Agenda and minutes

No formal late items of business were presented to the meeting however Members were in receipt of a replacement Appendix 1 to the Wellbeing budget (minute 64 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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Charlwood and Rafique

No matters were raised under the Open Forum.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 27th January 2014

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 27^th January 2014 be agreed as a correct record

Minute 52 – The AC welcomed the report that construction of the Green Gym at Norma Hutchinson Park was due to be completed on 12^th March 2014, and noted the request for support to arrange the formal opening of the facilities

Minute 52 – It was noted that a response was still awaited in respect of WW1 Heritage education/commemoration projects utilising the air raid shelters located beneath parks in the locality

Minute 53 – The AC noted that the previous suggestion to ring-fence and devolve a small budget for specific tasks/initiatives and/or responsibilities would be included in the wider discussions on future decision making in the locality and community engagement framework

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing an update on the current position of the revenue & Capital Wellbeing funding for the Area Committee and the expected budget allocation for 2014/15. The report also contains recommendations on budget setting and includes applications for consideration by the Area Committee.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report providing an update on the current position of the Revenue & Capital Wellbeing funding for the Area Committee (AC) and the expected budget allocation for 2014/15 of £161,649.35, including recommendations on budget setting. The report included details of applications for consideration by the AC which had previously been discussed by the Wellbeing sub group.

The report highlighted the following key matters:

• The ring-fenced youth activities budget of £51,670 for 2014/15
• £48,606.45 remained in the NEIAC budget for carry forward to 2014/15. This included underspends in the various 2013/14 pots put aside by the AC
• A 20% city wide reduction in the Area Committees budget allocation for 2014/15 was anticipated and in readiness, the report suggested the AC plan for a budget allocation of £129,448 for 2014/15. This would create a total budget of £161,649.35 for 2014/15

·  The request that £10,000 of the youth activities budget be delegated to the Wellbeing working group. This would allow projects to be commissioned outside of full Committee meetings and provide an on-going and reactive programme of youth activities. All projects approved will be reported to the next full Area Committee meeting.

The AC noted and considered the proposals for NEIAC budget allocations based on 2013/14 priorities as set out in paragraph 3.6.6 of the report:

Festive Lights – The AC considered whether there was scope for local business sponsorship/support for the festive lights in each locality and it was agreed that this should be pursued. The allocations for Moortown and Roundhay wards were agreed by ward councillors with the proposed allocation for Chapel Allerton being deferred to allow more time for consideration by ward councillors

Youth Activities – The AC discussed the future administration of the budget and the suggestion that a mapping exercise be undertaken to identify gaps and/or overlaps in provision. Additionally, it was noted that work was ongoing to ensure the Youth Panel was truly representative of the youth demographic of the locality and able to participate in future consultation/drafting of commissioning plans. The AC agreed to the suggestion that a meeting should be arranged between the responsible officer, the Area Lead for Childrens Services and the NEIAC Chair to discuss the issue.

Wellbeing sub group /Youth activities fund – The AC did not support the proposal to delegate a £10k pot of youth activities funding to the Wellbeing sub group

RESOLVED –

a)  That the proposal to commission the spend of the 2014/15 budget as laid out at paragraph 3.6.6 of the submitted report be approved – with the exception of the following

i)  Chapel Allerton Festive lights – deferred for further consideration

b)  That, having considered the project proposals contained within the report and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services on the established city priorities contained within the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), especially the obsessions. The report seeks consideration of whether there are any local priorities that should also be regularly highlighted, for example a focus on a particular aspect of one of the obsessions and recommends that the local lead member for Children’s Services works with the area head of targeted services to identify local priorities for the committee’s approval.

