Agenda and minutes

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

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:-‘

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

There were no late items submitted to the agenda. However, supplementary information had been sent to members of the committee in relation to items 9 (Minute no. 28 refers Children’s Services Report), 10 (Minute no. 29 refers, Update on Welfare Benefit Changes) and 14 (Minute no.33 refers Wellbeing Report).

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.

No declarations were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Ingham and Morgan.

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 ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee. On this occasion, none of the members of public in attendance chose to speak.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th June 2013

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th June 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

Appointment of Area Lead Members, Cluster Representatives and Corporate Carers (Minute No.7)

Members considered the setting up of sub groups and that the Area Leads feedback back to the next meeting on future work programmes.

To consider the Annual Children’s Services Report presented by the Director of Children’s Services

(time – 10 minutes)

The report of the Director of Children’s Services was presented by Paul Brennan (Deputy Director of Children’s Services). The report provided a six monthly update. The report informed the Area Committee about local outcomes for children and young people and aimed to support the involvement of the Area Committee in improving outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas was also highlighted. The report summarised performance at Area Committee level with a broader acknowledgement of City wide performance. Key issues for Children’s Services were highlighted and included Ofsted inspection, basic need and child friendly city.

Gillian Mayfield (Targeted Services Area Lead (ENE)) was also in attendance to answer questions from the Members.

The Targeted Services Area Lead told the Committee that attendance in primary schools within the East Inner area has declined and remained steady at secondary schools. Both attendance rates are the lowest across all area committees. Work is ongoing to raise attendance levels in the East Inner area and the officer asked Committee Members in their capacity as school governors to challenge attendance particularly as governors at Academies as limited performance information is passed to Children’s Services from Academies. Members were told of a change in the law in relation to taking holidays during term time and the Government initiative in the use of fixed penalty notices. Letters are to be sent from Children’s Services informing all parents of the changes.

The rising child population in Leeds will require over the next three school years (2014-2016), 50 additional forms of entry, with 22 of these additional forms of entry required for 2014. Consultation will take place through the clusters representatives to identify need and locations within the community for expanding and building new schools.

There has been no overall change in the primary schools in the East Inner Area Committee area rated as good or better by Ofsted. Six remain rated as satisfactory / requires improvement.  One secondary schools in the area (E-ACT Leeds East Academy) is now rated as inadequate, steps have been taken, the Principal from West Leeds Academy being brought in to oversee improvement plans. Only one of the four secondary schools is rated as good. The one Children’s home in the East Inner area committee area remains adequate.

The East Inner area has the highest number of looked after children across the city. More children are subject to a child protection plan in June 2013 than June 2012. More CAFs have been initiated in the East Inner area committee area than any other area committee in the first three months of 201/13.

The Percentage of ‘not known’ young people in the Inner East area has reduced however the percentage of young people identified as NEET has risen. Targeted support officers mean that the NEET cohort is better informed and supported in trying to access education, employment or training.

RESOLVED – Members noted the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Welfare and Benefits providing an update on welfare benefit changes

Steven Carey (Chief Officer, Welfare and Benefits) presented his report to the Area Committee and provided Members with a update on the Welfare Benefit changes.

Simon Swift (Area Manager, East North East Homes Leeds) was also in attendance to answer questions from Members relation to Housing payments.

The report provided an update of the impact of welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also provided information on arrangements that have been put into place to support the tenants. This included the Discretionary Housing Payments scheme which provides support to tenants affected by the welfare changes, the scheme is on track to spend the full £1.9m budget with the bulk of this spend going on those deemed to be priority cases within the Council’s policy.

The Benefit Cap came into effect in Leeds on 12^th August 2013 around 424 families will lose some or all of their Housing Benefit. The Chair highlighted page 66 of the agenda which showed East Inner area as having the highest cases for Benefit Cap. All 424 families including those in the East Inner area have been visited to make them aware of the changes.

Preparations are underway for Universal Credit with a focus being on preparing tenants for a digital claims process, developing a Local Support Services Network, tackling high cost lenders and putting in place arrangements for dealing with direct payments of the housing element of Universal Credit to tenants. The report provided information about this programme and sought input from the Area Committee on how the programme of activity could work at a local level. From today Payday Loans adverts are banned from Council websites.

