Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the March meeting of North East (Inner) Area Committee.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, 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 so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 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:-

  No exempt items or information have been identified on the agenda

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as exempt 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 public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as follows:-

Appendix 1 to the supplementary information referred to in Minute No. 89 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). It was considered that the public interest in maintaining the content of Appendix 1 as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information at this point in time.

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no formal late items of business to consider, however the Chair agreed to accept the following as supplementary information:-

• Proposed Leedswatch CCTV Installation – Chapeltown and Amendment to Wellbeing – Well Being Fund Revenue Budget (Agenda Item 12) (Minute 89 refers)

The document was not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but subsequently made available to the public on the Council’s website.

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

The following personal declaration of interest was made at the meeting:-

• Councillor E Taylor in her capacity as Lead Member for Environmental Services (Agenda Item 15) (Minute 91 refers)

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors R Charlwood, J Dowson and C Macniven.

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 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 to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee. 

On this occasion, there were no matters raised under this item by members of the public.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 30^th January 2012.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th January 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

Attached is a report to update Members on the Leeds Citizens Panel arising from Minute 60 in the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th December 2011.

a)  Update on Leeds Citizens Panel (Minute 6 refers)

Further to minute 60 of the meeting held on 12th December 2011, the East North East Area Leader submitted a progress report on the Leeds Citizens Panel for the information/comment of the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  Open Forum – Proposal to alleviate parking issues on Moorland Drive

(Minute 65 a) refers)

Councillor M Harris referred to the above issue and enquired on the latest developments.

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Officer responded and informed the meeting that there was no ward based initiative funding available to cover the costs of the proposals. Following a recent site visit, an application for Section 106 funding would be made and should this be unsuccessful, other funding opportunities with outside partners would be explored.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services providing Members with an update on Children’s Services developments including progress against the priorities of the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan, where possible a local area level.  It builds on previous reports presented to Area Committees in 2010 and 2011. 

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing Members with an update on Children’s Services developments including progress against the priorities of the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan, where possible a local area level.  The report also built on previous reports presented to Area Committees in 2010 and 2011. 

The following officers were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

Paul Brennan, Interim Director for School Improvement, Children’s Services

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

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

• the need to recognise the valuable work and achievements made to date following an Integrated Children’s Services
• clarification of how many clusters there would be within the Inner North Leeds area

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and confirmed that there would be three clusters within the Inner North Leeds area. He agreed to supply Members with a map via East North East Area Management)

• clarification of the family breakdown statistics around poverty, housing and education etc
• clarification of how the authority was performing in relation to level of achievement
• the need to revisit the city priority on litter and dog fouling between  Environmental Services and Children’s Services in relation encouraging people to take responsibility for their action

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and agreed to liaise with the Manager of Street Cleansing and Enforcement (ENE Locality)  with a view to bringing an update on this issue to a future meeting)

• clarification of the transient population criteria
• the need to discuss the statistical information in more detail through the leadership teams and at Ward Member meetings with a view to examining closely the issues affecting a local area
• clarification of the support provided to the number of people who were ‘Not in Education Employment or Training’ (NEET) and on how the authority reached this group of people
• the need for the authority to review the school admissions process and guidelines with a view to raising aspirations, attainments and cohesion around partnership working
• clarification of the formula used behind the disappointing statistics in the Burmantofts, Harehills and Gipton wards and whether or not it was the same core of families who were contributing to these negative outcomes

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That further discussions be undertaken between the East North East Area Leader and Director of Children’s Services with a view to following up the issues discussed at today’s meeting.

(Councillor S Hamilton joined the meeting at 4.15pm during discussions of the above item)

(Councillor M Rafique joined the meeting at 4.20pm during discussions of the above item)

To consider a report of the Director of City Development on the LDF Core Strategy – Publication Document.

The Director of City Development submitted a report on the LDF Core Strategy – Publication Document.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Core Strategy – Development Plan Document – Publication Draft – Comments Form
• Core Strategy Key Diagram – Incorporating the Area Committee Boundaries

The following officers were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

David Feeney, Head of Forward Planning and Implementation, City Development

Lyla Peter, Team Leader, Forward Planning and Implementation, City Development

The Committee noted that the deadline for comments on the Core Strategy was 12^th April 2012.

