Agenda and minutes

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair admitted to the agenda as a late item of urgent business the minutes of the University  Fees Working Group meeting held on 17^th October 2008. These were not available at the time of agenda despatch, but were required to be reported  under Agenda Item 9 –Update on Board’s Working Groups (Minute No 31 refers).

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 under this item (see later Minute No 29)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors Fox and Kendall.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 September 2008

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th September 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

(a)  Regional Governance Arrangements – Subnational Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) (Minute No 19 refers)

  In response to the Chair, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser reported that a Government response on the SNR review had not yet been received. When it was, he would circulate copies to Members.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

Further to Minute 20, 25^th September 2008, the Chair introduced Session 2 of the Board’s Inquiry into issues surrounding the operation of the Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector (VCFS) in Leeds and welcomed to the meeting the following witnesses, who gave presentations on the work of their organisations and responded to Members’ queries and comments on various issues, including the Council’s interaction with the VCFS in Leeds:-

Lisa Wright, Director, Leeds VOICE

Louise Megson, Chief Executive, St Luke’s CARES

Judith Hickman, Operations Manager and Richard Lancaster, Priority Neighbourhood Worker, South Leeds Health for All.

In brief summary, the main issues arising during the discussion were:-

·  The invaluable work done across the City by VCFS organisations, over 3,000  of which were affiliated to Leeds VOICE;

·  The professionalism of those VCFS organisations and the immense involvement of local volunteers in them;

·  The marked move in recent years away from a ‘grants culture’ to a service commissioning and outcomes-based system, with local VCFS organisations recognised and acknowledged as vital partners in a wide range of complex and comprehensive service provision, including the planning and implementation of those services;

·  The good relationship which already existed between the Council and VCFS in Leeds, and the valuable support already provided by the Council;

·  That in spite of this good relationship and partnership working, there was still more which could be done  to break down obstacles and to assist VCFS organisations;

·  Although some Council services were already fully engaged and had recognised the value of involving VCFS at an initial state (example Children’s Services Commissioning Board), there were other areas, where the VCFS were not involved, or where the degree of involvement and communication were minimal (examples community safety and housing);

·  Sustainability of VCFS organisations and projects was raised. VCFS organisations were highly vulnerable to financial variables, even the most professional of them. The Council funding projects for only a period of 12 months was a concern. By the time the project was established and staff recruited and trained, in reality you only got six months useful output from that project. The Council needed to look to 3-5 year funding schemes, with properly thought out and executed exit strategies, and other initiatives such as ‘Trusted Partner Status’ for certain VCFS organisations which had proved their worth;

·  Application processes for access to Council funding needed to be proportionate, and the Council also needed to provide more advice and support for local VCFS organisations wishing to apply;

·  The ‘Compact for Leeds’ provided a useful framework document to outline the respective roles of the Council and the VCFS and the expectations of each relative to the other. All partner organisations could self-assess awareness and compliance with the Compact Codes of Conduct;

·  A gap was identified in terms of service provision for 8-13 year olds and this was where consultation with local VCFS organisations was vital, to identify local needs and solutions;

·  The national influence of third sector funding;

·  The role which Area Committees could play in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

To consider the attached report of the head of Scrutiny and Member Development

Further to Minute No 21, 25^th September 2008, the Chair introduced Session 1 of the Board’s Skills Inquiry, and welcomed to the meeting the following witnesses, who set the scene in terms of the Leeds Strategic Plan, the Local Area Agreement, the Leeds City Region Multi-Area Agreement and the current review of Further Education in Leeds:-

Martin Dean, Deputy Director, Leeds Initiative

James Flanagan, Project Manager ( Regional Policy)

Jane Stageman, Senior Policy Manager, Planning, Policy and Improvement

Dylan Griffiths, Policy Manager, Planning, Policy and Improvement

In brief summary, the main issues arising during the discussion were:-

·  The demise of Learning and Skills Councils from 2010. The future arrangements were in development, but were likely to involve a Young People’s Learning Agency for 14 -19 funding, a Skills Funding Agency  for 19+ funding and a national apprenticeship agency. The new arrangements might involve clusters of neighbouring authorities and FE colleges;

·  The ambitious improvement targets contained in the Leeds Strategic Plan, based on the ambitions of the Leitch review,  and the part which the evolving economic situation might play in terms of revising targets and the higher level skills plan;

·  The need to ensure  links between wider skills issues and specific proposals for higher level skills under the City Region initiative;

·  The need for local consultation and input, at Ward level, to tap into local knowledge and concerns and to ensure that ‘solutions’ were not imposed which were unrealistic and unachievable.

RESOLVED – That the report of the Assistant Chief Officer (Planning, Policy and Improvement) be received and noted by way of an introduction to the Board’s Inquiry, and the Board proceed with Session 2 on 20^th November, as proposed in the timetable.

(NB: Councillor Yeadon left the meeting at 12.00 noon during the consideration of this item)

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report outlining the proceedings at recent meetings of the Board’s Working Groups on Small Businesses (7.10.08) and University Fees (17.10.08). A minor amendment was agreed in respect of the University  Fees Working Group meeting held on 17^th October 2008 to delete the word ‘excellent’ from the final bullet point in Paragraph 4.1.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the minutes of the above Working Group meetings be received and the recommendations contained therein be approved;

(b)  That in respect of the proposed actions identified at Paragraph 5.1 of the University Fees Working Group, 17^th October, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser prepare draft statements for proposed approval at the next Board meeting on 20^th November.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted the Board’s work programme, updated to reflect decisions taken at previous meetings, together with a relevant extract from the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st October 2008 to 31^st January 2009 and the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 8^th October 2008.

RESOLVED –That subject to any changes necessary as a result of today’s meeting, the work programme be received and approved.

Thursday, 20 November 2008 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Members at 09.30 a.m.).

Thursday 20^th November 2008 at 10.00 am (Pre-meeting at 9.30 am)

The meeting concluded at 12.30 pm