Agenda and minutes

To disclose of 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.

In relation to Agenda Item 12 – Submission of the Leeds Core Strategy Selective Review to the Secretary of State, Councillors R Grahame and M Shazhad informed the Board that as Members of the Development Plans Panel they had been involved in earlier discussions regarding this item.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor K Maqsood.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on the 11 April 2018 by the former Infrastructure and Investment Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment) held on 11 April 2018 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting the Board’s terms of reference.

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presented the terms of reference for Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment & Inclusive Growth) for Members information.

RESOLVED – That the terms of reference be noted.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support on the appointment of co-opted members to Scrutiny Boards.

The report of The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Board sought Members’ formal consideration of the appointment of Co-opted Members to the Board.

It was reported that the successor Board had never had Co-opted Members and that there was a preference to call in expert witnesses where necessary.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support on the potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board.

To assist the Board in effectively managing its workload for the forthcoming municipal year, the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support provided information and guidance on potential sources of work and areas of priority within the Board’s terms of reference.

The following documents were appended to the report:

·  Vision for Scrutiny at Leeds

·  Best Council Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21

·  Draft Inclusive Growth Strategy

·  Extract of Leeds City Council 2018/19 Budget Report

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Jill Stuart, Principal Finance Manager, City Development

·  Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation

·  Sue Wynne, Chief Officer, Employment & Skills

·  David Feeney, Head of Strategic Planning

·  Jason Singh, Communities & Environment, City Centre and Parking

·  Mark Jefford, Service Manager, Communities and Environment, City Centre and Enforcement

·  Councillor K Wakefield, Deputy Executive Board Member

·  Councillor P Gruen, Deputy Executive Board Member and Development Plans Panel Chair

Board Members identified the Inclusive Growth Strategy as a focus for a potential area of work for this municipal year.  The Board noted other responsibilities including the Flood Risk Management Plan, Budget, Performance and other strategic plans.  There was also follow up action required in relation to previous enquiries. 

With regard to the Inclusive Growth Strategy it was felt that there may be opportunity to influence and shape the implementation of the strategy and this should be discussed further at the meeting on the 25^th of July 2018. It was reported that Scrutiny Board input would be helpful in prioritising the work programmes that would be behind the strategy.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To receive a report from the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families, Director of Communities and Environment; and Chief Executive which provides the Best Council Performance report 2017/18.

The joint report of the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families, Director of Communities and Environment and Chief Executive provided a summary of 2017/18 performance against the strategic ambitions, outcomes and priorities for the Council relevant to the Board within the Best Council Plan 2015-20.  Updates on Car Parking and City Region functions were also provided along with the performance indicators to be reported in 2018/19 arising from the new Best Council Plan 2018/19 – 2020/21.

Copies of the Best Council Plan Performance Summaries for 2017/18 and 2018/19 were appended to the report.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation

·  Sue Wynne, Chief Officer, Employment & Skills

·  David Feeney, Head of Strategic Planning

·  Jason Singh, Communities & Environment, City Centre and Parking

·  Mark Jefford, Service Manager, Communities and Environment, City Centre and Enforcement

·  Peter Storrie, Intelligence & policy Service, Resources and Housing

·  Councillor K Wakefield, Deputy Executive Board Member

·  Councillor P Gruen, Deputy Executive Board Member and Development Plans Panel Chair

Officers were asked to highlight the key performance indicators relating to the Board.  The following was discussed:

·  Support for people to improve their skills and how this targeted those detached from the labour market particularly those in deprived areas.  There was also a need for continued investment in higher skills especially with regard to growth in the City and how this related to further investment in the City.

·  Claimant rates for Employment Support Allowance, and support for  –those out of work with long term/health and disability problems. 

·  The delivery rate of courses by contracted providers for the provision of Adult Learning Programmes.

·  Information was requested in the success rate of people going into employment following participation in the Adult Learning Programme.

·  Comparative NEET rates. The Board were advised that there had been some joint work with providers and a new funding bid had been summited for provision to meet local needs better.  The outcome of this would be known in July.  NEET figures were in line with the national average and remained an obsession in the Children and Young People’s Plan.

