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 Cllr M Ingham and Cllr C Townsley.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2016.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (City Development) meeting held on 17 February 2016, be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which outlines the focus of the 3^rd session of the Scrutiny Inquiry into Bus Service Provision.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which outlined the focus of the 3^rd session of the Scrutiny Inquiry into Bus Service Provision.

The following information was appended to the report:

• Speech of the Bus Minister Andrew Jones which explains the government’s forthcoming Buses Bill – 11^th February 2016

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

-  Andrew Hall  – Head of Transportation

-  Tom Gifford – Project Manager WYCA

-  Neale Wallace – Bus Services Manager WYCA

-  Cllr Richard Lewis – Executive Board Member, Regeneration, Transport and Planning.

-  Phil Bown – Regional Officer, Unite

-  Andy Dyer – Branch Secretary for First Bus Leeds, Unite

-  Ray Wilkes – West Yorkshire Campaign for Better Transport

-  Ian Williams – Leeds Chamber of Commerce

-  Nigel Foster – Leeds Chamber of Commerce

The key areas of discussion were:

• Reducing the environmental impact and the carbon footprint of buses, Euro standards and regulating standards. The Board were advised that some current vehicles are over 30 years old and that there is currently no restriction with regard to standards however yellow and access buses will be converted to ensure better air quality.
• The potential low emission zone (clean air zone) in Leeds, similar to that in London and the development of hybrid technology by the main bus manufacturers.
• The lack of reinvestment of operator profits into bus operations and updating the fleet
• The importance of bus transportation to the local economy and the dependence of residents in the more deprived areas of the City on the bus as a mode of transport.
• The view of the members of the Chamber of Commerce, the need for a balanced transport strategy, transport integration, looking beyond the boundaries of Leeds to ensure the Leeds economy prospers.
• The challenges to scheduling such as congestion. The Board were advised that congestion is one of a number of problems and is not the only obstacle to providing effective services.
• The importance of proactive communication to the public about the bus services available and the increase of services on Sundays.
• Whether bus deregulation works in big conurbations. London was never deregulated and Edinburgh is run by the local authority. Unite highlighted that Sheffield has a working partnership with an integrated ticketing policy and has regulated services with operators working together. The network would need to be managed and integration would be required with operators working together to achieve this in Leeds.
• Concern regarding the removal of the 72 FTR service by First Bus at weekends.
• Quality Bus Contracts and the removal of competition on the road, offering improvement in services and in the quality of vehicles.  Nexus and the question of whether the current guidance is workable. The need to deliver an outcome which supports economic growth.
• Safety and security whilst using or waiting for the bus and the partnership with West Yorkshire Police.

RESOLVED

a)  The report was noted and the evidence considered as part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

To consider a report of the Director of City Development which facilitates scrutiny of flood risk management functions as required by sections 4 & 6 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which supported the scrutiny of flood risk management functions as required by sections 4 & 6 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. 

The following information was appended to the report:

• Appendix 1 – Progress on the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy
• Appendix 2 – Updated version Local Flood Risk Management Strategy – List of Measures
• Appendix 3 - Updated version Local Flood Risk Management Strategy – List of Measures

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

-  Wynne Floyd  – Technical Services Manager, City Development

-  Cllr Richard Lewis – Executive Board Member, Regeneration, Transport and Planning.

The key areas of discussion were:

• The level of damage to the City from Storm Eva, Linton Bridge and the level of funding direct from Government to the Leeds.
• Clarification regarding the list of measures stated and if that would resolve flooding in Leeds. The Board were advised that it is about managing risks and looking at options and solutions to mitigate and reduce risk.
• If more could have been done to alleviate flooding if funding had been provided. The Board were advised that the circumstances relating to Storm Eva challenged the thinking around what is needed, work to identify the solutions is on-going and more has to be done.
• Responsibility for the maintenance of vegetation in becks and waterways.
• The different approaches to managing the diversion of flood water onto areas of land.

RESOLVED

a)  The report was noted progress made with regard to the Strategy.

b)  Requested identification of the cost of the measures in future reports to the Scrutiny Board.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development and appended draft Housing Mix scrutiny inquiry report.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report requesting the consideration and agreement of the draft Housing Mix scrutiny inquiry report.  

The following information was appended to the report:

• Report of the Scrutiny Board (City Development) Housing Mix, March 2016

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

-  Peter Marrington – Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

RESOLVED

a)  The Scrutiny Board agreed the report following the inquiry into Housing Mix.

To consider a report from the Director of City Development which provides an update on the approach taken to develop the new Culture Strategy for Leeds 2017-2030.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided an update on the approach taken to develop the new Culture Strategy for Leeds 2017 – 2030. 

The following information was appended to the report:

• Appendix 1 – Initial Blog Posts

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

-  Cluny MacPherson – Chief Officer, Culture & Sport,

-  Leanne Buchan – Principal Officer

The key areas of discussion were:

• Methods of consultation and the range of stakeholders involved to date and that further information regarding the outcome of consultation can be provided at a later date
• The range of consultation with BME groups.
• Clarity about the process to be employed in order to produce a strategy where the priorities are clear as the approach is open and free flowing. The Board were advised that the strategy might not be a final document it could be something that is a framework of living documents based on city priorities. Assurance was provided that it will be formalised and will have focus.
• The need to highlight and shine a light on our cultural offer.  

RESOLVED

a)  The content of the report was noted.

b)  A progress report is required at a time to be determined in the 2016/17 municipal year.

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 10^th February 2016 were appended to the report.

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

RESOLVED

a)  The Scrutiny Board noted the content of the report and agreed the revised work program.

Wednesday, 27 April 2016 at 10:30am

(pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am)

Wednesday, 27 April 2016 at 10.30am (pre meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am)

(The meeting concluded at 12:30pm)