Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Contact: Sandra Pentelow (0113 37 88655)  Email: Sandra.Pentelow@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

60.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

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).

Minutes:

There were no appeals against refusual of inspection of documents.

 

61.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

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.

Minutes:

There was no exempt information.

 

62.

Late 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.)

Minutes:

There were no late items.

 

63.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

 

64.

Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Minutes:

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors Bithell and Wilkinson. Councillors Jenkins attended as substitute for Councillor Bithell and Councillor W Flynn attended as substitute for Cllr Wilkinson.

 

65.

Minutes - 23 January 2019 pdf icon PDF 151 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2019.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting held 23rd January 2019 be approved as a true record.

 

66.

Council House Growth Programme Update pdf icon PDF 334 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing which provides an update on the Council Housing Growth Programme.

Minutes:

The report of the Director of Resources and Housing  provided an update on the Council House Growth Programme, setting out the proposals for the delivery of further new housing across the City to increase the number of affordable homes.

 

The following were in attendance:

·  Neil Evans – Director of Resources and Housing

·  Mark Denton – Head of Council Housing Growth

·  Cllr. D Coupar – Executive Member for Communities

 

Key areas discussed were:

·  The assessment of available sites, particularly on greenbelt and brownfield land; It was noted that further work is ongoing and following the roll out of the Housing Growth Programme and the identified need for regeneration, there will be further opportunity for identifying sites; Members were informed that if there were suitable sites in their wards, these could be assessed.

·  Right to Buy (RtB) – concerns were raised relating to new properties, the private rented sector and the ability of tenants being able to access RtB where overhanging debt has been accrued. Members were informed that the Director of Resources and Housing and the Executive Board Member, have written to the Government regarding its policy around access to RtB where overhanging debt is involved.

·  The performance and viability of energy efficient properties;

·  Clarity was sought on the general approach to modular construction with particular regard to cost and construction efficiency. Members noted the intention to standardise house layouts to alleviate issues regarding contractors.

 

The Board thanked the officers for the hard work they’re doing, to address the need in the city.

 

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

a)  Noted the contents of the report and discussions during the meeting.

b)  Noted the scope of the council’s new housing scheme proposals and initial sites identified for the delivery of new general needs council housing for social rent, and that any decisions on disposal of council land / acquisition of private land to facilitate these schemes have been delegated to the Director of City Development;

c)  Noted that decisions regarding the final funding mix for each housing scheme taken forward have been delegated to the Director of Resources and Housing by Executive Board;

d)  Noted that authority to procure & award contract for each housing scheme is delegated to the Director of Resources and Housing;

e)  Noted that a further report on progress with delivery of the programme be brought to Executive Board in 2019.

f)  Noted the progress made in the delivery of the extra care housing programme.

g)  Noted that the sites at Cartmell Drive South, Halton Moor and Throstle Recreation Ground have been approved for the delivery of extra care housing.

h)  Noted the Adult Social Care system cost savings estimated to be generated from Package 1.

i)  Noted the likely position in relation to capital receipts arising from the programme and that the Director of City Development will negotiate the detailed terms including the financial consideration for the disposal of each site in Package 1 and will seek the approval of Executive Board to the final  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

67.

Road Safety and Road Casualty Reduction and Initiatives pdf icon PDF 243 KB

To consider the report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities and Environment which provides an update on police related activities to address anti-social driving behaviour across the district and overview of the progress made on the Leeds Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) road casualty reduction programmes with the emphasis on reducing casualties for vulnerable road users.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities provided an update on police related activities to address anti-social driving behaviour across the district and provided an overview of the progress made on the Leeds Killed or seriously injured (KSI) road casualty programmes.

 

The following were in attendance:

  • Andrew Hall – Head of Transportation, City Development
  • Paul Money – Chief Officer Safer Leeds, Communities and Environment
  • Harvinder Saimbhi – Head of Operational Delivery, Communities and Environment
  • James Rogers – Director Communities and Environment
  • Inspector Nick Berry – West Yorkshire Police
  • Superintendent Mark Jessop – West Yorkshire Police

·  Cllr. D Coupar – Executive Member for Communities

 

Also in attendance, to undertake a joint scrutiny of this item,  representatives of the Scrutiny Board  (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth):

 

  • Cllr Truswell (Chair and member of the Scrutiny Board Environment, Housing and Communities)
  • Councillor Shahzad
  • Councillor Carlill
  • Councillor Harrison
  • Councillor R Grahame

 

Key areas discussed were:

 

·  The importance of partnership working between LASBT, Localities, Policing and Highways.

·  The role of the local community in terms of gathering evidence to identify areas for concern. Members sought clarity on points of contacts for local communities to report issues.

·  Driver behaviour and the increased use of drug testing kits.

·  Clarity was sought regarding addressing bike related anti-social behaviour, the measurements in place to combat issues and the level of police resources provided for off road bike problems. It was confirmed that this is a team of 4 officers covering the Leeds area. The Board were advised that over the past 12 months the team have responded to over 700 calls and seized 177 bikes, the majority of which were stolen.

·  The policy review and changes with regard to the pursuit of off road bikes and quadbikes.

·  The coordination of 6 Inspectors in the Neighbourhood Policing Team’s (NPT’s) and their involvement in identifying and dealing with speeding.

·  Concern regarding the enforcement of 20mph zones. The Board was advised that some zones are ‘self-enforcing’ through the provision of traffic calming. The Board were informed of the tactical approach to the enforcement of speed limits and that local intelligence was useful to identify areas of focus, therefore the public are encouraged to report concerns.

·  The criteria and provision for the deployment of speed cameras.

·  The use of MICE funding for the delivery of pro laser training courses in Rothwell and Middleton

·  Clarity was sought on the process of reviewing speed limits and the framework in place to assist with this.

·  Member’s referred to the latest statistic on Leeds Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) and were informed of enforcement measurements in place in an attempt to tackle the key collision issues.

·  Concern regarding the length time taken for the courts to process cases. The Board were advised that Safer Leeds are aiming to establish closer links with the CPS and the Courts, and would seek representation on the ‘Silver’ Group.

·  Clarity was sought regarding income streams from road safety/enforcement; Members were advised that all income is re-invested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

68.

Work Schedule pdf icon PDF 146 KB

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2018/19 municipal year.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2018/19 municipal year.

 

Members acknowledged that the March meeting would have reports on reducing repeat customer contracts, the impact of Universal Credit, the Development of Community Hubs, a Migration Update and the Boards draft scrutiny inquiry report on kerbside collections and recycling domestic waste for consideration and agreement.

 

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

a)  Noted the matters outlined in this report.

b)  Agreed the overall work schedule (as presented at Appendix 1) as the basis for the Board’s work for the remainder of 2018/19.

 

 

69.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

Wednesday 13 March 2019 at 10:30am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am)

Minutes:

RESOLVED- To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday 13th March 2019 at 10.30am. (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10am)