Agenda and minutes

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

In relation to Item 7 on the agenda ‘Inquiry into Leeds Markets: Eastgate and Parking – Session 3’, he informed the Board that a request had been received from the Friends of Kirkgate Market to take one or two photographs of the meeting during this item for their web site. The Board agreed to this request, but did not agree to any part of the meeting being filmed.

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:-

·  Inquiry into Leeds Markets: Eastgate and Parking – Session 3 – Appendix 1 (Minute 109 refers)

·  Budget Information 2010/11 and Budget Proposals 2011/2012 –

  (i) Leeds City Council 2011/12 Budget Report – Directorate: City

  Development (ii) Revenue Budget and Council Tax 2011/12

  (Minute 112 refers)

The documents were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but made available on the Council’s Internet site prior and after the 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 interest was declared at the meeting:-

·  Councillor J Procter in his capacity as Chair of the Leeds Grand Theatre Board and also as a trustee of Northern Ballet Theatre (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 112 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors D Atkinson, M Lobley and R Pryke.

Notification had been received for Councillor V Kendall to substitute for Councillor M Lobley.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11^th January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

Referring to Minute 99 of the meeting held on 11^th January 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the third 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 (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Inquiry into Leeds Markets: Eastgate and Parking – Report of the Acting Director, City Development (Appendix 2 refers)

A copy of  ‘Appendix A’ referred to in the report of the Acting Director, City Development was also circulated.

In addition, the Board received a paper from John Perriton, Field Support Manager, National Market Traders Federation commenting on the Acting Director of City Development’s report as he was unable to attend today’s meeting. A paper from “Friends of Kirkgate Market” was also tabled as further evidence to the Board.

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

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

CathFollin, Head of City Centre and Markets, City Development

Jo Williams, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

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

Michele Hocken, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

Lacky Singh, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch)

Sara Gonzalez, Friends of Kirkgate Market

Megan Waugh, Friends of Kirkgate Market

Chris Leonard, Friends of Kirkgate Market

The Chair informed the meeting that the evidence presented to today’s Board meeting would be considered in two parts; firstly concerns from the National Market Traders’ Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate Branch) in support of their continuing concerns in relation to the future of Kirkgate Market and secondly to consider a report from the Acting Director of City Development in relation to parking and the Eastgate Development.

The Future of Kirkgate Market

At the request of the Chair, Jo Williams, National Market Traders’ Federation (NMTF) Kirkgate Branch circulated a copy of a set of slides from a power point presentation entitled ‘Items for discussion’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

The document referred to the following issues:-

·  The Future of Leeds Kirkgate Market

  ?  Management

  ?  Ownership

  ?  Plans

·  Lettings

  ?  Current Position

  ?  Plans

·  Rent and Service Charges

  ?  Accounts breakdown current position

  ?  Plans moving forward

Officers responded to the concerns expressed by representatives from NMTF

on each of the issues identified which had been discussed in detail at the last Board meeting.

Arising from these discussions, it was reported that the Council’s Administration had recently established a Markets Forum to be chaired by Councillor G Harper in his capacity as a Deputy Executive Member and that its first meeting would be held on 10^th February 2011 with management and market trader representatives to discuss the proposed terms of reference for the Forum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the transport planning obligations for Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Referring to Minute 98 of the meeting held on 11^th January 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the transport planning obligations for Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Leeds Bradford International Airport; Transport Planning Obligations – Report of the Acting Director of City Development for the information/comment of the meeting.

In addition to the above documents, a copy of an e mail received from Tim McSharry, Head of Disability and Diversity, Access Committee for Leeds dated 7^th February 2011 was circulated for the information/comment of the meeting.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Board Members’ queries and comments:-

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Mike Darwin, Head of Highways Development Services, City Development

Gillian Macleod, Principal Highways Development Engineer

Planning Adviser from the White Young Green Group

The Board noted that due to other commitments, apologies had been received from John Parkin, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford Airport and Carl Lapworth, Director, Operations and Engineering, Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Mike Darwin, Head of Highways and Development Services, City Development highlighted the main issues within the department’s report.

