Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the first South (Inner) Area Committee meeting of the new municipal year and invited everyone present to introduce themselves.  In particular, the Chair welcomed to the meeting, Sam Casey, reporter for the Yorkshire Evening Post covering South Leeds.  E-mail sam.casey@ypn.co.uk

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillors Blake and Gabriel declared a personal interest in agenda item 11, South Inner Area Committee Wellbeing Budget, in their capacity as Members of Health for All.  (Minute No. 92 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted by Councillor Iqbal.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th March 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th March 2011 be approved as a correct record.

Minute No. 73 – Proposed Merger for Joseph Priestley College

The Area Management Officer reported that the skills agency supported the proposed merger submission.  The final decision was due to be announced by the Minister later in the month.

Minute No. 74 – Open Forum

A Ward Member reported that discussions were taking place in relation to strengthening the reference to Merlyn Rees at South Leeds Youth Hub.

Minute No. 79 – Dog Control Orders – Phase Two

Andy Beattie, South East Environmental Locality Manager, reported that the next stage of the consultation process was due to start in the summer.

One local resident requested further information on dog enforcement cases in Cross Flatts Park, particularly in view of recent media coverage.  The South East Environmental Locality Manager agreed to report back with further information. 

It was advised that there was a contact telephone number in relation to dog enforcement in South Leeds.  Please contact (0113) 22 24406

(Councillor Driver joined the meeting at 6.32pm during the consideration of this item.)

In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, at the discretion of the Chair a period of up to 10 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair.  No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.

(10 mins discussion)

In accordance with paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

A local resident raised concern about steps in need of repair at Cross Flatts Park.  Councillor Ogilvie agreed to investigate this issue and report back to the Area Committee.

Another local resident raised concern about an empty property on Stratford Terrace, Beeston, which had been neglected and was in need of repair.  The South East Environmental Locality Manager agreed to forward these concerns to the Council’s housing department.

There were also concerns about empty housing in the Hillside area, litter in the gardens, houses boarded up, etc.  It was advised that the Council was in the process of exploring options as part of PFI to improve the area and discussions were ongoing.

A local representative requested information by extended services in relation to the activities fund.  Area Management agreed to report back with relevant information.

(Councillor Davey joined the meeting at 6.40pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive a report from the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) formally notifying Members of the appointment of Councillor G Latty as Chair of North West (Outer) Area Committee, and advising on revisions in respect of the Area Committee Procedure Rules.

(Council Function)

(2.5 mins presentation / 2.5 mins presentation)

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report on the appointment of the Area Committee Chair for 2011/2012 and revisions to Area Committee Procedure Rules.

Extracts taken from the Area Committee Procedure Rules were appended to the report for Members’ information.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That the Area Committee notes the following key points identified within the report:

• That Councillor A Gabriel was elected as Chair of the South (Inner) Area Committee for the duration of the 2011/2012 municipal year by Council at its Annual Meeting on 26^th May 2011;
• The revised arrangements for the annual election of Area Committee Chairs, as approved by Council on the 26^th May 2011 and as reflected within the amended Area Committee Procedure Rules
• The revision to Area Committee Procedure Rule 6.7, as approved by Council on the 26^th May 2011, which now requires the minutes from the Area Chairs’ meetings to be formally considered by Area Committees.

To receive and consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) providing the Area Committee with a summary of the Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the approved Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12, be noted.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with a summary of the Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  A summary of the delegated functions and priority advisory functions for Area Committees for 2011/12

-  Details of the delegated functions and priority advisory functions for Area Committees for 2011/12.

Tom O’Donovan, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the approved Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12, be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Leader presenting a proposal to replace the Area Committee’s Area Delivery Plan with a new annual Business Plan.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That an annual Business Plan be approved to replace the Area Delivery Plan and incorporate Community Engagement planning and actions.

(c)  That the contents and structure outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved

(d)  That the Area Management Team continues to develop a Business Plan for the South (Inner) Area Committee and provides an update at the next meeting.

The South East Area Leader submitted a report which presented a proposal to replace the Area Committee’s Area Delivery Plan with a new annual Business Plan.

Appended to the report was a copy of the draft structure for the new annual Business Plan.

Tom O’Donovan, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the key points of discussion were:

• The importance of involvement from local community organisations and key agencies in supporting the work of the Business Plan.
• Developing the work of the citizen’s panel and ensuring a consistent approach across the city.
• The need to extend the Business Plan beyond 2011/12 – it was suggested that a 3-5 year Business Plan was more appropriate.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That an annual Business Plan be approved to replace the Area Delivery Plan and incorporate Community Engagement planning and actions.

(c)  That the contents and structure outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved

(d)  That the Area Management Team continues to develop a Business Plan for the South (Inner) Area Committee and provides an update at the next meeting.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Leader presenting details of proposed projects and activities to deliver local actions relating to the agreed themes and outcomes of the Area Delivery Plan (ADP).

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital wellbeing budgets, be noted;

(b)  That the following decisions be made in relation to the wellbeing funding proposals which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:

• Community Sports – Summer Multi-Sports Camp – £4,600 (£1,533 from each Ward) – Approved;
• Health for All (Wednesday in the Woods (summer activity programme) – £2,855 revenue (£1,427.50 from Middleton Park Ward, £713.75 from Beeston and Holbeck and City & Hunslet Wards) – Approved;
• Fayre Care for Christmas – Christmas Hamper Distribution – £1,500 revenue (£500 from each Ward) – Approved;
• ASHA Neighbourhood Project – Asha Pre-School – £4,762 (City and Hunslet Ward) – Approved in principle, subject to further consultation with Ward Members.

