Agenda and minutes

Under the terms of Executive Procedure Rule 2.3, Councillor J Procter was invited to attend the meeting on behalf of Councillor A Carter.

On behalf of the Board, the Chair introduced Nigel Richardson, as this marked the first meeting of Executive Board since he began his tenure as Director of Children’s Services.

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

Councillors Murray, R Lewis, Ogilvie, Blake, Golton and A Blackburn all declared personal interests in the item relating to the Environment and Neighbourhoods Lettings Policy (Minute No. 91 refers), due to their respective positions as either a Board Director or an Area Panel member of an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) or Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO).

Councillor Murray declared a personal interest in the item relating to the Compact for Leeds (Minute No. 90 refers), due to his position as Chief Executive of the Learning Partnerships organisation.

A further declaration of interest was made at a later point in the meeting. (Minute No. 92 refers).

To consider the report of the Acting Director of City Development on the proposed short term closure of the South Leeds Sports Centre, with a proposal for officers to submit a report to a future meeting following further work being undertaken, in order to consider the proposal from Tiger11 regarding a possible community asset transfer of the facility.

Further to Minute No. 10, 22^nd June 2010, the Acting Director of City Development submitted a report regarding the proposed closure of the South Leeds Sports Centre and which outlined a proposal for officers to submit a report to a future meeting following further work being undertaken, in order to consider the proposal from Tiger11 regarding a possible community asset transfer of the facility.

In response to Members’ enquiries regarding comparisons provided between South Leeds Sports Centre and other centres in terms of usage levels and cost per visit, the Acting Director of City Development provided clarification and suggested that, when determining this matter, Members should take into account that the centre attracted 215 visits per week at a cost of circa £10 per visit.

With regard to the future of the sports centre, the following options were outlined within the submitted report:-

Option 1 -  The Sports Centre remain open pending further work on Tiger11's proposals for a community asset transfer.

Option 2 – Immediate closure of the Sports Centre and acceptance of Tiger11's proposal for community asset transfer.

Option 3 -  Immediate closure of the Sports Centre and rejection of Tiger11's proposal. This option would lead to a recommendation to demolish the facility with further consideration of the site’s use as a capital receipt, or as part of any regeneration programmes in the area.

Option 4 – Immediate closure of the Sports Centre, whilst proactive work with Tiger11 continued on their proposals for consideration by Executive Board later this year.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Acting Director of City Development be authorised to commence the closure of South Leeds Sports Centre in consultation with the Executive Member for Leisure and to make arrangements for Corporate Property Management to secure the building.

(b)  That officers be requested to undertake further work with Tiger11 in order to enable proposed Heads of Terms for a Community Asset Transfer to be developed which are consistent with the principles established in August 2009, for further consideration by Executive Board in December 2010.

(c)  That the Acting Director of City Development be authorised to enter into a 6 month exclusivity agreement with Tiger11 for South Leeds Sports Centre.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 16^th August, 25^th August and 23^rd September 2010 respectively.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 16^th August, 25^th August and 23^rd September 2010 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Acting Director of City Development presenting the representations received during the final period of public consultation on the West Leeds Gateway Supplementary Planning Document, in addition to seeking agreement on the formal adoption of the document.

Further to Minute No. 201, 10^th March 2010, the Acting Director of City Development submitted a report presenting the representations received as part of the final period of public consultation on the West Leeds Gateway Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and which sought approval of the formal adoption of the SPD.

A schedule detailing the responses received as part of the final period of public consultation had accompanied Board Members’ agenda papers.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the representations received on the West Leeds Gateway Supplementary Planning Document and the recommended responses to the representations be noted.

(b)  That the adoption of the West Leeds Gateway Area Supplementary Planning Document be approved.

To consider the report of the Acting Director of City Development outlining a proposed design and cost freeze at RIBA Stage D for the proposed improvement and backlog maintenance works to the Woodhouse Lane Multi Storey Car Park and seeking authorisation of related expenditure and letting of contracts.

The Acting Director of City Development submitted a report regarding a design and cost freeze at RIBA Stage D on the proposed improvement and backlog maintenance works to the Woodhouse Lane Multi Storey Car Park. In addition, the report also sought authorisation to the incurring of related expenditure and letting of related contracts.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the design and cost freeze at RIBA Stage D for the proposed improvement and backlog maintenance works to the Woodhouse Lane Multi Storey Car Park be approved.

(b)  That subject to the tender sum for the proposed works being within the budget available, approval be given to the letting of the contract and the incurring of expenditure of £5,806,500 from existing budget provision (Capital Scheme No 13307/WHL/000) on the proposed design and subsequent improvement and backlog maintenance works to the Woodhouse Lane Multi Storey Car Park.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in response to the deputation to Council from the tenants of Moor Grange on 14^th July 2010.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report in response to the deputation to Council on 14^th July 2010 from the tenants of Moor Grange Court regarding concerns over anti-social behaviour and possible changes to a local lettings policy.

