Agenda and minutes

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED –  That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as exempt  on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt from publication on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as follows:-

(a)  That Appendix 2 to the report entitled, ‘Delivering the East of Otley Relief Road and Housing Allocation’, referred to in Minute No. 140 be designated as being exempt from publication in accordance with paragraph 10.4(3) of Schedule 12A(3) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that Appendix 2 contains information that sets out the principles of a Collaboration Agreement between the Council and developers which is yet to be fully agreed and contains information that is commercially sensitive, which relates to the financial or business affairs of third parties. It is therefore considered that it is in the public interest for this element of the report to be designated as being exempt from publication on the grounds as detailed above.

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 Interests declared at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2020.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7^th January 2020 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the positive progress that has been made on bringing forward the East of Otley development since the last report presented in June 2019. Also, the report requests ‘Authority to Spend’ £2.245m from the Capital Programme to cover costs and fees associated with taking the project up to and through the planning process.

(Please notes that Appendix 2 to this report is designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3))

Further to the Minute No. 18, 26^th June 2019, the Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the positive progress which had been made on the various strands of the East of Otley development project. Also, the report sought approval regarding the ‘Authority to Spend’ £2.245m to enable the completion of critical preliminary works, which would enable the full costing of the East of Otley Relief Road (EORR) scheme to take place, the submission of a planning application and the provision of essential information which would inform the Collaboration Agreement.

In presenting the submitted report, the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development highlighted the level of affordable / social housing proposed as part of the development, together with details of the wider benefits for Otley town centre.

Officers responded to a Member’s enquiries regarding the process for the drawdown of the Housing Infrastructure Fund grant, the associated development viability check and in relation to potential issues arising from the complexity of the project.

Responding to a specific enquiry regarding the potential impact upon sports pitches, it was emphasised that any development would require appropriate planning consent and in securing this, any replacement of pitch provision would need to be agreed with Sport England as a statutory consultee and also with the affected sports clubs. 

Following the consideration of Appendix 2 to the submitted report, designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, and which included officers providing further information to the Board in response to Members’ enquiries on the content of the exempt appendix, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the continued positive progress which is being made on the East of Otley scheme,including entering into contract with Homes England for the HousingInfrastructure Fund, be noted;

(b)  That the proposed environmental measures to be implemented as part of the design and delivery of the EORR and the wider East of Otley development to help towards supporting the reduction of the climate impacts that the scheme may have, be noted;

(c)  That the drawdown of £2.245m from the Capital Programme (Scheme 33010) for the provision of funding to cover further fees and additional costs to progress the EORR project up to and through the planning process, be approved;  and that the necessary Authority to Spend be delegated to the Director of City Development in consultation with the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development; with it being noted that these costs will be recovered to the Capital Programme following the first drawdown of the Housing Infrastructure Fund grant in respect of the costs associated with the EORR or from the landowners via the Collaboration Agreement in respect of the costs incurred as part of the wider residential led mixed use scheme;

(d)  That the positive progress which has been made towards completing a Collaboration Agreement, as set out in exempt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 140.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development that outlines the next steps for delivering the detail design and construction of the Corn Exchange Gateway under the Connecting Leeds programme, and which seeks specific approvals regarding injections into the Connecting Leeds programme and related authorisation of expenditure.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which outlined the next steps for delivering the detail design and construction of the Corn Exchange Gateway as part of the ‘Connecting Leeds’ programme, and which sought specific approvals regarding injections into the ‘Connecting Leeds’ programme and the associated authorisation of expenditure.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, it was acknowledged that a level of disruption was being experienced as a result of the work being undertaken in the city centre, however, the multi-agency approach being taken to mitigate such disruption was highlighted. The importance of an effective communications strategy was emphasised, with assurance also being provided that liaison continued to be undertaken with bus operators on such matters.

Also in response to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further information regarding the traditional Department for Transport (DfT) methodologies used when appraising such projects, with it being noted that liaison continued to take place with colleagues in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority appraisal team and also with the DfT. It was highlighted that representations were being made to the DfT regarding the need for appraisal methods to give appropriate recognition to the different modes of transport and active travel provision that cities such as Leeds were aiming for.

Emphasis was also placed on the importance of ensuring that robust enforcement mechanisms were put in place to maintain the transport systems which were established in the city centre via schemes such as this in order to maximise the benefit for those using them.

