Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Scrutiny Board (City Development) for the municipal year 2008/09.

Board Members introduced themselves.  Jean Dent, Director of City Development, Paul Maney, Head of Performance Management and Councillor Andrew Carter, Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Development and Regeneration were also introduced to the Board.

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.

No Member declarations of interest were made.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Wilkinson.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the  meeting held on 22^nd April 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

(a) To hear from the Director of City Development and the Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Development and Regeneration on current issues, and to ask questions.

(b) To consider the attached reports of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing information and guidance to assist the Board to develop its work programme for 2008/09.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with information and guidance to assist the Board develop its work programme for 2008/09.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillor Andrew Carter, Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Development and Regeneration, Jean Dent, Director of City Development and Paul Maney, Head of Performance Management, who were in attendance to respond to questions from the Board. 

The Chair advised Members that Councillor John Procter, Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Leisure, with appropriate Officers, had been invited to the next meeting of the Board, as Culture and Leisure were also now included within this Board’s Terms of Reference.

The Director summarised the key activities and priorities of the City Development Department for the year ahead and suggested topics that the Board might like to consider including in their work programme. 

The Executive Board Member with portfolio responsibility for Development and Regeneration outlined some of the pressures on the department for the coming year and also raised some topics for possible scrutiny by the Board.

The Head of Performance Management referred to the year end performance information provided to the Board and to the Strategic Plan and Local Area Agreement documents.

Members commented on and sought further clarification on particular issues for possible inclusion in the Board’s future work programme:

·  A Casino for Leeds

·  The Property Market

·  Royal Statistical Society figures for Leeds and the region

·  The effects of the economic downturn

·  Vacancy rates in Leeds’ flats

·  City Centre Vision

·  Transport for young people

·  Reviewing the city centre loop

·  Road traffic accident figures

·  Cycling provision

·  Strategic review of planning

·  Planning compliance

·  Flooding and the flood alleviation scheme

·  Residents parking

·  Traffic flow and pinch points

·  Local economy and students

·  Through ticketing for public transport across the city region

·  Future of swimming provision

·  Cultural distribution in the city

·  Parking issues

·  Cemeteries

·  Congestion, road charging and the trolley bus.

The Chair thanked the Executive Board Member and Officers for their attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report and appendices be noted.

(Note: Councillor R Procter left the meeting at 11.00am during the consideration of this item.)

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on determining the Board’s work programme for 2008/09.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report requesting that the Board consider formulating a draft work programme.

The Board discussed various issues for possible inquiry, update reports required and topics to be included in the work programme for the year.

The Board expressed interest in holding Inquiries on some or all of the following if time permitted:

·  Residents Parking

·  Transport for young people

·  The Loop and major arterial routes leading onto it

·  Students and the Leeds economy.

Interest was also shown in including the following in the work programme:

·  Strategic Review of Planning

·  Planning Compliance

·  Economic Development Strategy

·  Provision for cyclists across the city

·  Environmental Policy and EMAS

·  Flood alleviation scheme

·  Traffic flow and pinch points.

With regard to Culture and Leisure, the Board suggested that swimming provision, cultural spread and cemeteries be discussed with the Executive Board Member for Leisure at the next meeting of the Board as possible topics for inclusion in the Work Programme.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser prepare draft terms of reference for an Inquiry on residents parking for consideration at the next meeting of the Board.

(b)  That if time permitted and having regard to the Board’s further discussions in July 2008 concerning culture and leisure issues, the Board review its proposals for possible Inquiries on:

·  Transport for young people

·  The Loop and major arterial routes leading onto it

·  Students and the Leeds economy

and subject to advice from the Director of City Development regarding the timetabling of such Inquiries.

(c)  That updates on the following issues be included in the Board’s Work Programme for 2008/09 with a view to identifying further areas for possible scrutiny:

·  An update on the Strategic Review of Planning

·  An update on the review of Planning Compliance

·  Consultation on the Economic Development Strategy

·  Provision for cyclists across the city

·  Review of the Environmental Policy and EMAS

·  Review of the Design Guide for the flood alleviation scheme

·  An update report on traffic flow and pinch points

and subject to advice from the Director of City Development regarding the timetabling of these issues in the Board’s work programme.

To note  the following proposed dates and times of future meetings :-

Tuesday 15^th July 2008

Tuesday 9^th September 2008

Tuesday 14^th October 2008

Tuesday 18^th November 2008

Tuesday 16^th December 2008

Tuesday 13^th January 2009

Tuesday 10^th February 2009

Tuesday 17^th March 2009

Tuesday 21^st April 2009

All at 10.00 am (Pre-Meetings at 9.30 am).

RESOLVED – That the following dates and times of future meetings be noted:

Tuesday 15^th July 2008

Tuesday 9^th September 2008

Tuesday 14^th October 2008

Tuesday 18^th November 2008

Tuesday 16^th December 2008

Tuesday 13^th January 2009

Tuesday 10^th February 2009

Tuesday 17^th March 2009

Tuesday 21^st April 2009

All at 10.00am with pre-meetings for Board Members at 9.30am.

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and the meeting ended at 11.30am.