Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Governance Services 

Media

Items
No. Item

82.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3  If the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

RESOLVED –  That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as exempt  on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt from publication on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as follows:-

 

(a)  That Appendix 1 to the report entitled, ‘Redevelopment of 6-32 George Street’, referred to in Minute No. 92 be designated as being exempt from publication in accordance with paragraph 10.4(3) of Schedule 12A(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the information contained within Appendix 1 to this report relates to the financial or business affairs of a particular person and of the Council. This information is not publicly available from the statutory registers of information kept in relation to certain companies and charities. It is considered that since this information was provided to enable the Council to consider the commercial viability and funding option for the redevelopment of the George Street shops, then it is not in the public interest to disclose this information at this point in time. Also, the release of such information would, or would be likely to prejudice the Council’s commercial interests in relation to the OJEU procurement exercise. It is considered that whilst there may be a public interest in disclosure, much of this information will be available from the Land Registry following completion of the development structure and consequently the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information at this point in time;

 

(b)  That Appendix 1 to the report entitled, ‘Financial Health Monitoring 2019/20 – Month 5’, referred to in Minute No. 94 be designated as being exempt from publication in accordance with paragraph 10.4(3) of Schedule 12A(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the information contained within Appendix 1 to this report relates to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), in this case Leeds City Council and other relevant parties. It is considered that since this information concerns negotiations with other parties to effect the realisation of capital receipts then it is not in the public interest to disclose this information at this point in time as this could affect the integrity of those negotiations. It is considered that the public interest in maintaining the content of the appendix as being exempt from publication outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, as doing so would prejudice the Council’s commercial position and that of relevant third parties should it be disclosed at this stage.

 

83.

Late Items

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

With the agreement of the Chair, a late item of business was admitted to the agenda entitled, ‘Update on Leeds City Council’s Preparations for the UK’s exit the European Union’. 

 

The report was submitted to Executive Board as a late item of business due to the fast-developing nature of this issue at a national level, which impacts upon how preparations are made locally. The report details the Council’s preparation for the UK’s exit from the European Union including for a ‘no deal’ scenario, based on the most recent information available at the time of the publication of this report. As such, in order to provide Members with the most up to date information, it was not possible to include the report within the agenda, as published on 8th October 2019. The Government’s planned exit date from the EU is 31st October 2019. Given that this meeting is the last scheduled Executive Board prior to this date, it was deemed necessary by the Chair that this matter be considered as a late item of business at the 16th October 2019 Board meeting. (Minute No. 89 refers).

 

Also, although not formal late items of business, prior to the meeting, Board Members were provided with the following which had been omitted from some the paper agenda packs. To ensure that all Board Members were in possession of all relevant information, these documents were provided/re-provided to Board Members ahead of the meeting so that they could be incorporated into their agenda packs and could be taken into consideration when the Board discussed those items at the meeting:

 

  • Appendices 1-2 of Item 10 (Better Lives for People with Care & Support Needs in Leeds: The 2018-19 Annual Adult Social Care Local Account) (pages 119-122 of the agenda pack refer) (Minute No. 90 refers); and

 

  • Appended illustrations to Item 12 (Redevelopment of 6-32 George Street) (pages 155-160 of the agenda pack refer) (Minute No. 92 refers).

 

 

84.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests declared at the meeting.

85.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 388 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2019.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18th September 2019 be approved as a correct record.

ENVIRONMENT AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLES

Additional documents:

86.

Proposal for road-safety park, family cycle trails and new event space at Temple Newsam pdf icon PDF 2 MB

To consider the report of the Director of Communities and Environment regarding proposals for the potential development of a family cycling scheme, events space and new approach to landscape management at the current location of Temple Newsam golf course, with the report seeking a decision on whether to progress with a public consultation exercise on such matters.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Communities and Environment submitted a report regarding proposals for the potential development of a family cycling scheme, events space and new approach to landscape management at the current location of Temple Newsam golf course. Specifically, the submitted report sought the Board’s view on whether to progress with a public consultation exercise on such matters.

