Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors M Harris and E Taylor.

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.

The agenda made reference to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure Rules for an Open Forum session at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

On this occasion, no such matters were raised.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 18^th October 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No 42, Briefing Note on Proposed Delegation of Elements of the Streetscene Service to Area Committees

The Committee was given a brief update on the proposed delegation of Streetscene Services to Area Committees and requested details of current spending in each ward across Inner North East Leeds.  It was also agreed to form a working group to look into further details of the proposed delegation.  Councillors Lobley and Lancaster agreed to represent their respective wards and Area Management would be informed of a nominee from the Chapel Allerton Ward.

Members attention was also brought to the Leeds Spending Challenge which requested the views of local residents and organisations on the spending challenges that the Council faced.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That progress made against the current Community Charter promises and remedial action planned for those promises at risk of not being achieved be noted.

(2)  That the intention to report back on the emerging priorities for 2011/12 to the January 2011 meeting of the Area Committee and draft 2011/12 Charter to the March 2011 meeting of the Area Committee

(3)  That the nomination for the Chairs of the Community Leadership Teams as referred to in the report be noted.

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided Members with information on progress against the 35 promises outlined in the Inner North East Community Charter and a half year update on actions and achievements of the Area Management Team relating to priorities and work of the Area Committee.

Members attention was brought to Key Achievements as outlined in the report, including the following:

• Opening of the Reginald Centre – work was also due to commence on the green space and provision of a play area at the rear of the building
• Community engagement and consultation – there had been a recent delay due to adverse weather conditions
• Work towards the Equality Framework

In response to Members comments and questions regarding promises currently at the risk of not being delivered and other issues relating to the Area Delivery Plan, the following issues were discussed:

• Work was ongoing at the Mandela and Palace Community Centres to enable increased us but was not yet completed.
• Cycling and walking initiatives – issues discussed included works to create cycle lanes and the provision of other cycling projects.  It was reported that Sharon Hughes, Area Management was due to meet with the Sports Development Officer.
• Community Clean Ups
• Developing new ways for local people to better influence decision making about where they live – there had been a poor response to questionnaires issued to community groups and Area Management would follow this up.
• Community use of schools
• Feedback on work carried out by the Probation Service on community work
• Provision of grit bins – additional information would be provided at Ward Member meetings

RESOLVED –

(1)  That progress made against the current Community Charter promises and remedial action planned for those promises at risk of not being achieved be noted.

(2)  That the intention to report back on the emerging priorities for 2011/12 to the January 2011 meeting of the Area Committee and draft 2011/12 Charter to the March 2011 meeting of the Area Committee

(3)  That the nomination for the Chairs of the Community Leadership Teams as referred to in the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the following amounts of Wellbeing (revenue) budget be released to the organisations and projects listed from the 2010/11 budget:

o  208 (North Leeds) Squadron Air Training Corps – Internet Network Completion - £3,200 (Things to Do)

o  Chapel Allerton Youth Project – Romance Academy - £999 (Safe Neighbourhoods)

(2)  That a decision on the following request for Wellbeing (revenue) be deferred:

o  Three Churches Project – Youth and Intergenerational Projects - £15,000 (Things to Do)

(3)  That the funding originally agreed to Community Sports for Cage Football is reallocated for activities as agreed with Area Management.

The report of the East North East Area Manager contained details of proposed projects/activities to deliver local actions relating to agreed themes and promises of the Area Delivery Plan for which Wellbeing funding was requested.  The proposals had been discussed at a meeting of the Area Committee’s Member Well-Being Group and their recommendations had been included for noting/or approval.

The report also provided the latest financial position of this years Wellbeing (Revenue and Capital) budgets.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the following amounts of Wellbeing (revenue) budget be released to the organisations and projects listed from the 2010/11 budget:

o  208 (North Leeds) Squadron Air Training Corps – Internet Network Completion - £3,200 (Things to Do)

o  Chapel Allerton Youth Project – Romance Academy - £999 (Safe Neighbourhoods)

(2)  That a decision on the following request for Wellbeing (revenue) be deferred:

o  Three Churches Project – Youth and Intergenerational Projects - £15,000 (Things to Do)

(3)  That the funding originally agreed to Community Sports for Cage Football is reallocated for younger people activities in each ward as agreed through ward member meetings and Area Management.

(4)  That authority be given to the Wellbeing Member Working Group to vire any underspends between ADP theme headings in order to ensure the revenue budget is fully committed at the next Area Committee meeting.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and updated forward plan be approved.

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided Members with an update on the forward plan of reports to be presented to the Area Committee for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and updated forward plan be approved.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of City Development.

The report of the Head of Parks and Countryside provided the Area Committee with the following information:

• An overview of the Parks and Countryside Service
• Challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives
• Area level progress in attaining Leeds’ Quality Park Standards
• Investment needs for fixed play along with progress made

The Chair welcomed Kris Nenadic, Parks and Countryside to the meeting.  He gave Members a brief overview of issues detailed in the report.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Provision of bowling facilities – usage of bowling facilities had reduced in recent years and further consultation would be taken regarding future provision
• Roundhay Park was not included in the report as it was classed to be a ‘City Park’ and used by residents from all across the City
• The Leeds Quality Park measure was based on Green Flag standards.  Only Potternewton Park in inner North East Leeds currently met Leeds Quality Park Standards.  Estimated investment to bring other parks to standard was detailed in the report.
• Provision of suitable play equipment for older children and disabled children.
• Maintenance of footpaths and steps at Sugarwell Hill Park – there were proposals for investment.
• Playing pitches – drainage works  would be carried out at the Prince Philip playing fields in order to create further pictures, the MUGA at the Caribbean Playing fields had been resurfaced.
• Changing facilities – these were the responsibility of Corporate Property Management
• Budget issues, funding cuts of up to 16% were anticipated ober the next 4 years with up to 10% in the next year.  Savings had already been identified with the proposed depature of staff under the Early Leaver’s Initiative.

Monday 31^st January 2011, 4.00pm, City Learning Centre, Allerton Grange High School;

Monday 14^th March 2011, 4.00pm, Technorth.

Monday, 31 January 2011 at City Learning Centre, Allerton Grange High School

Monday, 14 March 2011 at Technorth

Meetings to commence at 4.00 p.m.