Agenda and minutes

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

Contact: Becky Atherton (0113 37 88642)  Email: Becky.atherton@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

40.

APPEALS AGAINST REFUSAL OF INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

Minutes:

There were no appeals.

 

 

41.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

 

 

Minutes:

There was no exempt information.

 

 

42.

Late Items

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

43.

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.

 

 

44.

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 Councillor C Hall.

 

 

45.

Minutes - 9 October 2019 pdf icon PDF 235 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the minutes of the meeting held on  9 October 2019.  .

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 October 2019 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

 

46.

Advancing Bus Provision pdf icon PDF 156 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Democratic Services, Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, which provides an overview of the progress made in response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Board in its inquiry report ‘Advancing Bus Service Provision’, published 17 May 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Democratic Services, Director of City Development and West Yorkshire Combined Authority set out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Inquiry into Advancing Bus Service Position.

 

The following were in attendance for this item:

 

-  Cllr L Mulherin – Executive Member

-  Andrew Hall -  Head of Transportation

-  Cllr K Groves – Chair of WYCA Transport Committee

-  Dave Pearson – Director, Transport Services

-  Andrew McGuinness – Chair, Association of West Yorkshire Bus Operators & Regional Manager, Northern & Yorkshire Regions, CPT UK

-  Paul Matthews – MD First Leeds

-  Alex Hornby – Transdev

-  Dwayne Wells – Arriva

 

The Board was given a presentation which focussed mainly on the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance.  Issues highlighted included the following:

 

·  West Yorkshire Bus Alliance Commitments

·  Governance Structure and Partnership Agreements

·  Priorities and Customers

·  Developing a Sustainable Bus Network

·  Changes to the Bus Industry

 

Further issues highlighted included the following:

 

·  Ambitions to increase bus patronage by 50%.  It was anticipated that it would take five to ten years to achieve the level of growth required.

·  Further investment was needed in bus corridors.

·  The need to make services more viable and affordable.

·  The need for integrated ticketing across providers.

·  Reassurance about the future delivery of commitments made by First including investment in vehicles in light of the anticipated changes in ownership of the company.

·  Development of the National Bus Strategy and the need for national policy.

·  The need for bus operators to work in partnership with local authorities.

 

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

 

·  The need for improvements on smaller bus networks to improve connectivity for older people and families.  Members were informed that the connectivity strategy would consider all kinds of bus transport and better connect people to education and employment opportunities.  Work on the core network would support other parts of the network.  Provision of demand led services was also discussed.

·  Should the Alliance have ownership or part ownership of one of the bus providers there is legislation in place to enable a public body to operate in a commercial environment.  WYCA had commissioned expert advice to consider available options.  Financial liabilities will need to be considered.

·  Concern regarding the reduction of services and lack of clarity on changes to services.

·  Investment in upgrading vehicles and providing new vehicles which would contribute to reducing emissions.

·  Ongoing work to simplify fare structures.

·  Use of technology for timetable information, tracking and ticketing.

·  The need to revise the planning process with regard to bus provision and to ensure that funds from Section 106 agreements are used more efficiently.

·  Lack of accountability and how the West Yorkshire Bus Alliance could address this. 

·  The potential impact on staff and customers of a change in ownership of a bus operating company.

 

In consideration of the recommendation, the status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

 

·  Recommendation 1 – Not fully implemented (progress made acceptable.  Continue monitoring)

·  Recommendation 2 – Not fully  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

47.

Referral to Scrutiny - Proposal for Surface Level Car Park Kirkgate Market pdf icon PDF 242 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding the referral to scrutiny in the name of Cllr Mark Dobson.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Democratic Services presented details of a referral that had been made to the Board by Councillor M Dobson which raised concern about the impact of a proposal to build a surface level car park on part of the outdoor market at Kirkgate Market on the Council’s declared Climate Emergency.

 

The following were in attendance for this item:

 

-  Councillor J Pryor – Executive Board Member, Learning, Skills & Environment

-  Councillor A Khan – Chair, Kirkgate Market Management Board

-  Councillor M Dobson – Leader, Garforth & Swillington Independents

-  Martin Farrington – Director City Development

-  Chris Coulson – Executive Manager, Tech Asset Management

-  Steve Mason – Head of Markets

-  Lawrence Brown – Kirkgate Market Trader Representative on the Markets Management Board.

 

Councillor Dobson addressed the Board.  He raised the following issues:

 

·  The potential impact of the proposals on the Council’s declared Climate Emergency and aspirations to be carbon neutral by 2030.

·  A 42 space car park with a one hour minimum stay could generate up to 504 traffic movements a day and add traffic to the already congested network.

·  There was alternative provision at the adjacent NCP car park.

·  The level of impact previous parking provision at George Street had had on footfall given the use of the spaces by market traders and staff.

·  The need to deliver improved public transport links to increase footfall at Kirkgate Market.

·  Concern regarding the ballot and the lack of clarity in the breakdown of any distinction between the views indoor and outdoor traders.

·  Concern that there had not been consultation with the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee.

 

In response to Councillor Dobson’s submission, Martin Farrington addressed the Board.  The Markets Management Board had been established in 2013 to enable traders to have a greater say in the running of the markets.  The Board includes representatives from the indoor and outdoor markets as well as Elected Members and independents.  The decision to explore the feasibility of a surface level car park was made in response to a direct request from market traders. Traders had expressed a view that the NCP and Victoria Car Parks are not regarded as easily accessible and convenient for market shoppers, adversely affecting certain types of shopping habits such as bulk buying. The Board considered a range of arguments setting out the environmental benefits of the market as compared with other food retailers and accessibility of goods for families on low incomes. Members also noted that the proposed car park would be able to facilitate electric charging points.  With regard to the ballot, 64% were in favour of the proposals.

 

Councillor Pryor informed the Board that there had been support for a car park by traders following the original consultation.  It was not thought that there would a net increase in parking given the loss of car parking at George Street.  Cllr Pryor highlighted the environmental benefits of purchasing products from the market as opposed to other retailers.

 

Further issues highlighted included the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

48.

Work Schedule pdf icon PDF 227 KB

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s Work Schedule for the remainder of the current Municipal Year.

 

A copy of the Board’s Work Schedule and recent Executive Board minutes were appended to the report.

 

RESOLVED – That the Board’s Work Schedule be noted.

 

 

49.

Date and Time of Next Meeting -

8 January 2020 at 10.30am (10am pre-meeting for Scrutiny Board members).

Minutes:

Wednesday, 8 January 2020 at 10.30 a.m. (Pre-meeting at 10.00 a.m. for all Board Members)