In conclusion, the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development highlighted that a number of funding streams affecting projects in the city centre had tight timescales, and although work was ongoing to minimise levels of disruption wherever possible, such timescales did create challenges and meant that it was necessary for some projects to be progressed at the same time.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress which has been made since April 2016 in developing the programme of schemes for construction benefiting from the ‘Connecting Leeds’ funding, together with the subsequent public consultation responses, be noted;

(b)  That the injection of £6.1m from the City Centre Package programme (funded by the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund) into the ‘Connecting Leeds’ programme, for the design and delivery of the Meadow Lane aspect of the Corn Exchange Gateway Scheme and its associated linkages into the city centre core, be approved;

(c)  That the injections of S106 Developer contributions of £905,564 for the Corn Exchange Gateway scheme, be approved;

(d)  That expenditure of £21.5m from the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Capital Programme, which will be used to carry out detail design and construction of the Corn Exchange Gateway, be authorised;

(e)  That it be noted, that subject to consultation with the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development, the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation will approve the final version of the designs for construction;

(f)  That it be noted that the public realm proposals for the Corn Exchange will  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141.

To consider the report of the Director of Adults and Health that sets out progress made in achieving and sustaining an improving trend in the quality of regulated services operating within the Council boundary. The report sets out the work which is being undertaken within the Adults and Health directorate and with wider partners to ensure improvements in the quality of services are being maintained and provides details of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection outcomes for social care providers since 2017.

The Director of Adults and Health submitted a report detailing the progress which had been made in achieving and sustaining an improved trend in the quality of regulated services operating within the Council boundary. In addition, the report set out the work which was being undertaken within the Adults and Health directorate and with wider partners to ensure improvements in the quality of services were being maintained and provided details of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection outcomes for social care providers since 2017.

Members welcomed the content of the submitted report, with emphasis being placed upon the need to continue to promote and embed good practice in such services. A Member also specifically highlighted the positive work being undertaken in respect of Home Care provision.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Board, officers undertook to thank those teams who had been involved in the supportive actions taken to improve the quality of care provided in the independent sector.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the steady improvement made in the quality of the regulated care sector as a result of the Council’s focused action, be noted;

(b)  That it be noted that the Best Council Plan target of 80% of all CQC regulated care services be rated as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ has now been met and exceeded;

(c)  That it be noted that the Deputy Director of Integrated Commissioning will be responsible for continuing the work throughout the next year, with partners, to raise the quality of regulated adult social care services in the city;

(d)  That on behalf of the Board, officers be requested to thank those teams who have been involved in the supportive actions taken to improve the quality of care provided in the independent sector.

On behalf of the Board, the Chair welcomed Sal Tariq OBE to the meeting, as it was his first attendance at Executive Board following his recent appointment as Director of Children and Families.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families which provides an update on the key areas of work currently being undertaken by the Child Friendly Leeds team.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report which provided an update on the key areas of work currently being undertaken by the Child Friendly Leeds team.

In presenting the submitted report, the Executive Member for Children and Families provided further detail on a number of the initiatives being undertaken as part of Child Friendly Leeds, highlighted the role of the Child Friendly Ambassadors across the city and referenced the award for Public Services which had been presented to the Council at the National Leadership Forum for the Child Friendly Leeds city centre initiative.

Also, it was noted that the Director of Children and Families was scheduled to submit a report to the March 2020 Executive Board presenting statistical information regarding Looked after Children in Leeds.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further information regarding the Child Friendly Leeds ethos which, via a cross-directorate and multi-sector approach, aimed to improve outcomes for all children and young people across the city, with additional focus being placed on those who were from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In response to a Member’s request, officers undertook to provide Executive Members with further statistical information regarding those children and young people who were benefitting from the range of initiatives delivered as part of Child Friendly Leeds.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress which has been made since 2012 on the ambition for Leeds to be a Child Friendly City, be supported;

(b)  That the work which has been developed in supporting the role and remit of the Corporate Parenting Board in terms of enriching the lives of children and young people in care and care leavers, be supported;

(c)  That the work of the Child Friendly Leeds team and the focus of the team on achieving the Council’s Child Friendly ambitions, be supported;

(d)  That the partnership approach being adopted by the Child Friendly Leeds team and its partners to enhance the life experiences of children in care and care leavers through the development of an ‘enrichment offer’, be endorsed;

(e)  That the Enrichment Newsletter, as appended to the submitted report, which provides a more in depth understanding of the enrichment offer as it evolves, be noted;

(f)  That the broader impact which the development of the ambition has had on the Council’s capacity to make progress in terms of the obsessions and priorities regarding children and families services, as expressed in the Council’s Children and Young People’s Plan, be supported;

(g)  That further statistical information regarding those children and young people who are benefitting from the range of initiatives delivered as part of Child Friendly Leeds be provided to Executive Members in due course.

