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 not disclosable pecuniary interests. Cllr K Dye declared her previous employment during which she provided Information, Advice and Guidance support to the Leeds City Council.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors S Field and C Harrison.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the minutes of the meeting held on  20 June 2018.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2018 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive, Director of Resources and Housing, Director of City Development and Director of Communities and Environment which sets out the formal response to the recommendations of Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment) inquiry into sustainable development.

The report of the Chief Executive, Director of Resources and Housing, Director of City Development and Directors of Communities and Environment set out the formal response to the recommendations of Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment) inquiry into sustainable development.

A copy of the Scrutiny Inquiry Report – Sustainable Development was appended to the report.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Councillor Richard Lewis – Executive Member
• Tim Hill – Chief Planning Officer
• Tom Knowland – Head of Sustainable Energy and Climate Change
• Martin Dean – Area Leader, Communities and Environment

Members’ attention was brought to the responses to the desired outcomes and recommendations following the inquiry and how these were being integrated into the Council’s processes and aligned with sustainable development. The report confirmed the collective agreement by Directors of the recommended objectives made in the inquiry report and outlined a proposed approach to deliver the desired outcomes.

The following was discussed:

·  Environmental challenges including Flooding and the introduction of the Clean Air Zone

·  Consideration of sustainable development and environmental impact assessments in decision making and report writing.

·  The need for greater reference to sustainable development within the Best Council Plan and other strategy and policy documents and how this can be strengthened.

·  The evolving role of the Strategic Investment Board (SIB) with regards to addressing sustainable development.

·  The need to work with health partners to improve the health infrastructure and services to meet current and future needs.

·  Support for Elected Members regarding decisions making to support sustainable development, particularly at a local level including the use of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds and Section 106 funds.  Also the role of Parish and Town Councils who have responsibility for CIL funds.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment) notes the response to the recommendations based on their findings and notes the observations made.

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which sets out relevant information, to enable the Scrutiny Board to determine the scope of work required, relating to the delivery of the relevant Big Ideas outlined in the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2018 - 2023, and to determine draft terms of reference for agreement at the next Scrutiny Board meeting.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support set out the information to enable the Board to determine the scope of work required relating to the delivery of the relevant Big Ideas outlined in the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2018-23, and to determine draft terms of reference for agreement at the next Board meeting.

A copy of the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2018-2023 was appended to the report.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Richard Lewis – Executive Member

·  Councillor Jonathon Pryor – Executive Member

·  Sue Wynne - Chief Officer, Employment and Skills

·  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer, Economic Development

The Board received a presentation on the Inclusive Growth Strategy.  Key issues highlighted included the following:

·  The Inclusive Growth Strategy was the first one in the country.

·  Leeds had the highest employment growth of any UK city this year and the highest economic growth amongst the core cities.

·  There were significant issues which included 150 thousand people living the most deprived areas and 80 thousand jobs that were below the living wage.

·  The Twelve Big Ideas – focussed on People, Place and Productivity.

·  Priority Sectors in Leeds

·  What will happen next – the need to map what is in place and assess what needs to be done to bridge any gaps.  Community Committees will be briefed with an update in Autumn 2018.

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

·  With regard to the number of people living in the most deprived areas it was reported that this was around the middle of the table in comparison with other core cities.  Although there was growth in the economy there had been growth in inequalities and there has been a growth in poverty.  The Council is trying to support those in the most economically and socially deprived areas to address the imbalance.

·  Approximately 76k households in Leeds claiming benefits and 70% of those are claiming work related benefits therefore in employment but in ‘work poverty’.

·  The More Jobs, Better Jobs Breakthrough Project had included work to support employers with regards to paying the living wage.  The majority of businesses in Leeds were small and medium enterprises which presented different challenges in how employers could achieve living wage rates for employees.

• Reference to the work with Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Inclusive Anchors and the Living Wage Foundation.
• Clarity regarding the definition of ‘better jobs’ and the reduction of inequalities for those in low paid jobs. The Board were advised that there are many issues that are a reflection of national policy and cannot be addressed locally. There would be a need to consider this further to identify what are local issues that potentially could be addressed.

·  Encouragement of new jobs in the City and bringing in employers with more opportunities.  HS2 was cited as an example.

·  Boosting training and apprenticeship opportunities to ensure local people are prepared for better employment opportunities.

• The Board highlighted their interest in establishing how the impact of the work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To consider the report of the Directors of City Development and Children and Family Services which sets out the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board (Inclusive Growth, Culture and Sport) inquiry into the Information, Advice and Guidance provision in Leeds, published in March 2018.

The report of the Directors of City Development and Children and Family Services set out the responses to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board (Inclusive Growth, Culture and Sport) inquiry into the Information, Advice and Guidance provision in Leeds, published in March 2018.

A copy of the Scrutiny Report – Information, Advice and Guidance Provision in Leeds was appended to the Agenda.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Jonathon Pryor – Executive Member

·  Sue Wynne - Chief Officer, Employment and Skills

Members’ attention was brought to the recommendations which were outlined in the report.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  Work with the Universities and Leeds City School to provide support to schools.

·  Employer engagement in schools.

·  Development of an Information, Advice and Guidance charter.

·  Engagement of young people in the development of the Information, Advice and Guidance Charter.

·  Lobbying of the government for improvements to the Careers Information, Advice and Guidance on a national basis.

·  Mapping practices in primary schools and promoting good practice.

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

·  Getting work experience for young people.  It was recognised at Government level that experience matters and there was a need to build work experience into the curriculum.  There was a large number of employers in the city offering work experience.  There was also a need to find opportunities for the most vulnerable young people and young people with SEND.

·  The importance of preparing children and young people with work skills through the curriculum in schools and the support that can be obtained from Information, Advice and Guidance provision. The desire for this to be form part of the Ofsted framework.

·  The value of apprenticeship fairs.

·  How to connect businesses and schools.  Reference was made to work that had been done from within the Council with local employers.

RESOLVED – That the responses to the inquiry recommendations be approved.

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the appended budget report. This provides Scrutiny Board Members with financial health information for areas aligned with the Boards terms of reference.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the appended budget report provided the Board with financial health information for areas aligned with the Board’s terms of reference.

John Bywater, Head of Finance, City Development was in attendance for this item.

It was reported the City Development Department had a minor overspend in the 2017/18 financial year.  This was affected by winter maintenance and the commercial asset portfolio.  There had been additional windfall income due to the sports vat exemption and income from planning and building fees.  The overall overspend was approximately £350,000 which was unusual but manageable.

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

·  There was no anticipated windfall for the 2018/19 financial year.

·  Revenue from advertising – there was an external company carrying out a study which would consider optimising income.

·  The balance of the sport vat exemption was used for the Council’s reserves.

RESOLVED – That the financial report for 2018/19 and the outturn summary for the financial year 2017/18 be noted.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2018/19 municipal year, including the request for scrutiny at appendix 3.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support asked Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the current municipal year.

A copy of the Board’s current works schedule was appended to the report along with recent Executive Board minutes and a request for Scrutiny from Councillor Dawn Collins into the review of Pedestrian Crossings.

It was agreed that the request to look at the Review of Pedestrian Crossings could be factored into proposed discussions regarding road safety and KSI information.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the Work Schedule (as presented at Appendix 1) be agreed as the basis for the Board’s work for the remainder of 2018/19.

b)  That additional Scrutiny Board Meetings be scheduled for December and early April 2019.

Wednesday 5 September 2018 at 10:30 (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am).

Wednesday, 5 September 2018 at 10.30 a.m. (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00 a.m.)