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 Councillor N Dawson, Councillor C Campbell and Cllr A Ogilvie.

Notification was received that Councillor R Grahame was to substitute for Cllr N Dawson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2018.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 24 January 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the appended draft inquiry report which is presented to the Scrutiny Board for consideration and agreement.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report and appended draft inquiry report which was presented to the Scrutiny Board for consideration and agreement.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

-  David Feeney, Head of Strategic Planning

-  Sandra Pentelow, Principal Scrutiny Advisor

-  Cllr Richard Lewis, Executive Board Member

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment):

a) agreed the Scrutiny Inquiry report following its inquiry into Sustainable Development.

b) advised that a directors response to the recommendations made be requested for consideration at the July 2018 meeting.

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

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the Director of City Development submitted a report which set out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny inquiry into Housing Mix.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

-  Martin Elliot, Group Manager, Policy and Plans

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Board Member

The following information was appended to the report:

-  NPPF Consultation Proposals Briefing, March 2018.

The key areas for discussion were:

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

·  The acknowledgement that planning has evolved and changed since the inquiry was undertaken, and there is therefore a need for a separate debate regarding the current situation.

·  The review of NPPF. The Board were advised that there may be changes to the definition of affordable housing and this may have an impact of viability. More advice will be provided once known.

·  The extent to which neighbourhood plans and forums are able to impact on housing mix, the overall levels of housing need across the city and the quality of development in neighbourhood areas. The Board were advised that the Government is still supportive of the development of neighbourhood plans. The Board felt however that the success of these plans will still need to be tested to ensure that they have value in planning terms.

·  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 undeveloped planning approvals which has a direct impact on 5 year land supply.

·  Bedroom numbers and the need for quality 2 bedroom starter homes and good quality homes for older people. The Board were advised that conversations are being had with Developers at pre-application stage regarding schemes and housing types, including houses that meet the needs of an aging or disabled population, including bungalows.

·  The disconnect between the housing desired by the Council and planning policy and what that can deliver.

·  The request for City Centre development to be reported separately to the rest of the City.(recommendation 8)

·  With regard to NPPF consultation, the Board understand that there is more than 20k planning permissions granted where development not started and 13k permissions going through the system. Which would if developed meet the 5 year land supply. It is felt that there needs a system where build out is required to be time limited, or where further planning permission is not granted until previous permissions are developed. The Board felt strongly that the current planning policy is skewed in favour of developers and this needs to change to bring greater balance and  sustainability into planning system.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 1- Achieved

·  Recommendation 2- Achieved

·  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).  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

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 2017

-  Appendix 2- List of Measures Appendix C

-  Appendix 3- FRM Incidents Report, January 2018

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

-  Jonathan Moxon, Flood Risk Manager

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

 The key areas for discussion were:

·  Progress made in 2017 in relation to the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

·  The Board were advised that the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy would be reviewed and redrafted later in 2018.

·  Killingbeck Meadows, Wykebeck and Halton Moor and the development of reservoirs for run-off water.

·  The long term floor risk programme with the Environment Agency and DEFRA, for which money is allocated. Business cases are still in development to secure that funding.

·  The case for local control and management of flood risk.

RESOLVED- The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment):

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

b)  considered the written and verbal information provided by those in attendance.

c) requested that the draft revised Flood Risk Management Strategy be brought to a future meeting for consideration.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 municipal year.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report regarding the Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That subject to any on-going discussions and scheduling decision, the Board’s outline work schedule be approved.

To be confirmed.

Wednesday, 11 April 2018 at 11:00am

(pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:45am)

The meeting concluded at 11:35am