Agenda and minutes

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, 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 the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED –  That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those 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 press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt from publication 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 exempt information so designated as follows:-

(a)  That Appendix B to the report entitled, ‘Capital Receipts Programme Update and Approval of Future Disposals’, referred to in Minute No. 133 be designated as being exempt from publication in accordance with paragraph 10.4(3) od Schedule 12A(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that Appendix B contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person, and of the Council. This information is not publicly available from the statutory registers of information kept in respect of certain companies and charities. It is considered that since this information was obtained through the inviting of best and final offers for the property/land, then it is not in the public interest to disclose this information at this point in time as this could lead to random competing bids which would undermine this method of inviting bids and affect the integrity of disposing of property/land by this process. Also, it is considered that the release of such information would, or would be likely to prejudice the Council’s commercial interests in relation to other similar transactions in that prospective purchasers of other similar properties would have access to information about the nature and level of offers which may prove acceptable to the Council. It is considered that whilst there may be a public interest in disclosure, much of this information will be publicly available from the Land Registry following completion of this transaction and consequently the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information at this point in time.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests declared at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2019.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 25^th November 2019 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of Adults and Health presenting the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board’s Annual Report for 2018/19, together with an ‘easy read’ version and also a copy of the associated Strategic Plan. In summary, these documents summarise the Board’s achievements over the past 12 months and set out its ambitions for the coming year.

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report presenting the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board’s Annual Report for 2018/19, together with an ‘easy read’ version and also a copy of the associated Strategic Plan. In summary, these documents summarised the Board’s achievements over the past 12 months and set out its ambitions for the coming year.

The Board welcomed Richard Jones CBE, Independent Chair of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board to the meeting, who was in attendance in order to introduce the key points of the annual report and to highlight key priorities. 

Together with the Independent Chair, Members discussed the key role of carers and the actions being taken to ensure that the correct balance was achieved when engaging with service users by seeking the views of both the carer and the vulnerable individual, with it being acknowledged that each case needed a tailored approach.

In response to an enquiry, the Board received details of the approaches being taken to ensure that elderly and vulnerable individuals continued to have channels of communication that they felt comfortable using when engaging the Local Authority and others, in order to avoid this area becoming a source of isolation.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board Annual Report 2018/19, together with the Board’s Strategic Plan, as appended to the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That the strategic aims and ambitions of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board to make Leeds a safe place for everyone, be supported.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families introducing the key learning from the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Annual Report (2018/19) and which highlights the areas of strength and progress as well as areas for development across the safeguarding structures.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report presenting the annual report of the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) for 2018/19 which highlighted the areas of strength and progress as well as areas for development across the safeguarding structures.

The Board welcomed Dr. Mark Peel, the outgoing Independent Chair of the LSCP and Jasvinder Sanghera CBE, current Independent Chair as of October 2019 to the meeting, who were in attendance in order to introduce the key points of the annual report and to highlight key priorities. 

Members discussed the emerging national issue of unregulated and unregistered provision for looked after children and care leavers. Members were informed that in Leeds all placements were quality assured and that there were robust arrangements in place to monitor and support looked after children. Also, it was reported that it was intended to request that a report be submitted to the LSCP on this matter.

Further to this, and in response to a specific enquiry, it was confirmed that the LSCP had not recently considered the issue of unregistered educational provision in Leeds, however, Members received further information on the actions being taken in this area, with reference being made to the work of the Area Inclusion Partnerships, and it was requested that further to this discussion, this wide ranging matter be taken away by the directorate with further information being reported to the Executive, as appropriate and in due course.

Also, in response to a specific enquiry regarding the practice of marriage between first cousins and the associated increased health risks, the Board was provided with information on the actions which were being taken to raise the awareness of such health risks across the relevant communities.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership’s Annual Report for 2018/19, as appended to the submitted report, be noted and endorsed;

(b)  That the safeguarding priorities for the city, as identified in the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report for 2018/19, be noted and endorsed.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families which details the outcome and response to the inspection of the Leeds Youth Justice Service by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) and which seeks endorsement to working with the Inspectorate in a forthcoming review of the methodology applied to Out of Court Disposals.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report which detailed the outcome and response to the inspection of the Leeds Youth Justice Service by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) and which sought endorsement to working with the Inspectorate in a forthcoming review of the methodology applied to Out of Court Disposals.

As part of the introduction to the submitted report, the Executive Member for Children and Families invited the Board to request that this matter be referred to Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) in order to enable the outcomes and implications arising from this inspection to be considered in greater detail.

