Agenda and minutes

With the permission of the Chair, one formal late item of business was added to the agenda; “Minutes of the Area Chairs Forum” which had become available after the despatch of the agenda for this meeting. (minute 55 refers)

Members were also in receipt of a revised version of agenda item 11 – Neighbourhood Improvement Plan – which was tabled at the meeting (minute 54 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. 

There were no declarations of disclosable interests, however Councillor Urry wished to report that he was a member of the “Roundhay Live” Group which he suggested would be involved in the arrangements for the “Tour de Roundhay” celebrations (Minute 51 Wellbeing Fund  refers)

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 9^th December 2013

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 9^th December 2013 be agreed as a correct record

Minute 38 Employment & Skills Update - Councillor Hussain, Area Lead for Employment & Skills confirmed that he had met with Councillor Yeadon, the Executive Member for Leisure & Skills and had received an undertaking that more localised employment information would be provided in the future.

Minute 39 Area Public Health Update - Councillor Sobel, Area Lead for Health & Wellbeing, confirmed that he had met with Councillor Mulherin the Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing; and reported that the Government had made a partial alteration to the formula for calculating local authority budgets

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) 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. Details of applications seeking funding were submitted for Members’ consideration along with the comments of the Wellbeing Working Group on each application. The report also provided a summary of monitoring reports received in respect of completed projects.

Members were advised that £10k remained unallocated from the capital budget and £6k within the Small Grants Fund and were encouraged to advise prospective applicants of the available grant funding prior to the end of this financial year. Comments made in respect of the funding allocation for NEIAC for 2014/15 were also noted.

In respect of new applications, the following was discussed:

Tour de Roundhay – the AC noted that the Cluster had agreed to fund £500 towards the project. The AC also noted the establishment of a £50k funding pot by the Schools Forum to build a programme of events around the Tour de France Grand Depart in Leeds and suggested the applicants investigate this additional source of funding

Roundhay Burglary Action Plan - Members noted the comments of the Wellbeing WG, the benefits of the proposed highway works and received additional information that Gipton & Harehills ward colleagues had agreed to part fund one CCTV camera proposed to be located on the boundary between this AC area and that ward.

Health is Wealth - Members noted the comments of the Wellbeing WG

RESOLVED -

a) To note the contents of the report

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

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Housing providing the Annual Report for the Parks and Countryside Service, including key performance management initiatives and reference to the Leeds Quality Park standard. Additionally the report seeks to further develop the relationship between the Area Committee and the Service.

The Director of City Development submitted a report seeking to further develop the relationship between the Parks & Countryside Service and the AC. The report provided an overview of the Service and set out some of the challenges ahead, along with key performance management initiatives and proposals for delivering the extended role of the AC. Additionally, the report included area level detail of the progress made in attaining the Leeds Quality Park Standard and set out the investment required to sustain LQP standards within the NEIAC area.

Mr M Kinnaird, Development Manager, Parks & Countryside Service, attended the meeting to present the report. The following issues were highlighted in discussions with Members:

Community Parks – Annual inspections would be undertaken in future

Bowling Greens – Noted comments made on the quality and condition of huts and the response in respect of responsibility for maintenance

Norma Hutchinson Park – Noted release of funding for the Green Gym was imminent. Noted comments in respect of maintenance and replacement of playing surfaces within the children’s play area, particularly the expectation that the replacement of the surface should tie in with the opening of the Green Gym. A comment regarding a request for the installation of a gate to the children’s play area was also noted

Heritage – Requested information on any WW1 commemoration activities proposed in the area and whether it would be possible to make use of the underground air raid shelters located beneath the parks in the area to tie in with education/commemoration projects. Officers agreed to provide further information directly to Members

Volunteer Days/”Friends Groups – Commented on the accuracy of the number of volunteer days recorded in respect of “Meanwood Valley Partnership”. Members noted the positive contribution made by volunteers and “Friends of Groups” and considered measures to encourage resident involvement.

Future delegation – noted the intention to present a consultation report to a future meeting on the proposed delegation of parks and countryside services to the Area Committees, enabling Members to influence service provision appropriate to the wards

(Councillors Sobel and Rafique withdrew from the meeting for a short while at this point)

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report and to communicate priorities for investment in community parks, playing pitches and fixed play facilities in light of the issues raised

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing updates on the work undertaken to refresh the Area Committee Business Plan priorities as expressed through the public Community Charter promises for 2014/15; and on related community engagement activity.

