Agenda and minutes

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

No formal late items were added to the agenda however Members were verbally presented with an additional wellbeing application, “Agenda Item 13 Wellbeing Report” (Minute 28 refers).

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. 

No declarations of interest were made.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Macniven.

No matters were raised under the Open Forum.

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

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

Minute No.7 West Yorkshire Fire Service Annual Report

Officers to contact Members about dates for attending a Young Fire-fighters session.

Minute No.9 Investing in Young People: Update on the Future of Youth Services and delegated Functions for Area Committees

It was confirmed to the Area Committee that Councillor Macniven is the Area Lead for Children.

Minute No.11 Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies

That in respect of the appointment to Community Action for Roundhay Elderly the further information requested on whether the Group still operated prior to an appointment being made be provided to Members of the Area Committee.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Welfare and Benefits providing an update on Welfare Benefit changes

Sharon Hughes the Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the Chief Officer (Welfare and Benefits). The report provided an update of the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also provided information on arrangements that have been put in place to support tenants. The report also provided information about the Universal Credit programme and sought input from the Area Committee on how the programme of activity can work at a locality level.

David Longthorpe (Head of Customer and Housing Management) was also in attendance to answer Member’s questions.

Members were pleased with the announcement that a Credit Union office opening on Roundhay Road but expressed concern that there is still no bank in Chapeltown. It was agreed that it was important to publicise the Credit Union as much as possible, specifically in Moortown where there is no public facing Council building. Members questioned officers as to whether there was a ‘cash-in’ ‘cash-out’ facility at the Reginald Centre. Dave Longthorpe informed the meeting about weekly Credit Union drop in at Moortown Housing Office, there is high demand for this service.

Members agreed that it was important that the Council identified people who might be vulnerable in terms of getting into debt and encourage them to become part of the Credit Union.

The shortage of one bedroomed flats in Leeds was discussed and what was being done to mitigate against this shortage, such as converting houses back into one bedroomed accommodation. Concerns rasised by members that although this is needed the conversaions may be very small. Members felt it was important to publicise the fact that that there has been no evictions.

Members requested that details of key staff who manage housing needs be circulated.

Members considered that a more detailed breakdown (at ward level) with regards to welfare benefits specifically relating to the North East Inner Area should be provided at a future meeting.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That officers provide information to Members as to whether there is a ‘cash-in’ ‘cash-out’ facility at the Reginald Centre;

(b)  That details of key staff who manage housing needs be circulated;

(c)  That a more detailed breakdown (at ward level) with regards to welfare benefits specifically relating to the North East Inner Area should be provided at a future meeting;

(d)  That the information about welfare reforms be noted;

(e)  That the information about the campaign against high cost lenders be noted; and

(f)  That the work going on in east north east to mitigate the impact of the changes be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services which informs the Area Committee about local outcomes for children and young people in order to support the involvement of the area committee in improving these outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas is also highlighted. The report also summarises performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance and highlights the key issues for Children’s Services including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city priorities

Paul Brenan Deputy Director of Children’s Services presented a report of the Director of Children’s Services. The report provided a six-monthly update.  The report informed the Area Committee about local outcomes for children and young people, and aimed to support the involvement of the Area Committees in improving outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas was also highlighted. The report summarised performance at Area Committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance.  Key issues for Children’s Services were highlighted, including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city.

Gillian Mayfield, Targeted Services Area Lead (ENE) was also in attendance to help answer Member’s questions.

Officers from Children’s Services were informed that Councillor Macniven is the lead Member for Children for North East Inner and that a meeting to discuss issues in the area should be arranged with her.

Members sought to understand the relationship between social services staff and teachers in primary schools in terms of identifying specific needs and issues that children might have.

Discussion took place about the difficulties in parents getting a preferred place at primary schools for their children and that often this is not achieved. Members were informed that no new schools could be opened but that there is provision for schools to be expanded.

Members were concerned by the numbers of looked after children going up and considered what interventions could be made to stop this trend.

Members also noted that GCSE and A Level results had improved compared to last year.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That a meeting take place between Children’s Services Officers and Councillor Macniven as lead Member for Children’s in the North East Inner Area; and

(b)  That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader on proposals for spending the budget delegated to the Area Committee for universal youth activities – which are defined as those activities offering opportunities for play, arts, sport and cultural activities with young people age 8-17 years enabling young people to play, have fun, get creative, and have new experiences both after school and during the school holidays

Sharon Hughes the Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the East North East Area Leader. The report provided the Area Committee with proposals for spending the budget delegated to the Area Committee for universal youth activities.