As part of a broad discussion on this matter, Members discussed:

-  the inspection outcomes for Leeds;

-  the new inspection framework;

-  the approach being taken by Leeds in this area - with specific reference made to restorative work in discouraging young people from reoffending;

-  how the Authority was responding to the judgement of the inspection – with reference being made to the action plan which had been established; and

-  the involvement of Leeds in the national review which was being undertaken.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the results of the Youth Justice Service inspection, as detailed within Appendix 1 to the submitted report, together with the work that is underway to address areas for further development, be noted;

(b)  That the intention for the Youth Justice Service in Leeds to work with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Probation to support the review of the methodology applied to inspecting Out-of-Court Disposal, be endorsed;

(c)  That the improvement and action plan, as detailed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be endorsed;

(d)  That the inspection report of Youth Justice Services in Leeds together with the outcomes arising from the inspection be referred to Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) in order to enable the outcomes and implications arising from this inspection to be considered in greater detail.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families detailing a proposal brought forward to meet the local authority’s duty to ensure a sufficiency of learning places including provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Specifically, this report describes the outcome of a Statutory Notice regarding a proposal to expand generic specialist school provision at East SILC – John Jamieson to 400 places by expanding onto two new additional sites, creating an additional 150 places; 50 primary places at the Oakwood building and 100 secondary places at the former Shakespeare site.

Further to Minute No. 75, 18^th September 2019, the Director of Children and Families submitted a report detailing a proposal brought forward to meet the Local Authority’s duty to ensure a sufficiency of learning places including provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Specifically, the submitted report presented the outcome of a Statutory Notice regarding a proposal to expand generic specialist school provision at East Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (SILC) – John Jamieson to 400 places by expanding onto two new additional sites, creating an additional 150 places: 50 primary places at the Oakwood building and 100 secondary places at the former Shakespeare site.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposal to permanently expand specialist provision at East SILC – John Jamieson to 400 places, expanding onto two new additional sites: the former Shakespeare primary school and the Oakwood building, with effect from January 2020, be approved;

(b)  That it be noted that the implementation of the proposals is subject to funding being agreed based upon the outcome of further detailed design work, as indicated at section 4.4.1 of the submitted report;

(c)  That the recommendation to exempt the resolutions (a) – (d) from Call In for the reasons as set out at paragraph 4.5.2 of the submitted report, be approved;

(d)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Learning Systems.

(The Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules state that a decision may be declared as being exempt from the Call In process by the decision taker if it is considered that any delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s, or the public’s interests. In line with this, the resolutions above were exempted from the Call In process, as per resolution (c) above, and for the reasons as detailed within section 4.5.2 of the submitted report)

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing providing an update on the investment approved in July and November 2016 for the LNA (Leeds Neighbourhood Approach) in Holbeck and the investment in group repair, specifically in the Recreations. The report also provides details of other activities which have complemented the investment as part of the Council and partners’ activity in the area to address issues of deprivation.

Further to Minute No. 108, 16^th November 2016, the Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report providing an update on the investment approved in July and November 2016 for the LNA (Leeds Neighbourhood Approach) in Holbeck and the investment in group repair, specifically in the Recreations. The report also provided details of other activities which have complemented the investment as part of the Council’s and partners’ activity in this area to address issues of deprivation.

The progress which had been made as a result of this initiative was welcomed, and the importance of continuing the positive work in that part of the city to complement ongoing major developments, was highlighted.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, it was noted that the submitted report contained details of how the actions taken had made tangible differences for those living and working in the area. Also, further to this, it was acknowledged that the submitted report focussed upon the housing led investment undertaken in the Holbeck area, however, with regard to the ongoing work in priority neighbourhoods it was intended that further reports would be submitted to the Board regarding the impact of that work, which would include reference to the latest Indices of Multiple Deprivation statistics.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the submitted report, be noted.

To consider the joint report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities and Environment seeking approval for the Community Asset Transfer of St Matthew’s Community Centre to ‘Holbeck Together’ by way of a 6 year lease alongside an agreement to lease for a longer term period, subject to the future submission and approval of a business plan.

