Agenda and minutes

At the commencement of the meeting, Councillor Blake as Chair welcomed all to the meeting and highlighted that this would be her final Executive Board meeting, following her recent announcement that she was to step down as Leader of the Council, in order to take up a new role as a Labour Party Peer in the House of Lords.

In response to this, throughout the meeting Board Members paid tribute to Councillor Blake and extended their thanks to her for her years of service in the number of roles in which she had served on the Council.

Also, on behalf of the Board, Councillor Blake paid tribute to both Councillor Mulherin and Councillor Charlwood for all of their efforts and achievements throughout their time as Executive Members of Leeds City Council following their respective recent announcements to step down from their positions on Executive Board.

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, ‘Acquisition of Premises at Kingsdale Court, Seacroft’, referred to in Minute No. 115 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 on the grounds that the information contained within that appendix 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 respect of certain companies and charities. It is considered that since this information was obtained through one to one negotiations for the disposal of the property / land then it is not in the public interest to disclose this information at this point in time. Also, it is considered that the release of such information would, or would be likely to prejudice the Council’s commercial interests in relation to other similar transactions in that prospective purchasers of other similar properties would have access to 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 this transaction 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 B to the report entitled, ‘Accelerated Capital Receipts and Estate Rationalisation’, referred to in Minute No. 119 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 on the grounds that the information contained within that appendix relates to the financial and business affairs of the Council. It is considered that the release of such information would, or would be likely to prejudice the Council’s commercial interests in relation to property transactions. It is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption from publication outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information at this point in time;

(C)  That appendix 2 to the report entitled, ‘East Leeds Extension – Land Disposal and Delivery of Community Infrastructure’, referred to in Minute No. 124 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 on the grounds that the information contained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Agenda Item 8 - Update on Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic – Response and Recovery Plan

With the agreement of the Chair, a late item of business was admitted to the agenda entitled, ‘Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic – Response and Recovery Plan’.

Given the scale and significance of this issue, it was deemed appropriate that a further update report be submitted to this remote meeting of the Board.

However, due to the fast paced nature of developments on this issue, and in order to ensure that Board Members received the most up to date information as possible, the report was not included within the agenda as originally published on 2^nd February 2021. (Minute No. 117 refers).

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.

There were no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests declared at the meeting, however during the course of the meeting, Councillor Golton drew the Board’s attention to the fact that he was a candidate in the forthcoming West Yorkshire Mayoral Elections. (Minute No. 116 refers).

Also, Councillor Mulherin drew the Board’s attention to her recent appoint as Chief Executive for the Market Place organisation.  (Minute No. 117 refers).

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th December 2020.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16^th December 2020 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the joint report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Resources and Housing which outlines a proposal to purchase a portfolio of at least 40 flats at Kingsdale Court, Seacroft, as part of a co-ordinated response by the Council and other partner services to resolving acute neighbourhood management issues and extremely poor housing conditions.

(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))

The Director of City Development and the Director of Resources and Housing submitted a joint report which outlined a proposal to purchase a portfolio of at least 40 flats at Kingsdale Court, Seacroft, as part of a co-ordinated response by the Council and other partner services to resolving acute neighbourhood management issues and extremely poor housing conditions.

Members were supportive of the recommendations presented in the submitted report, however, in response to Members’ comments the Board received further detail regarding the actions being taken to mitigate against risk associated with the proposals, with it being noted that appropriate due diligence processes were in place.

In discussing the current position in relation to the properties at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive, and in response to a Member’s enquiries, the Board was provided with information which explained the reasons for the proposed actions to address the specific issues at Kingsdale Court and how that position differed to that of Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive, with it being noted that liaison with the residents of Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive would continue as part of the support provided to them by the Council.

