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 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 public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as follows:-

(a)  Appendices 1 and 2 to the report referred to in minute 171 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 as disclosure could be prejudicial to the commercial interests of the Council.

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 Wakefield declared personal interests in the matters referred to in minutes 161, 162, 163, and 164 as a school and college governor.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December 2009.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th December 2009 be approved.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds regarding the future of Primrose, City of Leeds and Parklands Girls High Schools, and with respect to girls only secondary education in Leeds.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report regarding the future of Primrose, City of Leeds and Parklands Girls High Schools, and with respect to girls only secondary education in Leeds.

During the discussion on this item it was agreed that the Board discount paragraph 3.6.1 of the report for the purposes of their consideration of this matter.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given to move to formal consultation on a proposal to close Primrose High School in August 2011, and to open a new 11-18 Academy, sponsored by the Co-operative Group, with Leeds College as education partner, on the site in September 2011.

(b)  That approval be given to move to formal consultation on a proposal to close City of Leeds High School and for future use of the site for educational purposes.

(c)  That approval be given to move to formal consultation on a proposal to close Parklands Girls High School in August 2011, and to open a new co-educational 11-18 Academy, sponsored by the Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust (EACT), on the site in September 2011.

(d)  That approval be given for a city wide consultation on the future of girls only secondary education in Leeds.

(e)  That a further report be brought to this Board in April 2010 on the outcome of the consultations and progression of the proposals.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillor Wakefield required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting in respect of the proposal referred to in (b) above insofar as the report included reference to a possible future hub development at the site of the City of Leeds High School which will be the subject of a further report) 

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds providing an overview of primary schools’ performance at the end of 2008/9, as demonstrated through statutory national testing and teacher assessment.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report providing an overview of primary schools’ performance at the end of 2008/9, as demonstrated through statutory national testing and teacher assessment.

A correction in appendix 1 to the report was noted in that reference to the number of schools below the 55% floor target in paragraph 3.8 should read 34 and not 40.

RESOLVED – That the progress made, the implications of the new Ofsted framework and the implications for provision of support, challenge and intervention arising from the government white paper on 21^st Century Schools  be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds summarising the progress made in relation to secondary school improvement in Leeds and providing a commentary on the challenges faced with respect to further improvement in the future.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report summarising the progress made in relation to secondary school improvement in Leeds and providing a commentary on the challenges faced with respect to further improvement in the future.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress made, the implications of the new Ofsted framework and the implications for provision of support, challenge and intervention arising from the government white paper on 21^st Century Schools  be noted.

(b)  That statistical information be provided to all members of the Board on performance levels in Leeds compared with other similar authorities.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds providing a summary of performance with respect to school attendance, persistent absence and permanent and fixed term exclusions in Leeds.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report providing a summary of performance with respect to school attendance, persistent absence and permanent and fixed term exclusions in Leeds.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds outlining consultation on two linked proposals for the expansion of primary provision in Horsforth for September 2011.

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report on proposed consultation on two linked proposals for primary expansion in Horsforth for September 2011.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That approval be given for statutory formal consultation on the linked prescribed alterations to:

i)  change the age range of Horsforth Newlaithes Junior School from 7-11 to 5-11, whilst maintaining an admissions limit of 60, with an overall capacity of 420 children; and

ii)  change the age range of Horsforth Featherbank Infant School from 5-7 to 5-11, and decrease the admissions number from 60 to 30, with an overall capacity of 210 children.

(b)  That the Board notes that the consultation on a proposed expansion  of Horsforth West End Primary School, authorised under minute 153 of the  last meeting, will coincide with the proposals authorised above.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) providing an update on the proposal to establish an independently chaired Improvement Board to oversee the implementation of the Council’s improvement plan for children’s services.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report providing an update on the proposal to establish an independently chaired Improvement Board to oversee the implementation of the Council’s improvement plan for children’s services.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposal to establish an independently led Improvement Board be endorsed and that a further report be brought to the February 2010 meeting of this Board with proposed terms of reference for the new board; an outline of the proposed reporting arrangements and an updated Improvement Plan.

(b)  That  consideration be given to the introduction of arrangements to secure that all political groups are kept informed of progress in Children’s Services and afforded the opportunity to support that progress.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services on the key strategic issues for the City arising from the public consultation being undertaken by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust on their application to achieve Foundation Trust status and on the proposed formal response by the Council.

