Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest, however Councillor Matthews, in the interests of transparency indicated that he was a member of the North West (Inner) Area Committee which had previously discussed the report referred to in Agenda Item 8 ‘A660 Corridor Transport Issues’ and which had referred the Design and Cost Report dated 24^th November 2008 to the Scrutiny Board (City Development) for discussion.  In order to avoid any perception of predetermination, Councillor Matthews also stated that he would maintain an open mind and listen to the arguments afresh.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Wilkinson.

To receive and approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 16^th December 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th December 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement providing the Board with an update on the revised approach to performance reporting and accountability arrangements for the Leeds Strategic and Council Business Plans and a performance report on the progress against improvement priorities relevant to the Board at Quarter 2 2008/09.

The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement submitted a report providing Members with an update on the revised approach to performance reporting and accountability arrangements for the Leeds Strategic and Council Business Plans and providing a performance report by exception (ie red and amber) on the progress against improvement priorities relevant to the Board at Quarter 2, 2008/09.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Jean Dent, Director of City Development, Paul Maney, Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement, City Development and Heather Pinches, Performance Manager, Planning, Policy and Improvement, Executive Support.  Gary Bartlett, Chief Highways Officer, City Development, joined the meeting to respond to specific queries from the Board.

The Director presented the report and summarised progress against the improvement priorities relevant to this Board.  In particular it was emphasised that out of the Director’s 13 improvement priorities, 8 were green, 5 were amber and none were red.

Attention was drawn to the one Culture Improvement Priority rated amber: CU-1a ‘Enable more people to become involved in sport and culture by providing better quality and wider ranging activities and facilities’.  The Board was advised that since the data had been collated, the ‘Active People’ survey had indicated an impressive 7% increase in participation in sport and recreation (the target being 1%).  As a result, Leeds had risen nationally from 208^th to 16^th place and the status of this Improvement Priority would now change to green.

It was also reported that progress had been made against the only amber status improvement priority within the Environment theme (ENV-1b ‘Reduce emissions from public sector buildings, operations and service delivery and encourage others to do so’).  However, as this data was being collected for the first time, the Department was being cautious in its assessment as at present it was still seeking to establish the base line.

With regard to Enterprise and Economy, Members were advised that a close watch on the current green status of the data would be required, as these figures would be affected by the slow down in the economy. 

With regard to Transport, the Director referred to the three improvement priorities which were amber.  Of specific concern were firstly the effects of rising energy costs, specifically for street lighting, on the Council’s budget and the initiatives being taken to lessen the impact.  And secondly the fact that the Council continued to work with Metro to help them improve the figures on public transport services in Leeds, for which they have the lead responsibility.

Members then sought information from Officers on the following issues relating to the performance figures in Appendix 2 to the report:

·  Culture –

·  Level of use of leisure centres.

• The reason for the increase in people participating in sport and active recreation.

·  Environment –

·  Progress on the climate change strategy.

• Campaigns to encourage staff to reduce emissions in Council buildings.

·  Learning –

• Whether the Government takes into account external influences which affected skill levels.
• Data availability and monitoring relating to young  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development attaching the report of the Director of City Development on the A660 Corridor Transport Issues to the North West (Inner) Area Committee and the joint report of the Chief Highways Officer and Director of Resources dated 24^th November 2008 referred by the North West (Inner) Area Committee to this Board for discussion.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report attaching the Design and Cost Report to the Chief Highways Officer and Director of Resources dated 24^th November 2008 entitled ‘A660 Woodhouse Lane/Clarendon Road, Woodhouse Proposed Inbound Bus/Cycle Lane and Junction Improvement Measures’ referred by the North West (Inner) Area Committee to this Scrutiny Board for discussion.  Also attached were the Delegated Decision Notification of 2^nd December 2008, the report of the Director of City Development to the North West (Inner) Area Committee of 18^th December 2008 ‘A660 Corridor Transport Issues’ and an extract from the Minutes of the North West (Inner) Area Committee of 18^th December 2008.

The Chair advised the meeting that the Scrutiny Board (City Development) did not have any executive powers to agree to or to stop any decisions made under the officer delegation scheme, Executive Board or the Council.  However, the Board could express their opinions on the issues and these might or might not be taken into account by the decision makers, who were in this instance the Executive Board Member for City Development and Officers under delegated powers.

The Chair then welcomed to the meeting Councillor Monaghan, Chair of North West (Inner) Area Committee, Gary Bartlett, Chief Highways Officer, City Development, Andrew Hall, Transport Strategy Manager, City Development and Helen Franklin, Acting Head of Highways Services, City Development.

The Chief Highways Officer referred Members to the Design and Cost report of 24^th November 2008, and explained why he had come to the decision to revoke the original decision.  The reasons were firstly that the extent and depth of the opposition to the scheme had not previously been released and therefore had not been fully appreciated by officers.  Indeed the extent and depth of the opposition to the scheme had only become apparent to himself in conversation with the Chair of the North West (Inner) Area Committee after the report had been written, the decision taken and then called-in.  Secondly, he was notified that due to a genuine misunderstanding it was incorrectly reported in the report that the Area Committee had been fully consulted.  In fact the matter had been considered by an informal Transport Sub Committee established by the Area Committee but not serviced by the Central and Corporate Governance Unit.  The decision was revoked therefore in terms of the accuracy of the report and the need for the officer Joint Highways Board to be aware of all of the facts.

Members were advised that the current position was that the proposals for the 1^st phase of the A660 corridor were continuing to be reviewed, that discussions were taking place with Ward members and that no final decision had been taken on this.

The Transport Strategy Manager then outlined the background to the A660 corridor scheme and in particular the proposals for the Woodhouse Lane/Clarendon Road junction, which was the first phase of the scheme.  The Officer clarified how the need to widen the A660 had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development regarding the Board’s work programme, together with a copy of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions pertaining to this Board’s Terms of Reference for the period 1^st January to 30^th April 2009 and the Executive Board Minutes of 3^rd December 2008.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a copy of the Board’s current Work Programme.  The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st January to 30^th April 2009 and the Executive Board Minutes of 3^rd December 2008 were also attached to the report.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser advised the Board that the Work Programme revealed the slippage on some of the reports planned for the January meeting.

Members discussed various additional items for inclusion on the Work Programme and information for circulation.  These were in summary:

·  A visit to the Roundhay Park Mansion House with a short update report on the developments to the next meeting of the Board.

·  A report for information on the proposed city centre park.

·  The report on the Review of the City Centre Loop to include information on the Inner Ring Road extension.

·  The Chair to remind the Director of City Development to provide information on cycle and motorcycle parking.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That, subject to the above comments and additions, the Work Programme be agreed.

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on 10^th February 2009 at 10.00am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am.

Noted that the next meeting of the Board would be held on Tuesday 10^th February 2009 at 10.00am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am.

The meeting concluded at 12.30pm.