Agenda and minutes

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.

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 2 to the report entitled, ‘Housing Estate Redevelopment at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive, Oulton’, referred to in Minute No. 67 be designated as being exempt from publication in accordance with paragraph 10.4(3) of Schedule 12A(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 and considered in private. This is on the grounds that this appendix contains information relating to the identity and business affairs of a third party to the Council which does not wish to be publicly identified at this stage, but which is relevant to the understanding of the Board. Releasing the identity of this third party may prejudice their commercial interests and as such, withholding the information is considered to outweigh the public interest benefit of its release given that there is a risk that if the details of the Housing Association are made public at this stage, they may withdraw their interest. 

There were no late items of business considered by the Board.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no interests declared at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2021

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22nd September 2021 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families which provides an overview of ‘Thriving: The Child Poverty Strategy for Leeds’, and the work that sits underneath the strategy, including work that has occurred during the pandemic. Specifically, the report gives an update on each workstream, in terms of recent activities, outcomes and next steps.

Further to Minute No. 26, 23 June 2021, the Director of Children and Families submitted a report which provided a further update on the ‘Thriving: The Child Poverty Strategy for Leeds’ and the work which continued to be undertaken as part of the strategy, including actions in response to issues arising from the pandemic. Specifically, the report provided an update on each of the strategy’s workstreams in terms of recent activities, outcomes and next steps.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member provided an update regarding the current position with regard to child poverty in Leeds, together with further details on actions being undertaken as part of each of the workstreams within the strategy.

Responding to a question regarding the application of the Household Support Grant, the Board was advised that a proportion of the funding would be used for the provision of free school meals during holiday periods, which would apply across the city. Parallel to that, it was noted that there was a range of criteria which would need to be adhered to when allocating the funding in other areas. It was noted that such criteria was being worked through and that further details would be provided to Members in the near future.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further information on the actions being taken to mitigate against the impact of child poverty linked with housing provision and the quality of accommodation. 

In discussing the report and in welcoming the data within it, a suggestion was made that in future the update report further reflected upon and evaluated the services being provided in this area to demonstrate the impact being made. Also, in highlighting the crucial role played by Children’s Centres across Leeds, it was undertaken that future reports would reference the work of the Children’s Centres moving forward.

Members discussed the definition of poverty, as detailed within the report.

Reference was made to the recent Children’s Services Ofsted Inspection which had been undertaken, with a brief update being provided on the actions being taken in response to the inspection’s recommendations.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the strategic framework in place to mitigate against the impact of child poverty, together with the work being undertaken by the Council and other partners in the key areas of activity, as detailed within the submitted report, be endorsed;

(b)  That the need to promote the work of the ‘Thriving’ strategy across the city and in particular in each respective Member’s portfolio in order to highlight the impact of poverty on children and their families, be acknowledged;

(c)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for such matters is the Head of Workforce Development and Change.

To consider the report of the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment which provides an update on the delivery of migration activity in Leeds and an overview of progress made against the migration work carried out under the Leeds City Council’s migration programme. The report provides information on key migration population trends and the responses to national policy changes, together with information on the activities undertaken across the Council to support new and emerging communities.

Further to Minute No. 58, 21 October 2020, the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report which provided an update on the delivery of migration activity in Leeds and which provided information on key migration population trends and the responses to national policy changes, together with details of the activities undertaken across the Council to support new and emerging communities.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member highlighted her desire for the issue of migration to once again be added to the relevant Scrutiny Board work programme next year, should the Scrutiny Board and its Chair be agreeable. The Executive Member thanked the migration programme team for their continued work in this area, and also highlighted a forthcoming and related training session being delivered for Elected Members.

Responding to a specific enquiry, the Board was provided with details of the actions being taken with Children and Families to identify local school places for those recent Afghan migrants of school age who were residing in Leeds.

Reference was made to the provision of data relating to trends of outward migration from Leeds and it was undertaken that such information would be provided to the Member in question.