 

It was highlighted that Board Members had been in receipt of correspondence regarding the proposals in the run up to the meeting, with it being undertaken that all of the submissions which had been received would be taken into consideration as part of the proposed consultation exercise.

 

In considering the submitted report, the Board received an overview of what the proposed consultation exercise would entail, with assurance being provided that any consultation undertaken would be genuine.

 

Having raised concerns regarding the proposals detailed within the report, a Member requested that the submitted report be withdrawn from consideration at today’s meeting to enable further work to be undertaken on the options which could potentially be considered at Temple Newsam including introducing new facilities alongside golf provision. The Member also requested that the matter be referred to the relevant Scrutiny Board with all relevant information and proposals then being brought back to Executive Board for determination.

 

Following this, a Member requested that officers ensure that any proposals which were brought forward for consideration and determination took into consideration the community’s needs and wishes.

 

To conclude the discussion, it was further proposed that following the conclusion of the consultation exercise, the outcomes from that consultation together with any proposals regarding the future of Temple Newsam golf course be brought back to Executive Board for the Board’s consideration and determination, with it being highlighted that should the relevant Scrutiny Board wish to consider such matters, then it would be free to do so. 

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That, in taking into consideration the comments made during the discussion on the submitted report, the Board’s consent be provided for the Parks and Countryside service to commence a public consultation exercise on the proposed closure of the golf course and the proposed developments, as outlined within the submitted report;

 

(b)  That following the conclusion of the consultation exercise (as detailed in resolution (a) above), the outcomes from such consultation together with any proposals regarding the future of Temple Newsam golf course be submitted to Executive Board for consideration and determination, with it being noted that the relevant Scrutiny Board could consider such matters, should it wish to do so.

 

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, both Councillor A Carter and Councillor S Golton required it to be recorded that they respectively abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

 

COMMUNITIES

Additional documents:

87.

Procurement of Housing Responsive Repairs and Voids Services for the West of Leeds pdf icon PDF 643 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing which seeks approval for the proposed strategy to deliver Housing Responsive Repairs, Voids and Cyclical Maintenance to the city’s housing stock from 2021, specifically including a proposal to internally deliver the service through Leeds Building Services in the South and East of the city and an external contractor to deliver such services for the West.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report which sought approval of the proposed strategy to deliver Housing Responsive Repairs, Voids and Cyclical Maintenance services to the city’s housing stock from 2021, specifically including a proposal to internally deliver provision through Leeds Building Services (LBS) in the South and East of the city, with a proposal that a procurement exercise be undertaken for an external contractor to deliver such services in the West.

 

The following options were detailed in the submitted report, with option 4 being the recommended option:

1: External contractors to deliver the service citywide;

2: Maintain current arrangements, LBS to deliver for the East only;

3: LBS and external contractors each deliver to about half of the city;

4: LBS delivers for the East and South, and an external contractor delivers for the West;

5: LBS delivers the service citywide.

 

Members welcomed the mixed economy approach which was being proposed.

 

In terms of a Member’s comments regarding the recruitment and retention of staff as part of the proposed approach, a request was made that the Member in question received a briefing on such matters, as and when appropriate. In addition, the Board was provided with information on the actions which would be taken to minimise any risk in this area, whilst the need for LBS to be viewed as an attractive employer was emphasised, with the associated apprenticeship schemes being highlighted as a current successful example.

 

Members also received further information on the proposed contract period of 5 years, with it being highlighted that following consultation with the private sector, this was seen as the minimum period in which to attract competitive interest in this area, however it was emphasised that there was no intention to go beyond a 5 year contractual period.

 

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further information on the actions which would be taken to monitor and promote sustained performance by both the internal and external provider.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given for LBS to deliver housing responsive repairs and voids services for the East and South of the city, and that an external contractor deliver such services for the West (in line with option 4 above / detailed in the submitted report), with it being noted that the new arrangements are planned to start from autumn 2021;

 

(b)  That it be noted that this proposal involves changing existing service delivery boundaries in order to align with Leeds electoral Wards;

 

(c)  That it be noted that the feedback received from the proposed consultation exercises will be considered and taken into account by the Director of Resources and Housing in implementing the proposals;

 

(d)  That the Board’s agreement be given that a procurement exercise should be undertaken for housing responsive repairs, voids & cyclical maintenance services in the West of the city, using a restricted procedure in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, in order to establish a contract;

 

(e)  That agreement be given that the procured  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND CULTURE

Additional documents:

88.