The Board Members commented on a number of issues including:-

·  the definition of public transport by the Department for Transport

·  concerns at how the recording of journeys by car and public transport to the airport had been interpreted. The Acting Director clarified how this was interpreted within the DfT Guidance

·  the fact that the surface access strategy for Leeds Bradford International Airport would be reviewed in 2011 in accordance with agreed procedures and DfT guidelines

·  a view that wider consultation particularly with Elected Members needs to be undertaken in developing the airport’s next Surface Access Strategy

·  Taxis and disability issues

The Chair informed the meeting that in view of concerns being expressed by the Hackney Carriage trade, he was prepared to take additional evidence from them at today’s meeting.

Mike Utting, representing Leeds Taxi Owners Ltd, Streamline/Telecabs made reference to a number of issues including:-

·  the fact that hackney carriages provide a public service

·  that the loss of the taxi contract at the Leeds Bradford International Airport some years ago had created hackney carriage congestion in the city centre

·  the need to offer the public using the airport choice between private hire and hackney carriages

·  the suggestion that a hackney carriage  rank could be provided  on Whitehouse Lane with a commitment that his Associations  would part fund this venture

·  the lack of disabled taxis at the airport  by the current operator

The Acting Director City Development stated that he remained to be convinced about the proposal for a hackney carriage rank on Whitehouse Lane. 

The Chair thanked officers and representatives from the  Leeds Taxi Owners Ltd, Streamline/Telecabs for their attendance and contribution to the meeting.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser, in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the state of the roads in Leeds following the snow and extended period of cold weather earlier this winter.

Referring to Minute 102 of the meeting held on 11^th January 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the state of the roads in Leeds following the snow and extended period of cold weather earlier this winter.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Board Members’ queries and comments:-

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Gary Bartlett,  Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation, City Development  Helen Franklin, Acting Head, Highway Services, City Development

Board Members then questioned the above representatives and officers responded.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That no further scrutiny be undertaken on this issue.

(Councillor G Harper re-joined the meeting at 12.55pm during discussions of this item)

(Councillor J Akthar joined the meeting at 1.00pm during discussions of this item)

(Councillors J Elliott and M Rafique left the meeting at 1.00pm during discussions of this item)

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on  budget information 2010/11 and budget proposals 2011/2012 with specific reference to the Temple Newsam estate and house and the events budget.

Referring to Minute 100 of the meeting held on 11^th January 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on budget information 2010/11 and budget proposals 2011/2012 with specific reference to the Temple Newsam estate and house and the events budget.

Appended to the report was a copy the Temple Newsam estate and house and events budget for the information/comment of the meeting.

A copy of the full revenue budget papers for 2011/12, together with the relevant budget papers for the City Development department were circulated as supplementary information. These were not considered at the meeting.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Councillor R Lewis, Executive Board Member, Development and Regeneration

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Ed Mylan, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, City Development

Simon Criddle, Head of Finance, City Development

The Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, City Development introduced the report.

Board Members then questioned the above representatives and commented on the specific proposals relevant to the Temple Newsam estate and house and the events budget.

Specific reference was made to the fact that the department was incurring unnecessary expenditure in relation to employing a person to staff the car park at Temple Newsam with a  potential savings of £20k

(The Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy responded and informed the meeting that this post was established to protect cars from theft and vandalism and if the arrangement was not in place it could have a detrimental impact on wider usage of the facilities)

There was a discussion on the application of central charges in the accounts and reference to the profit and loss accounts for the Museum shops where currently there was only a stock take undertaken annually. The Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy reported that this would be rectified later this year with the installation of an electronic stock control system.

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

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 9.

Referring to Minute 101 of the meeting held on 11^th January 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing the Board with a financial position for the City Development Directorate at period 9.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘ City Development Directorate; 2010/Budget – Period 9 Report for the information/comment of the meeting.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Martin Farrington, Acting Director of City Development

Ed Mylan, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, City Development

Simon Criddle, Head of Finance, City Development

Board Members then questioned the above representatives.

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

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 5^th January 2011, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st February 2011 to 31^st May 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 5^th January 2011, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st  February 2011 to 31^st May 2011 be noted.

c)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to update the work programme as follows:-

·  Leeds Bradford International Airport – New Surface Access Strategy

·  Leeds Athletic Club

d)  To request a review of the Council’s legal costs (Scrutiny Board Central and Corporate).

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on Tuesday 8^th March 2011 at 10.00 am with a pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am.

Tuesday 8^th March 2011 at 10.00am (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 1.45pm)