Agenda and minutes

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

He informed the meeting that apologies had been received from Rory Barke, East North East Area Leader due to his attendance at his mother-in-law’s funeral. The Committee conveyed their condolences to Mr Barke’s family.

The Committee noted that Clare Wiggins, Area Improvement Manager, Customer Access and Performance was attending on behalf of Mr Barke at today’s meeting.

The Chair agreed to accept the following as a late item of business:-

·  Development of Area Lead Role – Report of Assistant Chief Executive Customer Access and Performance (Agenda Item 16)(Minute 81 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.

There were no disclosable pecuniary and other interests declared at the meeting.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor M Rafique.

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 consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive Customer Access and Performance developing initial proposals to Area Committees for their input, shaping and feedback with a view to introducing the revised Area Lead roles in the new municipal year.

The Assistant Chief Executive Customer Access and Performance submitted a report developing initial proposals to Area Committees for their input, shaping and feedback with a view to introducing the revised Area Lead roles in the new municipal year.

Kathy Kudelnitzky, Chief Officer, Localities and Partnerships presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Members were asked to comment on the following specific issues:-

·  was the area lead role as described right? – what changes / additions / amendments might be needed?  What might need to go into the more detailed job description?

·  was the list of core functional areas that each Area Committee should appoint to right?

·  do the broad elements of training/support make sense or were there gaps? – what role was there for peer support?

·  any other comments / suggestions particular around the key issues highlighted?

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

·  The need for area lead roles to be fully trained and to have an input into the process

·  The need for area lead roles to have a public voice and to have an influence within the decision making process

·  The need for area lead roles to be supported in developing the role

·  The need to acknowledge the key points in the Inner North East area, including the importance of an outcome base approach and to capture Area Committee press releases within the process

The Chief Officer (Localities and Partnerships) responded and agreed to feed back the above comments into the consultation process.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Area Committee supports the development of Area Lead roles as outlined in the report now submitted.

(Councillor A Sobel joined the meeting at 4.10pm during discussions of the above item)

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services updating the meeting on Children’s Services developments.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report updating the meeting on Children’s Services developments.

The report provided a summary of performance at Area Committee level with a broader summary of city level performance and built on previous reports with additional local context and tracking of local indicators.

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

-  Nigel Richardson, Director of Children’s Services

-  Gillian Mayfield, Targeted Services Area Lead (ENE), Children’s Services

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

·  Performance Data for Inner North East Area Committee (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Individual School Foundation Stage and Key Stage results 2012 (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Individual School Key Stage 4 Results 2012 (Appendix 3 refers)

·  Clusters – Member Leads; Cluster Chairs; Cluster Managers; LAPs

  (Appendix 4 refers)

In his presentation, the Director of Children’s Services circulated a case study summary in relation to working with families to:-

-  Improve school attendance

-  Reduce the need for children to be looked after

-  Reducing the need for children to be on child protection plan

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

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

·  Clarification of the statistical data in relation to the whereabouts of children in care

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and outlined the national data in respect of those vulnerable groups)

·  Clarification of the measures in place in relation to pressures on school places, especially within the Roundhay and Moortown wards

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and outlined the latest measures. He acknowledged the importance of this issue and confirmed that progress was being made in this area)

·  Clarification as to why there was only one ward representative on the Networks Cluster

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and agreed to investigate this issue further with a report back to the East North East Area Leader)

·  Clarification of the number of children subject to a child protection order in December

·  Clarification of how the bedroom tax and welfare reforms would impact on families bringing up children

·  Clarification of the current issues regarding the exploitation of children in care in the Inner North East area

·  The need to acknowledge the importance of role of the families and to challenge narrowing the gap when addressing the wellbeing of children

·  Clarification of the future of the North East Learning Centre

(The Director of Children’s Services responded and agreed to investigate this issue further with a report back to the East North East Area Leader)

·  Clarification of the exclusion provision identified in the case summary

·  Clarification of the funding, support and help in place to support parents

·  To congratulate Children’s Services on the excellent results achieved in maths and English in primary schools and on school attendance

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee welcomes the continued progress in relation to Children’s Services issues and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

To consider a report of the Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside providing the meeting with an area profile of key assets, information on park usage and a customer based perspective of the quality of the assets and services provided.

The Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside submitted a report providing the meeting with an area profile of key assets, information on park usage and a customer based perspective of the quality of the assets and services provided.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Detailed residents survey information’ (Appendix 1 refers) for the information/comment of the meeting.

Mike Kinnaird, Development Manager, Parks and Countryside was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

·  Clarification if the six bowling greens were Council owned

(The Development Manager responded and confirmed that they were Council owned and agreed to provide details on which parks they were in)

·  Clarification of the latest position with regards to Section 106 monies towards refurbishment of the tennis courts at Roundhay Park

(The Development Manager responded and confirmed that £80k S106 was available for this purpose subject to consultation with Ward Members and other relevant parties)

·  Clarification of the legal/enforcement protocol in relation to parking on grass verges and the damage sustained

(The Development Manager responded and agreed to investigate this issue further with a report back to the East North East Area Leader)

·  Clarification as to what ‘Feed Leeds’ activity was taking place in the Roundhay Area and how interested groups or individuals could  engage with the ‘Feed Leeds’ initiative

(The Development Manager responded and agreed that the Parks and Countryside Outreach Manager would contact the relevant Member to provide this information)

·  Acknowledgement that a fun fair did not take place at Stonegate Recreation Ground in July 2012

(The Development Manager responded and agreed to verify event listings in future reports)

·  To congratulate Parks and Countryside staff on the development of Meanwood Park

(The Development Manager responded and agreed to pass on these comments to staff)

·  Clarification of how parks were classified and whether or not Parks and Countryside support a “park run” at Meanwood Park

(The Development Manager responded and confirmed that Parks and Countryside would be supporting this initiative, subject to consultation and the willingness of the organiser to develop a park run at this venue)

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That the Development Manager be requested to carry out the agreed actions and report back on the outstanding issue of parking on grass verges to the East North East Area Leader.

To consider a report of the ENE Locality Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods on consultation measures in relation to the 2013/14 Service Level Agreement which will be presented for approval at the June meeting cycle following further discussions at local ward Member and Environmental Sub Group meetings.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on consultation measures in relation to the 2013/14 Service Level Agreement which would be presented for approval at the June meeting cycle following further discussions at local ward Member and Environmental Sub Group meetings.

The purpose of the report was to:-

-  agree the main service principles for 2013/14 as set out in section 21

-  identify the continuing existing priorities and any new service issues it would like to see a focus on, within existing levels of resource;

-  identify issues that it would like to see enhanced services delivered through the buying in additional local resources;

-  agree the development of the new SLA for 2013/14 to be brought to the June meeting for approval based on refreshed Elected Member and Area Committee local priorities; 

-  note the intention for the new SLA to be complemented by improved locality focused performance reports from the Waste Management Service, with a particular focus on supporting local improvements to recycling rates and reduction in land-fill

-  note the work ongoing with other complementary services such as Environmental Health and Highways to use the SLA mechanism to improve local influence and accountability on issues affecting the environmental condition and cleanliness of neighbourhoods

Appended to the report was a copy of the Area Committee Function

Schedules (Appendix A refers) for the information/comment of the meeting.

John Woolmer, East North East Locality Manager, Environment

and Neighbourhoods presented the report and responded to Members’

questions and comments.

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

·  To congratulate the team on the de-leafing programme over the past six months within the Inner North East area

·  To welcome the involvement East North East Locality Manager in progressing works around Alwoodley Estate

·  To welcome the direction and formation of the 2013/14 Service Level Agreement and to discuss the principles at the next round of ward member meetings and Environmental Sub Group

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the main service principles for 2013/14 as set out in section 21 of the report.

c)  That this Committee supports the continuing existing priorities and any new service issues it would like to see a focus on, within existing levels of resource.

d)  That this Committee supports the enhanced services delivered through the buying in additional local resources.

e)  That approval be given to the development of the new SLA for 2013/14 to be brought to the June meeting for approval based on refreshed Elected Member and Area Committee local priorities. 

f)  That this Area Committee notes the intention for the new SLA to be complemented by improved locality focused performance reports from the Waste Management Service, with a particular focus on supporting local improvements to recycling rates and reduction in land-fill.

g)  That this Committee notes the work ongoing with other complementary services such as Environmental Health and Highways to use the SLA mechanism to improve local influence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing a summary of the range of tasks undertaken by the Probation Service during 2012/13.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing a summary of the range of tasks undertaken by the Probation Service during 2012/13.

