Decisions

The Chief Housing Officer gave approval to renew membership for 2022/23 to the Housing Ombudsman Scheme, as the sole provider of this service, at a value of £261,790.60 in accordance with the council’s Contract Procedure Rules 9.5 relating to high value procurements

The Deputy Director, Children & Families Social Work approved:

• The receipt of £198,302.36 funding from the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP). The first year of funding commences on 14th June 2022 until 31st March 2023 (£111, 107.73) and the second year of funding commences 1st April 2023 until 31st March 2024 (£87,194.63). Year 2 is indicative funding at this stage and the final figure will be confirmed prior to commencement of year 2.

• The award of a new contract using Contract Procedure Rule 8.3 to Triple P for provision of training associated with reducing parental conflict in line with the Leeds Relationship Matters programme. The contract shall be for the period 30/06/22 to 31/03/24. The total value of the contract is £28,721 (excluding VAT). In line with previous contracts with Triple P a letter of agreement will be issued by the provider and this will be vetted by our legal team prior to LCC signing up to the agreement.

• The recruitment of a fixed term RPC Coordinator post on a PO4 salary scale (£51,524-£55,588 including on costs). The position will be recruited to as soon as permission has been granted and will be until this current funding expires. If further funding is secured then permission will be sought to extend the position.

The Deputy Director of Children and Families Social Work approved the award of a new contract under Regulation 32(2)(b)(ii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 - Use of the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a Contract Notice - to Link Maker for the Link Maker Matching Licence. The contract shall be for the period 01/07/22 to 30/06/23 with the option to extend by up to 36 months. The renewal cost for the initial 12 month contract period will be £59,364.38. The potential total value if the extension is taken up in full has been estimated at approximately £307,978.

That following consultation with the relevant Group Whip, and in line with the City Solicitor’s Scheme of Delegation, the Head of Democratic Services / Deputy Head of Democratic Services approve the following appointment:
• Councillor Scopes to replace Cllr Martin on the WYPF Joint Advisory Group.

The Chief Officer Elections & Regulatory has approved the content of the report and agreed to commence a procurement exercise using the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Framework 509 to carry out a further competition for the provision of a new Parking and Civil Enforcement System.

See Report for details

The Director of Children & Families agreed to a 12-month extension of the cooperation agreements with academies in relation to resourced and partnership provisions.
Within the previous decision taken in May 2017, approval was given to award cooperation agreements to any newly formed academies who have or seek to have resourced or partnership arrangements in place. This approach was agreed to continue for this extension period.
The current agreements expire on 31st August 2022, and the proposed 12-month extension would commence 1st September 2022.

The Chief Officer of Highways & Transportation:
a) Approved the detailed design and implementation of a package of measures in Collingham as detailed within this report and shown on drawing TM-15-570-CON-01, attached as Appendix 2;

b) Noted the required expenditure of £57,150, comprising £47,650 works costs and £9,500 staff fees. As this project incorporates work on private land, a 20% contribution (£11,430) of the overall cost will be made by the landowner to the project, with the remainder (£45,720) to be funded from the Regeneration Local Centres Capital Programme; and
c) Gave approval to inject this £57,150 from the Regeneration Local Centres Capital Programme into the Traffic Management Capital Programme.

The Chief Executive has approved the sub-delegation scheme set out as Appendix 1.

The Natural Environment Manager authorised the making of a Public Path Extinguishment Order under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980, in respect of a Austhorpe Footpath No. 2 (previously part of Austhorpe Footpath No. 6) shown on the map attached at Background Paper A

The Chief Officer Asset Management and Regeneration:
Granted approval to purchase the property, detailed in the Confidential
Appendix B, at Market Value as determined by Land & Property and authorised their use as designated Rough Sleeper accomodation, to be managed by Leeds Housing Options.
Authorised the required expenditure to enable the programme to progress the property acquisition detailed in Confidential Appendix B. This property
acquisition will be funded from the Council Housing Growth Programme budget, via a combination of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing and a Homes England grant of £50,000.
Noted that Executive Board granted Authority to Spend for the programme on 24th July 2019.
Noted that written approval to bring the property back into council housing stockwas provided by the Chief Officer (Housing) of Communities, Housing & Environment on the 8th June 2022

The Chief Officer, Highways & Transportation:

1. Noted the content of this report;

2. Considered and over-ruled the objections to the proposed Traffic Regulation Order “Leeds City Council (Traffic Regulation) (Movement Restriction) (No.8) Order 2022” and “Leeds City Council (Speed Limit) (No.6) Order 2022”;

3. Requested the City Solicitor to make, seal and implement the above Orders; and

4. Requested the City Solicitor to write to the objectors informing them of the decision taken by the Chief Officer (Highways & Transportation).

