Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the April meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration).

As this was the last meeting within the current Municipal Year, the Chair thanked Board Members, officers and other witnesses for their contributions and support during the past year.

He also informed the meeting that Mr S Robinson, Governance Services would be leaving the Council on the Early Leavers Initiative at the end of May after 40 years service. Board Members conveyed their best wishes to

Mr Robinson.

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

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

There were no late items of business to consider, however the Chair agreed to accept the following as supplementary information:-

·  Student Housing – Revised report of the Chief Planning Officer (Agenda Item 8) (Minute 118 refers)

·  Engagement with Owners of Retail Units in the City Centre (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 120 refers)

·  City Priority Plan Review Timeline – Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement)(Agenda Item 11)(Minute  121 refers)

·  Work Schedule – Executive Board minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd April 2013 (Agenda Item 12)(Minute 122 refers)

The documents were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but subsequently made available to the public on the Council’s website.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary and other interests declared at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor M Iqbal.

Notification had been received for Councillor B Urry to substitute for Councillor M Iqbal.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the resignation of the Scrutiny Board’s Co-opted Member.

The Head of Scrutiny Support and Member Development submitted a report informing the Board of the receipt of the resignation of Mr George Hall as Co-opted Member to the Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED –

a)  That this Board notes the resignation of Mr George Hall as a Co-opted Member to the Board as set out in the report.

b)  That on behalf of the Board, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to write to Mr Hall expressing their thanks to him for his contribution to the work of this Scrutiny Board and that of the former Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) in 2011/12.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th March 2013

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th March 2013 be approved as a correct record.

a)  Scrutiny Inquiry – Strategic Partnership Boards (Minute 107 refers)

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser informed the meeting that the Board’s minute and resolution on this issue would be reported to the Housing and Regeneration Strategic Partnership Board in June 2013.

To receive and consider reports from the Director of City Development and Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on student accommodation in the city.

The Director of City Development submitted a revised report which explored issues underpinning the preparation of a new planning policy for student housing development in the city and listed current planning permissions and enquiries for purpose built student accommodation in the city.

Appended to the report was a copy of a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods entitled ‘ Update on the analysis of current housing market trends within the Leeds 6 postcode areas’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

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

-  Councillor P Gruen, Executive Member, Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services

-  Mr Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, City Development

-  Mr Robin Coghlan, Team Leader, City Development 

-  Mr John Statham, Head of Housing Partnerships, Environment and Neighbourhoods

-  Mr Mark Ireland, Services Manager, Area Renewal, Environment and Neighbourhoods

The Chief Planning Officer presented the revised report and highlighted the background issues in relation to student accommodation in the city. He referred to the fact that student numbers were falling and some of the peripheral student areas for example in Meanwood and to the rear of the arena were discounting vacant units suggesting a surplus of supply in certain areas. At the same time the number of current planning permissions in place totalled 2471 new student bedrooms in purpose built accommodation. The Council continues to receive applications for student development often in locations which were considered unsuitable by adjoining occupiers and local residents with further enquiries being received on a regular basis. He referred to the closure of Boddington Hall. Finally, he referred to the Council’s planning policy set out in the Unitary Development Plan 2006 (UDP) which was expected to be superseded by policy in the draft Core Strategy when this plan is adopted in late 2013 or early 2014. He informed the meeting that it was therefore work in progress and welcomed Board Members views on the content.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the reports.

In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:-

·  The concerns expressed that Pennine House, Russell Street was a complete departure from the traditional areas for student accommodation and was the main reason why this issue was being discussed at today’s meeting

·  Clarification if Council policy on student housing had been fixed within the Core Strategy

(The Chief Planning Officer stated that the policy on student accommodation in the Core Strategy had moved to a criteria based policy which would for example enable the cumulative impact of student accommodation in an area to be taken into account. It would enable the development of supplementary planning polices for specific areas. He explained that the Core Strategy would be subject to a public examination in the summer of 2013 whereby the “soundness” of the plan policies would be considered by an independent inspector who would hear from objectors and from the Council. The review would involve key stakeholders including higher education providers, UNIPOL, key  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

To receive and consider a briefing paper on the latest position in relation to the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Devolution Opportunities – Post Heseltine Review.

A report of Leeds City Region was submitted in relation to the potential devolution of funding to the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership by Government, in response to the Lord Heseltine Review.

