Agenda and minutes

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 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.

The substantive reports referred to under minutes 140 and 141 had been designated as exempt until 3^rd December (1.00 pm)  and 27^th November respectively.  This designation had arisen from embargoes on the documents which had substantially been the source of the contents of those reports and all information had been published on lifting of those embargoes.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

Councillor Wakefield declared a personal interest in the item relating to Machinery of Government and 14-19 Commissioning Arrangements (minute 149) as a schools and college governor.

Councillor Blake declared a personal interest in the item relating to the Vision for Council Leisure Centres (minute 154) as an NHS Leeds Board member.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th November 2008.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th November 2008 be approved.

(b)  That with reference to minute 122 relating to the Deputation to Council regarding sports facilities in the Hyde Park area, a further report be brought to the next meeting of the Board.

The substantive report of the Director of Adult Social Services on this subject draws to a very significant degree on the findings of the inspection. Those findings are embargoed by the Inspectorate until 1.00p.m. on 3^rd December 2008. In view of this, the substantive report of the Director of Adult Social Services together with accompanying Action Plan has been designated as exempt until 1.00p.m. on 3^rd December 2008, upon which date it will become an open document and will be published.

The Inspector will be in attendance to present the findings of the Inspectorate’s report.

Tim Willis, the lead inspector from the Commission for Social Care Inspection, attended the meeting and presented the Service Inspection Report following the inspection in Leeds which was undertaken in Leeds in July/August 2008.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report on the outcome of the inspection and presented an action plan relating to the 25 recommendations contained in the inspection report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the inspection report, the report of the Director and the action plan be noted.

(b)  That updates on progress against the action plan be brought to this Board as part of the Annual Performance Assessment reporting in December 2009.

(c)  That the inspection report and associated action plan be referred to the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) for their oversight of performance against the targets set out in the plan.

The substantive report of the Director of Adult Social Services on this subject draws to a very significant degree on the findings of the assessment. Those findings are embargoed by the Inspectorate until 27^th November 2008. In view of this, the substantive report has been designated as exempt until 27^th November 2008, upon which date it will become an open document and will be published.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report on the annual assessment of Adult Social Care Services published by the Commission for Social Care Inspection on 27th November 2008 and attached to the report of the Director.  The response to the assessment was integrated into the action plan referred to in minute 140 above.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report of the Director and the Performance Review report from the Commission be noted.

(b)  That the Annual Performance Review report be referred to the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) for their oversight of performance against the targets set in respect of identified areas for improvement.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds outlining proposals to close South Leeds High School and replace it with an Academy to serve the needs of children and young people from the Beeston and Holbeck, City and Hunslet and Middleton Park wards.

Further to minute 43 of the meeting held on 16^th July 2008 the Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on proposals to close South Leeds High School and to replace it with an Academy to serve the needs of children and young people from the Beeston and Holbeck, City and Hunslet and Middleton Park wards.

The Chair referred to correspondence which had been addressed to members of the Board in relation to this, and to the proposal referred to in minute 143 below, and other members confirmed their receipt of the same.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the outcome of the consultation, to close South Leeds High School on 31^st August 2009, conditional upon Department for Children, Schools and Families approval to open an academy on that site opening on 1^st September 2009, be noted.

(b)  That approval for the publication of a statutory notice to that effect be given.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds outlining proposals to close Intake High School Arts College and replace it with an Academy to serve the children and young people from the Bramley and Stanningley ward.

Further to minute 220 of the meeting held on 16^th April 2008 the Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on proposals to close Intake High School Arts College and to replace it with an Academy to serve the children and young people from the Bramley and Stanningley ward.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the outcome of the consultation, to close Intake High School on 31^st August 2009, conditional upon Department for Children, Schools and Families approval to open an academy on that site opening on 1^st September 2009 be noted.

(b)  That approval be given for the publication of a statutory notice to that effect.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services outlining the proposed change of scope for the scheme established to create a new supported living development for people with learning disabilities at Windlesford Green.

Referring to minute 57 of the meeting held on 22^nd August 2007 the Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report on the proposed change of scope for the scheme established to create a new supported living development for people with learning disabilities at Windlesford Green.

The rescoping provided for a smaller development meeting the needs of current residents, requiring a less than best disposal of land and resulting in land being made available for alternative use.

RESOLVED – That the changes to the scheme as previously reported be noted, that the revised scheme as detailed in the report be approved and that the terms of the proposed lease as detailed in the report also be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in response to the deputation to Council from Cats Protection on 10^th September 2008.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report in response to the deputation to Council from Cats Protection on 10^th September 2008.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining the progress which has been made in improving the overall energy efficiency of the Leeds housing stock.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the progress made in improving the overall energy efficiency of the Leeds housing stock.

