Agenda and minutes

There were no appeals.

There was no exempt information on the Agenda.

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor H Hayden (Agenda Item7, Inclusive Growth) and Councillor J Pryor (Agenda Items 8 and 9, Housing Mix and Local Plan Update)

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive an update from the Chief Officer (Culture & Economy) on progress to refresh the Inclusive Growth Strategy ahead of the launch of the new strategy in July 2023.

The report of the Chief Officer Culture and Economy provided the Board with an update on the work to refresh the Inclusive Growth Strategy.  The new strategy will be launched in July 2023, subject to Executive Board approval and will run to 2030.  It will align with the Best City Ambition and Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Eve Roodhouse, Chief Officer, Culture and Economy

-  Fiona Bolam, Head of Economic Policy

The following was highlighted:

·  The report highlighted the successes and challenges and the delivery framework.

·  The approach to measurement using the Social Progress Index.

·  The success of the Anchors Network.  Reference was made to work in Lincoln Green with Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust which had supported the local community and connecting people to the Health Careers Program.

·  Other key areas of progress which included business support, Flood Alleviation Schemer, Transport and Digital Leeds.

In response to questions from the Panel, discussion included the following:

·  A version of the progression framework had been tested with private sector organisations and there would be further work on connecting the private sector.

·  Work was ongoing with the employment and skills offer to the city including the Future Talent Plan and work with Leeds City College to ensure that education that would meet employment needs.

·  Measuring the impact of events and employment fayres particularly those targeted at different groups.

·  Compilation of data for the Social Progress Index.  This data came from a variety of sources and was available at a Ward level. It was planned to broaden the scope and open up more indicators.

·  Concern regarding reduced bus services and the impact on people in the outer areas.

·  Concern that the Social Progress Index focuses on inner city areas which often had more facilities and services than the outer areas.  It was reported that the Social Progress Index was the preferred data for looking at inclusive growth along with other indicators.  The Index did highlight areas of deprivation all across the city.

·  There had been progress with the Green Skills Plan and a Lead Officer had been appointed in the Employment and Skills team..  This would help to inform the next generation and facilitate access to green jobs and career pathways.

·  Developing relationships with organisations to increase involvement in the Anchors Partnership.

·  There were proposals to re-visit procurement issues with anchor organisations.

REOLVED –

(1)  That the report and discussion be noted.

(2)  That it be noted that the Inclusive Growth Strategy is due to go to Executive Board for approval in July 2023.

To receive an update from the Director of City Development in relation to the delivery of housing mix.

Members are asked to note that there have been significant changes in the planning landscape since the original Scrutiny Board inquiry, and as such many of the issues previously captured in regular updates to the Board will now be superseded by the Leeds Local Plan 2040.

One of the seven broad topic areas it is proposed the Leeds Local Plan 2040 will cover is housing – “ensuring the right type, size and tenure of new housing is developed to meet the needs of different people across Leeds.”

For that reason, members of the Scrutiny Board are asked to consider this update directly in conjunction with the next item on the agenda – Leeds Local Plan 2040.

The report of the Director of City Development provided the Board with an update following the Inquiry relating to Housing Mix Matters.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Martin Elliot – Head of Strategic Planning

-  Sarah Hellewell, Principal Planner

-  Ian MacKay, Team Leader, Neighbourhood Planning

The Board was given an update on the recommendations of the inquiry.  The following was highlighted:

·  Recommendation 3 – Further training for Plans Panel Members had been carried out for issues surrounding viability and affordable housing.  There would be further sessions on conservation and environment.

·  Recommendation 4 – A new Strategic Housing Market Assessment had been commissioned as part of the Leeds Local Plan 2040.

·  Recommendation 5 – Reference was made to Neighbourhoods Plans that had been successfully implemented and others that were in development.  There had also been a commencement of reviews of existing Neighbourhood Plans.

·  Recommendation 8 – Improvements to Housing Mix.  This had become a key aspect of discussion at pre-application stage.  There had been significant improvement in targets but figures were skewed by city centre development which had a lot of student accommodation.

·  Recommendation 10 = Accessible Housing and Space standards.  Information would be published as part of the Annual Monitoring Report and there would be further work as part of he Leeds Local Plan 2040.

