Agenda and minutes

In opening the meeting the Chair referred to the recent and sudden death of Gary Broughton, a Civic Buildings attendant known to all users of the Civic hall.

RESOLVED – That the condolences of this Board be conveyed to Gary’s wife, daughters and wider family.

To agree that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of appendix 2 to item 10, the appendix to item 13, the detailed report in relation to item 16 and appendices 1,2 and 4 to item 24

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt 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 public were present there would be disclosure to them of the exempt information so designated as follows:

(a)  Appendix 2 to the report referred to in minute 81 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 that the report contains commercially sensitive information about post-close negotiations with the Contractor.

(b)  The appendix to the report referred to in minute 84 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption in relation to the appendix on this subject outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information by reason of the fact the appendix is part of contract negotiations and the release of the information contained therein may compromise the Council’s commercial position and could cause the Council to breach its, and European rules on procurement.

(c)  The detailed report referred to in minute 87 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(1) and (2) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption in relation to the main report outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information by reason of the fact that the duty of Education Leeds in securing improvement and increased confidence in the schools concerned would be adversely affected by disclosure of the information.

(d)  Appendices 1,2 and 4 to the report referred to in minute 95 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 the disclosure of appendices 1 and 2 could potentially prejudice the success of the scheme by speculative investors acquiring properties in advance of the Council’s action and of appendix 4 because the costs attributed to the purchase of private properties are purely estimates at this stage and their disclosure could prejudice the Council’s ability to reach an agreement on the purchase price with owners.

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 Brett declared a personal interest in the item relating to the future of ALMOs in Leeds (minute 78) as a board member of South East Leeds ALMO.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2006

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2006 be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing in response to the above deputation to Council advising that the accommodation needs assessment is to be undertaken  

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report in response to the above deputation to Council advising that the accommodation needs assessment is to be undertaken in accordance with the decision of this Board as referred to in minute 70 of the meeting held on 20^th September.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing on proposed governance arrangements for the three new ALMO  Boards, their registration as companies and proposals for Area Panels

Further to minute 71 of the meeting held on 20^th September 2006 the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report on proposed governance arrangements for the three new ALMO Boards, their registration as companies and proposals for Area Panels.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposed governance arrangements for the new Boards be approved.

(b)  That the proposals for Area Panels be approved and that the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing be authorised to consult with the ALMOs to finalise the details.

(c)  That authority be given for the formal registration of the new companies and that the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing be authorised to progress the Section 27 arrangements with the Department of Communities and Local Government.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on this decision insofar as it related to the arrangements for the appointment of elected members to the new ALMO boards)

To consider the report of the Director of Corporate Services presenting a revised Corporate Debt Policy agreed by the Financial Inclusion Steering Group and intended as part of the Council’s Beacon application “Promoting Financial Inclusion and Tackling Over Indebtedness”

The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report presenting a revised Corporate Debt Policy agreed by the Financial Inclusion Steering Group and intended as part of the Council’s Beacon application ‘Promoting Financial Inclusion and Tackling Over Indebtedness’.

RESOLVED – That the changes to the policy and the part which it plays in the Council’s Financial Inclusion policies be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Corporate Services on a proposed increase to the Authorised and Operational borrowing limits to be recommended to Council as a variation to those set in February 2006

The Director of Corporate Services  submitted a report on a proposed increase to the Authorised and Operational borrowing limits to be recommended to Council as a variation to those set in February 2006 (minute 202(e))

RESOLVED – That Council be recommended to approve the revised borrowing limits for 2006/07 and the revised investment limit for 2006/07 both as set out in Section 3 of the submitted report.

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive on progress of Leeds City Council PPP/PFI projects and Programmes, their governance  and on the outturn of the Leeds Street Lighting PFI Project.

Appendix 2 to the report relating to the Street Lighting Project is exempt under Access to information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3)

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report on progress of Leeds City Council PPP/PFI projects and Programmes, their governance and on the outturn of the Leeds Street Lighting PFI Project.

Appendix 2 to the report relating to the Street Lighting Project was designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

Following consideration of the exempt appendix in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer on a charter to underpin the relationship between the City Council and the local councils within its administrative area as agreed in consultation with the Parish and Town Council Forum

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report on a charter to underpin the relationship between the City Council and the  local councils within its administrative area as agreed in consultation with the  Parish and Town Council Forum.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the charter, as appended to the submitted report, be approved.

(b)  That the charter be reported to Area Committees for information.

(c)  That this Board, noting the current delays in processing applications for the establishment of new parish councils, requests the Department for Communities and Local Government to more efficiently process such applications.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds providing statistical information on the September 2006 admission round for community and voluntary controlled schools

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report providing statistical information on the September 2006 admission round for community and voluntary controlled schools.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on the proposed appointment of a preferred bidder for the ICT Strategic Partner and arrangements for final negotiations and award of the contract

Appendix 1 to the report is exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3)

Further to minute 59 of the meeting held on 20^th September 2006 the Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the proposed appointment of a preferred bidder for the ICT Strategic Partner and arrangements for final negotiations and award of the contract.

