Decisions

Further to Minute No. 36 of the meeting of full Council held on 14 September 2021, the Director of City Development and the Director of Communities, Environment and Housing submitted a joint report providing information on how the Council was responding to the issues arising from the proposed redevelopment of the privately owned housing estate at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive, Oulton.

In considering the report, and in response to comments and concerns raised, the Board discussed / received further details on the following:-

-  the actions taken to date, and which continued to be taken to support those on Assured Shorthold Tenancies and in receipt of ‘no fault’ evictions, and in the longer term, the proposals for further action as detailed within the submitted report, which aimed to secure new build affordable housing provision on the site;

-  the length of time in which the matter had been ongoing;

-  the role of the Council and that of the site owner / landlord;

-  the number of ‘no fault’ evictions issued across the city in recent years.

In noting that a recommendation within the report proposed the submission of a further report to the Board in due course, responding to a Member’s enquiry, it was undertaken that the future report would provide further details on the actions being taken to support affected residents. 

Following consideration of Appendix 2 to the submitted report designated as being exempt from publication under the provisions of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the public part of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Council’s offer of support from Housing Leeds to tenants of the Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive estate to support them in securing alternative housing where they may be at risk of homelessness following no-fault evictions, be noted and supported;

(b)  That the Council’s further engagement with the Housing Association as identified in exempt Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be supported, with a view to maximising the affordable housing that could be delivered at Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive through the application of pooled commuted sums or other resources as may be identified and agreed by the Directors in consultation with the Executive Member for ‘Infrastructure and Climate’ and the Executive Member for ‘Resources’;

(c)  That the options considered as detailed within the submitted report, be noted; and that the potential for the Council to directly acquire homes in the completed development as outlined in paragraph 47.3 of the submitted report and/or use commuted sums to secure the delivery of additional affordable housing alongside a local lettings policy for the benefit of tenants rehoused from the estate, as outlined in paragraphs 48.1 - 48.4, be supported;

(d)  That an update on the progress made in taking forward the preferred approach, as outlined in the submitted report, be provided, with a further report requiring any subsequent decisions on the use of resources to support the detailed proposals, be brought to Executive Board in due course, which also provides further details of the actions being taken to support affected residents.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor S Golton required it to be recorded that he abstained from voting on the decisions referred to within this minute)

Further to Minute No. 55, 22^nd September 2021, the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report on the three-yearly review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy. The report presented the proposed final policy for consideration, included the outcomes from the associated consultation exercises undertaken and recommended that the Policy be referred to Full Council for consideration and adoption.

Responding to a Member’s specific enquiry about a licensed organisation’s failure to effectively implement its anti-money laundering and safer gambling policies, and the Council, as the Licensing Authority not being informed of such matters, the Board was assured that liaison was taking place with the Gambling Commission and the organisation involved to ensure that an appropriate protocol was in place moving forward.  In addition, responding to a request, it was undertaken that Members of the Licensing Committee would be briefed on such matters, and that the Executive Board Member in question would also be offered a separate briefing.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the final draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as appended, which includes the outcomes from the statutory consultation exercise and any comments/recommendations from Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities), be noted;

(b)  That the final draft of the Statement of Licensing Policy, as appended to the submitted report, be referred to Full Council with a recommendation for its adoption.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)

The Chief Officer, Financial Services, submitted a report which presented an update on the financial health of the Authority in respect of both the General Fund revenue budget and the Housing Revenue Account as at month 5 of the 2021/22 financial year.

Members discussed the projected overspend in respect of Waste Management services, as detailed within the report, with a specific request for a report to be submitted to a future Board meeting which addressed related financial and operational matters. In response, the request was noted and it was undertaken that information on such matters would be brought forward.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the projected financial position of the Authority, as at the end of Month 5 (August) of the 2021/22 financial year, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted, together with the projected impact of COVID-19 on that position;

(b)  That for 2021/22, it be noted that the Authority is forecasting an overspend of £1.087m, as at the end of August 2021;

(c)  That it be noted that the position as detailed within the submitted report does not reflect the potential effects of any further local or national lockdown arrangements on these financial projections, or any potential additional costs arising from the current 2021/22 pay negotiations.