·   

In response to questions from the Board, discussion included the following:

·  Affordable housing – there was no set target for the provision of affordable housing but there was an identified need.  There had been an increase in the delivery of affordable housing over the past ten years but not enough to meet the needs.  The Leeds Local Plan 2040 would consider what actions could be taken through Planning to increase affordable housing.  Affordable housing was aimed to be developed on site but where there were site constraints, delivery could be through a commuted sum.  Further information was requested with regards to the amount of affordable housing achieved through commuted sums.

·  Positive impacts of Neighbourhood Plans – these included support in determining planning applications, identification of open greenspaces, identification of non-designated heritage assets, community involvement and identification of sites that could be used to meet housing needs.

·  Concern regarding the effectiveness of Neighbourhood Plans – it was reported that there was in some instances a lack of understanding of what detail was in Neighbourhood Plans and how they could support the planning process.

·  Examples of how effective Neighbourhood Plans could be.

·  Policy H4 did not have set numerical targets but focused on housing need and took account of the location and character of an area.  There had been far more development in the city centre than was initially thought which had affected the housing mix and delivery of affordable housing.

·  Viability for development schemes and accepted levels of profit.  There were recognised industry standards and the council used the District Valuer to provide an independent view on viability for schemes.  Members were informed of the possibility of clawback when developments were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To receive an update from the Director of City Development on the proposed scopes of the Leeds Local Plan 2040 and the associated public consultation.

Appendix 1: Leeds Local Plan 2040 Executive Board Report (8^th March)

Appendix 2: Leeds Local Plan 2040 Scoping Consultation Document

Appendix 3: SA Scoping Report

Appendix 4: Leeds Local Plan 2040 Summary Document

The report of the Director of City Development provided an overview of the proposed scope of the Leeds Local Plan 2040 (LLP 20240) and the public consultation that was underway.  Full details were provided in an appendix to the report.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Martin Elliot – Head of Strategic Planning

-  Adam Harvatt, Group Manager, Policy and Plans

-  Sarah Hellewell, Principal Planner

-  Caroline Harris, Principal Planner

The following was highlighted:

·  Focus on policies related to climate change.

·  Key topics:

o  Spatial Strategy

o  Housing

o  Economic Development

o  Role of Town and District centres

o  Minerals and Waste

o  Transport and Connectivity

o  Other policies that shape development.

·  Call for Sites – identification of land to be considered for development.

·  Material used to support the consultation – there would be surveys and drop in events and there would be more targeted engagement.

In response to questions from the Board, discussion included the following:

·  The need to provide clarity along with openness and transparency when publishing details of sites that have been put forward for development.

·  Housing needs for travellers.  There was engagement with the charitable trust that represents travellers and a working group.  There would need to be discussions with travellers and local communities where landowners provided land for this purpose.

·  All parties including development companies could participate in the surveys.  A balanced view of all participants would be taken.  Previous experience showed that developers did not engage with these surveys which were more designed for community input.

·  It was anticipated that the development of the plan would take from three to four years.  With regards to potential changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and whether the process should be paused, there were existing issues that needed to be reviewed and it was felt to  be good practice to start now.

·  Consultation with young people.  There was close work with Children & Families to facilitate this and Members were asked to inform of any other groups or sessions for young people that could be involved.

·  The aspirations for delivery of new homes could be seen as a contradiction due to the guidance that this was not necessary if it required development within the greenbelt.  Representations had been to the government regarding this. 

·  Management of the use of minerals and resources and the impacts of this.  Further investigation would be given to what powers the council had with regards to the review of old mineral planning consents.

·  Involvement with the health sector – there had been work with the sector regarding new developments and infrastructure requirements.

·  Whether there was a need for planning views on fracking and was there a need for local control.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report and discussion be noted.

(2)  That the launch of the ‘Call for Sites’ alongside the scoping consultation be noted.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services presented the Board’s Work Schedule for the remainder of the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – That the report and work schedule be noted.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment & Inclusive Growth) will take place on Wednesday 5 April 2023 at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.15am.

Wednesday, 5 April 2023 at 10.30 a.m.  Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.15 a.m.