Appendix 1 to the report was designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

Following consideration of the exempt appendix in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED – That Research Machines be selected as the preferred bidder for the ICT Strategic Partner contract and that the Deputy Chief Executive be authorised, in consultation with the BSF/PFI Project Board, to conduct final negotiations and to award the contract.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on a proposed scheme to provide a new hall, additional classrooms and remodelling works at Thorpe Primary School

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on a proposed scheme to provide a new hall, additional classrooms and remodelling works at Thorpe Primary School.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That approval be given to the design proposals for Phase One works in respect of the scheme to provide a new hall and additional teaching accommodation, together with internal remodelling at Thorpe Primary School.

(b)  That expenditure of £940,000 from capital scheme 12050/PH1/000 be authorised.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds summarising the outcomes of recent Ofsted inspections

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report summarising the outcomes of recent OfSTED inspections.

RESOLVED – That the report and the impact of the change in the inspection framework be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds informing  members of the actions being followed to ensure that the schools causing the most serious concerns are being monitored, supported and challenged through planned interventions.

The second detailed report on this matter is exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (1) and (2)

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the actions being followed to ensure that the schools causing the most serious concerns are being monitored, supported and challenged through planned interventions.

The second detailed report on this matter was designated exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rules 10.4(1) and (2).

Following consideration of the exempt report in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED – That the report, actions being taken in schools causing concern and the impact of the change in the inspection framework be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of  Learning and Leisure on progress made since the initial Executive Board decision, in March 2006, to the in principle transfer of the Sport and Active Recreation Service to a Non Profit Distributing Body (Trust).The report proposes that  progress be made to the next implementation stage of the Trust transfer, with a target date of 1^st April 2008 for the Sports Trust to become fully operational.

The Director of Learning and Leisure submitted a report on progress made since the initial Executive Board decision in March 2006 (minute 246), to the in principle transfer of the Sport and Active Recreation Service to a Non Profit Distributing Body (Trust). The report proposed that progress be made to the next implementation stage of the Trust transfer, with a target date of 1^st April 2008 for the Sports Trust to become fully operational.

In presenting the report the Executive Member (Leisure) made reference to the fact that all members of this Board had received the GMB trade union response to the Lawrence Graham Report appraising the Sports Trust option together with the letter of the Director of Learning and Leisure in response to the GMB paper.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That a charitable company limited by guarantee be approved as the intended legal form of the Trust, with 19.9% Leeds City Council representation, as outlined under the legal and resource implications section of the report.

(b)  That this Board recognises the reconsidered level of net annual savings from NNDR (rates)/VAT as being a maximum of £1,164,921 and an estimated minimum of £725,921 per year, based on 2006/07.

(c)  That the increased, estimated set up costs of £467,417 involved in creating the Trust, due to be committed over the 2006/07 and 2007/08 financial years be approved.

(d)  That the next implementation stage of the Trust transfer through to March 2007, with a target date of 1^st April 2008 for the Sports Trust to become fully operational be approved.

(e)  That the key tasks to be addressed during the next implementation stage be noted.

(f)  That the proposals for decision making be approved and that further progress reports be brought to this Board at key moments throughout the process, in particular to formalise the legal establishment of the Trust and the formal approval to transfer staff and facilities to the Trust.

(g)  That all other aspects of the report and the attached appendices together with progress being made be noted.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on this decision)

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Services setting out proposals for the modernisation of day services for disabled people with particular reference to the three existing Social Services Department Resource Centres, describing a more person centred service model based on meeting an individual’s assessed needs flexibly, in their local communities and , wherever possible, within mainstream services rather than in settings catering only for disabled people.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a  report setting out proposals for the modernisation of day services for disabled people with particular reference to the three existing Social Services Department Resource Centres, describing a more person centred service model based on meeting an individual’s assessed needs flexibly, in their local communities and, wherever possible, within mainstream services rather than in settings catering only for disabled people.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposals for day services for disabled people as outlined in the report be approved.

(b)  That the proposed new service model be implemented.

(c)  That the Board notes the proposal that in the context of the new service model a separate, building-based reprovision of Clifford Brooke Resource Centre would not be appropriate when the centre leaves the Roundhay Road site given the available spare capacity at other centres.

(d)  To agree (with reference to paragraph 7.7 of the report) that there should, wherever practicable, be consultation with service users on the full range of possible reprovision options prior to a report on a proposal such as that referred to in (c) above being brought to this Board.

(e)  (i)  To note that consultations with such users at Clifford Brooke, on the proposal that there should be no separate building based provision of the centre, have now commenced;

  (ii)  to agree that such consultations should continue, and

  (iii)  to note that a report on the outcome of the consultations will be brought back to this Board.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Services on the proposed outline plan for The Breece to comply with the Short Breaks Policy

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report on the proposed outline plan for The Breece to comply with the Short Breaks Policy.

In presenting the report the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care) referred to a petition which he had received on the day of this meeting with regard to the proposals.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the outline plan for the disposal of The Breece and the development of alternative arrangements as detailed in the report be approved.

(b)  That the statutory consultation process be commenced immediately with a view to fully implementing the plan by January 2007.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he voted against this decision)

To consider the report of the Director of Development providing information relating to the deputation received by Council at the 13^th September 2006 meeting in relation to concerns about road safety on the A6120 Outer Ring Road at Moortown.

