Agenda and minutes

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 Davey.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2015 as a correct record

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 February 2015 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report on quarter 3 performance for services within the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio

The Board considered performance information for the period up to the end of December 2014 for services falling within its portfolio.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member, Transport & Economy

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Members queried why popular activities such as dancing, cycling and walking were not included in the figures on physical activity. The Director agreed to feed back Members’ concern to Sport England, which set the definition.

·  Members asked for confirmation of the numbers of second homes in Leeds, and also for information on the impact of the development of purpose built student accommodation in relation to future use of former student housing in Headingley.

·  Members asked for further information about the role of speed in relation to the number of people killed and seriously injured in road accidents. It was noted that criminal and potential criminal activity was often related to such accidents, but that highway design was rarely a causal factor.

·  The increase in the number of cyclists and the need for safe infrastructure, but also for all road users to adapt to more cyclists on the road.

·  The new Cycling Partnership is planning to hold a courtesy campaign aimed at cyclists and motorists.

·  The historical position in relation to much of the city being designed to facilitate cars travelling at 30mph, and the desire to move to a more integrated approach with more shared areas.

·  Concern about the state of the edges of roads on country routes and a request for further information on how this could be improved.

·  Explanation of the reason that private hire vehicles are not permitted to use bus lanes.

·  A request for feedback on the issue raised by the Board in December regarding lobbying for a national campaign about pedestrians stepping out into the road without looking.

·  A request for the Board to view a recent presentation to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in relation to highway design and shared space.

RESOLVED – That the quarter 3 performance information be noted and that further information be provided to Members as requested.

To consider a budget update report in relation to services within the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio

The Board considered a report which presented information on the budget position up to the end of January 2015 for services falling within its portfolio.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member, Transport & Economy

-  Graham Fisher, Principal Finance Manager

-  Mo Afzal, Principal Finance Manager.

The main areas of discussion were:

·  That the directorate was on target to spend within budget at the end of the year.

·  The reasons why the drop in market income had been greater than predicted, which included the need to hold stalls for existing tenants to move into to free up space for the refurbishment, and also that a larger than expected number of tenants had opted to surrender their leases.

·  Confirmation that the position was expected to pick up following refurbishment and the introduction of new areas of the market, including the George Street development and potential evening opening.

·  Concern about the availability of evening and night time bus services to support changes in retail and employment patterns in the city centre.

·  Concern that the underspend within Employment and Skills may have led to a reduced service in such a priority area for the council’s support to citizens. It was confirmed that the service had achieved all of its service plan targets despite staffing vacancies. It was further clarified that about £90,000 of the underspend was due to the construction and skills training programme not meeting performance targets. Members asked for further details on this.

RESOLVED – That the financial dashboard be noted and that the further information requested in relation to the construction and skills training programme be provided to Members.

To consider a further report on 20mph speed limits in Leeds, following the report to the Board in November 2014

The Board considered a report providing further information following the previous consideration of 20mph speed limits in November 2014. In particular the report contained information about casualty figures and the associated costs, and also about potential additional funding opportunities.

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

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member, Transport & Economy

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation

-  Kasia Speakman, Transport Planner

-  Heather Thomson, Health Improvement Manager

-  Mark Lansdown, 20s Plenty for Us.

The following issues were raised in discussion:

·  The potential for some funding to be available through the Police and Crime Commissioner.

·  The views of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in support of the benefits of 20mph zones

·  Information on further authorities that are implementing a blanket 20mph limit

·  The developing partnership with public health

·  The differences between the zoned approach being followed by Leeds and a blanket approach as advocated by 20s Plenty for Us

·  The need for further time to elapse in order to be able to adequately assess the impact of the newer schemes with fewer physical measures

·  That the main areas of casualties have largely been dealt with through the introduction of 20mph schemes and therefore future schemes are likely to have a lesser impact on casualties, although they will still provide other associated benefits

·  That some authorities who have implemented a blanket 20mph limit are now retro-fitting physical measures

·  That the approach in Leeds to date has had the advantage of having local buy-in through local involvement in the development of individual schemes

