Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Council and Executive Support Team 

Items
No. Item

1.

Chair's Opening Remarks

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the first Executive Board meeting of the 2015/16 municipal year.

2.

Substitute Member

Minutes:

Under the terms of Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 3.1.6, Councillor J Procter was invited to attend the meeting on behalf of Councillor A Carter, who had submitted his apologies for absence from the meeting.

3.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public pdf icon PDF 53 KB

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, 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 the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

RESOLVED –  That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as exempt  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.

 

 

 

Minutes:

There were no matters which the Board designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.

4.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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.

 

Minutes:

There were no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests declared at the meeting,

however in relation to the agenda item entitled, ‘Financial Performance – Outturn Financial Year Ended 31st March 2015’, Councillor Yeadon drew the Board’s attention to her position as Chair of the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Board of Management, whilst Councillor J Procter drew the Board’s attention to his position as a member of the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Board of Management. (Minute No. 11 refers).

5.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 102 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd April 2015

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22nd April 2015 be approved as a correct record.

COMMUNITIES

6.

Citizens@Leeds - Supporting Communities and Tackling Poverty pdf icon PDF 130 KB

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing details of the progress made to date in supporting communities and tackling poverty, and sets this within the overall context of poverty in the city.  Also, the report provides details on the actions to be taken next to help deliver outcomes to be achieved over the next 5 years.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 48, 16th July 2014, the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report providing details of the progress which had been made to date in supporting communities and tackling poverty, which was presented within the overall context of poverty in the city. In addition, the report also provided details of the actions to be taken to help deliver those outcomes which were aimed to be achieved over the next 5 years.

 

Members welcomed the initiatives detailed within the submitted report and discussed the supporting statistics presented within it.  Emphasis was placed upon the importance of using the outcomes achieved by the initiatives as a measure of their success.

 

In highlighting the positive work which had been undertaken, together with the results achieved to date in supporting communities and tackling poverty, Members emphasised the importance of involving local businesses in such matters. In addition, the Board discussed the ongoing work of local Ward Members, Area Support Teams and Community Committees in this field and the potential for the further development of their respective roles in the future. 

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the key progress made to support communities and tackle poverty be noted;

 

(b)  That the proposed next steps to be taken over the course of the next year by the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities), as detailed within section 4 of the appendix to the submitted report, be endorsed.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

7.

The Children and Young People's Plan 2015-2019 and Ofsted Post Inspection Action Plan pdf icon PDF 207 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services outlining the background to the preparation of the Council’s draft Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2015-2019 and which seeks approval to submit the document for final approval to full Council on July 8 2015.  In addition, this report follows up the next steps to the recent Children’s Services Ofsted inspection, specifically regarding the production and submission of an action plan in response to the areas of improvement, with the Board’s approval being sought to submit the post Ofsted inspection action plan to the Secretary of State and Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI), as required. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute Nos. 120, 19th November 2014 and 189, 22nd April 2015 respectively, the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report outlining the background to the preparation of the Council’s draft Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2015-2019 and which sought approval to submit the document for final approval to the Council meeting of 8th July 2015.  In addition, the report also followed up the next steps to the recent Children’s Services Ofsted inspection, specifically regarding the production and with the Board’s agreement, submission of a post Ofsted inspection action plan to the Secretary of State and Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI), as required.

 

Regarding the draft CYPP, Members welcomed the focus being placed upon the importance of social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing outcomes and the need to ensure that young people in the city gained a ‘best start’ in life.

 

In response to a specific enquiry regarding the Ofsted Post Inspection Action Plan, the Board received details of the collaborative approach being taken with agencies in the field of child protection, with specific reference being made to the agencies’ attendance at initial child protection meetings.

 

Members highlighted the integral role played by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and the Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TAMHS) service and discussed the pressures and challenges which were currently being faced in such areas. Furthermore, it was requested that the Board continued to be updated on such matters as and when appropriate. 

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given for the draft CYPP 2015-19, as appended, to be submitted for final approval to the meeting of Council on 8th July 2015;

 

(b)  That approval be given for the draft Ofsted Post Inspection Action Plan, as appended, to be submitted to the Secretary of State and the HMCI;

 

(c)  That it be noted that the officer responsible for such matters is the Chief Officer, Partnership, Development and Business Support.

 

(In accordance with the Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules, the matters referred to in resolution (a) above, were not eligible for Call In as the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)

 

8.

Raising Educational Standards in Leeds - Learning Improvement pdf icon PDF 160 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services summarises the achievement of learners in Leeds at all key stages, including Early Years Foundation Stage in 2014.  In addition, the report also outlines the action taken by the Council to fulfil its responsibilities to support, monitor, challenge and intervene as necessary. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report summarising the achievement of learners in Leeds at all key stages in 2014, including Early Years Foundation Stage. In addition, the report also outlined the action which continued to be taken by the Council in order to fulfil its responsibilities to support, monitor, challenge and intervene as necessary.

 

The Board welcomed the improving situation in respect of learners’ achievement in Leeds during the 2013-2014 academic year, as presented within the submitted report.

 

With regard to the provision of school places, the progress which was being made in this area was noted, however, emphasis was placed upon the need to ensure that such progress continued. In addition, responding to a specific enquiry, the Board received an update on the actions being taken to ensure that improved attainment at early years levels continued.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the documented information as submitted, together with the information presented verbally to Executive Board at the meeting, be noted;

 

(b)  That the progress which has been made be endorsed and that the areas which need further improvement be supported;

 

(c)  That the future provision of monitoring, support, challenge and intervention in all Leeds schools be supported, in order to ensure that progress continues;

 

(d)  That the sector lead partnership working which looks to secure accelerated progress, be endorsed;

 

(e)  That the further development of programmes to build sustainable links between schools and local businesses to better prepare young people for the world of work and to meet the entry level skills needs of business be supported, in order to support sustainable economic growth;

 

(f)  That it be noted that the officer overseeing the resolutions above is the Head of Learning Improvement.

