Agenda item

To receive a report from the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families and Chief Executive which provides a summary of performance against the strategic priorities for the Council and the City.

The joint report of the Director of City Development, Director of Children and Families, Director of Communities and Environment and Chief Executive provided a summary of 2017/18 performance against the strategic ambitions, outcomes and priorities for the Council relevant to the Board within the Best Council Plan 2018-21.  Updates on City Region functions were also provided.

Copies of the City Development Best Council Plan Performance Summaries for 2018/19 and 2019/20 were appended to the report.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  Councillor D Coupar – Executive Member for Communities

-  Councillor J Pryor – Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment

-  Councillor M Rafique – Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

-  Martin Farrington – Director of City Development

-  Sue Wynne – Chief Officer, Employment & Skills

-  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Officer, Economic Development

-  Tim Rollett – Intelligence & Policy Manager, Resources & Housing

-  Paul Foster – Transport Planning Manager, City Development

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

Officers were asked to highlight the key performance indicators relating to the

Board. The following was discussed:

·  There had been an increase in 13,800 jobs across the City.  Employment rates in Leeds were higher than the national average.

·  There had been an increase in engineering and manufacturing jobs.

·  There had been a decline in new business start-ups but Leeds remained the second largest in the core cities.

·  There had been growth in business rates with an increase of £11.8 million.

·  There had been a 6.4% growth in visitors to the city.

·  There had been an increase in 1.7% of people obtaining level 4 qualifications which was higher than elsewhere in Yorkshire and the Humber.

·  Targets for building new homes had been exceeded.

·  The target for provision of affordable should be achieved.

·  There had been an increase in people killed or seriously injured on roads.

·  An increase in the number of journeys using sustainable transport.

·  A reduction in the number of commercial and residential properties that were at risk of flooding.

In response to comments and questions relating to the key performance indicators, the following was discussed:

·  Job Changes in the Leeds Economy – disappointment regarding the decline in printing and publishing and concern regarding the decline in low carbon industries. 

·  The employment rate in Leeds was higher than the national average.

·  The need to report public sector employment figures in addition to private sector.

·  Monitoring of business closures – this was not covered by performance indicators.  It was requested that this information be provided to Board Members.

·  Conference facilities – there were no formal plans to expand facilities in Leeds.  The Conference Leeds would continue to promote Leeds as a conference city.

·  Passenger growth at Leeds Bradford Airport and how it linked with the climate change challenge.  Reference was made to the increased demand on the road network any expansion would bring. The timeline for consultation was requested relating to access and network development.

·  Level 4 qualifications – the figures were only available at city level and not by ward.  The figures included those who had attended university in Leeds and remained to live here.

·  A six monthly update is provided on the Adult Training Programme.

·  Growth in New Homes:

o  Concern regarding sites with planning permission that had not yet been developed. 

o  Work was continuing on the council house growth scheme.

o  Development was commencing in the city centre including the old Evening Post site and new student accommodation.

o  Potential for including build out rates in Section 106 agreements.

o  Potential for modular house building.

·  Provision of Affordable Housing:

o  Concern regarding right to buy and the continued loss of council housing.  The Council is constrained by legislation with regards to this.

o  There had been representations to Government regarding right to buy legislation including the future need to prevent Council Housing being bought and made then made available for private rent.

o  Leeds had been one of the better performing Councils in the country with regard to provision of new homes. The year on year target for affordable homes is on track, but not the element to meet historic shortfall

o  New developments that would be providing affordable housing.

·  People Killed or Seriously Injured in Road Traffic Accidents – this would be brought to the Board as a substantive agenda item for a future meeting.  A breakdown of figures at ward level was requested.  Further discussion included the criteria for safety measures and trialling of dashcam footage.

·  Bus Passengers Boarding Buses in Leeds – disappointment that there was a downward trend, however the Board were advised that this trend is now changing for the better.  Further discussion included improvements to bus routes on corridors to the city, real time information and the need for affordable ticket systems. The Board resolved to focus on this further when the Boards inquiry into Bus Services is next reviewed.

·  Increase in City Centre Travel by Sustainable Transport – improvements to footpaths and cycle routes.

RESOLVED –

(1)  The Best Council Plan 2018/19 performance information was noted.

(2)  The narrative updates on City Region Functions were noted.

(3)  The new Best Council Plan Key Performance Indicators to be reported during 2019/20 were noted.

(4)  That the work programme be updated to incorporate areas identified for further focus.