Agenda, decisions and minutes

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:

In the absence of Councillor G Wilkinson, it was:-

RESOLVED – That Councillor J Procter be elected to Chair the meeting.

(Councillor J Procter in the Chair.)

To receive any apologies for absence.

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

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.

The following declaration of a personal interest was made:-

-  Councillor M Robinson – Agenda Item 10 (Minute NO. 47 refers) – Wellbeing Fund 2010/11 – Update Report – Application from Radio Tempo FM in respect of the Barleyfields Youth Club project –  Councillor Robinson had a relative who worked at the radio station.

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 for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

On this occasion, no such matters were raised.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 25^th October 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th October 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Proposed Delegation of Streetscene Services to Area Committees (Minute No. 35 refers)

In response to Members’ queries, the Area Manager reported that it was proposed to submit a further report to the next cycle of Area Committee meetings, with a view to this function being delegated to Area Committees with effect from 2011/12 municipal year.

Members reiterated their reservations and concerns regarding this concept, expressed at the last meeting.  The proposition had yet to be properly and fully explained to Members.  The prospect of Parish and Town Councils possibly being interested in getting involved in operating the service in their areas was also raised.

RESOLVED – That the Area Manager be instructed to arrange a meeting between Local Members and Helen Freeman, Chief Officer (Health and Environmental Action Services) in the New Year.

(NB:  1.  Councillor R Procter joined the meeting at 5.35pm during the consideration of this item.

2.  DLEQS refers to the District Local Environmental Quality Survey system designed by the Keep Britain Tidy Group.)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Planning Services.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be noted;

(b) That the Community Planner liaise with Local Members to help to provide clarity to the role and remit of the post;

(c) That, without commitment on the part of the Area Committee, a further report be submitted in the New Year regarding the future of the post.

Martin Sellens and Helen Cerroti, City Development Department, presented the report of the Head of Planning Services, updating Members regarding the role and work of the Community Planner funded by the Area Committee, and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In brief summary, the main discussion points were:-

·  The work undertaken to date by the officer.

·  The demands placed upon the post by Parish Councils which took perhaps a more proactive approach on planning matters than others, and the effect this had on the postholder in terms of being able to fulfil all aspects of the job description.

·  The possible effects of the impending Localism Bill and the likely increased need for this type of post.

·  The costs to the Area Committee of funding the post against a background of a reduction in the resources available to the Committee and also its existing commitments.

·  The suggested need for a review of the role and remit of this post.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the report be noted.

b)   That the Community Planner liaise with Local Members to help to provide clarity to the role and remit of the post.

c)   That, without commitment on the part of the Area Committee, a further report be submitted in the New Year regarding the future of the post.

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

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be noted;

(b) That the application for £1,109 in respect of the Radio Tempo FM project at Barleyfields Youth Club be approved, to be met from the Wetherby Ward Members MICE money;

(c) That the proposed methods of funding the remaining revenue projects, as outlined in the report, be noted;

(d) That the St. Paul’s Church graveyard project, Shadwell, be deleted from the list of capital projects in development.

(e) That the current budget summary contained at Appendices A and B be the subject of further discussion at Ward Member meetings, in the light of the information set out at Paragraph 12 of the report.

The East North East Area Manager submitted a report updating the Committee on the current revenue and capital wellbeing budgets.

With regard to the accounting error referred to at the last meeting, (Minute No. 34 refers), the Area Manager referred to Paragraph 12 of the report, and the assurances which had been given by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods at a recent meeting with Local Members, that resources would be found to meet all the Committee’s existing commitments.

Members regarded that this commitment needed further refinement to identify all the commitments that had been given, both formal (i.e., previously formally approved by the Committee) and informal (i.e., schemes in development).  It was agreed that the best way to take this forward would be to have those detailed discussions at the next round of Ward Member meetings.

