Agenda and minutes

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, 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 so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED –  That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as exempt information 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 the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated 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 public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as follows:

(a)  Appendix 1 to the report referred to in minute 258 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds that the appendix provides a brief overview of the anticipated costs and identified funding associated with the proposed acquisition.  It is considered not to be in the public interest to disclose this information at this point in time as it could undermine the Council’s position in negotiating with the building owner. The release of this information could also prejudice the Council’s interests in relation to this or other similar transactions in that the land owner of this or other similar properties would have information about the nature and level of consideration which may prove acceptable to the Council.  It is considered that whilst there may be a public interest in disclosure, much of this information will be publicly available from the  Land Registry following completion of any transaction and consequently the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information at this point in time.

(b)  Appendices 1, 2 and 4 of the report referred to in minute 261 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information by reason of the fact that:-

(i)  Appendices 1 and 2 – The success of the scheme could potentially be prejudiced by speculative investors acquiring properties in advance of the Council’s action;

(ii)  Appendix 4 – The costs attributed to the purchase of private properties are purely estimates at this stage and their disclosure could prejudice the Council’s ability to reach an agreement on the purchase price with owners.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

Councillor Smith declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the item relating to the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Plan 2009-2012 (minute 266 refers) due to his position as a Director of a Health and Wellbeing Centre.

Councillor Blake declared a personal interest in the item relating to the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Plan 2009-2012 (minute 266 refers) due to being a member of Leeds NHS Primary Care Trust.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st April 2009.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st April 2009 be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development advising of the invitation received from the English Football Association for the City of Leeds to bid to become a ‘host city’ for the football World Cup in 2018.

The Director of City Development submitted a report advising of the invitation received from the English Football Association for the City of Leeds to bid to become a ‘host city’ for the football World Cup 2018.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Leeds investigate the submission of a Leeds City Region bid to become a host city for the Football World Cup 2018;

(b)  That the governance structure proposed in the submitted report be approved;

(c)  That the proposed Leeds City Region representatives for the Host City Briefing to be held in London on 18^th May 2009 be noted;

(d)  That a report be brought back to this Board as soon as the likely human and financial resource implications of the project are known;

(e)  That dialogue with the City Region partners be opened at the earliest opportunity.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on an in principle proposal that Compulsory Purchase powers be used to achieve the acquisition of 2 Branch Road, Armley subject to a further report being brought to the Board for final approval.

Appendix 1 to the report is designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on an in principle proposal that Compulsory Purchase powers be used to achieve the acquisition of 2 Branch Road, Armley subject to a further report being brought to the Board for final approval.

Following consideration of appendix 1 to the 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 – That the contents of the report be noted and that in principle approval be given to the use of Compulsory Purchase powers to achieve the acquisition of 2 Branch Road, should this be necessary, subject to a further report to this Board seeking full approval.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development in response to the recommendations from the recent Scrutiny Board (City Development) inquiry concerning A660 Corridor Transport Issues.

The Director of City Development submitted a report in response to the recommendations from the recent Scrutiny Board (City Development) inquiry concerning A660 Corridor Transport Issues.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses to the Scrutiny Board’s recommendations, as contained in the report, be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods in response to the recommendations from the Scrutiny Board (City and Regional Partnerships) with regard to the role of the voluntary, community and faith sectors in Council led community engagement.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report in response to the recommendations from the Scrutiny Board (City and Regional Partnerships) with regard to the role of the voluntary, community and faith sectors in Council led community engagement.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Board (City and Regional Partnerships) inquiry report into the role of the voluntary, community and faith sectors in Council led community engagement be referred to Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) and Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care) for consideration, with a further report being submitted to Executive Board in due course.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on options for the regeneration of the Garnets area and on the proposed commencement of acquisition and clearance of 112 properties within the Garnets by utilising £3,000,000 of confirmed funding during 2009/11.

Appendices 1,2 and 4 of the report are designated as exempt under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on options for the regeneration of the Garnets area and on the proposed commencement of acquisition and clearance of 112 properties within the Garnets by utilising £3,000,000 of confirmed funding during 2009/11.

The report presented and appraised the options of:

(a)  doing the minimum to meet legal conformity;

(b)  undertaking group repair and internal remodelling;

(c)  property acquisition and redevelopment of the site.

Following consideration of appendices 1, 2 and 4 to the report, designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) which were considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That scheme expenditure to the amount of £3,000,000 be authorised.

(b)  That the option of acquisition and site redevelopment be progressed.

(c)  That a further report be brought to this Board when further funding is made available through successful bids for the residual £1,300,000 of funding.

(d)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods and Director of City Development authorise and promote any Compulsory Purchase Orders which may become necessary.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on this decision)

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update on the rent changes for 2009/10, and the cost implications for this change.

Further to minute 236 of the meeting held on 1^st April 2009, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing an update on the rent changes for 2009/10, and the cost implications for this change.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted together with the change in the 2009/10 average rent increase for Council dwellings from 6.2% to 3.1%.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds on the process for setting the school calendar in Leeds, providing an update on the consultation process and proposing one option for the approval of the Board

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on the process of setting the school calendar in Leeds, providing an update on the consultation process and proposing one option for the approval of the Board.