Appended to the report was a summary of the Probation Service’s Community Payback resource for the information/comment of the meeting (Appendix 1 refers).

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

-  Clare Wiggins, Area Improvement Manager, Customer Access and Performance

-  John Woolmer, East North East Locality Manager, Environment

and Neighbourhoods

In her presentation, the Area Improvement Manager informed the meeting that the ALMOs decision in renewing their contract with the Probation Service was still awaited.

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

·  The need to acknowledge that this initiative was more active within the Chapel Allerton ward

·  The need to delegate the decision whether to continue funding given the increased costs to the Environmental Sub Group

·  Clarification of the costings and the need to look at different costings in view of the complexity of the service

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That consideration of this issue be deferred and referred to the Environmental Sub Group for consideration.

c)  That, in the interim period, the East North East Locality Manager be requested to address the costings issue with a report back to the Environmental Sub Group.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 28^th January 2013.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 28^th January 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

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, together with applications made for funding.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing Members with an update on the current position of the revenue Wellbeing 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)
• Spreadsheet showing the breakdown of applications (Appendix 2 refers)

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

In her presentation, the East North East Area Officer reported on the receipt of late well-being application from the Ramgarhia Sports Centre for £4,580.

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

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That approval be given to funding the TCV Inkwell project for £2,000 in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That consideration of the MAECare grant be deferred and referred to the wellbeing working group for further discussion.

d)  That approval be given to funding the Irish Arts grant for £2,500 in accordance with the report now submitted and that the organisation be encouraged to have an input into the Area Committee’s thank you event.

e)  That consideration of the Happy Toddlers grant be deferred until the May 2013 meeting.

f)  That approval be given to convert the Health is Your Life grant to a small grant and to approve £500 in accordance with the report now submitted.

g)  That approval be given to funding the holiday activity projects as set out in Appendix 2 from the 2013/14 budget in accordance with the report now submitted.

h)  That in relation to the late wellbeing application received from the Ramgarhia Sports Centre, consideration be deferred and referred to the wellbeing working group for further discussion.

i)  That this Area Committee notes the current budget position and through ward member meetings, the issue regarding ward pots be addressed further by the East North East Area Leader with a report back to a future meeting.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader updating the meeting on the Inner North East Area Priorities.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report updating the meeting on the Inner North East Area Priorities.

The report also provided an update on the Moor Allerton Partnership Neighbourhood Improvement areas, the new draft Neighbourhood Improvement Plan and the new Area Committee business plan.

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

·  Area Committee (Inner North East) Performance Plan (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Moor Allerton Partnership Neighbourhood Improvement Plan 2013/14

(Appendix 2 refers)

·  Inner North East Area Committee Business Plan 2013-14 (Appendix 3 refers)

·  Inner North East Community Charter (Appendix 4 refers)

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 update on the Area Committee priorities 2012/13 be noted.

c)  That, subject to the receipt of further comments from Members of the Area Committee, approval be given to the new business plan, including the proposed priorities for 2013/14, the community engagement strategy and charter for production.

To consider a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central

Services) seeking the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting

schedule for the 2013/2014 municipal year.

In addition, Members are requested to give consideration as to whether they

wish to continue with the Committee’s current meeting venue arrangements

or whether they would like to request any amendments to such

arrangements.

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report

seeking the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the

2013/2014 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:-

·  17^th June 2013

·  2^nd September 2013

·  14^th October 2013

·  9^th December 2013

·  27^th January 2014

·  10^th March 2014

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.

Monday 13^th May 2013 at 4.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

Friday 17^th May 2013 at 3.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(The meeting concluded at 6.00pm)