The Director of Development submitted  a report providing information relating to the Deputation received by Council at the 13^th September 2006 meeting in relation to concerns about road safety on the A6120 Outer Ring Road at Moortown.

RESOLVED – That the report and the actions being taken in relation to the concerns raised by the deputation be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Development in response to the deputation to Council on 13^th September 2006 regarding dust in Rein Road, Morley associated with Britannia Quarry, operated by Woodkirk Stone

The Director of Development submitted a report in response to the deputation to Council on 13^th September 2006 regarding dust in Rein Road, Morley associated with Britannia Quarry, operated by Woodkirk Stone.

RESOLVED – That the report and the actions taken in respect of the operation of the quarry be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Development on the proposed marketing of the Stanhope Youth Centre and, subject to the capital receipt that would be generated being sufficient, to use that receipt and other resources already identified in the Capital Programme to fund the refurbishment of the former Horsforth Library to provide accommodation for the relocated Youth Centre and for the North-West Area Management Team

The Director of Development submitted a report on the proposed marketing of the Stanhope Youth Centre and, subject to the capital receipt that would be generated being sufficient, to use that receipt and other resources already identified in the Capital Programme to fund the refurbishment of the former Horsforth Library to provide accommodation for the relocated Youth Centre and for the North West Area Management Team.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposal to market the site of the Stanhope Driver Youth Centre be approved and recognised as being in line with the Ring Fence Policy approved by this Board on 23^rd March 2005.

(b)  That subject to the potential receipt that may be generated being sufficient, a Design and Cost report be brought back to this Board seeking authority to incur expenditure for the refurbishment works at the former library.

To consider the report of the Director of Development on the production of a round two Local Enterprise Growth Initiative bid for Leeds and outlining the key features of the proposed programme.  

The Director of Development submitted a report on the production of a round two Local Enterprise Growth Initiative bid for Leeds and outlining the key features of the proposed programme.

RESOLVED – That the bid ‘Sharing the Success’ be endorsed.

To consider the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing on the options for the regeneration of the Holbeck area and on a proposed scheme for the acquisition and clearance of 53 properties within Holbeck by utilising £2.95m of Regional Housing Board funding from the capital grant of £8m allocated for a long term housing market renewal programme to tackle poor quality, pre 1919 housing stock in Beeston Hill and Holbeck

Appendices 1,2 and 4 to this report are exempt under Access to Information Prcedure Rule 10.4(3)

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report on the options for the regeneration of the Holbeck area and on a proposed scheme for the acquisition and clearance of 53 properties within Holbeck by utilising £2.95m of Regional Housing Board funding from the capital grant of £8m allocated for a long term housing market renewal programme to tackle poor quality pre1919 housing stock in Beeston Hill and Holbeck.

The report outlined the options of (a) doing the minimum to meet legal conformity, (b) group repair and internal remodelling and (c) the preferred option of acquisition, clearance and redevelopment of the site for housing.

Appendices 1, 2 and 4  to this report were designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

After consideration of the exempt appendices in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the injection into the Capital Programme of £2.95m of Regional Housing Board money be approved and that scheme expenditure in the same amount be authorised.

(b)  That officers be authorised to commence acquisition of the properties detailed at Appendix 2 by voluntary agreement with the owners and that in the event that agreement cannot be reached with the owner of any property within the target area for its acquisition, the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing be authorised to make and promote any necessary Compulsory Purchase Orders.

To consider the report of the Director of City Services presenting the proposed revised Integrated Waste Strategy for Leeds, the associated three year action plan and the proposed final draft of Expression of Interest for Private Finance Initiative funding to support the development of the waste solution infrastructure.

The Director of City Services submitted a report presenting the proposed revised Integrated Waste Strategy for Leeds, the associated three year action plan and the proposed final draft of Expression of Interest for Private Finance Initiative funding to support the development of the waste solution infrastructure.

In presenting the report the Chair referred to a note commenting on the proposals handed to members of the Board on the day of the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Integrated Waste Strategy for Leeds 2005-35, as attached to the report, be adopted.

(b)  That the action plan for implementation for which financial provision will need to be secured following appropriate budget submissions be approved.

(c)  That the governance arrangements for the programme outlined in the terms of reference attached to the report be approved.

(d)  That the content of the Expression of Interest for PFI credits be noted, that the proposed strategy for securing external funding  be approved and that the Asset Management Group be authorised to approve the final Expression of Interest document.

(e)  That the Board notes that an outline business case for PFI funding will be brought to this Board for approval following approval of the Expression of Interest by DEFRA.

(f)  That the indicative financial implications of delivering the overall waste solution for Leeds be noted.

(g)  That the site selection work in progress, relating to the location of facilities, including the approach to regional working outlined in the report be noted.

(h)  That a progress report be brought back to this Board in three months time.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on this decision)

DATE OF PUBLICATION:  20^TH OCTOBER 2006

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN:  27^TH OCTOBER 2006

(Scrutiny Support will notify relevant Directors of any items Called In by 12.000 noon on 30^th October 2006)