Agenda and minutes

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

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

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

There were no formal late items of business to consider, however, the Chair agreed to accept the following supplementary item which was circulated prior to the meeting:-

• Town and Village Greens – Defra Guidance Note - Management and protection of registered town and village greens – Frequently asked questions (Appendix 1 refers) - Joint Report of the City Solicitor and Director of City Development (Agenda Item 8) (Minute 78 refers)

The document was not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but was made available on the Council’s website prior to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors P Grahame and T Murray.

Notification had been received for Councillor J Akthar to substitute for Councillor P Grahame and Councillor G Driver to substitute for Councillor T Murray.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th January 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the provision of additional information regarding Leeds Kirkgate Market.

Referring to Minute 68 b) of the Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) meeting held on 17^th January 2012, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on additional information regarding Kirkgate Market.

The Chair reminded Members of the lack of time available at the last meeting to deal with this item and his subsequent request that this matter be discussed fully at today’s meeting. to allow a proper opportunity to question and comment officers on the information the Board had requested on lettings issues in Kirkgate Market.

In addition to the above report, the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser circulated for the attention of the meeting a note of a visit to Kirkgate Market on 7^th February 2012 by Members of Scrutiny Board (Regeneration).

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

-  Sue Burgess, Manager, Leeds Markets, City Development

-  Michelle Hocken, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF) (Kirkgate

  Branch)

-  Lacky Singh, National Market Traders' Federation (NMTF

(Kirkgate Branch)

At the request of the Chair, the Manager, Leeds Markets provided the Board with the latest figures in relation to notices to quit; leases agreed and on footfall numbers prior to and after the Christmas period.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

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

• clarification as to whether consideration had been given to reducing rents in Kirkgate Market at least for a time limited period  in order to try and retain existing traders and attract new ones and consequently increase footfall during the current economic climate.

(The Manager responded and informed the meeting that the Directorate was considering a range of options to maintain a vibrant and prosperous market with fewer vacant stalls, but a detailed financial analysis was required in order to consider this as it would have an impact on the markets income. As £500k had already been hypothecated from next year’s return to central budgets, this would place further pressure on an already reduced return. She also stated that management would like to reduce the number of differing rent levels across the market. This would form part of the current review and management of the market. Specific concern was expressed following the Board’s visit to the market at the departure of a number of long standing tenants from the market many of whom stated to Members that they were finding it more difficult to make a living in the market following a significant rent rise in 2002)

• concern at the substantial capital expenditure in transferring the Markets Information Centre to another location in the market and the provision of a market hospitality suite in the former upstairs café.

(The Manager responded that these schemes were only possible as a consequence of the Council releasing £250,000 to the customer improvement fund. She explained that the costs of transferring the Markets Information Centre had increased from £25,000 to £52,000 largely because the walls and roof needed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the process for the registration of land as town and village greens.

Referring to Minute 69 of the meeting held on 17^th January 2012, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the process for the registration of land as town and village greens.

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

• The process for the registration of land as town and village greens – Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) – 17^th January 2012 – Report of the City Solicitor (Appendix 1 refers)
• The process for the registration of land as town and village greens – Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) – 28^th February 2012 – Joint report of the City Solicitor and Director of City Development (Appendix 2 refers)

In addition to the above documents, a copy of the Defra Guidance Note on the Management and protection of registered town and village greens – Frequently asked questions (Appendix 1 refers) appertaining to the Joint Report of the City Solicitor and Director of City Development was circulated for the information /comment of the meeting.

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

  -  Catherine Witham, City Solicitor, Legal Services

-  Caroline Allen, Head of Development and Regulatory, Legal Services

-  Christine Addison, Chief Asset Management Officer, City Development

-  Martin Sellens, Head of Planning Services, City Development

-  Councillor R Lewis, Executive Board Member, Development and the Economy

Prior to discussing the Joint Report of the City Solicitor and Director of City Development, the Chair requested the City Solicitor, Legal Services to outline the reasons why the City Development Directorate had refused to release  Counsel’s opinion to the Board on this matter.

The City Solicitor, Legal Services responded and provided the meeting with detailed explanation. She made specific reference to the various conditions arising from the legal framework and confirmed that under the current regulations, the Board did not have statutory right to see this document. She confirmed that in accordance with the Council’s constitution the decision to release the document rests with the Director of City Development in consultation with the Executive Board Member.

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

• clarification of the appeal process open to the Board on the issue of the release of this document

(The City Solicitor responded and confirmed that ultimately the Board had a right of appeal to the Executive Board)

• the concerns expressed of the ethics in relation to an Executive Board Member or Director holding back relevant information

(The Chief Asset Management Officer responded and outlined the thought process behind the decision not to release the document. She made particular reference to Councillor Atha’s potential conflict of interest and stressed the fact that there was no statutory right for the Board to have access to this document)

• the concerns expressed regarding the legal costs of opposing these three applications currently thought to be at least £10k to date and the  officer time in this regard

The Chair then invited Executive Board Member, Development and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on recommendation tracking which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny review of Housing Growth in Leeds

At the request of the Chair and with the agreement of the Board, this item was withdrawn for reconsideration at the next meeting on 27^th March 2012. It was also agreed that this report be referred to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) Working Group on Affordable Housing for consideration.

To receive a copy of the final draft minutes of the Working Group on Affordable Homes held on 16^th January 2012.

A copy of the final draft minutes of the Working Group on Affordable Housing held on 16^th January 2012 were submitted for the information/comment of the meeting.

George Hall made reference to paragraph 4.11 and informed the meeting that the minutes were incorrect. The minutes should have referred to the DTZ report and not the GVA report.

RESOLVED – That subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the Working Group on Affordable Housing held on 16^th January 2012 be received and noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a copy of the Board’s current draft work schedule. The Executive Board minutes of 10^th February 2012, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st February 2012 to 31^st May 2012 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 10^th February 2012, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st February 2012 to 31^st May 2012 be noted.

c)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to revise the

work schedule to incorporate the recommendations made at today’s Board meeting.

d)  That regarding the issue relating to the Leeds Bradford International 

  Airport Taxi Access, the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be

  requested to invite the relevant Executive Board Member and the

  Director of City Development to attend the next meeting to discuss the

  current position.

Tuesday 27^th March 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

Tuesday 27^th March 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.50pm)