Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

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 the following parts of the agenda designated as containing 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, as follows:

  No exempt items have been identified.

There were no exempt items.

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items.

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

No declarations of interests were made at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received from Cllr Flynn. Cllr B Anderson attended the meeting as his substitute.

It was noted that Cllrs Chapman and Firth would be arriving late to the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2021

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2021, be approved as a correct record.

Members were advised of the following in relation to:

Minute 8 – Improving the experience and outcomes of Black, Asian and minority Ethnic colleagues at Leeds City Council

·  HR would prepare a BAME update for the January 2022 meeting. A number of network groups from across the Council would be invited to ensure inclusivity of all colleagues.

Minute 9 – Electoral Services Update – voting behaviour, postal voting and turnout.

·  Election information requested at the meeting has been circulated to Members.

Minute 10 – IDS – Vision, Project and Programme Management

·  A report from IDS would be presented to the Board at its February 2022 meeting with further information in relation to the service desk.

Minute 11 – Future Working Arrangements, agile working and estate realisation

·  To present a report on staff well being to the November 2021 meeting.

To consider a report from the Chief Officer, Culture and Economy setting out the cultural offer in Leeds, highlighting its value to the city in terms of health and well-being and wider economic benefit, setting out the role culture can play in recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and highlighting the significant milestone and linked opportunities for Leeds that will arise from the Year of Culture in 2023.

The Chief Officer, Culture and Economy submitted a report to present an initial session on Leeds 2023 for the Board. It set out the aims, ambitions and opportunities that Leeds 2023 would create for Leeds in terms of recovery after the pandemic and the wider ambition around ‘putting Leeds on the map’.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Debra Coupar- Executive Member for Resources

·  Cllr Jonathan Pryor – Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

·  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer Culture and Economy

·  Kully Thiarai – Creative Director and CEO Leeds 2023

·  Abigail Scott – Director of External Relations Leeds 2023

The Board was shown a presentation which included:

·  Benefits of culture and its impact on the economy

·  The DCMS work on positive outcomes of people engaging in culture on their health.

·  2020 Cultural Cities inquiry which was undertaken in December 2020.

·  The trends and opportunities for culture post Covid 19 Pandemic.

·  Back-ground history of Leeds 2023 including city-wide consultation in 2015 through to 2018 where 700 people attended a meeting of full Council.

·  The Grant agreement and the Governance for Leeds 2023.

Members were also shown a short video as a promotional tool call ‘Letting Culture Loose’ 

The Board were informed of the following points:

·  Leeds 2023 will raise the profile of the city both nationally and internally and aims to work with partners to provide an extraordinary and memorable year for all.

·  Impact on the city would be to:

o  encourage economic growth,

o  raise social and cultural awareness

o  provide opportunities for jobs,

o  inspire children and young people,

o  improve wellbeing and social cohesion,

o  attract additional visitors and investment to the city

o  increase knowledge on the history and heritage of Leeds

o  Collaborative work and inclusivity

·  So far £1.5m additional investment has been secured and 65 artists have been commissioned.

·  A project called My World, My City, My Neighbourhood looks to work with 23 artists in 23 wards.

·  Leeds 2023 will also look to create links with international artists.

·  Funding has also been secured from British Council.

Cllr Pryor said that Leeds 2023 was exciting and would be beneficial for the city in health and wellbeing, investment in the city, creation of new job opportunities and getting children and young people into culture would benefit their future lives.

Member’s discussions included:

·  A need for cultural events not only to be in the city centre but also to be in the local communities, events need to cover all 33 wards

·  Where possible for events to be free and easily accessible for all.

·  Programme for all schools, Members wished to be kept informed of what was happening in schools.

·  The Board were of the view that links needed to be in relation to access of cultural events and health and wellbeing. The Board was informed that as part of the strategy the council would adopt social progress measures to look at the impact of culture on health and wellbeing.

