Agenda and minutes

Venue: Stanningley Amateur Rugby Football Club, Coal Hill Drive, Leeds, LS13 1PA

Contact: Debbie Oldham 0113 395 1712 

Items
No. Item

Community Committee Workshop - Parks and Greenspaces

The Inner West Community Committee held a workshop on parks and greenspaces in the Inner West area.

 

Councillor Gruen, Chair of the Inner West Community Committee welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the topic for discussion.

 

Attendees had the choice of four workshops to attend Play, Parks, Volunteering and Kirkstall Valley Park. The members of the committee and members of the public in attendance had the opportunity to attend two of the four workshops.

 

A range of lively discussions took place. The outcomes of which will be fed into a future Environment Sub Group.

 

 

 

 

FORMAL COMMUNITY COMMITTEE BUSINESS

29.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

 

 

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

Minutes:

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

30.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2 To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3 If the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-‘

 

Minutes:

There were no exempt items.

31.

Late Items

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

 

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

Minutes:

There were no late items.

32.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

 

 

Minutes:

No declarations of pecuniary interest were made.

33.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hanley and Yeadon.

34.

Open Forum / Community Forums

In accordance with Paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community 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 Community 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.

Minutes:

In accordance with paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community 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 Community Committee. This period 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.

 

On this occasion, none of the members of public in attendance chose to speak.

35.

Minutes of the previous meeting - 8th October 2014 pdf icon PDF 72 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8th October 2014.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 8th October 2014 were approved as a correct record.

 

36.

Matters Arising pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To note any matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

Minute No. 25 Wellbeing Update Report

In relation to an enquiry from Armley Members to ascertain when Armley Ward would receive back capital funding from the demolition and sale of the old New Wortley Liberal Club.

 

Members were informed that the council is currently in the process of applying for outline planning permission for the development of the site. If planning is approved Armley Ward will be due a refund of £29,500 capital funds once the sale has gone through.

 

 

Minute No. 25 Wellbeing Update Report

To look at match funding for the Youth Activities Fund from Clusters.

 

A review of the Youth Activities Fund is currently underway by the Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Board. This will include analysis of various funding arrangements city wide. Following the conclusion of the enquiring further work will be carried out in Inner West to look at match funding opportunities.

 

 

37.

Parks and Countryside Annual Report pdf icon PDF 609 KB

The report of the Chief Officer Parks and Countryside provides an area profile of key assets and services provided in the West Inner area. It details capital improvements in community parks, sport pitches and fixed play in the area for the last 12 months and planned improvements to be delivered in the next 12 months

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Bereavement Services Manager presented the report of the Chief Officer Parks and Countryside.

 

The report provided an area of key assets and services provided in the Inner West area.

 

The report detailed capital improvements in the community parks, sport pitches, and fixed play in the area for the last 12 months and planned improvements to be delivered in the next 12 months.

 

The officer informed the Committee of the Parks and Green Space Strategy approved at Executive Board in February 2009 with one of the key proposals contained in the strategy is for all community parks to meet the Green Flag standard for field based assessment by 2020.

 

The Green Flag Award Scheme represents the national standard for parks and green spaces. It has been developed around eight key criteria;

·  A welcoming place

·  Healthy, safe and secure

·  Clean and well maintained

·  Sustainability

·  Conservation and heritage

·  Community Involvement

·  Marketing

·  Management

 

Kirkstall Abbey which is located in the Inner West area currently has the green flag award and was chosen to be put forward as it is a City Park.

 

The Bereavement Services Manager went on to explain to the Committee that for a community park to reach green flag status a management plan is required. The plan takes about 6 months to complete and the resource requirement equates to approximately £17,000.

 

Leeds has developed an assessment method for community parks based on the Green Flag criteria known as Leeds Quality Parks (LQP) standard.

 

Member’s attention was drawn to the table at paragraph 6 of the submitted report which showed the parks that had met the LQP standard.

 

The Committee were informed that work had taken place during 2014/15 at:

Burley Park, Dunkirk Hill, Bramley War Memorial, Rodley Park, Armley and Gotts Park.