The Director of City Development and the Director of Communities and Environment submitted a joint report which sought approval for the Community Asset Transfer of St Matthew’s Community Centre to ‘Holbeck Together’ by way of a 6 year lease alongside an agreement to lease for a longer term period, subject to the future submission and approval of a business plan.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the principle of a Community Asset Transfer of St. Matthew’s Community Centre in Holbeck to ‘Holbeck Together’, be agreed, subject to the conditions precedent, as outlined in paragraph 3.4 of the submitted report being satisfied;

(b)  That following the approval of resolution (a) above, a 6 year lease to ‘Holbeck Together’ as an interim proposal, be agreed;

(c)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development to enable the Director to finalise the terms of the lease arrangements to ‘Holbeck Together’ for both the 6 year and longer term lease, as well as the agreement to lease;

(d)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer, Asset Management and Regeneration will be responsible for ensuring that the resolutions arising from the submitted report are implemented;

(e)  That revenue funding to ‘Holbeck Together’ (formerly known as ‘Holbeck Elderly Aid’) of up to £143,747 over a five year period, to be implemented by the Director of Communities and Environment, be approved.

To consider the joint report of the Director of Resources and Housing and the Director of Communities and Environment providing an update on the Council’s approach towards tackling fuel poverty in the city.

The Director of Resources and Housing and the Director of Communities and Environment submitted a joint report providing an update on the Council’s approach towards tackling fuel poverty in the city.

In considering the submitted report, a Member highlighted the importance of ensuring that as part of this initiative, service users, specifically the elderly and vulnerable, had channels of communication that they were comfortable using when engaging the Local Authority on this issue.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That agreement be given for the Director of Resources and Housing to invite the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission to become a member of the Affordable Warmth Partnership and act as consultee for Leeds Affordable Warmth Plan;

(b)  That the Board endorse the approach being taken to continue to listen to people’s lived experience of cold and damp housing conditions, better understand the barriers which people are facing, and wherever possible take action locally through co-production, such as improve service provision, or use the Council’s influencing powers to change national policy and regulation;

(c)  That the Board’s endorsement be provided to ensuring that digital solutions to assess and alleviate fuel poverty do not lead to further marginalisation and exclusion of those most in need.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive providing a further update on the preparations that Leeds City Council has been making for the UK’s exit from the European Union, following previous reports during 2019.

Further to Minute No. 103, 25^th November 2019, the Chief Executive submitted a report providing a further update on the preparations that Leeds City Council has been making for the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The Chief Executive provided an update regarding the dialogue which continued to be undertaken with representatives of different sectors and partners on the preparations being made in this area. 

In considering this matter, the Board agreed to continue the cross-party Member working group, with a suggestion that a meeting be scheduled as appropriate, in order for the working group to further consider how best to progress such preparations.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current national position, together with the Council’s next steps to prepare the Council and the city for the UK’s exit from the EU, be noted;

(b)  That agreement be given for the cross-party Member working group to continue, with a suggestion that a meeting be scheduled as appropriate, in order for the working group to further consider how best to progress such preparations.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development that sets out the important role that the Northern School of Contemporary Dance plays as a cultural anchor institution in the city and details the collaborative work underway with the Council to secure its sustainability and growth as a key stakeholder based in Chapeltown.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which set out the important role of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance as a cultural anchor institution in the city and detailed the collaborative work underway with the Council to secure its sustainability and growth as a key stakeholder based in Chapeltown.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, it was confirmed to the Board that the properties at 133-135 Chapeltown Road were in private ownership and that constructive talks with the owners of those properties and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance were ongoing.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Board’s support for the Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD) as a key anchor cultural institution in the city and in its plans for expansion, be confirmed;

(b)  That the Board’s support in relation to assisting the NSCD to remain and meet its ambitions within the Chapeltown area, be confirmed, with the Board also recognising the NSCD’s important role within the local community;

(c)  That agreement be given for the Council to continue to work collaboratively with the NSCD in securing a site for expansion, and if appropriate, for the Board to receive a further report at the earliest opportunity setting out whether there is a case for the Council to use its statutory powers in land assembly.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) that sets out the initial budget proposals for 2020/21 for the purposes of agreeing the release of such proposals for the purposes of consultation.