NEIAC considered the report of the Director of Children’s Services on the established city priorities contained within the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP). The report sought consideration of whether there were any local priorities that should also be regularly highlighted, and requested approval to the proposal for the Area Lead member for Children’s Services to work with the area head of targeted services to identify local priorities for the AC’s approval

Gillian Mayfield, Targeted Services Area Lead (ENE) and Paul Brennan, Deputy Director of Children's Services (Learning); attended the meeting to present the report. During discussions, the following matters were raised:

·  Whether there was a correlation between attendance figures and the number of fines for non-attendance levied. Members noted that analysis of the one full year’s figures would be available in September 2014

·  The figures for persistent absenteeism. Members noted that the statistics covered the Autumn/Winter 2012 period and that Children’s Services were seeking to ensure each school had a plan to address persistent absenteeism. The AC requested that Members receive the figures for their individual wards on a school by school basis

·  The possible causes for the reduction in take-up of free school meals

·  The readiness of schools in the locality for the universal provision of free school meals for reception and key stage 1 children from September 2015. Members queried whether take-up of the offer was mandatory and the approach to be taken by other authorities. Officers agreed to respond to Members directly with that information, once available

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

The AC discussed the number of young people recorded as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education or Training) or “not known” and expressed concern that, although Children’s Services had focussed efforts to reduce the numbers, the figures for the NEIAC area had remained largely static. Discussion followed on whether there should be a re-focus of the approach in order to look towards providing outcomes for those young people, and Members noted the intention to report back to the October meeting following the establishment of the ENE Employment Skills and Young Sub Group

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and the discussions on whether additional local priorities may be required in addition to the Children’s Services obsessions

b)  To note the intention for the local Area Lead member for Children’s Services and the area Head of Targeted Services to agree local priorities identified for the area, which may include the following:

·  analysis of any correlation between attendance figures and fines for non-attendance issued

·  consideration of the focus of the approach to NEETs and those young people recorded as “not known”

c)  To note the intention to use the basic need workshops to provide local intelligence for consideration in school place planning, and  to instruct officers on improved methods of member engagement in school place planning;

d)  To note that the requested additional information will be supplied directly to Members in respect of up to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Housing presenting the Environmental Services Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2014/15 for the purpose of consultation on which existing and new priorities the Area Committee would like to see addressed in a refreshed SLA for 2014/15. The report includes information on the new responsibilities to be transferred to the Locality Team in 2014/15 and how the service will be restructured to deliver these.

The AC considered the report of the Director of Environment and Housing presenting the Environmental Services Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2014/15 for the purpose of consultation on which existing and new priorities the Area Committee would like to see addressed in a refreshed SLA. The report also included information on the new responsibilities to be transferred to the Locality Team in 2014/15 and how the service will be restructured to deliver these.

J Woolmer, ENE Locality Manager, attended the meeting to present the report. Having considered the report Members discussed the following issues:

·  Whether elderly and or/vulnerable residents had been identified by the service and an appropriate level of support offered (i.e. bin collections)

·  Whether a list of roads/highways more suitable for cleansing with a mini-sweeper had been drawn up

·  The need for a flexible approach to certain matters such as working closely with Housing Management to ensure an overview of streets social/tenanted/private  housing is taken; and to liaise with the Parks & Countryside Service to ensure the upkeep of community parks

·  The role of education and advertisement to ensure that residents were aware of the services offered and of their own responsibilities

The AC noted the gully cleansing service was under review and the proposal for it to revert back to corporate responsibility. Members expressed support for this service to remain within the local Environmental Team and commended the effective work done by the Team recently. Members expressed reservations that central provision would provide an equally responsive service.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the main service principles for 2014/15 as set out in paragraph 22 of the submitted report be agreed

b)  That the existing priorities be endorsed for continuation into 2014/15

c)  That the discussions held on support for elderly and/or vulnerable residents, liaison with park and countryside for the upkeep of community parks and close working with Housing Management be noted; to inform any new service issues identified  for inclusion, subject to existing levels of resources

d)  That having considered the issues of enhanced services delivered through the buying in of additional local resources, and the review of gulley cleansing services, the AC identify this service as one that Members would wish to see retained by the local Environmental Services team

e)  That the new responsibilities to be transferred to the Locality Team in 2014/15 and the new proposed new operational structure to deliver the full range of local services be noted

f)  That agreement be given to the development of the new SLA for 2014/15 to be brought to the July meeting for approval based on refreshed Elected Member and Area Committee local priorities

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing an update on work carried out to create Neighbourhood Improvement Plans for its priority neighbourhoods. The report advises the Area Committee on the form its future work programme and community engagement strategy is likely to take and updates Members on the West Yorkshire police review and the changes that will impact on the Inner North East.

