Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting evidence as part of the Board’s inquiry into population growth.

Further to Minute No. 60 of the meeting held on 12^th November 2009, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented evidence as part of the Board’s inquiry into population growth.

Appended to the report was the following information:

-  A copy of the agreed terms of reference

-  Leeds Neighbourhood Index – report of the Chief Regeneration Officer

-  Submission from Housing Services on changing patterns of housing provision and occupation

-  Submission from the Planning Division of City Development – Briefing Note: Development in Leeds and its impact on Population

-  Remit and Membership of the Joint Information Group involving NHS Leeds and the Council / Education Leeds

-  Further information on proposals to accommodate increased pupil numbers in primary schools and, in the longer term, secondary schools.

The following officers attended the meeting to present information to the Board and respond to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Sue Wynne, Head of Regeneration Policy and Planning

-  Jacky Pruckner, Neighbourhood Information Officer

-  Simeon Perry, Housing Policy and Monitoring Manager

-  Rob McCartney, Housing Strategy and Commissioning Manager

-  David Feeney, Head of Planning and Economic Policy

-  George Turnbull, Education Leeds, Head of Service – School Organisation

-  Jackie Green, Education Leeds, Strategic Manager Planning.

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion in relation to the various departments were:

Regeneration

• The Scrutiny Board received a powerpoint presentation on the Leeds Neighbourhood Index.  An example Neighbourhood Profile was circulated for Members’ information.
• Managing changing datasets and the need to introduce other indicators, e.g. relating to children’s health and well-being.
• Concern about pockets of deprivation that were not reflected in the neighbourhood profiles at the current level of analysis.

Housing

• Issues relating to private accommodation provision, particularly around regulation of private landlords.

City Development

• The effect of changes to the planning system, especially the Local Development Framework.  Greater emphasis on infrastructure linked to longer term regeneration.
• Challenges aligning Regional Spatial Strategy with local strategies, particularly in relation to growth in housing.
• Challenges identifying suitable sites for development and work being undertaken as part of the Easel project.

Education Leeds

• The effect of birth rates and other national trends.
• The potential implications of the Pupil Guarantee and 21^st Century Schools agenda.
• Concern about the consultation process relating to future school expansion proposals, particularly whether Ward Members were being consulted or told.
• The need to consult with neighbouring schools, frontline teaching staff and children.
• Concern that this was not just a capacity issue, but was about the capacity of schools to provide a quality educational experience for all pupils
• The impact of future expansion proposals on school playing fields.
• Work being undertaken locally as part of the National Challenge.  It was also reported that the world class schools strategy for primary schools was being submitted in late March.
• PFI schools and the need to ensure value for money.
• The role of the Leeds Inclusive Learning Strategy (LILS) and recognition of individual needs.
• The need for further information about the demand on secondary school places.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted;

(b)  That the issues raised be incorporated in the draft report of the Board’s Inquiry.

(Councillor E Taylor declared a personal interest in this item as Governor at Millfield Primary School.)

(Councillor Lancaster declared a personal interest in this item as LEA Governor at Carr Manor High School.)

(Councillor Coupar arrived at 10.17 am and Councillor Cleasby at 10.23 am during the consideration of this item.)