·  Members were keen to get the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services setting out the agreed Terms of Reference and remit for the work of the Board on recycling services in Leeds as part of a joint work item with the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board. The report also provides initial information on finance matters related to recycling to guide the Boards initial work on this subject.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services set out the Terms of Reference for a proposed joint inquiry to be conducted by The Environment, Housing and Communities and Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Boards.

In attendance for this item were:

·  John Woolmer – Chief Officer Environmental Services

·  Cllr Mohammed Rafique – Executive Member Environment and Housing

·  Neil Evans – Director of Resources

The Board was informed that this was the first look at the joint inquiry on Waste Services, being undertaken in partnership with Environment, Housing and Communities (EHC). This followed formal delegation of responsibilities to the Board at its meeting held in September to look at the finances involved in expanding recycling services. A copy of the Terms of Reference for this joint inquiry was attached to the submitted report at Appendix 1.

The remit of this Board is to keep discussions to recycling, associated costs and how expansion of services might be funded as well as examination of the existing budget which was appended to the submitted report at Appendix 2.

Members were informed that the National Waste Strategy would set out options for recycling and what the Council will be legally required to collect. The service was still waiting for clarification from Government as to what services would be required and what funding would be provided.

Member’s discussions included:

·  Additions to the Terms of Reference in relation to the remit of this Board. To include resources, end of day reports on missed bins, costs of private involvement in the service.

·  The Board suggested that experts be invited in relation to options for recycling, sharing of best practice and how waste can be reused.

·  Cost and resources of different waste services

·  Funding of future projects in relation to recycling

·  Options in relation to co-mingled waste collection and recycling

·  Impact of wet waste in black bins and how that affects the RERF in terms of efficiency and cost

·  More information was requested on the RERF generally with a view to considering the issue at the Board’s November meeting

·  Planning required on how the service will look in the future. The Board was of the view that the service would require more funding to operate an effective and efficient service.

The Chair suggested that discussions should take place with Cllr Anderson, Chair of EHC Scrutiny Board and PSA’s in relation to the Terms of Reference and inviting experts and external providers to meetings.

RESOLVED – The Chair to note possible additional areas for consideration and to liaise with Cllr Anderson to ensure one of the Scrutiny Boards considers all items. The Board was content to continue to pursue this work item and gather further evidence in future before making recommendations.

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services providing a financial update to members following work initiated in July which established a focus on ensuring budget robustness and long-term budget sustainability during the board’s work in 2021/22. The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy and latest Financial Health report are presented to members as part of this approach.

The Board considered the submitted report of the Head of Democratic Services for the Budget 2021/22 Financial Health Update, Financial Challenge and Medium -Term Financial Strategy.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Victoria Bradshaw – Chief Officer Financial Services

·  Neil Evans – Director of Resources

·  Cllr Debra Coupar – Executive Member for Resources

Appended to the report were the Medium -Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and an update in respect of financial health in the revenue budget and Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Both were presented to Executive Board in September.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  Following the Covid-19 pandemic the Council is facing a period of significant financial challenge. The MTFS identifies an estimated budget gap of £146.5m for the five-year period covered by the Strategy. It was noted that the Council were focussing on the next 3 years which require £126.7m of savings, the biggest impact would be in 2022/23, where savings were required of £65.4m. Proposals in relation to this would be brought to the Board in December for discussion.

·  The Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) is expected on 27th October to be announced alongside the Budget. However, amounts would not be known for each council until December which would impact on how the council can plan for the savings required. It was noted that there was uncertainty about the 3 year settlement, fair funding review, business rates, rates at which council tax can be set and social care funding.

·  In relation to the current financial year which was reported to Executive Board in September there was a projected £400,000 overspend not related to Covid.  There is a significant overspend linked to Covid of £24.9m for which the council has received funding to mitigate this in this financial year. However, the Council was still mindful of how this would carry over for the coming years and how the economy recovers.