Specific reference was made to population growth and of the city wide implications around site allocations and the work to be brought forward in this regard.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That Members of the Committee be encouraged to forward their individual comments on the LDF Core Strategy to the Head of Forward Planning and Implementation, City Development by the 12^th April 2012 deadline and to be open and honest with their views in order to achieve a collective view.

To consider a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) on a request for Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates and times of their Area Committee meetings for the 2012/13 municipal year.

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report on a request for Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates and times of their Area Committee meetings for the 2012/13 municipal year.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the following dates as outlined in Section 3.1 of the report:-

·  18^th June 2012

·  3^rd September 2012

·  15^th October 2012

·  10^th December 2012

·  28^th January 2013

·  11^th March 2013

·  13^th May 2013

N.B. All meetings to commence at 4.00pm

c)   That the meeting venues continue to alternate between the Civic    

     Hall and the Reginald Centre.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing Members with an update of the reports expected to be presented during the 2012/13 municipal year, together with a plan of how the meetings are suggested to be themed across the year to try and engage with more people.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing Members with an update of the reports expected to be presented during the 2012/13 municipal year, together with details of a plan of how the meetings were suggested to be themed across the year to try and engage with more people.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Inner North East Area Committee Forward Plan 2012/13’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Officer presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That approval be given to the forward plan contents for the Inner North

East Area Committee 2012/13 in accordance with the report now submitted.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing the meeting with a draft refreshed Business Plan for the Inner North East Area for 2012/13 which sets out the priorities and ways of working for the forthcoming year.

The report also contains a draft Community Charter for consideration and further discussions will take place at ward member meetings on content, with the final copy being brought back to the June Area Committee for signing off.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That approval be given to the Inner North East Area Business Plan for 2012/13 in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That approval be given to the draft format of the Community Charter

  2012/13 as now outlined and that this Committee notes that the final

  charter would be submitted for approval at the June Area Committee

   meeting after consultation at Ward Member meetings.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing the meeting with a draft refreshed Business Plan for the Inner North East Area for 2012/13 which highlighted the priorities and ways of working for the forthcoming year.

The report also contained a draft Community Charter for consideration and it was noted that further discussions would take place at ward member meetings on content, with a final copy being brought back to the June Area Committee for approval.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Inner North East Area Committee Business Plan 2012-13
• Inner North East Area Committee – Your Charter Your Priorities Actions for 2012/13

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Officer presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

Prior to considering the recommendations contained within the report, the Committee conveyed their thanks to officers for their work in relation to the Inner North East Area Business Plan.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That approval be given to the Inner North East Area Business Plan for   

    2012/13 in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That approval be given to the draft format of the Community Charter   

    2012/13 as now outlined and that this Committee notes that the final

     charter would be submitted for approval at the June Area Committee

    meeting after consultation at Ward Member meetings.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing Members with an update on the current position of the revenue budget for the Inner North East, together with applications made for funding.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That approval be given to the wellbeing portion of funding of £51,880 to be spent on 2012 young people’s activities as outlined in Section 3.1.7 of the report now submitted.

c)  That in addition to funding the above activities, approval be given to allocating spending on the following projects:-

·  £1,152 for Body Image at the City Learning Centre

·  £779.12 for a Programme and Electronics at the City Learning Centre

·  £1,500 to be used to commission a play scheme for the Roundhay ward

d)  That funding for MAECare and Northcall be refused as they were for ongoing project support for staffing.

e)  That approval be given to a small grant of £500 to the West Indian Centre towards their welcome to Chapeltown project.

f)  That approval be given of £2,000 for the New World Steel Orchestra which matches the amount raised in subscriptions over the year.

g)  That approval be given of £500 from the consultation budget for surveys in the Neighbourhood Improvement areas.

h)  That approval be given for the additional £7,500 to be allocated to the Leedswatch CCTV Installation project and, in principal, for the next four years.

i)  That approval be given for the reduction in funding to probation to create a joint Inner North East and Inner East community payback team in accordance with the report now submitted.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report on an update on the current position of the revenue budget for the Inner North East and setting out applications made for consideration by the Area Committee.

