Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the Enterprise Zone in Aire Valley Leeds and detailing for approval, how the zone will operate and the benefits available to companies locating to the zone.

Appendix C to this report is designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

Further to Minute No. 26, 22nd June 2011, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the Enterprise Zone in Aire Valley Leeds and presenting details for approval, on how the zone proposed to operate, whilst outlining the benefits which would be available to those companies locating to the zone. In determining this matter, the Board took into consideration all matters contained within the accompanying report.

Members emphasised the importance of good infrastructure and transport links to and from the Enterprise Zone, received an update on the levels of interest by companies in locating to the zone and welcomed the proposed flood alleviation measures which were detailed within the report. In addition, the Chair highlighted the need for further work to be undertaken in respect of the possibility of upgrading the skills of residents within the locality, in order to ensure that opportunities were accessible to those residing in and around the zone, with further details being provided to the Board in due course. 

Following consideration of Appendix C to the submitted report, designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the establishment of the Enterprise Zone in the Aire Valley Leeds, with the benefits and support for companies and jobseekers identified within the submitted report, be approved.

(b)  That changes to the Business Rates discretionary relief scheme authorising the delegated officer to approve applications for the discount for businesses located within the enterprise zone, be approved.

(c)  That expenditure of £2,500,000 to support the delivery of the spine road to the Logic Leeds site, to be funded from business rates growth raised in the Enterprise Zone, be authorised.  (This road will enable public transport links to East Leeds to be improved and enable local people easy access to the job opportunities created in the Enterprise Zone).

(d)  That the contract heads of terms, as detailed within exempt appendix C to the submitted report, as the basis upon which the funding will be provided to the developer of the Logic Leeds site, be approved, and that the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development, in respect of the responsibility for finalising the terms of the funding agreement.

(e)  That further work be undertaken on the possibility of upgrading the skills of residents within the locality, in order to ensure that opportunities were accessible to those residing in and around the zone, with further details being provided to the Board in due course.