The Bradford Council Executive met to discuss the Council Plan, proposed changes to fines for environmental offences, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and proposed works as part of the 2025-26 Capital Improvement Programme. The Executive noted the performance against the key performance indicators in the 2021-25 Council Plan, approved increased fines for environmental offences, approved Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder's continued representation on the Bradford Business Improvement District Limited, confirmed the council's membership of Keighley BID C.I.C., and approved the proposed programme of works under the Capital Improvement Programme.

Increased Fines for Environmental Offences

The Executive approved a proposal to increase fines for fly-tipping, littering, and householder duty of care offences, set to take effect from 1 October 2025. The new fine structure is:

• Fly-tipping: £1,000 for serious offences, £400 (discounted to £300 for early payment) for medium-level offences, and £150 for low-level offences.
• Littering: £150 (discounted to £100 for early payment).
• Householder Duty of Care: £400 (discounted to £250 for early payment).

The report noted that the Bradford District continues to face a rise in environmental offences, particularly fly-tipping, with a 10% increase in investigated cases in 2023/24, totaling over 10,000 incidents. The council aims to deter these offences through stronger penalties, enhanced public education, reduced waste disposal costs, and investment in CCTV surveillance.

The council also noted the implementation of a commercial waste charging structure, intended to promote responsible disposal, sustain income, and reduce environmental harm from illegal waste activity. To further promote responsible waste disposal and reward positive behaviour, the council has revised the weighbridge fee structure for commercial waste delivered to two waste transfer stations, making them simpler and more affordable.

Council Plan Performance Report 2024-25

The Executive reviewed the Council Plan Full-Year Performance Report 2024-25, which provided an overview of performance against the council's Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the full municipal year 2024-25 and summarised achievements over the 2021-25 plan period.

The report highlighted strong performance in homelessness prevention, improvements to existing homes, air quality, council carbon emissions, domestic council tax collection, spending with the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector, and support for adults with learning difficulties to live independently.

However, the report also identified areas needing improvement, including healthy life expectancy, delivery of new homes, adult physical activity levels, recycling rates, and road safety. The report noted a reduction in years of healthy life expectancy since 2017, with a decrease of three years for men and 3.2 years for women, significantly worse than the national rate.

The report also detailed key achievements during the plan period, including regeneration projects like Bradford Live, Darley Street Market, and One City Park. It also noted Bradford's designation as the UK City of Culture 2025 and various skills and employment initiatives.

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

The Executive approved Councillor Ross-Shaw's continued representation as a director on the board of the Bradford Business Improvement District Limited and confirmed the council's membership of Keighley BID C.I.C. as a levy payer, appointing Councillor Ross-Shaw as the council's representative.

The report noted that for Ilkley BID Ltd, the council may only nominate an officer of the council as a member representative and as a director.

Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) are business-led partnerships created to deliver additional services to businesses within a defined geographic area for a five-year period, funded by a levy on businesses within the BID area.

Capital Improvement Programme

The Executive approved the proposed programme of works under the Capital Improvement Programme (CIP) for the 2025-26, following the announcement by the Department for Education (DfE) of this year's capital funding allocation of £2,574,590 to Bradford Council.

The proposed works include major repairs across the LA-maintained schools estate, including window and door replacements at St Lukes C of E, pitched roof repairs at Hill Top C of E, Frizinghall Primary, and Myrtle Park Primary, fire compliance works at Abbey Green Nursery, Keelham Primary, and Newby Primary School, electrical rewiring at Wibsey Primary School and Burley Woodhead, and mechanical (boiler replacement) works at Ben Rhydding Primary, Midland Road Nursery, Steeton Primary, Frizinghall Primary, and Lilycroft Nursery.

The sum of £555,000 would be retained to cover any unforeseen, emergency works or any overspend incurred in previous years' programmes of works.