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 A Ogilvie, Cllr G Latty & Cllr N Dawson. Cllr A Ogilvie was substituted by Cllr M Harland & Cllr G Latty was substituted by Cllr B Anderson.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 22 March 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2017 be approved as a correct record with the addition of Cllr N Dawson’s attendance.

To receive the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Director of City Development which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny inquiry into Housing Mix.

The Board received a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Director of City Development which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Inquiry into Housing Mix.

The following information was appended to the reports:

·  Appendix 3- Executive Board, 19^th April 2017, Housing White Paper- Department of Communities & Local Government (DCLG)

·  Appendix 4- Report to Development Plans Panel, 22 November 2016, Models of Housing Delivery

·  Appendix 5- Edge Analytics (2016) Leeds Demographic Review

The following representatives were in attendance to respond to Member’s queries and comments:

-  Martin Elliot, Group Manager (Policy & Plans)

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

-  Cllr R Lewis, Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport & Planning

The key areas for discussion were:

·  Progress made in responding to recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Inquiry into Housing Mix.

·  Concern regarding the potential inflation of city-wide housing numbers as a result of a revised ‘Objectively Assessed Housing Need’ (OAN) methodology. Clarity was sought regarding the timescale of guidance in response to this.

·  The housing white paper, the lack of clarity this provides and the lack of standardised methodologies. Clarification was sought regarding a potential meeting with LCC Officers and the Chief Planner at DCLG.

·  The extent to which Neighbourhood plans and forums are able to impact on both Strategic and Local Housing Market Assessments and overall levels of housing need across the city.

·  The extent to which finalised Housing Market Assessments will be able to influence potential housing planning applications and carry weight against appeals.

·  Further detail was sought regarding arrangements in place to address specific local issues which may affect the quality of neighbourhood plans.

·  Detail was sought regarding the proportion of 1-2 bedroom properties being built within outer-areas of Leeds in comparison to those within city-centre localities.

·  Clarity was sought in relation to the breakdown of ‘unimplemented planning approvals’ and the extent to which figures were inclusive of the 18,000 homes with permission to be built on Brownfield Sites.

·  Concern regarding the seemingly broad minimum and maximum tolerance levels in relation to 1-4 bedroom properties and the extent to which these prove counterproductive.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 1- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 2- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 3- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 4- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 5- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 6- Achieved.

·  Recommendation 7- Achieved.

·  Recommendation 8 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 9- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 10- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 11- Not for monitoring- for information only.

RESOLVED- The Scrutiny Board:

a)  Noted the information contained within the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Director of City Development.

b)  Considered the written and verbal information provided by visiting representatives.

c)  Approved the above recommendation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To receive the report of the Director of City Development which provides summary information on the changes in the local economy and the labour market. It also provides examples of the demand and supply side interventions for labour.

The Board received a report from the Director of City Development which provided summary information on the changes in the local economy and the labour market. It also provided examples of the demand and supply side interventions for labour.

The following information was appended to the report:

·  Appendix 1- Employment breakdown for Leeds 2015

·  Appendix 2- Employment breakdown for Leeds 2000-2010

·  Appendix 3- The number of start-ups per 1000 residents for each ward in the city

The following representatives were in attendance to respond to Member’s queries and comments:

-  Sue Wynne, Chief Officer Employment & Skills

-  Simon Brereton, Economic Development Programme Leader

-  Keri Evans, Communities and Partnerships Senior Manager

The key areas for discussion were:

·  Clarity was sought regarding the trend of Incapacity Benefit figures and the extent to which these are comparative with core cities and national figures.

·  The extent to which LCC Officers are receiving guidance from either Central Government, the LEP, WYCA or the Northern Powerhouse regarding future economic growth following Britain’s exit from the European Union. The need for future data sets to reflect such national change. The Board were advised that due to the time lag in the provision of Government data the post Brexit vote data will not be received until October 2018.

·  Further detail was sought regarding Engineering and Scientific Technology employment fields in Leeds.

·  Clarity was sought regarding figures stated within Appendix 3- The number of start-ups per 1,000 residents for each ward. The need to separate City & Hunslet ward in order to provide a realistic reflection of commerce creation in Hunslet.

·  The Board recognised the need to work in partnership with academic partners to provide further qualitative evidence regarding the quality and quantity of city-wide employment, including self-employment in order to contextualise figures provided. The Board were advised that a small project has been started with Leeds Social Science Institute and the importance of this to identify the extent of inclusive growth. The Board stated their support of the research being commissioned to understand employment in Leeds, and on the broader issues raised.

·  The extent to which increasing proportions of Level 4 type Qualification jobs entering the city will tackle issues of employment disparity within Leeds.

·  Further detail was sought regarding the number of residents working for less than the ‘living wage’ in comparison to others within the city region.

·  The Board was advised that collaborative work was being undertaken with Leeds College of Building and Leeds City College to provide ‘place-based’ approaches for first time entrants and those looking to enhance their skills.

·  The growth strategy, which will be presented to Executive Board in the summer followed by the Skills Plan in the autumn.

·  The review of employment and skills obligations in the autumn. 

RESOLVED- The Scrutiny Board:

a)  Noted the information contained within the report of the Director of City Development.

b)  Considered the written and verbal information provided by the visiting representatives.

c)  Will write to the Director of City Development to state its support for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To agree the Board’s Work Schedule for the remainder of the municipal year.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which detailed the Scrutiny Board’s draft work programme for the current municipal year.

Sandra Pentelow, Principal Scrutiny Adviser was in attendance to respond to members questions.

The draft Scrutiny Board (City Development) work schedule for 2016/17 and the Executive Board minutes for 22^nd March 2017 were appended to the report.

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

Wednesday, 17 May 2017 at 2:00pm

(no pre-meeting)

Wednesday 17^th May at 2pm (no pre-meeting)

The meeting concluded at 11:50am.