Agenda and minutes

Councillor Hyde informed the meeting of the recent death of Councillor Suzi Armitage, a colleague and ward member for the neighbouring Crossgates and Whinmoor ward and led all present in a minutes silence as a mark of respect.

There were no declarations of interest

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ingham

In accordance with Paragraphs 6:24 and 6:25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules the Chair admitted the following item of business to be brought to the attention of the Committee through the Open Forum

Provision of Childcare in the EIAC area – Dawn Conteh-Wilson made representation to the Committee in respect of provision of childcare services in the EIAC locality. Ms Wilson outlined her business plan for the provision of wrap-around childcare, overnight and weekend childcare, specifically aimed at improving education standards amongst the young and providing a service for lone parents and those parents seeking to enter back into the workplace. She highlighted the lack of night time and weekend provision as a significant factor preventing some parents seeking to return to work. She also highlighted the lack of suitable and safe facilities in which to provide the service and sought the Committee’s support in locating suitable premises.

Members expressed their personal support for the initiative and discussed the links which could be made formally with LCC Lettings in respect of finding premises for this new business within the EIAC locality, having regard to the need to secure tenants for LCC premises and the ongoing rationalisation programme of LCC premises

RESOLVED – That the matter be referred to the Area Management Team for further discussions on suitable accommodation for the business

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2012

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 6^th December 2012 be agreed as a correct record

To note any matters arising from the minutes

Minute 63 Any Other Business. The Committee noted receipt of a response from Chief Inspector M Davison and Chief Superintendent Richard Jackson to the issues raised at the last meeting by Councillor Grahame in respect of Police resources and local policing. The Chair commented that any further comments on the issue should be directed to the Police and Crime Commissioner

To consider the report of the Chief Executive, East North East Homes, providing the Area Committee with an update on Welfare Reform changes that impact on Council Tenants and are due to be implemented in April 2013.  It also summarises work that is currently being undertaken to prepare Tenants for those changes and for future changes that will impact later in the year

(Report attached) (Time – 15 minutes)

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive ENE Homes which provided an update on the Welfare Reform changes that will impact on Council Tenants and are due to be implemented in April 2013. The report contained a summary of the current work being undertaken to prepare Tenants for the changes due to take effect in April and later in the year.

Mr S Hunt attended the meeting to present the report and provided an overview of the likely impact of the welfare reform measures within the EIAC locality. The Committee noted the measures already undertaken to publicise the changes to local tenants and the resources being put in place to deal with the anticipated increase in enquiries to the respective ALMO and LCC offices.

Members discussed the following points

-  effective use of interpreting services and resources necessary to support this

-  the continued use of information roadshows

-  the preventative expense of moving costs on tenants who sought to relocate to avoid/lessen the impact of the “bedroom tax” and the knock on effect this could have on waiting lists, suitable accommodation and arrears

-  the ongoing discussions in respect of enforcement action and how to deal with arrears that may be accrued whilst tenants awaited a suitable relocation package

(Councillor Harington joined the meeting at this point)

RESOLVED – That the work done to date by the ALMOs and the Council to prepare for the introduction of Welfare Reform changes be noted

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Parks and Countryside, on the relationship between the Parks and Countryside service and the East Inner Area Committee, as agreed at Executive Board and providing an overview of the service including some of the challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives.

(Report attached) (Time 10 minutes)

Members received a report from the Chief Officer, LCC Parks & Countryside Service, seeking to further develop the relationship between the Service and the East Inner Area Committee, as agreed at Executive Board. The report provided an overview of the service and set out some of the challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives in addition to setting out proposals to provide a positive way forward for delivering the extended role of the Area Committee.

Mr S Frosdick attended the meeting and presented the report which provided an overview of the works undertaken by the service within the EIAC locality and sought Members comments on those works and priority areas for the future. Members were also in receipt of a map showing local greenspace areas and noted the results of a review of the major parks.

(Councillor Khan withdrew from the meeting for a short while at this point)

Members discussed the following matters

-  current condition of East End Park

-  links established with the Youth Service and schools to encourage volunteering amongst young people

-  the role of the new Green Spaces Fund available for small grants in Leeds to volunteer/community groups for works to their local green spaces

-  the role of Section 106 Agreement funding to support the Service and the likely impact of the introduction of the new Community Infrastructure Levy

Members noted the comment that ward members would have several resources available to them to utilise in respect of CIL, ward based initiative money, the Capital Incentive Scheme and the new Green Spaces Fund and that a strategy would be required to target priority greenspaces and co-ordinate funding resources

EIAC noted that funding and responsibility for youth service provision would be devolved to the area committees at the start of the next financial year and agreed to establish a Youth Services Sub Committee in order to develop a strategy and priorities for provision in the area.

In response to a request for direct involvement of local residents in the decision making, EIAC noted the response that formal decision making on grant funding was retained by the Area Committee and that there was no facility for a local resident or community group leader to make personal representations or take part in the decision making.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the content of the report be noted

b)  That Members give further consideration to priorities for investment in community parks, playing pitches and fixed play facilities in light of the issues raised and communicate those priorities to the Service for follow-up action

c)  That information on proposals to address the vandalism at East End Park be provided to Councillor Grahame

d)  That a report back on the establishment of the Green Spaces Fund be presented in three months time, to include information on the application criteria and how the Fund had been publicised

e)  That the Environmental Sub Group be tasked with drafting a strategy to tackle and prioritise EIAC green spaces, having regard to the resources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Care which provides an update on the rollout of integrated neighbourhood health and social care teams and sets out the progress to date along with future plans for development.

