Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 7^th April and 28^th April 2010 respectively.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 7^th April and 28^th April 2010 respectively be approved as a correct record.

The Board paid tribute to and thanked Councillor Richard Harker for his services to the Council and Executive Board, who up until the recent local election had held the position of Executive Member for Learning. 

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds providing the outcomes from the publication of the Statutory Notices on proposals to expand primary provision and establish Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.

Further to Minute Nos. 192 and 193, 12^th February 2010, the Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report detailing the representations received in response to the publication of Statutory Notices regarding proposals to expand primary provision and establish community specialist provision for implementation between September 2010 and September 2012.

The minutes from the School Organisation Advisory Board (SOAB) meeting held on 10^th May 2010 were circulated to Members prior to the meeting as appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the responses to the statutory notices be noted;

(b)  That the views of School Organisation Advisory Board (SOAB), as detailed at appendix 1 to the report, with respect to the proposals where objections have been received, be noted;

(c)  That the proposed alterations at 18 of the 19 schools, as detailed at paragraph 3.2 of the submitted report, be approved. Namely:

(i)  permanently expand 14 primary schools for 2010; and

(ii)  linked permanent expansion, and establishment of community specialist provision for up to 14 pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) arising from physical disabilities at New Bewerley Primary School for 2010; and

(iii)  linked permanent expansion, and establishment of community specialist provision for up to 14 pupils with SEN arising from physical disabilities at Whitkirk Primary School for 2010; and

(iv)  permanently expand Gildersome Primary School for 2011; and

(v)  permanently expand Richmond Hill Primary School for 2012.

(d)  That the withdrawal of the proposal for expansion of Brudenell Primary School be approved.  

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds presenting a response to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) inquiry into Meadowfield Primary School.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report presenting responses to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) inquiry into Meadowfield Primary School.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) be approved.

The Board paid tribute to and thanked Councillor Peter Harrand, Executive Member for Adult Health and Social Care, for his services to the Board. Councillor Harrand, who had submitted his apologies for absence from this meeting, had recently indicated his intention not to continue in his role of Executive Member following the conclusion of the current municipal year. 

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services outlining proposals to purchase Telecare equipment for the Leeds Telecare Service from April 2010 to March 2011.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report outlining proposals to purchase Telecare equipment for the Leeds Telecare Service from April 2010 to March 2011.

RESOLVED – That the release of £1,000,000 capital expenditure for the Leeds Telecare Service from April 2010 to March 2011 be authorised.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services presenting a response to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) inquiry into Self Directed Support and Personal Budgets.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report presenting responses to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) inquiry into Self Directed Support and Personal Budgets.

Members noted that a monitoring exercise on the uptake of Self Directed Support provision was to be undertaken on a Ward basis.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses, as detailed within the submitted report, be approved.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) outlining proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution in respect of executive matters following the annual review of the Constitution, and with regard to a proposed delegation of an executive function to another authority.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report outlining proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution in respect of executive matters following the annual review of the Constitution. The report also outlined details regarding a proposed delegation of an executive function to another authority.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the revised Executive Procedure Rules, with the amendments detailed in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved with effect from the 27th May 2010;

(b)  That under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 and Local Authorities (Arrangement for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2000, the executive function of making payments of Home Improvement Loans (or similar new schemes and payments identified by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, in consultation with the Executive Member), approved under the Leeds City Council Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy in accordance with the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) Order 2002, be delegated to the executive of Sheffield City Council;

(c)  That subject to legal advice, officers be authorised to enter into a tripartite agreement with Sheffield City Council and Leeds City Credit Union Ltd to allow the provision of Home Improvement Loans within Leeds.

To consider the joint report of the Director of Resources and the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) presenting a response to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate) inquiry into consultant engagement.

The Director of Resources and the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a joint report presenting responses to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate) inquiry into consultant engagement.

RESOLVED – That the responses from the Director of Resources and Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance), as outlined within the submitted report, be approved.