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 use of Housing Revenue Account capital funding in line with the detail, as set out in exempt Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved, in order to enable the acquisition of a portfolio of at least 40 flats at Kingsdale Court, Seacroft, and that having agreed resolution (b) (below), the final negotiations of the terms be delegated to the Director of City Development in consultation with the Director of Resources and Housing and the Executive Member for ‘Communities’;

(b)  That the terms of acquisition, as contained within exempt Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved;

(c)  That in principle support be agreed for Directors to pursue further acquisitions to enable full assembly of the Kingsdale Court site and its redevelopment, with the relevant delegations available to Directors for this, being noted; 

(d)  That it be noted that the Council has the potential to use its Compulsory Purchase powers to support any assembly of the site should they be required, with it also being noted that any such proposal would be the subject of a further report;

(e)  That approval be given for the resolutions within this minute to be exempted from the Call In process, for those reasons as detailed within paragraph 4.5.5 – 4.5.6 of the submitted report.

(The Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules state that a decision may be declared as being exempt from the Call In process by the decision taker if it is considered that the matter is urgent and any delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s, or the public’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

a)  2021/22 Revenue Budget and Council Tax

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) on the proposals for the City Council’s Revenue Budget for 2021/2022 and the Leeds element of the Council Tax to be levied in 2021/2022 

b)  Capital Programme Update 2021 – 2025

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) on the Capital Programme for the period 2021 – 2025 and which includes details of forecast resources for that period together with an update on the 2020/21 programme.

c)  Treasury Management Strategy 2021/2022

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) on the Treasury Management Strategy for 2021/22

Further to Minute No. 96, 16^th December 2020, the Chief Officer, Financial Services, submitted a suite of reports regarding: proposals for the City Council’s Revenue Budget for 2021/22 and the Leeds element of the Council Tax to be levied during the same period; proposals regarding an updated Capital Programme for 2021-2025 and also a proposed updated Treasury Management Strategy for 2021/22.

By way of introduction to the report, the Chair paid tribute to all those officers who had developed the current draft budget to its current position, under what were unprecedented circumstances.

(A)  2021/22 Revenue Budget and Council Tax

As part of the introduction to the report, the Chief Officer (Financial Services) brought to Members’ attention the following corrections to be made to the covering report:

·  That the sum in paragraph 2.2.1, bullet point 4 should read £3.775 billion, not million;

·  That the reference to 2020/21 in the first recommendation be replaced with 2021/22; and

·  That the reference in the second recommendation to the proposed Adult Social Care precept of 2.99% be replaced with 3%.

Responding to a Member’s enquiries, the Board was provided with further information regarding the total funding which had been provided by Government specifically for the Coronavirus pandemic which was contributing towards this proposed Council budget.  Also, responding to a specific question on how the funding from Government for Track and Trace provision had been spent, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with further detail.

In response to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was updated on the current position regarding the Chair of the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities) being provided with further detail in relation to the future provision of grass cutting; PCSOs; Community Committee Wellbeing funding and the opening hours of Community Hubs following the recent consideration of such matters by the Scrutiny Board.

Also, responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further detail on the liaison which took place between the Council and the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioners office in terms of budgetary matters.

Following a Member’s question on how much the Council was expected to pay in interest upon outstanding debt in 2021/22, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with the requested information outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Council be recommended to note the recommendation of the Council’s statutory officer (the Chief Officer – Financial Services) that the Budget proposals for 2021/22 are robust and that the proposed level of reserves is adequate, as set out at Section 12 of the submitted report;

(b)  That subject to making those specific corrections as detailed above, Executive Board recommends to Council the adoption of the following:-

(i)  That the revenue budget for 2021/22 totalling £435.3m be approved. This means that the Leeds element of the Council Tax for 2021/22 will increase by 1.99% plus the Adult Social Care precept of 3%. This excludes the police and fire precepts which will be incorporated into the report to be submitted to Council on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive providing an update on the actions of the Leeds Health and Social Care system and Leeds City Council, working with broader partners, in response to and facilitating the recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

(Report to follow)

Further to Minute No. 97, 16th December 2021, the Chief Executive submitted a report which provided an update on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic across the city including vaccination rollout, the recovery approach, outbreak management, and current issues and risks. The report focused upon the impact of entering into national lockdown restrictions, rollout of vaccinations across the city and the West Yorkshire sub-region, vaccination access, mitigating risks from the new Covid-19 variants and the support in place for people and businesses. The report also noted that the city’s multi-agency command and control arrangements continued to be used with the Response and Recovery plan, aiming to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on those in the city, especially the most vulnerable.

