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

50.

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 against refusal of inspection of documents.

51.

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 were no exempt items.

52.

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.)

Minutes:

There were no late items.

53.

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:

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

54.

Apologies for Absence and Notification of Substitutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

 

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllrs Hall, R Grahame and Goddard.

 

Cllr C Howley attended as substitute for Cllr. Hall

Cllr. K Brooks attended as substitute for Cllr. Grahame

55.

Minutes - 20 November 2019 pdf icon PDF 316 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2019.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20th November 2019, be approved as a correct record.

56.

Inclusive Growth Update Report pdf icon PDF 493 KB

Following the Scrutiny Board’s April 2019 Inclusive Growth Strategy Inquiry, the report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Resources and Housing details progress made to date against the recommendations relating to ‘Big Idea 4 – Working Together to Create Better Jobs, Tackling Low Pay and Boosting Productivity.’ 

Minutes:

The report of the Director of City Development and the Director of Resources and Housing provided an update on activity undertaken to implement the recommendations of the Scrutiny Inquiry into the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy which had been published in April 2019.

 

The Scrutiny Board had also requested an update on activity undertaken to support disabled people including those with learning disabilities into employment following the Executive Board report which had been considered on 16th October 2019.

 

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Councillor Pryor – Executive Member

·  Sue Wynne – Chief Officer Employment and Skills

·  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer, Economic Development

·  Jane Hopkins – Head of Communities and Partnerships

 

A copy of the report on Improving Employment Outcomes for People with Learning Disabilities which had been to the 19th October 2019 Executive Board was circulated to Members prior to the start of this item as a background document.

 

Members were informed that considerable work has been undertaken since the initial inquiry with Anchor Network Employment Working Group. The work has been broken down into three parts:

·  Overall Strategy including the implementation, governance and monitoring;

·  Strategic benefits for those living in disadvantaged area, working with Anchor on a number of recommendations;

·  Update on improving employment outcomes for people with learning disabilities.

 

Officers provided Members with an update on progress against each of the recommendations and responded to comments and questions in relation to those recommendations:

·  Recommendation 1 – The Executive Board have approved the Council’s new Procurement Strategy. It was recognised that the way in which goods and services are commissioned could make a significant contribution to achieving the city’s inclusive growth ambitions;

·  Recommendation 2 – First Bus have made a pledge to contribute to the Inclusive Growth Strategy and will be attending the next Inclusive Growth event. Contact is due to be made with Arriva and Transdev;

·  Recommendation 3 – The productivity event held in September 2019 was well attended by stakeholders, third sector and private sector. The event was a sharing of ideas on which to build and move to the future. The next event is already being organised with invites already being accepted;

·  Recommendation 4 – It is still early days of the growth ambassadors who are working with officers to develop the ambassador’s role. Ambassadors are not being paid for the role, however they are to be reimbursed for transport costs;

·  Recommendation 5 – Corporate reports and templates have been revised in line with the recommendation;

·  Recommendation 6 - Members raised concerns in relation to the decrease in construction KPI’s and were advised that work was on going to address this through engagement with the Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Meet the buyer’ event to look at supply chains and the use of sub-contractors;

·  Recommendation 7 – The Board’s view was to continue monitoring;

·  Recommendation 8 – The Board was impressed by these initiatives to target opportunities to residents living in the Priority Neighbourhoods. It was noted that the next programme would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

57.

Best Council Plan Performance Report Quarter 2 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider the report of the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families and the Chief Executive, which presents a summary of the Best Council Plan (BCP) performance data for Quarter 2 2019/20.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families, and Chief Executive provided a summary of performance at Quarter 2, for 2019/20 against the strategic ambitions, outcomes and priorities for the Council relevant to the Scrutiny Board, Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth within the Best Council Plan 2019-21. An update on the City Region functions was also provided as part of the remit of the Scrutiny Board.

 

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Cllr. Lewis – Executive Member

·  Cllr. Pryor – Executive Member

·  Martin Farrington – Director of City Development

·  Phil Mellen – Deputy Director of Learning

·  Sue Wynne – Chief Officer, Employment and Skills

·  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer, Economic Development

·  Gary Bartlett – Chief Officer Highways and Transportation

·  Phil Evans – Chief Officer Operations

 

The Scrutiny Board’s discussions focussed on the following points:

·  A request for KPI reporting to include workers on zero hours and part-time contracts and levels of unemployment in the city;

·  The need for real time data to understand better how people are responding to Brexit and more research to be undertaken on self-employment;

·  Day visitor figures;

·  Business rates;

·  NEET figures especially those ‘not known’ figures. Members were advised that steps were being taken to address these figures and staff were working on the whereabouts of those ‘not known’;

·  Members were provided with information in relation to the issue of ‘off rolling’. The Chair thanked Cllr. Pryor and Officers for bringing the issue of ‘off rolling’ to the attention of Ofsted;

·  Housing mix inquiry due to be considered at the next meeting. The Board requested a breakdown of data on specific areas including, bedroom numbers and number of affordable houses. The inquiry will consider issues in relation to the right property types, in the right place, at the right time;

·  Invite for Highways to prepare a separate report to include road safety and to invite road safety campaigners to a future meeting;

·  City Connect and low usage along the A64. It was noted that this was due to road works and it is hoped to build on the success of City Connect in the west of the city;

·  Devolution.