To  consider the report of the Director of City Development outlining proposals for the implementation of a scheme to provide a new northbound bus lane on Ring Road Beeston Park and to improve the junction of Ring Road Beeston Park with the A653 Dewsbury Road, as part of the Local Transport Plan programme for improving the quality of bus services in the city. 

The Director of City Development submitted a report outlining proposals for the implementation of a scheme to provide a new northbound bus lane on Ring Road Beeston Park and to improve the junction of Ring Road Beeston Park with the A653 Dewsbury Road, as part of the Local Transport Plan programme for improving the quality of bus services in the city. 

RESOLVED –

(a)   That the contents of the submitted report be noted;

(b)  That approval be given to the Ring Road Beeston Park Bus Lane proposal, as detailed at drawing number HDC/713450/CO1 which is appended to the submitted report, at an estimated cost of £3,200,000;

(c)  That authority be given to incur additional expenditure of £2,620,000, comprising £2,510,000 works costs and £110,000 staff costs, to be met from the Integrated Transport Scheme 99609, within the agreed Capital Programme; and

(d)  That previous approvals totalling £580,000, comprising £230,000 staff costs, £120,000 ancillary costs, £220,000 for advance statutory undertakers’ diversion costs and £10,000 for advance site clearance costs, be noted. 

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining proposals to utilise Single Regional Housing Pot funding on the first phase of the Group Repair scheme within the Cross Green area.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report outlining proposals to utilise Single Regional Housing Pot funding on the first phase of the Group Repair scheme within the Cross Green area.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That authority be given to the injection into the Capital Programme of £171,000 from owner occupiers.

(b)  That authority to spend £630,000 from Holbeck Ph4 A&D scheme be rescinded.

(c)  That the transfer of £630,000 government grant from Holbeck Phase 4 to Cross Green Group Repair Ph1 be authorised.

(d)  That scheme expenditure to the amount of  £1,891,000 on Cross Green Group Repair Phase 1, be authorised.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update on the clearance of sites by the council’s Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) in the East and South East Leeds (EASEL) area and which seeks approval of the general fund contribution to the costs of acquiring and demolishing houses in private ownerships on these sites.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing an update on the clearance of sites by the Council’s Arms Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) in the East and South East Leeds (EASEL). The report also sought approval of the general fund contribution to the costs of acquiring and demolishing houses in private ownerships on such sites.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the injection of £2,582,000 of General Fund resources to cover the balance of the 2009/10 and projected 2010/11 expenditure, funded initially from unsupported borrowing but to be recompensed from EASEL site receipts in future, be approved; and

(b)  That expenditure of £8,425,000 as the costs for the acquisition and demolition of the private sector houses, dealt with as part of the rationalisation of housing stock by East North East Homes Ltd., be authorised.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update on the progress made with respect to the reviewing of the Council’s lettings policy, the improvements in the management of lettings and tenancies, the development of a framework for lettings to all new affordable housing schemes and the timescales for full consultation and implementation of a revised lettings policy.

Further to Minute No. 50, 22^nd July 2009, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing an update on the progress made with respect to the reviewing of the Council’s lettings policy, the improvements in the management of lettings and tenancies, the development of a framework for lettings to all new affordable housing schemes and the timescales for full consultation and implementation of a revised lettings policy.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods together with the Council’s Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) develop the proposals, as detailed within the submitted report, into recommendations for change to be incorporated into a revised lettings policy and guidance.

(b)  That an equality impact assessment be undertaken on the potential impact of the proposed lettings policy changes.

(c)  That the proposals, as detailed within the submitted report and including references made during the meeting to the prioritisation criteria for households with dependent children, be consulted upon with a view to a revised lettings policy being prepared and submitted to the October 2010 meeting of Executive Board.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:  21^st May 2010

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN:  28^th May 2010

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items called in by 12.00 noon on 1^st June 2010)