expected until Phase 3 from
2030 onwards. This Council believes that the government should
accelerate this timeline and deliver the Act in full within the
lifetime of this parliament.
 
This Council
recognises:
 
1.   
That no resident in Bradford should be living in an unsafe,
overcrowded or substandard home, regardless of tenure.
 
2.   
That empty homes should be brought back into use safely, with
proper checks and accountability, not rushed refurbishments that
risk serious injury. The number of long-term empty homes in the
district has fallen by nearly a third since 2013 and the Council is
proactive in the use of powers such as CPO to tackle the most
difficult and blighted empty homes but there is more to do.
 
3.   
That the Council must continually seek opportunities to strengthen
its oversight, enforcement and support for private landlords,
helping responsible landlords bring homes up to standard while
protecting tenants from unsafe or unlawful housing.
 
4.   
That improving homelessness prevention, housing fairness, safety
standards and SWEP activation thresholds are core duties that
require sustained focus and transparency.
 
5.   
Reports on Housing Standards (including an update on the
Renter’s Rights Act), HMOs and Empty Homes are already coming
to the Regeneration & Environment Scrutiny Committee in January
2026.
 
6.   
A Housing Transformation Programme paper is coming to Scrutiny next
year, which will include information on the Housing Allocations
process that will be reviewed as part of the programme to consider
ways to further improve transparency and ease of use for
residents.
 
7.   
The Council already publishes a wide range of housing data, with a
new dashboard in development to make key housing information
publicly available in a single, accessible place.
 
8.   
The skill and dedication of our Housing teams, including and not
limited to Housing Options, Homelessness Teams and the Private
Sector Housing teams, who provide vital frontline support under
exceptionally challenging circumstances.
 
9.   
The Council works closely with the government, Homes England and the West Yorkshire
Combined Authority and would welcome further dialogue on
accelerating national reforms and future funding.
 
This Council
resolves to:
 
1.   
Request a review of SWEP activation criteria, with a report on
options including: incorporation of
“feels like” temperatures, consideration of wind chill,
prolonged rainfall and adverse weather warnings, operational and
resource implications of a more flexible or higher-threshold
trigger.
 
2.   
Request that the proposed Housing Dashboard looks to include
information such as: number of
inspections undertaken, enforcement notices issued, prosecutions
and complaint outcomes and a member briefing is held.
 
3.   
Request that the Leader, Portfolio Holder and Council officers
continue to urge central government and partners to accelerate
implementation of housing reform and funding needs outlined in this
motion.
 
To be actioned
by:  Strategic Director Adult Social
Care, Health and Housing/Leader of Council and Regeneration,
Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder (Resolution 3 above)
 
Under Council
Standing Order 9.1.2 a vote was taken to re-order the business on
the agenda to move Motion 12.6 (West Yorkshire Pension Fund –
safeguarding our futures) to be the next motion to be
considered.
 
Resolved-
 
That under Council
Standing Order 9.1.2 to re-order the business on the agenda to move
Motion 12.6 (West Yorkshire Pension Fund – safeguarding our
futures) to be the next motion to be considered.
 
 
MOTION 12.6 - WEST YORKSHIRE PENSION FUND - SAFEGUARDING OUR
FUTURES 
 
As set out in the published agenda Motion 12.6
was moved by Councillor Watson and seconded by Councillor
Wheatley.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an amendment (additional published papers
Amendment J) was moved by Councillor Thornton and seconded by
Councillor Hinchcliffe.
 
Following
a number of speakers in accordance with
Council Standing Order 18.12 Amendment J as set out below was then
put to the vote, was carried and became the substantive motion,
was then voted on and was
carried.         
 
Resolved-
 
That with the
addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be
amended to read as follows:
 
Bradford Council
Notes:
 
·      
That the West Yorkshire Pension Fund’s investments are not
controlled by Bradford district councillors. Councillors can urge
but cannot instruct.
·      
That WYPF, and the councillors on it, have a fiduciary duty to its
pensioners and participating employers whose money it invests on
their behalf.  This is not council
money.
·      
There are many different expert reports demonstrating different
perspectives on the returns the pension fund can anticipate from
its investments in the future. 
·      
WYPF’s statement that it is well aware
that early iterations of climate scenario analysis grossly
simplified and potentially underestimated the potential impact of
climate change and this and other limitations are clearly
acknowledged in the WYPF Climate Report.
·      
WYPF is committed to climate solutions as a core strand in its
investment beliefs.
 