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 section 11.9 of the submitted report, and as detailed in Minute No. 112.

By way of introduction to the report, the Chair thanked Council officers, partners across all sectors and also the wider community for their continued efforts in response to the pandemic. An update was provided on a number of issues, including the roll out of the vaccine in Leeds, the latest infection rates, the establishment of Elland Road as a public vaccination site and the expected timeframe regarding further Government announcements regarding current restrictions. Members of the Board also paid tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, who had recently passed away, for his inspirational actions throughout the pandemic.

Emphasis was placed upon the work which continued to ensure that the number of people being vaccinated was maximised, with it being noted that this would continue to be a priority for the city and that Members would continue to be updated. With regard to vaccination levels, Members highlighted how crucial it was to ensure that clear and consistent messaging about the importance of being vaccinated continued to be conveyed to communities across the city, especially those where there was hesitancy in taking the vaccine.

Responding to a Member’s comments, the Board received further information on the actions which continued to be taken in collaboration with partners regarding the prioritisation of mental health services and the promotion of wellbeing, given the impact that the pandemic was having on many.

In conclusion, the Chair took the opportunity to thank Councillor Venner for extending her portfolio during the current period, to include both ‘Children and Families’ and ‘Health, Wellbeing and Adults’.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the change in restrictions announced on 4th January 2021, with the introduction of a national lockdown, be noted, and that the public efforts to stay at home and reduce contacts, be acknowledged; with the verbal update provided at the meeting on the latest positon also being noted, together with the fact that the national lockdown is due to be reviewed in mid-February;

(b)  That the extensive work being undertaken across the city’s multi  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive which, following the White Paper Motion resolution of Full Council on 13^th January 2021, provides the Board with an overview of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an initial view of its potential impacts and the approach of the Council moving forward. It also provides an update on other areas affected by EU Exit including the repatriation of EU funding and the EU Settlement Scheme.

Further to Minute No. 98, 16^th December 2020, the Chief Executive submitted a report which, following the White Paper Motion resolution of Full Council on 13th January 2021, provided the Board with an overview of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement, an initial view of its potential impacts and the approach of the Council moving forward. It also provided an update on other areas affected by EU Exit including the repatriation of EU funding and the EU Settlement Scheme.

By way of introduction to the submitted report, the Board received an update on the ongoing work which continued in this area.

Responding to a Member’s comments, the Board received further detail regarding the communications between the Department for International Trade, the LEP, the Combined Authority and the Council and the actions being taken to support the business community moving forward. With regard to the level of contact which was being made with the Department for International Trade and its regional representatives on such matters, officers undertook to provide further detail to the Member in question.

Members also discussed the issue of the repatriation of European funding and the need for benefit from that funding to be maximised. Members also discussed how a long term approach towards the Government’s provision of funding would be helpful in terms of planning for the future. The Board also considered the process by which such funding would be delivered regionally, and whether it would be directed to Local Authorities or the Mayoral Authority. In conclusion, it was agreed that the Leader, on behalf of the Board write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government seeking further clarification on the process by which European funding would be repatriated.