To consider the joint report of the Director of Children and Families and the Director of City Development which sets out the background and proposals regarding the refurbishment of the former Burley Park Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), with the report seeking authority for Capital expenditure to facilitate the construction work and associated fees to facilitate the refurbishment.

The Director of Children and Families and the Director of City Development submitted a joint report presenting the background to, and proposals regarding the refurbishment of the former Burley Park Pupil Referral Unit (PRU), and which sought authority for Capital expenditure to facilitate the construction work and for the associated fees to facilitate the refurbishment.

Members welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That capital expenditure for the sum of £1,800,000 from Capital Scheme number 33043/000/000 for the construction work and associated fees to facilitate the refurbishment of the vacant Burley Park PRU building, be authorised, with it being noted that this sum includes the value for the refurbishment of both the nursery provision and the Leeds City Council office space together with a client held contingency commensurate with a project of this size and complexity;

(b)  That it be noted that the Asset Management and Regeneration team will be responsible for the implementation of the works as described in the submitted report;

(c)  That approval be given for Shire View to be declared as surplus to the Council’s requirements.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families seeking approval of the Local Authority Admissions Policy and Admissions arrangements for entry to voluntary controlled and community schools in September 2021.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report which sought approval of the Local Authority Admissions Policy and Admissions arrangements for entry to voluntary controlled and community schools in September 2021.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry regarding the high demand for secondary school places in North Leeds, the Board received further information on how such demand was linked to levels of provision in other parts of the city, with details being provided on the actions being taken to manage the situation as a whole.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That in determining the school admissions arrangements for 2021, the admissions policies for the Leeds Community and Voluntary Controlled Primaryand Secondary schools, as detailed at Appendices A and B to the submitted report, be approved, with approval also being given to the one yearreduction in the Published Admission Number (PAN) of Roundhay All ThroughSchool (secondary site) to 210 for 2021;

(b)  That the following be noted:-

(i) That the Published Admission Number (PAN) of Allerton High School has been permanently increased from 189 to 220;

(ii) That there are no changes to the admission policy for Primary and Junior schools;

(iii) The Co-ordinated schemes for admissions arrangements for entry in September 2021, as detailed at Appendices C and D to the submitted report, and that there are no changes to the 2020 arrangements other than updates to timelines and to some minor wording to ensure procedural accuracy;

(c)  That the resolutions of the Board in respect of this submitted report, as detailed within this minute, be exempted from the Call In process, for those reasons as set out in paragraph 4.5.2 of the submitted report;

(d)  That it be noted that the officer responsible for the implementation of such matters is the Lead for Admissions and Family Information Service, and that the date for implementation (i.e. determination of the policies) is no later than 28 February 2020, with the policy being published by 15 March 2020.

(The Council’s Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rules state that a decision may be declared as being exempt from the Call In process by the decision taker if it is considered that any delay would seriously prejudice the Council’s, or the public’s interests. In line with this, the resolutions contained within this minute were exempted from the Call In process, as per resolution (c) above, and for the reasons as detailed within section 4.5.2 of the submitted report)

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families that presents the outcome of a consultation exercise regarding a proposal to expand secondary school provision at Allerton Grange School and seeks a decision to fund delivery of a scheme to create the additional learning places required.

The Director of Children and Families submitted a report presenting the outcome of a consultation exercise regarding a proposal to expand secondary school provision at Allerton Grange School and which sought a decision to fund the delivery of a scheme to create the additional learning places required.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the publication of a Statutory Notice on a proposal to permanently expand secondary provision at Allerton Grange School from a capacity of 1200 pupils to 1500 pupils in years 7 to 11, with an increase in the admission number from 240 to 300 and with effect from September 2021, be approved;

(b)  That provisional approval for Authority to Spend (ATS) of £4.8m (based on a Department for Education (DfE) funding rate of £16,056 per new secondary place) to deliver the proposed permanent expansion of Allerton Grange School, be granted;

(c)  That it be noted that the implementation of the proposal is subject to funding being agreed based upon the outcome of further detailed design work and planning applications, as indicated at sections 4.4.1 and 4.4.3 of the submitted report, with it also being noted that the proposal has been brought forward in time for places to be delivered for 2021;

(d)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Learning Systems.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families presenting the outcome of the consultation exercise undertaken regarding a proposal to establish a new 150-place specialist free school for children and young people aged 4-16 at Rose Court, Buckingham Road, Headingley, and which seeks permission to launch the competition stage of the free school presumption process in order to identify a preferred sponsor to run the new school.

