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.

Councillors Shelbrooke, Yeadon and Pryke declared personal interests in Agenda Item 3, Input to Work Programme 2008/09, due to their respective positions with the University of Leeds, Royal Mencap Society and the Regional Flood Defence Committee.  Minute no. 3 refers.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Murray.

Sources of Work and Establishing the Board’s Priorities

(a) To hear from the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Planning and Improvement) the Director of the Leeds Initiative and the Leader of the Council on current issues, and to ask questions;

(b) To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing

information & guidance to assist the Board to develop its work programme for 2008/09.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided information and guidance to the Board on developing the work programme for the 2008/09 Municipal Year.  Documents appended to the report included the Draft Memorandum of the Local Area Agreement, the Leeds Strategic Plan and the Council Business Plan 2008-11.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Councillor Richard Brett, Leader of the Council
• James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement)
• Martin Dean, Deputy Director, Leeds Initiative

The following issues were discussed in relation to the Board’s potential Work Programme and areas of interest:

• Beacon Status – it was reported that the Council had been awarded Beacon Status for Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements.  James Rogers explained the selection criteria for achieving Beacon Status and reported that funding was available in those areas that had achieved Beacon Status to share best practice with other Local Authorities.
• Flooding – It was reported that a Scrutiny Commission had previously investigated flooding in Leeds and the Scrutiny Board (City Development) had carried out work in this area.  Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water had implemented flood defence works at Wykebeck and major work was due to take place on defences for the River Aire.  Flood defence works had also been carried out at Kirkstall and Allerton Bywater.
• Housing developments.
• James Rogers informed the Board of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and how it changed the role of the Authority in terms of partnership working.  It sought to put Elected Members at the forefront of partnership activity and reinforced the way that the Local Area Agreements would be delivered.  The Act also imposed a duty on partners to co-operate and proposed mechanisms to ensure that partners would participate in scrutiny inquiries.
• Councillor Brett addressed the Board.  He referred to the large number of partnership organisations the Council was involved with and the scope that it provided for the Board.  Many of the partnerships that the Council was involved with were relatively new or under development and he felt that the Board could play an influential role in the shaping of these partnerships.  He also highlighted the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector as key partners in building stronger communities.
• Small businesses – Members suggested that the Board consider an inquiry into Small Businesses.  It was reported that a range of organisations supported small businesses, both in the City and across the region.
• University fees - it was reported that the Scrutiny Board (City Development) had previously considered the impact of students on the economy of Leeds and this had briefly covered fees.
• Development of Skills and Training – who was responsible for the delivery of these?  This was felt to be a major issue for the city.
• The role of regional partnerships including the Leeds City Region, Association of West Yorkshire Authorities and Yorkshire Forward. The Leeds City Region list of priorities included Transport, Housing, Innovation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on determining the Board’s Work Programme for 2008/09.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which contained information on determining the Board’s Work Programme for the 2008/09 Municipal Year.  Also attached to the report was information on Inquiry Selection Criteria.

Members discussed issues raised with officers and the Leader of the Council and made the following suggestions for inclusion to the Work Programme:

• Establish a working group to consider Small Businesses.
• To consider requesting a report from the Regional Housing Partnership pending discussion with the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.
• Transport – It was reported that the Chief Executive would be attending the next meeting when this issue could be discussed.
• To invite the Chief Executive and Chair of the Leeds Initiative’s Narrowing the Gap Executive to a meeting with a view to presenting half yearly/quarterly reports to update the Board.
• To receive a report on the review of the Leeds Strategic Plan – progress update.
• To establish a Skills Working Group.
• To draft terms of reference into an inquiry regarding the Role of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector.

RESOLVED –

RESOLVED –

1)That the issues raised be included in the Board’s Work Programme for 2008/09.

2) That the Board establish a Small Business Working Group comprising Cllrs

  Atha, Bentley and Kendall to identify if an inquiry was appropriate and if so to draw up suitable terms of reference for consideration by the Board

3) That the Board establish a Skills Working Group comprising Cllrs Bentley, Driver, and Yeadon to determine if an inquiry would be appropriate and draw up suitable terms of reference for consideration by the Board

4) That an inquiry be undertaken on the Voluntary and Community Faith sector and that terms of reference be submitted to the Board’s next meeting for consideration.

To note the following proposed dates and times of future meetings:

Monday, 21 July 2008

Thursday, 25 September 2008

Thursday, 23 October 2008

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Thursday, 15 January 2009

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Thursday, 26 March 2009

Thursday, 30 April 2009

All at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meetings at 9.30 a.m.)

RESOLVED –

That the dates and times of meetings of the Scrutiny Board (City and Regional Partnerships) for the 2008/09 Municipal Year be held as follows:

Monday, 21 July 2008

Thursday, 25 September 2008

Thursday, 23 October 2008

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Wednesday, 17 December 2008

Thursday, 15 January 2009

Thursday, 26 February 2009

Thursday, 26 March 2009

Thursday, 30 April 2009

All at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meetings at 9.30 a.m.)