Appended to the report was a copy of the following document for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  Inner North East Area Committee Well-Being Budget 2011-12 Period 6 (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Complete list of applications for the Inner North East area (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Project Plan showing the spread of activities across the summer holidays (Appendix 3 refers)

In addition to the above documents, a copy of a supplementary item entitled ‘Proposed Leedswatch CCTV Installation – Chapeltown and Amendment to Wellbeing’ was circulated prior to the meeting for Members’ consideration.

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Officer presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

She provided the meeting with an update on the wellbeing for summer projects and the Committee noted that £51,880 so far had been recommended to spend, with a total amount in pot of £55,000.

As a result there had been a suggestion to agree to spend at the Area Committee the following additional projects:-

·  £1,152 for Body Image at the City Learning Centre

·  £779.12 for a Programme and Electronics at the City Learning Centre

·  £1,500 to be used to commission a play scheme for the Roundhay ward

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

Following consideration of Appendix 1 to the submitted supplementary item, designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3), which was considered in private at the conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That approval be given to the wellbeing portion of funding of £51,880 to be spent on 2012 young people’s activities as outlined in Section 3.1.7 of the report now submitted.

c)  That in addition to funding the above activities, approval be given to allocating spending on the following projects:-

·  £1,152 for Body Image at the City Learning Centre

·  £779.12 for a Programme and Electronics at the City Learning Centre

·  £1,500 to be used to commission a play scheme for the Roundhay ward

d)  That funding for MAECare and Northcall be refused as they were for ongoing project support for staffing.

e)  That approval be given to a small grant of £500 to the West Indian Centre towards their welcome to Chapeltown project.

f)  That approval be given of £2,000 for the New World Steel Orchestra which matches the amount raised in subscriptions over the year.

g)  That approval be given of £500 from the consultation budget for surveys in the Neighbourhood Improvement areas.

h)  That approval be given for the additional £7,500 to be allocated to the Leedswatch CCTV Installation project and, in principal, for the next four years.

i)  That approval be given for the reduction in funding to probation to create a joint Inner North East and Inner East community payback  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader with the aim of  discussing the two priority neighbourhoods and providing context to the 2011 neighbourhood Index information adding to the contents of the two draft Neighbourhood Improvement Plans.

The report also provides a refreshed Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP’s) for the priority neighbourhoods and allows the Committee to comment and examine these plans.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report with the aim of  discussing the two priority neighbourhoods and providing context to the 2011 neighbourhood Index information adding to the contents of the two draft Neighbourhood Improvement Plans.

The report also provided a refreshed Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP’s) for the priority neighbourhoods and allowed the Committee to comment and examine these plans.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Chapeltown and Scott Hall Neighbourhood Improvement Plan 2011-12
• Meanwood Neighbourhood Improvement Plan 2011-12
• Moor Allerton Partnership (MAP) Neighbourhood Improvement Plan 2011-12

Steve Lake, Neighbourhood Manager, Inner North East, Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• clarification of the achievements outlined in the Queenshill Estate

(The Neighbourhood Manager, Inner North East responded and informed the meeting that it was difficult to collate the specific information in this area. He agreed to raise this issue with his colleagues and to report back the discussions via the Ward Member meetings)

• the need to continue challenging the environmental issues in the Beckhills Estate

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes and welcomes the updated Neighbourhood Improvement Plans as now outlined.

c)  That approval be given to the neighbourhood improvement priorities 

  within the Neighbourhood Improvement Plans for the next twelve

  months.

   To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an update on services previously managed at a city wide level that are to be delegated to the Area Committee to oversee and managed through the Locality Team.