Further to Minute No. 107, 25^th November 2019, the Director of Children and Families submitted a report presenting the outcome of the consultation exercise undertaken regarding a proposal to establish a new 150-place specialist free school for children and young people aged 4-16 at Rose Court, Buckingham Road, Headingley, and which sought permission to launch the competition stage of the free school presumption process in order to identify a preferred sponsor to run the new school.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the outcome of the consultation exercise undertaken on the proposal to establish a new 150-place specialist free school for children and young people aged 4-16 at Rose Court, Buckingham Road, Headingley, be noted;

(b)  That the commencement of a free school presumption process under the terms as set out in the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (section 6A), which allows the Local Authority to launch a competition seeking to identify a preferred sponsor to run the new free school, be approved;

(c)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for the implementation of such matters is the Head of Learning Systems.

To consider the joint report of the Director of Communities and Environment and Director of Adults and Health presenting the current position regarding food poverty in the city and outlines a number of areas in which the Council works with partners in the voluntary, health and private sectors; provides details on the latest projects and initiatives in this area and informs of recommendations for further work.

The Director of Communities and Environment and the Director of Adults and Health submitted a joint report presenting information regarding the current position in respect of food poverty in the city and which outlined a number of areas in which the Council was working with partners in the voluntary, health and private sectors to address this issue.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work undertaken to tackle food poverty and insecurity, as set out within the submitted report, be noted, and that the partnerships and joint working established to support families out of poverty, be acknowledged;

(b)  That the work of the Leeds Food Partnership be endorsed, with it being noted that this group helped Leeds achieve the Bronze Sustainable Food Cities Award in 2019 and is working on an action plan for partners across the city to achieve the Silver Sustainable Food Cities award in 2021;

(c)  That the concerns around residents’ ability to access a reliable and sustainable quantity of affordable, nutritious food, as outlined in the submitted report, be noted, together with the ways in which the Council and partners can do more to improve co-ordination, awareness and access to food provision.

On behalf of the Board, the Chair paid tribute to and extended her thanks to Dr. Ian Cameron, as he was attending his final Board meeting prior to retiring from his position as Director of Public Health.

a)  2020/21 Revenue Budget and Council Tax

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Financial Services on the proposals for the City Council’s Revenue Budget for 2020/2021 and the Leeds element of the Council Tax to be levied in 2020/2021

b)  Capital Programme Update 2020 – 2024

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Financial Services on the Capital Programme for the period 2020 – 2024 and which includes details of forecast resources for that period together with an update on the 2019/20 programme.

c)  Treasury Management Strategy 2020/2021

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Financial Services on the Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21

Further to Minute No. 128,7th January 2020, the Chief Officer, Financial Services, submitted a suite of reports regarding: proposals for the City Council’s Revenue Budget for 2020/21 and the Leeds element of the Council Tax to be levied during the same period; proposals regarding an updated Capital Programme for 2020-2024 and also a proposed updated Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21.

(A)  2020/21 Revenue Budget and Council Tax

RESOLVED -

(a)  That Council be recommended to note the recommendation of the Council’s statutory officer (the Chief Officer – Financial Services) that the proposed budget for 2020/21 is robust and that the proposed level of reserves is adequate, as set out at Section 12 of the submitted report;

(b)  That Executive Board recommends to Council the adoption of the following:-

(i)  That the revenue budget for 2020/21 totalling £525.7m, be approved. This means that the Leeds element of the Council Tax for 2020/21 will increase by 1.99% plus the Adult Social Care precept of 2%. This excludes the Police and Fire precepts which will be incorporated into the report to be submitted to Council on the 26th February 2020;

(ii)  That approval be given to grants totalling £65.7k to be allocated to parishes;

(iii)  That approval be given to the strategy at Appendix 9 of the submitted report in respect of the flexible use of capital receipts;

(iv)  That in respect of the Housing Revenue Account, Council be recommended to approve the budget with:-

·  An increase of 2.7% (CPI+1%) in dwelling rents;

·  A 2.4% RPI increase in charges for all District Heating schemes;

·  The service charges for low/medium and multi-storey flats being increased by RPI of 2.4%;

·  The charge for tenants who benefit from the sheltered support service being increased to £14.71 per week to reflect full cost recovery. The charge being eligible for Housing Benefit;

·  The subsidy for tenants who are not eligible for benefits but receive the sheltered support service being set at £4.71 per week. Therefore the amount payable by these tenants will increase from £8 per week to £10 per week;

·  Any overall increase to tenants in respect of rents, service and sheltered support being no more than £3.50 per week.

