Agenda and minutes

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no exempt items.

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.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

An apology for absence had been received from Cllr. Ron Grahame, Cllr Hannah Bithell attended the meeting as his substitute.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2018.

RESOLVED – The minutes of the meeting held on 12^th December 2018 were approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development; Director of Children and Families; Director of Communities and Environment; and the Chief Executive, which presents a summary of the Best Council Plan (BCP) performance data for Quarter 2, 2018/19 in relation to progress against the delivery of the ambitions, outcomes and priorities contained within the BCP 2018–21.

The report of the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families; Director of Communities and Environment and the Chief Executive provided a performance summary for quarter 2.

In attendance at the meeting were:

• Cllr. Richard Lewis – Executive Board Member Regeneration, Transport and Planning
• Martin Farrington – Director of City Development
• Sue Wynne – Chief Officer Employment and Skills
• Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer Economic Development
• Tim Hill – Chief Planning Officer 
• Jason Singh – Head of Service, City Centre and Parking
• Gary Bartlett – Chief Officer Highways and Transportation
• Mark Jefford – Service Manager, Parking

Members were provided with information in relation to performance in the second quarter with key areas as follows:

·  Increase in private sector employment in Leeds;

·  Productivity forecast indicates that there will be an increase of 4% in 2020 in GVA;

·  Business start ups in Leeds were fewer than this point in time in the previous year. However it was noted that business start ups had fallen across England;

·  Visitors to Leeds had increased;

·  The percentage of Leeds working age population with a level 4 qualification  continued to increase;

·  Leeds had seen good growth of new homes with a resurgence of city centre living and use of brownfield sites. It was noted that there were a number of schemes currently under way;

·  The number of affordable homes was on track for the year end target;

·  The number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic accidents had increased;

·  Park and Ride schemes were proving to be successful. There are plans to extend the scheme to others areas and plans have been submitted for the extension of the Temple Green site;

·  The flood alleviation scheme is moving forward.

The Board discussed the following points:

• Concerns that there had been a decrease in some areas of the private sector employment such as low carbon and environmental technologies; The Chief Economic Development Officers advised that this would be looked at further and information will be provided to the Board.
• Concerns for those in the Leeds area earning below the National Living Wage (NLW). The Board resolved to send a letter to HRMC to further identify what action is being taken to mitigate this.
• The wide range of support and assistance offered to business start ups;
• Visitor rates including tourist tax for hotels. However, it was specified that there is currently no legislation for this type of levy.
• Number of students attending Leeds University and the number of  students from the local area;
• Effectiveness of 20mph zones especially in conjunction with traffic calming solutions. Working with communities to educate road users including initiatives such as Rawdon Road Watch and to increase training and use of speed guns, partnership working with residents, Members and Schools to address the dangers of parking close to schools. The Board were advised that Anti-Social road usage and road safety is an item for consideration by the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities) on the 25 February 2019 ;
• Success of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

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 provided Board Members with information with regard to the financial health of City Development and with information relating to Car Parking Services (Communities) for period 7.

In attendance at the meeting were:

• Cllr. Richard Lewis - Executive Board Member Regeneration, Transport and Planning
• Martin Farrington – Director of City Development
• Ed Mylan – Chief Officer for Resources and Housing
• John Bywater – Head of Finance

Members were informed of the following points:

• City Development were looking at an over spend due to budget pressures for street lighting. Although a 5% increase had been estimated for the budget, the electricity bills had been much larger than anticipated with an increase of 18%;
• Income collection through the council’s commercial asset portfolio had been slower than anticipated due to lack of suitable market opportunities. However, a number of potential opportunities had now been identified, which would hopefully conclude within this financial year allowing income collection;
• There had been income growth in other areas including the Leeds Arena, and the Park and Ride Schemes.

In response to Members questions the Board noted the following points:

• City Development had a net growth of £1.56m;
• Efficiencies had been made using an increase in charges to capital schemes, reduced voids,  and through savings in relation to LED street lighting conversions;
• The use of increased planning fees had gone back into Planning Services to create posts to enhance the service.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth):

a) Considered the attached Executive Board report in relation to the financial health of those service areas that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Board and made no recommendation.

To consider a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which provides information with regard to the outline budget proposals for 2019/20.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny set out the initial budget proposals for 2019/20. In accordance with the Council’s budget and policy framework it was referred by the Executive Board to Scrutiny for consultation.

In attendance at the meeting were:

• Cllr. Richard Lewis - Executive Board Member Regeneration, Transport and Planning
• Martin Farrington – Director of City Development
• Ed Mylan – Chief Officer for Resources and Housing

• John Bywater – Head of Finance

Member’s attention was drawn to page 88 of the agenda which provided a high level summary of the budget proposals for 2019/20. Members were provided with a brief explanation regarding known funding pressures during 2019/20.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth):

(a)  Considered the Executive’s initial 2019/20 budget proposals as set out in the Executive Board report;

(b)  Did not make comments and/or recommendations to be submitted for consideration by the Executive Board. 

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which provides information for consideration relating to the Best Council Plan refresh for 2019/20 – 2020/21

The Report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support advised Members of the approach to refresh of the Best Council Plan for 2019/20 to 2020/21. In accordance with the Council’s budget and policy framework it was referred by the Executive Board to Scrutiny for consultation.

In attendance at the meeting were:

• Martin Farrington – Director of City Development
• Coral Main – Head of Business Planning and Risk.
• Cllr James Lewis– Executive Board Member

Members were advised that this was a refresh of the current Best Council Plan. The focus was still on being the best city but had changed its strapline to include health and wellbeing of the workforce and include more digital solutions.