The AC considered the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing the proposed draft priorities for the North East Inner area for 2014/15 for Members consideration and approval. The report also sought approval for the proposed key priorities for the 2014/15 Municipal Year, based on the outcome of community consultation and the data profile for the area, with a view to the priorities forming the basis of the Community Charter. Members noted that a more detailed report, responding to the comments today, would be presented to the March AC meeting.

The following matters were discussed:

Community Charter – the proposal to continue production in its present format was agreed

Tackling poverty – discussed the measures currently prioritised in the NEIAC are which promoted “fit and ready to work” initiatives in order to tackle the causes of poverty. Further noted the need to ensure residents were made aware of support and entitlements

Statistical evidence – noted comments regarding the use of MOSA indices and the need for analysis to inform the future priorities for the area. Members also noted the intention to change the format of report presentation during the new Municipal Year to encompass the Community Committee approach, making use of information from third parties and partners.

Future decision making – Members discussed further devolvement of decision making to encourage greater resident participation, citing “planning for real” as a methodology. Members were keen to receive further information on a mix of engagement methodology, however also flagged up the need to ensure that all voices were heard and that long established/larger groups did not exert greater influence than other groups. A proposal to ring fence and devolve a small budget for specific tasks/initiatives and/or responsibilities was broadly supported and noted for further consideration in the future.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the new priorities for North East Inner AC, as set out in paragraph 3.2.1 of the report be agreed for the 2014/15 Municipal Year

b)  That approval be given to the production of a Community Charter for 2014/15

c)  To note the contents of the discussions

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing an update on the key areas of work the Neighbourhood Manager is currently focusing on within the Meanwood and Chapeltown priority neighbourhoods. The report highlights the achievements; the challenges faced and provides information on progress made to date.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report providing an update on the focus of the key areas of work undertaken by the Inner North East Neighbourhood Manager within the two priority neighbourhood areas of Meanwood (Seven Estates) and Chapeltown. A revised version of the report and appendices was tabled at the meeting. The report highlighted the achievements so far, the challenges ahead and included the updated Action Plans for both priority neighbourhoods.

K Wood, Neighbourhood Manager for Inner North East, attended the meeting to present the report and highlighted that the red/amber/green (RAG) rating awarded against each priority reflected the progress so far during this municipal year, and may not reflect the extensive partnership working undertaken. The intention to create and additional NIP for the Queenshill and Brackenwood area was reported.

The AC went onto discuss the following issues identified as priorities:

Employment issues –

·  Measures to target/support the most vulnerable people

·  consideration of the use of Reginald Centre as a base to provide support to employment seekers and tackle the wider social issues associated with unemployment,

·  prioritising pre-employability skills for older long term unemployed people who, due to benefit changes, may be new jobseekers

·  consideration of digital inclusion/mobile provision of Jobshop access

Community Safety –

·  Action Days planned for both the Beckhills and Stonegates Areas during February 2014

·  statistics showed public confidence in WYP had increased last year which could be attributed to increased number/closer liaison with the victims of crime

·  The AC requested that Action Day information be provided to local ward Members

The AC further discussed the following matters:

·  Whether the issues addressed through the NIPs would have an impact on the MOSAs ratings for the NEIAC wards.

·  Whether the priorities within the NIPs remained appropriate, commenting that those priorities/targets now achieved could be removed and those priorities which required systematic support could be clearly indicated, to ensure the documents remained up to date

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted

b)  That the new priorities identified, actions taken and initiatives developed for the Chapeltown and Meanwood Seven Estates be noted

c)  To contribute to the development of actions to address issues in the priority Neighbourhoods in the Moortown and Roundhay wards and to request that update reports be presented to future meetings

d)  That officers be requested to provide information on the planned Action Days to local ward Members

With the permission of the Chair, the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 25^th November 2013 were accepted as a late item of business for this meeting. The minutes had been approved by the subsequent Area Chairs Forum meeting held 20^th January 2014 and were not available until after the despatch of the agenda for this meeting.

RESOLVED – To note the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum held 25^th November 2013

With reference to Minute 52 above, the AC further discussed safety and funding issues around access to air raid shelters located beneath parks in the area as part of any WW1 commemoration activities proposed. Members considered whether the AC had a co-ordinating role and noted the funding and activities proposed through City Development and Childrens Services.

To note the next meeting will be held on Monday 10^th March 2014 at 4.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will be held on Monday 10^th March 2014 at 4.00 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds