Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room A, Wellington House, Leeds. View directions

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Rebecca Burnett, Helen Douglas, Denise Jeffrey, Andrew Lee, Peter McBride, Roy Miller and Alex Ross-Shaw and Jacqui Gedman, Andrew Latchmore and Matthew Walker.

2.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

Minutes:

There were no pecuniary interests declared by members at the meeting.

3.

Exempt Information - Exclusion of the press and public

Minutes:

There were no items on the agenda requiring exclusion of the press and public.

4.

Governance arrangements pdf icon PDF 118 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report on the governance arrangements for the Place Panel which is a new advisory committee.

 

The Terms of Reference were attached at Appendix 1 and it was noted that the Panel’s functions would cover those previously carried out by the Land and Assets Panel and the Planning Portfolios Board. The Panel would promote quality of place in the Leeds City Region.

 

Resolved: That the governance arrangements for the Place Panel be noted.

5.

Chair's Update

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed members to the first meeting of the Panel.

 

It was noted that the Panel had held a workshop on 2 October 2018 and the following key points were discussed:

 

·         What makes great places and the need to identify good examples and case studies.

·         The need to keep up to date with the Local Plan positions across the City Region.

 

The Chair highlighted that meetings will be held quarterly and proposed that in the event the Panel identify issues/topics for further discussions it may be beneficial for additional workshops to be arranged.

6.

Leeds City Region Housing Vision pdf icon PDF 134 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report which sought endorsement of the Leeds City Region Housing Vision.

 

In discussing the key themes of the Vision, which was attached at Appendix 1, it was acknowledged that:

 

·         There was a need to build on existing Partnerships.

·         Transport was key to connect neighbourhoods and to unlock sites.

·         The target of 65’000 new homes over the next 5 years was required to support economic growth.

 

Members discussed the percentage of Affordable Housing within the new homes target, the option of Modular Builds and whether there was an appetite for these. It was noted that there are recent instances of some house builders buying their supply chain to expedite delivery of new homes.

 

It was reported that Councillor Swift, the Chair of the Panel, had been invited to present a keynote speech at the Brownfield Redevelopment: North Conference on 7 November 2018. It was considered that this would provide an opportunity to include and reference the Housing Vision in the presentation.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)           That the Leeds City Region Housing Vision be endorsed.

 

(ii)          That the Housing Vision be included and referenced in the presentation to the Brownfield Redevelopment: North Conference on 7 November 2018.

 

7.

Leeds City Region Strategic Sites Pipeline pdf icon PDF 112 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report on the Leeds City Region Strategic Sites Pipeline.

 

It was noted that the report will be a ‘live’ document and would be updated and used as a tool to monitor the delivery of the pipeline. A copy of the pipeline was attached at Appendix 1 and this had been developed with input from all the Leeds City Region districts.

 

The pipeline list will track investments in the pipeline and explore gaps in resource where delivery can be assisted. It identifies those sites which are strategic in nature and which require additional investment or resource to expedite delivery.

 

It was proposed that 6 monthly updates and an annual monitoring report be prepared for future meetings of the Panel.

 

Resolved:

 

(i)           That the detail of the Leeds City Region Strategic Sites Pipeline report be noted.

 

(ii)          That six monthly updates and an annual monitoring report be brought to future meetings of the Panel.

8.

Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan pdf icon PDF 292 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the Leeds City Region Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan.

 

Members discussed the report and its appendices and it was noted that:

 

·         Different technologies were being considered.

·         There was still a need for site surveys.

·         Local Planning rules and regulations still took precedence.

·         The Paris Climate Change CO2 emissions target (2%) was now superseded by the IPCC Report (1.5%).

·         Existing projects and Government initiatives met over 60% of the target.

·         Further investment will be required to meet targets.

 

The Panel endorsed the Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan and recognised the importance of having a strategy in place. They were supportive of setting a Science-based carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction target for the City Region. It was requested that a report on the development of the setting of the reduction target be brought to a future meeting. The following additional comments were made:

 

·         What it would entail to bridge the gap between the Paris and IPCC targets and should the Combined Authority be ambitious by adopting the 1.5% target.

·         There is a need for an increased uptake of Green Energy tariffs from wholesalers and perhaps councils leading by example.

·         There should be a use of existing supply chains where possible.

·         Why was wind energy not identified.

·         There is a risk associated with the investment in competing energies of hydrogen and electric.

·         These energies are being explored on both a regional and national level by suppliers and transport providers.

·         The number of projects in the report presented a significant challenge, both in terms of new builds and more notably in retro-fitting existing properties.

 

It was reported that the Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan would be considered by the LEP Board and Combined Authority.

 

Resolved:    

 

(i)           That the contents of the Energy Strategy and Delivery Plan be noted.

 

(ii)          That a report on the development of a carbon dioxide emission reduction target be brought to a future meeting.

9.

Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Plan pdf icon PDF 130 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the development of the Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Plan.

 

Members discussed the plan which had been developed following the Boxing Day floods 2015 and a copy was attached to the report. It was recognised that post-Brexit support for an agricultural and environment policy was important and the need to work with partners and Yorkshire Water was highlighted.

 

The need to secure resource to deliver the plan was acknowledged and further work will be undertaken in respect of the financial and staffing implications.

 

It was reported that the Green and Blue Strategy and Delivery Plan would be considered by the LEP Board and Combined Authority.

 

Resolved:     That the Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy and Delivery Plan be noted.

10.

Statement of Common Ground and Strategic Planning Review pdf icon PDF 159 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report on the Statement of Common Ground and Strategic Planning Review.

 

Members discussed the draft Leeds City Region Statement of Common Ground and Leeds City Region Planning Review Recommendations which were attached as Appendices 1 and 2 to the submitted report.

