Agenda and minutes

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda; however Members were in receipt of a supplementary document in respect of agenda item 12 – Environmental Services SLA – a copy of the Saviles and Mexboroughs EIZ six monthly report

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. 

There were no declarations of interest

Apologies were received from Councillors Taylor and Urry. Additionally, it was noted that representatives of the four High Schools within the North East (Inner) Area Committee (NEIAC) locality had been invited to attend and participate in discussion on agenda item 8 Employment ands Skills Update – but that apologies had been received from Roundhay and Allerton Grange Schools.

No matters were raised under the Open Forum

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd September 2013

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 2^nd September 2013 be agreed as a correct record

Minute 24a) Welfare Benefit Update – it was noted that there were no “cash-in/cash-out facilities" at the Reginald Centre

Minute 25a) Children’s Services Update – Councillor Macniven Area Lead for Children, reported that although no meeting had yet been arranged with Children’s Services, she had met with Gillian Mayfield, Targeted Services Area Lead, and representatives of the Cluster. The suggestion that the Area Management Team and Area Lead for Children should liaise with the High Schools separately, following on from discussions on the Employment and Skills Update, was agreed

To consider the report of the Head of Projects and Programmes, Employment and Skills providing an update on employment and skills activities in Leeds

The Director of City Development submitted a report providing an update on employment and skills activities in Leeds, delivered through the Council’s Employment and Skills Service.

Michelle Anderson - Head of Projects and Programmes, Employment and Skills – attended the meeting and discussed the contents of the report which referred to a series of ward profiles developed during September to November 2013 detailing the number and location of claimants, service provision; programmes to support those seeking skills training and work; and achievements to date focusing on those neighbourhoods with the highest rates of unemployment. The report also provided a comparison of the situation in the NEIAC locality with the city-wide position, outlining the role of Jobshops; Community Learning and the Employment Leeds Team.

(Councillor Rafique joined the meeting at this point)

The following key issues were discussed:

·  the need to monitor the training and skills provided by third parties, to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the skills gained

·  the need to ensure barriers to course entry were tackled through support for people seeking to gain the qualifications necessary to gain entry into apprenticeships and training

·  the need to liaise with schools to highlight local employment trends and the availability of apprenticeships and job placements

The AC supported the request from the Area Lead, Jobs and Skills, for an overall review of

·  the number of unemployed people who were identified as “job ready”

·  the number of job opportunities and apprenticeships available

·  the skills required to take up the current job opportunities and apprenticeships

·  those initiatives where AC emphasis and support had made a difference

Members also considered the snapshot of the number of NEETs in the area and whether emphasis should be placed on working with long-term NEETs as a priority. Members sought further information on the success of the work undertaken by Children’s Services to reduce the numbers, with input from the Clusters. It was also felt that further work was necessary to improve the relationship between high schools and apprenticeship/placement providers to promote the take-up of places for those students who may benefit from an apprenticeship/placement rather than continuing education

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report and the comments made by Members, be noted

To receive the report of the North East Inner Area Committee Area Lead for Health and Wellbeing

The North East Inner Area Committee Health and Wellbeing Lead presented a report outlining the action being taken to discharge the statutory responsibilities of Leeds City Council to lead and deliver the public health agenda and to raise awareness of the role of Area Lead. Additionally, the report provided information on the current position regarding public health work within the NEIAC locality and set out the next steps for future progress. Members’ comments were sought on the direction for the future development of the public health agenda in the NEIAC locality

Councillor Sobel outlined his role as Area Lead and commented on the proposed change to the formula for calculating local authority budgets which would remove the deprivation indicator in favour of emphasis being placed on the age of residents. The AC expressed concern over the impact this could have on the Health and Well Being agenda and supported the suggestion for the AC to write to the Secretary of State for Health, subject to any action being taken by the Executive Member with responsibility for Health.

Lucy Jackson, Consultant in Public Health and Liz Bailey Health & Wellbeing Improvement Manager, attended the meeting. Discussion followed on how the delivery of the four HWBB commitments will be monitored and the need to monitor the service providers commissioned by LCC to ensure an effective service is delivered.

Members received assurance that the Stonegates area was included within service delivery to the “Meanwood Six” area – an area defined in the SOAs and further discussed the funding provided by the former Primary Care Trust to the refurbishment of doctors surgeries, specifically the St Martins surgery

(Councillor Macniven withdrew from the meeting for a short while at this point)

RESOLVED -

a)  To note the changes in terms of Leeds City Council’s responsibility around public health

b)  To recognise and support the role of the Area Lead for Health and Wellbeing

c)  That the comments on monitoring of the delivery of the four HWBB commitments and the service providers commissioned by LCC be noted for inclusion in the public health agenda

d)  To note the proposal to write to the Secretary of State for Health regarding the reported removal of the “levels of deprivation indicator ” from the local authority budget calculations, subject to liaison with Councillor Mulherin, Executive Board Member with responsibility for Health and Wellbeing

To consider the report of the Locality Manager (East North East) providing a half year update on performance against the Service Level Agreement between the North East Inner Area Committee and the East North East Environmental Locality Team, covering the May to October 2013 period.

