Agenda and minutes

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:

Councillors Lyons and Morgan declared personal interests in agenda Item 8 – terms of reference for the Scrutiny Inquiry into Transport, as members of WYITA  (minute 40 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received from Councillor Atkinson and Lobley. The Board welcomed Councillor Wilkinson as substitute member for Councillor Lobley

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2011

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That, subject to an amendment to minute 32 to refer to Scrutiny Inquiry Session 1 (rather than Session 2 as recorded) the minutes of the meeting held 20 October 2011 be agreed as a correct record

To consider the report of the Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer which provides information on the engagement of young people in cultural activities,  the effectiveness of the programme and communication with young people. The report reviews the activities available over the summer 2011 in order to demonstrate, the range of activities provided, the geographic spread and where data is available the take up of these activities.

(Report attached)

The Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer submitted a report setting out the remit of Session 2 of the Inquiry (effectiveness and communication). The report included data collected on the availability and uptake of the different events and activities offered by LCC thorough various programmes aimed at young people. As reported previously, uptake was tracked through Breeze Card use.

Ms A Stowe of Leeds Owl Trust attended the meeting along with the following officers

Catherine Blanshard – Chief Libraries, Arts and Heritage Officer

Mark Allman – Head of Sport

Sally Coe - Out of School activities co-ordinator

Ms Blanshard stated that the data presented would assist identification of those parts of the Service which needed to maximise access; however it had become clear that there was no comprehensive data collection process and the Department needed to adopt common approach.

The Board heard from Ms Stowe regarding her experience as a representative of a voluntary organisation working alongside LCC. Ms Stowe outlined the activities provided and the usefulness of being able to work from LCC buildings as a base to provide activities alongside LCC services. This in turn encouraged return visits. She also highlighted the resource issues facing voluntary organisations and her experience of working with Welcome to Yorkshire, a tourism venture jointly funded by Yorkshire local authorities

Discussions followed on the following themes:

Breeze Card access –

-  Welcomed the 2010 blanket issue of the Breeze card funded by the Activities Fund

-  Application forms were available in most public outlets and on-line. Attendees at Breeze events were also registered if they did not have a card

-  A joint Library card/Breeze card was issued when a young person joined a library and this initiative was being extended to include sports activities

-  Members supported the suggestion that every child entering into the care of LCC should be automatically registered for a Breeze card

-  Noted the use of Breeze card recorded approximately 630,000 individual visits last year; and approximately 500,000 non Breeze card holders attended the same events

Service duplication -

-  Concern there may be duplication of provision or lack of co-ordination with the Youth Service

-  Considered the response that activities were not based on the boundaries of departmental responsibility and the two Departments worked in partnership to maximise the number of young people engaged in activities

-  Noted that Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) was looking at  the role of the Youth Service and Executive Board was due to consider the Youth Service provision in December

Locations

-  The data showing service provision available across the area clusters and the concern that some areas of the city were not adequately provided for.

-  Ms S Coe provided more detail on individual service provision, including the Friday Night Project which was regarded as a successful model to be rolled out across the city.

-  Members commented that more should be done for inner-city areas where levels of deprivation were higher and life expectancy shorter. Officers highlighted the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development setting out the draft terms of reference for the Inquiry

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report setting out the draft Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into the impact of existing major sources of travel movements and the plans being made to address the impact of future known developments on the city’s transport infrastructure.

The report outlined key areas for scrutiny previously identified by the Board and the scope and timetable of the Inquiry. It was noted that Councillor R Lewis, Executive Member with responsibility for development and economy and Mr M Farrington, Director of City Development had been consulted.

Mr G Bartlett and Mr A Hall attended the meeting and discussed the following comments with the Board

-  noted and welcomed the recent announcement of government backing for the proposed Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge train stations

-  the impact of the Community Infrastructure Levy, particularly in view of discussions on proposals to establish a West Yorkshire Transport Fund

-  provided assurances that this Inquiry would endeavour not to duplicate discussions being held by Scrutiny Board Regeneration on matters of transport and travel.

RESOLVED

a)  That the contents of the report be noted

b)  That, subject to the inclusion of information on the CIL into Session 1, the draft Terms of Reference as set out in the submitted report be agreed and that the Terms of Reference be updated as necessary throughout the Inquiry

c)  To note the Terms of Reference may incorporate additional information during the Inquiry should the Board identify any further scope for inquiry or request further witness or evidence

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development and appendices regarding the reduction of CO2 emissions in the Local Authority Estate, to enable the Scrutiny Board (Sustainable Economy and Culture) to determine if further scrutiny is required and specific areas for further investigation.

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report as the basis of discussion on the reduction of CO2 emissions in the local Authority Estate and to determine whether further scrutiny was required and specific areas for further investigation

A copy of the Carbon & Water Management Plan 2011-2021 previously presented to Executive Board on 30 March 2011 was attached to the report, along with the Delivery Plan 2011-2012. The report also referred to the statement published by the former Scrutiny Board (Environment & Neighbourhoods) in 2008 on the Councils role in reducing CO2 emissions. The six recommendations made by that Board were included at appendix C with progress against those recommendations contained in the final 2009 tracking report at Appendix D.

Anne Chambers, Head of Corporate Property Management and Jon Andrews Environment Policy Manager attended the meeting to discuss the report. The term “local authority estate” was clarified and the Board commented that as many council services were sub contracted, those contractors should also be included within the remit of the Inquiry. The response that contactors bidding to provide services for the council had to comply with the requirements of the sustainable procurement process was noted. It was also noted that since tracking ceased in 2009, emission figures were generally still in decline although some Members felt this could be due to data on sub contractors not being included. The Board discussed whether any measures could be imposed on any contractor not seeking to reduce emissions, but noted the Council could only encourage change by providing an exemplar of good practice and encouraging alternative fuel sources

The Board considered whether to review just the LCC estate or whether to receive further information to advise the board about the performance of Council’s sub contractors in reducing CO2. The Board determined that further scrutiny of the issue may be required, but requested that an update on the LCC Delivery Plan containing up to date emission figures be presented to the March 2012 meeting along with information relating to sub contractor performance.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and the appendices and to request a further report containing up to date emission figures be presented to the March 2012 Board meeting.

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

(Report attached)

The Head of Scrutiny & Member Development submitted a copy of the Work Programme for the 2011/12 Municipal Year which had been populated with the priority areas for scrutiny as identified at previous meetings. Copies of the minutes of the Executive Board meetings held 12 October 2011and 2^nd November 2011 were attached for consideration along with a copy of the forward Plan covering the period of 1 November 2011 to 29 February 2012

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the Work Programme

b)  To note any matters raised at this meeting above will be included appropriately

c)  To note the contents of the Forward Plan and the Executive Board minutes

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 26^th January 2012 at 10:00 am

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 26^th January 2012 at 1.00 am