The Director of Adult Social Services submitted a report on the key strategic issues for the City arising from the public consultation being undertaken by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust on their application to achieve Foundation Trust status and on the proposed formal response by the Council.

RESOLVED - That a formal written response be made to the consultation document ‘Your Hospitals Your Say’, with specific reference to the points outlined in the conclusion to the submitted report and detailed in section 3 of the report.

To consider the joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) and the Director of Resources providing details of the city region Forerunner Agreement which was signed by Government and city region Leaders at the recent City Region Summit on 27 November 2009. The report also outlines the next steps in delivering the programme.

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The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) and the Director of Resources submitted a joint report providing details of the city region Forerunner Agreement which was signed by Government and city region Leaders at the recent City Region Summit on 27 November 2009. The report also outlined the next steps in delivering the programme.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Forerunner Agreement commitments be noted.

(b)  That a further report be brought to the Board detailing the implications of the Agreement and its implementation for Council policy and governance.

(c)  That detailed briefing sessions be arranged, one for all political group leaders and members of this Board, and one for each political group.

(d)  That further consideration be given to the means of keeping the wider membership of the Council informed of city region developments on an ongoing basis.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development outlining the development of the on-street wayfinding scheme which includes a new pedestrian focussed ‘Walk It’ map, concept designs for the proposed new on-street pedestrian wayfinding units and the initial placement plan of where such units should be located.

The Director of City Development submitted a report outlining the development of the on-street wayfinding scheme including a new pedestrian focussed ‘Walk It’ map, concept designs for the proposed new on-street pedestrian wayfinding units and the initial placement plan of where such units should be located.

RESOLVED - That the current position of the Legible Leeds project be noted, that  the scheme as outlined in the report be approved and that authority be given to incur expenditure of £1,200,000 on the proposed works as outlined in the report.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development regarding proposals with respect to the opening of a new Enterprise Centre in Middleton.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on proposals for a new Enterprise Centre in Middleton funded by the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative.

RESOLVED – That authority be given to incur expenditure of £1,616,450 on the proposed Middleton Enterprise Centre.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Libraries, Arts and Heritage outlining proposals with respect to land at Czar Street and the Old Chapel Rehearsal Studio project.

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

The Chief Officer Libraries, Arts and Heritage submitted a report on proposals to contribute land owned by the Council to support the Old Chapel Rehearsal Studio project.

Following consideration of appendices 1 and 2 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 – That land at Czar Street, as identified on the plan attached to the submitted report, be declared surplus to requirements and that the freehold of the land be transferred to Old Chapel Music CIC for the construction of new rehearsal studios in return for the service benefits as detailed in exempt appendix 2 to the report.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Housing regarding the development of the Chapeltown and Armley Townscape Heritage Initiative Schemes, in accordance with the schemes’ Delivery Programmes.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the proposed implementation of the Chapeltown and Armley Townscape Heritage Initiative Schemes, in accordance with the schemes’ Delivery Programmes as agreed with the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Townscape Heritage Initiative/Town and District Centres Programme Board.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That scheme expenditure of £1,136,000 in respect of the Chapeltown and £1,223,000 in respect of the Armley Townscape Heritage Initiative grant schemes be authorised.

(b)  That, with reference to minute 258 of the meeting held on 13^th May 2009, appropriate officers hold discussions with the Chair with a view to progressing the matter.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods summarising the current claimant rates for out-of-work benefits and providing information on the new employability initiatives aimed at supporting priority groups back into employment. The report also highlights the changes required to enable the Council to continue to provide support to priority groups in a changing funding environment to make best use of resources through partnership working.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report summarising the current claimant rates for out-of-work benefits and providing information on the new employability initiatives to support priority groups back into employment. The report also highlighted the changes required to enable the Council to continue to provide support to priority groups in a changing funding environment to make best use of resources through partnership working.

RESOLVED – That the work to deliver targeted support to those at risk of becoming and remaining long term unemployed be noted and supported

The Chair referred to the recent death of Councillor Hussain and the Board stood in silent tribute.  

DATE OF PUBLICATION:  8^TH JANUARY 2010

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN:   15^TH JANUARY 2010 (5.00 PM)

(Scrutiny Support will notify Directors of any items called in by 12.00 noon on 18^th January 2010)