Bradford Council
Resolves:
 

Ask WYPF to ensure that it is
receiving and acting on the best advice in respect of climate risk
and its investments.

Urge WYPF to continue to uphold the
highest standards in its stated commitment to being a responsible
investor taking account of social, environmental and corporate
governance considerations in the selection, non-selection,
retention and realisation of investments for the benefit of its
members.
To recommend that the WYPF:

Acknowledges, responds and acts on
the concerns, both financial and ethical, of its stakeholders over
its holdings in fossil fuel energy companies.
Take positive steps to wind-down its
holdings in fossil fuel energy assets in a manner and timescale
that is consistent with:

a. its primary obligation and not risking
material financial detriment to the Fund.
b. its commitment to achieving a net-zero
portfolio as soon as possible.

Implement its commitment to a
net-zero portfolio, using its leverage as an investor, both
individually and collectively, with the aim of achieving real
economy emissions reductions.

 
To be actioned
by:  Director of West Yorkshire Pension
Fund
 
MOTION 3 - CONSULTATION ON AMENDMENT OF BRADFORD COUNCIL
TAX REDUCTION SCHEME
 
As set out in the published agenda Motion 12.3
was moved by Councillor Pollard and seconded by Councillor
Felstead.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an amendment (additional published papers
Amendment E) was moved by Councillor Edwards and seconded by
Councillor Neil Whitaker.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an additional amendment (additional published
papers Amendment F) was moved by Councillor Hinchcliffe and
seconded by Councillor Kamran Hussain.
 
 
Following
a number of speakers in accordance with
Council Standing Order 18.12 Amendment F as set out below was then
put to the vote, was carried and became the substantive motion,
was then voted on and was
carried.         
 
Resolved-
 
That with the
addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be
amended to read as follows:
 
Council Notes:
 

•               
Poverty is of great cost to this country. It suffocates life
chances,      
restrains economic growth and contributes to the increased costs of
  social care. There is therefore a
moral and financial imperative to        tackle it.

•               
There is significant inequality in the country and our district.
The   number of children in relative
poverty is unacceptable and this council
     is right to tackle
it through a range of actions with our partners,         
including by discounting council tax bills for those on the lowest
    incomes.

•               
The Labour Government has inherited a series of crises in the
economy and public services left by 14 years of Conservative and
   Conservative-Lib Dem austerity
and their failed economic policies     which left low growth, low incomes and
high demand on public         
services.

•               
That until 2013 Council Tax Reduction was entirely paid for by
central          
government and then cut by a Tory and Lib Dem coalition government,
         
relying on hard-pressed local council taxpayers to fund it
themselves.

•               
Here in Bradford we celebrate the
lifting of the two-child cap. 
  Something that Bradford East MP Imran
Hussain successfully led the campaign on nationally and which will
bring an estimated £35 million    into our local economy.

•               
This announcement was just one part of the Government’s Child
         
Poverty Action Strategy published on 5th December which
had major         
commitments to:
 

remove the two-child limit so that
families can receive the child element of Universal Credit for all
children regardless of family size 
expand Free School Meals eligibility
to all pupils in England with a parent receiving Universal
Credit 
provide funding to schools in
England to deliver a free breakfast club for primary-aged
children 
increase the amount provided through
the Healthy Start scheme to £9.30 per week for children under
one, £4.65 per week for children aged 1 to 4, and £4.65
each week of pregnancy from 10 weeks
increase the eligibility for the
Warm House Discount in England and Wales by removing the high cost
to heat threshold
reform the Child Maintenance Service
by removing Direct Pay

 

•               
The council is delivering on a significant regeneration plan for
the   district as part of our commitment
to attract more good jobs for all       residents as the best
route out of poverty in the longer term.

•               
We celebrate having the lowest NEET figures in Bradford, lower than
         the
national average, in over a decade due to work of this Council and
  the support of the Mayor of West
Yorkshire.

•               
Council Tax Reduction is one of the key
ways that the council can ease     the economic burden on families with
the lowest incomes. The         
Conservative Group’s proposal to cut that support would make
the   poorest families poorer and come
at a greater cost in the long run to          
Bradford residents.

•               
Bradford’s council tax charge is cheaper than the average for
  metropolitan authorities.
Bradford’s council tax charge is 24th out of 36
     metropolitan
councils, 7th out of 14 councils in Yorkshire &
Humber and      
3rd out of 5 in West Yorkshire.

