Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the September meeting of the Scrutiny Board (City Development).  He also welcomed Councillor S Armitage to her first Board meeting.

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.

RESOLVED – The following personal interests were declared:-

·  Councillor R Downes in his capacity as Chair of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (Agenda Items 8 and 11) (Minutes 35 and 37 refer)

·  Councillor R Pryke as a regular user of Roundhay Road (Agenda Item 11) (Minute 37 refers)

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

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meetings held on 7^th July 2009 and 5^th August 2009.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 7^th July 2009 and 5^th August 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on a request for scrutiny in relation to a need for a cost benefit analysis regarding a proposed designated bbq area on Woodhouse Moor.

Referring to Minute 19 of the meeting held on 7^th July 2009, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on a request for scrutiny in relation to a need for a cost benefit analysis regarding a proposed designated BBQ area on Woodhouse Moor.

Appended to the report was a copy of a letter entitled ‘Protect Woodhouse Moor’ dated 15^th July 2009 addressed to the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on behalf of the North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association; South Headingley Community Association; Marlborough Residents’ Association and Friends of Woodhouse Moor.

The reason for the request for scrutiny was the alleged “failure by Parks and Countryside to include in its report of 8 October 2008, a cost benefit analysis to enable meaningful comparisons to be made between enforcing the existing byelaws on Woodhouse Moor, and Parks and Countryside’s preferred option of designated barbecue areas”.

In addition to the above document, a copy of the report of the Director of City Development submitted to the Executive Board meeting on 26^th August 2009 entitled ‘Woodhouse Moor Park Barbecue Use’ was circulated as supporting information.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Councillor J Procter, Executive Board Member for Leisure

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Mike Kinnaird, Recreation Project Manager, City Development

Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association

Bill McKinnon, Friends of Woodhouse Moor

The Chair informed the Board that Councillor A Carter, Executive Member for

Development and Regeneration was not available to attend today’s meeting having had a prior engagement.

The Chair stated that there had been a request that the Executive

Board on 26^th August 2009 defer consideration of the City Development department’s report on the designated barbecue area, pending the outcome of the Scrutiny Board’s deliberations today, but the Executive Board Member for Leisure had refused.

The Board also further noted that a subsequent request for scrutiny regarding byelaws on Woodhouse Moor had been received by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development. 

The Chair invited the above attendees to provide relevant background information and to highlight key issues in relation to the request for scrutiny and Board Members sought clarification on the points raised. 

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

·  clarification of the proposed layout of the designated barbecue area

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded and outlined the proposals in relation to grass-crete, a cellular hard block concrete system which allowed grass to grow through and confirmed that such proposals would be discussed with the North West (Inner) Area Committee)

·  clarification as to whether the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services had been consulted in relation to fire regulations

(The Executive Member for Leisure responded and confirmed that both the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the West Yorkshire Police had been consulted on the proposals contained within the Executive Board report of 26^th August 2009 meeting. He acknowledged that more work would be undertaken  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider a report of the Director of City Development on a progress report on climate change.

The Director of City Development submitted a progress report on climate change.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Councillor J Monaghan, Executive Board Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Steve Speak, Chief Strategy and Policy Officer, City Development

Jon Andrews, EMAS Officer, City Development

Helen Miller, Principal Planning Officer, City Development

Peter Lynes, Group Manager, Energy Unit, City Development

At the request of the Chair, Councillor J Monaghan provided the Board with a brief overview of the action being taken within the authority regarding climate change, with specific reference to the following key issues:-

·  officer support arrangements in relation to climate change

·  Climate Change Strategy/Climate Change Partnership, including the inaugural meeting and composition

·  a broad acknowledgement of the need to reduce carbon omissions by 80% by 2050 worldwide

·  the need for the Board to support a more realistic target of reducing carbon omissions by 40% by 2020 throughout the city and within the Council in order to work towards the 2050 target

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

·  the need for the Board to acknowledge a previous White Paper on climate change which recommended the Council taking a lead on the possibility of putting micro-generation into Council buildings, in particular the Civic Hall, in view of the flat roof space availability

(The Executive Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods responded and agreed to look into this issue but stressed the need to reduce omissions on a much wider scale across the city)

·  clarification of the amount of carbon dioxide produced in 2006 within the city and the reasons why total omissions had only declined by 1% in the past four years

·  the need to recognise that it was the Council’s partners who were responsible for the majority of emissions and for a better system to be introduced to enable the Council to work strategically with those partners and to monitor and scrutinise progress

