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.)

There were no late items.

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 S McKenna and Councillor J Heselwood who were substituted by Councillor J McKenna and Councillor N Walshaw.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (City Development) meeting held on 9 September 2015, be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting information as part of the Board’s Inquiry into Digital Inclusion.

The Director of City Development and the Chief Information officer submitted a report which provided the Scrutiny Board with the information required to undertake the first session of the inquiry into digital inclusion.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Internet use, quarter 1 (Jan – Mar) 2015, by NUTS 3 area, United Kingdom

-  2014 Digital Nation? – Tinder Foundation

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

-  Councillor J Lewis – Exec Board Member – Resources and Strategy

-  Councillor D Coupar – Exec Board Member – Communities

-  Richard Hart – Deputy Head of Service (Libraries)

-  Katie Dunlevey – Senior Economic Development Officer

-  Phil Cole – Head of Funding Programme and Business Support

-  John Bullivent – Contract Manager

-  Lee Hemsworth – Chief Officer (Customer Access)

-  Ian Jones – Solutions Architect

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The main elements to digital inclusion, people and infrastructure and the introduction and expansion of digital services by Leeds City Council since 1994.

·   The variables that cause the digital divide and their impact.

·  National internet usage and how this information is used to assess usage in Leeds. The Scrutiny Board requested if intelligence existed specific to Leeds and were advised that work is being undertaken to gather this type of information.

·  Super connected cities, the Governments broadband strategy , BDUK and the delivery of phase 1of Superfast West Yorkshire. The Scrutiny Board requested clarification of the cabinets upgraded under phase 1. This will be provided in a future session of the inquiry.

·  The use of council assets to deliver free public wifi across the district and the pilot project using council high rise space to provide wifi for the tenants living there.

·  Clarity was sought about the services available to people across the City to provide digital literacy training and support, how this is communicated, motivating people to get on line and understanding the technology that people already have such as smart phone technology. The Board were advised that it is not clearly understood what is currently being provided across the City and gathering of this information is required.

·  The Board requested further information about the Smart Cities project and Smart Cities Steering Group and its role in reducing the digital divide.

RESOLVED –  

a)  The report was noted.

b)  That the information requested by the Scrutiny Board be brought to a future session of the inquiry.

c)  That a representative from the Smart Cities Steering Group be invited to the November inquiry session to advise the board about their role, aspirations, plans and achievements. 

To receive a report from the Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles updating the  Board on the successes of the Leeds Lets Get Active project and ongoing challenges in developing the Vision for Leisure Centres.

The Head of Sport and Active Lifestyles submitted a report which provided an update on Leeds Let’s Get Active (LLGA) project and the ongoing challenges in developing the Vision for Leisure Centres.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Report to the Health and Wellbeing Board, Leeds Let’s Get Active 30th September 2015, author Mark Allman

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

-  Councillor Lisa Mulherin – Executive Board Member

-  Mark Allman – Head of Service for Sport

-  Susan Haigh – Active Lifestyles Manager

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Cuts to public health funding and the uncertainty of funding for Leeds Let’s Get Active after March 2016. The cost effectiveness of early intervention to prevent ill health in the future and the cost benefits to the NHS in the future. The importance of investment in ill health prevention.

·  The challenge of the current leisure centre stock and ensuring that there is sufficient investment to keep them fit for purpose in the areas where they are needed the most. Some leisure centres will require significant investment in a time when significant savings have to be made.

·  The successful outcomes from the LLGA scheme which has resulted in the collection of an extensive amount of data and better engagement with inactive people.

·  The extent of reaching inactive people through digital communication using digital platforms.

·  Clarity regarding the re-engagement with those 30k people who registered but did not attend sessions. The Board were advised that there is due to be some automatic communication in the new future.

·  Clarity regarding numbers of people attending and frequency of visits. The Board was advised that this information was not available at the meeting but could be provided. The Board stated the information would identify what amount of investment per person has been made to generate that level of activity compared to the cost of NHS treatment and the saving that represents. The Board was further advised that there is going to be a return on investment study done by Leeds University, interim results may be available in the new year, the whole project will take 3-4 years.

·  Clarity about facilities to meet the needs of disabled people and to train staff to use equipment. The Board were advised that the approach is inclusion, with extensive staff training and improvement is always a priority.

·  Clarity about the strength of relationships with NHS to ensure referral to Leeds Let’s Get Active. The Board were advised that some CCG’s are making referrals and that social prescribing could be enhanced. Work is being done to consider this further.

RESOLVED –

a)  The report was noted

b)  That the draft Vision for Leisure Centres be brought to a future meeting of the Scrutiny Board (City Development)

c)  That the information requested by the Scrutiny Board be provided.

To agree the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the municipal year.

A report was submitted by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which detailed the Scrutiny Board’s draft work programme for the current municipal year.

The draft Scrutiny Board (City Development) work schedule for 2015/2016 and the Executive Board minutes for 23 September 2015 were appended to the report.

Sandra Pentelow, Principal Scrutiny Adviser, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board (City Development) noted the content of the report and agreed the revised work programme.

Wednesday, 18 November 2015 at 10.00 a.m. (pre- meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)

Wednesday, 18 November 2015 at 10.00am (pre meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.25pm)