Revenue Budget Update for 2020/21 – 2024/25 including Proposed Saving Proposals pdf icon PDF 208 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Financial Services which provides an update on any changes to assumptions contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, as reported to the Board in July 2019; details the announcement by the Chancellor on the 4th September 2019 regarding a one year settlement for 2020/21; presents budget savings proposals that have been identified since the July Board meeting for 2020/21 and sets out the implications of these changes upon the estimated budget gaps that have previously been reported.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 34, 24th July 2019, the Chief Officer (Financial Services) submitted a report providing an update on any changes to assumptions contained in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, as reported to the Board in July 2019; which detailed the announcement by the Chancellor on the 4th September 2019 regarding a one year settlement for 2020/21; presented a budget saving proposal which had been identified since the July Board meeting for 2020/21 and which set out the implications of such changes upon the estimated budget gaps that have previously been reported.

 

Members commented upon a number of issues including the current position of the Minimum Revenue Provision and the ongoing exercise of re-financing the Council’s debt. In response to an enquiry, the Board received further detail on the current position regarding that re-financing exercise, and also in respect of the Government’s recent decision to increase the interest rate of the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB). Regarding the interest rate rise of the PWLB, the Board noted that representations had been made to Civil Servants about the timing of the rise together with the lack of consultation which had taken place.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the revisions to the Council’s Forecast Budget Gap for 2020/21 to 2024/25, as summarised in Table 2 and as referenced in paragraph 4.4 of the submitted report, be agreed;

 

(b)  That agreement be given for a consultation process to be commenced in respect of the planning charges budget saving proposal, as contained within the submitted report.

89.

Update on Leeds City Council's Preparations for the UK's Exit from the European Union pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider a report which provides the Board with an update on the preparations being made by the Local Authority regarding the UK’s exit from the European Union.

 

(Report to follow)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 57, 4th September 2019, the Chief Executive submitted a report which provided the Board with a further update on the preparations being made by the Local Authority regarding the UK’s exit from the European Union.

 

With the agreement of the Chair, the submitted report had been circulated to Board Members as a late item of business prior to the meeting for the reasons as set out in sections 4.5.2-4.5.3 of the submitted report, and as detailed in Minute No. 83.  

 

A Member raised a concern regarding the late submission of this report, with a suggestion that in terms of future update reports, those reports be provided as part of the regular Board agenda and include the information available at the time, with an update and briefings for Members being provided as appropriate. 

 

Responding to a Member’s request, officers undertook to include a section regarding the agricultural sector in future reports. In addition, the Board received further information on the actions being taken in this area, with it being noted that the Chief Executive had met with the National Farmers’ Union on such matters.

 

In conclusion, it was noted that such reports were produced with the aim of keeping Members as up to date as possible with all related matters.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the ongoing work being undertaken to prepare the Council and the city for the UK’s exit from the European Union, together with the latest assessment of preparedness and the ongoing concerns which exist around the lack of clarity about the nature of EU exit, be noted;

 

(b)  That the contents of the Strategic Response Plan, as attached to the submitted report at Appendix A, together with the updates provided in the submitted report, be noted, with it being recognised that assumptions and planning will continue to develop as new information becomes available;

 

(c)  That it be requested that further updates be provided to Executive Board, Scrutiny Board and Members, as appropriate.

HEALTH, WELLBEING AND ADULTS

Additional documents:

90.