RESOLVED – That the response taken by the Council and the ALMO to the problems facing the residents of Moor Grange Court be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in response to the deputation to Council from local residents of Hyde Park on 14^th July 2010.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report in response to the deputation to Council on 14^th July 2010 from local residents of Hyde Park regarding social deprivation and community cohesion in the area.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of the Board providing an update on the progress made in addressing the issues highlighted by the deputation.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the formal adoption of the revised Compact for Leeds 2010.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report presenting the revised Compact for Leeds 2010 for approval and adoption.

RESOLVED – That the adoption of the Compact for Leeds be approved, and that the Council commit to undertaking an assessment of current policy and practice and the development of a plan to strengthen priority areas for action.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods seeking formal approval to implement a revised Environment and Neighbourhoods lettings policy. The report outlines the available options for change, in addition to providing a summary of the consultation undertaken and the potential impacts upon equality groups and community cohesion.

Further to Minute No. 247, 19^th May 2010, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report outlining the options available for amending the Environment and Neighbourhoods lettings policy, providing a summary of the consultation undertaken with customers, considering the potential impacts in equality arising from such changes and seeking approval to implement the revised policy.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the results of the consultation exercise undertaken be noted, and that the revised Lettings Policy be approved.

(b)  That the implementation of the proposals contained within section 4 of the submitted report be approved with effect from 5^th January 2011.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds presenting a range of statistical information relating to the September 2010 admissions round.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report presenting a range of statistical information relating to the September 2010 admissions round in Leeds.

Officers undertook to provide the relevant Member with a list of those 19 primary schools where places could not be offered to all those children who had expressed a preference for a school which was their nearest.

RESOLVED – That the statistical content of the report be noted, including:

• the percentage of first preferences achieved, where 86.2% of parents are offered the school of their first preference and 96.7% of parents received one of their preferences;
• the increase in the number of secondary block appeals, but fall in the number of in year appeals, and the further 8% improvement in the successful defence of in year appeals.
• the continued increase in use of the on-line service for parents to 44% of on time applications.
• a further increase in birth rate and the rise in successful preferences following a range of school expansions.

(Councillor J Procter declared a personal interest in this item, as a parent of a child who had not been offered a place at the child’s nearest school, having expressed a preference for that school).

To consider the report of the Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer informing of the challenges faced in the delivery of the Leeds Library and Information Service and, in taking into account the delivery of other front line services, outlining proposals to undertake a consultation exercise, aimed at ensuring the service reflects the demands of local people and enables greater access to stock and information.

The Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer submitted a report informing of the challenges faced in the delivery of the Leeds Library and Information Service and, in taking into account the delivery of other front line services, outlining new approaches for consultation which would ensure the sustainability and relevance of the library service for the people of Leeds.

Members referred to the possibility of extending the consultation period, should this be required.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the operational challenges of the Libraries and Information Service, as outlined within the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That a public consultation exercise on the detailed proposals contained within appendix 1 to the submitted report be approved.

(c)  That a further report be submitted to the Board early in 2011 outlining the outcome of the consultation process and which takes into consideration the outcomes from the Comprehensive Spending Review.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors A Blackburn and Golton respectively required it to be recorded that they abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute).

To consider the report of the Director of Resources providing background information to the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review and outlining the proposed process for setting the Council’s 2011/12 budget.

The Director of Resources submitted a report providing background information to the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review and outlining the proposed process for setting the Council’s 2011/12 budget.

Members made reference to the possibility of liaising with external organisations and service providers as part of the process to consider the budget proposals.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the background to the current budget setting process and the actions taken to date be noted.

(b)  That the establishment of a Members’ working group comprising Members of the five political parties to consider budget proposals be agreed.

(c)  That a subsequent report be brought to the January 2011 Executive Board reporting on the outcome of the Member working group discussions.

(d)  That the budget principles, as set out within paragraph 5 of the submitted report, be agreed.

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer providing a summary of the responses to Scrutiny Board recommendations received since the last Executive Board meeting. 

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report providing a summary of the responses to Scrutiny Board recommendations received since the last Executive Board meeting. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care), as detailed within the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That a review be undertaken in relation to the ways in which responses to Scrutiny Board recommendations are received by the Executive Board.

  DATE FOR PUBLICATION:  15^th October 2010

  LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

  OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS:  22^nd October 2010 (5.00 p.m.)

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items called in by 12.00noon on 25^th October 2010)