The Director of Resources submitted a report which sought the Board’s agreement in principle to the replacement of the Best Council Plan with a more externally facing and partnership focused City Ambition from February 2022. The report also provided the context for such proposals and set out the required approval pathway for that change.

In presenting the proposals within the report, the Leader highlighted how the Best City Ambition would aim to work more collaboratively with partner organisations across Leeds and build upon the positive learning and stronger relationships which had been developed in response to the pandemic.

The Board noted the comments made during the discussion, which included suggestions regarding the need for communities of Leeds, partner organisations and Members to be involved in the formation and delivery of the aims of the Best City Ambition, and that future reports on the Ambition consider how it would deliver those stronger relationships between the Council and its partners.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the principle of replacing the Best Council Plan with a City Ambition, be endorsed;

(b)  That it be noted that General Purposes Committee (GPC) will receive a report which recommends that GPC endorses the necessary amendments to the Budget and Policy Framework, and refers such matters to Full Council for approval;

(c)  That agreement be given for Executive Board to receive a report in December 2021 which presents initial proposals and a draft City Ambition.

Executive Board will be asked to:

a)  Agree to the adoption and publication of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy and first Action Plan 2021-24.

b)  Accept an annual progress report of the Strategy and Action Plan

c)  Agree that the Director of City Development alongside the Chief Officer Highways and Transportation will lead on implementing the delivery of the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy and Action Plan.

d)  Note that the future Action Plans beyond 2024 will require greater levels of funding and more stringent policies to achieve the targets as set out in the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy. 

Further to Minute No. 104, 16 December 2020, the Director of City Development submitted a report presenting the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy, Executive Summary and associated Action Plan for 2021-24 which set out the vision for Leeds’ transport provision and infrastructure during that period. Specifically, the report sought the Board’s approval for the adoption and publication of those documents following the extensive consultation and engagement exercise which had been undertaken during 2021.

In considering the report, Members discussed a range of issues, including:-

-  The associated consultation process which had been undertaken, the range of actions within that and the level of response received;

-  The ambitious nature of the strategy and its deliverability in the timeframes presented;

-  The range of net zero carbon emission targets nationally, regionally and for Leeds, together with ongoing national transportation discussions, and the delivery of the strategy alongside such matters;

-  The timing of the strategy and the need for action to be taken at the earliest opportunity;

-  The need to ensure that the strategy reflected people’s adapted ways of living and working as a result of the pandemic, and the importance for the strategy to understand and provide for the bespoke needs of each community across the city. Also, Members received further information on the intention for the Council to continue to engage with communities on such matters;

-  Members paid tribute to the work of the Highways and Transportation services for the work they continued to undertake in challenging circumstances. Members also discussed the capacity of the relevant services within the Council to deliver the aims of the strategy and the actions being taken where possible to increase such capacity;

-  The importance for all partners, businesses and members of the community to fully engage with the aims of the strategy, in order to ensure that the required ‘step change’ was made;

-  The Board discussed the impact of road works, with further detail being provided on the logistical considerations given to such works, the range of reasons why they were required, often in restricted timeframes, and the approach taken to co-ordinate such works and minimise impact wherever possible.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the adoption and publication of the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy and first Action Plan 2021-24, as appended to the submitted report, be agreed;

(b)  That an annual progress report on the Strategy and Action Plan be submitted to the Board at the appropriate time;

(c)  That agreement be given for the Director of City Development alongside the Chief Officer (Highways and Transportation) to lead on implementing the delivery of the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy and Action Plan;

(d)  That it be noted that the future Action Plans beyond 2024 will require greater levels of funding to achieve the targets as set out within the ‘Connecting Leeds’ Transport Strategy.

Further to Minute No. 58, 21 October 2020, the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report which provided an update on the delivery of migration activity in Leeds and which provided information on key migration population trends and the responses to national policy changes, together with details of the activities undertaken across the Council to support new and emerging communities.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member highlighted her desire for the issue of migration to once again be added to the relevant Scrutiny Board work programme next year, should the Scrutiny Board and its Chair be agreeable. The Executive Member thanked the migration programme team for their continued work in this area, and also highlighted a forthcoming and related training session being delivered for Elected Members.

Responding to a specific enquiry, the Board was provided with details of the actions being taken with Children and Families to identify local school places for those recent Afghan migrants of school age who were residing in Leeds.

