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 and Cllr E Taylor.

Notification had been received that Councillor R Grahame was to substitute for Councillor N Dawson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2017

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2017 be

approved as a correct record.

To consider the report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Director of City Development which provides information to support the 5th session of the scrutiny inquiry into Sustainable Development.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Director of City Development submitted a report which provided information to support the 5th session of the scrutiny inquiry into Sustainable Development.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  David Feeney, Head of Strategic Planning

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

-  Andrew Hall, Head of Transportation

-  Richard Amos, Sufficiency and Participation

-  Darren Crawley, Sufficiency Planning Manager

-  Steve Hume, Chief Officer, Adults and Health resources

-  Elizabeth Bailey, Head of Public Health

-  Kirsty Turner, Associate Director of Primary Care (CCG)

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The clarity of regulation with regard to CIL and the making of neighbourhood plans.

·  Reassurance was sought regarding the use of increased planning fees in 2018/19 to resource additional posts in planning services

·  Concern regarding the perceived lack of integrated and partnership working which collaboratively considers all community infrastructure requirements to ensure sustainability.

·  Concern regarding the lack of information regarding how communities could or are compensated for the impact of house building, and the need for Elected Members to be informed about what infrastructure is needed and is being funded in their Wards.

·  The difficulty in supporting a city wide estates strategy for health due to the number of different health organisations with different governance arrangements. Concern regarding the diminishing level of GP’s and nurses to meet current need in communities.

·  The need for co-operation, planning and co-ordination across the health sector to support localities and in particular district centres, and the need to consider service delivery with estate strategies.

·  Public Health proactive focus on healthier lifestyles to reduce the need for health service intervention.

·  The perception that the Local Authority is responsible for meeting all community infrastructure requirements and the need to be open with Leeds residents about the limitations of the planning system and the Local Authority.

·  Clarity regarding the nature of legislation and the devolution of funding to different organisations by government which makes the responsibility for providing services, such as education and health, separate. The need to collaborate within the legislative constraints of each organisation in the best way possible to provide planned community infrastructure. 

·  The planning of school places and the role of Children’s Services in identifying schools sites in the SAP.

·  The need to identify the role and purpose of the Strategic Investment Board with regard to capital investment in supporting sustainable development in communities, and the provision of information to Elected Members.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment):

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

Cllr C Campbell left at 12:00 at the conclusion of this item.

To consider a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which provides information with regard to the financial health of City Development for period 7 and the outline budget proposals for 2018/19.

The Head of Governance Services and Scrutiny Support submitted a report to update the Scrutiny Board on the City Development 2017/18 financial position (period 7) and to facilitate consultation on the City Development budget proposals for 2018/19 in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy

Framework.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Executive Board Report 13 December 2017, Financial Health Monitoring 2017/18 – Month 7

-  Executive Board Report 13 December 2017 - Initial Budget Proposals for 2018/19

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’

queries and comments:

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  Ed Mylan, Chief Officer Resources and Strategy

-  Jill Stuart, Principal Financial Manager

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The proposal to recruit to additional posts within planning services to be funded from additional planning fee revenue once approved by Government.

·  Income pressures in the current year and the plans to mitigate those pressures. 

·  Clarity regarding the shortfall in advertising income in 2017/18, and concern that the target may be too ambitious. It was clarified that expertise need to be developed to work commercially to achieve this income.

·  The use of windfall income to achieve a balanced budget.

·  The reduction in net City Development budget by approximately half since 2010, demonstrating additional value by providing similar levels of service and also working on major schemes.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment) :

a) Noted the financial position of City Development period 7 2017/18

b) Considered the initial 2018/19 budget proposals relevant to the Scrutiny Board’s portfolio and did not make recommendation for consideration by the Executive Board in February 2018.

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

To consider the report of the Director of City Development, Director of Communities and Environment and Chief Executive which provides a summary of Quarter 2, 2017/18 performance against the Best Council ambitions, outcomes and priorities for the council relevant to the Infrastructure and Investment Scrutiny Board.

The Director of City Development, the Director of Communities and Environment and the Chief Executive submitted a report which provided a

summary of quarter 2 performance information against the delivery of the Council’s 2017/18 priorities within the Best Council Plan.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Appendix 1: Best Council Plan Performance Summary Quarter 2, 2017/18

The following were in attendance:

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer Highways & Transportation

The key areas for discussion were:

·  An introduction and overview of detail concerning key performance targets in relation to Housing Growth, KSI targets and sustainable travel.

·  Concern regarding the downward trajectory regarding bus usage. The Board was advised that this highlights the challenge ahead to reversing the trend and doubling bus patronage.

·  KSI figures and concern that reduced police resources are impacting on traffic enforcement.

·  Reference to recent press coverage to the increase in accidents in 20mph zones. The Board was advised that 20mph zones in Leeds have been effective.

·  That the Board will receive a detailed report concerning Road Safety in January 2018.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment):

Noted the Best Council Plan Quarter 2 2017/18 performance information.

To consider the Best Council Plan Refresh for 2018/19 – 2020/21 initial proposals which will be presented to Executive Board 13 December 2017 and is due to be referred to Scrutiny for consideration in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report to facilitate consideration of the Best Council Plan Refresh for 2018/19 – 2020/21, Initial Proposals in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Report of the Director of Resources and Housing, Executive Board

The following were in attendance:

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  Coral Main, Head of Business Planning and Risk.

-  Susan Upton, Chief Officer Service Development

-  Cllr James Lewis, Executive Board Member

The key areas for discussion were:

·  The delivery of affordable housing. The Board welcomed the intention to include a performance indicator.

·  Clarity was sought regarding the performance indicator relating to number of houses built.

·  That Sustainable Development is not reflected and this should be at the core consideration for growth.

·  That reducing the factors that create global warming should be more prominent.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment):

(a) Noted the Best Council Plan Refresh initial proposals.

(b) Recommended that Sustainable Development and reducing global warming are more prominent in the Best Council Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21 and that the Principal Scrutiny Advisor reports this recommendation of the Board for further budget and policy framework considerations.

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

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report regarding the Board’s work schedule for the 2017/18 municipal year.

RESOLVED – That subject to any on-going discussions and scheduling decisions, the Board’s outline work schedule be approved.

Wednesday 24 January 2018 at 10:30 am

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

Wednesday, 24 January 2018 at 10:30am

(pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.45pm)