With regard to the global market, a Member referenced the current situation with regard to China, with it being noted that such matters were being monitored, as appropriate.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the developments which have occurred since the previous Executive Board report (16^th December 2020); the overview of the Trade and Co-operation Agreement and its potential impacts; together with the Council’s next steps following its signing to capitalise on any opportunities moving forward, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That, following the resolution of the White Paper Motion by Council on 13^th January 2021, agreement be given to the drafting of a letter calling on the Government to ensure EU funding repatriated to the UK is devolved to local Councils and Mayoral Combined Authorities as soon as possible, and following specific agreement as detailed above, the Leader, on behalf of the Board, write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government seeking further clarification on the process by which European funding would be repatriated.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the Council’s Capital Receipt Programme and which seeks support to continue with the disposal of the properties included within the schedule attached at Appendix A.  The report also seeks approval to the acceleration of properties from future years of the programme and the addition of new properties being released through estate realisation.

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

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the Council’s Capital Receipt Programme and which sought support to continue with the disposal of the properties, as included within the schedule attached at Appendix A. The report also sought approval to the acceleration of properties from future years of the programme and the addition of new properties being released through estate realisation.

A Member emphasised the key importance of ensuring that Ward Councillors were kept updated on proposals which affected their Wards, with it being undertaken that further liaison with local Members could be undertaken to address any specific issues which remained.

Regarding a Member’s enquiry regarding the preservation of mature trees on the Redhall site, it was noted that the trees had been included in the master plan developed for the site, with it also being noted that such matters would be taken into consideration as part of the planning consent process.

Responding to an enquiry regarding the cost to the Council for the provision of security measures for those sites which were vacant, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with that detail.

With regard to a Member’s comment regarding properties of community interest, it was noted that any expressions of interest made by community groups would be taken into consideration, as appropriate.

Following consideration of Appendix B 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 contents of the submitted report which provides an update on the Capital Receipts Programme, be noted, together with the schedule of properties which make up the Council’s Capital Receipts Programme of surplus properties for disposal over the next 5 years, as detailed in Appendix A to the submitted report;

(b)  That the previous key decisions which have been taken in relation to the disposal of assets, as set out at paragraph 3.1 of the submitted report, be noted;

(c)  That the accelerated disposal of the properties contained within Table 3.1 of the submitted report via auction, be approved;

(d)  That the addition of the properties contained in Table 3.2 of the submitted report into the Capital Receipts Programme, be approved;

(e)  That the removal of properties from the Capital Receipt Programme, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the submitted report, be approved.

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

To consider the joint report of the Director of Resources and Housing and the Director of City Development seeking approval for the investment of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Strategic Fund in terms of spending priorities for the forthcoming year and to align the Fund with the Capital Programme. The report also provides an update on national legislative changes to the CIL process, in particular those that impact the Strategic Fund.

The Director of Resources and Housing and the Director of City Development submitted a joint report which sought approval for the investment of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Strategic Fund in terms of spending priorities for the forthcoming year and to align the Fund with the Capital Programme. The report also provided an update on national legislative changes to the CIL process, in particular those that impact the Strategic Fund.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, officers undertook to provide the Member in question with further detail regarding a public transport contribution concerning NGT in terms of the sum of money involved and where it was held.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That agreement be given for the spending priority for the investment of the CIL Strategic Fund (financial year 21/22) to be the Learning Places Programme, given the continued need in particular for secondary and SEN places;

(b)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of resolution (a) is the Chief Officer (Financial Services), and that, following resolution (a) (above), the Chief Officer (Financial Services) will proceed to implement the recommendation under their delegated powers with the assistance of their delegated officers.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) which sets out the Council’s projected financial health position for 2020/21 as at Month 9 of the financial year.

The Chief Officer (Financial Services) submitted a report which set out the Council’s projected financial health position for 2020/21, as at Month 9 of the financial year.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the projected financial position of the Authority, as at Month 9 of the financial year, be noted, with the projected impact of COVID-19 on that position also being noted;

(b)  That for 2020/21, it be noted that the Authority is forecasting a balanced budget position;

(c)  That it be noted that the position detailed within the submitted report does not reflect the potential effects of any further local or national lockdown arrangements not yet introduced, which could impact upon those financial projections.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors A Carter required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

To consider the joint report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Adults and Health which provides an update on the Door to Door Community Transport Service (Digital Hub) project, to present a summary of the work undertaken to date and to request approval to deliver a pilot of the proposed service, subject to funding approval from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) via the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP).

