Agenda and minutes

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, 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  the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following  resolution:-

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those 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:-‘

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

There were no formal late items submitted to the agenda for consideration. However Supplementary Information had been circulated and published with regards to Agenda Item 12 “Area Update Report” Minute No.40 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.

No declarations were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J L Carter.

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 ask questions on matters within the term of reference of the Area Committee.

On this occasion there were no members of the public present.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th June 2013 and 10^th July 2013.

RESOLVED – The Minutes of the meeting held on 10th July 2013 were approved as a correct record subject to noting the apologies of Councillor Lay.

Minute No. 28 Children and Young People’s Sub Group

It was noted by the Area Committee that Councillor P Latty is the Children’s Lead for the North West Outer Area.

Director of Children’s Services submitted a report informing Members about local outcomes for children and young people, and support the involvement of area committees in improving these outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas is also highlighted. The report summarises performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance.  Key issues for Children’s Services are highlighted, including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report informing Members about local outcomes for children and young people. This supported the involvement of area committees in improving outcomes and provided an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas was also highlighted. The report summarised performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance.  Key issues for Children’s Services were highlighted, including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city.

Sue Rumbold (Chief Officer Partnership Development) and Jancis Andrew (Area Head of Targeted Services) were in attendance to discuss the report with Members and to answer any questions.

Members considered the effect of a new penalty system to be enforced when children are removed from school, by parents taking holidays during term time. It was confirmed that a £60.00 fine would be administered by the Council for any absence of 5 days or more. All monies collected would be retained to help cover the administrative costs of the scheme.

Members took the view that non-attendance figures appeared high for the area and that a more detailed breakdown of schools with persistent offenders would be useful. The definition of a persistent offender was also explained to Members. Concern was expressed about children missing school during term time and the difficulties in them catching up on class work. Members were assured that schools have systems in place to ensure children do catch up.

Members requested details on the effect of children who do not have high attendance at school.

It was noted by Members that prices were higher for holidays during official school breaks and it was requested that the Children and Young Peoples Sub Group look into this matter.

Members discussed referrals to Children’s Services and whether this varies from area to area.

RESOLVED -

(a)  Children and Young People’s Sub Group to undertake work looking into travel agency costs during official school holiday periods;

(b)  That the Area Committee receive details on the effect of children who do not have high attendance at school;

(c)  That a breakdown be provided of schools where absence by persistence offenders affects attendance statistics; and

(d)  That the report be noted.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer Welfare and Benefits providing an update of the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also providing information on arrangements that have been put in place to support tenants. The report details some of the preparations that are underway for Universal Credit with a focus on locality-based support that can be provided.  A key element of the preparations for Universal Credit and a response to the welfare reforms is a programme of work aimed at tackling the issue of payday and high cost lending in the city.  The report provides information about this programme and seeks input from Area Committees on how the programme of activity can work at a locality level.

In light of the Chief Officer, Welfare and Benefits being unable to attend the meeting to present the submitted report and answer Member questions the Chair withdrew the report from the agenda to be deferred to a later date.

To receive a report of West North West Homes outlining the purpose of West North West homes Leeds (WNWhL) involvement in Area Committees, and to explore ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

West North West Homes submitted a report which covers the previous reporting period advising the Area Committee of activities undertaken by West North West homes Leeds (WNWhL) which impact on local communities.

Juliet Duke, Neighbourhood Performance Manager presented the report to the Area Committee updating Members on the activity of West North West homes Leeds over the last six months.

Members noted that WNWHL will become part of Housing Leeds on 1st October 2013.

It was confirmed that any outstanding work agreed by WNWHL would be taken on by Housing Leeds.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)  That a report be brought to the next meeting of the Area Committee providing an update on the implementation progress of Housing Leeds.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities) providing the Area Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 and includes the quarterly monitoring returns for ongoing wellbeing projects.  The report highlights the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting. It also provides an update on the Youth Activity Fund.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report providing an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 and noting those projects agreed for support from the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14. It also highlighted the current position of the Small Grants and skips and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting. The report also provided and update on the Youth Activity Fund.

Rachel Marshall, West North West Area Support Team presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

The Chair highlighted to Members the importance of spending the wellbeing fund and driving forward deserving community projects, by encouraging applications for funding.

RESOLVED-

(a)  That the current position of the well-being budget as set out at Appendix 1 of the report be noted;

(b)  That the content of the quarterly monitoring returns for ongoing projects funded through the Wellbeing fund as set out in Appendix 2 of the report be noted;

(c)  That the current position of the Small Grants and skips and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting be noted;

(d)  That the current position of the Youth Activity fund be Noted; and

(e)  That the following be agreed in respect of those expressions of interest received for well-being funding, as detailed within Section 4 of the submitted report;

*Members approved this, however they wished to note their disagreement that Yeadon and Otley should have to pay more on the basis they are further from the central control room.

It was noted that the following project was not recommended for support at this time.

Safe Haven at Paradise

Delivery organisation: Safe Haven at Paradise

Amount Requested: £39,000 (£19,500 O & Y and £19,500 G & R)

It was noted that Outer North West Area Committee would receive £10,08617 of additional capital funding as a result of the Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme (CRIS).

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities)  bringing together a range of information relating to Area Committee business into a single report to update Members on recent sub group and forum business since the last Area Committee.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report updating Members on recent sub group and forum business since the last Area Committee.

Elected Members gave updates on their theme areas including the following:

•  Children and Young People Sub Group

•  Health and Well Being;

•  Joint Transport Sub Group; and

•  Policy Sub Group

Members asked for an amendment to be made to the Joint Transport Sub Group minutes with respect to the anticipated number of jobs created by NGT. Furthermore Members requested that a formal response be sought form NGT with regards to the jobs that will potentially be created by constructing the system.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the Joint Transport Sub Group Minutes of 13th September 2013 be amended as requested; and

(c)  That a formal response be obtained from NGT with respect to the numbers of jobs to be potentially created if the system is constructed.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) notify Members that the minutes of Area Chairs Forum meetings will be brought to Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item, and to give a brief overview of the Area Chairs Forum meetings.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report which formally notified Members that the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meetings will be brought to the Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item, and to give a brief overview of the Area Chairs Forum meetings.

The Chair raised the issue of the Area Committee potentially changing its name. Members were asked to consider what name they would like to give the Area Committee to reflect the region it covers.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

2pm, Monday 4^th November 2013.

2pm, Monday 4^th November 2013

Otley Methodist Church.