The Chief Officer Asset Management & Regeneration:
Has granted approval to purchase the properties, detailed in the Confidential Appendix B, at Market Value as determined by Land & Property and authorise their use as designated Rough Sleeper accommodation, to be managed by Leeds Housing Options.
Has authorised the required expenditure to enable the programme to progress the property acquisitions detailed in Confidential Appendix A. These property acquisitions will be funded from the Council Housing Growth Programme budget, via a combination of Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing and a Homes England grant of £50,000.
Has noted that Executive Board granted Authority to Spend for the programme on 24th July 2019.
Has noted that written approval to bring the properties back into council housing stock was provided by the Chief Officer (Housing) of Communities, Housing & Environment on the:10th May 2022.

The Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation:
a) noted the detail of the highway works described in the section below and shown on plans 733470-LCC-HWT-RA-DR-CH-GA_001 rev P02 & 733470-LCC-HWT-RA-DR-CH-GA_002 rev P02 attached at Appendix 3 of the DC Highways Board Report;

b) gave authority to negotiate the terms of and enter into an agreement with the developer under the provisions of Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980; whereby the works associated with the development are carried out by Leeds City Council, fully funded by the developer;

c) gave authority to negotiate an agreement under Section 8 of the Highways Act 1980 with North Yorkshire City Council to enable Leeds City Council to carry out the works as described;

d) gave authority to incur expenditure of £2,404,878.14 works costs and £522,975.63 staff costs to be fully funded by the developer through the S278 Agreement and Section 106 Contributions;
e) approved the adoption of new highway construction on land shaded red on drawing number 733470-LCC-HWT-RA-DR-CH-MI_001 rev P01 so that it can be added to the Council’s maintenance regime;
f) approved the construction of a new shared footway/cycleway between the proposed northern site access and Sandbeck Lane shown on drawing 733470-LCC-HWT-RA-DR-CH-GA_001 rev P02 under the powers contained under the provisions of section 65(1) of the Highways Act 1980 for shared joint use by pedal cyclists and pedestrians; and
g) authorised the City Solicitor to advertise a Draft Speed Limit Order to reduce the speed limit on B1224 Racecourse Approach to 40mph from south of junction 46 A1(M) to and including the roundabout at the junction with York Road, and if no valid objections are received, to make, seal and implement the Orders as advertised.
If objections are received when advertised these will be reported back to board.

The Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation):
a) a) Noted the detail of the highway works provided in paragraph 1 of this report and as shown on the plan included at Appendix 3 of this report;
b)
c) b) Gave authority to negotiate the terms of and enter into an agreement with the developers under the provisions of Section 278 of the Highways Act 1980; whereby the works associated with the development are carried out by the developer at the developer’s expense under Leeds City Council’s supervision;
d)
e) c) Gave authority to incur capital expenditure of £5,000 staff costs, all to be fully rechargeable to the developer through the Minor Section 278 Agreement. These are subject to estimated costs; and
f)
g) d) Approved the adoption of new highway construction on land hatched in magenta on drawing number Y622 - BPL - 00 - XX - DR - C - 0004 P3 so that it can be added to the Council’s maintenance regime.

The Deputy Director, Social Work and Social Care Services, Adults and Health –

Has approved the authority to spend £470,000 capital for 2022/2023 for the continued delivery of adaptations in private properties which are not eligible for funding through the use of Disabled Facilities Grant.

Has noted that the implementation of this decision would be as soon as the decision is agreed and will be led by the Head of Service, Prevention and Promoting Independence.

The Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Climate Change:
a) Approved Leeds City Council entering into a grant agreement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
b) Approved the injection of £197,928.49 into the capital programme
c) Authorised total expenditure of £197,928.49 to carry out the phase 1 feasibility study

Leeds City Council has been allocated £7,098,648.16 to spend between 1st April 2022 and 30th September 2022.

The Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support gave approval for funding of £150,000 to five advice charities in Leeds who will receive £30,000 each to provide clients on low incomes and in need with support for food, fuel and essential items. The organisations are;
o Citizens Advice Leeds (£30,000)
o Chapeltown Citizens Advice Bureau (£30,000)
o Burmantoft Community Projects (£30,000)
o Gipsil (£30,000)
o Better Leeds Communities (£30,000)

This is a significant operational decision as a direct consequence of an approved Key Decision – Household Support Fund for Leeds ref D55289

The Head of Learning Systems approved the allocation and expenditure of £176,951.87 s106 contributions under capital scheme code 33623/000/000 to carry out a feasibility study to explore options for creating additional primary school places in Wetherby.

The Director of Children and Families has approved the decision to extend the contract for Northpoint Wellbeing Counselling Services in Children’s Centres for parents and carers of young children 0-5 (including antenatal) for a period of 12 months at a cost of £159,969. The extension period will run from 1 July 2022 until 30 June 2023. This is the first of two 12-month extension periods available on the contract.

The Chief Officer Parks and Countryside has approved the procurement strategy to carry out a competitive procurement through YorTender to appoint a contractor to develop an interpretation strategy and improve the interpretation, visitor engagement, education and signage at Home Farm, Temple Newsam.

The City Solicitor has approved the sub-delegation scheme set out as Appendix 1.

The Chief Officer Asset Management and Regeneration has given approval to the terms, as set out in confidential Appendix 2, for:
a) Acquisition of third-party owned land to facilitate highway improvement works required to Armley Gyratory.
b) An assignable call option in favour of the third-party over the Council’s land in the event that the third-party obtains planning permission for an alternative access to their site.
c) Entering into a Non-Disclosure Agreement with the third-party in relation to a report summarising the ground conditions pertaining to the acquisition land.
d) A Deed of Easement to be granted to the third-party to provide them with full access rights between their two parcels of land either side of the gyratory.
e) A Deed of Variation to an existing site compound lease the Council has over the third-party’s land, which shall allow for the acquisition land to be
surrendered from the demise, the introduction of working areas and the
temporary installation of services.

The Chief Digital & Information Officer approved the request for annual renewal of our Microsoft M365 A3 for faculty licences with Phone System bolt on. b) The licence cost for one year is £205,479.18

That following consultation with the relevant Group Whip, and in line with the City Solicitor’s Scheme of Delegation, the Head of Democratic Services / Deputy Head of Democratic Services approve the following appointment:
• Councillor B Flynn be appointed to fill the vacancy on Corporate Governance & Audit Committee.

The Deputy Director, Learning, approved the extension of the one to one tuition contract for Children Looked After – DN367848.

In accordance the delegation agreed by the Annual Council meeting, and following consultation with the West Yorkshire Conservative and Liberal Democrat Group leaders by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council confirmed the name of the Leeds City Council balancing member nomination received from the Conservative Group Leaders, together with the substitute as follows:
• Member: Matthew Robinson. Substitute: Andrew Carter

And the Liberal Democrat Substitute Member (for Councillor Sue Holdsworth from Calderdale Council)
• Councillor Stewart Golton

The Director of Children and Families approved the award of grant agreements for provision of summer transitional projects in support of the Leeds SAFE Taskforce programme. The value of each grant will be between £15,000 and £18,000, with a maximum budget available of £232,000. The agreements shall start in June 2022 and expire 30/09/2022 and will be with the following schools:
a) Bishop Young Church of England Academy
b) Brigshaw High School
c) Corpus Christi Catholic College
d) Garforth Academy
e) John Smeaton Academy
f) Leeds East Academy
g) Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School
h) Temple Learning Academy
i) Temple Moor High School
j) The Cooperative Academy of Schools
k) Trinity Academy Leeds
l) Dixons Academy Chapeltown
m) Leeds City Academy

The council has been approached by the Leeds Hackney carriage Joint Trade Council to add 50p on the fare for hackney carriage journeys in the city.

The council has decided to engage/consult* on the requested fare increase.

Depending on the results of the advertisement/engagement/consultation, the council will implement a second delegated decision to implement the revised fares.

At the request of the Labour Group Whip to amend nominations made at the Annual Meeting of Full Council, the Head of Democratic Services approved the following nominations:

• Councillor Izaak Wilson to be appointed to the vacancy on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee.
• Councillor Jessica Lennox to replace Councillor Izaak Wilson on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Scrutiny Committee.

In accordance with Outside Body Procedure Rules 4.5 (ii) & 4.5 (iii) the Head of Democratic Services approved the following appointments to the Leeds Culture Trust:

• Councillor Jonathan Pryor (Labour)
• Councillor Dan Cohen (Conservative).

The appointments will be reported to the next meeting of the Member Management Committee.