The South East Area Leader submitted a report which updated Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget, advised the Area Committee of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invited Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals, as detailed within the report.

Tom O’Donovan, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital wellbeing budgets, be noted;

(b)  That the following decisions be made in relation to the wellbeing funding proposals which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:

• Community Sports – Summer Multi-Sports Camp – £4,600 (£1,533 from each Ward) – Approved;
• Health for All (Wednesday in the Woods (summer activity programme) – £2,855 revenue (£1,427.50 from Middleton Park Ward, £713.75 from Beeston and Holbeck and City & Hunslet Wards) – Approved;
• Fayre Care for Christmas – Christmas Hamper Distribution – £1,500 revenue (£500 from each Ward) – Approved;
• ASHA Neighbourhood Project – Asha Pre-School – £4,762 (City and Hunslet Ward) – Approved in principle, subject to further consultation with Ward Members.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update on progress towards the delegation of certain environmental services to Area Committees, as well as information relating to the current review of street cleansing services.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided an update on progress towards the delegation of certain environmental services to Area Committees, as well as information in relation to the current review of street cleansing services.

Andy Beattie, South East Environmental Locality Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• Concern that resources were too heavily focused on hotspot areas.
• Developing an integrated approach to tackling waste, involvement of key agencies and community groups, etc.
• Encouraging residents to take more personal responsibility.
• Key involvement of children and young people – good practice in Germany in relation to recycling.
• The importance of incentives – it was reported that the current cost to the Council of clean ups in South Leeds was approximately £2m per annum.
• Concerns that there were some inconsistencies in relation to mechanical street sweeping of some routes.
• Undertaking joint working with local businesses and making them aware of their responsibilities.
• Confirmation that the planned collaborative approach was likely to commence in early July.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted, which includes the intention to submit, for approval, a full Service Level Agreement to the September meeting.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Leader detailing work by the Area Management Team on key priorities in the inner south area of Leeds since the last Area Committee meeting.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That Councillors Davey, Driver and Gabriel be appointed to serve on the Community Centres Sub-Committee

(c)  That Councillor Gabriel be appointed Chair of the Community Centres Sub Committee

(d)  That the terms of reference for the Community Centres Sub Committee, be approved

(e)  That Councillors Driver, Iqbal and Ogilvie be appointed to serve on the Environmental Co-ordination Sub Group

(f)  That Councillor Ogilvie be appointed Chair of the Environmental Co-ordination Sub Group

(g)  That Councillor Ogilvie be confirmed as the Environmental Champion

(h)  That the terms of reference for the Environmental Co-ordination Sub Group, be approved.

The Area Committee considered a report from the South East Area Leader which detailed work by the Area Management Team on key priorities in the inner south area of Leeds since the last Area Committee meeting.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Minutes of the Inner South Community Centres Sub-Committee held on 4^th October 2010

-  Inner South Community Centre Sub Committee Terms of Reference

-  Inner South Environmental Co-ordination Sub Group Terms of Reference.

Tom O’Donovan, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That Councillors Davey, Driver and Gabriel be appointed to serve on the Community Centres Sub-Committee

(c)  That Councillor Gabriel be appointed Chair of the Community Centres Sub Committee

(d)  That the terms of reference for the Community Centres Sub Committee, be approved

(e)  That Councillors Driver, Iqbal and Ogilvie be appointed to serve on the Environmental Co-ordination Sub Group

(f)  That Councillor Ogilvie be appointed Chair of the Environmental Co-ordination Sub Group

(g)  That Councillor Ogilvie be confirmed as the Environmental Champion

(h)  That the terms of reference for the Environmental Co-ordination Sub Group, be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) on Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report which outlined the procedure relating to local authority appointments to outside bodies and invited Members to consider making appointments to those outside bodies detailed within the report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted;

(b)  That approval be given to the following Outside Body appointments being made for the 2011/2012 municipal year:

·  Corporate Carers Group – Councillor Driver

• Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid – Councillor Blake
• Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation – Councillors Blake and Driver
• HolbeckElderly Aid – Councillor Ogilvie
• Middleton Elderly Aid – Councillor Groves
• Inner South ALMO Area Panel (Aire Valley Homes Leeds) – Councillors Iqbal and Ogilvie
• Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Councillor Groves
• Area Children’s Partnership – Councillor Gabriel
• Area Health and Social Care Partnership – Councillor Groves
• Area Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership – Councillor Driver.

Wednesday, 21^st September 2011

(Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds, L1 1UR)

Tuesday, 8^th November 2011

(Belle Isle Family Centre, St John and Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG)

Wednesday, 11^th January 2012

(Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR)

Tuesday, 7^th February 2012

(To be confirmed)

Wednesday, 21^st March 2012

(To be confirmed)

(All meetings to commence at 6.30 pm.)

One Member requested swapping the venues of the September and November meetings, as it was felt that the Civic Hall was more accessible during the winter months.  Area Management agreed to check available bookings and report back.

Wednesday, 21^st September 2011

(Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR)

Tuesday, 8^th November 2011

(Belle Isle Family Centre, St John and Barnabas Church, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG)

Wednesday, 11^th January 2012

(Leeds Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR)

Tuesday, 7^th February 2012

(To be confirmed)

Wednesday, 21^st March 2012

(To be confirmed)

(All meetings to commence at 6.30 pm.)

(The meeting concluded at 8.20 pm.)