Agenda and minutes

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 this meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Cllr C Campbell & Cllr D Ragan.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (City Development) meeting held on 17 May 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting the Scrutiny Boards terms of reference.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which presented the Board’s terms of reference.

RESOLVED – That the Board’s terms of reference be noted.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support regarding the appointment of co-opted members to the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment).

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which sought the Board’s formal consideration for the appointment of co-opted Members to the Board.

RESOLVED- The Board noted the options available in the report.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support regarding potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment).

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report on potential sources of work and areas of priority within the Board’s terms of reference.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Best Council Plan 2017/18

-  Draft Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure & Investment) Work Schedule for 2017/18 Municipal Year

-  Table of Scrutiny Major Areas of Work Relevant to Infrastructure and Investment

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  James Rogers, Director of Communities and Environment

-  Helen Freeman – Chief Officer, Environmental Action

-  Gary Bartlett, Chief Highways Officer

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

The following sources of work were put forward by members of the scrutiny board for consideration:

·  The issue of planning the development of communities within Leeds in regard to issues such as transport, leisure, green space, health provision and school places. Consideration of what constitutes sustainable development within Leeds in regard to issues such as transport, leisure, green space, health provision and school places. Questions were raised regarding the effective use of Section 106 and CIL monies and the potential to enforce the ‘Leeds Standard’ in both current and future developments. In this regard the Board were advised that support with the Core Strategy review would be welcomed.

·  Request for Scrutiny submitted by Councillor M Robinson in relation to highway maintenance and repair.

·  The continuation of Scrutiny in relation to the City’s transport strategy and activity surrounding the £173.5m fund received from government.

·  City-wide congestion and its impact upon transport infrastructure and public transport.

·  To ensure that corporate and policy framework duties are fulfilled and necessary recommendation tracking is reflected within the work programme. Specific reference made to the Flood Risk Management Plan and the Housing Mix, Digital Inclusion and Advancing Bus Service Provision Inquiries.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the board agree the Scrutiny request from Councillor M Robinson in relation to Highway maintenance as a single item within a future agenda.

b)  That authority be given to the Chair of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure & Investment), in conjunction with officers, to draw up a draft work programme.

c)  That draft terms of reference for an inquiry into building communities be drawn up for subsequent approval by the Scrutiny Board.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support with appended Financial Outturn information for  2016/17 and the Period 2 2017/18 update to enable the consideration of financial information aligned to the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment) .

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which presented financial information relevant to Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure & Investment) considered at the Executive Board meeting held on 21 June 2017.

The following were in attendance:

-Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-Jill Stuart, Principal Financial Manager

-Bhupinda Chana, Principal Financial Manager

The key areas for discussion were:

·  The Board acknowledged the good financial health of the City Development directorate and its significant contribution towards the Council’s financial position.

·  Clarity was sought in relation to staffing savings made within the Planning service and the extent to which current vacancies are impacting the services’ ability to sustain an increased work load. Concern was raised in regard to the potential loss of planning professionals within the local authority and potential recruitment/resource difficulties as a result of increasing pressures.

·  The need to ensure that appropriate resources are made available to Building Control following recent events at Grenfell Tower, Kensington, and that there is full engagement with independent inspectors regarding the audit of high rise buildings. The board sought reassurance concerning the local authority’s capability and capacity to react to emergencies in sufficient time.

·  Clarity was sought in relation to the capitalisation of Highways works.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the board notes the financial report for 2017/18 and the outturn summary for the financial year 2016/17.

b)  That an update on the position on the resourcing of planning services be brought to the Scrutiny Board in December 2017

To receive a report from the Director of City Development which provides a summary of performance information against the delivery of the council’s 2016/17 priorities within the Best Council Plan (BCP) 2015-20.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided a summary of performance information against the delivery of the Council’s 2016/17 priorities within the Best Council Plan 2015-20.

The following information was appended to the report:

-Appendix 1: Best Council Plan (BCP) Performance Summary 2016/17

-Appendix 2: Best Council Plan (BCP) Performance Summary 2017/18

The following were in attendance:

-Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-James Rogers, Director of Communities and Environment

-Helen Freeman – Chief Officer, Environmental Action

-Manjit McKenzie, Performance and Improvement Manager

-Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer Highways & Transportation

-Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

The key areas for discussion were:

·  An introduction and overview of detail concerning key performance targets in relation to Housing Growth, KSI targets and access to employment by public transport.

·  Clarity was sought in relation to cycling statistics presented within the report on page 96 of the agenda.

·  The need to revisit information in relation to Housing Mix and Housing delivery figures. The board requested further detail regarding the number of housing sites with planning permission that had stalled delivery. 

·  The desire to receive a detailed report concerning Road Safety to be presented at a future meeting with particular consideration towards improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. The board was advised that a Road Safety Executive Group had been recently established with membership from police, fire and highways authorities and other relevant partners. 

·  The desire for Council officers and the transport authority to explore exercising powers under the newly constituted Bus Services Act 2017 without the appointment of an elected mayor. 

·  The need to ensure that benefits arising from the city’s transport strategy and £173.5 million government investment are realised in a timely manner.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That a report regarding Road Safety as identified to be brought back to the board during the municipal year.

c)  That further information regarding housing sites with planning permission that are not being developed be provided to the Scrutiny Board as requested.

Wednesday 19 July 2017 at 10:30am

(Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am)

The next meeting of the Board will be the 19^th July at 10:30am with a pre-meeting at 10am. 

The meeting concluded at 11:00am.