Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bensly ( Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture & Coastal).

There were no declarations of interest declared at the meeting.

The Leader reported that there were no items of urgent business to present to Cabinet.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 march 2025 were confirmed as a true record.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Operational Development.

The Leader presented the new Sickness Absence Management Policy to Cabinet. 

The Leader reported that the new Sickness Absence Management policy is proposed to replace the current Sickness Management policy which has been in place since 2017. 

This policy aims to promote a positive and preventative, rather than punitive approach, regarding sickness absence management. Employees are expected to attend work regularly and managers are expected to take a proactive approach to retaining employees at work. 

Feedback has been given by the HR Advisors and a small selection of managers in the Council which has been incorporated into the new policy. The policy was shared with Executive Leadership Team, the Unions as part of the consultation process and reviewed by the Joint Consultative Working Group (JCWG) in February 2025. 

Whilst there were no changes to the policy following the consultation, both Unison and some members of JCWG raised concerns about the use of the Bradford Factor and the trigger points for action. It was agreed that this would be kept under review as part of the quarterly sickness reports at JCWG to understand the impact of this change, and to review if the triggers are set at the right levels.

The new policy continues support the improvement of sickness absence management, supporting employees to remain in the workplace, and deliver our essential services.

Cabinet are therefore as detailed on page 10 of the agenda report recommended to:-

(1) Approve the new Sickness Absence Management Policy; and

(2) Give delegated authority to the Head of Organisational Development to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the Policy for the purpose of keeping it up to date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or caselaw, or with changes in the management structure.

The Leader thanked the Head of Organisational Development for all her hard work in the production of the policy.

Councillor Jeal referred to page 20 of the agenda report and asked for clarification as to why the Council used the Bradford Scoring System. The Head of OD reported that the use of the Bradford Scoring System as a trigger point had been endorsed by the JCWG and that some LA's but not all LA's used this system.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Approve the new Sickness Absence Management Policy; and



(2) Give delegated authority to the Head of Organisational Development to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the Policy for the purpose of keeping it up to date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or caselaw, or with changes in the management structure.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Housing Assets.

Councillor Plant (Portfolio Holder for Operational Property & Assets) reported that this report seeks approval to accept funding of £5,498,108 from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s Warm Homes: Social Housing grant fund to upgrade the energy efficiency of Council homes during 2025/6, 2026/7 and 2027/8 and provide delegated approval of spend of the grant monies.

The Council’s bid for Warm Homes: Social Housing sought to maximise the number of Council homes which will be able to be improved to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating at least a C reflecting the need to ensure all Council homes achieve an EPC rating of at least C by 2030. 

A number of measures will be undertaken to homes including:- 

• Enhancing loft insulation 
• Installation of cavity wall insulation 
• Installation of Air Source Heat Pumps 
• Installation of Solar Panels 
• External Wall Insulation. 

Overall, the approach being taken will improve the energy efficiency of the buildings increasing thermal comfort. Properties across the borough have been identified to benefit from the works. 

The award requires the Council to provide at least an equivalent amount of co-funding which will be resourced from the Housing Revenue Account capital budget. 

Cabinet are therefore as detailed on page 32 of the agenda report recommended to:-

(1) Approve the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, Grant Agreement, Data Sharing Agreement and other grant documents as required to accept grant funding. 

(2) Delegate all decisions on the use and spend of the Warm Homes: Social Housing monies in accordance with the funding grant terms to the Executive Director - People; and

(3) Note that the 2025/6 to 2027/8 Housing Revenue Account capital budgets will be updated to include the grant funding and total spend on energy efficiency. 

Councillor Flaxman-Taylor congratulated the Head of Housing Assets and her team for the recent award they had won which was well deserved and reflective of their hard work and commitment to the tenants of the borough.

The Leader thanked the Head of Housing Assets for all her commitment to her role and that Cabinet wished her every future success in her new role.

Councillor Wainwright referred to paragraph 2.1 of the agenda report and asked how many properties had been identified and in what wards. The Head of Service confirmed that 524 homes would benefit from grant funded measures and agreed to share what information she had with Cabinet and that those properties identified were spread across the borough. The Head of Service advised Cabinet that there would be refusals form tenants to have these works undertaken which means that the details of which properties will benefit from the works may change.

Councillor Wells asked what the reasons for refusal could be. The Head of Service reported that some tenants would likely refuse if works were to install an Air Source Heat Pump programmed over the winter period or if a tenant had purchased a tank full of heating oil, they might not want the work undertaken until all of the heating oil had been used.

Therefore, works were being programmed in as early as possible and to take this into account.

