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.

With the agreement of the Chair,  two late items were submitted to the meeting- Agenda Item 9- Wellbeing Fund Update Report and Agenda Item 10- Children and Young People's Sub Group. It was considered that both matters needed to be considered by the Committee prior to the next scheduled meeting.

In addition, information relating to the Open Forum, and a response to this from Adult Social Services, was circulated at the meeting at the request of the participants of the Open Forum and Adult Social Services.

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.

There were no declarations made.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors JL Carter, C Fox and S Lay.

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

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting held on 17th June 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Minute 7; 17th June 2013 refers

Members discussed the wording of the minutes for this item. Members stated that the officer from Adult Social Care had given clear assurances that no resident would have to move from Manorfield House Residential Home, Horsforth if they did not want to, and felt that this had been diluted in the minute for this item. Members sought clarification that this assurance still stood.

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 terms of reference of the Area Committee.

Mrs Holt and Mrs Chapman addressed the Area Committee regarding the proposed closure of Manorfield House Residential Home, Horsforth, updating the Committee on a number of issues which they had previously raised in the Open Forum and Full Council meetings relating to the consultation process and future accommodation provision in the Horsforth area.

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

- The impact of moving home on elderly people, many of whom are disabled and therefore particularly vulnerable to stress including that caused by relocating.

- The variation in expert opinion on the impact that moving can have on elderly people

- Concerns regarding the information which was available regarding the alternative accommodation available in the Horsforth area

- Concerns regarding the costs of alternative accommodation, and clarification on Leeds City Council's commitment to meet these costs was sought

- The methodology used to classify the alternative accommodation currently available, and to predict future demand in the area for this type of accommodation.

- Confirmation was sought regarding the assurances made at the previous North West (Outer) Area Committee meeting by Adult Social Care that no resident would be forced to move if they did not wish to.

To receive a report of the Deputy Chief Executive report introducing a presentation made by the Deputy Director of Adult Social Care.

The Deputy Director of Adult Social Care, Dennis Holmes, presented the response from Adult Social Care to the Deputations brought to the previous North West (Outer) Area Committee with regard to the proposed closure of Manorfield House Residential Home, Horsforth.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the response from Adult Social Care, and the information provided by the participants of the Open Forum.

The list of alternative independent care facilities contained within the Adult Social Care response was discussed, with particular emphasis on the methodology used to determine the distances quoted within the response, the type of accommodation included in the list and the number of beds available today and in the future.

The bedroom sizes of Manorfield House Residential Home was discussed, with particular focus on the criteria used to determine their suitability now and in the future.

The figure of £384,000 for future maintenance works required at Manorfield House Residential home was discussed. The Area Committee was informed that this was an estimate, and whilst this alone would not decide whether the home was kept open or not, the point was made that Manorfield House Residential home is expensive to maintain, and in the current financial climate it may be better to allow the private care providers to bear the cost of maintaining accommodation rather than Leeds City Council paying to maintain older buildings which may not be fit for purpose under modern care methods.

The methods used to measure future demand for accommodation, together with the boundaries and criteria used were discussed. The Area Committee was informed that the address of the residents’ next of kin was used rather than that of the residents’ support network. Councillors suggested it might be preferable to use the address of the residents’ support network rather than that of their next of kin as this might be more relevant to the individual situation of the residents.

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

-  The financial pressures faced by Leeds City Council, now and in the future, and the need to make efficiencies where possible to ensure that services could be provided within the financial constraints while facing increased demand for services from Adult Social Care.

-  The views of the friends of Manorfield House Residential Home, and those of other deputations regarding other residential homes for whom consultation has taken place regarding possible closure, will be added to the consultation responses already received for evaluation prior to recommendations being prepared for consideration at the Council’s Executive Board on 4^th September 2013.

-  That Leeds City Council could not start approaching private care providers regarding the purchase of beds for residents of Manorfield House Residential Home or other homes for which consultation on closure had been carried out until a decision on their future had been made i.e. if they would be closed Leeds City Council would then approach alternative care providers to secure alternative accommodation for the residents of the homes affected.

-  Leeds City  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing the Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 it also notes those projects agreed for support from the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14. The report also 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.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report updating Members on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14, and highlighting the position of the Small Grants and skip pots, and those Small Grants and skip pots that have been approved since the last meeting.

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

RESOLVED-

a). That the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 be noted;

b). That the current position of the Small Grants and Skips pots and those Small Grants and Skips that have been approved since the last meeting be noted;

c). That the following be agreed in respect of those expressions of interest received for Wellbeing funding, as detailed withi Section 4 of the submitted report:

d). That Youth Service report back to Area Committee on the national Citizens Panel Project, including where the young people have attended from within each Ward.

To receive a report of the Deputy Chief Executive which presents recommendations made by the Children & Young Persons Sub Group for the provision of youth activities in the 2013 summer holidays.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report updating on work done by the Outer North West Children and Young Peoples’ Sub Group since the Outer North West Area Committee on 17^th June where it was agreed that the Children and Young Peoples’ Sub Group consider potential activities for young people over the summer period.

Jane Pattison, West North West Area Support Team, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and questions.

The Area Committee were informed that the Children and Young Peoples’ Sub Group had made the recommendation of :

-  One Mini Breeze to be held at Yeadon Tarn at a cost of £3,750

-  Six Back Yard Breeze at locations to be determined at a cost of £3,816.

RESOLVED- That the proposals for 1 Mini Breeze at Yeadon Tarn and 6 Back Yard Breeze, with 1 per ward at locations to be confirmed, be approved.