Agenda and minutes

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 Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against the refusal of the Inspection of Documents

1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as   containing exempt information, 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 so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 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:

 No exempt items or information have been identified on the agenda

There were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be considered.

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

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

There were no late items

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Procter

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2000 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests.

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.

Barleyfields Community Centre

The Chair welcomed to the meeting representatives from the Salvation Army: Richard Bailey, Regional Surveyor and Major Andrea Vertigan, Wetherby Corps.

Mr Bailey spoke about the Barleyfields Community Centre and a proposal by the Salvation Army to acquire the centre. Mr Bailey suggested that in the first instance the Centre may be leased over a 3 year period, possibly seeking to purchase the property thereafter.

Major Vertigan said the Community Centre had been an important venue to the Wetherby Community for many years and it was the wish of the Salvation Army that the children and youth work currently undertaken at Wetherby High School could be extended to the Barleyfields Community Centre.

In offering comment Councillor Lamb said the Salvation Army had a good track record in the Wetherby Area.

The Chair thanked Mr Bailey and Major Vertigan for their attendance and representations. The Chair pointed out that there was an item on the agenda which requested Members to consider the future use of the Centre and where a variety of options would be explored 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th July 2014

(Copy attached)

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th July 2014 were confirmed as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes (If any)

HGV Parking on Sandbeck Lane (Minute No.9 refers) – The Chair reported that HGV were parking overnight on Sandbeck Lane. When moving off they turned onto Deighton Road which was subject of an HGV ban.

Chief Inspector Davison offered to investigate the issue.

Your New Community Committee (Minute No.13 refers) – At the previous meeting the issue of Community Infrastructure Levy (CILs) was raised. Councillors: J Procter, N Buckley and M Robinson volunteered to represent their wards/ Parish/ Town Councils in any such discussions. It was reported that a meeting to discuss CIL’s had been set up for Tuesday 21^st October 2014

To consider a report of the North East Locality Safety Partnership which  provides an overview of the performance of the North East Locality Safety  partnership covering the period 1^st April 2013 to 31st^t March 2014.

The report also and provides an update on the development of neighbourhood management tasking arrangements and West Yorkshire Police Programme of change. The report includes the performance of the North East Locality  Safety partnership  including  crime statistics, public confidence and user satisfaction.

(Report attached)

The North East Locality Safety Partnership submitted a report which  provided an overview of the performance of the North East Locality Safety  partnership covering the period 1^st April 2013 to 31st^t March 2014.

The report provided an update on the development of neighbourhood management tasking arrangements and West Yorkshire Police Programme of change. The report included the performance of the North East Locality  Safety partnership including crime statistics, public confidence and user satisfaction.

Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, presented the report and together with Chief Inspector Davison, West Yorkshire Police, responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  Police Programme of Change and new agreed tasking arrangements

·  Outer North East Tasking Teams

·  Overall Crime

·  Burglary

·  Anti Social Behaviour

Mrs Yearwood said total recorded crime across the Outer North East area had decreased by 6% with 2167 offences recorded compared with 2306 in the previous 12/13 reporting period.

Councillor Harrand queried the 50% increase in theft of motor vehicles within the Harewood ward

In responding Chief Inspector Davison said that although the percentage increase was high the actual number of incidents was low. One incident last year, rising to two this year.

The Chair sought clarification in respect of the incidents of violent crime in the Harewood ward, an increase of 74% compared to the previous reporting period (26 more offences)

Chief Inspector Davison said incidents of robbery and theft accounted for the increase. Chief Inspector Davison offered to supply a breakdown of the different types of crime to Members

Councillor Lamb raised the issue of child exploitation and asked how it was identified as a priority?

Chief Inspector Davison said it was important to work in partnership with other agencies on such cases. He reported the creation of a specialist unit “Safeguarding and Child Exploitation” based at WYP Divisional Headquarters at Elland Road.

Councillor Robinson questioned the 30% increase in drug offences in the Harewood ward.

Chief Inspector Davison said the offenders were mainly small time dealers. He reported that the police were now more proactive in focusing on drug related activity and drug farms were now becoming more prevalent in the Outer North  East area.