Responding to questions officers provided the following information:

·  Clarification was provided in relation to Table 4.1 of the submitted report on the Council’s Net Revenue Budget.

·  Each year all services are looked at to ensure that they have the required resources to deliver an efficient and effective service. However, there are fixed costs to deliver services and the budgets are looked at in detail. Therefore, going back to zero based costing, would not necessarily deliver the required savings.

·  It was recognised that as a result of Covid the Council should have a higher level of reserves than have had in previous years. It was noted that this was built into the Medium-Term Financial Strategy in detail.

·  The 2030 target is around looking at the priorities for the Council around old spending decisions which are taken into account and resources are prioritised. It was noted that it was also around sensible business cases and planning for the future and paying back over a number of years.

·  Table 1.1 Decrease in settlement funding 2010/11 -2021/22. It was acknowledged that it didn’t include real time information or inflation. However, it would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services presenting the Annual Corporate Risk Management Report considered by Executive Board in July 2021.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services presented the Annual Corporate Risk Management Report. It updated the Board on the most significant risks currently on the council’s corporate risk register with summary assurances describing the key controls in place to manage the risks and further actions planned.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Tim Rollett – Intelligence and Policy Manager

·  Cllr Debra Coupar – Executive Member for Resources

The Board was informed of the following points:

·  Along with corporate risks there are also directorate and strategic risks. Each directorate also has its own risks which filter down to service level risks.

·  Corporate risks are reviewed 4 times per year.

·  The annual report was presented to Executive Board in July.

Responding to questions from Members the Board was provided with the following information:

·  Controls and resources are dependent on the nature of the risk. Each type of risk is assessed looking at controls, resources and actions. Members were advised that the assessment for the strategy would be circulated to the Board.

·  It was acknowledged that since the presentation of the annual report to Executive Board in July some risks had moved including the medium-term financial risk, which had been escalated by Corporate Leadership Team in August to the red zone. All risks are monitored regularly to ensure that the Council is prepare for any future impact including if there is a need to go into lockdown again. Financial aspects of risk are due to be updated again.

RESOLVED -To note the Annual Risk Management Report and the assurances given on the Council’s most significant corporate risks in line with the authority’s Risk Management Policy.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Board considered the report submitted by the Head of Democratic Services and the Work Programme for the Board which was appended to the report at Appendix 1.

The main issues included the ongoing waste and recycling inquiry, plans for the Inclusion agenda and feedback from the staff networks, Freedom of Information Report item to come to November meeting, IDS Service Desk to return in February, Budget Working Group in December, and digital skills discussion from September to be covered in the contact centre item.

Member’s discussions included:

·  Recognition that officers had left the meeting prior to this item due to the meeting over running and clashing with cabinet. Members were of the view that given the increased workload of this Board they may need to start meetings earlier. It was suggested that meetings could start at 10:00am with a pre meet for all Board Members at 9:45. The PSA suggested that he would look at where there was a possible clash of future meetings and liaise with the Chair on starting the meetings earlier..

·  Members were of the view that some of the items presented were not detailed enough and therefore took longer to discuss. It was suggested that this would be looked at for future items during the Chairs Brief, with a view to challenge initial reports where possible.

·  Members appreciated that the item on Leeds 2023 was a large work item and that they would require further information. It was suggested that Leeds 2023 might need to be on the agenda for meetings scheduled in both December and February. In respect of December the PSA agreed to look into an additional meeting or working group if possible to arrange.

·  It was noted that the Board wished to have Devolution added to the work programme for either February or March. They recognised that the WYCA Mayor was busy and may need to be booked well in advance of the meeting. The Chair said that he would speak with Cllr Harland the previous Chair of the Board to discuss Devolution and review the previous minutes on the subject.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report.

The next meeting of the Board is on Monday, 29 November 2021 at 10.30am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00 am)

RESOLVED – That the next meeting of the Board will be on Monday 29th November 2021 at 10:00am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.45am).

The meeting concluded at 13:20