Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the December meeting of the Scrutiny Board (City Development).

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstance shall be specified in the minutes.)

The Chair agreed to accept the following documents as supplementary information:-

Scrutiny Board (City Development) – Inquiry to Consider the Future of Kirkgate Market – Terms of Reference/ Leeds Markets Marketing and Promotion – Inquiry into Leeds Markets Appendix 1 (Agenda Item 70) (Minute 85 refers) . A letter from Mrs Ruston Market Trader regarding Kirkgate Market (Minute 85 refers) and from Mr & Mrs Simpson  concerning Lawns Wood cemetery (Minute 88 refers).

The documents were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but made available on the Council’s Internet site prior to the Board meeting.

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.

The following personal interests were declared at the meeting:-

• Councillor M Lobley in his capacity as Chairman of Re’newal Leeds Limited who were involved in employment sites (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 87 refers)
• Councillor R Pryke in his capacity as Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery (Agenda Item 11) (Minute 88 refers)
• Councillor B Atha in his capacity as Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery

(Agenda Item 11) (Minute 88 refers)

• Councillor J Procter in his capacity as Chair of the Leeds Grand Theatre Board and also as a trustee on Northern Ballet Theatre (Agenda Item 12) (Minute 89 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor J Elliott and no substitute had been offered.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meetings held on 2^nd November 2010 and 2^nd November 2010 (Call-In).

RESOLVED – That, subject to the following revision, the minutes of the scheduled Board meeting and Call-In meeting held on 2^nd November 2010 be confirmed as a correct record:-

Scheduled Scrutiny Board (City Development) – 2^nd November 2010 - Minute 64 refers – Request for Scrutiny of the Withdrawal of Remaining Creche Provision at Leisure Centres

To delete the first bullet point and text referring to Councillor Lobley and replace with

the background to Councillor Lobley’s request for Scrutiny concerning the closure of crèche provision in leisure centres

To consider a report of the Head of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on progress in relation to a request for Scrutiny of the Withdrawal of remaining Creche provision at Leisure Centres.

Referring to Minute 64 of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on progress in relation to a request for scrutiny of the withdrawal of remaining crèche provision at leisure centres.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• A request for scrutiny received from Councillor M Lobley and Councillor J Matthews – Letter dated 18^th October 2010
• Delegated Decision Notification – Withdrawal of remaining crèche provision at leisure centres dated 11^th October 2010
• Report of the Chief Recreation Officer on progress made to explore alternative options for leisure centre crèches

The following representatives were in attendance who responded to Member’s queries and comments:-

Ms Zoe Walker, Spokesperson for the Crèche Users Parents Group

Mark Allman, Head of Sport and Active Recreation, City Development

Ian Waller, Sports Operations Manager, City Development

Julia Manning, Extended Development Services Manager, Children’s Services

The Chair invited Ms Zoe Walker to outline the main points of the Crèche Users Parents Group who were campaigning to prevent the withdrawal of the remaining crèche provision at leisure centres in Leeds.

The Chair then invited Mark Allman, Head of Sport and Active Recreation, Ian Waller, Sports Operations Manager and Julia Manning, Extended Development Services Manager to respond to the main points and to provide the Board with an update on the consultation process in relation to crèche provision at leisure centres.

Board Members, including Councillor Lobley then questioned the representatives on the main points and consultation process.

In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues by the witnesses and Members including:-

• the view that this proposal goes against the Council’s strategic objectives to reduce obesity, increase physical activity and tackle health inequalities

• concern that the Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Leisure had stated that the department should not subsidise this service when many leisure and cultural services were subsidised by the department
• that the budget calculations which had determined that these facilities were not a viable concern take no account of the income generated elsewhere in the leisure centres by users of these crèche facilities
• concern that posters advertising the closure of the crèches are still on display in sports centres despite the decision to go out to consultation on this issue

(The Head of Sport and Active Recreation agreed to have these removed immediately)

• the need to circulate the proposed questionnaire as widely as possible to include users, carers and parents
• clarification as to whether the Crèche Users Parents Group had been involved with the development of the survey questionnaire

(The spokesperson for the Crèche Users Group confirmed that they had)

• receipt of a petition containing over 200 signatures in support of retaining crèche provision in the Council’s leisure centres
• that staff operating tills in the leisure centres would be manually recording income from crèche users

• clarification of the role of the Early Years Service with regards to crèche  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the first session of the Board’s Inquiry to Consider the Future of Kirkgate Market.

Referring to Minute 66 of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the first session of the Board’s Inquiry to Consider the Future of Kirkgate Market.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Scrutiny Board (City Development) – Inquiry to Consider the Future of Kirkgate Market – Terms of Reference
• Leeds Markets Marketing and Promotion – Inquiry into Leeds Markets

(Appendix 1 refers)

In addition to the above documents, a copy of a letter from Ms M E Rushton, Leeds Kirkgate Market was circulated to assist the Board with their deliberations.

The following witnesses/representatives were in attendance and gave evidence to the Board and responded to Board Members’ queries and comments:-

John Perriton, Field Support Manager, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF)

Ms Liz Laughton, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

Ms Sara Gonzalez, Friends of Kirkgate Market

Ms Megan Waugh, Friends of Kirkgate Market

Mr Chris Leonard, Friends of Kirkgate Market  

Ms M E Ruston, Market Trader

Mrs Michele Hocken, Market Trader

Mr Lacky Singh, Market Trader

Paul Stephens, Chief Economic Development Officer, City Development

CathFollin, Head of City Centre and Markets, City Development

The Chair informed the meeting that the Board took this Inquiry very seriously and as a result the Executive Member, Development and Regeneration was present in the room to witness the debate in the hope that a positive way forward would be achieved for the benefit of all concerned.