The East North East Locality Manager submitted a report setting out the half year performance update for Environmental Services against the Service Level Agreement. The report covered the period from May to October 2013; and provided information on the range of functions being delivered across the NEIAC area during this period against the priorities and commitments set out in the SLA. The report detailed the continued focus on the agreed approach to target efforts at Environmental Improvement Zones (EIZs).

It was noted that the performance report would be discussed in detail by the Environmental Sub Group and the Area Lead Member for the Environment.

The views of the AC Members were sought in order to provide a steer to the Sub Group on any particular service/outcome/issues that they would like to see prioritised over the next six months, particularly those functions previously undertaken by the ALMO’s which Members would wish to see retained. Additionally, the report provided an opportunity for Members to influence the Service and budget planning process for 2014/15 having regard to the expected further financial pressures and anticipated merging of services into a new locality team.

Mr J Woolmer, Locality Manager (East North East) attended the meeting and discussed the following matters with Members:

·  The Service Review to be undertaken following the inclusion of new services within the SLA such as those previously provided by the ALMOs and bulky waste. The intention to report back on the Service Review in due course was noted

·  The resources available and the number/nature of incidents the Service had to deal with during the last six months

·  The impact of the recent bad weather on the locality in terms of leaf clearance and gulley cleaning and the need to co-ordinate those services to improve effectiveness. Members noted the suggestion to refer the issue of leaf cleaning to the sub group for detailed discussions

·  The need for operatives to note and report matters which required action – such as removal of leaves/instances of fly tipping

NEIAC agreed there were a number of issues to consider for prioritisation for 2014/15, and it was agreed that the Members of the Environment sub group would meet with their ward colleagues to discuss priorities for each ward, in order to inform the SLA for 2014/15

RESOLVED

a)  To note the contents of the report

b)  To note the comments made by Members in respect of where progress in delivering the SLA was good/not so good be noted

c)  To note that the members of the Environment sub group will liaise with ward colleagues to identify any service developments/priorities which Members would like to see included in service planning for 2014/15.

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an update on the current position of the Wellbeing Fund revenue budget for 2013/14 and setting out applications made for funding for Members’ consideration

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report on the current position of the revenue & capital Wellbeing funding for NEIAC, providing details of applications submitted for funding for Members’ consideration including applications made to the Youth Activity Fund.

The report also included monitoring information on the Summer Holiday activities and information on work done to progress a Universal Youth Activity programme for the NEIAC area.

Details of the new tranche of Capital money now delegated to the NEIAC wellbeing budget were also included – it was noted that this would be discussed at a future meeting.

Members noted the report that the Motorbike scheme previously funded by NEIAC had been discontinued due to reorganisation and discussions were continuing on how the scheme could continue. An update report would be presented in due course.

Members also noted the recommendations of the Wellbeing working group in respect of the St Kitts & Nevis Association funding application, and agreed that as the Anguilla, St Kitts and Nevis reunion project was intended to be city-wide, the area management team should encourage the applicants to forge corporate links and liaise with the Executive Member for Leisure and the Communities Team to support the St Kitts & Nevis Association in their work to make the proposed event a celebration for Leeds

RESOLVED -

a) To note the contents of the report

b) That, having considered the project proposals and recommendations of the working group in respect of the funding applications, the following be agreed:

c) That, having considered the project proposals and recommendations of the working group in respect of the St Kitts & Nevis Association funding application, the AC agreed to support the St Kitts & Nevis Association to make their event a celebration for Leeds

d) To note the current budget position.

(Councillors Dowson and Macniven left the meeting at this point)

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an update on community engagement and priorities for the North East Inner Area Committee. The report also provides an update on the work to co-ordinate the Targeted Youth Work delegation to the Area Committee

The East North East Area Leader submitted report providing an update on community engagement and consultation as laid out in the business plan and all priorities agreed by the Area Committee at the March 2013 meeting; highlighting their RAG (Red, Amber or Green) status. The report also provided an update on work undertaken so far to coordinate the Targeted Youth Work delegation to Area Committees.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the update on the Business Plan priorities be noted

b)   That Members agree to take an active role in shaping the targeted youth work SLA by attending Member workshops and through the Chair and Children’s Lead.

To note the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meetings held Friday 6^th September and Friday 4^th October 2013 respectively

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 6^TH September and 4^th October 2013 respectively

b)  To note that the Area Chairs were currently considering early proposals for the future of Area Committees and that update reports would follow in due course

To note the next meeting will be held on 27^th January 2014 at 4.00pm in a Meeting Room, Reginald Centre, LS7

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 27^th January 2014 at 4.00 pm in the Reginald Centre, LS7