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 declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests declared at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor N Dawson.

Notification had been received that Councillor H Hayden was to substitute for Councillor N Dawson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which provides information to support the fourth session of the scrutiny inquiry.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which provided information to support the 4th session of the scrutiny inquiry into Sustainable Development.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Tim Hill - Chief Planning Officer

-  David Feeney – Head of Strategic Planning

-  Dr Kathy Roelich – Sustainability Research Institute

-  Mark Goldstone – Leeds Property Forum

-  Gerald Jennings – Leeds Property Forum

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Leeds University Submission – Sustainability Research Institute, November 2017.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The principles of economic prosperity, social foundations and environmental limits as considerations in infrastructure development to ensure sustainability.

·  That CIL and S106 alone are not enough to deliver sustainable infrastructure therefore there needs to be a strategic approach beyond planning funding.

·  The need to get more businesses to understand that the City has an agenda for growth and economic development that is good for the City and is not development at any cost, environmental, social or financial.

·  The link between good transport, housing and employment skills to ensure good economic growth and the funding of bus services by business to link communities to employment.

·  The joined up approach to strategic planning through the Core Strategy, SAP and AVLAAP.

·  The need to work collaboratively with business and voluntary sector and for the City to have a clear vision so that those looking to work and invest in Leeds know what to expect.

·  NPPF and the perceived mismatch between economic growth, inclusive growth and sustainable development, and the need to ensure that policies relating to these areas are complementary and not conflicting.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment): 

a)  Noted the information contained within the report and presented at the meeting.

To consider the report from the Director of City Development which provides an update on the Transport Strategy for Leeds and a response to the Scrutiny Inquiry, Supertram, NGT and Beyond.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided and update on the Transport Strategy for Leeds and a response to the Scrutiny Inquiry, Supertram, NGT and Beyond.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Martin Farrington – Director of City Development

-  Gary Bartlett – Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation

-  Andrew Hall – Head of Transportation

-  Cllr Richard Lewis – Executive Board Member

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Examples of where lessons learned principles had been implemented in recent transport development.

·  The intention to consider the future strategy for mass transit in Leeds and West Yorkshire.

·  The three year timescale for the addition of train stations.

·  Clarity regarding the use of Council owned land for high speed bus transit and priority routes.

·  Clarity was sought regarding the potential to use of NGT contributions for other transport schemes.

·  The Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme and the intention to run a high frequency bus network. Clarity was sought regarding the work undertaken to progress recommendation 9 contained in the Scrutiny Inquiry report (Advancing Bus Service Provision ) regarding the exploration of bus franchising under the Bus Services Act and the requirements for gaining Secretary of State approval.

·  Clarity was sought regarding progress of the Stourton Park and Ride scheme.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment): 

Noted the content of the report and the response of the Director of City Development to the Scrutiny Inquiry – Supertram, NGT and Beyond.

Cllr C Campbell left the meeting at 12:25 at the conclusion of this item.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development which provides the latest analysis undertaken to understand trends in journey times across the main road network in Leeds and congestion at key junction hotspots in the District.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which provided analytical information to understand trends in journey times across the main road network in Leeds, including congestion at key junction hotspots.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Gary Bartlett – Chief Officer Highways and Transportation

-  Andrew Hall – Head of Transportation

-  Tim Harvey – Principal Transport Planner

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Congestion Hot Spots in Leeds

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The need to provide transport alternatives to the car such as a good public transport system before car restrictions are put into place in the centre of Leeds. The Board was advised that planned improvements and changes to the road systems are planned to complement public transport improvement plans.

·   Clarity was sought regarding passenger growth at Leeds and Bradford airport.

·  The intention to improve hot spots through transport investment. This will include bus priority and urban traffic management and control.

·  Horsforth and Rodley roundabouts and the impact of recent investment on improving traffic flow and reducing casualties and accidents.

·  The intended production of a traffic communications plan which will include WYCA and the rail network to keep the public informed of plans and progress.

·  The desire to see a strengthening in the planning system to boost developer contributions for highways development.

·  The management of traffic and the traffic enforcement to reduce driver habits which restrict traffic flow.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment): 

Noted the information contained in the report.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 municipal year.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which detailed the Scrutiny Board’s draft work programme for the 2017/18 municipal year

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Draft Scrutiny Board Work Schedule 2017/2018 Municipal Year.

-  Executive Board Minutes 18 October 2017

Sandra Pentelow, Principal Scrutiny Advisor was in attendance to respond to members questions.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board noted the content of the report and agreed the work programme.

Wednesday 20 December 2017 at 10:30

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

Wednesday 20 December 2017 10:30am

(pre-meeting for board Members at 10:00am)