Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Sustainable Economy and Culture Scrutiny Board for the new municipal year.

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.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harington, with Councillor Walshaw in attendance as a substitute, and from Councillors Castle and Chapman.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2014

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 April 2014 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive a report presenting the Board’s Terms of Reference

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented the terms of reference for the Sustainable Economy and Culture Scrutiny Board as agreed by Council on 9 June 2014.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Board’s terms of reference be noted.

To consider a report on the appointment of co-opted members to Scrutiny Boards

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development sought the Board’s formal consideration of the appointment of co-opted members.

The Board was informed that it could appoint the following:

·  Up to five non-voting co-opted members for a term of office that does not go beyond the next Annual Meeting of Council; and/or

·  Up to two non-voting co-opted members for a term of office that relates to the duration of a particular and specific scrutiny inquiry.

RESOLVED – To appoint co-opted members on an ad hoc basis for any inquiries where it was deemed appropriate.

To consider a report summarising quarter 4 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio

The Board considered a report which provided a summary of performance at quarter 4 against the strategic priorities for the council and city relevant to its portfolio.

In attendance to address the Board and answer Members’ queries were:

·  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Member for Digital and Creative Technologies, Culture and Skills

·  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

·  Paul Maney, Head of Strategic Planning

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·  The challenges associated with trying to achieve further reductions in road casualty numbers

·  Progress with the Community Infrastructure Levy schedule

·  The need to work smarter and more creatively and collaboratively in order to maximise capacity to deliver the major projects which are key to the city’s regeneration. An example was the private sector leading the Business Improvement District (BID) proposals

·  The support provided to businesses wanting to stay within the city, for example the coordination between economic development and planning in supporting Airedale Air Conditioning following the fire at their premises last year

·  Employment outreach work associated with the Victoria Gate development

·  Changing patterns of development in the city centre in relation to both flats and office accommodation

RESOLVED – That the quarter 4 performance information be noted and that the Board continue to receive regular performance reports.

(Councillor Davey joined the meeting at 1.40pm during consideration of this item.)

To consider a report on potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board

The Board considered a report which provided information and guidance on potential sources of work and areas of priority within the Board’s terms of reference, including a number of items carried forward from the previous year.

In attendance to address the Board and answer Members’ queries were:

·  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Member for Digital and Creative Technologies, Culture and Skills

·  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

Martin Farrington gave a presentation giving an overview of key areas of work and progress against the City Priority Plan obsessions relevant to the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio.

The following issues were discussed as potential areas for Scrutiny involvement:

·  Employment and skills pathways

·  The potential European Capital of Culture bid

·  The council’s events programme

·  Tour de France Legacy

·  District heating

·  Sport and active lifestyles and the engagement of inner city communities

·  The Community Learning scheme

·  The ‘digital divide’

RESOLVED – That the report and contributions made during the discussion be taken into account when the Board is finalising its work programme and deciding its priorities.

To contribute to consultation on revisions to minerals policies 13 and 14 in the Natural Resources and Waste Local Plan, as part of the council’s budget and policy framework

The Board considered a report on proposed revisions to two policies within the Natural Resources and Waste Local Plan. The Board’s comments were sought as part of a formal consultation process because the Plan formed part of the council’s budget and policy framework. Helen Miller, Principal Planner, attended the Board for this item.

Members sought assurances that the issues raised in the High Court challenge which had given rise to the revised policy proposals had been fully addressed.

RESOLVED – That the proposed revisions to Policies Minerals 13 and 14 of the Natural Resources and Waste Local Plan be noted.

To approve the terms of reference for a proposed scrutiny inquiry on asset management

The Board considered draft terms of reference for an inquiry on asset management, which was scheduled to start at the next meeting of the Board. Ben Middleton, Head of Asset Management, attended the Board for this item.

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference for the inquiry on asset management be agreed.

To consider the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year

The Board discussed the range of potential issues for the work programme which had been raised during the meeting. It was agreed that the Chair and Principal Scrutiny Adviser should draw up a draft work programme for further consideration. It was agreed to discuss volunteers for working group membership at the next Board meeting.

RESOLVED – That the Chair and the Principal Scrutiny Adviser bring a draft work programme to the Board’s next meeting for confirmation.

Tuesday 22 July 2014 at 1.30pm (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 1.00pm)

Tuesday 22 July 2014 at 1.30pm (pre-meeting for Board Members at 1.00pm)

(The meeting concluded at 2.55pm)