Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer on the Election of Chair 2010/11.

RESOLVED – That Councillor G Wilkinson be elected Chair for the 2010/11 municipal year.

(COUNCILLOR G WILKINSON IN THE CHAIR.)

The Chair thanked Members for re-electing him as Chair for another year.  He also welcomed newly-elected Councillor Matthew Robinson to his first meeting of the Area Committee, together with Anna Turner from the East North East Area Management Team, who would be assuming responsibility for the NE Outer Area Committee as Carole Clark moved to take over the East Inner Area Committee.  On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked and paid tribute to Carole for all her hard work, and wished her every success in her new post.

Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors R D Feldman, Mrs R Feldman and R Procter.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

No declarations of interest were made.

In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, at the discretion of the Chair a period of up to 10 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair.  No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.

The agenda made reference to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure Rules for an Open Forum session at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Councillor George Hall, Barwick and Scholes Parish Council.  Councillor Hall addressed the Committee regarding two issues:-

a)  the possibility of establishing a Conservation Area in Scholes; and

b)  the current lack of involvement of Town and Parish Councils in the development of the Leeds Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and the Local Development Framework.

In respect of (a) above, it was reported that Councillor R Procter had recently written to Councillor Hall, and the question of funding for a possible Conservation Area in Scholes was due to be considered at the next Harewood Ward Members meeting, following which Councillor Hall would be advised of the outcome.

With regard to (b) above, Members were sympathetic to Councillor Hall’s views.  In his capacity as Chair of the Scrutiny Board (City Development), Councillor J Procter indicated that, via the Scrutiny Support Unit, he would arrange a meeting between planning officials and representatives of Town and Parish Councils to discuss the issues involved.

(NB:  Councillor A Lamb joined the meeting at 6.25 pm, at the conclusion of this item.)

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

  No exempt information or items have been identified on this agenda

a)  Publicising Area Committee Meetings (Min. No. 75 refers)

Further to Minute No. 75, 22^nd March 2010, the Area Management Officer reported that Town and Parish Councils in the Committee’s area now received an electronic link to the Area Committee agenda papers once they were published.

b)  ‘Year of the Volunteer’ Champion (Min. No. 79 refers)

RESOLVED – That Councillor M Robinson be elected as ‘Year of the Volunteer’ Champion, to replace ex-Councillor A Shelbrooke.

c)  Leeds City Credit Union (Min. No. 79 refers)

Further to Minute No. 79, 22 March 2010, the Chair reported that the question of East North East Homes ALMO support for the Leeds City Credit Union had been discussed with them.  The ALMO had previously had a two year sponsorship arrangement with the Credit Union, which had now ended.  Discussions were taking place between the parties, but there was a question mark regarding whether or not the ALMO would continue to financially support the Credit Union.

d)  Area Delivery Plan 2010/11 (Min. No. 82 refers)

Further to Minute No. 82, 22^nd March 2010, it was reported that copies of the refreshed Area Delivery Plan 2010/11 had been distributed to local Town and Parish Councils and libraries.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a 6-monthly update report on CCTV, including reference to City-wide developments and local issues.

Inspector Marcus Griffiths reminded Members of previous discussions regarding the possibility of providing a CCTV camera in Boston Spa High Street.  A discussion ensued regarding the current capital and revenue costs of installing a camera, including line rental charges, and Members requested further information and a report back to the September meeting.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the six monthly update report be received and noted.

b)   That the Area Management Officer obtain and circulate separately to Members a detailed breakdown of the current capital and revenue costs associated with installing and maintaining a CCTV camera.

c)   That the CCTV Team Leader or Derek Whitehouse be invited to the next meeting on 20th September to further explore issues surrounding the operation of CCTV, with particular reference to the Committee’s area. 

To receive and consider the attached report of the Divisional Community Safety Partnership.

Beverley Yearwood, Community Safety Co-ordinator, and Inspector Marcus Griffitths presented the Divisional Community Safety Partnership’s Annual Report 2009/10 and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Overall, there had been a reduction in crime in the Committee’s area of 23.38%, representing 499 fewer offences than in 2008/09.  Inspector Griffiths reported that public confidence and user satisfaction statistics for the area were extremely high when compared with local and national statistics.

Members discussed the alleged 752.94% increase in the category ‘Thefts from Person’, and possible reasons behind this alleged increase, e.g. did the figures include the Wetherby Festival site and the Wetherby Racecourse car boot sales?  The Community Safety Co-ordinator undertook to investigate further and to report back separately to Members and Inspector Griffiths.

Members also noted Appendix D, relating to the local use of the recovered proceeds of crime funds.  Another allocation was due shortly, and Members would be kept informed.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above request for further information, the report be received and noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating Members regarding community engagement activity in the Committee’s area.  Inspector Griffiths outlined proposals for changes in the frequency and manner in which the PACT (Police and Communities Together) meetings were delivered, to make the process more practical and manageable.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report regarding proposals to introduce Dog Control Orders on specified pieces of land across the City.  The effect would be to introduce orders which fell broadly into 4 categories:-

1.  Dog on Lead – Ensuring that dogs were kept on a lead at all times in specified areas.

2.  Dog on Lead by Direction – Creating an offence of not putting a dog on a lead when directed to do so by an authorised officer.