·  Concern regarding those getting paid below the Real Living Wage and how to tackle this.  It was reported that there was a recent Government campaign to ensure that those not receiving the Real Living Wage could report this. 

·  Clarity was requested regarding the increased rate of business start-ups and what the split was between business start-ups and self-employment.

·  Growth in new homes – The Board were advised that there had been success in reducing the number of empty homes which had contributed to housing growth.  With regard to not meeting housing number demands, there were a number of factors relating to this including a number of planning permissions not being delivered. 

·  Increase in city centre travel by sustainable transport. Further clarity was requested regarding passenger numbers using bus as a mode of travel. The Board were advised that further park and ride proposals were being developed as well as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

The report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support gave the Board opportunity to consider their work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

A draft work schedule was appended to the report.

It was suggested that a follow up on the indicator for Numbers of people killed or seriously injured (KSI) in road traffic incidents be added to the Work Schedule.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the work items already reflected within the attached draft work schedule be approved.

(2)  That the information presented during today’s meeting and the discussion with those present at the meeting be reflected upon to draw up a list of potential areas for Scrutiny for the forthcoming municipal year.

(3)  That the Chair and principal Scrutiny Advisor consult with the relevant Directors and Executive Board Members regarding resources in line with the agreed Vision for Scrutiny and report back to the next meeting with a more detailed work programme.

To consider the report from the Director of City Development which is submitted to the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) for consideration in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework. This report provides an overview regarding the preparation of the Core Strategy Select Review.

The report of the Director of City Development provided an overview regarding the preparation of the Core Strategy Select Review.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor P Gruen – Deputy Executive Member and Development Plans Panel Chair

·  David Feeney – Head of Strategic Planning

·  Martin Elliott – Group Manager (Policy and Plans)

·  Robin Coghlan – Team Leader, Strategic Planning

Councillor Gruen introduced the report.  Members were reminded that the Council as Planning Authority had a requirement to set out a core strategy and what was planned to do across a range of planning issues.  The current core strategy was approved in 2014.  This review had been a culmination of consultation and work by Members and Officer, particularly the Development Plans Panel.  The Board was also made aware of the recommendations made by Development Plan Panel earlier in the day.  Further reference was made to projected house growth required in the city.

Members’ attention was brought to the key decisions and stages of preparation for the review.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  Changes to population projections had prompted the review.

·  This was a selective review that focussed on housing numbers, housing quality, greenspace and environmental performance of new housing.

·  Obligations on house builders including provision of affordable housing and greenspace on site as well as quality of housing.

·  The consultation process.

·  The need to ensure that policies were viable and deliverable.

·  Issues including infrastructure and transport would be considered at future reviews.

·  Reference was made to considerations given to the review through the Development Plans Panel and consultation.

·  Officer commitment to providing specific guidance which will better assist members of the public.

Key areas of discussion included the following:

·  Getting a fair share of development across the city – the Strategic Housing Market Assessment had not shown any evidence to change how this was being done.  There remained a focus on regeneration and investment in the main urban areas and major settlements and promote growth.

·  There was a general intent to achieve more greenspace through new development and to provide affordable housing on site.

·  Concern that affordable housing was not affordable to those on low pay and the need to try and get developers to provide housing at the most affordable rates for those on low incomes.

·  Housing mix – Current policy sought to promote the building of varying properties within developments.

·  Concern that private landlords will be purchasing new properties and these won’t be affordable or available for long term tenancies.  It was reported that there would be a mix of new housing including owner occupies, private rented, affordable housing (including social rented) and homes for older people. 

·  The inclusion of minimum space standards.

·  Clarity was sought regarding the projected numbers for new housing against the Government target. 

·  Concern was expressed regarding gaps with relation to environmental and sustainability issues as a result of development. 

·  The Board would receive tracking updates on the delivery of affordable housing following the previous inquiry into Housing Mix.

·  An implementation guide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Wednesday 25 July 2018 at 10:00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9:30am)

Wednesday, 25 July at 10.00 a.m.

(Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)