Agenda item

To consider a report of the South East Area Leader providing information on priority work carried out in the area over recent weeks and providing the minutes relating to partnership and sub-group meetings.

An update on the Thorpe Business Park will be provided at the meeting.

The draft Local Employment Document (Appendix 2 refers) is still ‘work in progress’ and will continue to evolve and be populated by additional figures over the next couple of months.

The South East Area Leader submitted a report providing information on priority work carried out in the area over recent weeks and on the minutes relating to partnership and sub-group meetings.

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

• Kippax Traders Association - Minutes of a Meeting held on 6^th February 2013 (Appendix 1 refers)
• ARUP – Thorpe Park – Draft Local Employment Agreement (Appendix 2 refers)
• Area Chairs Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 9^th January 2013 (Appendix 3 refers)
• Outer East Environmental sub-group – Minutes of a Meeting held on 28^th February 2013 (Appendix 4 refers)
• East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Minutes of a Meeting held on 31^st January 2013 (Appendix 5 refers)
• South East Leeds Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Minutes of a Meeting held on 24^th January 2013 (Appendix 6 refers)

Peter Mudge, South East Area Improvement Officer presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

Councillor K Wakefield referred to the Window of Opportunity project which had been launched earlier in the day at Cross Gates shopping centre. He welcomed this initiative and reassured Members that the future of shopping developments within the area remained important and commented that the Cross Gates Shopping Centre had a very strong community base and cultural heritage.

Councillor Wakefield raised his concerns about the lack of progress in relation to a Compulsory Purchase Order in Kippax High Street. It was noted that his office had prepared a letter requesting that the matter be resolved as a quickly as possible.

Martin Hackett, Area Improvement Manager, South East Leeds reported that this particular site was being looked into by the Director of City Development. He agreed to follow up this issue with a report back on progress at the next meeting in July 2013.

The Chair then welcomed representatives from Scarborough Developments Group and who were attending the meeting to report on progress on the planning application for a mix of uses on the underdeveloped land at Thorpe Park Business Park, junction 46 of the M1, in Leeds 15.

It was reported by the South East Area Improvement Officer that planning officers had conveyed their apologies for this item.

The Committee noted that there was a delay on the transport assessment issue since the last meeting and that Scarborough Developments Group were committed to examining the options. It was reported that this delay would have an impact on the overall timescale regarding the rail bridge and would also reduce the retail/non-food content.

Specific reference was made to the document entitled ‘Thorpe Park – Draft Local Employment Agreement’ (Appendix 2 refers) which was work in progress.

Detailed information was also provided by Scarborough Developments Group on the latest planning issues. Members noted the following specific information:-

-  Pending agreement to be signed regarding a third of the railway line

-  The focus on delivering the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR) and Manston Link Road

-  Introduction of an alternative masterplan

-  Ongoing discussions with Planning officers regarding the commencement work to the bridge in May 2013

-  Addressing current concerns from Town Centre Shopping

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  The concerns expressed that the legal agreement had not been signed

·  The need for Scarborough Developments Group to feed their concerns via the Executive Member, Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services

·  The need for people in jobs and retaining skills

·  The need to focus on public transport and to consider the options available

·  To welcome the ‘Thorpe Park – Draft Local Employment Agreement’

·  The need for progress to be made on this issue

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That, on behalf of the Committee, the Executive Member, Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Service be requested to convene a meeting with Scarborough Developments Group to discuss ongoing issues and that, if deemed necessary, arrangements be made to convene a special meeting of the Area Committee prior to the July meeting.

(Councillor J Lewis left the meeting at 4.30pm during discussions of the above item)