Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR. View directions

Items
No. Item

68.

Chair's Opening Remarks

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the December meeting of the Scrutiny Board (City Development).

 

69.

Declaration of Interests

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.

Minutes:

Councillor Gettings declared a personal interest in respect of agenda item 10, ‘City Varieties’, due to being a member of the Grand Theatre Board (Minute No. 76 refers).

 

70.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors Jarosz and Taggart.

 

71.

Minutes of Last Meeting pdf icon PDF 76 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18th November 2008.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18th November 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

 

72.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

In relation to Minute No. 61 (resolution b) ‘Consultation on the Draft Vision for Leisure Centres in Leeds’, it was reported that Members had not yet received a map highlighting Council and private leisure centres.  The Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to circulate copies of the map after the meeting.

 

73.

Inquiry on Residents Parking Schemes pdf icon PDF 58 KB

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development attaching for Members’ consideration the Board’s draft final report of its Inquiry on Residents Parking Schemes.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report attaching for Members’ consideration the Board’s draft final report on the Review of Residents Parking Schemes and comments received from the Chief Highways Officer on behalf of the Director of City Development.

 

The Chair welcomed to the meeting to respond to Members’ queries and comments Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer, Graham Wilson, Head of Environmental Action and Parking, Howard Claxton, Traffic Engineering Manager and Mark Jefford, Parking Manager, Enforcement.

 

The Chair introduced the report and the main highlighted points were:-

 

  • Officers still had some concerns in relation to residents developing their own parking schemes.  The Board was advised that residents would need to be provided with full information about the financial implications, if the option was pursued. 
  • In relation to recommendation 6, it was reported that work was already underway to reduce the level of fraud in resident parking zones.  It was agreed that a report back to the Board to discuss progress would be provided. 
  • In response to a query, the Board was advised that fraudulent use of a blue badge was a criminal offence.  It was also advised that a permit may be withdrawn if it was found to have been misused.
  • The Board discussed the issuing of resident and visitors parking permits.  In particular there were challenges in terms of issuing permits to multiple occupancy households.  One Member suggested linking Council tax and the issuing of resident parking permits.

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Board’s final report and recommendations be agreed.

(b)  That the relevant Directors be requested to formally respond to the Scrutiny Board (City Development)’s recommendations within two months of receipt of the Board’s report.

 

74.

Previously Received Performance Indicators pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on previously received performance indicators.

Minutes:

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report attaching, at the request of Members, information on previously received performance indicators provided by the Director of City Development.

 

The Chair introduced the report and in brief summary, the main highlighted points were:

 

  • Members discussed previously reported performance indicators and the lack of useful data e.g. the number of books taken out of a library rather than the number of people making use of the various facilities.
  • The accuracy of some of the data and how data was collected e.g. how do we assessthe number ofpeople visiting our parks?
  • Concern that by asking to receive some previously reported performance information that this might duplicate data being provided to the Board on a quarterly basis.
  • There was a request for continued performance data on library visits (CPA C2c). 
  • Members wished to be kept informed on the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions (BV-99ai).
  • There was also a request for regular updates on debt advice and other related indicators (LAA-EDE13 – LAA-EDE17), residents satisfaction with parks and open spaces (BV-119E) and repairs to roads and pavements (LKI HM1 and LKIHM2).

 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development be noted.

(b)  That the information provided by the Director of City Development be noted.

(c)  That the Board receives regular updates on a number of specific previously received performance indicators identified above.

 

75.

Traffic Congestion - Key Locations pdf icon PDF 188 KB

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development which updates the Board on key locations for congestion on the major highway network.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update to the information previously provided to the Board on 18th December 2007 on key locations for congestion on the major highway network.  Included within the report was information concerning congestion locations specifically identified by Ward Members.

 

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Andrew Hall, Transport Strategy Manager, City Development, to present the report and respond to queries and comments from the Board.

 

In brief summary, the following points were discussed:

 

·  The Board was advised that there was regular monitoring of traffic congestion.  An annual report was available next year which would provide further information and data on emerging trends.

·  It was reported that the information appended to the report had been updated to reflect Members’ concerns.

·  Members queried what improvements were being undertaken prior to the 2013-14 programme of works.  It was reported that a package of schemes had been submitted to the Regional Transport Board for consideration.

·  In relation to the need for further improvements to the A660, one Member requested further information on the option to introduce park and ride facilities.  It was advised that a forthcoming meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee was taking place, which would involve discussing some of the issues in greater detail.

·  There was a request for the Board to be provided with further information on what short term improvements could be made to reduce traffic congestion at the A661 King Lane junction with the Ring Road.

·  Members discussed red routes and the possibility of introducing access arrangements at specific times.

 

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Board be provided with a further report on what short term improvements could be made to reduce traffic congestion at the A661 King Lane junction with the Ring Road.

 

76.

City Varieties pdf icon PDF 53 KB

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which advises Members of a presentation to update the Board on work carried out to the City Varieties during 2009.

Minutes:

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report notifying Members of a presentation to the Board by the Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer on the work to be carried out to the City Varieties during 2009 in order for the Board to determine whether further scrutiny should be undertaken.

 

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Clifford Ball, Project Manager, Design Services and Catherine Blanshard, Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer.

 

The Project Manager, Design Services, circulated plans and elevation drawings for the Board’s consideration.  A brief presentation on work to be undertaken was also provided. 

 

The Board was advised that refurbishment of City Varieties addressed the need for improvements in respect of disabled access, heating and ventilation and congestion at the stalls bar.  The refurbishment was a £9.2 million scheme, which included £3 million award in principle from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £1 million donation from the Grand Theatre Board.  It was anticipated that the refurbishment would be completed by July 2010.

 

The Chair then invited Members’ questions and comments and the main highlighted points were:

 

·  One Member queried whether the auditorium’s capacity was affected by the proposed new seating arrangements.  It was advised that capacity in the auditorium would reduce by approximately 50 seats.  This was due to improvements to disabled facilities and the installation of removable seats next to the stage.

·  Another Member queried whether name plaques would appear on the seats.  Members were advised that as a fundraising measure, people would be encouraged to purchase new name plaques.

·  In response to a query regarding improvements to ventilation, it was advised that a heat recovery system was being installed. 

·  There was a request to clear up the area of land behind City Varieties.  The Board was advised that the land was not in the ownership of City Varieties.

·  There was also a request to make improvements to part of Swan Street.  It was suggested that City Development could be contacted to address this issue.

 

RESOLVED – That further scrutiny be undertaken of the work to be carried out to the City Varieties during 2009.

 

77.

Current Work Programme pdf icon PDF 53 KB

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development regarding the Board’s work programme, together with a copy of the Forward Plan of Key Decisions pertaining to this Board’s Terms of Reference for the period 1 December 2008 to 31 March 2009 and the Executive Board Minutes of 5th November 2008.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a copy of the Board’s current Work Programme.  The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1st December 2008 to 31st March 2009 and the Executive Board Minutes of 5th November 2008 were also attached to the report.

 

RESOLVED – That the work programme be agreed.

 

78.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on 13th January 2008 at 10.00am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am.

Minutes:

To note that the next meeting of the Board would be held on Tuesday 13th January 2009 at 10.00am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am.

 

 

(The meeting concluded at 11.45 am).