Agenda and minutes

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda however Members were in receipt of schedule which provided a précis of the grant applications to be considered at agenda item 11 Wellbeing Fund (minute 74 refers) for ease of reference

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 disclosable pecuniary interests

Apologies for absence were received from G Mangwanya, Gipton CLT; P Rone, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill CLT and from Councillor R Harington

No representations were made

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th December 2013 as a correct record

(copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 5^th December 2013 be agreed as a correct record

There were no matters arising

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities), including minutes of the Area Committee sub groups

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report providing updates from the five East Inner Area Committee (EIAC) sub groups; including the minutes of the most recent sub group meetings

The report also included further updates in respect of the on-going work of EIAC, East North East Area Support Team and partners to help address the Area Committee’s agreed priorities.

Chief Inspector M Davison of West Yorkshire Police and B Yearwood, Area Community Safety Officer attended the meeting to discuss the Police Review element of the report. Ch.Ins. Davison provided the AC with an update on the restructure proposals for the police force in Leeds, outlining the new Leeds Division structure and the proposals for closer partnership working and integration with the local authority and other service providers.

Discussion followed on the following matters:

• The role; value and number of PCSOs
• The numbers of police officers visible in the community. The AC received assurances that the number of police constables would not be reduced in the EIAC area. It was reported that the allocation of police resources would differ between the wards to ensure that those areas with the most need were sufficiently resourced
• The role and value of local Neighbourhood Watch Schemes
• How the Anti Social Behaviour Unit would relate to the new structure
• The future of existing WYP assets and possible use by multiple service providers

With regard to specific issues raised by Members, it was agreed that information on the following matters would be provided directly to Members:

• The establishment of a Neighbourhood Watch in the Kentmeres
• A detailed breakdown on the number of burglaries within the Gipton & Harehills ward

It was noted that Members would be invited to attend ward meetings regarding the review of the local Burglary Action Plans in February and March 2014.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and the discussions in respect of the Police Review be noted

b)  To thank Ch.Ins Davison for the update in respect of the future restructure proposals for WYP in Leeds

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Customer Access in respect of the Compton Centre Community Hub

The Chief Officer, Customer Access submitted a report on the current position on work taking place to establish a pilot Community Hub in the Compton Joint Service Centre.

The report set out the principal services intended to be provided at the Community Hub and emphasised the ACs future role – as a Community Committee – which would be critical in engaging with the local community and influencing service provision. The AC’s support for the design of Hub provision was sought.

In presenting the report, L Hemsworth, Chief Officer Customer Access, outlined the following matters:

• The need for training and service integration to ensure all staff were able to provide necessary services and work as one team,
• The more effective use of ICT resources to deal with simple queries to free up valuable officer time
• Implementation of “pop-up” provision to provide satellite services away from the Hub

Members made the following suggestions in respect of additional services to consider locating in the Hub

• LeedsAnti Social Behaviour Unit
• Foodbanks
• Increased Health Service provision
• Increased Credit Union and welfare advice provision
• Increased Registrar service

The timescale for implementation of the new Hub was noted and Members requested detail of the new services be provided so that they could advise constituents of the new facilities.

Additionally, Members requested further information on the uptake of all services currently provided in the Compton Centre, and emphasised the need to monitor future use to assess the success of the Hub initiative. The AC received assurance that the provision of more services and increased community use of the Compton Centre would not have a negative impact on other community buildings in the EIAC area

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the work being undertaken with current service providers on site at the Compton Joint Service Centre to deliver a Community Hub provision for the whole community

b)  To note the plans for future closer working with partners, both internal and external to the Council, to provide a more holistic customer service provision in communities, led by the needs of the local community

c)  To note that, having considered the role of the AC in the development of the Community Hub concept within the locality (in line with the developments and ideas set out in Section 3 of the submitted report) the AC expressed support for the initiative

d)  To note the request for information on the current use of the Compton Centre will be supplied directly to Members

To consider the Annual Report for the Parks and Countryside Service

The Chief Officer, Parks & Countryside, submitted a report providing an area profile of key assets and services provided in the East Inner Area Committee (EIAC) locality. The report highlighted the current progress towards Leeds Quality Park (LQP) status for community parks and the costs of achieving and retaining LQP status in EIAC community parks up to the year 2020.

