Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, 1st Floor West,LS1 1UR

Contact: Sandra Pentalow - 0113 3788655 

Items
No. Item

1.

Declarations 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.

 

 

2.

Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

 

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors J Goddard and C Hall.

 

Councillor K Ritchie was in attendance as substitute.

 

 

3.

Minutes - 10 April 2019 pdf icon PDF 228 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the minutes of the meeting held on  10 April 2019.

  .

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 April 2019 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

 

4.

Matters arising from the Minutes

Minutes:

Section 106 payments – details of Section 106 funding are currently provided upon request.  It is still planned that this information will be made accessible to Members on line via a portal and generally via the Data Mill. When asked if reports could be provided to members on a 6 monthly basis the Chief Planning Officer advised he would check the frequency S106 reporting to all Members.

 

Neighbourhood Plans – Concern that more deprived neighbourhoods have not been able to develop Neighbourhood Plans and therefore unable to gain Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) at the higher rate.  The Board were advised that there had been support provided to inner city areas and plans would be developed where possible. Assistance would continue to be provided across the City when requested.

 

 

5.

Scrutiny Board Terms of Reference pdf icon PDF 128 KB

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED – That the Board’s terms of reference be noted.

 

 

6.

Co-Opted Members pdf icon PDF 155 KB

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

 

Minutes:

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 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.

 

 

7.

Sources of Work for The Scrutiny Board pdf icon PDF 177 KB

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 2019/20 – 2020/21

·  Draft Inclusive Growth Strategy

·  Extract of Leeds City Council 2018/19 Budget Report

·  Request for Scrutiny – Leeds Motorcycle Action Group

 

The following were in attendance for this item:

 

-  Councillor D Coupar – Executive Member for Communities

-  Councillor J Pryor – Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment

-  Councillor M Rafique – Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

 

-  Martin Farrington – Director of City Development

-  Sue Wynne – Chief Officer, Employment & Skills

-  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer, Economic Development

-  Tim Rollett – Intelligence & Policy Manager, Resources & Housing

-  Paul Foster – Transport Planning Manager, City Development

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

 

The Chair informed the meeting of ongoing monitoring/work which included the following:

 

·  Inclusive Growth Strategy

·  Housing Mix

·  Advance Bus Service Provision

·  Transport Strategy

·  Digital Inclusion

·  Sustainable Development

·  Information, Advice and Guidance

 

Further responsibilities of the Board included performance and budget monitoring and the flood alleviation strategy.  The Board were also reminded that in 2018/19 it was agreed to incorporate the request for scrutiny from Cllr J Bentley with regard to the transport strategy and the proposals relating to Weetwood. 

 

Further to the Council’s declaration of Climate Emergency, it had been proposed to invite the Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Committee to a future meeting to discuss climate change implications in relation to the Boards remit.

 

With regard to the request for Scrutiny from Leeds Motorcycle Action Group to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes, it was reported that studies had been carried out for potential road safety benefits. The Board were advised that there are examples elsewhere where there had been trials that were subsequently withdrawn.  The benefits may be more down to convenience and perception of safety. The Board were also advised about the inconsistencies in approach across West Yorkshire authorities. The Board determined that the request for Scrutiny consideration would be included as a substantive item on a future agenda.

 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

 

 

8.

Performance Report pdf icon PDF 549 KB

To receive a report from the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families and Chief Executive which provides a summary of performance against the strategic priorities for the Council and the City.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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 2018-21.  Updates on City Region functions were also provided.

 

Copies of the City Development Best Council Plan Performance Summaries for 2018/19 and 2019/20 were appended to the report.

 

The following were in attendance for this item:

 

-  Councillor D Coupar – Executive Member for Communities

-  Councillor J Pryor – Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment

-  Councillor M Rafique – Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

 

 

-  Martin Farrington – Director of City Development

-  Sue Wynne – Chief Officer, Employment & Skills

-  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer, Economic Development

-  Tim Rollett – Intelligence & Policy Manager, Resources & Housing

-  Paul Foster – Transport Planning Manager, City Development

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

 

Officers were asked to highlight the key performance indicators relating to the

Board. The following was discussed:

 

·  There had been an increase in 13,800 jobs across the City.  Employment rates in Leeds were higher than the national average.

·  There had been an increase in engineering and manufacturing jobs.

·  There had been a decline in new business start-ups but Leeds remained the second largest in the core cities.

·  There had been growth in business rates with an increase of £11.8 million.

·  There had been a 6.4% growth in visitors to the city.

·  There had been an increase in 1.7% of people obtaining level 4 qualifications which was higher than elsewhere in Yorkshire and the Humber.

·  Targets for building new homes had been exceeded.

·  The target for provision of affordable should be achieved.

·  There had been an increase in people killed or seriously injured on roads.

·  An increase in the number of journeys using sustainable transport.

·  A reduction in the number of commercial and residential properties that were at risk of flooding.

 

In response to comments and questions relating to the key performance indicators, the following was discussed:

 

·  Job Changes in the Leeds Economy – disappointment regarding the decline in printing and publishing and concern regarding the decline in low carbon industries. 

·  The employment rate in Leeds was higher than the national average.

·  The need to report public sector employment figures in addition to private sector.

·  Monitoring of business closures – this was not covered by performance indicators.  It was requested that this information be provided to Board Members.

·  Conference facilities – there were no formal plans to expand facilities in Leeds.  The Conference Leeds would continue to promote Leeds as a conference city.

·  Passenger growth at Leeds Bradford Airport and how it linked with the climate change challenge.  Reference was made to the increased demand on the road network any expansion would bring. The timeline for consultation was requested relating to access and network development.

·  Level 4 qualifications – the figures were only available at city level  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Work Schedule pdf icon PDF 300 KB

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2019/20 municipal year.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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.

 

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.

 

 

10.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

Wednesday, 31 July 2019 at 10:30am (pre meeting for all Board Members at 10:00am)

 

Minutes:

Monday, 31 July 2019 at 10.30 a.m. (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 10.00 a.m.)