Agenda and minutes

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 receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Cllr P Davey. Cllr P Davey was substituted by Cllr C Dobson.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2016

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting 23 November 2016 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the report of the Director of City Development with regard to Leeds Site Allocations Plan for consideration in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework.

The publication draft site allocations plan (appendix 2 and 2a) is provided in hard copy format to Board Members only (with the agenda). This information can be accessed on the web based version of the Scrutiny Board agenda on the Council Website using the following link.

http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1039&MId=7691&Ver=4

The Director of City Development submitted report to facilitate scrutiny of Leeds Site Allocations Plan (SAP) in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework.

The following information was appended to the reports:

·  Appendix 1 – Chronology of Key Milestone Decisions by Development Plan Panel, Briefings with Ward Members and Public Consultation Events.

·  Appendix 2 – Site Allocations Plan, Sections 1 & 2 (Introduction and Overview) and Section 3, Area Proposals, Publication Draft. September 2015

·  Appendix 3 – Summary of Pre Submission Changed to 10 Housing Market Characteristic Areas in the Site Allocations Plan (Excluding Outer North East) Following Development Plan Panel Meetings on 14^th and 28^th June and 19^th July 2016

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

-  David Feeney, Head of Strategic Planning

-  Martin Elliot, Group Manager (Policy and Plans)

-  Lois Pickering, Team Leader Local Plans

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation 

-  Cllr Richard  Lewis, Executive Board Member

The key areas for discussion were:

·  An overview of the process and key milestones from scoping the SAP to current date including required regulatory stages of the SAP decision making process. 

·  Housing requirements contained within the Core Strategy and how that had been determined.

·  The extent to which communities are involved in the decision making process behind both the Core Strategy and SAP, and the extent to which neighbourhood planning influenced the development of the SAP.

·  The whole Council approach to the development of the SAP with the involvement of external partners to ensure the needs of communities are considered, such as highways, schools, health.

·  Concern regarding the continued availability of employment sites across the city.

·  Clarity regarding the green belt review processes and how it was integral within the process when bringing forward site allocations

·  Consultation strategy and public engagement with hard to reach groups. The value of utilising social media during key periods of consultation to direct the public to appropriate information. 

·  With regard to transport infrastructure clarity was sought regarding the links between the SAP and evolving Transport Strategy. The Board were advised that the city’s development needs are being taken into account. 

·  The influence of flood risk assessments in the development of the SAP.

·  The extent to which both small and large windfall site figures impact on housing targets detailed within the Core Strategy and site allocations.

·  The lack of flexibility for Local Authorities within planning processes and the determination of housing numbers. 

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board:

a)  Considered the proposals that are to be referred to the Executive Board 

b)  Will report Scrutiny Board (City Development) deliberations and conclusions to the Executive Board when next due for consideration. (Currently scheduled February 2017)

To consider a report from the Head of Governance Services and Scrutiny Support providing Board Members with information with regard to the financial health of City Development for period 7 and the outline budget proposals for 2017/18.

The Head of Governance Services and Scrutiny Support submitted a report to update the Scrutiny Board on the City Development 2016/17 financial position (period 7) and to facilitate consultation on the City Development budget proposals for 2017/18 in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework. 

The following information was appended to the report:

• Executive Board Report 14 December 2016, Financial Health Monitoring 2016/17 – Month 7
• Executive Board Report 14 December 2016 - Initial Budget Proposals for 2017/18 

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

-  Martin Farrington – Director of City Development

-  Ed Mylan, Chief Officer Resources and Strategy

-  Jill Stuart, Principal Financial Manager

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The projected underspend on the 2016/17 budget, with further savings made through library services moving across to the Citizens and Communities directorate.

·  Key proposals for 2017/18, planned efficiencies, changes to services and additional income.

·  A net decrease in budget for 2017/18 of £4.8m.

·  Sources of additional income and the overall strategic approach which seeks to minimise the impact on front line service delivery.

·  The recruitment of 25 Highways Engineers to reduce external spend.

RESOLVED

The Scrutiny Board:

a)  Noted the financial position of City Development period 7 2016/17

b)  Considered the initial 2017/18 budget proposals relevant to the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio and did not make recommendation for consideration by the Executive Board in February 2017.

To receive a report from the Director of City Development which provides a summary of performance against the strategic objectives for the council within the Best Council Plan 2015-20 as well as other areas being monitored by the Scrutiny Board.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided a summary of performance against the strategic objectives for City Development.

The following information was appended to the report:

• City Development Performance Summary Quarter 2 2016/17

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

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer Highways and Transportation

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The trend in KSI’s and not meeting the annual target. The Board was advised that improvements are continually being made to local cycling infrastructure and road safety programmes also continue, in order minimise KSI events particularly involving children.

·  The extent to which the withdrawal of funding for ‘Leeds Let’s Get Active’ will impact upon statistics concerning people active for more than 30 minutes per week.

·  The Board requested further information regarding job growth, particularly with regard to the nature of employment in Leeds and how local employment opportunities have are/have been secured. A report to be brought to the Board early in 2017.

RESOLVED

The Scrutiny Board:

a)  Noted the Quarter 2 performance information.

b)  Requested a report to provide a more detailed overview regarding the nature of employment, employment growth and employment opportunities in Leeds.

To consider the Scrutiny Boards work schedule for the 2016/17 municipal year.

A report was submitted by the Head of Governance Services and Scrutiny Support which detailed the Scrutiny Board’ draft work programme for the current municipal year.

The draft Scrutiny Board (City Development) work schedule for 2016/17 and the Executive Board minutes for 16 November 2016 were appended to the report.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board noted the content of the report and agreed the work programme.

Wednesday 18^th January 2016 at 10:30am

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

Wednesday 18 January 2017 10:30 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am)

The meeting concluded at 12:30pm