Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the meeting, particularly those who were attending for the first time as Panel members and those who were attending as observers.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

An apology for absence from the meeting was received on behalf of Councillor Gruen.

To approve the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on Tuesday, 5^th May 2009.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th May 2009 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development outlining the Leeds City Region pilot programme, detailing how the programme has been, and is to be progressed in the future, in addition to providing an overview of the delivery arrangements and how the pilot programme sits within existing and emerging regional arrangements. 

A report was submitted by the Director of City Development providing details of the Leeds City Region pilot programme, one of two such pilot programmes announced on 22^nd April 2009 intended to develop a range of new freedoms and flexibilities which would take forward the devolution agenda in the city region.

Having received a brief overview of the key themes within the report, which included details of the pilot’s progress to date, the proposed delivery arrangements, how the pilot sits within existing and emerging regional arrangements and the areas on which the pilot would be focussed, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  The funding arrangements which would be established as a result of the pilot;

·  How the respective housing growth targets and proposals for housing developments for each individual area across the city region would be co-ordinated;

·  Members sought assurances that the momentum which had been gained to date continued in the fields of innovation support and higher level skills.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the success of the Leeds City Region pilot bid be noted;

(b)  That the plans which are being progressed as part of the Leeds City Region Forerunner Plan be noted.

(Councillors Harker and R Lewis both joined the meeting at 1.35 p.m., at the commencement of this item)

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the current city region and regional governance arrangements, and how the City Council is engaging with such arrangements.

Further to Minute No. 41, 5^th May 2009, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing details of the respective governance arrangements for both the city region and the wider Yorkshire and Humber region. The report also provided information on the structures in place to ensure the City Council’s engagement with such respective arrangements.

Having received an overview of the key points detailed within the report, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  The composition of the LGYH Work and Skills Thematic Board;

·  Clarification was sought as to why the city region nominations to the Local Government Yorkshire and Humber (LGYH) Leaders’ Board and Thematic Boards had largely been drawn from just a few local authorities within the city region;

·  The extent to which the development of such arrangements would impact upon the average person residing within the area;

·  Members requested the circulation of a model illustrating the overall structure of the governance arrangements which had been established;

·  Having noted the current political balance of the City Council’s representation on the various Boards and Panels, Members discussed whether a more politically balanced representation of the City Council was required on such bodies;

·  Assurances were sought on the accountability of those bodies which had been established;

·  The levels of bureaucracy involved in the governance arrangements.

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing a further update on the progress made in relation to the various workstreams of the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan (AAP) and detailing the next steps which will lead to the preparation of the submission plan for independent examination.

Further to Minute No. 29, 6^th January 2009, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the progress which had been made in relation to the development of the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan (AVLAAP) in preparation for the Plan’s eventual submission for independent examination.

The Panel received a summary of the key points detailed within the report, including an update on the various strands of work being undertaken to develop the robust evidence base required to demonstrate that the proposed schemes within the AVLAAP were viable. Such areas of work included:-

·  The development of a financial model to test a range of proposals and scenarios which would help gain the full potential of the area and assist in the development of a delivery plan for key infrastructure;

·  Investigative work undertaken to explore Aire Valley Leeds’ (AVL) possible involvement in pilot project for an Accelerated Development Zone (ADZ);

·  The submission of evidence in support of Leeds’ bid for AVL to be identified in the Urban Eco Settlement initiative;

·  The development of the ‘Aire Valley Futures’ initiative;

·  The production of a transport model;

·  A draft sequential test undertaken to demonstrate that there were no reasonable available sites in the area with a lower probability of flooding which could be developed ahead of those already identified;

·  The continued development of partnership working across several areas of the plan;

·  The ongoing development of the Residual Waste Management Project.

A question and answer session then ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  Having discussed the scale of the proposed housing developments envisaged for the area, Members emphasised the importance of, and sought assurances on the establishment of the infrastructure required to ensure that all communities within the AVL were sustainable. Specific comments were made in relation to the need for effective public transport provision, and the requirement for such matters to be addressed in a cohesive and multi-agency way;

·  Enquiries were made into the work being undertaken as part of the Urban Eco Settlement initiative, the form that such an initiative would take and how the local communities were being involved;

·  The Panel sought clarification on the geographical area covered, and the stringency of the sequential testing which had been undertaken in relation to flood risk in the area;

·  Members discussed the impact upon education provision as a result of the housing developments proposed for the area;

·  The Panel made enquiries into the condition of the land currently earmarked for development within the AVLAAP.

RESOLVED -

(a). That the progress which has been with respect to the preparation of the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan be noted, along with the next steps which relate to the production of the submission draft;

(b). That a report be submitted to the Panel providing further information on the proposals within the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan which relate to the development of transport infrastructure, particularly with respect to public transport provision.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

1.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 14^th July 2009 in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

Tuesday, 14^th July 2009 at 1.30 p.m. in the Civic Hall, Leeds.