(The Director of City Development responded and outlined the major challenges facing the city in terms of reducing omissions.  She stressed that tackling climate change was not just a linear strategy, and that a whole matrix of activity needed to be taken into account, including transport, planning and traffic policy )

·  reference to the incentives and penalties use to reduce omissions (the ‘carrot and stick’ approach)

(The Director of City Development responded and provided the Board with a number of examples i.e. national schemes for home insulation and better public transport systems)

·  the suggestion that the Council implement high occupancy vehicle lanes on every arterial road in Leeds; introduce work place charges on parking places in central Leeds to discourage people from commuting by car and consider implementing congestion charges

(The Director of City Development responded and informed the meeting that the funding for the Next Generation Transport (NGT) had now been secured.  She also outlined the proposals in relation to a  major piece of research being undertaken in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To consider a report of the Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement on the Leeds Strategic Plan Performance Report for Quarter 1 2009/2010.

The Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement submitted a report which provided a strategic overview of performance against those improvement priorities in the Leeds Strategic Plan (LSP) for Quarter 1 which related directly to City Development priorities.  The report and appendices provided an overall assessment of progress against the improvement priorities relevant to the Board and, in addition, provided performance indicator (PI) information for the full National Indicator Set and locally agreed indicators that were appropriate. Performance indicator targets were included across the range of priorities in this area and highlighted areas of under-performance and/or concern in relation to improvement priorities and actions being taken to remedy matters.

The following officers were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, City Development

Paul Maney, Head of Policy, Performance and Improvement, City Development

The Chair invited Board Members to comment on those areas of under-performance and/or concern in relation to the improvement priorities.

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

·  clarification of whether or not the department were aware of a letter sent by the Conservative Party to Conservative Councils requesting them to ignore local spatial strategy targets at the present time, and the effects this would have on this authority

(The Chief Planning Officer responded and informed the meeting that he was not aware of this correspondence.  He outlined the current Regional Spatial Strategy objectives for the information of Board Members)

·  (Ref PI NI LSP – TP1e) – clarification as to why the target was so low in relation to increasing the number of new customers on low incomes accessing credit union services

(The Director of City Development responded and informed the Board that the target reflected current difficulties being faced by the credit union.  She was confident that it would achieve its target of 3,500 new customers for the total year)

·  the need for a report on planning enforcement and whether there was a mechanism for achieving more Section 106 monies within the Council

(The Chief Planning Officer responded and informed the meeting that a report on planning enforcement would be submitted to the Board in the autumn.  In relation to Section 106 monies, he outlined a number of incentives being offered to encourage house builders to get back into business on those brown-field locations which could result, in the short term, in the Council cutting back on their Section 106 aspirations)

·  (Ref PI NI 157 – Majors) – the need for the Board to look at this target in more detail and to be supplied with a list of those major schemes and to address the reasons why some major planning applications had not been determined in time/on time

(The Chief Planning Officer briefly explained the reasons and protocol behind the major planning applications.  Following discussions, it was agreed that a report would be submitted to the Board in six months time with a view to focussing on two major  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

To consider a report of the Director of City Development on progress in relation to key updates on traffic congestion.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on progress in relation to traffic congestion.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Jean Dent, Director of City Development

Andrew Hall, Transport Strategy Manager, City Development

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

·  concern that progress had not been made in relation to traffic pinch points in North Leeds and along the Ring Road and the need to make improvements to the area

(The Transport Strategy Manager responded and outlined the current Ring Road improvements presented to the Regional Transport Board)

·  whether an HOV lane scheme was the best solution for inbound Roundhay Road traffic and for a highways officer to monitor the traffic flow in this area

(The Transport Strategy Manager responded and confirmed that this issue was being addressed.  Discussions were continuing around bus lanes and on improving the flow of traffic.  Public consultation would also take place on proposed road closures and parking)

·  the need to build more railway stations within the city and to re-address the current piecemeal approach towards the future road network

(The Director of City Development responded and provided the meeting with an overview of the review of the Strategic Transport Plan for the city region with specific references to NGT for Leeds, Outer Ring Road, connections to the airport, importance of park and ride and the work on the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF))

·  clarification as to whether any work had been undertaken following the recent announcement by Network Rail of their preference for a high speed rail link to Manchester, over the one to Yorkshire, and the possible impact this may have on housing and jobs

·  the concern expressed over the reduction in the number of extra carriages being provided for the local rail network and the need to increase the number for this area, together with increased car parking at railway stations

·  concern expressed over the fact that the inner ring road stage 7 did not appear to feature on the most popular satellite navigation maps, resulting in continuing congestion

(The Transport Strategy Manager responded and confirmed that there was a protocol whereby Highways communicated new schemes to the mapping companies.  However, he acknowledged that more work was required in this area)

·  the concern expressed about speeding in Temple Newsam ward, as a result of reduced congestion following the opening of the East Leeds Link Road

(The Transport Strategy Manager responded and confirmed that this issue was being monitored)

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.