Additionally, details of capital improvements in community parks, sport pitches and fixed play in the area for the last 12 months were included along with an outline of planned improvements to be delivered in the next 12 months. A breakdown of events and volunteering within the EIAC area was also included.

S Frosdick, Parks & Countryside Service, attended the meeting and highlighted the following matters:

• The responsibility for the grounds maintenance (GM) function was due to be delegated to Area Committees in March 2014, which would allow EIAC to prioritise and dedicate resources appropriately
• Changes to the provision of Bowling Greens and the proposal to remove one green at Harehills Park and replace this with a formal park
• The intention to assess community parks annually from 2014.
• The resources required to bring the three parks in the area up to LQP standards

(Councillor Ingham left the meeting at this point)

It was reported that the negotiations with trade unions had successfully concluded and grounds maintenance staff would adopt seasonal working pattern.

Members discussed the following issues:

• Bowling green charges and what they covered
• The number of apprentices within the GM team and partnership with Leeds City College
• The Rein Park proposals - Members requested that an action plan of the proposed works and costs be provided directly to ward councillors
• The aspiration to reinstate Seacroft Gardens; Members requested that information on this be provided to them directly 

An additional matter in respect of the misuse of Harehills Cemetery and the measures available to combat nuisance drinkers and dogs was also raised and it was noted that this issue would be raised with the appropriate officer

RESOLVED

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

b)  To note that the requested information would be provided directly to Members

c)  To note the priorities identified by Members for investment

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing details of the Wellbeing Fund spend to date and including details of new projects for consideration

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report providing an update on the current position of the capital and revenue budget for EIAC. Applications for funding, both revenue and capital, were included in the report for Member’s consideration

RESOLVED

a)  That the spend to date and current balances for the 2013/14 financial year be noted;

b)  That, having considered the submitted project proposals, Wellbeing Revenue funding be awarded as follows):

c)  That having considered the projects, the following projects be awarded CRIS or Wellbeing Capital monies to be granted from each Ward as indicated:

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 25^th November 2013

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 25^th November 2013

Further to minute 71 above, the Area Leader invited the Committee to consider the wider issues of the Area Update report. Members raised the following matters

Business Plan – it was noted that proposals for the 2014/15 Plan would be presented to the March meeting for approval. Members were asked to indicate their priorities for 14/15 for inclusion

Employment & Skills – Members referred to Minute 45 of the meeting held 24^th October 2013 when it was agreed that a further detailed report on employment & skills would be presented to the December meeting. Some Members expressed concern that no information had been forthcoming despite this issue being a primary concern for the EIAC area and identified as a key measure to deal with the poverty and deprivation issues experienced in the area. The AC emphasised that employment and skills were a priority for 2014/15 and requested that employment and skills be the main theme of the next meeting of the Area Committee, scheduled for 20^th March 2014. Members indicated their wish to receive a strategic plan on jobs & skills and training; the Plan to outline:

• how the employment & skills service would deliver employment in the area,
• links to the major developments about to commence in the City
• links forged with schools/education providers
• support available for the long term unemployed and those new to job seeking due welfare changes
• how the employment & skills service engages with the communities within the EIAC area

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the Area Update report

b)  To note the comments made by Members and the requests for reports back to the Area Committee

c)  To note the following sub group minutes:

  i.  Health and Wellbeing – 13^th January 2014

  ii.  Planning – 29^th November 2013

  iii.  Environment – 3^rd December 2013

  iv.  Children and Young People – 2^nd December 2013 and 14^th January 2014

To note the date and time of the next meeting as 20^th March 2014 at 5.30 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 20^th March 2014 at 5.30pm. The venue of this meeting is proposed as the Civic Hall, Leeds but is subject to confirmation