The three options which had been the subject of the consultation were:

Option 1: The Easter bank holiday weekend falls at the end of the two-week school break.  This option coincided with the recommendations of the Local Government Association.

Option 2:  The Easter bank holiday weekend falls in the middle of the two week school break.  Schools would not return to school until the day after May Day bank holiday, reducing the number of split weeks in school.  However, the term would not be split equally resulting in a very short first half term after Easter.

Option 3: Schools have a separate Easter bank holiday weekend. They would experience three four-day weeks due to the occurrence of the May Day bank holiday the week after Easter Monday.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the extensive consultation undertaken to consider the implications for the 2010/11 school calendar in Leeds be noted.

(b)  That the school calendar dates associated with option 3, and as detailed in annex 3 to the report, be approved.

(c)  That subject to (d) below, the proposal for a fixed break between terms 2 and 3, irrespective of when Easter falls, with a corresponding adjustment to the summer vacation which ensures a two week Christmas break, be approved in principle;

(d)  That following the conclusion of the 2010/11 academic year, a report be submitted to the Board reviewing the success of the implementation of the school calendar schedule as detailed at option 3.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds outlining the achievement of Looked after Children in Leeds and on strategies for the improvement of outcomes.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report outlining the achievement of Looked After Children in Leeds and on strategies for the improvement of outcomes.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the main findings of the report and its conclusions be noted.

(b)  That a further update report be brought to this Board in Autumn 2009.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development on proposals for the DCMS Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Programme, refurbishment of changing rooms at Scott Hall Leisure Centre, installation of sound and light systems in the pool halls at Scott Hall, John Smeaton and Pudsey Leisure Centres and  the extension of the Bodyline Gym at Scott Hall.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on proposals for the DCMS Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Programme, refurbishment of changing rooms at Scott Hall Leisure Centre, installation of sound and light systems in the pool halls at Scott Hall, John Smeaton and Pudsey Leisure Centres and the extension of the Bodyline Gym at Scott Hall.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given to the injection of £572,300 into the Capital Programme consisting of DCMS Free Swimming Capital Modernisation Programme pot 4 (£410,000), Prudential Borrowing (£30,000) and Leeds City Council budgets (totalling £132,300).

(b)  That authority be given to spend in the following amounts:

  -  £512,300 on the refurbishment of the changing rooms at Scott Hall Leisure Centre

  -  £90,000 on the installation of sound and light systems in the pool halls at Scott Hall, John Smeaton and Pudsey Leisure Centres, thus achieving the criteria set by DCMS for the award of this funding

  -  £30,000 on the extension of the Bodyline Gym at Scott Hall Leisure Centre through Prudential Borrowing

To consider the joint report of the Director of Adult Social Services and Director of Public Health presenting the final draft of the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Partnership Plan 2009 to 2012 for comment and agreement that it be submitted to Council for approval as part of the Budget and Policy Framework.

The Director of Adult Social Services and Director of Public Health submitted a joint report presenting the final draft of the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Partnership Plan 2009 to 2012 for comment and agreement that it be submitted to Council for approval as part of the Budget and Policy  Framework.

RESOLVED – That the final draft of the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Plan be agreed for submission to Council for approval.

(Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to this item due to being a Director of a Health and Wellbeing Centre, Councillor Smith withdrew from the meeting room during the consideration of this item)

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services on the content of the Leeds carers Strategy 2009-2012 and presenting the strategy for approval for its publication and dissemination.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report on the content of the Leeds Carers Strategy 2009-2012 and presenting the strategy for approval for its publication and dissemination.

RESOLVED – That the Carers’ Strategy for Leeds 2009-2012 ‘Every Carer Counts’, as appended to the report, be approved for implementation, subject to an addition which reflects the Board’s comments concerning the provision of advice and guidance available to carers in Leeds.

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer in response to the recent Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate Functions) Inquiry into Member Development.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report in response to the recent Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate Functions) Inquiry into Member Development.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses to the Scrutiny Board’s recommendations, as contained within the report, be approved.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources in response to the recent Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate Functions) Inquiry into attendance management.

The Director of Resources submitted a report in response to the recent Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate  Functions) Inquiry into attendance management.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses to the Scrutiny Board’s recommendations, as contained within the report, be approved.

To consider the report of the Chief Procurement Officer in response to the recent Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate Functions) Inquiry into the Procurement of Services.

The Chief Procurement Officer submitted a report in response to the recent Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate Functions) Inquiry into the Procurement of Services.

RESOLVED – That the proposed responses to the Scrutiny Board’s recommendations, as contained within the report, be approved.

Councillors Blake and Smith were both thanked for their services to the Board, as it was noted that this would be the last meeting in which both would be in attendance as Executive Board members.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:  15^TH MAY 2009

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN:  22^ND MAY 2009 (5.00 PM)

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items called in by 12.00 noon on 26^th May 2009)