(Councillor N Taggart left the meeting at 12.40 pm at the conclusion of this item)

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Playbuilder Initiative.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the Playbuilder Initiative.

Appended to the report was a copy of the report of the Director of Children’s Services, submitted to the Executive Board on 17^th June 2009, on the Playbuilder Initiative for the information of the meeting.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Sally Threlfall, Chief Officer Early Years and Youth Services

Vicki Marsden, Strategic Play Officer

The Board noted that at the Executive Board meeting held on 26^th August 2009, a decision had been taken to defer consideration of a capital programme update on this project.

Board Members were requested to identify any areas for scrutiny at today’s meeting.

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

·  clarification as to whether or not changes were apparent following the former Leisure Services department’s intention to match play facilities with population resulting in more densely populated parts of the city receiving greater concentration of play areas

(The Strategic Play Officer responded and outlined the current strategy.  It was noted that this new strategy did attempt to change this current arrangement)

·  clarification as to whether the new mapping exercise looked at distance to playgrounds

(The Strategic Play Officer responded and confirmed that the mapping exercise did address this specific issue)

·  the need for the Board to be supplied with a copy of the mapping exercise and the analysis

(The Chief Officer Early Years and Youth Services responded and agreed to email a copy to the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser for dissemination to Board Members)

·  clarification of the life span of the equipment and informal play spaces to be installed

(The Chief Officer Early Years and Youth Services responded and confirmed that any equipment installed would be robust and previously tested)

·  clarification of whether the department looked at other sources of funding to top up and support their programme i.e. Section 106 monies

(The Chief Officer Early Years and Youth Services responded and confirmed that most of the schemes in the Playbuilder Initiative did have some match funding from Section 106 or lottery schemes)

·  clarification of the revenue funding within other authorities

·  clarification of when the consultation would be undertaken in relation to Harehills Park

(The Strategic Play Officer responded and outlined the current consultation arrangements)

·  clarification of when the first Playbuilder scheme would open

(The Strategic Play Officer responded and confirmed that it would be undertaken within this quarter i.e. in the run up to Christmas, and she agreed to provide the Board with an update on further projects in March 2010)

RESOLVED –

a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That a further update be provided on the Playbuilder Initiative to the Board in March 2010.

(Councillor M Lobley left the meeting at 12:45 pm during discussion of the above item)

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development in relation to Scrutiny Board visits.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report in relation to Scrutiny Board visits.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on recommendation tracking.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on recommendation tracking.

The report provided Board Members with progress on implementing recommendations on the A660 corridor improvements. 

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser informed the meeting that in relation to the A660 statement, recommendations 1 and 2 were completed.  However, in relation to recommendations 3 and 4, there was a need to bring back these to the Board as they were still outstanding.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the content of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That, in relation to the A660 statement, recommendations 3 and 4 be brought to the Board in due course.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development regarding the Board’s work programme, together with a copy of the Executive Board minutes and the Forward Plan of Key Decisions pertaining to this Board’s Terms of Reference.

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 1^st August 2009 to 30^th November 2009 and the Executive Board Minutes of 22^nd July 2009 were also attached to the report.

RESOLVED:-

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

b)  That the Executive Board minutes of 22^nd July 2009 and the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st August to 30^th November 2009 be noted.

c)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to update the work programme to incorporate those updates requested at today’s meeting.

d)  That, in relation to the rents issue at the City Market, the Director of City Development be requested to provide an email response on this issue to the Board.

e)  That the Board Members request for including City Centre management as part of the Performance Indicator data be discussed at the working group for performance of locally determined targets to be held on 2^nd September 2009.

Monday 13^th October 2009 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre –meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

Tuesday, 13^th October 2009 at 10.00 am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am)

(The meeting concluded at 12:55 pm)