Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development providing an update on the work that has been undertaken in relation to the future of Leeds’ city and local centres and which seeks approval of a number of recommendations in order to progress the next steps.

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on the work which had been undertaken to date regarding the future of the city and local centres moving forward, and how the city and local centres respond to people’s changing routines and the implications arising from the pandemic, with the report outlining proposed next steps in order to support and progress this agenda.

In considering the report, Members highlighted the importance of acknowledging the individuality of each local centre and welcomed the fact that bidding processes for external funding streams would be undertaken for appropriate schemes across the city. It was also noted that the actions being taken to progress this agenda including the Board’s consideration of this report would help to ensure that the Council had a firm basis on which to maximise its opportunities to successfully bid for such funding.

With regard to the provision of ‘Changing Places’ toilet facilities, the Board received an update regarding the current position in Leeds, and it was undertaken that a further written update would be provided to the Member in question regarding any funding being sought for further provision across the city.  Members also discussed the role of the Council in ensuring that developers delivered such facilities in new developments in instances where prior agreement to do so had been reached.

Responding to a Member’s comments regarding the proposed approach detailed in the report, it was emphasised that given the financial challenge that continued to be faced the Council was heavily reliant upon external funding streams to deliver the proposals outlined. Members also noted that the overall aim of this agenda was to improve the local and city centre economies whilst also developing sustainable and inclusive growth. Further to this, a Member highlighted the importance of robust consultation taking place with affected communities when considering proposals for local centres, suggesting the involvement of the Council’s Communities Team in such matters.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work which has been undertaken as detailed in the submitted report looking at the future of Leeds’ city and local centres, be noted;

(b)  That the recommendations for next steps, as outlined in the submitted report and as listed below, be approved; and that agreement be given that they are the right areas of focus to take forward at this stage with the resources the Council has available; that the potential for additional resources through successful Government funding bids be noted; and that such matters be delegated to the Director of City Development:

(i)  We will continue to identify and deliver transformational projects across the city, linked to external funding streams.

(ii)  We will explore how we can facilitate flexible workspaces and co-working spaces in areas outside of the city centre.

(iii)  We will work to capitalise on the role of Culture for the future of our centres, including the opportunities presented through Leeds2023.

(iv)  We will continue to support our local centres as we recognise their importance in providing services, employment and social opportunities to local people.

(v)  We will continue to support businesses across the whole city and we will continue to support people who are seeking employment.

(vi)  We will continue to encourage collaboration and experimentation to connect activity across centres of innovation, now and in the future.

(vii)  We will explore how we can create a long-term, sustainable way of collecting local data and intelligence for each of our centres.

(viii)  We will continue to drive this work and these recommendations for next steps forward, both externally across the city and internally within the Council.

(c)  That it be noted that this work will inform the development of and be reflected within the new City Plan for Leeds which is currently underway, and that it be noted that Executive Board will be kept informed of work to develop the City Plan as this progresses.