The Bradford Council Executive met to discuss several key initiatives, including regeneration programmes in Keighley, the district strategy for 2025-35, fleet replacement plans, and parking charge changes in Ilkley. Councillors also addressed a petition regarding the flying of the Palestinian flag and reviewed reports on safeguarding and community cohesion.

Keighley Regeneration Programmes Approved

The Executive approved recommendations to progress with the Levelling Up 3 (LUF3) and Plan for Neighbourhoods (PfN) programmes in Keighley, unlocking a total of £73.4 million in investment. Authority was granted to the Interim Strategic Director of Corporate Resources, in consultation with the Strategic Director of Place, the Director of Legal and Governance, and the Portfolio Holder, to proceed with these programmes and complete the grant funding agreements.

The Keighley LUF3 programme, initially allocated £19.8 million, includes projects such as improvements to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR), and a brownfield sites fund. The Plan for Neighbourhoods, with £20 million in funding over 10 years, aims to revitalise high streets, create vibrant neighbourhoods, and empower communities.

The council is reviewing two of the original Keighley LUF3 projects in light of the deliverability of the projects, changing priorities and emerging opportunities. MHCLG are supportive of alternative projects that will deliver the outcomes and are in advanced discussions with the Council regarding this. This includes the Health and Wellbeing Centre, a Towns Fund project, which remains a priority for the three principal partners (Bradford District and Craven Health & Care Partnership, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust and Bradford Council).

District Strategy 2025-35 Approved

The Executive approved the content of the District Strategy 2025–2035, reaffirming the council's commitment to supporting its delivery and ensuring it provides the framework for organisational and partnership planning. The strategy, developed collaboratively with representatives from the council, the Health and Care sector, West Yorkshire Police, the VCSE sector, and strategic partnerships, sets out a vision for Bradford District to be known as a leader in culture, innovation, and sustainability.

The strategy is structured around four key ambitions: regeneration and growth; communities and neighbourhoods that are safe and strong; healthy and happy residents; and a great place to grow up. Two cross-cutting missions underpin these ambitions: tackling inequality and delivering inclusive services, and reducing and alleviating poverty.

The strategy is guided by four underpinning principles: moving to effective prevention; locality-based delivery closer to communities; focusing on sustainability; and maximising innovation and use of technology.

The strategy is informed by a comprehensive understanding of current conditions and future trend projections. Key sources include, but are not limited to, the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, the Understanding Bradford District analyses, and data and information from our partners such as the insights provided through the Reducing Inequalities Alliance.

Fleet Replacement Plan Capital Approval

The Executive approved OPTION A set out in Document V to authorise spending of capital reserve allocated for Fleet Replacement to enable assets to be acquired to replace vehicles where revenue funding exists to repay the prudential borrowing of capital. They also noted the capital and revenue shortfall for this year and for future years and the actions being taken, and the review of fleet budget structures and governance to determine opportunities for future budget management and transformation.

There is a £5m capital reserve in place for Fleet Replacement in 2025-2026. There are currently circa two hundred road-registered assets which are at or beyond the recommended 7-year maximum lifespan. Seventy of these assets are ten or more years old. There are currently circa seven hundred plant assets (mowers, trailers, tractors, skips etc.) which are at or beyond the recommended 7-year maximum lifespan.

Parking Charge Changes in Ilkley Approved with Amendments

The Executive considered objections and petitions relating to proposed parking charge changes in Ilkley, approving a revised plan that retains one-hour free parking on New Brook Street, Kings Road, and Cowpasture Road. Evening charging will be extended until 8pm, and Bank Holiday charging will be introduced on all other bays. Maximum stay restrictions will be applied to Blue Badge bays to promote circulation. The amended Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) is set to be sealed for implementation in December 2025, and a further report will be presented to the Executive in 12 months to update on the impact on Cowpasture Road and Blue Badge provision.

During the 21-day objection period the council received 663 valid objections, a petition signed by 1,481 signatories objecting to the removal of the one-hour free concession and the introduction of evening and Bank Holiday charging.

Bradford Safeguarding Children Partnership & Safeguarding Adult Board Annual Reports 2024/2025 Noted

The Executive noted the Annual Reports 2024/2025 for the Bradford Safeguarding Children Partnership (BDSCP) and Bradford Safeguarding Adult Board (BSAB). The BDSCP operates under the Children Act 2004 Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, while the BSAB is mandated under the Care Act 2014. The Executive will receive another report in 12 months’ time.

The 2024/2025 annual reports for the Bradford District Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Bradford Safeguarding Adults Board outline the collaborative efforts to protect vulnerable children and adults in the Bradford District. These reports highlight key initiatives, including safeguarding training, performance assessments, practice reviews, and strategic priorities for the coming year.

Ofsted Monitoring Visit of Children's Services Noted

The Executive noted the findings of the Ofsted Monitoring Visit of Children's Services, Bradford Children and Families Trust, which took place on 1st and 2nd July 2025. The report highlighted improvements in the Care Leavers Service, driven by strong political and corporate support and significant investment. The Executive committed to continuing to work with the DfE appointed Commissioner to support the work of the Trust and to ensure improvements continue at pace in line with the Children’s Social Care Improvement Plan.

Inspectors reported their findings and evaluation of progress made since the inspection that took place in November 2022 and noted the positive progress that has been made.

Bradford District Cohesion Framework

The Executive noted the Health and Wellbeing Board approval of the Cohesion Framework and asked that the Health and Wellbeing Board task the Stronger Communities Partnership Board to implement and monitor the Action Plan.

The Bradford District Cohesion Framework 2025-2030 (Appendix B) is a place-based Framework, covering Bradford district and underpinned by four guiding principles: belonging and community; connection and trust; fairness and opportunity; and pride and place.

Palestinian Flag to be Flown

The Executive approved the petition request to fly the Palestinian flag on 29th November, UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. This decision was made for reasons of consistency, given the view of the Executive taken in the decision of 22nd September to fly the Palestinian flag in recognition of Palestinian Statehood.

The Director of Legal and Governance's advice and provisional recommendation was that the peace flag should be flown instead of the Palestinian Flag, but the Executive applied a political judgment and came to a different conclusion.

The Jewish community representative view is that they do not believe flying the flag will enhance community relations, and that the very small Jewish community specifically asked not to have the Israeli flag fly, contrary to Government advice, on 7th October in order to try and maintain good community relations with the much larger Muslim community.