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 G Latty and Cllr A Ogilvie. Cllr G Latty was substituted by Cllr G Wilkinson.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th February 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the report of the Head of Governance Services and Scrutiny Support to support the next session of the scrutiny inquiry.

The Board received the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny to support this session of the scrutiny inquiry.

The following information was appended to the reports:

·  Appendix A- NGT Project Timeline

·  Appendix B- Letter from Martin Woods 12/05/2016

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

-  Cllr Andrew Carter, Leader of the Conservative Group and Executive Member for City Development 2004 -May 2010

-  Cllr Ryk Downes, Chair or Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (Metro) 2006 -2011

-  Gary Bartlett, Chief Highways Officer

-  Andrew Wheeler, West Yorkshire Combined Authority

The key areas for discussion were:

·  Overview of the involvement of Councillor A Carter and Councillor R Downes during the Supertram & NGT schemes.

·  The view that Leeds is disadvantaged because a rapid transport system was not installed in the 80’s when other major cities such as Sheffield and Manchester were developing theirs. The missed opportunities to attract investment to develop wider additional connectivity.

·  An overview from Councillor R Downes’ regarding his visits to view rapid transit systems in Europe including a visit to Karlsruhe (South West Germany).

·  The retirement of the former Chief Executive of Metro, Mr Kieran Preston, prior to the NGT Public Inquiry.

·  The extent to which eventual government decisions to refuse the Supertram and NGT schemes were influenced by representation of objectors, such as First Bus.

·  Clarity was sought regarding the initial decision to utilise Supertram routes creating the three arterial routes for NGT, and the early considerations about the A660 Headingly route.

·  Frustration regarding the removal of the Eastern route by DfT and the inspector’s subsequent observations regarding regeneration.

·  Clarity sought regarding change in government opinion regarding Rapid Bus Systems from November 2005 to May 2007.

·  The narrow focus of the Atkins report, commissioned by the DfT, and the response to the report by Leeds City Council and Metro.

·  The extent to which opposition to the NGT scheme was dealt with prior to the Public Inquiry.

·  The need to improve bus provision in Leeds.

RESOLVED- The Scrutiny Board:

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

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

(Cllr D Ragan left the meeting at 10:30am during the consideration of this item)

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 Board considered the 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 following information was appended to the report:

·  Appendix 1- Progress on LFRMS Appendix C (2016)

·  Appendix 2- Updated version LFRMS Appendix C (i) Measures 2017

·  Appendix 3- Storm Eva Flood Investigation Section 19 Report, Executive Board 8^th February 2017

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

-  Jonathan Moxon, Flood Risk Manager

-  John Bleakely – Group Engineer, Flood Risk Management

-  John Woods – Lead Flood Risk Manager (Leeds District) Environment Agency

-  Cllr Richard Lewis, Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning

-  Cllr Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability

The key areas for discussion were:

·  Progress made in 2016 in relation to the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

·  Clarity sought regarding current rainfall levels and the current risk of flooding in areas of Leeds.

·  Clarity sought regarding the remit of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy in relation to varying types of flood risk and the organisational responsibilities of the Council and the Environment Agency.  The extent of partnership working was also explored.

·  Detail sought concerning the current gully cleansing programme in relation to frequency of cleansing and responses to structural damage. The board requested that gully cleansing schedules are circulated to Parish Councils to support communication to members of the public.

·  Update sought regarding the current number of homes still unoccupied and businesses still not fully re-established as a result of Storm Eva. The difficulties subsequently experienced with regard to flood insurance premiums.

·  The establishment of the Climate Change Committee, vice chaired by Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, in partnership with the University of Leeds.

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.

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

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

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

The draft Scrutiny Board (City Development) work schedule for 2016/17 was appended to the report.

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

Wednesday, 26 April 2017 at 10:30am

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

Wednesday 26^th April at 10:30 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:00 am)

The meeting concluded at 11:30 am