Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the March meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Regeneration).

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.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th February 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on progress with regards to discussions with Leeds Bradford International Airport in relation to a proposed taxi rank on Whitehouse Lane.

Referring to Minute 59 of the meeting held on 19^th December 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report updating the meeting on discussions with Leeds Bradford International Airport in relation to a proposed taxi rank on Whitehouse Lane.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Leeds Bradford International Airport Taxi Access – Report of Director of City Development – Executive Board – 10^th February 2012 (Appendix 1 refers)

• A request from Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) to Executive Board to reconsider the Provision of Taxi Facilities on Whitehouse Lane – Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development - Executive Board – 10^th February 2012 (Appendix 2 refers). It was noted with concern that this report from Scrutiny Board was not submitted to the Executive Board for the reasons specified

Mr Gary Bartlett, Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation, City Development was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments concerning where Leeds Bradford International Airport were with the development of the Forecourt Management Plan.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

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

• clarification of the timetable/deadline for submission by the Leeds

  Bradford International Airport of the Forecourt Management Plan to

  Plans Panel (West)

  (The Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation responded and 

  agreed to provide the Board with this information)

• clarification as to whether the Director of City Development knows what Leeds Bradford International Airport intended to do at the end of the current contract. Was it likely that it will again simply go again to the highest bidder rather than it take an holistic approach to resolving this problem?

(The Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation responded with his view on the latest position and confirmed that the Director of City Development’s views had been consistent regarding the problems and concerns regarding the provision of a taxi rank on Whitehouse Lane. The Directorate was now waiting to see firm proposals from the airport on this issue which would be set out in the Forecourt Management Plan and which was a condition of the planning consent for the airport extension)

• clarification as to the Council Officer who would receive and consider the Forecourt Management Plan submitted from Leeds Bradford International Airport for consideration by Plans Panel West

(The Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation responded and informed the Board that it was Mr M Sellens, Head of Planning Services who was dealing with this matter)

• reference was made to copies of all relevant  correspondence previously submitted to this Board between the Director of City Development, other relevant officers and the Leeds Bradford International Airport on this issue between 7^th October 2010 to 4^th October 2011. Members asked to see any further relevant correspondence on this issue from 5^th October 2011 to date

(The Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation agreed to provide this information)

• discussed the offer made by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny review of Housing Growth in Leeds. 

Referring to Minute 79 of the meeting held on 28^th February 2012, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on recommendations arising from the previous Scrutiny review of Housing Growth in Leeds.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents were submitted for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Recommendation tracking flowchart and classifications: Questions to be considered by Scrutiny Boards (Appendix 1 refers)

• Review of Housing Growth in Leeds (Appendix 2)

• Housing Growth Scrutiny Inquiry Report (Appendix 3 refers)

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

-  Councillor R Lewis, Executive Board Member, Development and the 

  Economy

-  Councillor P Gruen, Executive Board Member, Neighbourhoods, Housing

  and Regeneration

-  David Feeney, Head of Forward Planning and Implementation, City 

  Development

-  Susan Morse, Programme Delivery Manager, City Development

-  Andy Haig, Regional Policy Team, Planning, Policy and Improvement 

  Directorate, City Development

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser make changes to the proposed category status of Appendix 2 of the report as follows:-

Recommendation 1 remains at category 4

Recommendation 2 remains at category 4

Recommendation 3 remains at category 4

Recommendation 4 remains at category 2

Recommendation 5 change from category 4 to category 3

Recommendation 6 remains at category 2

Recommendation 7 change from category 4 to category 3

Recommendation 8 remains at category 4

Recommendation 9 (a) change from category 4 to category 3

Recommendation 9 (b) remains at category 3

Recommendation 10 change from category 4 to category 3

Recommendation 11 remains at category 4

Recommendation 12 remains at category 2

c)  That in relation to Recommendation 2, the Board welcomes the  offer by the Executive Board Member, Neighbourhoods, Housing and 

  Regeneration to pursue this recommendation on behalf of the Board.

