Agenda item

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development regarding the finalisation of the Board’s Work Programme, together with a copy of the initial draft of the Board’s proposed Work Programme for 2006/07 along with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions pertaining to this Board’s Terms of Reference for the period 1^st July 2006 to 31^st October 2006.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a further report on the development of a work programme for Scrutiny Board (Development) and appended a draft work programme which included a list of the topics discussed at the last meeting of the Board.   

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:

(a)  Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st July 2006 to 31^st October 2006.

(b)  Budget and Policy Framework Decisions.

Jean Dent, Director of Development reported and responded to Members’ questions and comments.  In brief, the main issues discussed were:-

12^th September 2006 Board meeting

Transportation

·  The need for a presentation on the short, medium and long term transport policy for the city incorporating what has been delivered against targets as set in the Local Transport Plan (LTP1) and what is being planned for the future.

·  To consider ‘softer’ transport measures to ease the traffic flow through the City, including traffic light timings during the rush hour period.

·  The need to encourage commuters to make more park and ride journeys by increasing the car park capacity at train stations and encouraging bus companies to make bus journeys more appealing e.g. by providing air conditioning etc.

·  The need to invite METRO to the meeting in order that they can explain the work being undertaken with the bus companies and discuss some

of the issues which the Transport Executive and the local authority face   over the lack of control of bus services in the City.

·  The need to invite the Managing Director of First Bus to respond to issues around the quality of buses which are in service.

10^th October 2006 Board Meeting

Olympic Games 2012

·  The need to bring forward this item from the January 2007 meeting.

·  Members noted that this item is being led by Learning and Leisure Department with Yorkshire Forward providing the regional lead and  the Cultural Partnership giving the lead from Leeds.

·  That the Director of Learning and Leisure update the Board on how the Council is progressing on this item and on the way in which people/organisations are being involved.  The report to include reference to the progress made on the South Leeds Pool. 

Climate Change Strategy

·  To provide an update on the short and medium term work being undertaken by the Water Asset Management Group in the Development Department around flooding and risk assessment in the City.

·  To provide a report setting out the scope and timetable for the development of a longer term assessment strategy to deal with climate change.

21^st November 2006 Board Meeting

Worklessness

·  The need to look at the development of an integrated strategy which should include all the work being undertaken by the Council and other agencies to address the issue of worklessness.  This should include the day services review looking at people on incapacity benefit and people with mental health problems and learning difficulties. 

·  The need to look at what the Senior Youth Service is doing to encourage young people to gain qualifications in order to increase their chances of employment.

·  That Board Members be provided with previous relevant Scrutiny Board reports that relate to worklessness. 

The Chair thanked Jean Dent for her attendance and her helpful contributions to today’s meeting.

RESOLVED - 

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

(b)  That approval be given to the draft work programme, subject to  the   Principal Scrutiny Adviser incorporating the issues raised and the   changes requested at today’s meeting as outlined above.