Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor G Kirkland, Councillor L Mulherin (Maternity) and Councillor L Rhodes-Clayton.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th July 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th July 2007 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 16^th May 2007 and 4^th June 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 16^th May 2007 and 4^th June 2007 be received and noted.

To receive the minutes of the Executive Board meetings held on 16^th May 2007, 13^th June 2007, 4^th July 2007 and 22^nd August 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Executive Board meetings held on 16^th May 2007, 13^th June 2007, 4^th July 2007 and 22^nd August 2007 be received and noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement presenting the key areas of under performance at the end of Quarter 1

(1^st April and 30th June 2007).

Referring to minute 6 of the meeting held on 11^th June 2007, the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement submitted a  report presenting the key areas of under performance at the end of Quarter 1 (1^st April to 30^th June 2007).

Appended to the report was detailed information on the performance indicators, reported quarterly which were relevant to the Board’s portfolio.

The following representatives were in attendance to answer Board Members’ questions:-

Councillor J Procter, Executive Member for Leisure

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Denise Preston, Chief Recreation Officer

Catherine Blanshard, Chief Officer, Libraries, Arts and Heritage

Andrew Macgill, Head of Arts and Events

Councillor B Jennings made reference to performance indicator BV-170a ‘The number of visits/enquiries/ website hits to museums per 1,000 population’ and sought clarification on whether it was possible to show the authority’s position against All England authorities as well as core cities.

The Director of City Development and the Chief Officer, Libraries, Arts and Heritage responded and agreed to raise this issue with the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement.

The Chief Officer, Libraries, Arts and Heritage explained to Board Members that the comparison against the core cities was not necessarily a helpful point of reference for some Performance Indicators, particularly relating to museums, as amongst the core city authorities there was a wide divergence of provision, meaning it was difficult to compare like with like.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That this Board notes the Quarter 1 performance information outlined in the report.

To consider a report of the Director of City Development reviewing the Indian International Film Academy weekend held between 9^th-10^th June 2007 as it affected Leeds.

The Director of City Development submitted a report reviewing the Indian International Film Academy weekend held between 9^th-10^th June 2007 as it affected Leeds.

Appended to the report was a copy of a letter to the Chief Executive, Leeds City Council from the Chief Executive, Yorkshire Forward dated 12^th June 2007 thanking the Council for their support of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards weekend.

The following representatives were in attendance to answer Board Members’ questions:-

Councillor J Procter, Executive Member for Leisure

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Denise Preston, Chief Recreation Officer

Catherine Blanshard, Chief Officer, Libraries, Arts and Heritage

Andrew Macgill, Head of Arts and Events

Councillor A Hussain and Councillor V Morgan made reference to the car parking charges implemented at the ‘Bollywoodevent’ at Roundhay Park and sought clarification of the event organisers’ current charging criteria. It was noted that this was not organised by the Council and that fees collected went directly to the Mela organising committee.

The Chief Recreation Officer responded and agreed to e mail Board Members with the relevant information.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted and welcomed.

(b)  That those officers who were involved with the event be congratulated on its success.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on proposed terms of reference for the Middleton Park Equestrian Centre Inquiry.

Referring to minute 14 of the meeting held on 16^th July 2007, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on proposed terms of reference for the Middleton Park Equestrian Centre Inquiry.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That approval be given to the terms of reference for the Inquiry as now outlined.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on a formal response from the department following the Board’s previous Inquiry into Leisure Centres for the period 2006/7.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on a formal response from the City Development department following the Board’s previous Inquiry into Leisure Centres for the period 2006/07.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Scrutiny Board (Leisure) 2006/07 Leisure Centre Inquiry Recommendations – Responses from the Department’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

The following representatives were in attendance to answer Board Members’ questions:-

Councillor J Procter, Executive Member for Leisure

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Denise Preston, Chief Recreation Officer

Councillor  B Atha made specific reference to Recommendation 6 ‘ That the Sports Trust has within its governance arrangements the obligation to consult with local communities when a change to the service is proposed’ and Recommendation 7 ‘That irrespective of any other consideration the Trust shall have no power to dispose of assets, to close Centres or significantly reduce services without the approval of the authority’ andreaffirmed the importance of the governance arrangements, including adequate consultation procedures where changes to the service were being proposed and that the Sports Trust should not have authority to dispose of assets without the Council’s approval.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That this Board notes the response provided to the recommendations following the Inquiry into Leisure Centres.

(c)  That this Board notes that details of the specification in respect of all

of these matters would be included in the report to Executive Board in October 2007.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development in relation to proposed terms of reference for the Inquiry into Wharfemeadows Park Fence and the Council’s Water Safety Policy.

Referring to minute 13 of the meeting held on 16^th July 2007, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report in relation to proposed terms of reference for the Inquiry into Wharfemeadows Park Fence and the Council’s Water Safety Policy.

The following representatives were in attendance to answer Board Members’ questions:-

Councillor J Procter, Executive Member for Leisure

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Denise Preston, Chief Recreation Officer

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  the need for the Board to be supplied with the verbatim notes of the appropriate full Council meetings

·  the need to add Counsel, a representative from RoSPA and the Chief Executive, Leeds City Council to the list of witnesses

·  clarification of what written information was available regarding legal advice received by the Executive Board

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That, subject to the addition of Counsel, a RoSPA representative and the Chief Executive, Leeds City Council to the list of witnesses, approval be given to the terms of reference for this Inquiry as now outlined.

(c)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to seek clarification of the possibility of the Board meeting with Counsel.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work programme.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which detailed the Board’s current work programme.  Also attached to the report was an extract from the Forward Plan of Key Decisions which highlighted decisions that fell within the Board’s remit.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

Monday 8^th October 2007 at 10.00am (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(a)  Monday 8^th October 2007 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am)

(b)  That Councillors B Atha and B Gettings advanced apologies for this meeting be noted.

(The meeting concluded at 10.40 am)