Agenda and minutes

There were no appeals.

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.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors R Grahame, C Hall and K Maqsood.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2020.

RESOLVED – That the minutes o fthe meeting held on 19 February 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive a verbal update from the Director of City Development regarding decision making during the emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the initial stages of the subsequent city recovery plan, as such information relates to the remit of the Board.

To include a transport update from the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation).

The Executive Board report Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic - Response and Recovery Plan will be circulated for information once published ahead of the Executive Board meeting on 24 June – it is not available at the time of publication of this Board’s agenda.  

The Board received a verbal update from the Director of City Development regarding the decision making during the emergency response to the Covid 19 pandemic and the initial stages of the subsequent City Recovery Plan, as such information related to the remit of the Board.

The Board also received a transport update from the Chief Officer (highways and Transportation.

The Executive Board report Update on Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic – Response and Recovery Plan had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Executive Member

-  Councillor Jonathon Pryor, Executive Member

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development

-  Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation)

-  Sue Wynne, Chief Officer (Employment and Skills)

-  Eve Roodhouse, Chief Officer (Economic Development

The following was highlighted:

·  Establishment of the cross agency Silver Group to consider infrastructure and supplies across the City.

·  Transport/Traffic – flow of traffic was down on average by 48% although there was now a consistent increase following the re-opening of parts of the economy.  Road traffic accidents had decreased by 40% and those Killed or Seriously Injured (KSI) had seen a reduction of 48%. Public transport was now back to around 80% of the normal timetable during the week but capacity was down to 20% of normal levels.  The park and ride sites had been closed with Temple Green Park and Ride site used as an NHS testing facility.  Active travel – work was ongoing with cycle network provision and school street trials.

·  Economy – Over 11,000 business grants had been administered to a total of £142.2 million.  Some businesses that did not meet the grants criteria were entitled for grants from a discretionary fund and it was anticipated there would be capacity for up to a thousand applications.

·  City Centre – Footfall had fallen to 5% of normal during the initial lockdown.  Following the opening up of non-essential retail and markets there had been a rise of up to 50% of normal footfall. There had been information displays and measures placed to encourage social distancing along with the provision of hand sanitisation facilities. There was now a focus on the re-opening of the hospitality sector which would see an increased demand for outdoor seating.

·  Employment & Skills – There had been an increase in Universal Credit claimants from 34,000 in March to 63,000 in May.  88,200 people had been furloughed which was 21.3% of the economically active. 

·  Planning – Decisions had been taken under the Officers Delegation Scheme and remote meetings of Plans Panels had been held.  There had been a decrease in the number of applications normally received.

·  Further transport issues including enhancement of footways to enable social distancing; active travel measures with cycle route improvements; schools street trial scheme; continuation of work on major roadwork schemes.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  There had been contact with Leeds Bradford International Airport regarding the impact on their business.  The airport had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Inquiry into Sustainable Development.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support set out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Inquiry into Sustainable Development.

The Chair informed Members that the CCG had been invited to attend the meeting for this item.  He informed the Board of the response received from the CCG and it was agreed that the Chair writes on behalf of the Board regarding concerns over the response to the invite and non-attendance at the meeting.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Cllr Mulherin, Executive Member

-  Nasreen Yunis, Principal Planner

-  Kathryn Moran , Principal Business & Systems Support Officer

-  Martin Dean, Area Leader

-  Tom Knowland, Head of Sustainable Energy and Climate Change

-  Martin Elliott, Head of Strategic Planning

-  Steve Hume, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy

-  Dayle Lynch, Estates Programme Manager

-  Eve Roodhouse, Chief Officer, Economic Development

The following was discussed:

·  Recommendation 1 – Work had been carried out to add climate emergency information on reports to Executive Board.  Reference was made to the Council’s commitment to meet net zero carbon emissions by 2030.  With regard to procurement work was ongoing to embed climate change in every part of the procurement process.

In response to comments and questions further discussion included reductions in carbon emissions from the different use of Council assets and impact of the current economic situation. Progress was still being made towards current targets.

It was proposed that the tracking status for Recommendation 1 remains at Position Status 4 – Acceptable progress made.  Continue monitoring.

·  Recommendation 2 – Further reference was made to the guidance prepared for Officers and Members in the decision making process though there had been some delays. It was proposed that the tracking status for Recommendation 2 remains at Position Status 4 – Acceptable progress made.  Continue monitoring.

·  Recommendation 3 – There was now a fuller reflection in the Best Council Plan. It was proposed that the tracking status for Recommendation 3 be changed to Position Status 2 – Achieved.

·  Recommendation 4 – Due to the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and the unknown future impacts this would need to be reviewed in the Inclusive Growth Strategy when more was known.  It was proposed that the tracking status for Recommendation 4 remains at Position Status 4 – Acceptable progress made.  Continue monitoring.

·  Recommendation 5 - It was proposed that the tracking status for Recommendation 5 remains at Position Status 4 – Acceptable progress made.  Continue monitoring.

·  Recommendation 6 - It was proposed that the tracking status for Recommendation 6 remains at Position Status 4 – Acceptable progress made.  Continue monitoring.

·  Recommendation 7 - There had been a Health and Planning Workshop which gave an opportunity for each to gain a better understanding of each other’s roles.  There was a need to capture the views of Health colleagues in the planning process and changes to planning documents and reports would reflect this.  Work had included embedding health needs at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s initial work programme for the remote meetings due to take place June – August 2020.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services presented the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the current municipal year.

Minutes of the Board’s recent working group meeting and Executive Board meeting of 19 May 2020 were appended to the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The next remote meeting of the Board will be on Thursday 16 July at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meet for Board Members at 10.15am.

Thursday, 16 July at 10.30 a.m. (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.15 a.m.)