(v)  That in respect of the Schools Budget, approval be given to the High Needs Block budget for 2020/21, as set out in paragraph 5 of the Schools Budget Report as detailed at Appendix 8 of the submitted report;

(c)  That Executive Board’s approval be given to authorise officers to grant relief against business rates liability in line with Business Rates Information Letter (1/2020), for which the Council will be fully compensated for any loss of income;

(d)  That Executive Board’s thanks be conveyed to Scrutiny Boards for the comments and observations made as part of Scrutiny’s consideration of the Council’s Initial Budget Proposals.

(B)  Capital Programme Update 2020 – 2024

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Executive Board recommends to Council:

(i) the approval of the Capital Programme for 2020-2024 totalling £2,009.9m, including the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 151.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing presenting the Best Council Plan for 2020 to 2025 for the Board’s consideration and approval that it be recommended for adoption by Council on 26th February 2020.

Further to Minute No. 131, 7^th January 2020, the Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report presenting the Best Council Plan for 2020 to 2025 for the Board’s consideration and approval that it be recommended for adoption by Council on 26th February 2020.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That full Council be recommended to adopt the Best Council Plan 2020 to 2025, as detailed at annexe 1 to the submitted report, at its meeting on 26th February 2020;

(b)  That Scrutiny Boards and others be thanked for their comments throughout the development and consultation processes which have informed the proposed Plan;

(c)  That, subject to the Best Council Plan being adopted by Council on 26^th February 2020, it be noted that further development and graphic design work will take place prior to the publication and launch of the Best Council Plan 2020 to 2025 around 1st April 2020.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In)

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) that presents the Council’s projected financial health position for 2019/20 as at Month 9 (December) of the financial year.

The Chief Officer (Financial Services) submitted a report which presented the Council’s projected financial health position for 2019/20 as at Month 9 (December 2019) of the financial year.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board received further information on the causal factors regarding the deficit position in respect of the Business Rates Collection Fund, as at month 9 of the financial year, together with the actions being taken to correct the position in future years.

In response to a Member’s enquiry on the Council’s current underspend regarding the Early Years block of the Dedicated School Grant (DSG), the Board received further information on how the underspend occurred, which related to the disparity between how the Government calculated funding and the payments made by the Council. Also, it was noted that given the underspend, consideration was being given to potentially increasing the hourly rate paid in 2020/21 to childcare providers in the city. However, it was also noted that the Council was permitted to use DSG block underspends to offset over-spending blocks, and as such the correct balance needed to be struck.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the projected financial position of the Authority as detailed within the submitted report, as at Month 9 of the 2019/20 financial year, be noted;

(b)  That with regard to the risk that the budgeted level of capital receipts may not be receivable in 2019/20, the progress which has been made to date and the fact that work is ongoing to identify budget savings proposals which will contribute towards the delivery of a balanced budget position in 2019/20, be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Financial Services) which provides an update on the successful application for a new 2020/21 North & West Yorkshire 50% Retention Business Rates Levy Pool. The report also seeks agreement to the formation of a new Joint Committee to oversee the 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool, seeks approval of the Leader’s position on this Joint Committee; and that Executive Board note and agree the Memorandum of Understanding and Terms of Reference for the 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool.

The Chief Officer (Financial Services) submitted a report which provided an update on the successful application for a new 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire 50% Retention Business Rates Levy Pool and which sought agreement to: the formation of a new Joint Committee to oversee that Pool; the associated governance arrangements and also the Leader’s position on the Joint Committee.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the update on the new 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That the revoking of the 2019/20 North and West Yorkshire 75% Retention Business Rates Pool on 31st March 2020 be noted, and that agreement be provided to disband the current North and West Yorkshire Pool Joint Committee on the same date;

(c)  That agreement be given to appoint the Leader to a new Joint Committee to oversee the new 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool, with such a Joint Committee consisting of the Leaders of the Authorities as specified in paragraph 3.3.3 of the submitted reportand to have the Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix C;

(d)  That the Memorandum of Understanding for the 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool, as presented at Appendix B to the submitted report, be noted and agreed;

(e)  That the Terms of Reference for the 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire Business Rates Pool Joint Committee, as presented at Appendix C to the submitted report, be noted and approved;

(f)  That the City Solicitor be delegated with the necessary authority to seek the formal agreement of the other 12 members of the Pool to the new arrangements.

DATE OF PUBLICATION:   FRIDAY, 14^TH FEBRUARY 2020

LAST DATE FOR CALL IN

OF ELIGIBLE DECISIONS:  5.00 P.M., FRIDAY 21^ST FEBRUARY 2020