Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda however Members of the Board had received printed copies of the slide show presentation in support of Session 1 – the engagement of young people in culture, sporting and recreational activities (minute 22 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.

The following Members declared personal 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:

Councillor Robinson - Session 1 engagement of young people in culture sporting and recreational events – declared a personal interest as a member of Leeds Sports Federation and Leeds Schools Sporting Association (minute 22 refers)

Councillors Rafique and Lobley - Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into development and jobs & skills – declared personal interests as Board members of Re-new Leeds and Councillor Robinson declared a personal interest as the Skills & Enterprise Champion for the North East Area Committee (minute 23 refers)

Councillors Hyde, Lyons and Morgan - West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan - declared personal interests as local authority appointed members of WYITA as METRO had submitted contributions to the Plan (minute 24 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Atkinson and Bentley. The Board welcomed Councillor Chastney as substitute for Councillor Bentley. It was noted that Councillor Akhtar would be late.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th July 2011

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 14^th July 2011 be agreed as a correct record

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development in support of a verbal and visual presentation to session one of the Scrutiny Board Inquiry into the engagement of young people in culture, sporting and recreational activities

(Report attached)

The Board received the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development setting out the objectives of Session 1 of the Scrutiny Inquiry into the engagement of young people in culture, sporting and recreational activities. The Board had indicated the Inquiry would look at the deployment of services, gaps in provision, partnership engagement, areas of good practice and how the council made contact with hard to reach groups.

The Board welcomed the following officers to the meeting:

Catherine Blanshard, Chief Officer Libraries, Arts & Heritage

Sally Coe – Out of School Activities Manager, Children’s Services

Mark Allman – Head of Sport & Active Recreation, City Development

Ms Blanshard gave a presentation on the Breeze Programme, highlighting its contribution to the objectives contained within the Children’s and Young Peoples Plan, to enable all young people to achieve their sporting and creative potential and living healthy and culturally active lives.

Ms Coe provided case studies of young people from difficult circumstances who had participated in cultural and/or sporting activities through Breeze and the positive impact that this had brought in terms of their personal and social development

The following points were made /identified during discussions:

• Requested statistics showing the postcode location of young people participating in Breeze and whether the figures would be accurate as anecdotal evidence suggested young people often did not take their Breeze card but were still able to participate. Figures should also be available on the overall youth population to provide a percentage comparison.
• The same young people may attend many events, rather than a large number of young people attending a few events
• A number of young people were not engaged and remained unaware of the activities on offer
• The case studies provided useful information and insight into the positive impact that cultural and sporting activities could have on young people’s lives. A document containing more case studies would be sent to Members of the Board
• The need to identify the level of collaboration and partnership working with the Youth Service to avoid duplication of service provision
• The level and cost of support required for individuals and/or their families from various service providers and how the various activities were targeted – did they provide value for money and were there areas of duplication such as officer support/time
• Commented that other organisations provided young people with access to sporting/physical activities such as the Scouts/Guides associations; the ATC etc. for a small sub of £2 each week and it would be useful to know how many young people were involved in those organisations. Members also noted a concern that the free Breeze activities were taken advantage of and some thought could be given to charging a nominal fee where appropriate.
• The Inquiry should also focus on the impact of 2012 Olympics and how this would be an opportunity to engage more young people into sports

Members thanked officers for the informative presentation and

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and the verbal submissions for the purposes of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development setting out draft terms of reference for an Inquiry into how developments in Leeds are bringing skills, training and jobs to local people

(Report attached)

Further to minute 7b) of the meeting held 16^th June 2011 the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report setting out proposed terms of reference for an Inquiry into how developments in Leeds bring skills, jobs and training to local people.

The Board welcomed the following officers:

Paul Stephens, Chief Economic Development Officer,

Sue Wynne, Chief Officer, Employment & Skills

Phillippa Toner, Senior Technical Manager

Officers emphasised that employment, skills and linking local people to local jobs were critical issues for Leeds and referred to the proposed contents for each of the Inquiry Sessions. It was reported that planning permissions for developments already emphasised employment and skills but it was recognised that this good practice may not be systematically applied. Officers saw this Inquiry as an opportunity to strengthen this approach.