Better Lives for People with Care and Support Needs in Leeds: The 2018-19 Annual Adult Social Care Local Account pdf icon PDF 504 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Adults and Health that introduces the 2018/19 Local Account of Adult Social Care Services for Leeds citizens.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 64, 19th September 2018, the Director of Adults and Health submitted a report which presented the 2018/19 Local Account of Adult Social Care Services for Leeds citizens, together with related data from the 2018-19 Leeds Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) and ‘Better Lives’ Strategy measures.

 

Prior to the meeting, Board Members were provided/re-provided with appendices 1 and 2 to this report, as following the publication and distribution of the agenda it had come to light that these appendices had been omitted from some of the paper agenda packs.

 

Responding to a Member’s comments, the Board received further information on the ‘person centred’ and ‘strength based’ approaches being taken to encourage individuals to remain independent and stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

 

A Member highlighted the level of support being provided to individuals with learning disabilities across the city to help them live independent lives. Also, the ‘community catalyst’ work being undertaken in the city was emphasised and the need to ensure that wherever possible, regardless of where an individual lived, the level of services available to them remained consistent.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the appended Local Account: ‘Creating Better Lives for People with Care and Support Needs in Leeds’, and the appended Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) and the ‘Better Lives’ measures, be noted;

 

(b)  That agreement be given that a published version of the Local Account is produced and made available to the public and partners, which will include being placed on the Leeds City Council website following this consideration by Executive Board.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

Additional documents:

91.

Family, Drug, Alcohol and Problem Solving Court pdf icon PDF 142 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families that provides the Board with an update on the successful work of the Leeds Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) and which sets how the Children and Families directorate aims to work with central government and local partners to secure and expand this valuable work with children and families.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report providing an update on the successful work of the Leeds Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) and which set how the Children and Families directorate aimed to work with Government and local partners in order to secure and expand this valuable service.

 

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was informed that Leeds had been successful with the submission of an FDAC funding bid to Government, however, it was highlighted that as two bids of differing levels had been submitted, it was not yet known what level of funding would be received. In response to an enquiry, it was noted that both bids did include provision to tackle domestic violence and substance abuse, although the scale of the provision between the two bids was different. Finally, it was requested that Executive Members be notified when the Government provided confirmation of which bid had been successful.

 

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further detail on the extent to which this programme could help to inform the public health approaches being taken to address issues regarding the misuse of drugs and alcohol, with it being highlighted that although there was a multi-agency approach being taken in such areas, it was acknowledged that the preventative measures for drug and alcohol misuse were wide ranging and needed to be implemented at the earliest opportunity.

 

In response to a Member’s enquiry, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with the information regarding the age ranges of the parents involved in this initiative.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the success of Leeds’ FDAC, be noted;

 

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of Children and Families will lead future work with national and local partners with the aim of securing investment for an expanded FDAC service in Leeds.

LEARNING, SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT

Additional documents:

92.

Redevelopment of 6 - 32 George Street pdf icon PDF 138 KB

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the ongoing work in this area and which seeks approval for an injection into the Capital Programme and related ‘authority to spend’ for the purposes of acquiring a fifty percent share of the completed development, as detailed in the report, whilst the report also seeks relevant approvals to enable the scheme to progress.

 

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 113, 13th December 2017, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the ongoing associated redevelopment works regarding Kirkgate Market’s George Street frontage and which sought further approvals from the Board, including for an injection into the Capital Programme and related ‘authority to spend’ for the purposes of acquiring a fifty percent share of the completed development, as detailed within the submitted report.

 

Prior to the meeting, Board Members were provided/re-provided with the appended illustrations to this report, as following the publication and distribution of the agenda it had come to light that this appendix had been omitted from some of the paper agenda packs.

 

Responding to a specific enquiry, it was noted that the proposed additional cost to the Council would not adversely affect the Capital Programme, as it was highlighted the additional cost would be financed by the value generated in the scheme.