The Director of City Development and the Director of Adults and Health submitted a joint report which provided an update on the Door to Door Community Transport Service (Digital Hub) project, presented a summary of the work undertaken to date and which sought approval to deliver a pilot of the proposed service, subject to funding approval from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) via the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP).

In noting that the proposal was a pilot scheme, it was suggested that if successful, consideration could be given to potentially expanding the project to other areas of the city.

Responding to a Member’s concerns regarding the proposal, the Board was provided with further information detailing a breakdown on how the funding for the pilot would be utilised, together with information on the reasons as to why the specific geographic and demographic areas for the pilot had been proposed, with it being undertaken that further detail could be provided to Members, if required.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the update on the progress made, and the forward plan for the Door to Door Community Transport Service project, be noted;

(b)  That the delivery of a pilot of the proposed service, be approved, subject to funding approval being agreed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) via the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP).

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors S Golton required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which sets out the review of the of the Local Centres Programme that has been undertaken following the Capital Programme review, as agreed by Executive Board in September 2020 and which seeks agreement to the proposals for the revised scope of the programme. 

Further to Minute No. 44, 24^th September 2020, the Director of City Development submitted a report which set outthe review of the Local Centres Programme and which sought agreement to the proposals for the revised scope of the programme.

Whilst acknowledging the financial situation being faced by the Council, the key importance of continuing to invest in local centres was emphasised.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the deliverability and progress of the Council’s Local Centres Programme, be noted;

(b)  That the approach taken to assessing a revised scope for the Local Centres Programme and the criteria-based approach towards retention or continuation of schemes, as set out in paragraphs 3.4 – 3.12 of the submitted report, be agreed;

(c)  That the list of schemes to be taken forward to completion, as set out in paragraph 3.13 and Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be agreed, with it being noted that the commensurate figure of £1.862m is to be retained in the Capital Programme, as set out in the separate report on the agenda for this meeting;

(d)  That it be noted that the Head of Regeneration will be responsible for the implementation of the revised scope of local centres work, as set out within the submitted report.

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

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which provides an update on the development of the East Leeds Extension and which seeks related approvals regarding the specific next steps in relation to the disposal and development of Council owned land in the Middle and Southern Quadrants, together with the related delivery of new community infrastructure.

(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))

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided an update on the development of the East Leeds Extension (ELE) and which sought related approvals regarding the specific next steps in relation to the disposal and development of Council owned land in the Middle and Southern Quadrants, together with the related delivery of new community infrastructure.

A Member welcomed the briefings which continued to be received on this complex matter and in response to a specific enquiry regarding the consideration being given to the provision of secondary education in the area, the Director of City Development and the Director of Children and Families undertook to provide the Member in question with a briefing on this.

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 approval be given for the Council to enter into Option Agreements with Taylor Wimpey and Redrow in relation to the sale of Council land in the Southern Quadrant (as shown in the plan at Appendix 1 to the submitted report) and an Equalisation Agreement with the other Middle and Southern Quadrant land owners and developers, with such agreements to be on the terms as outlined within the submitted report;

(b)  That the principle of the Council’s land at Parcel A in the Southern Quadrant of the ELE (as shown in the plan at Appendix 1 to the submitted report) being appropriated or dedicated for use as a primary school and for the provision of community facilities as necessary and in accordance with planning requirements, be approved;

(c)  That the principle of the Council disposing of land at Parcel A in the Southern Quadrant of the ELE (as shown in the plan at Appendix 1 to the submitted report) to a third party or parties for use as a school and for the provision of community facilities, be approved;

(d)  That it be noted that the Capital Programme report on the agenda for this meeting proposes the injection of up to £650,000 to facilitate the re-provision of the existing sports pitches in the Southern Quadrant, to be forward funded by developers; and that approval be given to the Director of City Development to authorise the Director to provide authority to spend up to that amount for this purpose;