Reference was made to the provision of data relating to trends of outward migration from Leeds and it was undertaken that such information would be provided to the Member in question.

Responding to an enquiry regarding the provision of appropriate and permanent accommodation for Afghan migrants coming into Leeds, the Board received an update on the current position and the liaison which continued with the Home Office and Migration Yorkshire to provide such accommodation.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the appended update overview, be noted; and that the approach adopted within the Council’s strategic, co-ordinated and inclusive approach towards migration for Leeds, as detailed, be endorsed;

(b)  That it be noted that the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment is responsible for leading this work through the Council’s Stronger Communities Programme;

(c)  That it be noted that the Chief Officer for Safer, Stronger Communities is responsible for leading the work of the Leeds Strategic Migration Board which oversees the delivery of the strategic, co-ordinated and inclusive approach towards migration in Leeds, together with the work of the Council’s Migration team which provides strategic and operational direction for the city;

(d)  That agreement be given for the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment to write to the Home Office requesting the establishment of improved communication structures between Government and the Local Authority in order to ensure that the effectiveness of the support provided is maximised and that Leeds’ experience and expertise is fully utilised;

(e)  That approval be given for a further annual report on migration activity in Leeds to be submitted to the Board at the appropriate time.

Further to Minute No. 26, 23 June 2021, the Director of Children and Families submitted a report which provided a further update on the ‘Thriving: The Child Poverty Strategy for Leeds’ and the work which continued to be undertaken as part of the strategy, including actions in response to issues arising from the pandemic. Specifically, the report provided an update on each of the strategy’s workstreams in terms of recent activities, outcomes and next steps.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member provided an update regarding the current position with regard to child poverty in Leeds, together with further details on actions being undertaken as part of each of the workstreams within the strategy.

Responding to a question regarding the application of the Household Support Grant, the Board was advised that a proportion of the funding would be used for the provision of free school meals during holiday periods, which would apply across the city. Parallel to that, it was noted that there was a range of criteria which would need to be adhered to when allocating the funding in other areas. It was noted that such criteria was being worked through and that further details would be provided to Members in the near future.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, the Board was provided with further information on the actions being taken to mitigate against the impact of child poverty linked with housing provision and the quality of accommodation. 

In discussing the report and in welcoming the data within it, a suggestion was made that in future the update report further reflected upon and evaluated the services being provided in this area to demonstrate the impact being made. Also, in highlighting the crucial role played by Children’s Centres across Leeds, it was undertaken that future reports would reference the work of the Children’s Centres moving forward.

Members discussed the definition of poverty, as detailed within the report.

Reference was made to the recent Children’s Services Ofsted Inspection which had been undertaken, with a brief update being provided on the actions being taken in response to the inspection’s recommendations.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the strategic framework in place to mitigate against the impact of child poverty, together with the work being undertaken by the Council and other partners in the key areas of activity, as detailed within the submitted report, be endorsed;

(b)  That the need to promote the work of the ‘Thriving’ strategy across the city and in particular in each respective Member’s portfolio in order to highlight the impact of poverty on children and their families, be acknowledged;

(c)  That it be noted that the responsible officer for such matters is the Head of Workforce Development and Change.

To give approval to procure a contract for the supply of vehicle parts.

The Director of Resources approved the authority to procure a contract for the supply of vehicle parts for Fleet Services repairs and maintenance.

The director of resources:

·  Approved Leeds City Council to enter into a revised memorandum of understanding with the department for business energy and industrial strategy to draw down and spend the additional £950,822 green homes grant local authority delivery phase 1b funding on energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to homes in the Leeds area

·  Authorised total expenditure of £950,822 on energy efficiency improvements to 107 private sector homes.

·  Waived the call-in period for this decision

The Director of Resources:

·  Approved Leeds City Council to enter into a revised memorandum of understanding with the department for business energy and industrial strategy to draw down and spend the additional £950,822 green homes grant local authority delivery phase 1b funding on energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to homes in the Leeds area

·  Authorised total expenditure of £950,822 on energy efficiency improvements to 107 private sector homes.