 

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 contents of the submitted report, including the current position of the scheme, be noted;

 

(b)  That the injection into the Capital Programme and the ‘Authority to Spend’ of an additional £917,000, as detailed within the exempt Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved, for the purpose of acquiring a fifty percent share of the completed development, whilst approval also be provided for the Council’s payments to acquire its interest in the completed development to be made on a phased basis through the construction period against approved architect’s certificates;

 

(c)  That the scheme, as detailed within the submitted report, together with the previous recommendation, as approved by Executive Board at its meeting on 13th December 2017, be endorsed, namely that the Council should grant a 250 year ground lease of the development site to a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) to be formed between the Council and Town Centre Securities and that the LLP will appoint Town Centre Securities to undertake the development on behalf of the LLP;

 

(d)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development to enable the Director to make all subsequent decisions that may be necessary to deliver this scheme, with the concurrence of the Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment;

 

(e)  That the Chief Officer, Financial Services and the Director of City Development, in liaison with the Executive Member for Resources and the Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment, be authorised to investigate further the opportunity for further financial savings, if the Council was to forward fund the entire scheme. If it is considered to be financially beneficial to the Council to proceed on this basis, then the necessary authority be delegated to the Chief Officer, Financial Services and the Director of City Development in order to enable the Director and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

93.

Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Learning Disabilities pdf icon PDF 775 KB

To consider the joint report of the Director of Children and Families, the Director of City Development and the Director of Adults and Health which provides an update on the work being undertaken to improve the employment outcomes for people with learning disabilities in Leeds in line with the resolution of Full Council at its meeting in July 2019.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Children and Families, the Director of City Development and the Director of Adults and Health submitted a joint report which provided an update on the work being undertaken to improve the employment outcomes for people with learning disabilities in Leeds in line with the resolution of Full Council at its meeting on 10th July 2019. (Minute No. 32 refers).

 

In welcoming the submitted report, a Member highlighted the need for work to continue around the co-ordination of provision in this area, and also to complement the vital role played by third sector organisations.

 

In order to ensure that progress continued to be made in this area, it was requested that a further update report be submitted to the Board in a year’s time.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work undertaken to date and the progress achieved against the priorities in the employment strand of ‘Being Connected’ in the ‘Being Me’ Strategy, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted;

 

(b)  That the Board’s support be provided for engagement to continue with a broad range of stakeholders to improve employment outcomes for people with learning disabilities; and that the opportunities presented through the ongoing work to develop a Hub for the city and also on the provision of additional targeted employment support for adults with learning disabilities, be noted;

 

(c)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer, Employment and Skills will work with the Chief Officer, Human Resources, the Deputy Director, Adults and Health and the Deputy Director, Learning, Children and Families in order to support the continuing work to improve employment outcomes for people with learning disabilities;

 

(d)  That a further update report be submitted to the Board in a year’s time.

RESOURCES

Additional documents:

94.

Financial Health Monitoring 2019/20 – Month 5 pdf icon PDF 492 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) which presents the Council’s projected financial health position for 2019/20 as at Month 5 of the financial year.

 

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chief Officer (Financial Services) submitted a report which presented the Council’s projected financial health position for 2019/20 as at Month 5 of the financial year. 

 

Responding to a Member’s enquiry regarding the transport budget for children and young people with special educational needs and disability and the independence of the panel which considered appeals against an application decision, the Board received a range of information on the related application process and also on the current budgetary position for the service. However, in response to the specific enquiry raised, the Chief Executive undertook to respond to the Member in question together with the Director of Children and Families.

 

In response to an enquiry regarding the budgetary pressure in the Children and Families directorate arising from external residential and Independent Fostering Agency placements for children and young people, the Board received an update on the actions being taken in this area.

 

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 projected financial position of the authority, as at Month 5 (August 2019) of the financial year, be noted;

 

(b)  That the requirement for the Director of Children and Families’ proposals to identify further budget savings to address the projected overspend in the directorate, be noted;

 

(c)  That the risk that the budgeted level of Capital receipts, as detailed in exempt appendix 1 to the submitted report, may not be receivable in 2019/20, be noted.

95.

Proposed Suitability (Convictions) Policy for Taxi and Private Hire pdf icon PDF 266 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Communities and Environment that proposes arrangements for implementation and review of a new Suitability Policy for applicants and licensees of drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of Communities and Environment submitted a report that proposed arrangements for the implementation and review of a new Suitability Policy for applicants and licensees of drivers of taxis and private hire vehicles.