(Report attached) (Time - 10 minutes)

The Director of Adult Social Care submitted a report providing an update on the rollout of integrated neighbourhood health and social care teams, the progress made to date and setting out future plans for development.

Liz Ward and Liz Jackson attended the meeting to present the report on integration of NHS and LCC health and social care services, highlighting the ongoing work to improve links between the services and GP practices, hospitals, community nurses and health centres the aim being to provide one point of contact for the community. The benefits of this approach were highlighted as being :

-  the quick and effective information sharing between service providers

-  a reduction in the duplication of visits to patients from different service providers

-  closer involvement with the local community and/or voluntary groups

EIAC noted the rollout of the integrated model had only recently commenced and requested a report back in six months time on progress. The following comments were discussed:

-  The need to create links between the health providers and Neighbourhood Policing Team in respect of homes stood empty whilst their resident was receiving treatment and those patients who remained vulnerable once they had returned home. Similarly, links with West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service should be established to provide home safety advice

-  the need for Members with close community links to provide referrals information to the one contact point

-  The role for volunteer groups and particularly initiatives such as time banking. It was noted that the Gipton and Harehills areas were not particularly well served by neighbourhood network groups and this would be pursued

-  The assessment process for adaptation work to be undertaken, grant availability and the costs of adaptations to home owners

RESOLVED –

a)  That the progress in developing integrated health and social care services in Leeds be noted and a further report on progress be requested in six months time

b)  That the approach to developing and delivering improvements in how health and social care services are provided to Leeds residents be endorsed and supported

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader seeking agreement to a proposal for a period of free usage at the Dame Fanny Waterman Community Centre

(Report attached) (Time – 5 minutes)

The ENE Area Leader submitted a report seeking approval to a proposal for the free usage of the new Dame Fanny Waterman Community Centre (DFWCC), for a fixed period of time, in order to promote community use of the Centre to ensure that it makes a positive contribution to the local community.

A period of six to twelve months was suggested for consideration by EIAC. The amount and range of usage would be reviewed over the agreed period and the impact reported back to the Community Centres sub group and the Area Committee.

EIAC broadly supported the initiative to provide free accommodation on a time limited basis as a “special offer” approach to encourage interest from community/voluntary groups in the use of the newly refurbished centre. It was noted that any group seeking to make a booking would be advised that charges would be introduced in the future. Members suggested a period of 12 months

RESOLVED - That approval be given to free usage of the recently completed Dame Fanny Waterman Community Centre for a temporary period of 12 months

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing the Committee with an overview of the work being carried out to address the Area Committee’s priorities, the community engagement work carried out to identify priorities for 2013/14 and providing an update on the recommendations of the Area Committee sub groups

(Report attached) (Time – 10 minutes)

Please note that the minutes of the recent sub-group meetings will follow as Appendices A B & C

The ENE Area Leader provided an update on community engagement activity undertaken across the EIAC area and the key messages on work being carried out which is pertinent to EIAC priorities. The sub groups established to support the EIAC priorities had met during January and the minutes of those meetings had been despatched following the agenda

The report highlighted the priority settings for the EIAC and set out the priorities proposed to be included in the Charter due to be published in March for approval and comment. Members’ attention was directed to the proposal to prioritise the development of Neighbourhood Priority Plans and the good working relationships already established with local community groups and the Neighbourhood Planning Officer to achieve this.

Members commented that the narrative of the Charter should be strengthened to ensure that the development of any Brownfield land in the EIAC area refers to the neighbourhood planning process. Similarly, the wording of bullet point 4 in respect of NPPs should be amended to read “led by the local Community Leadership Team” in order to ensure that EIAC retained an over-arching involvement in the process.

It was reported that approaches had been received from locally based businesses in respect of the Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDP) – which had been agreed to reflect the 4 EIAC communities – Gipton, Killingbeck & Seacroft, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill and Harehills. Members noted the role of residents and businesses in the NDP process.

EIAC noted that funding and responsibility for youth service provision would be devolved to the area committees at the start of the next financial year and agreed to establish a Youth Services Sub Committee in order to develop a strategy and priorities for provision in the area.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and the comments made by Members be noted

b)  That the contents of the minutes of the following sub group meetings be noted

a.  Environmental Sub Group held 15 January 2013

b.  Community Centres Sub Group 10 January 2013

c.  Health & Wellbeing Sub Group held 21 January 2013

To note the contents of the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 2^nd November 2012

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 2^nd November 2012

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing details of the Wellbeing Fund spend and details of new projects for consideration

(Report attached) (Time – 10 minutes)

The ENE Area Leader submitted a report providing an overview of spending to date and seeking consideration of a number of new projects requesting funding.

RESOLVED – That, having considered the project proposals, approval be given to the following grants

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 21^st March 2013 at 5.30 pm. The meeting will be held at the Compton Centre, Leeds LS9

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 21^st March 2013 at 5:30pm in the Compton Centre, Leeds LS9