•               
Bradford’s council tax collection rate is broadly in line
with other      councils.
The most recent figures show that the council collected 94%
       of
council tax due in year. 
 
Council
Resolves:
 

•               
To use council tax wisely and well for the benefit of all residents
- to          
provide good universal services for everyone in the district
regardless          of where
they live

•               
To ensure support is there for those who need it most, remembering
         
that children did not choose the circumstances they were born into
and   that any one of us can become ill,
unemployed or fall on hard times at          
any point in our lives.

•               
To reaffirm our Commitment to the Citizens Advice Bureau Council
Tax          
Collection protocol to make sure those residents who are struggling
to      pay, are always
supported, never punished.

•               
That enforcement is used as a last resort for those who won’t
pay, and         not for people
who can’t pay, who should be supported with welfare
advice.

•               
Ask the Government to listen to Martin Lewis’s campaign to
implement          
changes to the administration of council tax which will make life
easier and fairer for working people.

•               
To continue to deliver transformational regeneration across the
district    bringing new jobs and
opportunities.

•               
To task officers to move forward with progressing the proposal to
   update the Council Tax Reduction
Scheme, supporting needy    
households as planned after the conclusion of the consultation
agreed     by Full
Council.

•               
To provide direct payments from the Household Support Fund for
those         families most
in need, these payments to be delivered before Christmas.
 
To be actioned by:
Interim Strategic Director, Corporate Resources/Section 151
Officer/Strategic Director Place
 
MOTION 12.4 -
STANDING TOGETHER WITH SEND FAMILIES
 
As set out in the published agenda Motion 12.4
was moved by Councillor Naylor and seconded by Councillor
Sunderland.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an amendment (additional published papers
Amendment G) was moved by Councillor Poulsen and seconded by
Councillor Pollard.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an additional amendment (additional published
papers Amendment H) was moved by Councillor Duffy and seconded
by Councillor Fricker.
 
 
Following
a number of speakers in accordance with
Council Standing Order 18.12 Amendment H
as set out below was then put to the vote, was carried and
became the substantive motion, was then voted on and was
carried.         
 
Resolved-
 
That with the
addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be
amended to read as follows:
 
Council rejects in the strongest terms the
recent comments made by Richard Tice, Deputy Leader of Reform UK,
that Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision is
being “hijacked by parents who are abusing the system”;
that some children are receiving SEND provision “who
don’t need it”; and that parents are using
home-to-school transport as “free taxi transport for their
children”, describing the current situation as “a major
crisis”.
 
Council further notes that these
headline-seeking statements are not supported by evidence from
recent National Audit Office reports on SEND and on home-to-school
transport, which highlight rising demand, statutory duties on local
authorities and significant financial pressures, rather than
systemic abuse by parents.
 
Council recognises the upset, anger and
distress that these comments have caused many families of children
and young people with SEND.
Council also recognises that parts of the SEND
system do not always work well for all children and young people.
The policies and practices of the public services that families are
forced to navigate can, albeit unintentionally, stem from
deep-rooted problems that turn the act of seeking help into an
exhausting ordeal, leaving parents feeling blamed or broken.
 
Council is investing significantly to expand
and improve provision locally. On 2nd December this
Labour Executive approved plans to create an additional 450 SEND
places across the district over the next 12 months and ensure
sufficient places are available for all children with an ECHP.
 
On 4th November the Labour
Executive decided to inject a further £3.028m of grant
funding to complete the building works at Bingley Grammar School
which will create 150 additional mainstream secondary school places
and 24 specialist Resourced Provision places.
On 2nd December the government
announced a public engagement campaign as part of its commitment to
put parents’ experiences at the heart of SEND reform.
 
This Council
resolves:
 
That every child and young person has the
right to the best possible start in life.
 
To support all those working across education,
health and care to make this a reality. It affirms that children
with SEND and their families must receive timely, transparent and
joined-up support, including access to home-to-school transport
where this is needed for them to attend an appropriate educational
setting.
 
To reject attempts to stigmatise families of
children and young people with SEND and stands in solidarity with
them.
 
To promote and support the national public
engagement campaign locally to ensure Bradford families’
voices are heard in helping to shape much-needed national
reforms.
 
For the council and all partners and
stakeholders to use the principles in our SEND One Plan and nine
strategic aims to ensure that every child and young person in the
Bradford district is appropriately recognised, valued and supported
to reach their full potential.
 