Mr Colin Blackburn, Executive Officer, Customer Access and Performance ,  was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In his presentation, the Executive Officer specifically made reference to details of the potential devolution proposals  to Local Enterprise Partnerships and the bidding process would be announced in the Spending Review on 26th June 2013. He highlighted that it would be a national competitive process.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:-

·  Clarification if the EU Structural Investment Fund was separate to the Transport Fund

(The Executive Officer responded that the LCR LEP would need to submit a Growth Plan for the EU funding by September 2013, and separate criteria rules would apply for the funding, but all individual projects locally would be put through a single assessment framework once developed. This would result in improved co-ordination and better funding packages)

·  Comment that whilst welcoming more devolution of resources from the centre concern that the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Policy  contribution to fund the proposed transport schemes in the region could result in an increase Council tax contribution of between 2% and 3%

·  The fact that funding for improved transport and other regeneration schemes was needed now to unlock brownfield sites in the city

·  Clarification of Government funding that would be made available over the next five years and what contribution the Councils would be expected to contribute towards the schemes identified and how viable they were

(The Executive Officer responded that this was not yet known but the LEP had already received £36m devolved funding to support business activity in the region. Housing and Regeneration had no budget at the present time but proposals may be included in the Spending Review announcement. He stated that the Transport Fund was based on a £10 billion Programme. Other Government projections remained unclear)

·  Clarification if the Council was still in competition with other local authorities and what track record of competitive bidding the Council had in this regard

(The Executive Officer responded and confirmed that there would be a competitive process and that it was envisaged that the Council and LCR would be in a good position as it was one of the most established Local Enterprise Partnerships in the Country with a good track record of delivery)

·  Clarification as to whether there is a deprivation indices in the city region which was used to weight areas with greater deprivation

(The Executive Officer responded that there was a Single Appraisal Framework being developed and existing models would be developed and built upon)

·  The need for the Scrutiny Board to influence policy in this area in view of the huge areas of deprivation within the city

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development on what engagement there has been with building owners in the city centre following the opening of Trinity Leeds where businesses have vacated premises to relocate to this prestigious development and similarly when Victoria West opens.

(Report to follow)

Referring to Minute 109 of the meeting held on 26^th March 2013, the Director of City Development submitted a report on what engagement there had been with building owners in the city centre following the opening of Trinity Leeds where businesses had vacated premises to relocate to this prestigious development and similarly when Victoria West opens.

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

·  Shop Relocations (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Footfall figures (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Art in Unusual Spaces Programme (Appendix 3 refers)

Ms Cath Follin, Head of City Centre Management was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In her presentation, she reported on the latest information regarding vacant shop units within the city centre; leasing arrangements; footfall figures and the measures in place that the Council could take regarding the filling of vacant units.

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

In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:-

·  Clarification if the department had any influence to control the proliferation of cheap product shops located within the city centre

(The City Centre Manager responded that these could not be controlled and was based on supply and demand)

·  The need to encourage the creation of more traditional shops in the City Centre and having a role in developing a strategy with partners

(The Head of City Centre Management responded and outlined the protocol for supporting independent businesses. Clarification of the cost of the works currently undertaken in Dortmund Square

(The Head of City Centre Management responded and agreed to forward the relevant information to the Principal Scrutiny Adviser for dissemination to Board Members)

·  To acknowledge that following the opening of Trinity, Leeds had now risen from being ranked 7^th in the UK in retail shopping terms to being ranked 4th and was now outperforming Liverpool and Oxford Street in London

·  Clarification if the city centre had a policy on retail mix similar to that of a  policy adopted in Otley

(The Head of City Centre Management responded and outlined the aims of the Unitary Development Policy for retail/leisure. She agreed to investigate this issue further and to forward the relevant information to the Principal Scrutiny Adviser for dissemination to Board Members)

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(Councillor D Collins left the meeting at 11.50am during discussions of the above item)

(Councillor D Nagel left the meeting at 11.55am during discussions of the above item)

To receive and consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) presenting a review of the City Priority Plan Timeline.

(Report to follow)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report presenting a review of the City Priority Plan Timeline.

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

-  Ms Heather Pinches, Executive Officer, Performance Management

-  Ms Maggie Gjessing, Housing Investment Manager, City Development

Prior to discussing the report, the Board noted that the proposals for change would be brought to Scrutiny for consultation in advance of any changes being made formally.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

In summary, specific reference was made to a number of issues including:-

·  Clarification as to whether the headline indicator for a minimum ratio of 65:35 development of new homes on brownfield to greenfield land had always been the same

(The Housing Investment Manager responded and informed the meeting that the indicator had been the subject of change in the past)

·  Clarification about the validity of City Priority Plan in view of the budget cuts within the authority

(The Executive Officer responded and informed the meeting that the planning and budget process was very closely linked and was work in progress)

·  Clarification of the figures in terms of now and the future vision regarding improving housing conditions and energy efficiency

(The Executive Officer responded and confirmed that targets in this area had been retained within the business plan)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this Board notes the timelines for refreshing the City Priority Plan as now outlined.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2012/13 municipal year.

(Minutes of Executive Board to follow)

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:

• Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration) Work Schedule for 2012/2013 Municipal Year (Appendix 1 refers)
• Executive Board – Minutes of a Meeting held on 23^rd April 2013 (Appendix 2 refers)

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 schedule showing the work schedule completed for 2012/13 be noted.

c)  That the issues raised and discussed at today’s meeting be included on the agenda for the first Board meeting within the new Municipal Year.

(The meeting concluded at 12.10pm)