The Chief Officer (Financial Services) submitted a report which presented the Council’s initial budget proposals for 2020/21, and which sought agreement for them to be submitted to Scrutiny for consideration, and also used as a basis for wider consultation with stakeholders.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further information regarding the ‘New Towns Fund’, an initiative which had been announced by the Government.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the initial budget proposals for 2020/21, as detailed within the submitted report, be agreed, with the Board’s agreement also being provided for them to be submitted to Scrutiny and also for the proposals to be used as a basis for wider consultation with stakeholders;

(b)  That the initial budget position for 2021/22 and 2022/23 be noted, with it also being noted that savings proposals to address the updated estimated budget gaps of £47.4m and £29.9m for 2021/22 and 2022/23 respectively will be reported to a future meeting of the Executive Board;

(c)  That it be noted that the proposal to approve the implementation of an additional Council Tax premium on any dwelling where the empty period is at least five years, from 100% to 200% premium, will be determined by Full Council in January 2020;

(d)  That the Board’s agreement be given for Leeds City Council to become a member of the new North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool for 2020/21 and act as lead authority for it, with it being noted that the establishment of this new Pool will be dependent upon none of the other proposed member authorities choosing to withdraw within the statutory period after designation;

(e)  That with regard to the final year of Government funding to offer discretionary relief to businesses most impacted by the 2017 Business Rates Revaluation, the Board’s agreement be provided for this to be distributed to childcare businesses in the city.

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

(The resolutions referred to within Minute No. 128 (a), (b) and (c) (above) given that these were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

However, the resolutions referred to in Minute No. 128 (d) and (e) were eligible for Call In, given that these were decisions not being taken as part of the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)

To consider a joint report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities and Environment which sets out key considerations for the principle of introducing an experimental city-wide Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to facilitate the passage of vehicles, including refuse wagons, at locations where safe passage is currently a regular problem.  

The Director of City Development and the Director of Communities and Environment submitted a joint report which set out key considerations for the principle of introducing an experimental citywide Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to facilitate the safe passage of vehicles, primarily refuse wagons, at locations where access was currently a regular problem.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was assured that TRO restrictions would only be put in place on highways where Ward Members were supportive of such action, and due to the experimental nature of the TRO, it would allow the restrictions to be amended if appropriate, for example, in response to feedback received from Ward Members.

Members also received further information regarding the use and provision of experimental TROs.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the principle to introduce an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to address obstructive and indiscriminative parking at numerous locations across the Leeds district, be approved, with a view to introducing various waiting restrictions to aid and facilitate the Council’s safe and timely collection of household kerbside waste;

(c)  That the following be noted:-

(i)  The design and implementation of the scheme is programmed to commence in January 2020, with completion by May 2020; and

(ii)  That the Chief Officer of Highways and Transportation will be responsible for the implementation of such matters.

To consider the report of the Director of Communities and Environment that sets out proposals on how the council can lead an ambitious initiative to combat climate change with a programme of education and community engagement focussed around tree planting and woodland creation. 

The Director of Communities and Environment submitted a report which set out proposals on how the Council could lead an ambitious initiative to combat climate change with a programme of education and community engagement focussed around tree planting and woodland creation.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further information on the potential and capacity to grow and plant more mature trees in future and the most effective ways to establish mature tree canopies. Members also discussed the use of the planning process in promoting this agenda and the cross-directorate partnership working required to progress this.

The Board received further information on the longer term work being undertaken in this area including the potential to use land other than that owned by the Council for woodland creation and developing the scale of the initiative to include the wider region. Members also considered the raising of community awareness regarding woodland management, the development of the ‘woodland economy’ and the promotion of skills in this area. 

The intention to submit a report to the June 2020 Executive Board regarding the proposed White Rose Forest strategy was noted.

Also, the Board highlighted the links between woodland creation and ongoing work regarding flood alleviation scheme provision, with a suggestion being made that further information be submitted to the Board in due course around the potential use of appropriate land located on the flood plain for tree planting and woodland creation.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the approach to education, conservation and tree planting, as detailed within the submitted report, be approved, and that support be provided for the initial allocation of a minimum of 25 hectares of Council land for woodland planting each year;

(b)  That approval be given to inject £0.35m per year annually into the Capital Programme over the next 5 years, with it being noted that this will include external funding of £50k in the first year, with a target to increase this by a further £50k in each subsequent year;

(c)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of Communities and Environment, to enable the Director to agree the required ‘authority to spend’ approvals for the full scheme, subject to consultation with the Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles;

(d)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer, Parks and Countryside will be responsible for the implementation of this project, with an anticipated review each year to 2024/25.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing that sets out proposals to update the Best Council Plan for the period 2020/21 – 2024/25. Subject to Executive Board’s approval, the proposals will then be considered in consultation with Scrutiny Boards alongside the 2020/21 Initial Budget Proposals. Following this, a final draft of the updated Best Council Plan will be brought to February’s Executive Board with the final Budget proposals, recommending its adoption by Full Council later that month.

