Agenda and minutes

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

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

There were no late items submitted to the agenda.

There were no declarations made at this point or at any other point during the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harington and Councillor Chapman.

Councillor Illingworth was in attendance as substitute for Councillor Harington.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th December 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th December 2012 were approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development inquiring into ‘marketing and promotion of the city’.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which introduced the first formal session of the inquiry.

The report submitted by the Director of City Development outlined Leeds and Partners’ approach and activity to attract and retain the next tranche of inward investment for the City and how Leeds City Council is working with Leeds and Partners to promote inward investment to Leeds.

In attendance to answer Member questions were:

Lurene Joseph – Chief Executive of Leeds and Partners; and

Tom Bridges – Chief Economic Development Officer.

Initially Tom Bridges briefly summarised the position of Leeds in terms of investment and job creation in the city, linking this to the work of Leeds and Partners in increasing these variables.

Subsequently Lurene Joseph informed the Board of her strategy to capitalise on Leeds’ strengths and highlighted the key sectors Leeds and Partners would be focusing on, namely:

·  Healthcare – Medtech;

·  Digital;

·  Professional Services; and

·  Financial Services.

Members questioned witnesses present about the partners involved with Leeds and Partners and asked about the links that exist with other local authorities within the Leeds City Region. Members were informed about the relationships that are in place with other authorities and also about the other private and public sector organisations that Leeds and Partners work with.

Members stressed the importance that Leeds residents were given every opportunity to apply for and get jobs created in Leeds and that better relationships need to be developed between the schools and colleges and private sector employers.

It was broadly noted by Members that as much work as possible needs to be completed to ensure that Leeds capitalises on the Grand Depart of the Tour De France in 2014.

Members commented that Leeds was 10^th out of 12 UK regions for inward investment in 2011. Members debated with witnesses present where it was likely that Leeds would be positioned in terms of inward investment in 5 years’ time.

Comment was also made that the focus of Leeds and Partners appeared to be on large companies investing in Leeds but that consideration should be given to promoting smaller businesses at a local level. Members noted the role of City Development in this regard, and particular emphasis was given to the work with manufacturing businesses.

Members asked questions about the makeup of the Leeds and Partners Board and the choice of countries that had been focused on by Leeds and Partners to help contribute to inward investment.

Members sought clarification of the delivery horizon presented to them by the Chief Executive of Leeds and Partners and what quick wins could be achieved within Phase 1 (1-2 years).

Other sectors were also suggested to be made focal points by the Board including construction and manufacturing which are both strong sectors in Leeds. Also questions were asked about the future importance of green technology. At this point the Chief Executive of Leeds and Partners re-iterated the resource issues that she is faced with and that the areas focused on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development requiring consideration be given to the request for Scrutiny of the West Park Centre.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented a request for scrutiny from the North West (Inner) Area Committee. The accompanying report, presented to the Area Committee in December 2012, provided information about the temporary closure of the West Park Centre on Health and Safety grounds. It provided an update on progress since the Area Committee meeting on 14^th November 2012 and outlined the action being taken by Children’s Services and Corporate Property Management to mitigate the impact on users.

The Chair invited Councillors Atha and J Bentley, as members of the Area Committee, to address the Board and outline the reasons for requesting scrutiny into the closure of the West Park Centre.

Councillor Atha highlighted that the Centre had been an old school which contained a hall big enough for large groups to rehearse. It was highlighted that the Centre had previously enjoyed a large footfall and was well used by the local community and city-wide groups. It was noted that cross party support had been obtained against the closure of the centre and that money should be invested to bring the building up to the required standards in terms of its electrical wiring.

Members debated what specifically should be scrutinised and when would be best to undertake scrutiny on this issue. It was noted that a report on the future of the West Park Centre is to be taken to the Executive Board on 15^th February 2013, but it would not be feasible to conduct the inquiry prior to the decision being taken by the Executive Board on the 15th Feb. It was agreed that the Board should examine the temporary closure of the Centre in the autumn of 2012 and the deterioration of the Centre’s condition leading up to that time. It was further agreed that this piece of work should be undertaken by the full Scrutiny Board, but that this should not take place prior to the decision due to be taken by the Executive Board.

A vote was taken on whether the Board should scrutinise the closure of the West Park Centre on the basis set out above. This was passed unanimously.

The Chair informed Members that any decision made by the Executive Board with regards to the West Park Centre would be open to Call In.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That the Board examine the temporary closure of the West Park Centre in the autumn of 2012 and the deterioration of the Centre’s condition leading up to that time; and

(c)  That this piece of work should be undertaken by the full Scrutiny Board, but that this should not take place prior to the decision due to be taken by the Executive Board.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Board’s work programme and the 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.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Executive Board minutes and the list of Key Decisions be noted;

(b)  That the date of the April meeting be moved to 23^rd April 2013; and

(c)  That the work schedule be noted.

10am Thursday 31^st January 2013. (A pre – meeting for Members will take place half an hour before the commencement of the meeting)

10am, 31^st January 2013.