Agenda and minutes
No. | Item |
---|---|
Chair's Opening Remarks Minutes: The Chair welcomed everyone to the November meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration).
|
|
Late Item To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.
(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)
Minutes: There were no formal late items of business to consider, however the Chair agreed to accept the following as supplementary information:-
The report was not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but subsequently made available to the public on the Council’s website.
|
|
Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.
Minutes: There were no disclosable pecuniary and other interests declared at the meeting. |
|
Apologies for Absence Minutes: An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor D Nagle.
Notification had been received for Councillor M Harland to substitute for Councillor D Nagle. |
|
Minutes of the Previous Meeting PDF 104 KB To confirm, as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 30th October 2012
Minutes: RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 30th October 2012 be approved as a correct record.
|
|
Good Practice Guide to Pre-Application Engagement PDF 66 KB To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on a good practice guide to pre-application engagement.
Additional documents: Minutes: Referring to Minute 51 of the meeting held on 30th October 2012, the Chief Planning Officer submitted a report on a good practice guide to pre-application engagement.
Appended to the report was a revised draft copy of a document entitled ‘Good practice guide to pre-application engagement’ for the information/comment of the meeting.
The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:
- Mr Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, City Development - Ms Helen Cerroti, Development Project Manager, City Development
In his presentation, the Chief Planning Officer informed the meeting that the guide had now been revised in light of the Board’s comments. Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.
In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:
(The Chief Planning Officer responded and outlined his concerns at being too prescriptive in approach as there were wide variations in the scale of developments and therefore one size does not fit all)
(The Chief Planning Officer stated that arrangements were in hand for the necessary training to take place)
(The Chief Planning Officer responded and agreed to include a flow chart in the guide and consider the inclusion of local community group details as appropriate)
9 b of the Housing Growth Inquiry and whether or not they would be rewriting the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) (The Chief Planning Officer responded and stated that the guide did go well beyond the SCI guidance)
RESOLVED - a) That the contents of the report and appendices be noted. b) That the revised draft guide be discussed further at the Board meeting on 29th January 2013.
(Councillor M Iqbal joined the meeting at 10.30am during discussions of the above item)
|
|
Warning Over Neighbourhood Regime PDF 2 MB To consider the attached article entitled ‘ Warning over Neighbourhood Regime’ following a recent Northern Growth Summit conference which was addressed by the Council’s Chief Planning Officer. Minutes: A copy an article entitled ‘ Warning over Neighbourhood Regime’ was submitted for the information/comment of the meeting following a recent Northern Growth Summit conference which was addressed by the Council’s Chief Planning Officer.
Mr Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, City Development was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.
Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.
In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:
(The Chief Planning Officer responded and confirmed that representations had been made to the Local Government Association and the Department for Communities and Local Government. He stated that he would be happy to circulate to the Board the response submitted to the LGA on this issue)
In conclusion, the Chair stated that there was considerable political lobbying going as a consequence of the proposals in the Bill which would have serious implications for Leeds and referred to an all party working group which had been established on this issue.
RESOLVED -That the contents of the document be noted and received.
|
|
To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development following the Directorate’s formal response to the Executive Board following completion of the Scrutiny Board’s Inquiry on Affordable Homes by Private Developers. Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report following the Directorate’s formal response to the Executive Board following completion of the Scrutiny Board’s Inquiry on Affordable Homes by Private Developers.
Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:
The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:
- Mr Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, City Development - Mr Robin Coghlan, Team Leader Policy, City Development - Ms Maggie Gjessing, City Development
Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.
RESOLVED - a) That the contents of the report and appendices be noted. b) That this Board notes the joint report of the Directors of City Development and Neighbourhoods and Housing which was presented to the Executive Board in response to the former Regeneration Scrutiny Board’s report and recommendations on affordable housing by private developers.
|
|
Updated progress on returning private sector empty properties back into occupation PDF 76 KB To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on progress in relation to returning private sector empty properties back into occupation.
Additional documents: Minutes: Referring to Minute 49 of the meeting held on 30th October 2012, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on progress in relation to returning private sector empty properties back into occupation.
Appended to the report was a copy of the Empty Property Strategy Action Plan for the information/comment of the meeting.
The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:
- Mr John Statham, Head of Housing Partnerships, Environment and Neighbourhoods - Mr Mark Ireland, Service Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods
Detailed discussions ensued on the contents of the report.
In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:
(The Head of Housing Partnerships responded and agreed to convene a seminar in conjunction with the Members Development Team)
In concluding discussions, the Board welcomed the findings contained within the report and commended officers on the work undertaken in this area.
RESOLVED – a) That officers be commended for the work undertaken in achieving the return of 3243 private properties back in to occupation in 2011/12 and a further 1526 properties by the end of quarter 2 2012/13. b) That the contents of the report and appendices be noted setting out the progress made against recommendation 3 from the Safer, Stronger Communities Scrutiny inquiry report in to the Private Rented Sector (2012).
|
|
To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which provides Members with a financial statement of the City Development and Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorates. Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing Members with a financial position statement of the City Development and Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate’s in relation to this Board’s responsibilities after six months of the financial year 2012/13.
Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:
Mr Richard Ellis, Head of Finance, Environment and Neighbourhoods was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.
Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.
In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:
(The Head of Finance responded and it was noted that this area was currently under review)
RESOLVED - a) That this Board notes the projected financial position of the Directorates City Development and Environment and Neighbourhoods in relation to the areas listed in the appendices after six months of the financial year 2012/13 as set out in the report submitted. b) That a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board on the staffing levels within the Regeneration Unit of the City Development Directorate.
|
|
To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on non Council Owned Brownfield sites.
(N.B. Report of the Director of City Development to follow)
Additional documents:
Minutes: Referring to Minute 51 of the meeting held 30th October 2012, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report regarding brownfield sites.
A copy of a report entitled ‘ Brownfield Sites’ prepared by the Director of City Development was circulated at the meeting as supplementary information.
The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:
- Mr Adam Brannen, Programme Manager, City Development - Mr Martin Sellens, Head of Planning Services, City Development - Mr Chris Gomersall, Head of Property Services, City Development
Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.
In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:
(The Programme Manager responded and agreed that this be circulated by the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser)
(The Programme Manager responded and stated that work was continuing to identify the owners of these sites)
In concluding discussions Councillor B Atha put forward the following motion for the Board to consider:
‘That all officers owning development land or prospective development land in the City of Leeds or shares in companies involved in it’s development of such land be required to register their interests in a register held by the Chief Executive’s Office which was open to the public on demand. Any such breach of this duty would be deemed prima facie of a serious disciplinary offence’
RESOLVED – a) That the contents of the report and supplementary information be noted and welcomed. b) That this Board recommend that all officers owning development land or prospective development land in the City of Leeds or shares in companies involved in it’s development of such land be required to register their interests in a register held by the Chief Executive’s Office which was open to the public on demand. Any such breach of this duty would be deemed prima facie of a serious disciplinary offence. c) That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to notify the Chief Executive of this recommendation as now outlined.
|
|
To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work schedule.
Additional documents: Minutes: A report was submitted by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development which detailed the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the current municipal year.
Appended to the report was a copy of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:
The Principal Scrutiny Adviser, Scrutiny Support presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.
RESOLVED - a) That the contents of the report and appendices be noted. b) That the Executive Board minutes and Forward Plan be noted. c) That the work schedule be approved as now outlined.
|
|
Date and Time of Next Meeting Thursday 18th December 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am) Minutes: Tuesday 18th December 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)
(The meeting concluded at 11.55am)
|