Members commented that information on the arrangements made for the Aire Valley and Arena Developments which tied local employment to the planning process would be beneficial to this Inquiry and went on to make the following more general comments:

Training programmes:

- Whether current training programmes provided value for money

- Practical implications of training programmes - provision of workwear, bus fares etc and resourcing issues

External organisations-

- Request for sector information and sector engagement in the training programmes and whether programmes could be developed in partnership with other providers

- Whether there was a role for representatives of Federation of Small Businesses and CBI to attend the Inquiry

The Board was keen to emphasise how LCC dealt with both employment and unemployment within the development sector at the heart of the Inquiry and supported the approach set out in the report for Session 1. Members thanked officers for the presentation and

RESOLVED – The Board noted the information contained within the report and the submissions made at the meeting and

a)  agreed the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry

b)  recommended the Terms of Reference be updated where necessary

c)  noted that the Terms of Reference may incorporate additional information during the Inquiry should the Board identify any further scope for the Inquiry

d)  to note that a Briefing Note on the wider employment issues discussed will be provided to Members

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presented to facilitate further discussions on the Leeds Local Implementation Plan and Transport Strategy and determine any areas for further scrutiny if required

(Report attached)

Further to minute 14 of the meeting held 14^th July 2011 when Members initially discussed the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report in support of detailed discussions of the Leeds Implementation Plan. Members were requested to consider whether there were any further areas for scrutiny and the potential scope for the forthcoming Inquiry

Andrew Hall, Acting Head of Transport Policy, attended the meeting for this item. The Board commented that the schemes proposed in the LIP were too reliant on external funding and went on to discuss the following matters included in the LIP:

• The possible creation of a West Yorkshire Transport Fund which could manage some funding which central government had indicated could be devolved to a local level. Regional bids for funding could then be made for large schemes and decisions can be made on a regional level regarding where transport development should be undertaken. 
• The ongoing work to ensure the Leeds Bradford International Airport link road was included within the airports own Transport Masterplan. LCC had proved the case for provision of the Airport Link Road; however the link road had not been identified as Regional Strategy priority. The airport was not suitable for a heavy rail link due to its location and topography and the focus was on the Harrogate Line for tram/train provision
• The emphasis placed on cycling routes and whether cycle lane provision demonstrated value for money and whether funds could be better used on other initiatives. Members noted the response that walking/cycling formed part of a balanced transport plan, and funding was proportionate to uptake.
• The Park and Ride schemes indicated in the LIP were draft proposals as they were awaiting funding and this should be more clearly indicated. Members also commented that some residents local to proposed P&R sites did not feel their views were taken on board
• Anecdotal knowledge stated that 20mph zones were not observed by motorists although noted the response that they had made a significant impact on the reduction in road injuries
• Commented that Emission Zones did not bring vast benefits compared with the high set up costs involved and could be detrimental if they discouraged visitors to the city. Noted that funding had been secured to conduct a study on whether the introduction of LEZs would provide any benefits to Leeds
• Commented that only small scale works were required to deal with Traffic pinch points which would improve traffic flow therefore reducing harmful emissions and journey time

(Councillor G Hyde withdrew from the meeting for a short time at this point)

• Expressed concern over the cost of providing Electric car charging points as the vehicles were too expensive for the average motorist to afford. Provision should balance the proven drop in carbon emissions through use of an electric car with the drain on the national grid for recharging one.

(Councillor Chastney left the meeting at this point)

• Possible further consideration was needed on how to encourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development setting out the work schedule for the Board for the forthcoming Municipal Year

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a copy of the work Programme for the 2011/12 Municipal Year which had been populated with the six priority areas for scrutiny identified at the previous meeting. Members also suggested that officers enquire whether the relevant departmental budgets should be presented to the Board

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the Work Schedule and the comments made

b)  To note the contents of the Executive Board minutes dated 27^th July and 7^th September 2011 and the Forward Plan covering the period 1^st  September 31^st  December 2011

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 20^th October 2011 at 10:00 am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 20^th October 2011 at 10:00 am