Agenda and minutes

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

He particularly welcomed Councillors J Cummins, S Lay, D Nagle and C Towler as newly elected Members on the Council.

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

Councillor V Morgan made a general personal declaration of interest in her capacity as a Member on the ALMO Inner East Area Panel.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor G Wilkinson.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on guidance when seeking to appoint co-opted members.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the options available with regards to the appointment of co-opted members to the Scrutiny Board.

Richard Mills, Principal Scrutiny Adviser, Scrutiny Support presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and on the nomination put forward for co-option.

The Chair invited Members to submit to the Principal Scrutiny Adviser any further nominations for co-option they would like to make for consideration of the Board.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That Mr G Hall be appointed as a Co-opted Member to the Board for 2012/13 without voting rights.

(Mr G Hall joined the meeting at 10.15am)

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) held on 17^th May 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the former Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) meeting held on 17^th May 2012 be approved as a correct record.

a)  The Leeds Community Infrastructure Levy – Update on Timetable 

  (Minute  97 refers)

Mr G Hall referred to the availability of an ‘idiots’ guide on the Community Infrastructure Levy.

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser responded and reminded Members that the Department for Communities and Local Government briefing note on the Communities Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which had been provided at the beginning of the inquiries on Housing Growth and Affordable Housing by Private Developers gave a good explanation  and guide on the proposals. This had been re-circulated following the Board’s request and discussion with the Deputy Chief Planning Officer.

The Chair stated that the DCLG briefing note and the way Leeds was moving forward on this was at variance and asked the Deputy Chief Planning Officer for his comments and an up date on where we were with this.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the changes to the Council’s Constitution in relation to Scrutiny.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the changes to the Council’s Constitution in relation to Scrutiny.

Appended to the report was a copy of the following document for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration) – Council Committees’ Terms of Reference (Appendix 1 refers)

Richard Mills, Principal Scrutiny Adviser, Scrutiny Support presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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 amendments to the Council’s Constitution relating to scrutiny procedure rules in accordance with the report now submitted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) on the Equality Improvement Priorities and revised Equality and Diversity Policy.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report on the new Equality Improvement Priorities and revised Equality and Diversity Policy.

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

• The Equality Improvement Priorities 2011 – 2015 (Appendix 1 refers)
• Equality and Diversity Policy 2011-2015 (Appendix 2 refers)

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

-  Lelir Yeung, Head of Equality, Customer Access and Performance

-  Mr G Turnbull, Senior Policy and Performance Officer, Customer Access

  and Performance

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 equality outcomes in performance reports relevant to this Board be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) summarising the quarter 4 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report summarising the quarter 4 performance data relevant to the Scrutiny Board for 2011/12.

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

·  Appendix 1a – Performance Reports for the 3 City Priority Plan

·  Appendix 1b – Directorate Priorities and Indicators

·  Appendix 2 – Proposed changes to the Council Business Plan

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

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development (also representing the 

  Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods)

-  Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, City Development

-  Ms Liz Cook, Chief Officer, Statutory Housing, Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate

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

City Development

The Board noted that Councillor P Gruen, Executive Board Member and Neil Evens, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods had conveyed their apologies for this item.

The Chair invited comments from Board Members on the performance data contained in the report and appendices.

Discussions also ensued on a number of general issues relating to the remit and role of the new Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Board.

The Director of City Development referred specifically to three issues. The first being his wish to review the performance indicator on how the Council monitors, develops and protects the green character of the city. This was currently measured by the number of parks that had green flag status. This does not relate in any way to promoting brown field sites for housing development. The Directors would like to bring forward a new indicator that was about the percentage of new housing that takes place on brown field sites as opposed to green field sites. The Director also referred to and highlighted the reasons for the missed targets in relation to the number of houses enhanced by energy efficiency measures and the delivery of large planning applications.

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

• Accreditation system for our parks and the need for a separate performance indicator on the percentage of new housing that takes place on brownfield sites. Reference was made during these discussions to the Red Hall playing fields
• Clarification if Section 106 monies stay in the ward where developments take place

(The Director of City Development responded and confirmed that Section 106 agreements were levied on the specific planning application and therefore this income was spent locally)

• Reference was made to the number of empty properties in the city. The Chair responded and congratulated the Environment and Neighbourhood directorate for reducing the number of void Council houses to around 1% of the total stock available. The problem now related specifically to the number of private properties which were empty and reference was made to the report of the Scrutiny Board (Safer and Stronger Communities) which was published in April 2012 on this matter and to the work currently being undertaken to bring more private empty properties back in to use. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on potential sources of work for the Scrutiny Board.

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

• Leeds Housing and Regeneration Board – Brief for Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration) (Appendix 1 refers)
• Executive Board – Minutes of a meeting held on 16^th May 2012 (Appendix 2 refers)
• Forward Plan of Key Decisions for Scrutiny Board – Housing and Regeneration – 1^st June 2012 – 30^th September 2012 (Appendix 3 refers)

A copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Leeds Housing and Regeneration Board held on 12^th June 2012 were also circulated for the information/comment of the meeting.

Richard Mills, Principal Scrutiny Adviser, Scrutiny Support presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development (also representing the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods)

-  Phil Crabtree, Chief Planning Officer, City Development

-  Ms Liz Cook, Chief Officer, Statutory Housing, Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate

-  Maggie Gjessing, Housing Investment Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods

For the benefit of the meeting, the Chair invited officers to have an input in relation to their own preferred sources of work for the Scrutiny Board.

In summary, the following sources of work were put forward for consideration/discussion:-

·  Participation in the consultation being undertaken into the development of the Tenure Strategy for the City

·  How the Council can bring forward Brownfield sites for redevelopment

In discussing the above items, the Board agreed to incorporate both topics within their work schedule.

Board Members then put forward the following items for potential sources of work which had been raised under the performance report.:-

• Engagement with Elected Members in developing  Section 106 agreements
• Review of Council houses currently being used as offices with a view to them being brought back in to the Council housing stock wherever possible. This review to include theDirectorate’s approach to the disposal of property in general. An example was given of a Section 106 agreement relating to Seacroft Green, Manor House
• Position statement on the housing revenue and housing general accounts
• Position statement on the regeneration schemes for EASEL etc in East West South Leeds
• Development of a protocol /guidance note to be developed which sets out the expectations of the Council on developers in consulting with Ward Members, the community, Parish Councils and Neighbourhood Forums at an early stage in the planning process

In conclusion, the Chair thanked officers and Board Members for their contributions for the sources of work and areas of priority.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the above issues be discussed as part of the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming Municipal Year (Minute11 refers).

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming Municipal Year.

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 document for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Draft Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration) Work Schedule for 2012/2013 Municipal Year

Richard Mills, Principal Scrutiny Adviser, Scrutiny Support presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

-  Martin Farrington, Director of City Development (also representing the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods)

-  Phil Cook, Chief Planning Officer, City Development

-  Ms Liz Cook, Chief Officer, Statutory Housing and, Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate

-  Maggie Gjessing, Housing Investment Manger, Environment and Neighbourhoods

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That the topics identified for Scrutiny under minutes 9 & 10 above be  incorporated into the Board’s work schedule for the coming year and  prioritised in consultation with the Chair of the Board.  .

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

  link to the West Yorkshire Observatory which provided Ward Member

  profiles for all the Leeds City Council wards and other West Yorkshire

  Councils.

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

*Tuesday 24^th July 2012 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

Post Meeting Note

* The original date of 24^th July 2012 had been cancelled and Members of the Board would be consulted on a revised date

(The meeting concluded at 12.25pm)