Inspector Griffiths reported that the first of the enhanced week-end police patrols in Wetherby in the run-up to Christmas, funded by the Area Committee, had taken place last week-end. Although it had not been possible to deploy the mounted patrols, due to the adverse weather conditions,  nevertheless the extra police presence had been welcomed by licensees and, by and large, by the public.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the report be noted.

b)   That the application for £1,109 in respect of the Radio Tempo FM project at Barleyfields Youth Club be approved, to be met from the Wetherby Ward Members MICE money.

c)   That the proposed methods of funding the remaining revenue projects, as outlined in the report, be noted.

d)   That the St. Paul’s Church graveyard project, Shadwell, be deleted from the list of capital projects in development.

e)   That the current budget summary contained at Appendices A and B be the subject of further discussion at Ward Member meetings, in the light of the information set out at Paragraph 12 of the report.

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

RESOLVED (a) That the update report be noted;

(b) That the Area Management Officer ensure that local Town and Parish Councils are aware of the current ‘Spending Challenge’ public consultation exercise being undertaken by the City Council, and that they may formally participate if they so wish.

The East North East Area Manager submitted a report updating the Committee on progress in implementing the actions contained in the Area Delivery Plan 2008-11.  He also made reference to a ‘Leeds Spending Challenge’ public consultation exercise currently being undertaken.

In brief summary, during the course of the item, the following main points were discussed:-

·  Children’s Services – Further to Minute No. 26, 20^th September, and Minute No. 33(a), 25^th October 2010, reference was made to the work being carried out behind the scenes to develop fit for purpose Children’s Services Joint Collaborative Committees, which took account of the full involvement of Local Members.

·  Some scepticism was expressed regarding the usefulness, purpose and effect of the ‘Spending Challenge’ consultation exercise, and why the Council had not yet published details of all its expenditure over £500, as required by the Government.

Members were assured that the ‘Spending Challenge’ was a very real exercise which could influence the Council’s budget plans, which were currently at an early stage.  The Council also fully intended to comply, at the earliest opportunity, with the Government’s voluntary initiative for all local authorities to publish details of all expenditure above £500, but, with a local authority as large and complex as Leeds, these things took time to achieve.

·  The Council’s current early leaver initiative, and the need for caution and consideration when deciding which staff to retain and which to let go.  Learning the lessons from big businesses was also touched upon.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the update report be noted.

b)   That the Area Management Officer ensure that local Town and Parish Councils are aware of the current ‘Spending Challenge’ public consultation exercise being undertaken by the City Council, and that they may formally participate if they so wish.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Parks and Countryside.

The Head of Parks and Countryside submitted a report regarding the Service’s operations and assets in the Committee’s area.

Phil Staniforth and Victoria Nunns, Parks and Countryside Service, attended the meeting and responded to Members’ queries and comments.  In brief summary, the main points discussed were:-

·  Priorities for improvement – It was agreed that these should be the subject of more detailed discussions at Ward Member meetings.

·  Hetchell Wood, Bardsey – Anti-social behaviour and nuisance associated with young people.

It was believed that these woods were owned by English Nature.  Nevertheless, the officers undertook to pass on the concerns and to assist with possible suggested preventative measures.

·  Chippies Pond – The area was somewhat overgrown and lacked litter bins.  The officers undertook to follow this up.

·  Tree removal in urban areas, e.g. Scholes.  Trees were often removed from urban areas, especially roadsides, due to root damage/sub­sidence/disease problems, but rarely replaced, thereby changing the very nature of these streets.

The officers indicated that this was an issue which the Division’s Trees Officer was keen to address, and he would be asked to respond direct to Councillor Robinson.

·  The proposed review of outdoor bowling greens was noted.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments and queries, the report be received and noted.

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

RESOLVED (a) That the notes of the Harewood and Wetherby Town and Parish Council Forum meeting held on 21^st October 2010 be noted;

(b) That in future, all Ward Members receive, via Area Management, a summary of the action points arising from these meetings, as quickly as possible after the event.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the notes of the Harewood and Wetherby Town and Parish Council Forum meeting held on 21^st October 2010 be noted;

b)   That in future, all Ward Members receive, via Area Management, a summary of the action points arising from these meetings, as quickly as possible after the event.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Monday 7^th February 2011, 5.30pm, Civic Hall, Leeds

Monday 21^st March 2011, 6.00pm, Tree Tops Community Centre, Alwoodley

Monday, 7^th February 2011, 5.30 pm, Civic Hall.

Monday, 21^st March 2011, 6.00 pm, Tree Tops Community Centre, Alwoodley.

The meeting concluded at 7.10 pm.