 

RESOLVED – To note:

a)  The Best Council Plan Quarter 2 2019/20 performance information.

b)  The narrative update provided on City Region functions.

58.

Financial Health Monitoring pdf icon PDF 223 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Democratic Services and the appended budget report with regards to the areas aligned with the Board’s Terms of Reference.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Democratic Services provided members of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) with information regarding the projected 2019/20 financial health position of those service areas that fall within the remit of the Board at month 7 (October).

 

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr. Lewis – Executive Member

·  Martin Farrington – Director of City Development

·  Phil Evans – Chief Officer, Operations

·  Simon Criddle – Head of Finance

·  Jill Stuart – Principal Finance Manager

 

Members were advised that details of the Council’s overall projected 2019/20 financial health position for Month 7 (October) had been reported to the Executive Board at its meeting on 7th January 2020. The Executive Board report had been attached at Appendix A for Board Members consideration.

 

Discussions took place in relation to the following points:

·  Street Lighting LED conversion programme. It was recognised that there had been delays, however, this area of work was hoped to be completed by the end of this financial year;

·  City Development’s Strategic Investment Fund and the potential impact of the 1% increase in the rate of borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board;

·  PFI Contracts.

 

 

RESOLVED -  To note the content of the report.

59.

Initial Budget Proposals 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 153 KB

To consider a report from the Head of Democratic Services which provides information regarding the outline budget proposals for 2020/21.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Democratic Services provided members of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) with the Executive Board’s initial budget proposals for 2020/21. The initial budget proposals report was considered by Executive Board at its meeting on 7th January 2020, a copy of the report was appended to the submitted report. Scrutiny Board members were requested to consider, review and comment on matters and proposals relating to service areas that fall within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

 

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr. Lewis – Executive Member

·  Martin Farrington – Director, City Development

·  Phil Evans – Chief Officer Operations, City Development

·  Simon Criddle – Head of Finance

·  Jill Stuart – Principal Finance Manager

 

Members were advised that the initial budget proposals have less variants than in previous years since austerity was imposed on the Council. The Board noted that the report would be considered by full Council at its February 2020 meeting.

 

RESOLVED – To note the content of the attached Executive Board report.

 

60.

Best Council Plan Refresh pdf icon PDF 139 KB

To consider the report of the Head Democratic Services which provides information for consideration in relation to the Best Council Plan refresh for 2019/20 – 2020/21.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Democratic Services provided member of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) with an opportunity to consider the proposals to refresh the Best Council Plan for the period 2020/21 to 2024 / 25, and comment on those aspects that fall within the terms of reference.

 

Executive Board considered the proposals to refresh the Best Council Plan at its meeting on 7th January 2020, a copy of the Executive Board report was attached for members’ information.

 

In attendance at the meeting were:

·  Cllr Lewis– Executive Member

·  Coral Main – Head of Business Planning and Risk

 

The Scrutiny Board was advised that the Best Council Plan will be considered by full Council at its meeting in February 2020.

 

The Board Members were informed that one of the main focuses of the Best Council Plan going forward would be to address a number of issues linked to the Climate Emergency agenda, including district heating and transport. It was recognised that the Best Council Plan has included climate change for a number of years, however it has now been brought to the forefront.

 

Members were informed that the Best Council Plan has a standard set of KPI’s which are published within the Plan. KPI’s are regularly updated on the Council’s website. Responding to Members comments in regard to performance related information on housing mix it was suggested that this could be looked into. 

 

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report.

 

Cllr. Taylor left the meeting at 12:30 during this item.

 

Cllr. Maqsood left the meeting at 12:40 at the end of this item.

61.

Work Schedule pdf icon PDF 153 KB

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Democratic Services was presented by the Principal Scrutiny Adviser and advised members of the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the current financial year.

 

The latest iteration of the Board’s work schedule and a copy of the Executive Board minutes of meeting held on 25th November 2019, was appended to the submitted report.

 

The Chair advised the Board Members that due to the number of items proposed for the February meeting, himself and the Principal Scrutiny Adviser would consider the proposed items, and may rearrange the work schedule moving some items to the April meeting.

 

RESOLVED – That the Board’s work schedule be noted.

62.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

19 February 2020 at 10.30am (pre-meeting for Board members at 10am).

Minutes:

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) will be on 19th February 2020, at 10:30am, with a pre- meeting for all members at 10:15am.