(e)  That the principle of pitch development, as set out in the Whinmoor Grange Development Brief, be reaffirmed, and that approval be given for the progression of feasibility, design and the submission of a planning application to enable progression of the ELE playing pitch strategy, as set out in paragraphs 3.16-3.25 of the submitted report.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development outlining the establishment of the ‘Grey to Green’ work programme for the creation of high quality green infrastructure projects and details the related submission of a final business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority.  The report also sets out the proposed redevelopment of an area of land outside the Corn Exchange for the creation of a new high quality public realm, and which seeks the necessary ‘authority to spend’ for the delivery of such proposals. Finally, the report provides information and seeks the necessary approvals regarding the development of proposals regarding the pavilion building to be brought forward by CX (Leeds) Limited, subject to planning approvals, which is complementary to the public realm redevelopment.

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

The Director of City Development submitted a report which outlined the establishment of the ‘Grey to Green’ work programme for the creation of high quality green infrastructure projects and detailed the related submission of a final business case to West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA). The report also set out the proposed redevelopment of an area of land outside the Corn Exchange for the creation of a new high quality public realm, and which sought the necessary ‘authority to spend’ for the delivery of the proposal. Finally, the report provides information and sought the necessary approvals for the development of proposals regarding the pavilion building to be brought forward by CX (Leeds) Limited, subject to planning approvals.

Following consideration of Appendix 3 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 establishment of the ‘Grey to Green’ work programme and the submission of a final business case to WYCA in November 2020 to secure £8.6m of match funding from the Government’s Getting Building Fund, be noted;

(b)  That the progress made on proposals for the development of the public realm scheme for the Corn Exchange, linked to the delivery of the Connecting Leeds Corn Exchange Gateway, be noted;

(c)  That the authority to spend up to £1,546,655 on the Corn Exchange Public Realm scheme from the sources identified within the submitted report, be approved;

(d)  That the principles of the proposed lease terms, as outlined in the exempt appendix to the submitted report, for the construction of a pavilion building and a ground lease between Leeds City Council and CX (Leeds) Limited (part of Rushbond PLC), be approved, with the necessary authority being delegated to the Director of City Development to enable the Director to conclude the final agreement;

(e)  That the principles of the management agreement between Leeds City Council and CX (Leeds) Limited to facilitate use of the space by CX (Leeds) Limited for an annual programme of trading and events associated with the Corn Exchange, be approved and that the necessary authority be delegated to the Director of City Development in order to enable the Director to conclude the final agreement;

(f)  That it be noted that further reports will be submitted to Executive Board regarding approvals for the remaining ‘Grey to Green’ projects;

(g)  That subject to ongoing consultation with relevant Executive Members, as appropriate, it be noted that the Director of City Development will be responsible for the implementation of the resolutions arising from the submitted report.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors S Golton required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing providing an update on the progress being made towards reducing emissions at both a national and local level, setting out key actions that have been undertaken. The report also reflects upon the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both emissions and how the road to recovery can be founded in the green economy.

Further to Minute No. 134, 7^th January 2020, the Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report providing an update on the progress being made towards reducing emissions at both a national and local level, setting out key actions that have been undertaken. The report also reflected upon the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both emissions and how the road to recovery can be founded in the green economy.

Members discussed the range of zero emission targets that existed locally, nationally and internationally, with the actions being taken in Leeds being noted and it was also acknowledged that whilst Leeds would continue to work to address the Climate Emergency, matters such as the alignment of zero emission targets remained the subject of ongoing discussion.

