Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

No exempt items have been identified on this agenda.

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

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

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

A late item was admitted to the agenda, ‘Agenda Item 12 – Marketing Leeds’. The Chair agreed at the meeting that this item be heard first, minute 39 refers.

Supplementary information was also circulated at the meeting with regards to Agenda Item 9 ‘Bus Services in Leeds – Draft Terms of Reference’, minute 42 refers.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Cllr Urry declared a significant other interest in Agenda item 8 ‘Scrutiny Board Inquiry Session 4 – Inquiry into the impact  into Existing Major Sources of Travel Movements Within the City, and the Plans being made to Address the Impact of Known Future Developments on the City’s Transport Infrastructure’ and Agenda Item 9 ‘Bus Services in Leeds – draft term of Reference’ as a  member of the Leeds Passenger Consultative Committee.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received for Councillor J Marjoram.

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2012 and also the Call-in meeting held on the same day.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2012 were approved as a correct record. Also the minutes of the Call In meeting held on 12^th July 2012 were approved as a correct record.

This report was admitted as a late item.  The report introduces the Chief Executive of Marketing Leeds, Lurene Joseph, to provide Members with a  presentation as part of the Scrutiny Board’s proposed inquiry into marketing and promotion of the city.

The Chief Executive of Marketing Leeds, Lurene Joseph, made an introductory presentation to the Board, she outlined the approach she planned to take for the marketing and promotion of the City.

Martin Farrington, Director of City Development was also in attendance to help answer any questions that Members had.

Members discussed how best Leeds could be marketed and highlighted the strengths of the City. They also expressed great interest in how the City Council could help support Marketing Leeds in its objectives and ensure that successful outcomes are achieved.

Members also asked the Chief Executive of Marketing Leeds the areas she considered that the Board should focus on for the forthcoming inquiry into the marketing and promotion of the City.

RESOLVED –

(a)  that the report and presentation be noted; and

(b)  that a working group be set up to draft the terms of reference for the inquiry.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting evidence in line with Session 4 of the Scrutiny Board’s Inquiry into the impact of existing major sources of travel movements within the City, and the plans being made to address the impact of known future developments on the City’s transport infrastructure.

The Acting Head of Transport Policy, Andrew Hall, presented a report of the Director of City Development. The report provided the Board with an update on the Leeds New Generation Transport project.

Also present were:

Andrew Wheeler  - NGT Project Manager;

Dave Haskins – Assistant Director, Rapid Transit at West Yorkshire Metro.

Sandra Newbould – Principal Scrutiny Advisor.

Members questioned officers present about the consultation that had previously taken place with regards to the NGT project before it was put on hold by Central Government and what consultation would be done now that the business case had been approved by Central Government.

Members also gave consideration to the proposed route for NGT and whether further lines would be added in the future which would improve access to different parts of the City and whether the scheme would be built within the budget allocated.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that a draft report and recommendations from the Board’s inquiry be produced.

To receive and consider a joint report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) / Director of City Development presenting a summary of the quarter 1 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board (Sustainable Economy and Culture).

The Head of Strategic Planning, Policy and Performance presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance)  and the Director of City Development. The report presented the Board with a summary of the quarter one performance data for 2012/13 which provided an update on progress on delivering the relevant priorities in the Council Business Plan 2011-15 and City Priority Plan 2011-15.

Also in attendance was Fiona McAnespie, Deputy Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement.

Members questioned officers present as to why unemployment in Leeds appeared high in comparison with other areas and the impact of this for the wider city region. It was noted that the Leeds unemployment rate was actually the second lowest among core cities.

Members also asked questions about the number of red indicators and the progress being made to improve performance in these areas.

Members asked officers present about the policies regarding reducing energy consumption and stressed the need to continue to try to reduce consumption as well as reducing the number of buildings occupied.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development inviting Members to agree terms of reference for the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry on Bus Services in Leeds.

(Draft terms of reference to follow)

The Principal Scrutiny Advisor presented a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which asked Members to comment on and agree the terms of reference for the inquiry.

RESOLVED – That Members of the Board provide comments by 28^th September 2012 and that the Chair be authorised to finalise them following any comments received.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year.

The Board received a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which considered the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule be noted.

Thursday, 18^th October 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

(Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

10am, 18^th October 2012.