RESOLVED – That the content of the 12^th HECA progress report and its release to the Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining proposals which would see Calderdale Council appointed as banker for the West Yorkshire Regional Energy Efficiency Scheme and responsible for administering the scheme budget for the period April 2008 to March 2011.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on proposals that Calderdale Council be appointed as banker for the West Yorkshire Regional Energy Efficiency Scheme with responsibility for administering the scheme budget for the period April 2008 to March 2011.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the West Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Scheme be approved.

(b)  That the Scheme annual and approximate sub set expenditure be approved for discharge.

(c)  That Calderdale Council continue in the role of banker for the West Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Scheme for the period April 2008 to March 2011 and that the Legal Delegation Form as contained in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds outlining the options available with regard to primary education provision in the Richmond Hill Planning Area.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the options available with regard to primary education provision in the Richmond Hill Planning Area.

The options presented in the report were:

1.  The expansion of Richmond Hill Primary School linked to a proposal to close Mount St Mary’s Primary School.

2.  Closure of both Richmond Hill and Mount St Mary’s Primary Schools and the establishment of a new school.

3.  Closure of Richmond Hill and Mount St Mary’s Primary Schools and the establishment of a joint community and Catholic Provision.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That formal consultation be undertaken on the linked proposals to:

·  Expand Richmond Hill Primary School by one form of entry with new community specialist provision for children with Special Education Needs

·  Close Mount St Mary’s Primary School.

(b)  That a further report be brought to the Board with regard to the land ownership position at Mount St Mary’s.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds outlining the principles underpinning the Leeds approach to the commissioning of 14+ provision and recommending that the Learning and Skills Council agree specific proposals for the commissioning of post-16 provision from September 2009.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the proposed local approach to the implementation of the Machinery of Government changes to deliver the transfer of responsibilities from the Learning and Skills Council to the City Council.  The report also referred to the strategic approach to the commissioning for 16-19 (25 for learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities) learners in Leeds from September 2009 through which the Council will trial the operational response to its new responsibilities.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given to the local approach to implementing the arrangements for the Council’s response to the Machinery of Government changes that will transfer responsibilities from the LSC to Leeds City Council as detailed in sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the report.

(b)  That the basis for the strategic commissioning arrangements for post 16 learners in Leeds from September 2009 as detailed in sections 3.2.2 to 3.2.4 of the report be noted, and that the Director of Children’s Services develop detailed arrangements for the commissioning of provision and for monitoring and evaluating the impact of these activities.

(c)  That a further report be brought to the Board as early as possible in 2009 on the proposed strategic commissioning arrangements for post 16 learners.

  (Councillor Finnigan declared a personal interest in this item as a governor of Joseph Priestley College).

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on proposals to proceed with the refurbishment of Priesthorpe Specialist Sports College and to incur the necessary capital expenditure.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on proposals to proceed with the refurbishment of Priesthorpe Specialist Sports College as part of Wave 1, Phase 2 of the Building schools for the Future programme.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given to the completion and entry into all necessary legal documentation for the Design and Build contract for Priesthorpe Specialist Sports College.

(b)  That expenditure of £16,579,338 from the capital programme be authorised.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds regarding the ‘Follow On’ project and expression of interest for the Leeds Building Schools for the Future initiative.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the ‘Follow On’ project for the Building Schools for the Future programme and on the submission of the expression of interest as the basis for transforming the remaining schools in BSF.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the priorities identified within the Expression of Interest be approved as the follow on project in Leeds through additional investment in Building Schools for the Future.

(b)  That further work be undertaken to detail the specific programmes in all the remaining geographical areas of Leeds.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds providing a summary of the results from the Audit Commission’s School Survey for 2008.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report summarising the results from the Audit Commission’s School Survey for 2008.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the findings of the 2008 Audit Commission School Survey as set out in Appendix A to the report be noted.

(b)  That it also be noted that the results of the survey will be used to inform children’s services and partners’ service improvement plans.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development advising of the current position with regard to the supply of burial space in Leeds and providing options for meeting the expected demand for burial space for the next 50 years and beyond.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on the current position with regard to the supply of burial space in Leeds and options for meeting the expected demand for burial space for the next 50 years and beyond.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the recommended policy to establish a preference for smaller locally based cemetery sites combined with the extension, where possible, for existing sites be adopted.

(b)  That officers explore further the potential to extend Farnley and Lofthouse cemeteries including consultation with planning officers about the inclusion of proposals in the Local Development Framework.

(c)  That officers look in more detail at the potential to develop small locally based cemeteries at Elmete, Priesthorpe Lane, Alwoodley Gates, Tile Lane East Moor and Haigh Farm Rothwell and report back to this Board on the outcome of this work.

