Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Deputy Chair welcomed everyone to the March meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee held at Cookridge Methodist Church, Otley Old Road, Leeds 16.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

The Deputy Chair agreed to accept a copy of a document entitled ‘Outer North West Area Committee – Area Delivery Plan 2008/11’ as supplementary information (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 90 refers). The document in question was not available at the time of the agenda despatch.

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

a)  The following personal interests were declared:-

• Councillor C Campbell in his capacity as a Member on the Leeds Bradford Airport’s Joint Consultative Committee (Agenda Item 6) (Minute 87 refers) and in view of his daughters attendance at Prince Henry’s Grammar School (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 91 refers)
• Councillor B Cleasby in view of his daughter’s ownership of an allotment site in Rawdon (Agenda Item 6) (Minute 87 refers)
• Councillor G Latty in his capacity as an Area Panel Member on West North West Homes Leeds (Agenda Items 8 and 12) (Minutes 89 and 93  refer)
• Councillor C Fox in his capacity as a Director of West North West Homes Leeds (Agenda Items 8 and 12) (Minutes 89 and 93 refer)
• Councillor R Downes in his capacity as Chair of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 90 refers)

b)  The following personal and prejudicial interests were declared:-

• Councillor G Kirkland in his capacity as a Foundation Governor at Prince Henry’s Grammar School (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 91 refers)
• Councillor R Downes in his capacity as a School Governor at Prince Henry’s Grammar School (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 91 refers)

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors S Andrew and C Townsley.

In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, at the discretion of the Chair a period of up to 10 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair.  No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair

In accordance with paragraph 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed members of the public a period of up to 10 minutes to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

a) Leeds Bradford Airport – Noise Action Plan

Clive Woods, Aireborough Civic Society reported his continuing concerns about the problems of light aircraft noise at weekends (Sunday’s in particular).

He informed the meeting that Leeds Bradford Airport had commented on this issue and acknowledged some commitment to resolve the problem. However, to date, he had not received a reply from the airport.

He also made reference to Leeds Bradford Airport’s ‘Draft Noise Action Plan’ which had been out for consultation since December and ended on 24^th April 2010. He informed the meeting that the plan failed to address the problem of light aircraft noise.

He therefore urged the Area Committee to respond to the consultation on the following lines:-

• the Action Plan should refer to and comment on the issue of noise caused by light aircraft’s;
• the Action Plan should aim to reduce and mitigate the problem, together with measuring the extent of the problem i.e. limitation on number per day or in one hour or hours when permitted; none on Sunday as at Doncaster and silencers on light aircraft

Detailed discussion ensued and in summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the progress made to date on this issue at the Airport’s Joint Consultative Committee
• the concerns expressed that the airport have not advertised the ‘Draft Noise Action Plan’ widely within the consultation process
• the need for an advertisement to be prepared for the Yorkshire Evening Post and local press, on behalf of the Area Committee, encouraging people to respond to the consultation
• the need for the Area Committee to write to the airport and Multi–flight seeking an extension to the consultation deadline
• the need for a better consultation process between the airport and those local communities affected by the airport’s day to day activities and to have in place an established consultative body for the communities around issues such as airport noise, car parking and private flying etc
• the need for airport representatives to attend the next meeting to talk about the consultation process

Arising from the above discussions, the Area Committee requested the Acting West North West Area Manager to undertake the following courses of action :-

a)  To place an advertisement in the Yorkshire Evening Post and local press encouraging people to respond to the ‘Draft Noise Action Plan’ consultation as a matter of urgency.

b)  To write a letter, on behalf of the Area Committee, to the airport and Multi-flight seeking a postponement of the current consultation deadline of 24^th April 2010 until 30^th June 2010.

c)  To invite airport representatives and Multi-flight to the next Area Committee meeting in June 2010 to discuss the consultation process in more detail and on the continuing problem of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th February 2010.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th February 2010 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods informing Members of progress on a number of projects in Outer North West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2008-11.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the Letting and Pricing Policy for Community Centres which was circulated at the previous Area Committee on 8^th February 2010.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report informing Members of the progress on a number of projects in Outer North Leeds West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2009-11 and the Leeds Strategic Plan.

Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• clarification of the ward breakdown in relation to the recruitment of the West North West Citizens Panel

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to investigate this matter further with a report back at the next meeting)

• clarification of the consultation process, the identity of the people chosen and formation arrangements in relation to the West North West Citizens Panel

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and informed the meeting that this was work in progress, and that West North West Area Management would engage with Ward Members on these issues)

• the continuing problems associated with bin collections in relation to 1^st floor properties within the Holt Park area and the need to address this issue
• the concerns expressed about litter on the High Street in Yeadon and the need for Ward Councillors to take action in this regard
• clarification of the arrangements proposed for the hosting of an Area Committee volunteer celebration event in September to recognise the contribution of volunteers to improving their local area

(Jane Pattison, West North West Area Management outlined the arrangements and it was noted that volunteers would receive a written invitation)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the Letting and Pricing Policy for Community Centres which was circulated at the previous Area Committee on 8^th February 2010.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presenting the meeting with an updated Outer North West Area Delivery Plan (ADP) for 2010-11 for approval, and to inform Members of the proposed content and format of the Area Delivery Plan with detail of how it will link with the Leeds Strategic Plan.

