Agenda item

To receive an update on performance in relation to strategic Council priorities for service areas that fall within the remit of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth).

The report of Directors of City Development, Children and Families and Chief

Executive provided a summary of performance against the strategic priorities for the council and city and other performance areas relevant to the Infrastructure, Investment & Inclusive Growth Scrutiny Board and in line with the Best Council Plan.

The report covered quarter 2 2021/22 performance information. Members were requested to consider the performance information contained in the Appendix to this report and the issues which have been highlighted and consider if they wish to undertake further scrutiny work to support improvement over the coming year in any of these areas.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Jonathan Pryor – Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education

·  Martin Farrington – Director – City Development

·  Phil Evans – Chief Officer, Operations

·  Emma Kamillo-Price - Senior Intelligence & Policy Officer

·  Eve Roodhouse – Chief Offiecer, Culture & Economy

·  Gary Bartlett – Chief Officer, Highways & Transportation

Responding to questions and comments from Members the Board were provided with the following information:

·  It was recognised that visitor numbers had dropped. However, this had flat-lined even before the impact of the pandemic. It was also acknowledged there had been no reduction in business rates to reflect this. Members were advised that a number of appeals were being processed. It was noted that information on input and outputs of the appeals this would be sent to the Board.

·  Leeds is still the 3^rd highest deliverer of new homes nationally and is making progress on delivering targets for affordable homes. It was noted that the city centre was currently a more viable market.

·  It was recognised that the figures of ‘not known’ in relation to young people not in employment, education or training was important. However, due to the pandemic these figures had been unobtainable. With the pandemic easing it was now a priority to get the numbers of ‘not known’ and provide support in this area.

·  Road safety issues had been significantly impacted by the pandemic including traffic flows. As previously discussed during the Board's current Inquiry into road safety, Members were reminded that the Police now have a new system for recording road safety figures called CRASH which automatically assigns a severity classification to each casualty according to injuries recorded by the reporting officer. There is a new approach to road safety which looks at road safety being the responsibility of all. It was noted that a report on this new approach is due to be presented to the Executive Board. Members were of the view that it was right to focus on deaths of young people on roads and that a zero vision should be set.

·  Passenger numbers on public transport had fallen by half due to the pandemic. It was noted that peoples fear of travelling on public transport had increased. It was also recognised that changes were required if the passenger numbers were to be increased, including punctuality, shelters and timetables. The West Yorkshire Mayor is currently working to address these issues. Highways were working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority to review public transport in light of the change in working patterns due to the pandemic.

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report and the appendix, along with Members comments, be noted.