 

It was noted that the Statement of Common Ground was designed to reflect strategic cross-boundary planning matters and that local planning authorities were working together. The Strategic Planning Review had been updated to reflect changing governance arrangements and progress made in respect of cross-boundary working. Details of the key changes were outlined in the submitted report and the Panel was advised that these had been endorsed by Leeds City Region Heads of Planning and Directors of Development.

 

Resolved:    

 

(i)        That the Statement of Common Ground be endorsed and recommended to the Combined Authority for approval.

(ii)       That the Strategic Planning Review be endorsed and recommended to the Combined Authority for approval.

11.

Duty to Cooperate pdf icon PDF 174 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report on the Duty to Cooperate.

 

The meeting was attended by Neville Ford, Wakefield Council’s Service Manager, Planning and Transportation Policy who presented a report which provided an update on the preparation of the Wakefield District Local Plan 2036. This set out the activities Wakefield Council is undertaking as the plan progresses to discharge its responsibilities under the Duty to Cooperate.

 

It was noted that the need to plan was key to Inclusive Economic Growth and there was support from all members to improve place.

 

The Panel welcomed the document and endorsed the approach to the Duty to cooperate. Members were asked to provide any comments in respect of the Strategic Issues Table which was attached to the report by 30 November 2018.

 

Resolved:    

 

(i)        That the approach to the Duty to Cooperate be endorsed.

 

(ii)       That comments in respect of the Strategic Issues Table attached at Appendix 1 be provided by 30 November 2018.

12.

One Public Estate (Phase 7) Invitation to Apply pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report on the One Public Estate (Phase 7) Invitation to Apply.

 

Members were informed that the invitation to apply for One Public Estate (OPE) Phase 7 funding was released on 28 September 2018 with a deadline for submissions by 30 November 2018.

 

The Panel agreed that the Combined Authority work with district partners that wish to apply for Phase 7 funding and that the Combined Authority co-ordinate the funding application.

 

It was agreed that the Chair of Place Panel, with the Leeds City Region Chief Executive Lead for Housing and Planning and the Combined Authority’s Managing Director approve the final bid application by the OPE partnership by the submission deadline.

 

Resolved:    

 

(i)           That the Combined Authority work with One Public Estate district partners that wish to apply for Phase 7 funding and that the Combined Authority co-ordinate the funding application.

 

(ii)          That the Chair of the Place Panel, in liaison with the Leeds City Region Lead for Housing and Planning and the Combined Authority’s Managing Director, agree the final application for endorsement and submission by the Combined Authority by the submission deadline.

13.

Homes England Update pdf icon PDF 107 KB

Verbal update from Homes England representative

Minutes:

Dilys Jones provided the Panel with a verbal update on Homes England (HE) investment programmes which support delivery of new homes in the Leeds City Region.

 

It was noted that:

 

·         In total over £30m was invested by HE in the City Region 2017/18. Delivering over 1000 starts and 1083 completions.

·         HE expects a minimum spend of £27.4m in 2018/19 in a number of programmes including Affordable Housing 2016-21, Land Investment and Housing Infrastructure Funding bids.

·         Rental housing was back on the agenda as a means to provide affordable housing in the North.

·         Funding was available for providing homes for older and vulnerable people.

·         There had been land transfer issues but HE was not interested in ownership and instead aimed to unlock land for development.

 

The ability of Housing Associations to be flexible and to provide mixed tenure schemes was noted together with the lack of housing renewal programmes to respond to viability issues on challenging sites and schemes.

 

Resolved:     That the Homes England update be noted.

14.

Governance arrangements for the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zones Programme pdf icon PDF 145 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report on the proposed change to Governance arrangements for the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone Programme.

 

The report provided an overview of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone programme which includes two Enterprise Zone (EZ) designations, comprising of ten sites.

 

It was noted that in 2016 the Combined Authority had set up a Strategic Oversight Board which was responsible for establishing a shared vision for the Enterprise Zones but this did not have decision making capacity. The Combined Authority has identified the need to prioritise the accelerated delivery of the EZ programme and a review of governance arrangements had been undertaken to ensure there was a structure able to make strategic and operational decisions.

 

Members discussed the proposed governance structure which was outlined in the submitted report. They endorsed the recommendations but stressed the importance of the Panel and LEP board being provided with progress reports. It was reported that the arrangements would be formalised by the LEP Board and the Combined Authority.

 

Resolved:    

 

(i)           That the Strategic Oversight Board will no longer convene.

 

(ii)          That the changes to the EZ governance arrangements as outlined in the submitted report be introduced informally and with immediate effect with updates provided to the relevant Combined Authority Panels/Committees as follows with the intention of formalising the arrangements:

 

·         LEP Board – 22 November 2018

·         Combined Authority – 13 December 2018

 

(iii)         That notification of the changes agreed and implemented are reported to the Government’s Cities and Local Growth Unit in line with the obligations stated within the Memorandum of Understanding.

 

(iv)         That in response to the Panel’s request it was agreed that programme level updates would be provided regularly to the LEP Board.

 

 

FOR INFORMATION

15.

Local Plan Update pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Panel considered a report which provided an update on the progress and status of the Leeds City Region development plans.

 

It was noted that all partner councils except York have a development plan in place and it was suggested that it would be useful to have a workshop to consider the progress of each districts plans.

 

Resolved:     The Panel noted the Local Plan Update.

16.

Forward Plan pdf icon PDF 50 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:     That the Forward Plan be noted.

17.

Minutes of the meeting of the Land and Assets Panel held on 20 April 2018 pdf icon PDF 115 KB

Minutes:

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting of the Land and Assets Panel held on 20 April 2018 be noted.

18.

Date of the next meeting - 31 January 2019