Agenda and minutes

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda, however the Area Committee was in receipt of supplementary information in support of agenda item 13 Wellbeing Update – in the form of a schedule précising the funding applications (minute 60 refers)

 

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.

 

There were no declarations of interest

 

Apologies for absence were received from Mr P Rone, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill CLT and from Councillors Ingham and Maqsood

 

No representations were made

 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th October 2013

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 24^th October 2013 be agreed as a correct record

 

To consider any matters arising

Minute 45 Employment & Skills – Councillor Grahame reported that he attended an employment workshop on 4 December 2013 and tabled copies of the PowerPoint presentation for information

 

To receive the report of the Area Lead, Health and Wellbeing, providing an update on Public Health

The East Inner Area Committee (EIAC)Health and Wellbeing Lead presented a report outlining the action being taken to discharge the statutory responsibilities of Leeds City Council to lead and deliver the public health agenda. The report also raised awareness of the role of the Area Lead for Health and Wellbeing and provided information on the current position regarding public health work within the EIAC locality. Members’ comments were sought on the direction for the future development of the public health agenda in the EIAC locality

 

Councillor Harington, Health and Wellbeing Area Lead introduced Lucy Jackson, Consultant in Public Health and Liz Bailey Health & Wellbeing Improvement Manager. Discussion followed on the key trends pertinent to the EIAC area, including:

·  The demographic of the area

·  The premature death and low life expectancy rates recorded across the EIAC area

·  Mortality rates recorded in specific areas and within specific groups in the EAIC area

·  Childhood obesity

·  Diabetes

·  Alcohol misuse

·  Mental health issues

 

Councillor Harington highlighted that a clear steer was sought from the Area Committee (AC) to influence and target resources appropriately to tackle priority concerns in the area, thus supporting the Health and Wellbeing Board Strategy. Members considered the following:

Childhood Poverty and its far reaching impact in terms of life expectancy, health issues, and education. In recognition that the issue of poverty could not be tackled by the AC alone, Members agreed that FOOD should be a key priority. Members expressed concern over the reported removal of the “deprivation indicator” from the calculations for local authority budgets and the likely impact this would have on the health and wellbeing of inner city areas

 

Premature Deaths and specifically the ROLE OF GPs and effective diagnosis; and the need for consistency of approach through care offered by GPs. Members were keen to receive the views of local GPs on the health statistics for the area and information on what measures were being employed by GPs to address the issues raised

 

The barriers to accessing leisure/fitness facilities. It was noted that there were no leisure facilities within the Burmantofts & Richmond Hill Ward. Councillor Harington reported that work was being done through the Leeds Let’s Get Active initiative to assess the uptake of leisure facilities and that, once that research was available, Members would be in a better position to consider measures to promote usage and healthy lifestyles, tailoring the offer to the local communities through co-ordination of services.

 

Furthermore, Members considered whether the AC should write to the Secretary of State for Health regarding the reported removal of the “deprivation indicator” from the calculations for local authority budgets. It was agreed that officers would liaise with Councillor Mulherin, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Health and Wellbeing; in order not to duplicate any action already undertaken

RESOLVED -

a)  To note the changes in terms of Leeds City Council’s responsibility around public health

b)  To recognise and support the Area Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing role

c)  That the following suggestions as areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To consider the report of the Locality Manager (East North East)

setting out the  Environmental Services – Half Year Performance Update on the 2013/14 Service Level Agreement

 

 

The East North East Locality Manager submitted a report setting out the half year performance update for Environmental Services against the Service Level Agreement. The report covered the period from May to October 2013 and provided information on the range of functions being delivered across the area against the priorities and commitments set out in the SLA. The report detailed the continued focus on the agreed approach to target efforts at Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs).

 

It was noted that the performance report would be discussed in greater detail by the Environmental Sub Group and overseen by the Area Lead Member for the Environment however the views of the AC members were sought in order to provide a steer to the Sub Group on any particular service/outcome/issues that they would like to see prioritised over the next six months. Additionally, the report provided an opportunity for Members to influence the Service and budget planning process for 2014/15 having regard to the expected further financial pressures and anticipated merging of services into a new locality team.