NEIAC considered the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing an update on work carried out to create Neighbourhood Improvement Plans for its priority neighbourhoods. The report advised on the form the future work programme and community engagement strategy was likely to take and updated Members on the West Yorkshire Police review and the changes that will impact on the North East Inner area.

B Yearwood, ENE Community Safety and Insp M Davison attended the meeting to provide further detail on the proposed restructure to WYP and discussed the following matters with Members:

• The establishment of one Leeds Division, located at an Elland HQ, supported by a structure arranged around the local authority “area wedge and ward” structure comprising of three Locality Teams and 33 Sergeant led ward based Neighbourhood Policing Teams
• The intention to embed wider partnership working with other service providers
• The impact on provision at Stainbeck Police Station
• Police training programmes and the availability of training in respect of recognising signs of dementia

Ch Ins Davidson reassured the AC that the new structure would maintain the established good working practices and cross-ward boundary liaison between NPTs. Additionally, he reported that the NE Area WYP team, along with the Area Leads for community safety,  would meet on 26 March 2014 to discuss policing priorities and estate strategies for the NE area

(Councillor Taylor left the meeting at this point)

K Wood Neighbourhood Manager for Inner North East provided the AC with a brief update on employment, skills and training in the locality, highlighting the careers fair to be held in the Reginald Centre during March 2014.

The report included proposals for the new community committee; including the 2014/15 work programme and two proposed investigations for the AC to consider:

1) A Community Committee investigation into why the residents of the Queenshill and Brackenwood estates did not benefit from the same affluence as their neighbours. This would aim to identify the reasons and create actions for the Community Committee to drive through the necessary channels to improve the situation.

2) A Community Committee investigation into why young people in the Inner North East did not access apprenticeships.

Future meetings – Members noted the intention to hold four formal meetings a year, one per quarter, to carry out council business and decision making, with a further four action focused meetings throughout the year. These Action meetings would be tailored to a particular priority involving intensive community engagement, key partners and the Area Committee Lead Member using new methods such as Twitter or more in-depth case studies - resulting in solid action being taken to drive change.

Community Committee name - Members were asked to consider and decide on a recommended place-based name for the new community committee for the NEIAC area, so that the new committee could be formally constituted at the council’s AGM. The following suggestions were discussed:

a)  Community Committee for Chapel Allerton, Moortown, Roundhay

b)  Chapel Allerton, Moortown & Roundhay Community Committee

RESOLVED

a)  That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

a)  To confirm the date and time of the next meeting – proposed as Thursday 5^th June 2014 in the Civic Hall, Leeds (to deal with the Election of the Chair for the 2014/15 Municipal Year) and

b)  To consider the meeting arrangements for the forthcoming Municipal Year proposed as:

Monday 7^th July 2014 at 4 pm

Monday 13^th October 2014 at 4pm

Monday 19^th January 2015 at 4pm

Monday 16^th March 2015 at 4pm

The City Solicitor submitted a report seeking approval to the proposed meeting schedule for the 2014/2015 municipal year and of the date for the Election of Chair Committee meeting prior to the Annual Council Meeting in June 2014. Members were also requested to consider the meeting and venue arrangements for the forthcoming year.

Members indicated a preference to continue to meet on Mondays noting that a later start time could encourage greater participation by the public and external organisations. However, it was noted that political group meetings were also held on Monday evenings. The AC therefore declined to approve the proposed meeting schedule until such time that the political group meeting schedule had been set, in order to avoid a clash of commitments.

RESOLVED

a)  That, having considered the options detailed within the report, the AC defer consideration of the meeting schedule for 2014/15 until details of the political group meetings 2014/15 are available. Consultation with Members will then take place, with a view to presenting the dates to Annual Council on 9 June 2014 and for inclusion within the Municipal Diary

b)  That Thursday 5^th June 2014 at 4.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds, be agreed as the date, time and venue for the June 2014 meeting (and to note that this is primarily scheduled to elect a Chair for the 2014/2015 municipal year)

The Area Committee passed a vote of thanks to Rory Barke for his service as he will be leaving his role as Area Leader after 10 years in the post. The Members expressed their gratitude and wished him luck in his new role and forth coming retirement.