Responding to an enquiry regarding the provision of appropriate and permanent accommodation for Afghan migrants coming into Leeds, the Board received an update on the current position and the liaison which continued with the Home Office and Migration Yorkshire to provide such accommodation.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the appended update overview, be noted; and that the approach adopted within the Council’s strategic, co-ordinated and inclusive approach towards migration for Leeds, as detailed, be endorsed;

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment is responsible for leading this work through the Council’s Stronger Communities Programme;

(c)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer for Safer, Stronger Communities is responsible for leading the work of the Leeds Strategic Migration Board which oversees the delivery of the strategic, co-ordinated and inclusive approach towards migration in Leeds, together with the work of the Council’s Migration team which provides strategic and operational direction for the city;

(d)  That agreement be given for the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment to write to the Home Office requesting the establishment of improved communication structures between Government and the Local Authority in order to ensure that the effectiveness of the support provided is maximised and that Leeds’ experience and expertise is fully utilised;

(e)  That approval be given for a further annual report on migration activity in Leeds to be submitted to the Board at the appropriate time.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development on the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy, Executive Summary and associated Action Plan 2021-24 which set out the vision for Leeds to be a city where everyone has an affordable, low carbon, healthy and accessible choice in how they travel. The report presents the Strategy for adoption following an extensive consultation and engagement exercise undertaken in 2021.

Further to Minute No. 104, 16 December 2020, the Director of City Development submitted a report presenting the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy, Executive Summary and associated Action Plan for 2021-24 which set out the vision for Leeds’ transport provision and infrastructure during that period. Specifically, the report sought the Board’s approval for the adoption and publication of those documents following the extensive consultation and engagement exercise which had been undertaken during 2021.

In considering the report, Members discussed a range of issues, including:-

-  The associated consultation process which had been undertaken, the range of actions within that and the level of response received;

-  The ambitious nature of the strategy and its deliverability in the timeframes presented;

-  The range of net zero carbon emission targets nationally, regionally and for Leeds, together with ongoing national transportation discussions, and the delivery of the strategy alongside such matters;

-  The timing of the strategy and the need for action to be taken at the earliest opportunity;

-  The need to ensure that the strategy reflected people’s adapted ways of living and working as a result of the pandemic, and the importance for the strategy to understand and provide for the bespoke needs of each community across the city. Also, Members received further information on the intention for the Council to continue to engage with communities on such matters;

-  Members paid tribute to the work of the Highways and Transportation services for the work they continued to undertake in challenging circumstances. Members also discussed the capacity of the relevant services within the Council to deliver the aims of the strategy and the actions being taken where possible to increase such capacity;

-  The importance for all partners, businesses and members of the community to fully engage with the aims of the strategy, in order to ensure that the required ‘step change’ was made;

-  The Board discussed the impact of road works, with further detail being provided on the logistical considerations given to such works, the range of reasons why they were required, often in restricted timeframes, and the approach taken to co-ordinate such works and minimise impact wherever possible.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the adoption and publication of the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy and first Action Plan 2021-24, as appended to the submitted report, be agreed;

(b)  That an annual progress report on the Strategy and Action Plan be submitted to the Board at the appropriate time;

(c)  That agreement be given for the Director of City Development alongside the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) to lead on implementing the delivery of the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy and Action Plan;

(d)  That it be noted that the future Action Plans beyond 2024 will require greater levels of funding to achieve the targets as set out within the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy.

To consider the joint report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities, Environment and Housing providing information on how the Council is responding to issues arising from the proposed redevelopment of the privately owned housing estate at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive, Oulton. 

(Please note that Appendix 2 to this report is designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3))

Further to Minute No. 36 of the meeting of full Council held on 14 September 2021, the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities, Environment and Housing submitted a joint report providing information on how the Council was responding to the issues arising from the proposed redevelopment of the privately owned housing estate at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive, Oulton.

In considering the report, and in response to comments and concerns raised, the Board discussed / received further details on the following:-

-  the actions taken to date, and which continued to be taken to support those on Assured Shorthold Tenancies and in receipt of ‘no fault’ evictions, and in the longer term, the proposals for further action as detailed within the submitted report, which aimed to secure new build affordable housing provision on the site;

-  the length of time in which the matter had been ongoing;

-  the role of the Council and that of the site owner / landlord;

-  the number of ‘no fault’ evictions issued across the city in recent years.

In noting that a recommendation within the report proposed the submission of a further report to the Board in due course, responding to a Member’s enquiry, it was undertaken that the future report would provide further details on the actions being taken to support affected residents. 

Following consideration of Appendix 2 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 public part of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Council’s offer of support from Housing Leeds to tenants of the Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive estate to support them in securing alternative housing where they may be at risk of homelessness following no-fault evictions, be noted and supported;

(b)  That the Council’s further engagement with the Housing Association as identified in exempt Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be supported, with a view to maximising the affordable housing that could be delivered at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive through the application of pooled commuted sums or other resources as may be identified and agreed by the Directors in consultation with the Executive Member for ‘Infrastructure and Climate’ and the Executive Member for ‘Resources’;

(c)  That the options considered as detailed within the submitted report, be noted; and that the potential for the Council to directly acquire homes in the completed development as outlined in paragraph 47.3 of the submitted report and/or use commuted sums to secure the delivery of additional affordable housing alongside a local lettings policy for the benefit of tenants rehoused from the estate, as outlined in paragraphs 48.1 - 48.4, be supported;

(d)  That an update on the progress made in taking forward the preferred approach, as outlined in the submitted report, be provided, with a further report requiring any subsequent decisions on the use of resources to support the detailed proposals,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources which seeks agreement in principle to the replacement of the Best Council Plan with a more externally facing and partnership focused City Ambition from February 2022, and which details the proposed pathway for that change.

The Director of Resources submitted a report which sought the Board’s agreement in principle to the replacement of the Best Council Plan with a more externally facing and partnership focused City Ambition from February 2022. The report also provided the context for such proposals and set out the required approval pathway for that change.

In presenting the proposals within the report, the Leader highlighted how the Best City Ambition would aim to work more collaboratively with partner organisations across Leeds and build upon the positive learning and stronger relationships which had been developed in response to the pandemic.

The Board noted the comments made during the discussion, which included suggestions regarding the need for communities of Leeds, partner organisations and Members to be involved in the formation and delivery of the aims of the Best City Ambition, and that future reports on the Ambition consider how it would deliver those stronger relationships between the Council and its partners.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the principle of replacing the Best Council Plan with a City Ambition, be endorsed;

(b)  That it be noted that General Purposes Committee (GPC) will receive a report which recommends that GPC endorses the necessary amendments to the Budget and Policy Framework, and refers such matters to Full Council for approval;

(c)  That agreement be given for Executive Board to receive a report in December 2021 which presents initial proposals and a draft City Ambition.

To consider the report of the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment on the three yearly review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy. The report presents the proposed final policy for consideration and includes the outcomes from the associated consultation exercises undertaken. Finally, the report recommends that the Policy be referred to Full Council for consideration and adoption.

Further to Minute No. 55, 22^nd September 2021, the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report on the three-yearly review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy. The report presented the proposed final policy for consideration, included the outcomes from the associated consultation exercises undertaken and recommended that the Policy be referred to Full Council for consideration and adoption.

Responding to a Member’s specific enquiry about a licensed organisation’s failure to effectively implement its anti-money laundering and safer gambling policies, and the Council, as the Licensing Authority not being informed of such matters, the Board was assured that liaison was taking place with the Gambling Commission and the organisation involved to ensure that an appropriate protocol was in place moving forward.  In addition, responding to a request, it was undertaken that Members of the Licensing Committee would be briefed on such matters, and that the Executive Board Member in question would also be offered a separate briefing.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the final draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as appended, which includes the outcomes from the statutory consultation exercise and any comments/recommendations from Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities), be noted;

(b)  That the final draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as appended to the submitted report, be referred to Full Council with a recommendation for its adoption.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Financial Services, which provides an update on the financial health of the Authority in respect of both the General Fund revenue budget and the Housing Revenue Account as at month 5 of the 2021/22 financial year.

The Chief Officer, Financial Services, submitted a report which presented an update on the financial health of the Authority in respect of both the General Fund revenue budget and the Housing Revenue Account as at month 5 of the 2021/22 financial year.

Members discussed the projected overspend in respect of Waste Management services, as detailed within the report, with a specific request for a report to be submitted to a future Board meeting which addressed related financial and operational matters. In response, the request was noted and it was undertaken that information on such matters would be brought forward.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the projected financial position of the Authority, as at the end of Month 5 (August) of the 2021/22 financial year, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted, together with the projected impact of COVID-19 on that position;

(b)  That for 2021/22, it be noted that the Authority is forecasting an overspend of £1.087m, as at the end of August 2021;

(c)  That it be noted that the position as detailed within the submitted report does not reflect the potential effects of any further local or national lockdown arrangements on these financial projections, or any potential additional costs arising from the current 2021/22 pay negotiations.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:   FRIDAY, 22^ND OCTOBER 2021

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS:   5.00 P.M., FRIDAY, 29^TH OCTOBER 2021