One Stop Centres are being utilised to provide a holistic approach when people access ALMO services offering Credit Union advice and links to local advice centres on debt including the East Leeds Debt Forum.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the information about welfare reforms be noted;

b)  That the information about the campaign against high cost lenders be noted;

c)  That the work going on in East North East to mitigate the impact of the changes be noted; and

d)  Members considered the impact on the local area and of the work being undertaken to mitigate the impact within East Inner area and offered to engage with Welfare Benefits about those families in East Inner area who might need assistance.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader providing an update on the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan for the EIAC area

(Time - 5 minutes)

The report of the East North East Area Leader was presented by Sarah May (Neighbourhood Manager, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill) the report provided members’ with an overview of the activities that have been taking place against the priorities outlined in the Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs) since April 2013.

The Neighbourhood Manager updated the Area Committee on the achievements including the first Burmantofts Gala which attracted a thousand people, those who attended gave positive feedback and work is underway to organise another event next year.

RESOLVED – That members noted the content of the report and requested details for the next Area Committee of local jobs events relating to the Victoria Gate Development.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader on proposals for the future use of Nowell Mount Community Centre

(Time – 5 minutes)

The Report of the East North East Area Leader sought approval from Area Committee to review options in relation to the Nowell Mount Community Centre due to low levels of use.

Option 1 - Change the facility into a Children’s Services facility for the under two’s.

Option 2 – If option 1 is not found to be viable declare the facility surplus and put up for sale.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted and the Committee agree to proceed with option 1, with a further report to be brought back in December 2013.

Councillor Hyde left the meeting during the consideration of this item.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader setting out proposals for the responsibility and delegation of Youth Services within the EIAC area

(Time – 10 minutes)

The report of the East North East Area Leader provided the Area Committee with proposals for spending the budget delegated to the Committee for universal youth activities.

RESOLVED – That Andrew Birkbeck (Area Officer, East North East Area Support Team) speak with Councillor Morgan as the Area Lead Member for Children’s Services in relation to setting up a Children’s and Young People’s Sub Group, to include Elected Members from each ward, Neighbourhood Managers and any partners / stakeholders deemed appropriate.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader providing an overview of spending to date and presenting funding requests from new projects seeking support

(Time – 5 minutes)

The report of the East North East Area Leader was presented by Andrew Birkbeck (Area Officer, East North East Area Support Team).

The report provided members with an update on the current position of the capital and revenue budget for the East Inner Area Committee.

The Area Officer explained to the Committee about the 2012/13 allocation of Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme funding and asked the Area Committee Members how they would prefer this money split and if the y would want to use the money on an area wide basis for strategic priorities.

The Committee were asked to consider the following projects and approve where appropriate the amount of grant to be awarded:

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee:

·  Noted the spend to date and the current balances for the 2013/14 financial year;

·  Noted the allocation of Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme funding and agreed to split the allocation equally between the three Wards that make up the East Inner Area Committee.

·  Careful consideration was given to all the proposed projects the following being approved:

*Members requested that the project for Seacroft Methodist Chapel Refurbishment be brought back to the next meeting of the Area Committee with more information and detailed statistics of attendees of the project.

To consider the Area Update report provided by the ENE Area Leader, which includes the minutes and recommendations of the EIAC sub groups and highlights the work undertaken in the locality to meet the Area Committees’ agreed priorities

(Time – 5 minutes)

The report of the East North East Area Leader was presented by Andrew Birkbeck (Area Officer, East North East Area Support Team) the report provided members of the East Inner Area Committee with updates from its four sub groups.

Members requested information for the next meeting of the Area Committee in relation to the Area Panels and their funding.

RESOLVED – That Members noted the contents of the report.

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 3^rd May 2013

The Minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 3^rd May 2013 were considered by the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 17^th October 2013 at 5.30pm. This meeting will be held at Seacroft Village Hall.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 17^th October 2013, 5:30pm at Grange Farm Primary School, Barncroft Rise, Leeds LS14 1AX.