(N.B.  Appendix 1 to follow)

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That, subject to the revision proposed in relation to the Transport theme (Local Improvement Priorities D6 refers), approval be given to the draft Area Delivery Plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Referring to Minute 79 of the meeting held on 8^th February 2010, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report presenting the meeting with an updated Outer North West Area Delivery Plan (ADP) for 2010-11 for approval, and to inform Members of the proposed content and format of the Area Delivery Plan with detail of how it would link with the Leeds Strategic Plan.

A copy of a document entitled ‘ Outer North West Area Committee – Area Delivery Plan 2009/11’ (Appendix 1 refers) was circulated for the information/comment of the meeting.

Jane Pattison, West North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Specific discussion ensued on the Transport theme, with reference to the Local Improvement Priorities column (D6 refers) and on the Committee’s reluctance in supporting the 2010/11 actions outlined in the document.

Following a brief discussion, the Committee requested the Acting West North West Area Manager to delete the above actions column from the document.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That, subject to the revision proposed in relation to the Transport  

      theme (Local Improvement Priorities D6 refers), approval be given

       to the draft Area Delivery Plan as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing the Area Committee with a current position statement on the well-being budget, details of proposed projects and small grant applications received to date.

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

b)  That this Committee notes the current position of the Well-being budget as detailed in Sections 2.0 and 3.0 of the report.

c)  That the following projects outlined in Section 4.0 of the report be dealt with as follows:-

d)  That in relation to the Youth Mobile 2010/11 project as referred to in

  Section 4.9 of the report, consideration of this application be deferred

  until the next meeting of the Area Committee and that, in the interim

  period, the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to

  undertake the following actions:-

·  invite a representative from the Youth Service to the next meeting to answer Members’ queries and to provide the meeting with specific information in relation to the future and responsive deployment of the vehicle

·  refer the service and usage issues of this project to the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) for consideration

e)  That the small grants as detailed in Section 6.2 of the report be noted, and that the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to re-circulate the funding documentation to Members of the Committee in relation to the Community Safety Crime Reduction Equipment application.

Referring to Minute 74 of the meeting held on 8^th February 2010, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with a current position statement on the Well-being budget, details of proposed projects and small grant applications received to date.

Jane Pattison, West North West Area Management, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes the current position of the Well-being budget as detailed in Sections 2.0 and 3.0 of the report.

c)  That the following projects outlined in Section 4.0 of the report be dealt with as follows:-

d)  That in relation to the Youth Mobile 2010/11 project as referred to in Section 4.9 of the report, consideration of this application be deferred until the next meeting of the Area Committee and that, in the interim period, the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to undertake the following actions:-

·  invite a representative from the Youth Service to the next meeting to answer Members’ queries and to provide the meeting with specific information in relation to the future and responsive deployment of the vehicle

·  refer the service and usage issues of this project to the Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) for consideration

e)  That the small grants as detailed in Section 6.2 of the report be noted, and that the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to re-circulate the funding documentation to Members of the Committee in relation to the Community Safety Crime Reduction Equipment application.

(Councillors G Kirkland and R Downes having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Environmental Improvement for Entrance Area project, left the room during this item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)

(Councillor A Barker left the meeting at 3.30pm during discussions of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

Jane Pattison, West North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report of Acting Area Performance Manager Outer North West (WNWhL) on progress in relation to the current problems on the Weston Estate in Otley.

Referring to Minute 71(c) of the meeting held on 8^th February 2010, the Acting Area Performance Manager Outer North West (WNMhL) submitted a report providing the Area Committee with progress in relation to the the current problems on the Weston Estate in Otley.

Richard Wyn Davies, Neighbourhood Manager, West North West Homes Leeds presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the concerns expressed about the inappropriate letting of flats on  Broadwalk in Otley
• the need for the lettings policy to be extended throughout the NW (Outer) area and to focus on Fairfax flats in this regard

(The Neighbourhood Manager responded and confirmed that he would be prepared to look at other lettings, providing that they met the agreed criteria)

• clarification of where a person leaving prison, for example, would be placed in the Otley area

(The Neighbourhood Manager responded and confirmed that there was no specific criteria and that each case would be placed on a general waiting list)

• the concerns expressed about the length of time it took for people to be removed from the affected properties and the need for a protocol to be introduced to ensure that the situation would not be repeated
• the need for the Area Committee to be aware of a forthcoming major review that would be taken on Anti-Social Behaviour and of the fact that a report in this regard would be submitted to the Executive Board in June 2010

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer requesting Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meetings for the 2010/11 municipal year.

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Cookridge Methodist Church, Otley Old Road, Cookridge, Leeds LS16 7DF

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report requesting Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meetings for the 2010/11 municipal year.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the dates, times and venues for the North West (Outer) Area Committee for 2010/11 in accordance with the report now submitted.

The Deputy Chair informed the meeting that this was Councillor John Bale’s last Area Committee meeting as he was not standing at the local elections in May.

Members of the Area Committee paid tribute to his past services as an Elected Member for the Guiseley and Rawdon ward and for his commitment to the North West (Outer) Area Committee.

(The meeting concluded at 4.25pm)