The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report setting out proposals to update the Best Council Plan for the period 2020/21 –

2024/25, and which sought approval to undertake engagement with Scrutiny Boards on the proposals in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

RESOLVED – That the following be approved:-

(a)  That engagement be undertaken with Scrutiny on the emerging Best Council Plan in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules;

(b)  The approach set out within the submitted report to refresh the Best Council Plan for the period 2020/21 to 2024/25;

(c)  That the Director of Resources and Housing will be responsible for developing the Best Council Plan for its consideration by this Board and Full Council in February 2020 alongside the supporting 2020/21 Budget proposals.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Financial Services which sets out the Council’s projected financial health position for 2019/20 as at Month 7 of the financial year.

The Chief Officer, Financial Services submitted a report which set out the Council’s projected financial health position for 2019/20 as at Month 7 of the financial year.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further information on the current position regarding Business Rates appeals and the impact of this upon the Collection Fund.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the projected financial position of the Authority as at Month 7 of the financial year, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That with regard to the risk that the budgeted level of capital receipts may not be receivable in 2019/20, the progress made to date and the work which is ongoing to identify budget savings proposals that will contribute towards the delivery of a balanced budget position in 2019/20, be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development that provides an update in relation to the Capital Receipts Programme, to seek support to the continued disposal of surplus property assets, and to recommend the disposal of a number of key sites.

(Please note that Appendix B to this report is designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3))

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update in relation to the Capital Receipts Programme, which sought support for the continued disposal of surplus property assets, and which recommended the disposal of a number of key sites.

Following the consideration of Appendix B to the submitted report, designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, which provides an update on the Capital Receipts Programme, be noted;

(b)  That the continued disposal of surplus property assets through the Capital Receipts Programme, be supported, and that the list of properties detailed in Appendix A to the submitted report which are currently scheduled for disposal in the next three years, be noted;

(c)  That the schedule of sites, as detailed in Appendix A to the submitted report, be approved as the Council’s Capital Receipts Programme of surplus land and property for disposal;

(d)  That approval be given to the Director of City Development to enter into formal one-to-one discussions with the Taylor Wimpey and Redrow consortium on the sale of the Council’s land in the Southern Quadrant of the East Leeds Extension, and that subject to the outcome of those negotiations, the Director of City Development be requested to bring back a report to Executive Board to either agree the terms of the sale negotiated, or alternatively agree proposals for the sale of the land on the open market;

(e)  That separately, but in parallel with resolution (d) above, approval be given for the Director of City Development to negotiate and enter into a collaboration agreement with the Taylor Wimpey and Redrow consortium on the development of a single planning application for the Southern Quadrant of the East Leeds Extension and associated land equalisation issues, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development.

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

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing presenting an update on the progress which has been made since the climate emergency declaration by the Council in March 2019. The report also details and seeks approval of the proposed targets and related actions aimed at achieving the Council’s and the city’s ambitions in this area.

Further to Minute No. 202, 17^th April 2019, the Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report presenting an update on the progress which had been made since the Climate Emergency declaration by the Council in March 2019. The report also detailed and sought approval of the proposed targets and related actions aimed at achieving the Council’s and the city’s ambitions in this area.

Members welcomed the submitted report and whilst the progress made in addressing the Climate Emergency by Leeds was acknowledged, the need to continue this ambitious programme of work was highlighted.

The scale of the public consultation undertaken to date, together with the ongoing engagement with a range of sectors and partners was also acknowledged, with emphasis being placed upon the need to continue such an inclusive approach. Members also highlighted the need to continue to make representations to Government about the establishment of further local powers and freedoms to help address this emergency.

Emphasis was also placed upon the importance of meeting the challenge of progressing the climate emergency agenda, whilst at the same time further promoting inclusive growth across the city, in order to continue to support the most vulnerable.

Members reiterated the need to ensure that in addition to working cohesively with partners and the various sectors across Leeds, the Council needed to ensure that the cross-directorate relationships within the Authority worked together to effectively progress this agenda.

