Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the preparations for bringing HS2 to the region, and delivering transformational change of the existing station to put Leeds integrated station at the centre of the city, the City Region and the Northern Powerhouse. The report includes an update on the South Bank SPD, Station Masterplan, the HS2 Growth Strategy, and delivery arrangements.

(Please note that Appendix 1 to this report is designated as exempt form publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3))

Further to Minute No. 82, 18^th October 2017, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the preparations for bringing HS2 to the region, and delivering transformational change of the existing train station. In addition, the report included an update on the South Bank Supplementary Planning Guidance, Station Masterplan, the HS2 Growth Strategy, together with delivery arrangements.

In considering the submitted report, Members highlighted the wide ranging benefits that HS2 would bring to both the city and the wider region, emphasising the links between HS2 and the development of key infrastructure to support the growth of the Leeds City Region economy.  In discussing such benefits, Members highlighted that the focus should not simply be on improved rail journey times.

Whilst acknowledging the benefits outlined within the submitted report, a Member highlighted the significant impact on some, where the line entered the city. In response, the importance of such concerns and the associated compensation packages for relevant parties were acknowledged, with the significant levels of consultation being undertaken by HS2 with relevant communities being noted.

Following the consideration of Appendix 1 to the submitted report designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of 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 progress update in respect of the HS2 Growth Strategy, as submitted, which responds to the HS2 design and prepares for the Hybrid Bill process, and also the South Bank Regeneration Framework, be noted;

(b)  That approval be given to the Council and partners submitting the Station Masterplan Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) to the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, based on the principles as detailed in exempt Appendix 1 to the submitted report, with the necessary authority being delegated to the Director of City Development (in consultation with the Council’s Executive Member for ‘Regeneration, Transport and Planning’, the Chief Financial Services Officer as section 151 officer, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail) to approve the submission of the final SOBC;

(c)  That the principle of the Council entering into Joint Venture Agreements with London & Continental Railways, be approved, subject to a report on the heads of terms being brought back to Executive Board for approval;

(d)  That the principles, as set out at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, regarding the HS2 Growth Strategy be endorsed; with the necessary authority being delegated to the Director of City Development to enable the Director to endorse the final document;

(e)  That an injection of £150k into the capital programme for 2018-19 to support the establishment of a dedicated delivery team, be approved.