 

Members were informed that work is proposed for 2015/16 at Armley and Stanningley Park.

 

The officer highlighted paragraph 9 of the submitted report which focused on the site based gardener who had been employed through funding by Community Committee Wellbeing Fund. The Committee were pleased with the work that had been undertaken by the site based gardener.

 

The Committee discussed the report Members voiced their surprise at the low scores for Armley and Gotts Park and Bramley Falls Wood.

 

Members requested that some areas of the scoring system be reviewed.

 

Members discussed the use of Section 106 money and how it could be used creatively.

 

Members also asked about community involvement, what it was and how it could be used effectively in community parks.

 

RESOLVED – That the Inner West Community Committee noted the content of the report.

 

 

Cllr Lowe left the meeting at 18:40.

38.

Community Committee Update Report pdf icon PDF 610 KB

To receive the report of the West North West Area Leader the report updates the Community Committee on the work of the three sub groups of the Committee: General Purposes, Children and Young People and Environment. The report also provides an update to the Committee on new pieces of work and partnership working that has taken place in the area since the last meeting.

Minutes:

The report of the West North West Area Leader provided updates to the Community Committee on the work of the three sub groups of the committee: General Purposes, Children and Young People and Environment.

 

The report also provided updates on new pieces of work and partnership working that has taken place in the area since the last meeting.

 

The Committee were informed that the Inner West General Purposes Sub- Group was held on 10th November at the new Police Headquarters at Elland Road. Prior to the meeting members of the sub-group were taken on a tour of the new headquarters.

 

Key issues discussed at the Inner West General Purposes sub-group were:

 

·  Domestic Violence - Members keen that the Community Committee should have domestic violence as one of its workshop themes at a future meeting.

·  Town and District Centre Committee Topic – A paper had been circulated at the meeting which included summaries of the discussions had at the July Community Committee workshop. The paper summarised the challenges, opportunities and drivers in the three centres of Armley, Bramley and Kirkstall.

·  Communications and media – Members of the Inner West Community Committee were invited to use the Inner West Facebook page to post community events and information.

 

The Chair clarified for Members who were new to the Committee that the General Purposes Sub-Group was open to all members of the Inner West Committee.

 

The Children and Young People Sub-Group met on 23rd October and discussed the following issues:

 

·  Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation

·  Engaging Children and Young People

·  Summary of geographically targeted youth work

 

The Sub-Group had agreed that a new approach would be taken to establish a Children and Young People’s Board for the Inner West supported by local youth work providers.

 

The Environment Sub-Group met on 27th November and discussed the following issues:

 

·  Dog fouling – It was agreed at the meeting that a ‘Dog Watch’ pilot similar to the one in Garforth would be launched in the new year to recruit dog walkers to report crime and anti-social behaviour. Members were asked to suggest ‘hot spots’ for the pilot.

·  Leeds Neighbourhood Approach – The Sub-Group had been updated on the project to tackle poor quality rented accommodation with the focus on Armley.

·  Locality Team Update – New zonal teams will be operational from 1st January 2015 which will provide a more flexible, localised service.

 

The Committee were informed that Armley and Bramley Chistmas Lights have been switched on both events were well attended and feedback was positive.

 

Members were informed that 350 Winter Warmers Packs had been provided by the Community Committee to be handed out to targeted vulnerable people across Armley and Bramley.

 

The Community Committee were informed that the funding for the Lazer Centre is due to cease next April 2015. A working group has been formed to look at ways in which the services and facilities can continue after April 2015.

 

RESOLVED -   That the Committee endorsed the report.

 

Cllr.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

39.

Date and time of next meeting

Minutes:

The next meeting of the Inner West Community Committee is scheduled for 28th January 2015 at 7pm. The venue will be confirmed nearer the date.

 

Members of the Community Committee discussed the time of the next meeting.

 

A consultation and review will be undertaken towards the end of this Municipal year on the start times for future meetings in 2015/16.