Responding to a Member’s enquiries, the Board was provided with further detail regarding the proposed development of a Domestic Energy Strategy and how Members would be involved in that process. Details were also provided to the Board on the engagement and communications work being undertaken with communities in this area.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the intention to report on the Council’s scope 3 emissions in the next annual report, in line with the climate commission’s proposed approach for the city, be noted;

(b)  That the intention to bring a domestic energy strategy to Executive Board in summer 2021, be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families which in Part A details the outcome of consultation regarding a proposal to establish Resource Provision at St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School and which seeks a decision to publish a statutory notice in respect of this proposal. In Part B the report presents the outcome of consultation regarding a proposal to establish Resource Provision at Bishop Young Church of England Academy and which seeks the relevant approvals.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report which in Part A presented the outcomes from the consultation exercise undertaken on a proposal to establish Resource Provision at St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School and which sought a decision to publish a statutory notice in respect of this proposal. In Part B, the report presented the outcomes from the consultation exercise undertaken on a proposal to establish Resource Provision at Bishop Young Church of England Academy and which sought the relevant approvals.

Members welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report.

RESOLVED –

Part A – Proposed 12-place Resource Provision at St Margaret’s C of E Primary

School, Horsforth:

(a)  That the publication of a statutory notice on a proposal to establish a 12-place Resource Provision at St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School with effect from September 2021, be approved;

(b)  That provisional approval for authority to spend (ATS) of £1.1m to deliver the proposed 12-place Resource Provision at St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School, be granted;

(c)  That it be noted that the implementation of the proposal would be subject to the response of the proposed statutory notice and on the outcome of further detailed design work and planning applications, as indicated at section 4.4 of the submitted report;

(d)  That it be noted that the proposal has been brought forward in time for places to be delivered for 2021;

(e)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Learning Systems.

Part B – Proposed 30-place Resource Provision at Bishop Young Church of England Academy:

(f)  That approval be given for the progression of a proposal to establish a 30-place Resource Provision at Bishop Young Church of England Academy, with effect from September 2021;

(g)  That provisional approval for authority to spend (ATS) of £2.2m to deliver the proposed 30-place Resource Provision at Bishop Young Church of England Academy, be granted;

(h)  That it be noted that the implementation of the proposal is subject to the outcome of further detailed design work and planning applications, as indicated at section 4.4 of the submitted report;

(i)  That it be noted that the proposal has been brought forward in time for places to be delivered for 2021;

(j)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Learning Systems.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families presenting the outcomes from the statutory notice regarding a proposal to permanently expand West Oaks SEN Specialist School and College from 350 to 500 places for children and young people aged 2-19 from September 2021 utilising a site at Buckingham Road, Headingley (formerly known as Rose Court). Additionally, the report seeks a final decision on the proposal.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report presenting the outcomes from the statutory notice regarding a proposal to permanently expand West Oaks Special Educational Needs (SEN) Specialist School and College from 350 to 500 places for children and young people aged 2-19 from September 2021 utilising a site at Buckingham Road, Headingley (formerly known as Rose Court). Additionally, the report also sought a final decision on the proposal.

Members welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the governing body’s proposal to permanently expand West Oaks SEN Specialist School and College from 350 to 500 places for children and young people aged 2-19 utilising a site on Buckingham Road in Headingley (previously known as Rose Court) with effect from September 2021, be approved;

(b)  That the recommendation to exempt the decisions arising from this report from the Call In process for the reasons as set out in paragraph 4.5.2 of the submitted report, be approved;

(c)  That it be noted that the implementation of the proposal is subject to funding being agreed based upon the outcome of further detailed design work and planning applications, as indicated at section 4.4 of the submitted report, with it also being noted that the proposal has been brought forward in time for places to be delivered for 2021;

(d)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Learning Systems.

(The Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules state that a decision may be declared as being exempt from the Call In process by the decision taker if it is considered that the matter is urgent and any delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s, or the public’s interests. In line with this, the resolutions contained within this minute were exempted from the Call In process, as per resolution (b) above, and for the reasons as detailed within section 4.5.2 of the submitted report)

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families which seeks approval of the Local Authority admissions policy and admissions arrangements for entry to voluntary controlled and community schools in September 2022.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report which presented for approval the Local Authority Admissions Policy and Admissions Arrangements for entry to Voluntary Controlled and Community Schools in September 2022.