Councillor Wells asked if tenants refused the Council access to their home what actions could the Council take to lawfully gain access. The Head of Service reported that the Council's legal right of access was restrictive and that timely communications were paramount. The Council's surveyors were clear on the benefits of the improvement works to tenants whilst surveying their property.

Councillor Plant asked for confirmation that if a tenant refused these works that the funding would be redirected to another property to ensure that the Council did not loose the grant funding. The Head of Service confirmed that the funding would be redirected.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

1) Approve the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, Grant Agreement, Data Sharing Agreement and other grant documents as required to accept grant funding. 


(2) Delegate all decisions on the use and spend of the Warm Homes: Social Housing monies in accordance with the funding grant terms to the Executive Director - People; and


(3) Note that the 2025/6 to 2027/8 Housing Revenue Account capital budgets will be updated to include the grant funding and total spend on energy efficiency. 

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Head of Housing Assets.

Councillor Plant reported that this report seeks approval of the updated Adaptations Policy for Council Tenants. The current Adaptations Policy for Council Tenants was approved by Cabinet in June 2021. 

The Head of Housing Assets has led on the review of the policy, however the Head of Strategic Housing and Adaptations and Improvements Team Manager also reviewed the existing policy and therefore the updated policy reflects a collaborative approach to reviewing the policy to reflect both strategic and operational requirements. Overall, the changes made ensure the policy remains fit for purpose and provides both staff and tenants with a clear understanding of what adaptations the Council will undertake and when adaptations may have to be refused. 

The policy is designed to be reflective of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) legislation and provide a tenure neutral approach in the delivery of adaptations. DFG funding is not able to be used to fund adaptations to HRA properties. 

As the updated policy makes a fundamental change in the approach to funding adaptation works which cost more than £30,000 to the approach in the current policy, consultation with tenants on the policy will be carried out following consideration of the policy by Cabinet. 

If any material changes are required as a result of this consultation, the policy will be brought back to Cabinet for consideration.

Cabinet are therefore as detailed on page 38 of the agenda report recommended to:-

(1) Approve the Adaptations Policy for Council Tenants and the delegations set out in the policy for approving individual adaptation costs exceeding £30,000; and  

(2) Delegate to the Executive Director - People authority to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the policy to reflect the outcome of tenant consultation on the policy and for the purpose of keeping it up-to-date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or caselaw.

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

(1) Approve the Adaptations Policy for Council Tenants and the delegations set out in the policy for approving individual adaptation costs exceeding £30,000; and  



(2) Delegate to the Executive Director - People authority to make minor and/or consequential amendments to the policy to reflect the outcome of tenant consultation on the policy and for the purpose of keeping it up-to-date, clarifying its content or interpretation, correcting any errors or omissions, updating it in accordance with changes in legislation, and/or caselaw.

Cabinet received and considered the report from the Housing Enabling & Strategy Manager.

Councillor Plant reported that this report requests the approval to the compulsory purchase of 11 Southgates Road and surrounding land and its disposal.

The property and surrounding land at 11 Southgates has remained empty since 2016 causing detriment to the area and attracting ASB. 

It is proposed that the Council compulsorily purchase the property and surrounding land under s226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

 
The property and surrounding land  then to be disposed of in line with the Acquisition and Disposal Policy, with a covenant ensuring the demolition of 11 Southgates, whole site clearance and making good of party wall within 24 months.

Cabinet are therefore as detailed on page 56 of the agenda report are recommended to:-

(1) Authorise the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order along with the confirmation and implementation of the compulsory purchase of 11 Southgates Road and surrounding land under S226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990,

(2) Authorise officers to take all action necessary to make, confirm and implement the Compulsory Purchase Order,

(3) Authorise the use of the Empty Homes Budget to support any compensation claim under the Compulsory Purchase Order,

(4) Authorise the disposal of the property in line with the Acquisition and Disposal Policy, with a covenant to demolish the building on site, make good the party wall and clear the site of detritus with 24 months; and

(5) Note the risks to the Council during the transfer period. 

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet:-

1) Authorise the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order along with the confirmation and implementation of the compulsory purchase of 11 Southgates Road and surrounding land under S226(1)(a) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990,


(2) Authorise officers to take all action necessary to make, confirm and implement the Compulsory Purchase Order,


(3) Authorise the use of the Empty Homes Budget to support any compensation claim under the Compulsory Purchase Order,


(4) Authorise the disposal of the property in line with the Acquisition and Disposal Policy, with a covenant to demolish the building on site, make good the party wall and clear the site of detritus with 24 months; and


(5) Note the risks to the Council during the transfer period. 

RESOLVED:-

That Cabinet agree:-

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12(A) of the said Act.