Agenda and minutes

Due to the absence of Councillor A Khan, nominations were sought for a Chair for the meeting. 

RESOLVED – That Councillor G Hyde be nominated as Chair of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors A Khan, R Grahame, A Hussain, R Harington and V 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 to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

Concern was raised regarding the potential closure of the Spring Close Tavern which held a library, book club and other community facilities including a genealogy group.  It was requested that this should be kept as a community hub and Area Management agreed to assist in investigating a community asset registration.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th February 2014

(copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2014 be confirmed as a correct record.

It was reported that a meeting had been held with Parks and Countryside regarding the provision of a new park in Killingbeck and Seacroft.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Employment & Skills, seeking endorsement to the proposals to develop a local Employment and Skills Plan and to establish an East North East Leeds Employment and Skills Board

(Time – 60 minutes)

The report of the Chief Officer, Employment and Skills, sought endorsement to the proposals to develop a local Employment and Skills Plan and to establish an East North East Leeds Employment and Skills Board.

Sue Wynne, Chief Officer, Employment and Skills presented the report.

It was reported that since the last report to Area Committee the number of benefit claimants had fallen and there had been an increase in the number of jobs created.  Further issues highlighted included the following:

·  Involvement of the colleges and universities and how to localise priorities.

·  The need for engagement with all key stakeholders in the Employment and Skills plan.

·  Input from Elected Members and local intelligence for the Employment and Skills Plan.  It was proposed to establish a task and finish group.

·  Employment opportunities linked to local developments.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Concern regarding employment opportunities for older people and for those with mental health problems.

·  Concern regarding welfare reform and impacts on benefits.

·  Targeting NEETs.

·  Developing more localised strategies and becoming responsive to Area Committees.

·  How many jobs and apprenticeships would be available for local people in the local development schemes?

·  How to get Elected Member representation on the relevant employment boards.

·  Work with schools and colleges in relation to employment programmes and career opportunities.

·  The Employment and Skills Plan would cover the entire East North East Area but would be bespoke for each Area Committee area.

·  Work with Children’s Services – work with young people; apprenticeship events.

·  How to get people into employment in local development schemes – it was reported that development contracts were being finalised and adverts would be placed soon.  There would be provision for local opportunities under Section 106 agreements and this would also include the provision of apprenticeships.  Developers would be working with local schools and colleges.

·  Statistical information at a Ward level was requested.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the establishment of a new East North East Leeds Employment and Skills Board be endorsed.

(3)  That the timetable for development of the Employment and Skills Plan for the area be noted.

(4)  That the Committee receives further reports on a quarterly basis.

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services providing information on local outcomes for children and young people within the EIAC locality, setting the information in context with a broad summary of city level performance

(Time – 10 minutes)

The report of the Director of Children’s Services provided information on local outcomes for children within the Inner East locality, setting the information in context with a broad summary of city level performance.

Steve Walker, Deputy Director, Children’s Services presented the report.

Members attention was brought to the summary of performance data in the report which should progress in the area and comparisons to trends across the city.  Concern was highlighted due to a drop in Key Stage 2 level 4 achievement and an increase in the number of NEETs.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Interventions to raise learning achievement – how to transfer support from more successful schools to others, development of a learning improvement strategy.  Further information was requested on what work was being done to raise attainment in the areas primary schools.  School Improvement Officers would be assigned to the lower performing schools.

·  Further information was requested on work in high schools for those leaving to potential employment.

·  Request for a further breakdown on looked after children and those on child protection plans.

·  School attendance – there had been a slight drop and strategies and incentives for encouraging attendance were discussed.

·  Unauthorised absence – it was not yet known how the impact of penalty notices had affected unauthorised absence.  This would be reported when more information was available.

·  Reference to areas of improvement – these included a reduction in the numbers of looked after children and child protection plans; a reduction in offences and a rise in the numbers getting 5+ A*-C GCSE in English and Maths.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted and further quarterly reports be provided to Members.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Housing setting out the proposed local priorities, operational principles and service improvements to be included in the 2014/15 Service Level Agreement (SLA)

(Time – 10 minutes)

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing set out the proposed local priorities, operational principles and the service improvements to be included in the 2014/15 Service Level Agreement (SLA).

John Woolmer, Locality Manager (East and North East Leeds) presented the report.

Member’s attention was brought to the following:

·  Challenges during the 2013/14 SLA – Moving to an environmental improvement zone approach; adverse weather conditions and staff absence.

·  Services currently included in the SLA and future responsibilities. Future responsibilities included bulky waste collection and void garden clearances.

·  Development of a team based approach with multi-skilled staff.

·  Setting of Environmental Improvement Zones.

In response to comments and questions from Members, the following was discussed:

·  Education and enforcement in relation to litter.

·  Provision and replacement of litter bins.