In responding to a concern regarding the proposed location of some catchment area boundaries, Members discussed the increasing complexities involved in establishing school admission arrangements and catchments areas for the city.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That in determining the school admissions arrangements for the academic year 2022/23, the admissions policies for the Leeds Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary and Secondary schools (as detailed at Appendices A, B, & C of the submitted report), be approved;

(b)  That the resolutions of the Board in respect of the submitted report, as detailed within this minute, be exempted from the Call In process for the reasons as detailed within paragraph 4.5.2 of the submitted report;

(c)  That the following be noted:-

(i)  The Co-ordinated scheme for admissions arrangements for entry in September 2022 (as detailed at Appendix D to the submitted report) and that there are no significant changes to the content, but the scheme has been re-worded to be simpler, clearer and make the policy more accessible to all Local Authority colleagues and families;

(ii)  That the officer responsible for the implementation of such matters is the Lead for Admissions and Family Information Service;

(iii)  That the statutory date for implementation (i.e. determination of the policies) is no later than 28 February 2021, with the policy being published by 15 March 2021.

(The Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules state that a decision may be declared as being exempt from the Call In process by the decision taker if it is considered that the matter is urgent and any delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s, or the public’s interests. In line with this, the resolutions contained within this minute were exempted from the Call In process, as per resolution (b) above, and for the reasons as detailed within section 4.5.2 of the submitted report)

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors A Carter required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families that provides an overview of the Early Years sector in Leeds, within the context of the pandemic and the challenges this has presented. 

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report that provided an overview of the Early Years sector in Leeds, within the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges that this had presented.

By way of introduction to the report, the Executive Member summarised the range of issues which were being faced by the sector together with the actions being taken by the Council to support providers.

Responding to a Member’s enquiries, the Board received further detail on the actions being taken to maximise the availability of funding to support the sector during the pandemic, and the representations being made to Government on such matters. With regard to the number of childcare providers who had received financial support from Government funding via the discretionary element administered by the Council, officers undertook to provide the Member with further detail on this.

Linked to this, responding to a Member’s enquiry regarding the discretionary funding stream that was currently open for applications, and whether any remaining balance from this funding stream could potentially be made available to childcare providers following the forthcoming deadline, officers undertook to look into this matter further. 

Members further discussed the continued role played by the Local Authority in making representations to Government in respect of the concerns which existed for the sector during the pandemic, with detailed discussion being given to a number of areas relating to the pandemic where representations had been made to Government, or where views had been provided at the Government’s invitation. 

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further detail regarding the provision of ‘Little Owls’ and the continued monitoring and adaptation of the business model for the service, with it being noted that the Council’s expertise in this area was shared with the wider sector, as a way of providing support to private businesses during the current time.

RESOLVED – That the following be noted:-

(a)  That the childcare sector has faced significant challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic – in relation to finances, demand for places and the ability to provide the stimulating learning environment providers aspire to due to the safety measures, restrictions, guidance and advice in place;

(b)  That there is concern both nationally and locally that the childcare market disruption is likely to have ongoing and long term impacts on the sector, with regard to parental engagement with childcare and early learning, the sustainability of childcare provider businesses and subsequently the sufficiency of early learning and childcare places;

(c)  That the Local Authority continues to support the sector through ongoing communication and advice, amending funding approaches wherever possible in line with Department for Education (DfE) advice to offer financial support to providers;

(d)  That the Local Authority will continue to lobby and advocate for the sector with regard to the need for adequate funding, in recognition of the crucial importance of the sector for children’s development and as a key plank of the economy;

(e)  That the Local Authority will continue to lobby and advocate for the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 130.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:   FRIDAY, 12^TH FEBRUARY 2021

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS:  5.00 P.M., FRIDAY, 19^TH FEBRUARY 2021