Agenda and minutes

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

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:-

• Community Right to Bid – Revised Report of the Acting Chief Asset Management Officer (Agenda Item 14) (Minute 32 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 disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

a)  The following disclosable pecuniary interest was declared at the meeting:-

·  Councillor S Hamilton in her capacity as a Group Member of the New Testament Church of God (A Future History Heritage project) (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 28 refers)

b)  The following other significant interest was declared at the meeting:-

·  Councillor J Dowson in her capacity as a Member on Groundwork Leeds (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 28 refers)

There were no apologies reported at the meeting.

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 approve as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 18^th June 2012 and to formally ratify the decisions taken at that meeting.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th March 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and that this Committee formally ratifies the decisions taken at that meeting.

a)  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service – Annual Report (Minute 7 refers)

Councillor B Urry referred to the above issue and enquired if Elmete School had been demolished following a recent fire.

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Officer responded and informed the meeting that, according to recent reports, the school was to be demolished.

b)  East North East Welfare Reform Project Team (Minute 11 refers)

The Chair referred to the above issue and enquired on the availability of a further progress report on Welfare Reform.

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Officer responded and informed Members that a report on this issue would be submitted to the next meeting in October 2012.

c)  Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies (Minute 12 refers)

Councillor R Charlwood referred to the above issue and informed the meeting that arising from recent discussions with Moortown ward Members, Councillor A Sobel had agreed to replace her on Moor Allerton Elderly Care.

Mr S Robinson, Governance Services responded and agreed to write to Moor Allerton Elderly Care advising them of this change in appointment.

The Chair referred to the two appointments made at the last meeting in relation to the East North East ALMO Area Panel and raised his concerns that both Councillors B Urry and A Sobel had not received  agenda papers for recent Area Panel meetings.

Mr S Robinson, Governance Services responded and agreed to write to the Chief Executive of East North East Homes Leeds advising him of this omission.

d)  Inner North East Community Charter and Promises (Minute 14 refers)

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Officer referred to the above issue and circulated a printed copy of the Charter document for the information/retention of Members.

(Councillor S Hamilton joined the meeting at 4.10pm during discussions of the item relating to the East North East Welfare Reform Project Team)

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services on an update of the current issues facing the Directorate and children’s partnership as well as the progress that is being made against local and national agendas.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on an update of the current issues facing the Directorate and children’s partnership as well as the progress that was being made against local and national agendas.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents:-

• Autumn 2012 Children’s Performance Update (Appendix 1 refers)
• Map of cluster to Area Committee (Appendix 2 refers)
• Cluster Overviews for the Area Committees (Appendix 3 refers)
• Children and Young People’s Plan cluster performance – June 2012

(Appendix 4 refers)

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

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Mary Armitage, Head of Service, Integrated Processes, Children’s Services

The Director of Children’s Services provided the meeting with a comprehensive overview of the relevant issues contained in the report and appendices.

In addition to this report, the Head of Service, Integrated Processes commented on the clusters and their development. She informed the meeting that the clusters were developing effective structures that were already supporting better working.

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

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

• To welcome the development of the Child Friendly Leeds action plan with cross-council input and involvement and clarification of how a person in the Moortown ward could get locally involved with a view to exchanging ideas on the action plan

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and welcomed this opportunity. He confirmed that there was a need to build communications across the city and Ms S Rumbold, Partnership Development Business Support, Children’s Services was leading on this.

Councillor J Dowson in her capacity as Deputy Executive Member for Children’s Services commented on Attainment, Attendance, Achievement and the excellent work being undertaken in Health Centres where parents could learn good practices with their children. She also referred to the amount of work that had been done by the Parliament Youth Council and it was agreed that a copy of their report be circulated to Members of the Committee for their information/retention)

• Clarification as to why the Inner North East level of NEET at 4.5% was quiet low and as a result could be seen as misleading

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and provided a breakdown of the information. The Committee noted that numbers, names and addresses were behind the figures and that Members should not be complacent on the evidence provided)

• Clarification of how many Academies there were in Inner North Leeds; how many were pending and how many would be forced into becoming an academy

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and informed the meeting that there were no academies in Inner North Leeds. However it was an ambition of the Government for all schools to become academies and Governing Bodies had the ultimate role of determining academy status. Discussions were ongoing in this area, but to date no school had been forced into becoming an academy. Although considerable pressure can be placed on schools and local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To consider a joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) and the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) on the Appointment of Area Committee Representation upon Leeds Initiative Area Based Partnership Groups/Corporate Carers' Group.

A joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) and the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) was submitted on the Appointment of Area Committee Representation upon Leeds Initiative Area Based Partnership Groups/Corporate Carers' Group.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘ Appointments to Outside Bodies Procedure Rules’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That approval be given to the following appointments for the remainder of the municipal year:-

Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Councillor B Urry

Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Councillor E Taylor

Corporate Carers’ Group – Councillor C Macniven

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing Members with an update on the current position of the wellbeing revenue budget for the Inner North East area.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing Members with an update on the current position of the revenue Well being funding for the Area Committee and highlighting the 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 2012-13 (Appendix 1 refers)

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

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

Arising from discussions, the Committee noted that in relation to the Welfare Reform support application, the funding elements would be subject to an open tendering exercise.

RESOLVED -

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

b)  That approval be given to the Welfare Reform support application for £5,000 to be administered by the ENE Welfare Reform Project Team.

c)  That the English Language Course for Eastern Europeans application for £1,500 to be administered by the Polish Advice Bureau Yorkshire be refused and that the East North East Area Leader be requested to liaise directly with the group with a view to linking them into other education providers.

d)  That the application to fund £8,000 towards A Future History Heritage project to be administered by Dream Reality Media be refused.

e)  That the application to fund £1,512.91 towards Youth Forward Development Arts Project to be administered by Youth Forward be deferred to enable the application to be considered at the next meeting of the Well-being sub group.

f)  That the application to set aside £1,500 towards a litter education project to be administered by the Area Support team be deferred to enable the East North East Area Leader to finalise project details.