·  Developing more responsive services.

·  Community clean ups and work with Area Management and Community Leadership Teams.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the main service principles for 2014/15 be agreed.

(2)  That the new responsibilities being transferred to the Locality Team in 2014/15 be noted.

(3)  That the development of the new SLA for 2014/15 be agreed and brought to the July meeting for approval based on refreshed Elected Member and Community Committee local priorities.

(4)  That the grounds maintenance contract performance for Inner East Leeds be noted.

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an overview of the key issues currently facing the communities of Inner East Leeds and a list of area-wide priorities to guide the future spend of Wellbeing Revenue and Wellbeing Capital monies. The report also includes suggested key themes to inform the work of the Area Committee moving forward and provides the basis for the discussion around the naming of the new community committee for 2014/15

(Time – 10 minutes)

The report of the East North East Area Leader presented the Area Committee with the following:

·  An overview of the key issues currently facing the communities of Inner East Leeds.

·  A list of area-wide priorities to guide the future spend of Wellbeing Revenue and Wellbeing Capital monies.

·  Suggested key themes to inform the work of the Area Committee moving forward.

Members were also asked to consider the name for the new community committee from the 2014/15 municipal year.

Members’ attention was brought to potential key themes outlined in the report and the following areas were favoured for consideration:

Members’ attention was brought to potential key themes outlined in the report and the following areas were favoured for consideration:

• NEETS/Worklessness
• Health (especially mental health)
• Re-engaging young people/community cohesion
• Environment

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the area-wide priorities for 2014-15 be agreed.

(3)  That key themes identified be used to inform a community engagement strategy/plan to come back to the Community Committee in July 2014.

(4)  That the Community Committee be known as the Community Committee for Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Gipton & Harehills and Killingbeck & Seacroft.

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an overview of the work undertaken  in the Inner East priority neighbourhoods by the Area Support Team and providing an update on the latest Neighbourhood Index profiles and the emerging priorities for 2014/15

(Time – 10 minutes)

The report of the East North East Area Leader provided the Area Committee with an overview of the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) priorities which had been outlined in the priority neighbourhoods and would be a focus for Neighbourhood Managers for the next 12 months.

The report also highlighted key achievements which had been delivered in the priority neighbourhoods between April 2013 and March 2014.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

(Time – 10 minutes)

The report of the East North East Area Leader provided the Area Committee with an update on the current position of the capital and revenue budget.  Members were asked to consider applications for funding, both revenue and capital which had been outlined in the report.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the spend to date and current balances for the 2013/14 financial year be noted.

(2)  That the following projects be approved:

o  Eastern European Roma Work Club - £3,000

o  Harehills & Gipton get into Youth Work - £2,216

o  Happy, Healthy Harvesters Club - £1,135

(3)  That the following proposal be approved and where appropriate, the amount of CRIS or Wellbeing Capital monies to be granted from each ward:

o  Dame Fanny Waterman Centre IT Installation – £5,055

(4)  That the following amount of Wellbeing Revenue and Youth Activity funding be earmarked from the new budget:

o  Inner East CCTV - £16,000

o  Environmental SLA Enhancements - £40,000

o  Summer Holiday Activities 2014/15 - £42,000 from Youth Activity Fund

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 20^th January 2014

(Time – 5 minutes)

RESOLVED – That the Area Chair’s Forum minutes be noted.

a)  To confirm the date and time of the next meeting – proposed as Friday 6th June 2014 at 11:30 am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (to deal with the Election of the Chair for the 2014/15 Municipal Year)

b)  To consider the report of the City Solicitor seeking consideration of meeting arrangements for the forthcoming Municipal Year proposed as:

·  Thursday 17^th July 2014 at 5.30pm

·  Thursday 9^th October 2014 at 5.30pm

·  Thursday 22^nd January 2015 at 5.30pm

·  Thursday 19^th March 2015 at 5.30pm

(Time – 10 minutes)

The report of the City Solicitor sought the formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2014/15 municipal year and also to agree a date for the Election of Chair meeting prior to the Annual Council meeting in June 2014.  Members were also asked to consider whether to continue with current venue and meeting arrangements.

The following dates had been proposed for the 2014/15 municipal year:

Thursday, 17 July 2014 at 5.30 p.m.

Thursday, 9 October 2014 at 5.30 p.m.

Thursday, 22 January 2015 at 5.30 p.m.

Thursday, 19 March 2015 at 5.30 p.m.

The proposed date for the meeting to elect a Chair was Friday, 6 June 2014 at 11:30 a.m.

Members discussed potential venues for future meetings and agreed to consult further with Community Leadership Teams.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the schedule of meetings as outlined in the report for the 2014/15 municipal year be agreed.

(2)  That the date of the meeting to elect a Chair be held at 11.30 a.m. on Friday, 6 June 2015 at Civic Hall.