The Chair invited the Chief Economic Development Officer and the Head of City Centre and Markets to give a brief introduction, and together they outlined the key points in relation to the future direction of Kirkgate Market.

Following this, the Chair then allowed a witness from the following organisations to give a brief overview of the key issues affecting Kirkgate Market, including reference to the national picture regarding markets.

National Market Traders Federation (NMTF)

John Perriton in his presentation briefly made reference to the following key issues:-

• the national picture regarding markets
• the membership/history behind the National Market Traders Federation (NMTF)
• Planning Policy Statement 4 and 5 with reference to the important role of markets in today’s society. He referred to the fact that markets  remain an important source for fresh produce; that there was a general reduction in footfall in markets and that there was a serious need to attract new traders/buyers
• the Eastgate Development; parking provision and the need to target people who do not shop in markets

National Market Traders’ Federation (Kirkgate Branch)

Liz Laughton in her presentation briefly made reference to the following key issues:-

• the branch welcomed the appointment of a new Markets Manager but stated it was a new face but the same regime
• concern regarding the lack of progress with the 2009 rent review
• that some traders were being given rent discounts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing the Board with a financial position for the City Development Directorate 2010/11 Budget at period 7.

Referring to Minute 68 of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing the Board with a financial position for the City Development Directorate at period 7.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘ City Development Directorate; 2010/Budget – Period 7 Report for the information/comment of the meeting.

Simon Criddle, Head of Finance, City Development was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• clarification behind the rise in Planning Appeal costs and the need for the Board to receive the likely outturn figure for the current financial year, together with specific details of those cases that have not been settled

(The Head of Finance responded and agreed to supply this information via the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser)

• clarification of how  the Early Leavers Initiative costs would be funded

(The Head of Finance responded that the department currently was responsible for any leaving costs but if these costs are capitalised it would become a corporate charge)

• clarification of whether or not the Planning restructuring exercise had been implemented

(The Head of Finance responded and confirmed that the Planning restructuring exercise had now been completed with recruitment to take place in due course)

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(Councillor M Rafique left the meeting at 12.35pm during discussions of the above item)

To consider a report of the Head of Policy and Performance presenting an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to the City Development Scrutiny Board.

The Head of Policy and Performance submitted a report presenting an overview of performance against the priority outcomes relevant to the City Development Scrutiny Board.

Paul Maney, Head of Strategic Planning, Policy and Performance, City Development was in attendance.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on progress in relation to the Board’s Working Group on Horticultural Maintenance of Cemeteries and Crematoria.

Referring to Minute 70 of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a progress report in relation to the Board’s Working Group on Horticultural Maintenance of Cemeteries and Crematoria.

Appended to the report was a copy of the notes of the Horticultural Maintenance of Cemeteries and Crematoria working group held on 18^th November 2010 for the information/comment of the meeting.

In addition to the above documents, a copy of a letter from Mr and Mrs Simpson was circulated to assist the Board with their deliberations.

Sean Flesher, Head of Parks and Countryside, City Development was in attendance.

Specific reference was made to the need of the Working Group to be supplied with details of how other local authorities implement grave conditions with regards to cemetery maintenance to assist them with this Inquiry.

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to follow up this issue with the Head of Parks and Countryside.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the note of the visit of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Horticultural Maintenance Working Group to Lawns Wood cemetery on 18^th November 2010 be received and noted.

c)  That a further meeting of the Cemeteries and Crematoria Horticultural Working Group be convened in due course.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on progress in relation to the Board’s Working Group on Grants to Culture and Sport Related Organisations.

Referring to Minute 70 of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2010, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a progress in relation to the Board’s Working Group on Grants to Culture and Sport Related Organisations.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents:-

·  A copy of the notes of the working group held on 18^th November 2010 for the information/comment of the meeting

·  A report of the Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer regarding the Working Group Paper on Grants to Culture and Sport Related Organisations

Catherine Blanshard, Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer, City Development was in attendance.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the note of the meeting of the Grants to Culture and Sport Related Organisations Working Group held on 18^th November 2010, together with the report of the Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer be received and noted.

c)  That a further meeting of the Grants to Culture and Sport Related Organisations Working Group be convened in due course.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work programme, together with a copy of the latest Executive Board minutes and the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a copy of the Board’s current Work Programme. The Executive Board minutes of 3^rd November 2010, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st December 2010 to 31^st March 2011 were also attached to the report.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Executive Board minutes of 3^rd November 2010, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st December 2010 to 31^st March 2011 be noted.

c)  To note that the Chief Executive of Welcome to Leeds would now give a short presentation on the work of his organisation to the Board on 11^th January 2011.

d)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to update the

  work programme to include the following items:-

·  Preliminary Flood Risk Assessment (March/April 2011)

·  City Priority Plan/Corporate Plan (March 2011)

·  Replanting Trees Protocol in Urban and Suburban areas and requirement to use of designated tree pits near highways

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on Tuesday 11^th January 2011 at 10.00 am with a pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am.

Tuesday 11^th January 2011 at 10.00am (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.50 pm)