Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local

Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following late information:

·  City Development 2015/16 Budget, City Development Best Council Plan Performance Summary 2014/15 and Draft City Development Performance Summary 2015/16.

This information was not available at the time of agenda despatch, but was subsequently made available on the Council’s website (Minute No. 7 refers).

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 to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor M Ingham and Councillor P Wadsworth.  Notification was received that Councillor J Jarosz was to substitute for Councillor M Ingham.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (Sustainable Economy and Culture) meeting held on 14 April 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (Sustainable Economy and Culture) meeting held on 14 April 2015, be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the appointment of co-opted Members to Scrutiny Boards.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which sought the Board’s formal consideration for the appointment of co-opted Members to the Board.

RESOLVED – The Board noted the options available in the report.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Board’s terms of reference.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented the Board’s terms of reference.

RESOLVED – That the Board’s terms of reference be noted.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on potential sources of work and areas of priority within the Board’s terms of reference.

The following information was appended to the report:

·  Vision for Scrutiny at Leeds

·  Summary Best Council Plan 2015-20 (2015-16 update)

·  List of previous scrutiny inquiries and statements relating to the Scrutiny Board (City Development).

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  Paul Maney, Head of Strategy, City Development.

The following sources of work were put forward by members of the Scrutiny Board for consideration:

·  Continuation of the Housing Mix inquiry – to explore the potential for a working group with Scrutiny Board (Environment and Housing).  The terms of reference were to be reviewed and shared with relevant Directors and Executive Board members due to changes in positions and responsibilities.

·  To review previous work and ensure that where recommendation tracking was required this was in the work programme.  Specific reference was made to maximising powers to promote influence and create local employment and skills and the cycling infrastructure.

·  European City of Culture and the new cultural strategy bid.

·  Sustainability of council leisure and cultural facilities and how accessible they were to residents to promote inclusivity.

·  Public transport and the review of bus services in the city, affordability, promoting access to employment, education, leisure and inward investment.

·  The digital divide and high speed broadband.

·  Road Safety and 20mph zones.  It was acknowledged that some work on 20mph zones had already been undertaken by the Scrutiny Board (Sustainable Economy and Culture) in 2014/15.

·  Expansion of the South Bank.

·  Shared space.

·  Vacant business space, the development of the city centre and Kirkgate Market.

·  Leeds on a global stage, Leeds and Partners now dissolved, the Scrutiny Board was concerned with who was now responsible for functions and what functions, if any, were no longer being undertaken.

·  More jobs, better jobs, concern about in-work poverty, the increase in lower paid job opportunities and reduction in middle income opportunities. Concern was also expressed about the capacity to ensure the population was ready for employment due to reduced further education provision.

·  Sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the city which benefited all, narrowing the gap in a two speed city and particularly created jobs for Leeds residents.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That some of the areas considered above be incorporated into the Board’s work schedule for the 2015/16 municipal year in consultation with the relevant Director and Executive Board member regarding resources.

(b)  That authority be given to the Chair of the Scrutiny Board (City Development), in conjunction with officers, to draw up a draft work programme and where necessary draft terms of reference for inquiry for subsequent approval by the Scrutiny Board.

Wednesday, 22 July 2015 at 10.30am (pre meeting for all Board Members at 10.00am)

Wednesday, 22 July 2015 at 10.30am (pre meeting for all Board Members at 10.00am)

(The meeting concluded at 11.45am)