Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the September meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Regeneration).

He also welcomed Mr G Hall who was observing the meeting today prior to being officially co-opted on to the Board (Minute 14 refers).

He apologised for the late start of the meeting which was due to the urgent consideration by Board Members at the pre meeting of a final draft report on the Board’s Inquiry into Housing Growth which was due to be presented to an additional meeting of the Scrutiny Board early next month prior to the report being considered by the Executive Board on 2^nd November 2011.

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

There were no formal late items of business to consider, however the Chair agreed to accept the following supplementary items which were circulated at the meeting:-

• A copy of an e-mail and report submitted by Property Regeneration Consultants produced for the Northern Way (Agenda Item 8) (Minute 15 refers)
• A copy of an e-mail and attachments received from the Chair of National Market Traders Federation Leeds (Kirkgate Branch) (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 16 refers)
• A copy of a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the response to the Scrutiny Inquiry Report on the Future of Kirkgate Market reported to Executive Board on 27^th July 2011 (Agenda Item 9 refers) (Minute 16 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors K Mitchell and G Wilkinson.

Notification had been received for Councillor P Grahame to substitute for Councillor K Mitchell and for Councillor B Anderson to substitute for Councillor G Wilkinson.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2011.

RESOLVED –That, subject to the following amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2011 be confirmed as a correct record:-

Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes (Minute 2 refers) – Councillor A Hussain should have read ‘Councillor G Hussain’

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which seeks the Board’s formal consideration for the co-option of Mr G Hall on this Scrutiny Board

(Report attached)

Referring to Minute 7 of the meeting held on 28^th June 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which sought the Board’s formal consideration for the co-option of Mr G Hall on this Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to appointing the co-option of Mr G Hall to this Scrutiny Board without voting rights for a term of office which does not go beyond the next Annual Meeting of the Council in 2012.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the draft terms of reference in relation to the Board’s Inquiry to consider Affordable Housing by Private Developers.

(Report attached)

Referring to Minute 5 of the meeting held on 28^th June 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the draft terms of reference in relation to the Board’s Inquiry to consider Affordable Housing by Private Developers.

Appended to the report was a copy of the draft terms of reference for the information and comment of the meeting.

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser presented the report and responded to Board Members’ queries and comments.

It was noted that there had been no formal comments received from the relevant Directors or Executive Board Members. However Councillor P Gruen, Executive Member, Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration had stated that he supported the Inquiry having seen the terms of reference.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the terms of reference for this inquiry which included the co-option of Mr G Hall to this inquiry and the establishment of a working group comprising all Members of the Board to undertake this work.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny Inquiry into the future of Kirkgate Market.

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny Inquiry into the future of Kirkgate Market.

Appended to the report was a copy of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Recommendations tracking flowchart and classifications; Questions to be considered by Scrutiny Boards (Appendix 1 refers)
• Draft status for each recommendation (Appendix 2 refers)

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser apologised for the submission of an additional appendix which related to another inquiry and which had been circulated in error (pages 19 to 24).

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Board Members’ queries and comments:-

Paul Stephens, Chief Economic Development Officer, City Development

Cath Follin, Head of City Centre and Markets

Councillor G Harper, Chair, Leeds Markets Forum

Liz Laughton, Chair of National Markets Traders Federation Leeds (Kirkgate Branch)

At the request of the Chair, the Chief Economic Development Officer and the Head of City Centre and Markets outlined the key issues within the report highlighting the progress made towards the twelve recommendations.

Councillor G Harper and Liz Laughton were also invited to comment on the recommendations.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices and Board Members raised their concerns on the apparent lack of progress made against the majority of the recommendations since July 2011.

Following discussions, the Board made a number of changes to the proposed category status recommendations identified in Appendix 2 of the report which were duly noted by the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser.

In concluding, the Chair agreed to raise the above concerns with the Executive Member, Development and the Economy.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That approval be given to those recommendations (recommendations 8, 9 and 11) which no longer require monitoring to be removed from the schedule in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser make changes to the proposed category status of appendix 2 of the report as follows:

Recommendation 1 change from category 4 to category 5

Recommendation 2 change from category 4 to category 5

Recommendation 3 remains at category 5

Recommendation 4 change from category 1 to category 4

Recommendation 5 remains at category 4

Recommendation 6 remains at category 5

Recommendation 7 remains at category 4

Recommendation 10 remains at category 4

Recommendation 12 remains at category 6

d)  That a report of the Director of City Development be presented to the next Board meeting providing the following information on the:

·  Relevant Executive Board minute of 27^th July 2011

·  Steps taken to comply with the Executive Board’s decision of 27^th July 2011 to transfer Kirkgate Market to an arms length company and the instruction given to officers to further investigate what form this should taken in response to the Scrutiny Inquiry Report on the Future of Kirkgate Market

·  Details of the work that has been commissioned to establish the optimum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the year.

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a copy of the Board’s current draft work schedule. The Executive Board minutes of 7^th September 2011, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st September 2011 to 31^st December 2011 were also attached to the report.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Executive Board minutes of 7^th September 2011, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st September 2011 to 31^st December 2011 be noted.

c)  That in relation to the Board’s Inquiry to consider Affordable Housing by Private Developers, the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to circulate details of proposed dates to Board Members for the first meeting of the Working Group.

d)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to update the

  work schedule to include a report on Town and Village greens and

  green space designations.

Monday 31^st October 2011 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

Scheduled Board Meeting to be held on Monday 31^st October 2011 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.25pm)