The Chair questioned the burglary statistics for the Wetherby ward an increase of 33% (20 more victims of burglary)

Chief Inspector Davison referred to “operation alto” which had been put in place to tackle stealing from garden sheds and garages, it was reported  some offenders had been detected.

Councillor Robinson asked if the thefts were linked to drug use.

In responding Chief Inspector Davison said some Class B use but on a small scale. The thefts were mainly a means to make money.

Chief Inspector Davison said that in order to address such offences “offender management” would be used.

The Chair referred to the Community Safety Partnership and in particular 1400 cases of domestic violence and abuse across the city.

Mrs Yearwood reported that the Domestic Violence for Leeds Strategy had recently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To consider a report by the Head of Housing Management, Housing Leeds, East and North East Leeds which provides an update on the restructure progress of redesigning a single Housing Management Service for Council Housing for the whole city of Leeds following the transfer of the service into Leeds City Council from the former Leeds Arm’s Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) on 1^st October 2013.

(Report attached)

The Head of Housing Management, Housing Leeds, East and North East Leeds submitted a report which provided an update on the restructure progress of redesigning a single Housing Management Service for Council Housing for the whole city of Leeds following the transfer of the service into Leeds City Council from the former Leeds Arm’s Length Management Organisations (ALMOs) on 1^st October 2013.

David Longthorpe, Head of Housing Management, Housing Leeds, East and North East Leeds presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the appendices which included:

·  The need for a single structure for a consistent service across the city

·  Simplified management structure reducing the number of different job roles from 118 to 8 core roles

·  Estate Caretaking Teams had transferred to Locality Teams from 1^st August to provide one combined team responsible for delivering clean and tidy estates

In offering comment Councillor Cohen said that earlier this week the Cranmer Residents Association held their Annual General Meeting. It was disappointing to hear that there was no representation from Housing Services at the meeting. Residents were left with the impression that they were unsupported.

In responding Mr Longthorpe said that he too was disappointed that there was no one from Housing Services in attendance at the meeting, there should have been and he offered to make appropriate inquiries.

Councillor Buckley asked if there were any plans for Housing Offices to extend their opening hours; late night/ weekends.

In responding Mr Longthorpe said that in the past late night and Saturday working had been trialled but ceased because the take up for the extended service was low.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted 

To consider a report by the East North East Area Leader which sets out details on the current usage and position of Barleyfields Community Centre, and seeks Members views on options for future usage of the centre.

(Report attached)

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report which set out details of the current usage and position of Barleyfields Community Centre and sought Members views on options for future usage of the centre.

Jane Maxwell, East North East Area Leader, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

It was reported that due to interest being expressed in the centre a feasibility study had been carried out with a view to investigating options for future usage. Following the study four options, based on interest in the building, were put forward for Members consideration:

·  Offer a long term licence for part of the centre to a local private childcare provider, who wish to run a before and after school provision from the centre.

·  Sell the building. A locally based organisation had expressed an interest in purchasing the building with the intention of continuing to run it as a community centre.

·  Support the relocation of the LCC Adult Social Training Centre provision to the centre.  This would create an opportunity for the site currently occupied by Adult Social Care to be disposed of to realise a capital receipt for reinvestment in the local area. In doing so immediate investment could be made into the centre by Adult Social Care and a contribution to running costs would be made.

·  Transfer management and maintenance of the building to Wetherby Town Council under a Community Asset Transfer to support a wider range and more flexible range of local activities.

RESOLVED –

(i)    To support the move of the Adult Training Centre provision from   the current location into Barleyfields Community Centre;

(ii)    That further discussions take place between Leeds City Council   and Wetherby Town Council to explore the feasibility of a   Community Asset Transfer;

(iii)  To support discussions with interested parties to progress   additional usage of Barleyfields Community Centre in   consultation with the Wetherby Ward Members.

To consider a report of the Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service, which provides an update on how improvements would be made to a range of environmental services that are delivered locally.

The report describes how the services will continue to be delivered whilst the changes are made. This includes the continuation of the current Outer

North East Service Level Agreement (SLA) that covers street cleaning and

environmental enforcement/regulatory work undertaken by the Locality Team.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service, submitted report which provided an update on how improvements would be made to a range of environmental services that would be delivered locally.

