Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Executive.

The report of the Chief Executive updated the Board on the proposed Marketing Leeds Grant Agreement for 2009/10 and the associated draft Business Plan and Activity and Events Summary.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Jean Dent – Director, City Development
• James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement)
• Deborah Green, Chief Operating officer, Marketing Leeds

Members were informed of the decision to ‘call-in’ the Marketing Leeds Grant Agreement in September 2008.  This call-in decision was subsequently considered by the Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate Functions) who released the officer delegated decision to enter in to a Grant Agreement with Markeng Leeds for 2008/09.  However, Scrutiny Board (Central and Corporate Functions) recommended that Scrutiny Board (City and Regional Partnerships) consider the agreement in detail before offices entered in to a further Grant Agreement with Marketing Leeds for 2009/10. 

It was noted that the proposed business plan for 2009/12 was dependent upon  funding from other parties as well as the Council. It was reported that the total budget for Marketing Leeds for the next year was approximately £1.5 million.  This included a £400k grant from Leeds City Council.  Yorkshire Forward has now committed £2.4m of funding for the next three years subject to completion of the Grant Agreement.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Outcomes as detailed in the report – Members attention was brought to key performance indicators and it was explained how these would be used to measure outcomes.
• Possible areas of overlapping/duplication of work with other bodies – it was reported that Marketing Leeds worked closely with Town Centre Management and other partners to avoid duplication.  Areas of expertise had been identified for the relevant organisations to cover.
• Difficulty with measuring economic activity – perception studies were used and comparisons made with other cities.
• Aspirations for Leeds to be recognised as a city of European status.
• Leeds had been ranked as best value for money for locating businesses.
• Leeds needed specialist destination marketing to meet aspirations.
• Marketing Leeds did not undertake roles already carried out within Leeds City Council, but complemented services and provided a more specialist service.
• Members’ attention was brought to the Activity and Events Summary  in the report for 2009/2010 which identified the partners involved  and the aims and activities over the next year.  Particular reference was made to a recent visit to Milan for the Festival of Commerce and Culture of the fact that 165 delegates from Leeds attended.
• Promotion of Sport and Culture in Leeds and the benefits that sporting and cultural events can bring to the city.
• It was felt that Marketing Leeds as a separate organisation from the Council was better positioned to attract funding particularly from the business sector.
• Reporting procedures for Marketing Leeds – it was reported that in addition to regular reports and financial statements that an Annual Report was to be submitted to the Executive Board.  This report would be available to all Members of the Council.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.