Agenda item

Sources of Work and Establishing the Board’s Priorities

(a) To hear from the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy, Planning and Improvement) the Director of the Leeds Initiative and the Leader of the Council on current issues, and to ask questions;

(b) To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing

information & guidance to assist the Board to develop its work programme for 2008/09.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided information and guidance to the Board on developing the work programme for the 2008/09 Municipal Year.  Documents appended to the report included the Draft Memorandum of the Local Area Agreement, the Leeds Strategic Plan and the Council Business Plan 2008-11.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Councillor Richard Brett, Leader of the Council
• James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement)
• Martin Dean, Deputy Director, Leeds Initiative

The following issues were discussed in relation to the Board’s potential Work Programme and areas of interest:

• Beacon Status – it was reported that the Council had been awarded Beacon Status for Strategic Partnerships and Local Area Agreements.  James Rogers explained the selection criteria for achieving Beacon Status and reported that funding was available in those areas that had achieved Beacon Status to share best practice with other Local Authorities.
• Flooding – It was reported that a Scrutiny Commission had previously investigated flooding in Leeds and the Scrutiny Board (City Development) had carried out work in this area.  Leeds City Council in partnership with the Environment Agency and Yorkshire Water had implemented flood defence works at Wykebeck and major work was due to take place on defences for the River Aire.  Flood defence works had also been carried out at Kirkstall and Allerton Bywater.
• Housing developments.
• James Rogers informed the Board of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and how it changed the role of the Authority in terms of partnership working.  It sought to put Elected Members at the forefront of partnership activity and reinforced the way that the Local Area Agreements would be delivered.  The Act also imposed a duty on partners to co-operate and proposed mechanisms to ensure that partners would participate in scrutiny inquiries.
• Councillor Brett addressed the Board.  He referred to the large number of partnership organisations the Council was involved with and the scope that it provided for the Board.  Many of the partnerships that the Council was involved with were relatively new or under development and he felt that the Board could play an influential role in the shaping of these partnerships.  He also highlighted the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector as key partners in building stronger communities.
• Small businesses – Members suggested that the Board consider an inquiry into Small Businesses.  It was reported that a range of organisations supported small businesses, both in the City and across the region.
• University fees - it was reported that the Scrutiny Board (City Development) had previously considered the impact of students on the economy of Leeds and this had briefly covered fees.
• Development of Skills and Training – who was responsible for the delivery of these?  This was felt to be a major issue for the city.
• The role of regional partnerships including the Leeds City Region, Association of West Yorkshire Authorities and Yorkshire Forward. The Leeds City Region list of priorities included Transport, Housing, Innovation and Skills.
• European City ambitions – it was reported that there were difficulties in comparing European cities due to varying characteristics and geography.  The Leeds Initiative had set up  the Going up a League Board whose aims were to drive forward outcomes which met Leeds’ aim to become a successful European City.  In relation to this Members discussed issues including the provision of an Arena and lack of late night public transport to and from the city.
• Increased responsibilities to the Voluntary, Community and Faith sector organisations and how these work in partnership with the Council.
• The future of regional bodies and their roles.
• Interactivity between partners of all levels in Leeds and on a regional basis.

The Chair thanked those present for their attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion with officers and the Leader of the Council be used to inform the development and approval of the Board’s Work Programme.