(d)  That approval be given to the development of a 5 acre Cemetery at Whinmoor on the site identified on Plan B attached to the report, and that the implementation of this development be delivered as part of a larger masterplan for the site involving the decant of the Council’s nursery from Redhall.

(e)  That proposals to deliver a 14 acre cemetery extension at Lawnswood be not progressed.

(f)  That officers liaise with Leeds University to acquire the site of the American Football Field either through private treaty or Compulsory Purchase to deliver a 3.8 acre extension to Lawnswood Cemetery, that officers explore further the potential to deliver a 5 acre cemetery on the site of the former Elmete Caravan Park and that officers seek to acquire the 2.5 acre site at Horsforth Cemetery either through private treaty or Compulsory Purchase Order.

(g)  That the Capital Programme be amended to reflect schemes at Lawnswood £1,750,000 ,  Elmete Cemetery £743,000, Horsforth Cemetery Extension £350,000, Kippax Cemetery Extension £51,000 and Harehills Cemetery £125,000, releasing £281,000 back to the general Capital Programme.

(h)  That officers liaise further with representatives of the Muslim community on the accommodation of Muslim burial needs in the Council’s network of smaller cemeteries.

(i)  That officers carry out consultations with the relevant Ward Members and Area Committees regarding these proposals.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing details of the outcome of the public consultation exercise undertaken in relation to the Council’s draft Vision for Leisure Centres.

Further to minute 74 of the meeting held on 2^nd September 2008 the Director of City Development submitted a report on the outcome of the public consultation exercise undertaken in relation to the Council’s draft Vision for Leisure Centres.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the outcome of the public consultation exercise on the Vision for Council Leisure Centres be noted.

(b)  That officers explore in more detail the proposal to transfer Richmond Hill Sports Hall to community management as part of a community asset transfer.

(c)  That Sport England be requested to re-run their Facilities Planning Model for swimming pools provision in Leeds and in particular examine the implications of the Council’s draft proposals.

(d)  That officers consider the potential for community management for each of the centres most affected by these proposals and report back to a future meeting of this Board.

(e)  That officers further develop capital investment proposals for Aireborough, Bramley, Kirkstall, Pudsey, Otley, Rothwell, Scott Hall and Wetherby Leisure Centres.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive providing information on the implications of introducing a Living City Wage in Leeds following a resolution made by Council at its meeting on 9^th April 2008.

The Chief Executive submitted a report on the implications of introducing a Living City Wage in Leeds following a resolution made by Council at its meeting on 9^th April 2008.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

A) Report 1

To consider the joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) and the Director of Resources outlining the developments which have occurred in relation to the development of the Council’s Business Transformation agenda.

B) Report 2 – Design and Cost Report for Enabling Projects

To consider the joint report of the Director of Resources and Assistant Chief executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) on proposals for the delivery of the first phase of the Business Transformation Programme.

(a)  Organisational Programme

  The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) and the Director of Resources submitted a joint report outlining the Council’s developing business transformation agenda and setting out the reasons behind the development, the high level scope of the programme of work required, initial benefits accruing from the work and governance arrangements to secure delivery.

  RESOLVED – That the establishment of an organisational wide Business Transformation Programme be endorsed in the terms outlined on the submitted report.

(b)  Design and Cost Report for Key Enabling Projects

  The Director of Resources and Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a joint report on proposals for the delivery of the first phase of the Business Transformation Programme.

  RESOLVED –

  (a)  That approval be given to the release of £7,183,000 (over a five year period), to be funded from the Business Transformation allocation in the Strategic Development Fund for the first phase of the Business Transformation programme.

  (b)  That authority be given to incur expenditure on procuring and implementing the key enabling projects which provide the foundations for delivering the Council’s Business Transformation aspirations.

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer providing details of a decision taken by the Executive Board on 8^th October 2008 regarding the Capital Programme Update 2008-2012 which has been the subject of Call In.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report on the outcome of the Call In of a decision of the Executive Board on 8^th October 2008 regarding the Capital Programme Update 2008 –2012

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development in response to the deputation to Council from the Spenhill Residents’ Association on 10^th September 2008.

The Director of City Development submitted a report in response to the deputation to Council from the Spenhill Residents’ Association on 10^th September 2008.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development outlining the City Council’s recommendations which relate to the Leeds Local Development Framework for the Secretary of State’s consideration.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on the City Council’s recommendations on the Leeds Local Development Framework for the Secretary of State’s consideration.

An amended page of the submission was circulated at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Annual Monitoring Report be approved for submission to the Secretary of State pursuant to Regulation 48 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:    5^th December 2008

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN:  12^th December 2008

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items Called In by 12.00 noon on Monday 15^th December 2008).