9.

Annual Reports of the Fostering and Adoption Service & annual updates of the respective Statements of Purpose pdf icon PDF 125 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services which presents the Annual Reports of the Fostering and Adoption services for consideration, as required by the National Minimum Standards 2011. The report also seeks approval of the revised Statements of Purpose for Leeds City Council’s Fostering and Adoption Services, required as part of the national minimum standard in order to be able to provide those services.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which presented the respective annual reports of the Fostering and Adoption services for consideration, as required by the National Minimum Standards 2011. In addition, the report also sought approval of the revised Statements of Purpose for the Council’s Fostering and Adoption Services.

 

Members welcomed the submitted report and noted that in moving forward, one priority area was to be the recruitment of foster carers for teenagers.

 

RESOLVED – That the respective Statements of Purpose for both the Fostering and Adoption services for Leeds City Council be approved, and that support continue to be provided for the work of the fostering and adoption services in ensuring the best possible support.

10.

Outcome of consultation on proposals to increase secondary school places at Roundhay School pdf icon PDF 150 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services on details of proposals brought forward to meet the local authority’s duty to ensure sufficiency of school places. The report describes the outcome of consultation undertaken and seeks permission to publish a statutory notice in respect of Roundhay School.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 137, 17th December 2014, the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing details of the proposals brought forward to meet the local authority’s duty to ensure sufficiency of school places. The report described the outcome of the consultation exercise undertaken and sought permission to publish a statutory notice in respect of Roundhay School.

 

The Board noted a correction which was reported to the meeting, in that paragraph 4.4.1 of the submitted report should refer to the project being at the ‘Feasibility Stage’ rather than ‘RIBA Stage D’, as referenced within the published report.

 

Responding to a specific enquiry, the Board received clarification both on the proposals detailed within the submitted report and also on how the proposals would affect the admission of pupils, at both primary and secondary levels. 

 

Members noted the Council’s aspiration for all children and young people to have access to good or outstanding education in every community throughout Leeds. In addition, the Board received further information on the range of issues which could potentially affect the cost of, or extent to which a school could be expanded or developed in order to ensure a sufficiency of school places in the locality.

 

In conclusion, it was highlighted that the provision of sufficient school places across the city continued to be a key priority for the Council.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given for the publication of a Statutory Notice to expand Roundhay School from a capacity of 1,250 pupils to 1,500 pupils in years 7 – 11 with an increase in the cohort sizes from 250 to 300, with effect from September 2017;

 

(b)  That it be noted that legally the change would be to increase the year 7 admissions number in 2017 and 2018 to 300, then reduce it to 240 in 2019, as the primary children are already on the roll of the school and the admission number is the number of additional children from other primary schools that would be admitted;

 

(c)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters is the Capacity Planning and Sufficiency Lead by September 2017.

RESOURCES AND STRATEGY

11.

Financial Performance - Outturn Financial year ended 31st March 2015 pdf icon PDF 868 KB

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive providing the Council’s financial outturn position for 2014/15 for both revenue and capital, whilst also including details regarding Housing Revenue Account and spending on schools. In addition, the report also highlights the position regarding other key financial health indicators including Council Tax and NNDR collection statistics, sundry income, reserves and the prompt payment of creditors.

 

Minutes:

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report providing the Council’s financial outturn position for 2014/2015 for both revenue and capital, whilst also including details regarding Housing Revenue Account and spending on schools. In addition, the report also highlighted the position regarding other key financial health indicators including Council Tax and National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) collection statistics, sundry income, reserves and the prompt payment of creditors.

 

The Chief Executive and the Chair paid tribute to all Council employees for the integral role that they had played, under challenging circumstances, in achieving the final 2014/15 budget position. In addition, they also thanked the Council’s partners together with those within the business community for their continued support and positive working relationships.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the outturn position be noted, that the creation of earmarked reserves as detailed in paragraphs 3.9 and 5.1 of the submitted report be agreed, and that approval be given for their release to be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive;

 

(b)  That the write-off of the outstanding balance owed by the Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Company in respect of the City Varieties Refurbishment Scheme, as detailed at paragraphs 6.2.3 and 6.2.4 of the submitted report, be approved;

 

(c)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer (Financial Services) will be the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters following the conclusion of the “Call In” period.

12.

Financial Health Monitoring 2015/16 - Month 2 (May 2015) pdf icon PDF 391 KB

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive setting out the Council’s projected financial health position for 2015/16 at month 2 in respect of the revenue budget, and the Housing Revenue Account.

 

Minutes:

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report which presented the Council’s projected financial health position for 2015/2016 after two months of the financial year. In addition, the report also highlighted key issues impacting upon the overall achievement of the budget for the current year.

 

Responding to a specific enquiry, the Board received further information on particular aspects of the currently projected overspend within Children’s Services.

 

Also, the Board considered the possibility of a reduction in the Council’s Public Health 2015/16 budget, and the potential impact that such a reduction could have upon service provision. 

 

RESOLVED – That the projected financial position of the authority for 2015/2016 be noted.

 

DATE OF PUBLICATION:   Friday, 26th June 2015

 

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS:  5.00 p.m., Friday, 3rd July 2015

 

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items called in by 12.00noon on Monday, 6th July 2015)