d)  That in relation to Recommendation 5, the Director of City Development circulate to all Members of the Scrutiny Board details of the number of new affordable homes which had come to fruition since the interim  affordable housing policy was introduced by the Executive Board in November 2011.

e)  That in relation to Recommendation 7, the Board conveys it’s concern at the “duty to cooperate” and the lack of tangible progress with regard to the Scrutiny Board’s proposals to “pool” under and over provision of houses across the city region. (It was reported that the Leaders Board on 2^nd February 2012 had considered a paper on future arrangements for Spatial Planning which included an exploration of how directive the Partnership wished to be in regard of strategic planning. It was confirmed that the Leaders Board was a long way from considering the  “pooling” of  their collective housing provision)

f)  That in relation to Recommendation 9 (a), the Board notes that this recommendation should be directed via the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer and Access) portfolio and not through Environment and Neighbourhoods.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) on a summary of  Quarter 3 performance.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report on a summary of the new quarter three performance data for 2011-12 which provided the meeting with an update on progress in delivering the relevant priorities in the Council Business Plan 2011-15 and City Priority Plan 2011-15. 

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  Appendix 1a – Performance Reports for the Housing and Regeneration City Priorities

·  Appendix 1b – Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate Priorities and Indicators relevant to the Board

·  Appendix 1c – City Development Directorate Priorities and Indicators relevant to the Board

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

-  Councillor R Lewis, Executive Board Member, Development and the 

  Economy

-  Councillor P Gruen, Executive Board Member, Neighbourhoods, Housing

  and Regeneration

-  Paul Maney, Head of Strategic Planning, Policy and Performance, City 

  Development

-  Heather Pinches, Executive Officer, Performance Management, Customer 

  Access and Performance 

-  Debra Scott, Head of Performance and Service Review, Environment and 

  Neighbourhoods

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

• The Core Strategy approved by Executive Board on 10^th February 2012 recognised the need to identify around 30% of new housing to be built on ‘’Protected Area of Search’’ (PAS) and greenbelt sites. Members asked how this figure of 30% had been calculated and how many hectares are involved. Members also wanted an indication of the percentage of PAS sites included in the 30% figure

(The Head of Strategic Planning, Policy and Performance, City 

Development responded and agreed to provide this information for Board Members via the Principal Scrutiny Adviser)

• The concern expressed about the amber rating in the Red/Amber/Green system and whether there were alternative options available. Members suggested that it would be helpful in future reports if changes were made to include the definitions for the ratings (previously agreed with Members)

(The Head of Strategic Planning, Policy and Performance, City  Development responded and agreed to raise this at the next  Performance Board)

• The concerns raised about the affordable housing targets and how realistic they were in the current climate
• That consideration be given to establishing an additional indicator to monitor the impact of the reduction in S106 Affordable Housing targets 
• Members asked how many apprenticeships were converted into real jobs?

(The Head of Strategic Planning, Policy and Performance, City 

Development agreed to make enquiries and provide a response to  Board Members via the Principal Scrutiny Adviser)

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That this Board notes the progress in relation to the delivery of the

  Housing and Regeneration City Priorities Plans as set out in the

  Directorate Priorities and Indicators.

c)  That the information requested above be provided to the Principal

  Scrutiny Adviser for circulation to all Members of the Scrutiny Board.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work schedule for the remainder of the year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a copy of the Board’s current draft work schedule. The Executive Board minutes of 7^th March 2012, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st March 2012 to 30^th June 2012 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 7^th March 2012, together with the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1^st March 2012 to 30^th June 2012 be noted.

c)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to revise the

work schedule to incorporate the recommendations made at today’s Board meeting.

Tuesday 24^th April 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

• Tuesday 24^th April 2012 – meeting cancelled and to be replaced by a meeting of the Board’s Working Group on affordable housing and private developers to which all Members of the Board would be invited to attend

• Additional Meeting to be held in May – date and time to be advised

(The meeting concluded at 12.10pm)