Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed Members, officers and the public to the meeting.  As this was a special meeting, in effect a continuation of the meeting held on 3^rd July 2008, there were no minutes of the previous meeting, and no Open Forum item. However, at the conclusion of the formal meeting, he intended that Members and the public should be given an opportunity to informally discuss current issues, such as the Leeds Girls High School site.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, 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 so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 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:-

The Chair made reference to Appendix 1 to Agenda Item 8, the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods regarding the proposed disposal of the freehold of the Woodsley Road Community Centre to the Centre’s Management Committee.  Appendix 1 contained exempt information relating to details of the proposed financial transaction.  It was hoped that the item could be discussed in public, without the need to refer to the exempt information, but the Committee needed to pass a formal resolution to exclude the press and public in order to protect the integrity of the exempt information.

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following 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:-

Agenda Item 8 (Minute No 22 refers) – Freehold Disposal – Woodsley Road Multi-Cultural Community Centre – Paragraph 10.4(3) – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

Councillor K Hussain declared a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of Agenda Item 8 (Min No 22 refers), Freehold Disposal of Woodlsey Road Multi-Cultural Community Centre, in his capacity as a Council-appointed member of the Community Centre Management Committee, and indicated that he would be leaving the meeting when that item was discussed and voted upon.

Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bentley and Chapman.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the Area Delivery Plan 2008/11.

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That subject to further consideration of the extensive comments made by Members and the public at this meeting, the draft Area Delivery Plan 2008-2011 be approved in principle;

c)  That the Member Working Group meet to consider further the Area Delivery Plan, and any alterations necessary as a result of tonight’s meeting, following which a revised proposed final Area Delivery Plan be circulated to all Area Committee Members and local community groups prior to its submission to the Council’s Executive Board in September/October 2008.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report regarding the Committee’s draft Area Delivery Plan (ADP) 2008-2011. Steve Crocker, West and North West Area Manager, introduced the item and responded to questions and comments from Members and the public on the document.

This was the first year of the new enhanced and extended powers and responsibilities of Area Committees, in particular in respect of assuming the co-ordination and monitoring role previously performed by the District Partnerships. The Area Manager stressed the need for the ADP to reflect local priorities linked to the City’s Leeds Strategic Plan 2008-2011 and the City Council Business Plan 2008-2011. The Area Committee role was now to work with strategic partners at local level to identify those priorities, channel resources to meet those needs and to monitor performance against expectations. This was very much a ‘work in progress’ and should be viewed as such, which would be reviewed and amended and adapted on an annual basis. Also circulated at the meeting by way of background information, was a copy of further information on this subject prepared by the Area Manager, together with a copy of the 2007/08 ADP Action Plan.

In brief summary, the following main points were raised during the wide-ranging discussion of this item:-

·  The impact of Headingley Cricket and Rugby Stadium on residents in the area, particularly in respect of parking difficulties on match days;

·  The importance of introducing 20 mph in appropriate residential streets;

·  The lack of emphasis in the ADP on the protection of green space in the area;

·  The need for the ADP to include the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of the area, such as the old mills in the Kirkstall Valley;

·  The Kirkstall Park and Kirkstall Forge developments needed to be in the ADP;

·  The need for the ADP to include  reference to the replacement of the current Kirkstall Valley BMX track;

·  Lack of reference to:

- a strategy for getting more homes back into family use;

-  the significant impact of the student and transient population on the area;

-  community enterprise initiatives;

-  Education – not enough emphasis

·  Lack of co-terminus boundaries between different authorities was an issue;

·  No reference to problems caused by Planning Inspectorate decisions, and how this might be addressed;

·  Lack of co-ordination/communication with the Leeds HMO Lobby;

·  Lack of reference to Neighbourhood Design Strategies and Local Planning Officer;

·  Not enough emphasis on strategies to help to achieve a ‘balanced population’;

·  Apparent lack of action on matters such as the Shared Housing Action Plan and Housing Mix Area Action Plan;

·  No ‘Vision’ or overall strategies for proactive initiatives which would enthuse and encourage the local population;

·  Lack of emphasis on significance and role which can be played by the local voluntary and community sector

·  The link between the reference to health inequalities and the need to retain the Leeds Girls High School swimming pool for public use;

·  The need to include cross-references in the ADP to other Council plans  and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on proposals for changing the structure of partnership working.

a)   That the contents of the report be noted.

  b)  That approval be given to endorsing the principle of utilising Area Committee meetings to improve partnership working so far as it relates to the Strategic Plan.

c)   That the following Members be identified with an interest and 

  the availability to act as champions for the specific themes dealt with

  by partnership  groups and sub groups/ward forums:-

  Councillor Ewens  - Children and Young People Partnership

  Councillor Bentley  - Community Safety Partnership

  Councillor Yeadon  - Economy and Skills Partnership

  Councillor Chapman  - Health and Wellbeing Partnership

  Councillor Matthews  - Environment Partnership

  Councillor Hamilton  - Housing Partnership

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report regarding proposals for future partnership working arrangements in the area, following the City-wide demise of the District Partnerships arrangements. This involved proposals for themed public meetings immediately prior to Area Committee meetings, a review of the existing Ward Forums and Area Committee Sub-Groups, and the nomination of individual Area Committee Members as ‘Champions’ for particular partnerships.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)  That approval be given to endorsing the principle of utilising Area Committee meetings to improve partnership working so far as it relates to the Strategic Plan.

(c)  That the following Members be identified with an interest and the availability to act as champions for the specific themes dealt with by partnership  groups and sub groups/ward forums:-

Councillor Ewens  - Children and Young People Partnership

Councillor Bentley  - Community Safety Partnership

Councillor Yeadon  - Economy and Skills Partnership

Councillor Chapman- Health and Wellbeing Partnership

Councillor Matthews- Environment Partnership

Councillor Hamilton  - Housing Partnership

(d)  That the following Ward Forums and Area Committee Sub-Groups continue, with the following Chairs:

  Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum   - Councillor Ewens

  Kirkstall and Burley Forum    - Councillor Yeadon

  Headingley Forum    - Councillor Matthews

  Children and Young People   - Councillor Ewens

  Streetscene and Environment  - Councillor Monaghan

  Graffiti     - Councillor Bentley

  Community Safety    - Councillor Bentley

  Shared Housing    - Councillor Hamilton

  Students and the Community    - Councillor Monaghan

  Planning    - Vacant

  Transport      - Vacant

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the freehold disposal of Woodsley Road Multi-cultural Community Centre.

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the principle of the sale of the freehold of Woodsley Road Multi-cultural Community Centre subject to the terms negotiated by the Director of City Development, as now reported.

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report regarding the proposed sale by the Council of the Woodsley Road Community Centre to its Management Committee. The report included an exempt appendix containing details of the financial aspects of the proposed transaction.

RESOLVED  -

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That approval be given to the principle of the sale of the freehold of Woodsley Road Multi-cultural Community Centre subject to the terms negotiated by the Director of City Development, as now reported.

(NB:  1  Councillor Hussain declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item in his capacity as a member of the Woodsley Road Community Centre Management Committee, and left the meeting, taking no part in the discussion  or voting thereon.

  2  Councillor Ewens declared a personal interest in this item in her capacity as a non-voting member of the Woodsley Road Community Centre Management Committee)

The meeting concluded at 8.10 pm