 

In response to a Member’s enquiries, it was confirmed to the Board that all the other Licensing Authorities in West Yorkshire together with the City of York had signed up to the this policy. Members also received an update on the work being undertaken with the aim of ensuring that a consistency of approach was taken towards the enforcement of the policy by the relevant Licensing Authorities.

 

Responding to an enquiry, it was confirmed that Councillors and MPs were not permitted to act as referees for those applying for taxi or private hire licenses in Leeds. With regard to the other Licensing Authorities in West Yorkshire and the City of York, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with further information on the approach taken by those Authorities.

 

In conclusion, it was acknowledged that Leeds’ approach in this area was more robust than some Authorities and given the cross-boundary nature of the issue, the importance of consistency across neighbouring authorities was highlighted. Finally, it was noted that representations would continue to be made to Government regarding the concerns which existed in terms of the national policy in this area.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, be noted;

 

(b)  That the Suitability Policy, as appended to the submitted report, be approved, which is to be implemented by Taxi and Private Hire Licensing within two months of this Executive Board meeting.

 

CLIMATE CHANGE, TRANSPORT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Additional documents:

96.

Bridgewater Place Wind Monitoring pdf icon PDF 119 KB

To consider the report of the Director of City Development on the results of the post-installation wind monitoring exercise at Bridgewater Place; and which seeks agreement to the recommendation that the high winds protocol can be stopped, following receipt of peer reviewed independent expert advice. The report also provides an update on the agreement reached with the owners of Bridgewater Place to seek planning permission and implement the additional structures to ameliorate the wind conditions at the hot spot sites on privately owned land to the south of Bridgewater Place.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Further to Minute No. 131, 10th February 2016, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the wind amelioration scheme undertaken subsequent to the consideration of the matter by the Board in 2016 and which sought a decision by the Board on the recommendation that the high winds protocol be lifted, following receipt of peer reviewed independent expert advice. The report also provided an update on the agreement reached in relation to the further works required to ameliorate the wind hot spots in the private land to the south of Bridgewater Place.

 

As part of the introduction to the submitted report, the Board’s attention was drawn to the expert analysis on the wind conditions following the establishment of the wind mitigation measures. It was noted that the analysis had been carried out on behalf of the Building Owners and had been peer reviewed and validated by an independent wind analyst expert retained to act on behalf of the Council.

 

On the basis of the expert advice which had been received, the submitted report recommended that the high wind protocol was no longer necessary. However, notwithstanding this recommendation, the Board noted that precautionary safeguarding measures, as detailed in the report, were recommended to be retained, together with further recommendations, again as detailed in the report, regarding the residual hotspot areas.

 

A Member raised concern regarding the reliance upon expert advice in respect of the recommendation to stop the high wind protocol and suggested that the matter be deferred until the further testing had been carried out on the hot spot area at Back Row. In response, it was highlighted that the Coroner had recommended in 2013 that a road closure protocol be established under specified conditions, until a mitigation scheme had been established and which had been shown to be effective. It was noted that such recommendations had been followed and it was highlighted that the expert advice, which had been peer reviewed and validated, had confirmed that the high wind protocol was no longer needed, with it being acknowledged that although residual hot spots did exist, they did not impact upon the road closure protocol. As such, in determining this matter, the Board was asked to consider the expert advice as detailed within the submitted report, and should they not be minded to agree to the lifting of the protocol, what additional evidence would they require before doing so.

 

Responding to Members’ comments, the Board received further detail on the 3 hot spots which remained, and the actions being taken in these areas.

 

Also in response to a Member’s enquiry, it was confirmed to the Board that on the basis of the peer reviewed expert advice received, there were no longer any safety failure points to the north of the building which failed the Lawson Safety Criteria, which according to the experts was the only measure available to the development industry to assess wind conditions, and on that basis the experts had advised that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:  FRIDAY, 18TH OCTOBER 2019

 

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS:  FRIDAY, 25TH OCTOBER 2019