The report also confirms the local priorities, operational principles and service improvements to be included in the 2012/13 Service Level Agreement (SLA) to be agreed between the new service and the Inner NE Area Committee at the June meeting.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes the addition of further services to the 

delegation as referred to in section 26 and the required amendment to the Street Cleansing & Environmental Enforcement Services section of the Area Committee Function Schedule as approved by Executive Board on 10^th February 2012.

c)  That approval be given to the development of the new Service Level Agreement for 2012/13 to be brought to the June meeting for approval based on:

  i.  the inclusion of the additional services

  ii.  the inclusion of the specific service commitments on issues that improved capacity achieved through more efficient working and a flexible local management of resources/budget now allows

  iii.  the inclusion of local service responses to challenges presented by the hosting of Olympic teams, visits to the city by the Olympic torch (and other local Olympic related events) and local events associated with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations (e.g. street parties)

  iv.  the ENE Locality Team’s responses to addressing the Area Committee Member’s local priorities

  v.  the ENE Locality Team’s responses to expectations for further improvements raised by Elected Members across the city as presented through Executive Board in February

  vi.  the refreshed service principles

d)  That in relation to the ongoing issues around dog fouling, this be  

    addressed further at the Ward Member meetings.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with an update on services previously managed at a city wide level that were to be delegated to the Area Committee to oversee and managed through the Locality Team.

The report also confirmed the local priorities, operational principles and service improvements to be included in the 2012/13 Service Level Agreement (SLA) to be agreed between the new service and the Inner NE Area Committee at the June meeting.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Area Committee Function Schedules’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

John Woolmer, Manager of Street Cleansing and Enforcement (ENE Locality), Environment and Neighbourhoods presented to the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• clarification if any provision had been given to extra resources for cleaning up operations resulting from Jubilee Street parties

(The Manager of Street Cleansing and Enforcement (ENE Locality) responded and informed the meeting that it was the organisers responsibility to clean up after a street party. However a bid for contingency would be made as a back up arrangement)

• the need to increase in the provision of more litterbins as a priority and to review the position in 12 months time

(The Manager of Street Cleansing and Enforcement (ENE Locality) responded and agreed to this request)

• clarification of the latest developments in relation to tackling dog fouling issues across the city

(The Manager of Street Cleansing and Enforcement (ENE Locality) responded and agreed to address this further at the Ward Member meetings)

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes the addition of further services to the  delegation as referred to in section 26 and the required amendment to the Street Cleansing & Environmental Enforcement Services section of the Area Committee Function Schedule as approved by Executive Board on 10^th February 2012.

c)  That approval be given to the development of the new Service Level Agreement for 2012/13 to be brought to the June meeting for approval based on:

  i.  the inclusion of the additional services

  ii.  the inclusion of the specific service commitments on issues that improved capacity achieved through more efficient working and a flexible local management of resources/budget now allows

  iii.  the inclusion of local service responses to challenges presented by the hosting of Olympic teams, visits to the city by the Olympic torch (and other local Olympic related events) and local events associated with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations (e.g. street parties)

  iv.  the ENE Locality Team’s responses to addressing the Area Committee Member’s local priorities

  v.  the ENE Locality Team’s responses to expectations for further improvements raised by Elected Members across the city as presented through Executive Board in February

  vi.  the refreshed service principles

      d)  That in relation to the ongoing issues around dog fouling, this be 

      addressed further at the Ward Member meetings.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing Members with an update of the work undertaken in the east north east to support the work of the citywide welfare reforms strategy.

The report also sets out the actions developed focussing on the east north east ensuring that customers, service providers and stakeholders are prepared for, and are able to respond to, the issues and requirements arising from the welfare reforms programme.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing Members with an update of the work undertaken in the east north east to support the work of the citywide welfare reforms strategy.

The report also highlighted the actions developed focussing on the east north east ensuring that customers, service providers and stakeholders were prepared for, and are able to respond to, the issues and requirements arising from the welfare reforms programme.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Welform Reform Strategy – Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Resources – Executive Board – 10^th February 2012’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

Sharon Hughes, Area Improvement Manager, East North East Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes the progress made in the local area to develop an action plan to mitigate the impact of the welfare reform changes to come into force in April 2013.

c)  That this Committee supports the development of communication strategy to underpin the work of the city wide strategy and focuses on the needs of residents within the east north east.

d)  That this Committee notes the action taken to support customers since the welfare reform changes which came into effect in January 2012.

Monday 21^st May 2012 at 3.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

Monday 21^st May 2012 at 3.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

(The meeting concluded at 5.35pm)