To be actioned
by:  Acting Strategic Director,
Children’s Services
 
 
MOTION 12.5 - COMMUNITY ASSETS – ACCESS TO GRANT
FUNDING
 
As set out in the published agenda Motion 12.5
was moved by Councillor Majkowski and seconded by Councillor
Winnard.
 
In accordance with Council Standing Orders
18.4 and 18.8 an amendment (additional published papers
Amendment I) was moved by Councillor Ross-Shaw and seconded by
Councillor Kamran Hussain.
 
Following
a number of speakers in accordance with
Council Standing Order 18.12 Amendment I as set out below was then
put to the vote, was carried and became the substantive motion,
was then voted on and was
carried.         
 
Resolved-
 
That with the
addition and deletion of the appropriate words, the motion be
amended to read as follows:
 
 Council Notes:
 

•               
The future of Queensbury Victoria Hall (QVH) has been uncertain for
a        
few years now.
 

•               
After a period of negotiation, in November 2024, Bradford MDC
       
agreed to a two-year lease to allow for the Queensbury Community
Programme (QCP) to continue operating Victoria Hall in    Queensbury while developing a business plan
capable of securing the   
long-term future of the building for the benefit of the residents
of         
Queensbury and surrounding areas.
 

•               
At the time there was much optimism amongst the thousands of
         
residents and councillors who had called for the Hall to remain
       
open, as well as Bradford Council, regarding the prospect of
  securing        grant funding to
restore the beautiful building, a key part of        Queensbury’s
heritage, to its former glory and sustaining it as a vital hub.
 

•               
As and when a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) progresses, it is
      likely that a
lease of 25 to 39 years will be provided, as is the   norm, enabling QCP to secure grant funding.
 

•               
For a CAT to be progressed, a robust business plan has to be   provided to
provide assurance that any interested group has the         capacity and
ability to properly maintain and operate a building.
 

•               
When previously revising our approach to CATs, the Council
       
produced a comprehensive CAT toolkit document, based on
     similar          
successful work from other authorities and in liaison with
      
organisations like Locality. A handover checklist, process
flowchart and        a 14-page CAT policy
document are all available for interested groups          to read
on the Council’s CAT webpage, along with contact details for
     the Council’s
CAT team and third party organisations
who can assist        groups in preparing
for a CAT, including Locality, CABAD and Power to     Change.
 

•               
Bradford Council has successfully completed dozens of CATs,
         
including the historic and Grade 1 listed Ilkley Manor House and
   South Square community and arts
centre in Thornton, where the       process helped the
organisation secure £1m in external funds.
 

•               
Bradford Council is happy to liaise with any group interested in a
       
CAT and provide as much information about a building as possible.
However, the Estates team alone are not always equipped with the
skills and experience to support community  groups to develop their own structures and
processes as well as business plans to enable them to take on a
CAT. Their role is to assess the CAT application and associated
business plan specifically as part of a CAT board with
representatives of other council departments.
 

•               
A wider supporting role for some groups is required that brings in
       the
     skills and
experience of Council services like Neighbourhoods, as well
       as
potential outside support from the VCS. With
this in mind, the       Portfolio Holder requested
officers review the CAT policy and    processes.
 
Council
resolves:
 

•               
To progress the review of the Council’s CAT policy and
         
processes, taking a draft report to the Corporate Overview Scrutiny
  Committee in due course and consulting
CAT groups past and present,      looking at elements such as
qualifying criteria,    improving
     communication,
business plan development and support, toolkits, organisational
development support, fundraising advice and post-CAT          
support.
 

•               
To work collaboratively with community groups and charities
      
throughout the process.
 

•               
Continue supporting QCP in their stewardship of Victoria Hall and
       ensure
they receive sufficient wraparound support to develop     their business case for a future
CAT.
 
To be actioned
by:  Interim Strategic Director,
Corporate Resources/Section 151 Officer
 

12.7    CELEBRATING PRIDE IN OUR PLACE
 
Resolved –
 
That under Council
Standing Order 9.1.6 Motion 12.7 Celebrating Pride in our Place be
withdrawn from the agenda.
 

12.8    TAKING ACTION ON OUR SUSTAINABLE FOOD
STRATEGY
 
Resolved –
 
That under Council
Standing Order 9.1.6 Motion 12.8 taking action on our sustainable
food strategy be withdrawn from the agenda.