3.  Dog Exclusion – Excluding dogs from entering specified areas.

4.  Dog Specified Maximum – Limiting the number of dogs that can be walked by an individual

Members made reference to existing bye-laws, and present enforcement difficulties.  They were sceptical regarding whether the proposed new measures would be any more effective.  They were also concerned regarding lack of Member involvement and consultation on the proposals, in particular over the areas of land selected for the new orders.

Stacey Cambell, of the Health and Environmental Action Service, responded to Members’ queries and comments. There was an existing control order in place relating to dog fouling, and it was envisaged that the new powers would help to support this. The service received high volumes of complaints about dogs fouling and dogs being allowed to cause a nuisance. Penalty for breach of a control order would involve issuing a fixed penalty notice which, if not paid, could result in Court action with a maximum fine of £1,000.  The new orders covered not just dog fouling, but keeping dogs on a lead, excluding dogs from certain areas, such as children’s play areas and sports pitches, and would limit the number of dogs which a person could take onto an area of land.  The enforcement of the orders would not just be the task of the dog wardens, but would involve a total of up to 90 HEAS staff, including the Community Environment Officers and Environmental Action staff.  The initiative was a direct result of an inquiry in 2008/09 undertaken by the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) into dog fouling.  Following the publication of the Board’s report, a multi-agency project board of officers had been established to drive improvements forward.  The 12 week consultation period, linked to a media campaign, commenced in May and would end in August.  To date, over 1,000 responses had been received to the proposals.

Inspector Griffiths voiced concerns that there might be a false expectation on the part of the public that Police Officers and PCSOs would be involved in enforcing the orders.

Members remained unconvinced regarding the overall merits of the scheme and, in particular, the lack of Member involvement to date.  The view was expressed that Members needed to see the outcome of any public consultation, and that Members, rather than officers, should take the decisions on the proposed introduction, or not, of these orders and the areas to which they should relate.

RESOLVED – That, in the view of this Committee, the current  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

The East North East Area Manager submitted a report updating Members on Wellbeing Fund revenue and capital balances for 2010/11, and seeking decisions regarding some applications for funding.

It was agreed that the Area Management Officer should liaise with Inspector Griffiths regarding the submission of an application to the September meeting in respect of fuel costs for the Farm Watch Landrovers which currently operate in the area.  Further information was also requested regarding whether the additional unspent £16,667, allocated to Alwoodley Ward in 2007 for parking provision purposes, could be utilised for other purposes, or subject to a funding swap with another Ward within the area.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the review of projects funded in 2009/10 (Appendix 1) be received and noted;

b)   That the spend to date and the current revenue and capital balances for 2010/11, together with the Small Grants Fund situation and the current projects in development , be noted;

c)  That the Bramham Sports Pavilion scheme be removed from the Wellbeing Fund ‘Projects in Development’ section, as assistance is being provided via Members’ Ward-Based Initiatives monies;

d) That the following decisions be made in respect of the applications for funding before the Committee this evening for decision –

REVENUE

(i)  AberfordMasterplan 2010 – 2020 - £5,000 –  Approved.

CAPITAL

(i)  A.58, Wetherby – Environmental Improvements - £6,850 – Refused (alternatives being explored).

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the update report be received and noted.

b)   That the proposed development of a Neighbourhood Improvement Plan in the Moor Allerton area be supported.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

RESOLVED – That the notes of the Harewood and Wetherby Town and Parish Council Forum meeting held on 13^th May 2010 be received and noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Heritage Trust.

The Committee received a report from the Leeds Civic Trust encouraging local communities to participate in the annual Heritage Open Days initiative in September.  If Members had any ideas regarding suitable buildings in their Wards which might be willing to take part in this initiative, then either the Member or the owner/organisation should contact the Civic Trust to explore the idea further.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer on Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the following appointments be made for 2010/11

-  Moor Allerton Elderly Care – Alwoodley Parish Council to be approached.

-  East North East ALMO Outer Area Panel – Councillors R D Feldman and G Wilkinson

-  Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Councillor A Lamb.

-  Area Children’s Partnership – Councillor A Lamb.

-  Area Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Councillor P Harrand

-  Area Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership – Councillor M Robinson.

b)  That ex-Councillor A Shelbrooke, MP, be asked if he wishes to continue as a Trustee on the Aberford Almshouses Trust.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Monday 20^th September 2010 at 6.00pm at Boston Spa High School (Conference Room), Clifford Moor Road, Boston Spa, LS23 6RW.

MAP OF TONIGHT’S VENUE

Please see attached location map

Monday, 20^th September 2010, 6.00 pm, Boston Spa High School, Clifford Moor Road, LS23 6RW.

The meeting concluded at 7.50 pm.