Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance, particularly members of the public, to the meeting and then asked everyone to introduce themselves.

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 13 of the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillors Castle and Monaghan declared personal interests in respect of agenda item 8 ‘Update on the City Museum’ as they were both Members of the Civic Trust.  (Minute No.10 refers).

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Wilkinson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th June 2006.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th June 2006, be approved as a correct record.

To note the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 14^th June 2006.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Executive Board held on 14^th June 2006, be noted.

To note the minutes of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 5^th June 2006.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 5^th June 2006, be noted.

To note an update report by the Chief Heritage Officer on the new City Museum Project  and consider if further scrutiny is required.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided Members with an update on the City Museum project.

John Roles, Head of Heritage addressed the meeting and answered Members’ questions.  The following issues were discussed:

• The costs of fitting out the museum – it was reported that this would be completed within budget following value engineering.  This would not reduce the quality or function of the exhibitions.
• In response to a question regarding time delays on the project, it was reported that the Council was working closely with contractors in an attempt to bring any works back within the scheduled timetable.
• Consultation on the project would be an ongoing process.
• The Four Societies referred to in the report were the Friends of Leeds City Museum, the Civic Trust, Thoresby Society and Leeds Philosophical & Literary Society.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the draft terms of reference which also outlines a proposed schedule for receiving evidence for this inquiry into Leisure Centres.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which included the draft Terms of Reference for an Inquiry into Leisure Centres.  Prior to the meeting the Board was given a guided tour of Fearnville Leisure Centre.

Mark Allman, Head of Sport and Active Recreation and Alasdair Brown, Business and Service Development Manager attended the meeting and gave a presentation on Investment in Leisure Centres.

The presentation focussed on the following areas:

• The role of the Sport and Active Recreation Division
• Value of Sport
• Focus on Leisure Centres – Challenges and Current Performance
• Leisure Centres Budget – Income and Expenditure
• Sustaining Performance
• Sport PFI and Capital Investment Plan
• The PFI Process

In response to a question regarding consultation over the future investment in leisure centres, Members were informed that schools, user groups and other key stakeholders had been consulted via questionnaire.  A further question was asked as to why the PFI monies would not be used to refurbish existing facilities and it was reported that the Department for Culture, Media and Sport wanted the funding to be used for new development.  Further issues discussed included the proposals for a new leisure centre at Killingbeck and the possibility of existing facilities being run by a Sports Trust. 

RESOLVED

(a)  That the terms of reference for the Inquiry into Leisure Centres be agreed.

(b)  That a Working Group meeting be arranged to discuss the PFI business case.  This meeting to be open to all Members of the Board.

To receive a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s current Work Programme and Forward Plan for July to October 2006.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which detailed the Board’s current work programme and an extract from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions that related to the Board.

Further issues raised by Members included the Carriageworks, City Varieties and the events strategy including the environmental impact analysis for Millennium Square as indicated in the Forward Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report and Members’ comments be noted.

Monday, 11^th September 2006 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-Meeting at 9.30 a.m.)

Monday 11^th September 2006 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting at 9.30 a.m.).  The possibility of using the Grand Theatre as a venue for the meeting to be investigated.