(Councillor S Hamilton having previously declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the ‘A Future History Heritage’ project item, left the room and took no part in the voting or discussion)

To consider a report of the East North East Area Committee on an update on the Inner North East Area Committee priorities and summer consultation, including the Volunteer Thank you events that occurred during 2012.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report on an update on the Inner North East Area Committee priorities and summer consultation, including the Volunteer Thank you events that occurred during 2012.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Area Committee (Inner North East) Performance Plan – August 2012’ (Appendix 1 refers) for the information/comment of the meeting.

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

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

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

• The need to build on the ‘Volunteer Thank you’ event and to hold next year’s event at Meanwood Urban Valley Farm
• The need for Elected Members and interested parties to be given more notice in relation to the date of the ‘Volunteer Thank you’ event
• The need to change the month of the ‘Volunteer Thank you’ event to either May or June
• The need to involve Elected Members within the organisation of such events

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That this Committee notes and welcomes the update on Summer consultation, Volunteer Thank You event and Area Committee priorities.

c)  That approval be given to the proposed membership of the Area Committee sub groups focussing on the environment and wellbeing as follows:-

·  Environment sub group

Councillors G Hussain (Chair), M Rafique, and S Hamilton

·  Wellbeing sub group

Councillors J Dowson, R Charlwood and C Macniven

and that the agreed substitute arrangements be implemented for Members as and when necessary.

d)  That this Committee approves the proposed method of consultation for the Autumn round of consultation in accordance with the report now submitted and endorses the delivery of priorities and supports the mechanisms as outlined in the Community Charter.

e)  That the 2013 ‘Volunteer Thank you’ event be held at Meanwood Urban Valley Farm in June 2013 and that Elected Members be involved within the organisation of the event.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader on the Environmental Sub Group minutes held on 2^nd August 2012.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report on the Environmental Sub Group minutes held on 2^nd August 2012.

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 the Environmental Sub Group minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd August 2012 be noted.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader updating the meeting on progress and action being undertaken by the Neighbourhood Manager in the priority neighbourhoods within the Inner North East Area.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report updating the meeting on progress and action being undertaken by the Neighbourhood Manager in the priority neighbourhoods within the Inner North East Area.

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

• Chapeltown and Scott Hall Neighbourhood Improvement Plan 2012-13
• Meanwood Neighbourhood Improvement Plan 2012-13

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

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

• Clarification of the Infant Mortality work that had been undertaken to date, with specific reference to Carr Manor High School

(The Neighbourhood Manager responded and agreed to supply more detail in relation to Carr Manor High School)

• Clarification of when the Neighbourhood Improvement Priorities within the NIP’s for the next twelve months would be submitted to the Committee for approval

(The Neighbourhood Manager responded and confirmed that the priorities would be submitted to the January 2013 meeting)

• Clarification as to why there was not a Neighbourhood improvement Plan for Brackenwoods

(The East North East Area Leader responded and outlined the brief history around developing the various plans)

Arising from discussions, the East North East Area Manager informed the meeting that it was his intention to bring a report to the next meeting in October 2012 on the success of the Priority Neighbourhood initiative, together with proposals to extend this to other areas.

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

• The need to ensure that the Neighbourhood Manager’s important role of looking at priority areas was not jeopardised by taking on additional areas
• The need to bring on board existing partners and for this element to be reflected in the report
• The need to recognise that the Neighbourhood Manager and other agencies had undertaken some excellent work in this area and that sustainability should be developed and improved
• The need for Members to be supplied with a copy of the duties and responsibilities for front line staff working in East North East Area Management

(The East North East Area Leader agreed to supply this information)

In concluding discussions, the East North East Area Leader re-affirmed that in moving forward, it was not his intention for officers to lose any work, but it was front-line staff in other agencies who needed to work better together and that the report in October would address such proposals and better investment.

RESOLVED –That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

To consider a report of the Acting Chief Asset Management Officer on progress in relation to the Community Right to Bid which is part of the Localism Act 2011.

The Acting Chief Asset Management Officer submitted a report on developments with Community Right to Bid and advised the Area Committee of the implementation date.

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

• Community Right to Bid Nomination Guidance (Appendix 1 refers)
• Community Right to Bid Nomination Form (Appendix 2 refers)

Rory Barke, East North East Area Leader presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That the Committee and the area support team supports the recommendation to encourage and help local community organisations to nominate assets in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That further progress reports be submitted to this meeting on this issue and that this new criteria be promoted as widely as possible within the public domain.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) on the Area Chairs Forum minutes held on 12^th March 2012.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report on the Area Chairs Forum minutes held on 12^th March 2012.

Appended to the report was a copy of the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th March 2012 for the information/comment of the meeting.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That this Committee notes the contents of the Area Chairs Forum minutes held on 12^th March 2012.

The Chair referred to recent discussions held between Councillor C Macniven and himself regarding continuing funding difficulties for children in Inner North East Area when participating in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Following a debate it was agreed to revisit this issue at the next meeting in October 2012 and to invite Jean Davey, Integrated Children’s Services to report on the latest developments.

Monday 15^th October 2012 at 4.00pm at the Reginald Centre, 263 Chapeltown Road, Leeds 7.

Monday 15^th October 2012 at 4.00pm at the Reginald Centre, 263 Chapeltown Road, Leeds 7.

(The meeting concluded at 6.15pm)