The report describes how the services would continue to be delivered whilst the changes were made, including the continuation of the current Outer

North East Service Level Agreement (SLA) that covered street cleaning and

environmental enforcement/regulatory work undertaken by the Locality Team.

John Woolmer, Locality Manager, Environmental Action Service, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  the need to sign off the existing SLA for the 2014/15 municipal year;

·  services to be transferred to and delivered through the Locality Team from 2015; including the household bulky item collection service, graffiti removal and public convenience cleaning;

·  the need for a 7 day service to be continued – examples given included the needs of Wetherby and Boston Spa main streets at a weekend;

·  a reduction in lone working practices to improve efficiency of service – for example to enable further reductions in the practice of using overtime to cover absence and allowing staff to be better equipped to do the job;

·  creating a dedicated zonal team – which would mean a team for the Outer North East area; including a dedicated Team Leader, pathsweeper, enforcement staff and operatives;

·  the importance of the relationship with Town and Parish Councils and groups such as “in-bloom”.

·  Gully crew working being transferred to one manager to oversee across the city – but staying within the Environmental Action Service and with an ENE crew/tanker.

Councillor Cohen spoke about the need for a litter picker to cover the Alwoodley area, this particular issue was highlighted 12 months ago and there was still no additional service in place.

In responding John Woolmer apologised for the lack of additional, dedicated service and shared his frustration that the restructuring was taking longer than hoped. Mr Woolmer explained that when the new structure comes into place in early 2015 this would include an improved level of service for Alwoodley, and that would be targeted, as discussed, with ward members and agreed through the Environmental Sub-Group. Mr Woolmer reported that he had assured Members that in the meantime any requests for additional local clean-up work would be responded to and that was still the case.

Referring to the Council’s Grounds Maintenance Contract, Councillor Robinson sought assurances that such contracts were fulfilled.

Mr Woolmer said the Grounds Maintenance contract was monitored by the Parks and Countryside Service and the contract monitoring officer regularly attended the committee’s environmental sub group. It was suggested it may be appropriate to include a summary of the contract within the Service Level Agreement to make transparent what was covered and how issues would be  resolved. Mr Woolmer undertook to look further into this suggestion and report back.

Referring to the condition and capacity of gullies, Councillor Robinson asked if an officer could  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) which provides an update on the current position of the Outer North East Community Committee’s budgets and sets out applications for wellbeing funding and youth activity funding for consideration by the Community Committee.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report which provided an update on the current position of the Outer North East Community Committee’s budgets and set out details of applications seeking wellbeing Funding and Youth Activity Funding.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for information /comment of the meeting:

(i)  Outer North East Community Committee Wellbeing Budget for 2014-15 (Appendix A refers)

(ii)  Outer North East Community Committee Youth Activity Fund Budget 2014-15 (Appendix B refers)

Carole Clark, Outer North East Support, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the appendices which included:

·  Available funding for the current financial year.

·  Clarification around some of the projects seeking financial assistance.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the spend to date and the current balances for the 2014/15 financial year.

(ii)  To note the applications that had been approved since the Community Committee met on 14^th July 2014 under the delegated authority of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

(iii)  That the following projects requesting Wellbeing Funding be determined as follows:

(iv)  To note that the following applications were being supported from alternative funding sources

(v)  To approve additional funding of £556.80 from the Youth Activity Fund required by Northcall to meet the full costs of the Young Person’s residential that took place in August 2014

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) which set out the main issues discussed at the latest meeting of the Outer North East Parish and Town Council Forum held on 3^rd July 2014. The minutes of the meeting were submitted for information/ discussion.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizen’s and Communities) submitted a report which set out the main issues discussed at the latest meeting of the Outer North East Parish and Town Council Forum held on 3^rd July 2014. The minutes of the meeting were submitted for information /discussion.

RESOLVED – That the report and minutes from the Outer North East Parish and Town Council Forum held on 3^rd July 2014 be noted

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Monday 8^th December 2014 at 5.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.