·  Waived the call-in period for this decision

The Council is seeking to award a contract to enforcement agents for the collection of debt relating to unpaid traffic penalties

The Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory approved the use of the YPO Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) 953 entitled Provision of Enforcement Agent Services for the procurement of a contract for the recovery of unpaid parking penalties.

Waste Management has a statutory requirement to replace domestic waste and recycling wheeled bins when they become damaged, lost or reach the end of their working life, and to provide new bins when new services are implemented.  Due to the number of wheeled bins in use across the city the cost of this replacement service has been capitalised for a number of years.

Waste Management provides a network of 700+ glass recycling banks across Leeds. When these banks become damaged or reach the end of their working life they need to be replaced in order to comply with safety requirements (LOLER).

The previous bin replacement capital programme (Scheme 12594) totalling £5.67m is now fully spent. A new replacement wheeled bin capital programme is now required. This is recommended for the next 10 years at a cost of £4.8M

A replacement glass recycling bank capital programme is also required. This is recommended for the next 10 years at a cost of £200K. There was no previous capital scheme covering these costs.

To use Above Threshold Open tendering process as the procurement route to appoint contractors across 9 lots. The contract commencement will be approximately March 2022 for a duration of 4 years with an option to extend for a further 4 x 12 months.

In accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules 3.1.7, the Director of Resources approved the use of Above Threshold Open tendering process as the procurement route to appoint contractors across 9 lots. The contract commencement will be approximately March 2022 for a duration of 4 years with an option to extend for a further 4 x 12 months.

Approval of the acquisition of mines & minerals interests from a third party in east Leeds. The total expenditure will be more than £500,000.

The Director of City Development has given approval to acquire mines and minerals interests under Council owned land in East Leeds as set out in this report.

The Director of City Development has also given approval to the payment for the compulsory acquisition of land and property interests in relation to East Leeds Orbital Route as set out in this report.

Decisions include approval to receive traded income and reimburse schools and academies for time and expertise associated with providing school to school support through the Leading Learning Partnership (LLP).

Other decisions, which are not Key but will be included in the same decision report are approval to invoke Contract Procedure Rule 7.2 to procure services from Huntington Research School without competition; and approval to hire venues by way of Contract Procedure rule 7.2.

The Director of Children and Families approved the following decisions associated with providing school to school support through the LLP for the period 01/04/2021 to 31/03/2026:

•  receive traded income of £118,785 per annum for the 11-19 Learning Improvement Team to facilitate the network and reimburse schools and academies to the value of £42,050 per annum for the time and expertise of Learning and Teaching Specialists (LTSs) and one CEIAG lead professional.

•  invoke Contract Procedure Rule 7.2 to procure services from Huntington Research School without competition up to the value of £1,500 per annum.

•  procure venues, usually school conference facilities, at an estimated cost of £2,000 per annum invoking Contract Procedure Rule 7.2

Expansion of ‘West Oaks SEN Specialist School and College’ from 350 pupils to 500 pupil with effect from September 2021.  The capital project required to achieve this will utilise the former Rose Court facility and, following refurbishment and conversion of the Grade II listed building, form a new SEN school.  This will be known as Headingley Learning and will be West Oaks third campus for the wider school.

The Director of Children & Families agreed to:

a)  Approve the expenditure of £9,767,967 from capital scheme number 33177/RCT/000 for the sufficiency works at West Oaks School to create the ‘Headingley Learning’ Campus.  Noting that this figure includes the tender sum in addition to all ancillary costs, for example, consultancy fees, surveys, furniture & equipment, ICT provision, client held contingency etc. It does not include any costs associated with purchase of the site.

b)  Authorise acceptance of the tender submitted by the Leeds Local Education Partnership, via Henry Boot Construction Ltd, in the sum of £7,324,441.  Noting that this is inclusive of all contract side design and development fees, including the previously approved sum of £1,360,365 necessary to undertake the ‘Early Works’ programme (DDN D54051, D54409 and D54531).

c)  Sanction the requirement to enter into a contractual agreement with D&B One Co. to deliver the West Oaks School ‘Headingley Learning’ sufficiency works.  This will take the form of a JCT contract between the Authority and Leeds D&B One Ltd. for the sum of £7,324,441. 

d)  Note that the programme dates identified in section 51 of this report, in relation to the implementation of this decision, represents the critical path for delivery of the project.