Agenda item

To consider a progress report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the East Leeds Regeneration Board.

Referring to Minute 44 of the meeting held on 29^th November 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report setting out the information requested at the last meeting in relation to the East Leeds Regeneration Board.

At the request of the Chair, copies of the following documents were circulated as supplementary information:-

• Report of the Chief Officer, Regeneration Programmes – Establishment of Sub Boards – Housing and Regeneration Strategic Partnership Board - 5^th December 2011/East Leeds Regeneration Board – Draft Terms of Reference and Working Arrangements 

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

-    Councillor A Carter, Leader of the Conservative Group

-    Gary Williamson, Chief Executive, Leeds, York and North

     Yorkshire Chamber

-    Andrew Lindsay, President, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber

-   Martin Dean, Head of Leeds Initiative and International Partnerships

The Chair outlined that the purpose of the meeting was for Board Members to question witnesses concerning the proposition that there were too many major schemes in East Leeds for the East Leeds Regeneration Board to manage effectively.

In addition, Members were also invited to comment on the difficulties the Board experienced in identifying the author of the reports which had been circulated by the Chamber for the meeting of the East Leeds Regeneration Board which was subsequently cancelled for 3^rd October 2011.

The Chair invited Martin Dean to provide the meeting with background information on the reasoning behind  the establishment of the main Boards and Sub Boards, following the restructure of the Leeds  Initiative to assist them in their deliberations on this matter. He stated that the Executive Board on 2^nd November 2011 had clarified and agreed a framework for the creation of sub-boards by the Leeds Initiative and the governance arrangements relating to these.

In summary, the Board sought clarification on the following issues, with specific reference to matters contained within the report of the Chief Officer, Regeneration Programmes on the establishment of these Sub-Boards :-

• the reasons why there was so much attention shown in one area and not in other parts of the city as referred to in paragraph 3.10 of the Chief Officer’s report. It seemed that there was one reporting mechanism for the East of Leeds and a different one for the rest
• the concern expressed that some Ward Members had not been made aware of their representation on the Sub Boards and of the fact that the membership process was not approved by the Member Management Committee as originally agreed
• clarification of the reporting process in relation to the minutes of the Sub Boards

(The Head of Leeds Initiative and International Partnerships responded and informed the meeting that the reporting arrangements had not yet been confirmed)

• the concern that there were apparent inconsistencies in the way each of the Sub Boards were to operate and that this needed to be addressed
• the need for a similar paper establishing these Sub-Boards to be presented to the Sustainable and Economy and Culture Board

(The Head of Leeds Initiative and International Partnerships responded and agreed to address this issue)

• clarification as to whether the view Leeds Initiative had considered the Employment Land Review and whether any of the new Sub Boards had been presented with a copy of the document

(The Head of Leeds Initiative and International Partnerships responded and informed the meeting that this was a Council issue which would be considered through the formal decision process)

The Chair then invited Councillor A Carter, Leader of the Conservative Group  to present evidence to the Board.

In his submission, he informed the meeting that he was totally in favour of regeneration in any part of the city and conveyed his disappointment about the secrecy of issues leading up to this meeting. He made reference to the difficulties the Board experienced in identifying the author of the reports which had been circulated by the Chamber for the meeting of the East Leeds Regeneration Board which was to have been held on 3^rd October 2011 but was subsequently cancelled by the Leader of the Council. Following his own  investigations into this matter, it was his assumption that the report author was Paul Forbes, a former Council employee.

In concluding, he raised his concerns about the way in which this matter had been dealt with. He confirmed that the new Sub Boards terms of reference were advisory and would require Executive Board/Council approval. He stated that he had been advised that the East Leeds Regeneration Board would not include Aire Valley or Thorpe Park. 

The Chair then invited Gary Williamson, Chief Executive, Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber to present evidence to the Board.

In his submission, he informed the meeting that the role of the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber in relation to this issue was to provide a briefing note on the skills agenda/enterprise zone and that the Chamber were not involved in the drafting of any reports. He confirmed that it was Paul Forbes who had submitted the draft papers to the Chamber for comment which was duly acknowledged by the Board.

In summary, the Board sought clarification on the following issues:-

• the relationship between Paul Forbes and the Chamber

(The Chief Executive responded and confirmed that Mr Forbes was  recruited by the Chamber as a self employed consultant specialising in Education and Skills issues)

• the concerns raised that  Mr Forbes had been approached to be a Member on the East Leeds Regeneration Board

In concluding, Board Members sought clarification from the Head of Leeds Initiative and Internal Relations on the next reporting stages in relation to 5^th December 2011 report.

The Head of Leeds Initiative and Internal Relations responded and informed the meeting that a further report on East Leeds would be submitted to the Executive Board for consideration. In view of today’s discussion he would ensure that an appendix was added to that report showing the map boundaries for each area for approval. He confirmed that the East Leeds Regeneration Board would not convene a meeting until such time that the report had been considered and approved by the Executive Board.

RESOLVED –That the contents of the report and supplementary information be noted.

(Councillor G Wilkinson joined the meeting at 10.35am during discussions of the above item)

(Councillor P Ewens joined the meeting at 11.10am during discussions of the above item)