Universal youth activities can be defined as activities offering opportunities for play, arts, sport and cultural activities with young people age 8-17 years enabling young people to play, have fun, get creative, and have new experiences both after school and during the school holidays.

Members raised concerns about allocating money to projects that have already been funded by the Area Committee. It was considered that the money is for all children in the area and it needs to be allocated on a fair basis and that consideration should be given to interacting with existing youth forums and youth organisations. If there is a current list of youth groups and providers this is to be circulated to members.

RESOLVED -

(a)  To re-invest 50% of this year’s Youth Activity Funding - £12,917 – into the 2013 Summer Holiday Activities programme;

(b)  That wellbeing sub group meet to discuss how to move this forward and that Youth Councils/School councils could be one methodology; and

(c)  To approve the allocation of the remaining £12,917 for 2013/14 to be done using consultation already carried out for the summer holiday programme.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader outlining the key areas of work the new Neighbourhood Manager is currently focussing on; highlights the achievements and the challenges faced and providing information on progress made to date. The new Neighbourhood Manager commenced in post in May 2013 and has initially focussed on addressing key issues in the two priority neighbourhood areas, Meanwood (Seven Estates) and Chapeltown. Action plans for both these areas have now been developed and each areas priorities’ have been updated

Kath Wood the Neighbourhood Manager presented a report of the East North East Area Leader the report outlined key areas of work that the new neighbourhood manager is currently focusing on. The report highlighted the achievements and the challenges faced and provided information on progress made to date.

The Area Committee were informed that the new Neighbourhood Manager commenced in post in May 2013 and has initially focussed on addressing key issues in the two priority neighbourhood areas, Meanwood (Seven Estates) and Chapeltown. Action Plans for both these areas have now been developed and each areas priorities have been updated.

The Chair requested that more focus be given to the Queenshill and Brackenwood Estates.

Members felt that NEETs were a key issue for the North East Inner Area and that a detailed strategy is needed to identify where there are high levels of people not in employment education or training.

Members were concerned that apprenticeships in the area were not being filled by local people and that more local people should be encouraged to apply.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That the new priorities identified for the Chapeltown and Meanwood 7 Estates, actions and initiatives developed be noted;

(c)  That the Area Committee contribute to the development of actions to address issues in priority Neighbourhoods in the Moortown and Roundhay Wards; and

(d)  That a progress report be brought back to a future meeting.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader providing an update on community engagement as laid out in the business plan and on all priorities agreed by the Area Committee at the March meeting. The report also sets out the proposals for consultation with local groups and residents to be undertaken during Autumn 2013 to identify the priorities for the 2014/15 Area Committee Business Plan

Sharon Hughes the Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the East North East Area Leader. The report sought Area Committee approval for the proposed method of consultation for Autumn 2013 and fed back on community consultation and engagement over the last quarter. The report gave an update on consultation and progress made in relation to addressing the 2013/14 agreed priorities and highlights their RAG (Red, Amber or Green) status. The report also provided an update on work by the MAP (Moor Allerton Partnership) which is relevant to the Moortown ward.

The Area Committee agreed that residents need to be made better aware of work being undertaken. Further members raised the positive impact of inviting community champions to the Area Committee meeting and that initiatives like this should become more common place.

Members noted the only red flagged area of the Area Committee’s priorities which is ‘supporting allotments through reducing waiting lists and improving security’ and considered this should continue to be monitored.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the update on Community Consultation, Volunteer Thank You event arrangements, Moor Allerton Partnership and Area Committee priorities update be noted; and

(b)  That the proposed method of consultation for the autumn round of consultation be agreed.

To consider the report of the ENE Area Leader providing an update on the current position of the wellbeing revenue budget for the Inner North East Area Committee and the details of applications submitted 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)

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

The Area Committee were informed that Ramgharia Summer Holiday Activities did not take place due to Staff Illness. Ramgarhia Sports Centre requested they be permitted to run this during half term. The Area Committee rejected this proposal as they were funded £1450 to run activities in summer holidays. The Area Committee a advised the group to submit a new application.

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 £1,500 towards Roundhay Junior Park Run;

c)  That approval be given to funding the £2,960 requested by the BHI – Identity Programme;

d)  That Ramgharia Summer Holiday Activities be advised to submit a new wellbeing application;

e)  That the 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 note the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 3^rd May 2013

The Area Chairs Forum minutes from Friday 3^rd May 213 were presented to the Committee.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as 14^th October 2013 at 4.00 pm in the Reginald Centre

The Next meeting will take place at 4pm on 14^th October 2013 in the Reginald Centre.