Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Andrew Carter, Councillor Brett assumed the Chair.

Under the terms of Executive Procedure Rule 2.3 Councillor R Lewis was invited to attend the meeting on behalf of Councillor Blake.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated exempt on the ground that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as follows:

(a)  Appendices A and B to the report referred to in minute 234 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information by reason of the fact that disclosure could prejudice the interests of all parties concerned and therefore be prejudicial to the public interest.

(b)  The appendix to the report referred to in minute 235 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information by reason of the fact it contains commercially sensitive information which, if disclosed, could be prejudicial to contract confidentiality.

(c)  Appendices 1 and 2 and plans 1 and 2 to the report referred to in minute 236 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information as disclosure may prejudice the outcome of the procurement process and the financial offer made by the proposed preferred operator to manage the arena.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 13 of the Members Code of Conduct

Councillor Wakefield declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the item relating to ‘Raising Expectations – White Paper Consultation Response’ (minute 227) due to being a member of the Learning and Skills Council.

Councillor Finnigan declared a personal interest in the item relating to ‘Raising Expectations – White Paper Consultation Response’ (minute 227) due to being a governor at Joseph Priestley College.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th April 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th April 2008 be approved.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds briefing the Board on the Government’s White Paper ‘Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver’ and suggesting how the authority might respond to the consultation.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report briefing the Board on the Government’s White Paper ‘Raising Expectations: Enabling the System to Deliver’ and suggesting how the authority might respond to the consultation. An updated version of the consultation response form was circulated at the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the draft consultation response be noted and the relevant Executive Member and Chief Executive of Education Leeds be authorised to finalise the document and forward it to the DCSF by the deadline of 9^th June 2008.

(b)  That the early work on sub-regional co-ordination be noted and that an update be provided in October 2008

(Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest Councillor Wakefield left the meeting during consideration of this matter)

Councillor Andrew Carter entered the meeting and assumed the Chair.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on a proposal to carry out capital works and to incur expenditure in respect of a scheme to construct an extension and carry out alterations at Temple Newsam Halton Primary School.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on a proposal to carry out capital works and to incur expenditure in respect of a scheme to construct an extension and carry out alterations at Templenewsam Halton Primary School.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the access of 100% of the capital receipt arising from the sale of the Templenewsam Halton Primary School Victorian stone annexe building be approved.

(b)  That the design proposals in respect of the scheme to extend the main school building be approved.

(c)  That expenditure of £850,000 from capital scheme number 14748/00/000 be authorised.

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services updating on the success of phases 1 and 2 of the Children’s Centre Programme, outlining the statutory guidance for the planning and delivery of phase 3 of the programme, and providing details of the allocation made to Leeds, the caveats upon the allocation and the outcomes of the consultation work on the location of the final centres.  The report also seeks approval for the location of the centres, the order in which they will be constructed and the injection of £3,610,487 into the capital programme to implement the plan.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report updating members on the success of phases 1 and 2 of the Children’s Centre Programme, outlining the statutory guidance for the planning and delivery of phase 3 of the programme, and providing details of the allocation made to Leeds, the caveats upon the allocation and the outcomes of the consultation work on the location of the final centres.  The report also sought approval for the location of the centres, the order in which they will be constructed and the injection of £3,610,487 into the capital programme to implement the plan.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That phase 3 of the Children’s Centre Implementation Plan be approved.

(b)  That the phasing of the centres as recommended by Education Leeds and the Early Years Service be approved.

(c)  That the injection of £3,610,487 into the capital programme to design and construct the phase 3 centres be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development proposing the commencement of the twelve week public consultation process for the Leeds Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

The Director of City Development submitted a report proposing the commencement of the twelve week public consultation process for the Leeds Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and the draft Executive Summary and Action Plan appended to the report be noted and the commencement of a twelve week public consultation period for the Rights of Way Improvement Plan be approved.

(b)  That following the conclusion of the consultation period, officers bring back a final version of the Public Rights of Way Improvement Plan for approval.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) seeking approval for the development of a new telephone numbering strategy and providing an update on the development of a ‘golden number’ for customers accessing principal Council services by means of the Corporate Contact Centre.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report seeking approval for the development of a new telephone numbering strategy and providing an update on the development of a ‘golden number’ for customers accessing principal Council services by means of the Corporate Contact Centre.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the 0113 prefix as Leeds City Council’s telephone numbering strategy be adopted.