 

Mr N Evans, Director of Environment and Housing and Mr J Woolmer, Locality Manager Environmental Services, attended the meeting and discussed the following matters with the AC:

·  Resources for the provision of litter bins

·  A suggestion that the Service could provide training and accreditation to young unemployed people where appropriate, rather than relying on overtime for existing staff

·  The perceived impact of the closure of Stanley Road Household Waste Sorting Site on fly tipping in the locality

·  Bin yards

·  Enforcement action

·  The need for operatives to note and report instances of fly tipping

·  The prioritisation of education for residents in respect of their responsibilities for littering, fly tipping and bin yards

·  The need for effective communication between the decision makers, the AC and residents

·  The need to review the services offered to ensure they are still appropriate to all the localities within the EIAC area

 

In conclusion, officers agreed to organise a workshop for Members in the New Year, to discuss the matters raised as well as the new management arrangements once the former ALMO’s had been subsumed into Environment and Housing

RESOLVED

a)  That the contents of the report and the comments made by Members in respect of those areas identified in discussion where the SLA is successful or not, be noted

b)  To note that AC has identified the issues of “education” and “service review” as being service developments/priorities to be included in service planning for 2014/15

c)  To note the intention to hold a workshop on environmental issues in the New Year

 

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader providing an update on proposals for the future use of Alston Lane Community Centre and setting out proposals to return the property to family housing utilising funding available through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funding

EIAC considered the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an update on proposals for the future use of Alston Lane Community Centre. The report outlined the proposals to return the property to family housing utilising funding available through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) funding.

 

Local Ward Members expressed their disappointment over the way the matter had been dealt with, highlighting ineffective communication between council departments as a reason for Children’s Services failing in its aspiration to provide a Children’s Home in the locality.Members highlighted the need for an asset management mapping exercise to be done within the locality 

RESOLVED

a)  That the contents of the report be noted

b)  That agreement be given to Alston Lane Community Centre being declared surplus on the condition that HCA and HRA funding will be used to convert the premises into family housing.

 

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader report providing information as the basis of discussion of the merits of establishing a social media presence in the form of a Facebook page for the  Area Committee

Further to minute 41 of the meeting held 24^th October 2013, the East North East Area Leader presented a report providing the basis of discussion on the merits of establishing a social media presence in the form of a Facebook page for the East Inner Area Committee.

 

The report highlighted key issues raised at the previous meeting in respect of information proposed to be shared on the site. It was noted that a Best Practice Guide for Social Media was currently being drafted by council’s Senior Communications Manager in conjunction with QA Ltd and, with the aim of being available in February 2014. As such, the AC was advised to postpone the consideration of setting up a Facebook page until full guidance is available

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted

 

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader providing details of the Wellbeing fund spend to date and including details of new projects for  consideration

 

The East North East Area Leader presented a report providing an update on the current position of the capital and revenue budget for the Inner East Area Committee. The report also detailed applications for funding, both revenue and capital, for Member’s consideration.

 

RESOLVED -

a)  To note the spend to date and current balances for the 2013/14 financial year;

 

b)  That, in respect of the project proposals submitted to the Wellbeing Revenue fund, the following be approved:

Rigtons and Haslewoods Parking Scheme Installation of IT Kentmere Community Centre Harehills Opportunity Shop Get Ready (Set4Success) Seacroft Cooking Skills Richmond Hill Elderly Action (RHEA

£7,500 £6,418 £6,300 £3,975 £3,670 £3,000

 

c)  That in respect of the following proposals, the following be agreed

  i.  Seacroft Methodist Chapel Refurbishment £7,000 (CRIS/Wellbeing Capital Fund)

  ii.  Haslewood Bin Solution Phase Two £4,468.20 (CRIS/Wellbeing Capital Fund)

 

d)  That, in respect of the project proposals submitted for Youth Activity funding, the following be agreed:

Burmantofts & Richmond Hill Media Club Community Unity Forum Burmantofts & Richmond Hill Sports Camp Echo Youth Project Fearnville Multi-Sport & Swim Harehills Media Club Friday Night Activities Community Journalism

£2,693.66 £1,500 £1,500 £2,395 £1,982.11 £1,316.55 £3,000 £2,060

 

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader, including minutes of the EIAC sub groups

 

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing updates from the five EIAC Sub Groups; including the minutes of the most recent sub group meetings. The report also provided further updates in respect of the on-going work of the Inner East Area Committee, East North East Area Support Team and partners.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and the comments made by Members

b)  That EIAC agree for the Children and Young People’s Sub Group to be the forum to progress discussions around the Youth Service’s emerging Service Level Area Agreement (SLA).

c)  To note the contents of the following sub group minutes

  i.  Health and Wellbeing sub group held 28^th October 2013

  ii.  Planning sub group held 12^th November 2013

  iii.  Environmental sub group held 10^th October 2013

  iv.  Children and Young People’s sub group held 31^st October 2013

 

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting

RESOLVED – To note the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 4^th October 2013

 

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 6^th February 2014 at 5.30 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 6^th February 2014 at 5.30 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

 

The East North East Area Leader led Members in congratulating Mr Andrew Birkbeck, Area Support Officer for EIAC, on his recent Corporate Excellence award for ‘Working with Communities’.