Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

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 late items submitted to the agenda for consideration.

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.

There were no apologies for absence.

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 23^rd September 2013

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd September be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer Revenues and Benefits providing an update on the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also provides 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. 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. 

 The Chief Officer (Welfare and Benefits) submitted a report which provided an update of the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also provided information on arrangements that have been put in place to support tenants. The report detailed some of the preparations that are underway for Universal Credit with a focus on locality-based support that can be provided. The report provided information about this programme and sought input from Area Committees on how the programme of activity can work at a locality level.

The Finance Manager (Welfare and Benefits) was in attendance to answer Members questions.

Members discussed the report in detail asking specific questions about the figures provided at Appendix 1 to the attached report.

Members also questioned the wider context of the report in terms of how the North West Outer figures compared to the rest of the City.

Members noted that in the North West Outer Area that fewer people were being affected by welfare changes.

Members expressed dissatisfaction with the figures contained within the report. It was requested that they be provided with clear information explaining: the effect of welfare changes to the people in the North West Outer Area; the impact of high interest loan companies; and information about local job opportunities.

At this point in discussion the Chair invited Taira Kayani, the Chief Executive of Better Leeds Communities, to speak about her organisation. The Committee were informed that the organisation aims to: improve economic wellbeing; provide sustained support to families; and improve employability. It was highlighted that in Leeds there are high levels of deprivation and that people were being affected by recent changes to welfare benefits.

Members thanked the Chief Executive of Better Leeds Communities for informing the Committee of the role of her organisation.

Members went on to discuss the problems faced by people who use the services of pay day loan companies and the reasons as to why they are successful. Concerns were raised about these companies and other money lenders who operate illegally.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the information about the impact of the welfare reforms;

(b)  Note the information about the campaign against high cost lenders and contribute to options for locality-based events and initiatives to support the campaign;

(c)  Request that the figures provided at Appendix 1 of the submitted report be reviewed and made more relevant to Members of the North West Outer Area Committee; and that detailed narrative requested during discussion also be provided to support the figures.

(d)  Support the Council’s stance on high interest money lending and debt

(e)  Champion the following priorities:

•  Better connecting local people to Leeds job opportunities and training  through the planning process, sector based work academies and apprenticeships; and

•  Continuing to support local communities through localised employability, learning and advice provision.

To receive a report of the West Yorkshire Fire Service providing information on the activity levels in the Outer North West Area and update the Committee on the progress of the Integrated Risk Management Plan.

Nigel Atkins (Station Manager for Otley, Rawdon and Cookridge Fire Stations) presented a report submitted by West Yorkshire Fire Service which provided information on the activity levels in the Outer North West Area and updated the Committee on the progress of the Integrated Risk Management Plan.

Members noted that a large percentage of the fire service’s time is spent undertaking home fire safety checks, which helps prevent fires.

The figures submitted within the report were considered and discussed by Members.

Members also discussed the meaning of secondary fires, which are fires classified as having no monetary value such as grass or bin fired. It was confirmed to Members that smoke detectors are still provided free of charge to any vulnerable person.

Members were informed that in terms of charging for services the only services currently charged for are in relation to rescues from lifts and repeat occurrences of false fire alarms.

Members discussed the meaning of the Firefly system with the officer present. It was confirmed to Members that this was a system for identifying vulnerable people and which helped inform fire-fighters where best to start searching if a fire was to start in someone’s home.

Members noted that attendance at Road Traffic Collisions was decreasing.

It was confirmed to Members that West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service only attends these incidents when they are called out.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report.

Councillor Lay left the meeting at 3:10pm during the discussion of this item.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities) providing the Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14.  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 the Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14. The report highlights the current position of the Small grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting. It also provides an update on the Youth Activity Fund.

The Chair re-iterated the need to continue to identify and financially support well-being projects.

Members requested clarification on what specifically capital funding can be spent on.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the current budget position for the Revenue Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 (Appendix 1 and Table 1);

(b)  That the following be agreed in respect of those expressions of interest received for well-being funding, as detailed within Section 3.4 of the submitted report;

(c)  Note the current position of the small grants an skips pots and those skips which have been approved since the last meeting;

(d)  Note the current budget position for the Capital Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14;

(e)  Note the current position of the Youth Activity Fund; and

(f)  Provide clarification to Members on what capital funding can be spent on.

To receive a report of the Director of Environment and Housing which is the annual community safety report, providing the Committee with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months.  The report will also provide details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

The Area Community Safety Officer presented a report of The Director of Environment and Housing which was the annual community safety report, which provided the Committee with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months. The report also provided details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

Councillor Fox addressed the Committee in his role as Area Lead Member for Community Safety, he highlighted that the crime statistics were encouraging in that there had been a fall in overall crime.

Members discussed CCTV cameras highlighting the importance of ensuring that vegetation did not cover cameras over and affect the quality of the images they provide.

Members paid tribute to Council Officers and the Police in the successful removal of an abandoned vehicle in a Horsforth Library car park.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Request that vegetation covering CCTV cameras be looked into by officers;

(b)  Note the contents of the report; and

(c)  Note the Area Committee’s role in reducing burglary and other crime.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) Bringing together a range of information relating to Area Committee business into a single report and to update Members on recent sub group and forum business and also project and service activity.

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

Members were requested to consider whether they wished a Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) to be drafted for Otley and agreed that this should be done.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the contents of the report; and

(b)  Request that officers from Entertainment and Licensing draft a proposal for a CIP for Otley.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) formally notifying the Committee 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.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

2pm, Monday 9^th December 2013

The Old Stables, Adel, LS16 8DW

2pm, Monday 9^th December 2013 at The Old Stables, Adel, Leeds, LS16 8DW