(b)  That the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) be authorised to take steps to implement the telephone numbering strategy and introduce a range of ‘silver’ telephone numbers for principal Council services, making it possible for customers to get through to the right person first time and, a ‘golden’ number to enable easier access to Council services.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Planning and Improvement) presenting the draft indicators and targets selected to support the delivery of the strategic outcomes and improvement priorities in the Leeds Strategic Plan, which also represent the draft Local Area Agreement for Leeds. The report also seeks approval of the draft indicators and targets prior to their submission to the Secretary of State and Full Council as part of the Leeds Strategic Plan.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Planning and Improvement) submitted a report presenting the draft indicators and targets selected to support the delivery of the strategic outcomes and improvement priorities in the Leeds Strategic Plan, which also represent the draft Local Area Agreement for Leeds. The report also sought approval of the draft indicators and targets prior to their submission to the Secretary of State and Full Council as part of the Leeds Strategic Plan.  An updated version of the proposed indicators and targets for Leeds’ local area agreement was circulated at the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Appendix 1 be approved as Leeds’ local area agreement prior to its submission to the Secretary of State for formal sign off.

(b)  That the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Planning and Improvement) be authorised to make minor amendments, if required, to Leeds’ local area agreement prior to its submission to the Secretary of State on 30^th May 2008. If any revisions are required then the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Planning and Improvement) should inform members of the Executive prior to submission.

(c)  That the full and final version of the Leeds Strategic Plan incorporating the agreed indicators and targets, be submitted to the July meeting of full Council for final approval as required by the Council’s budget and policy framework.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources on consents and variations requested by Yorkshire County Cricket Club in relation to their loan agreement with the Council.  

The Director of Resources submitted a report on consents and variations requested by Yorkshire County Cricket Club in relation to their loan agreement with the Council.

Following consideration of the appendices designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) which were considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the necessary consents and agreements to vary the Council’s loan agreement to facilitate Yorkshire County Cricket Club entering into the transactions referred to in this report be granted.

(b)  That the proposals in respect of dealing with future requests for consents or variations under the loan agreement with Yorkshire County Cricket Club as detailed at paragraph 5.1 of the report be agreed.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development proposing a scheme relating to the distribution of income received from lamp post advertising as described in this report.

The appendix to this report is designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

The Director of City Development submitted a report proposing a scheme relating to the distribution of income received from lamp post advertising as described in the report.

Following consideration of the appendix designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED – That the arrangements for distribution of income from lamp post advertising as described in the report be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development on the selection of the preferred and reserve operators for the proposed Leeds Arena, and seeking authority for the Director of City Development to enter into a legal agreement with the preferred operator (or reserve operator, should the need arise) of the Leeds Arena on the terms contained within the report.

Appendices 1 and 2 and associated plans to this report are designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

The Director of City Development submitted a report on the selection of the preferred and reserve operators for the proposed Leeds Arena, and seeking authority for the Director of City Development to enter into a legal agreement with the preferred operator (or reserve operator, should the need arise) of the Leeds Arena on the terms contained within the report.

Following consideration of appendices 1 and 2 and associated plans to this report designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) which were considered at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That  Bidder B be approved as the preferred operator for the proposed Leeds arena as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

 (b)  That the Director of City Development be authorised to enter into a legal agreement with the preferred arena operator on the terms outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

(c)  That Bidder A be approved as the reserve operator for the proposed Leeds arena as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report

(d)  That the Director of City Development be authorised to enter into a conditional legal agreement with bidder A on the terms outlined in Appendix 2 of the report.

 (e)  That in the event that the preferred operator for the arena as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report withdraws from the project or varies their submission in a manner which results in the reserve bidder’s submission being more advantageous to the Council, the Director of City Development be authorised, with the concurrence of the Executive Member for Development and Regeneration, to take appropriate action to secure the reserve bidder pursuant to the conditional agreement previously entered into with bidder A as the preferred operator for the arena.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development on discussions which have taken place with the Thorner Over-55’s Association and seeking support for the transfer of a ‘Community Asset’ as a Less Than Best Consideration disposal on the terms recommended within the report.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on discussions which have taken place with the Thorner Over-55’s Association and seeking support for a transfer of a ‘Community Asset’ as a less than best consideration disposal on the terms recommended within the report.

RESOLVED – That a 50 year lease at nil rent be granted to the Thorner Over-55’s Association and for the Council to continue the rental subsidy, in line with the basis upon which funds were granted by the Council and other bodies.

To consider the report of the Chief Environmental Services Officer seeking approval of a graffiti strategy for Leeds.

The Chief Environmental Services Officer submitted a report seeking approval of a graffiti strategy for Leeds.

RESOLVED – That the Graffiti Strategy be approved.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:    16^TH MAY 2008

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN (5.00 PM )  23^RD MAY 2008

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items Called In by 12 noon on Wednesday 28^th May 2008)