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 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.)

There were no late items added to the agenda.

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.

Councillor Urry declared a significant other interest in Agenda Item 7 – Scrutiny Inquiry – Bus Services in Leeds as a Member of the Leeds Passenger Consultative Committee.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for Absence were received from Cllr Lyons , Cllr Harland was present as substitute.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on the 18^th October and 1^st November 2012.

The minutes of the 18^th October and 1^st November 2012 were approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which introduces the first formal session of the inquiry into bus services in Leeds. A report from the Director of City Development is attached which provides evidence for this session of the inquiry.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which introduced the first formal session of the scrutiny inquiry into bus services in Leeds.

In attendance were:

Andrew Hall (Acting Head of Transport Policy);and

Dave Pearson – West Yorkshire Metro.

The Acting Head of Transport Policy took Members through the report of the Director of City Development which provided background information on Bus Services in Leeds.

Members opened the discussion by giving consideration to the reasons behind the decrease in usage of bus services and the increase of rail services in Leeds. Members were informed that the bus network in Leeds had shrunk and that the focus was now on a number of busy core routes. The changing economy, and Leeds being part of a wider city region which has resulted in people commuting further distances, were also factors.

A major issue highlighted by the Board for the reduction in patronage on Leeds buses was the above inflation increases to ticket prices, making bus travel expensive. It was noted that this is particularly an issue for short journeys within the City, these have seen the sharpest reduction in passenger numbers. The Green Zone which aims to make sure short journeys are cheaper was highlighted by Members and it was suggested that this be extended so that more people can take advantage of it.

Members commented that due to the number of differing bus companies operating within Leeds, ticketing was confusing and not integrated, meaning that unless a premium was paid you could not use all the buses that might be running on the routes you wish to travel.

At this point Members also raised the potential of increasing the usage of smart cards and put it to witnesses present that work should be done to make the Breeze Card, issued to young people in Leeds, a half fare pass that could be used to travel on buses.

Frequency and punctuality of bus services was brought up by Members and that more work needs to be done to improve this so that bus services can be relied upon by the residents of Leeds. Officers responded that more work is still to be done on increasing bus lanes, bus priority at traffic lights and reducing boarding time for passengers. The real time bus information system was brought up and its merits were discussed, in that it enables tracking of where buses are but that it can also be frustrating for passengers.

Members brought up the issues surrounding funding of bus services and the effect that the Quality Bus Contracts might have on funding received from Central Government.

Discussion took place on the possibilities of looking at examples of transport systems outside of the UK and that lessons could be learned in terms of integration. It was confirmed that examples of other transport systems in Europe were considered by Metro, although the differing legislative frameworks and subsidy systems also needed to be considered.

Members also asked questions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the draft terms of reference for the inquiry on flood risk management for the Board’s approval.

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. It was reported that the Directorate had proposed that Neighbourhood Management/Locality Teams be included in the in the inquiry due to their responsibility for gully maintenance.

RESOLVED – that the Board agree the terms of reference for the inquiry, subject to the addition of input from Neighbourhood Management/Locality Teams regarding gully maintenance.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which presents the current work schedule and the Executive Board minutes for October and November and the Council’s current Forward Plan relating to this Board’s portfolio.

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.

Concern was raised that the December agenda is very crowded and that this might not allow Members to thoroughly scrutinise the reports in the detail that they would like to.

It was proposed by the Chair that a working group should be set up in January 2013 to provide an additional session of the inquiry on bus services, with all members of the Board invited to attend.

It was also confirmed that the meeting on 20^th December 2012 will commence at 9:45am with a pre meeting for Members starting at 9:15am due to the number of items on the agenda.

RESOLVED –

(a)  that the work schedule be noted;

(b)  that the Executive Board minutes and the Forward Plan attached to the report be noted;

(c)  that a working group be set up for January 2013 to provide an additional session of the inquiry on bus services; and

(d)  that the start time of the December Board meeting be brought forward to 9.45am.

Thursday, 10am 20^th December 2012, Civic Hall, Leeds.

9.45am, Thursday 20^th December 2012.

The meeting closed at 12:10pm