In conclusion, it was highlighted that further detailed discussions would be undertaken on the Climate Emergency during the forthcoming ‘State of the City’ event.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That an £800,000 injection of Capital to retrofit 7 Council buildings, be approved;

(b)  That the target to move to 100% electricity provided by green sources immediately through entering into a power purchase agreement with the ambition to continually move to more locally produced renewables over the next ten years, be approved;

(c)  That the aim to remove payment for the use of staff petrol and diesel cars by 2025, be approved;

(d)  That the target to buy only low emission fleet vehicles by 2025, be approved;

(e)  That the vision, principles, targets and investment plan for the emerging ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy, be endorsed;

(f)  That the ‘asks’ to national government to support the action required by the government, as summarised in Annex 1 to the submitted report, to achieve ‘net zero’, be endorsed;

(g)  That a report be submitted to the Board in June 2020 regarding the proposed White Rose Forest Strategy for Leeds.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the progress of significant schemes which have made up the Connecting Leeds programme during 2019/20 and provides details regarding the proposal to establish a bus priority corridor on the A58, Beckett Street.

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the progress of significant schemes which have made up the ‘Connecting Leeds’ programme during 2019/20 and which provided details regarding the proposal to establish a bus priority corridor on the A58, Beckett Street.

It was noted that local Ward Councillors were supportive of the proposals detailed within the submitted report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress which has been made since April 2016 in developing proposals for the relevant projects benefiting from ‘Connecting Leeds’ funding, together with the subsequent public consultation responses, be noted;

(b)  That the injection of £14.3m Department for Transport (DfT) funding into the Bus Infrastructure programme transferred from the Rail and Bus packages delivered by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, be approved, with the potential for future transfers of DfT funding from the Rail and Bus packages being noted, which would be subject to their deliverability within the timescales set by the DfT;

(c)  That the expenditure of £14.54m from the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Capital Programme to carry out detail design and construction of the A58 Beckett Street including York Street, be authorised;

(d)  That the injections of S106 Developer contributions of £431,375 for the A58 Beckett Street scheme including York Street, be approved;

(e)  That subject to ongoing consultation with the Executive Member as appropriate, it be noted that the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation will approve the final version of the designs for construction.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development, which following the conclusion of a comprehensive public consultation exercise and subsequent review, sets out the conclusions and makes recommendations on the preferred approach to progressing a connectivity and surface access package for Leeds Bradford Airport and the North West Leeds Employment Hub.

The Director of City Development submitted a report, which following the conclusion of a comprehensive public consultation exercise and subsequent review, presented the associated conclusions and made recommendations on the preferred approach to progressing a connectivity and surface access package for Leeds Bradford Airport and the North West Leeds Employment Hub.

Members discussed various factors relating to the revised connectivity strategy, with comments relating to the following:

-  The need for the proposals to be ambitious;

-  Maximising the use of any potential funding which may become available;

-  Prioritising the reduction of congestion and the promotion of the Climate Emergency agenda;

-  The provision of parking;

-  The aim of any proposals, including the provision of a Parkway Station, to facilitate as seamless access as possible to and from the airport and the North West Leeds Employment Hub;

-  The need for public consultation to be undertaken on any such proposals.

Responding to an enquiry regarding current and future rail provision in that area of the city and any proposals relating to the potential development of a Parkway Station, the Board received an update regarding the ongoing dialogue which was taking place with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Northern and Network Rail.

In conclusion, in addition to public sector involvement in this process, Members highlighted the key role and contribution of the airport, and emphasised how continued dialogue with the airport, the Government and other partner organisations was key to progressing this matter without delay.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report together with the headline consultation responses regarding surface access improvements as detailed at paragraph 3.7 onwards of the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That a revised connectivity package for the airport and employment hub sites be adopted, which is developed to embrace the continued development of the proposed Parkway Station and associated highway linkages between these sites;

(c)  That highway connectivity Options A, B and C as previously consulted upon, and as referenced within the submitted report, be discontinued;

(d)  That agreement be given to a review of the local highway network being undertaken, including technical feasibility work, in order to understand future connectivity and traffic options and investments that may be required due to the new strategy, with such work to take into account any relevant findings from the connectivity studies undertaken to date;

(e)  That agreement be given to further work taking place with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in order to develop a funding strategy for the revised connectivity proposals, including a business case and delivery mechanisms that ensure the continued forward progress of the parkway station proposals;

(f)  That agreement be given for further public engagement to take place during 2020 on the updated proposals, pending the outcome of the development of the feasibility work;

(g)  That agreement be given for the Director of City Development to work with the Airport and other significant employers in this part of the city to create an exemplary travel plan which has enhanced  ...  view the full minutes text for item 136.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:  THURSDAY, 9^TH JANUARY 2020

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS:  5.00PM, THURSDAY, 16^TH JANUARY 2020