·  The need to continue to make the economic case to government about the overall savings to be achieved from reducing casualties

·  The different requirements for urban and rural roads wtihin the council’s area

·  The cost benefit analysis of associated benefits such as the impact on obesity

·  Concern about the limited area covered by some schemes in relation to children’s journeys to school

·  Concerns about the lack of enforcement activity, and how this fits within policing priorities

·  The potential role of Community Committees and local action in relation to enforcement and education around 20mph zones

·  Members’ ongoing concern that they would like to see faster progress. It was agreed to establish a working group to give further consideration to evidence on the effectiveness of schemes in other cities; the potential for  piloting a blanket approach in a specific area of the city; and potential sources of partnership funding.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted and that a working group of the Board be established to carry out further work on this topic.

To consider a progress report on the implementation of the Asset Management Plan

The Board considered a report setting out progress in relation to asset management since the inquiry undertaken in July and September 2014.

In attendance for this item were:

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member for Transport & Economy

-  Ben Middleton, Head of Asset Management.

The Board welcomed the report and congratulated officers on the good progress made.

RESOLVED – That the report be welcomed.

(Councillor Hussain left the meeting at 3.10pm at the conclusion of this item.)

To undertake annual scrutiny of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy

In line with its scrutiny role as set out in the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Board carried out an annual review of performance against the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

In attendance for this item were:

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Member, Transport & Economy

-  Peter Davis, Flood Risk Manager, City Development

-  Wynne Floyd, Technical Services Manager, City Development.

The main areas of discussion were:

·  The importance of routinely including flood risk assessment in the consideration of planning applications;

·  The inclusion of flooding issues within the Core Strategy and other Local Development Framework documents;

·  The aim to achieve a minimum 30% reduction in discharge of water for areas of increased development, and no increase as a minimum compared to field run off in areas of new build;

·  The latest guidance in relation to Sustainable Drainage issues being managed through the Planning Authority, and the  impending role of Flood Risk Management as a statutory consultee;

·  Progress of the Flood Alleviation Scheme for the city centre;

·  Planned review of the council’s policy on sandbags;

·  Local responses to flooding, such as the incident in Garforth in August 2104;

·  Public information on the website on who to contact in an emergency;

·  Information for Members on who to contact in a flooding incident.

RESOLVED – That the progress made with regard to the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy be noted, and that a further review be carried out in a year’s time.

(Councillor Cohen left the meeting at 3.35pm during consideration of this item and Councillor Chapman left at 3.45pm, at the conclusion of the item.)

To consider a report on the delivery of employment and training opportunities through the Council’s procurement and planning functions over the past year

The Board considered a report which provided an analysis of the employment and skills opportunities delivered through the council’s planning and procurement powers from January 2014 to January 2015. This followed on from a Scrutiny inquiry conducted in 2012/13, and the previous annual report to the Board in March 2014. The report also drew attention to the ‘More Jobs, Better Jobs’ research programme which is due to report in May 2015.

In attendance for this item were:

-  Matthew Wilton, Head of Employment Leeds

-  Yvonne Appleyard, Employment Brokerage Manager.

The main areas of discussion were:

·  The Board was keen to consider the research report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation when it is published

·  The intensive nature of work required from officers, Members and partners in order to achieve employment and skills outcomes at a local level

·  The opportunities to work in Burmantofts and Richmond Hill now in preparation for the retail opportunities associated with the Victoria Gate development

The Board agreed to set up a working group to look at the service’s action plans in relation to developments such as Victoria Gate and the Casino.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the continuing work to secure and deliver employment and skills obligations be noted, and that a working group be set up to consider the service’s action plans for ongoing developments; and

b)  That the ongoing work of the More Jobs, Better Jobs Partnership be noted, and that the Board consider the research report when it is available.

To agree the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the municipal year

The Board received a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which set out the latest version of the Board’s work schedule.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule be agreed.

Tuesday 14 April 2015 at 1.30pm (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 1.00pm)

Tuesday 14 April 2015 at 1.30pm (a pre-meeting will start at 1.00pm for Board members.)

(The meeting finished at 4.00pm)