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.

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 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.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies of absence were received from Councillor P Grahame.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th July 2019.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 11^th July 2019 be approved as an accurate record.

In relation to the minutes of the meeting held 11^th July 2019, Councillor Gruen referred to minute 22, Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team Review and made reference to tasking meetings. It was confirmed that this matter would be referred to at the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel. Members of the Board gave their support in Councillor Gruen and Akhtar doing so.

To receive a report from the Head of Democratic Services presenting an update surrounding the function and work priorities of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services provided the Board with an update on the functions and work priorities of the Council’s Climate Emergency Advisory Committee.

The following were in attendance for this item:

o  Councillor Walshaw, Chair of Climate Emergency Advisory Committee

o  Neil Evans, Director of Resources and Housing

o  Polly Cook, Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality

The Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) introduced the report, highlighting upcoming dates for future meetings, and the work priorities in each of the working groups.

Members were informed that there would be an open forum session at the beginning of every CEAC meeting. Additionally, at the meeting to be held on 25^th September, it was confirmed that representatives from Extinction Rebellion were due to be present as part of the open forum.

The Chair thanked those in attendance.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report.

To receive a report from the Director of City Development and Director of Communities and Environment in response to the Board’s request to discuss the wider context for city centre parking strategy in terms of impacts on parking in the city centre “fringe” areas and inner communities with respect to concerns about “overspill” parking and driver behaviours.

The report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities and Environment, provided an overview of city centre parking provision within the context of planning policy, the transport strategy for Leeds and the operation of city centre car parking; further outlining the general approach to the management of on-street car parking in areas surrounding the city centre and outside the main city centre controlled parking management area.

The following were in attendance for this item:

o  Councillor M Rafique, Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

o  Andrew Hall, Head of Transport Planning

o  Jason Singh, Head of Service, Environmental Action

o  Mark Jefford, Service Manager Environmental Services

Key issues identified in discussions with the Board included:

·  Members sought further information on the legal process and timescales on implementation of schemes. Members were informed there had been issues around employment, and that main priorities focused on road and traffic safety. Members were informed of the representation process and that these could add additional time on the regulatory timescales 6-9 months.

·  Members discussed traffic order offences and sought information on the existing schemes that had taken place and suggested that measureable information is brought to a future scrutiny board meeting.

·  Members recognised the difficulties in managing traffic offences with schools. Officers highlighted staffing issues and the complexities of monitoring 110 schools. It was noted that there is an enforcement vehicle responding to parking reports. Furthermore, Members heard that officers were looking at introducing informal ‘no idling’ zones.

·  Members felt that it would be helpful for Elected Members to be issued a key point of contact to be able to raise any issues during out of hours.

·  A Member sought additional information in regard to a parking scheme in their ward, and requested that details on the consultation round and delivery of the scheme be provided, as well as suggesting a meeting with Ward Councillors to discuss the scheme in further detail.

·  In relation to the transport strategy, officers explained that a balanced approach had been taken outside of the city centre, in an attempt to encourage public transport, with particular references made to the use and expansion of park and ride schemes.

·  It was noted that the Transport Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) is in its final stages and that Members would be able to submit their comments in due course.

·  Members’ discussion focused on residents parking schemes, and agreed the strategy should include additional information on outer and inner areas. Members requested for further information to be brought back to a future meeting and that the additional paper focuses on Members concerns.

The Chair thanked those officers in attendance.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities):

a)  Noted the contents of the report.

b)  Requested that the information provided during discussion be provided to the Board.

c)  Requested that, in discussion with the Chair, a further progress report be presented to a future meeting of the Board, subject to consultation with the Scrutiny Board Chair (Infrastructure,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To receive a report from the Director of Communities and Environment outlining proposals for a public consultation on developing a Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Strategy for the period 2020 to 2030.

The report of the Director of Communities and Environment outlined proposals for a public consultation on developing a Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Strategy for the period 2020 to 2030.

The report included a copy of the current Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Strategy (to 2020) at Appendix 1; along with the Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Strategy (2020 to 2030) at Appendix 2.

The following were in attendance for this item:

o  Councillor M Rafique, Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

o  Sean Flesher, Chief Officer Parks and Countryside

o  Emma Trickett, Senior Projects Manager, Communities and Environment

The Chief Officer Parks and Countryside presented the report and highlighted key aspects of the consultation period and provided an overview on the timescales of the draft strategy being adopted. Additionally, the Senior Projects Manager guided Members through the appended Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2020 to 2030.

The Chair acknowledged the limited time for Members in depth discussions and requested that the officers in attendance, along with Members of the Scrutiny Board attend a working group, prior to the consultation on the future of public parks and green spaces commencing. The Chair advised that Board Members would be informed of the date of the additional working group in due course.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities):

a)  Noted the information contained within the report and the appended Parks and Green Spaces Strategy at Appendix 1 and 2

b)  Requested that the ‘Towards a Leeds Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2020 – 2030’, as well as the consultation plan be brought to a working group, for Members to review and provide their feedback.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2019/20 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s schedule for the 2019/20 municipal year. Copies of the draft work schedule and the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held Wednesday 24^th July 2019, were appended to the report.

Members discussed the items scheduled for the October meeting.

RESOLVED – The Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities):

a)  Noted the matters outlined in the report and raised during the meeting

b)  Noted the Executive Board minutes

c)  Agreed the overall work schedule

Thursday, 17 October 2019 at 10:30am (pre meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am)

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 17^th October 2019.

(The meeting concluded at 12.20 pm)