Agenda and minutes

There were no appeals.

There was no exempt information.

There were no late items.

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

There were no declarations.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute 11 – Performance Report

Affordable Homes – With regard to the annual in-year target for affordable homes and the additional requirements associated with historic under provision, a response from the Head of Strategic Planning had been circulated to Board Members.

Progress 8 Scores – The Chair had written to the Chair of the Scrutiny Board (Children & Families) regarding the Progress 8 Scores for the Leeds SEND cohort.  This would be considered as part of the Scrutiny Board (Children & Families) consideration of the 3As Plan and the Chair had been invited to attend.

To receive an update from the Director of City Development in relation to progress made on the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy Action Plan since its approval in October 2021.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services set out an update on progress in delivering the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy Action Plan and set this within the context of the Best City Ambition.

It was noted that following the approval of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy update in October 2021 the Scrutiny Board had committed to receive an annual update on progress. The 2022 update was originally scheduled to be discussed in the 2022/23 municipal year but unfortunately had to be deferred. Members of the 2022/23 Board therefore recommended that the successor Scrutiny Board should consider the update as early as possible in the new municipal year.

It was noted that the report provided to members summarised annual progress for last year as presented to Executive Board in February 2022, along with several updates on progress given the timing.

In response to a request from the Scrutiny Board additional information had also been included in relation to park and ride provision.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member

·  Mick Bunting, WYCA, Interim Director of Transport Operations and Passenger Experience

·  Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer, Transportation & Highways

·  Paul Foster, Transport Planning Manager

Councillor Hayden informed the Board of the progress with the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy and the wide consultation that had taken place in relation to its launch.  She welcomed the tangible results were now beginning to be seen in the city centre, and the progress delivered through Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP). Thanks were expressed to all the team and partners who had been involved in this work to date.

The Chief Officer Transport and Highways set out the current position in relation to several issues highlighted in the report including:

·  The Vision Zero Strategy. The Chief Officer highlighted that on average last year 46 people were killed or seriously injured on Leeds roads each month, with that rising to 117 people across West Yorkshire.

·  Rail Projects including the construction of the White Rose station. It was noted that construction is expected to have been completed by the end of the calendar year with an operational date anticipated in early 2024.

·  Major Highways & Transportation Projects – including City Square and Armley Gyratory works.

·  The use of personal delivery robots and the decision to approve further pilot projects in other areas of the city.

·  Introduction of a local e-bike scheme.

·  Funding challenges due to inflation costs and the impact on construction.

·  Challenges to reach net zero carbon targets.

·  The statutory obligation for West Yorkshire Combined Authority to produce a Transport Strategy for West Yorkshire by 2024. Members were advised that WYCA is awaiting additional guidance from central government, required to support the development of the strategy.

·  The challenges and opportunities associated with the development of a mass transit system in partnership with WYCA.

The Interim Director of Transport Operations and Passenger Experience provided an overview in relation to bus reform, highlighting the following matters:

·  A decision on bus reform is anticipated in March  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

To receive an update from the Head of Station Development on the Leeds Sustainable Travel Gateway project.

The report of the Head of Station Development provided the Board with an update on the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway Project.

The Chair thanked officers for their time in providing a site visit to Leeds Station.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member

-  Angela Lawson, Head of Station Development

-  Chloe Drummer, Senior Project Manager

-  Angela Barnicle, Chief Officer, Asset Management and Regeneration

Key issues highlighted included the following:

·  The project was the first phase of the delivery of the Leeds Station Masterplan.

·  Passenger numbers had increased from 9 million in 2000 to 34 million in 2019.  It is estimated that this would be at least 40 million by 2040.

·  The Masterplan was approved in 2017 and is being delivered in partnership with WYCA, Network Rail and the Department for Transport. It seeks to redevelop Leeds Station and the surrounding area to address issues relating to capacity, accessibility, health and safety, security and connectivity.

·  The project is funded by the Department for Transports Transforming Cities Fund.

·  The majority of work is being carried out on Network Rail land and Network Rail will therefore control and maintain the assets after the works have been completed.

·  The scope of the project included pedestrianisation of New Station Street, and the relocation of buses and the Hackney taxi rank.

·  The hackney taxi rank has temporarily been relocated to Prince’s Square by Network Rail due to work taking place on New Station Street.

·  Leeds City Council will continue to maintain the limited aspects of the scheme which are on the adopted highway.

·  A series of new staircases will be installed alongside two 21-person passenger lifts.

·  The new taxi rank will be double the size of the previous rank and will have two feeder ranks. A new shelter will be provided, and a marshal will manage the flow of taxis.

·  Environmental improvements to the surrounding area and upgrades to street lighting.

·  The provision of a 500-space cycle hub and new cycle lanes.

·  Engagement with key stakeholders including local residents and businesses.

·  Works on Dark Neville Street will be limited due to future plans for redevelopment works on the station.

·  CGI images of how the proposals will look were displayed.

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

·  A response had been sought from Network Rail following concerns regarding arrangements for drop off and pick up at the station and car parking.  This included the reduction in waiting time allowed.

·  Concerns were raised about congestion at the rear of the station while works were ongoing.  Measures have been taken to tackle this including the introduction of a new bus gate and enforcement cameras.

·  Safety concerns regarding lighting at the car park have been raised with Network Rail.

·  Concern was raised about the lack of visible information about the temporary arrangements for taxis for passengers.  This has led to complaints that drivers were losing trade.

·  Drop off arrangements remain at the rear of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted a report which included a draft work programme for the municipal year 2023/24. This collated requests from members of the 2022/23 Board and known items of business such as budget consultation and performance monitoring.

Recent Executive Board minutes were appended to the report.

RESOLVED – That the report and work schedule be noted.

The next public meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) will take place on Wednesday 27 September at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meeting for all members of the Scrutiny Board at 10.15am.

Wednesday, 27 September 2023 at 10.30 a.m.  Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.15 a.m.