The Board discussed the following points:

• The need for Sustainable Development to be reflected as an integral part of the Best Council Plan, which had been a specific recommendation made by the Scrutiny Board in its inquiry report into Sustainable Development published 21 March 2018.
• Digital inclusion for all communities and that there is a specific KPI to measure this included in the Best Council Plan.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth):

a)  Considered the appended Executive Board report and the initial

proposals for the Best Council Plan for 2019/20 – 2020/21; and 

b)  Will report the views of the Board to help shape the emerging Best Council Plan for 2019/20 – 2020/21 making any recommendations for consideration by Executive Board as deemed appropriate.

Cllr. Maqsood left the meeting at 12:30 at the end of this item.

To consider the reports of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the Director of City Development, which responds to the request for Scrutiny submitted to the Scrutiny Board in July 2018.

The report of Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support set out a request for scrutiny which had been made by Cllr. D Collins regarding the Annual Pedestrian Crossings Review.

A copy of the Annual Pedestrian Crossings Review was attached as Appendix 1 to the submitted report.

In attendance at the meeting were:

• Martin Farrington – Director of City Development
• Andrew Hall – Head of Transportation
• Gary Bartlett – Chief Officer Highways and Transportation
• Cllr D Collins – Horsforth Ward

Cllr Collins addressed the Board highlighting her concerns in relation to pedestrian crossings as follows:

• The process for consultation with ward members;
• Members to be provided with the criteria for pedestrian crossings;
• The emphasis on pedestrians safety within the scoring system;
• The consideration of the length of the road and the best location for a crossing in conjunction with residential areas, businesses, schools and parking arrangements.

Cllr. Collins was of the view that officers were more concerned that a scheme would decrease the amount of parking spaces along a road rather than safety.

Cllr. Collins suggested that Members may find it useful to see lists of schemes which had been approved and turned down.

The Board was advised the guidance from Government was not recent, and is  utilised as a in the assessment of crossings by highways authorities.

Members noted that an assessment framework is in place and the assessment for a pedestrian crossing took into consideration the amount of traffic, safety of all road uses, community issues and casualty records. When assessing an area the officers looked at a variety of solutions. The process was as flexible as possible and also considered supressed demand where a road was too busy to cross.

Members discussed the following points:

·  The criteria and the scoring process, noting that the current framework seems comprehensive;

·  Consultation with members and communities, particularly with regard to funding sources and alternative solutions.

·  The communication of outcomes with Ward Members and the Public. Officers acknowledged that this needs to be reviewed and appropriate put into place to ensure effective communication and feedback.

·  The need to consider various solutions appropriate to the area.

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) :

a) Considered the information in the request for Scrutiny and appended report.

b) Recommended the review of communication and feedback processes with Elected Members and members of the Public with regard to requests for crossings or alternative crossing solutions. 

Cllrs Bithell and Taylor briefly vacated the meeting at the end of this item returning at 12:05

To consider a report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the appended Executive Board report of the Director of City Development which facilitates scrutiny of flood risk management functions as required by sections 4 & 6 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 and the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny set out the initial Draft Revised Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (last adopted in 2014). As part of the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework it was referred to Scrutiny for consideration and consultation. The Board has responsibility for the scrutiny of flood risk management for the Leeds area. This is usually scheduled into the annual work programme.

In attendance at the meeting were:

• Cllr. Richard Lewis – Executive Board Member
• Martin Farrington – Director of City Development
• Jonathan Moxon – Flood Risk Manager

The Board was advised that updated draft strategy is due to be considered by the Executive Board in February 2019 before being formally adopted at Full Council in March 2019. Members were asked for comments on the proposals.

Cllr. Field thanked the officers for the work that they had done in Garforth, showing compassion to those people who had been affected by flood.

In response to questions from the Board the following information was provided:

• There is no external scrutiny for flood risk strategy. National guidance had not changed in relation to flood risk. Guidance had been sought from peers;

·  With regard to the draft strategy consultation has taken place with other responsible authorities such as Environment Agency; however consultation on this revised version had not included full public consultation. The Board were reassured that public consultation will be undertaken, in line with current practice, on each individual scheme, where flood alleviation schemes are required.

·  Flood alleviation schemes are given high priority;

RESOLVED - The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth):

a) Noted the advice provided

b) Considered the appended Executive Board report of the Director of City Development.

c) Considered the draft LFRMS as part of the Budget and Policy Framework consultation phase and resolved to provide a report to support the decision making processes of the Executive Board and Council.

d) Requested that the Principal Scrutiny Advisor prepares a Scrutiny Board statement for submission to the Executive Board meeting in February 2019. 

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

Principal Scrutiny Advisor introduced the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support which advised Members of the Scrutiny Board’s work programme.

Members were advised of a request for scrutiny from Cllr Bentley regarding the Leeds Passenger Transport Investment Plan and the proposals for the A660 and Outer Ring Road. Members had been provided with an email from Cllr. Bentley setting out his concerns.

Members were informed that the proposals in relation to the roundabout were not due to be considered by Executive Board until June 2019.

Members were invited to consider this request as part of the scheduled work programme for the coming municipal year 2019/20.

RESOLVED - To consider the matters outlined in the submitted report and agree (or amend) the overall work schedule (as presented at Appendix 1) as the basis for the Board’s work for the remainder of 2018/19.

Members also agreed to look at proposals in relation to the Leeds Passenger Transport Investment Plan and the proposals for the A660 and Outer Ring Road at the June 2019 meeting.

Wednesday 20 February 2019 at 10:30am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10:00 am)

The next meeting of the Board will be Wednesday 20 February at 10:30am (pre-meeting at 10:00am).