Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

This being Councillor Mrs R. Feldman’s last Area Committee meeting prior to retirement as a Leeds City Councillor, on behalf of the Committee the Chair paid tribute to her, thanked her for all hard work and wished her a long and happy retirement.

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.

Reference was made to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure Rules for an Open Forum session to take place at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, to allow members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on matters which fell within the remit of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no such matters were raised.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 February 2011

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th February 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

(a)  Proposed Delegation of Environmental Services to Area Committees         (Min. No. 59 refers)

Further to Minute No. 59, 7^th February 2011, the Chair indicated that he had recently received a copy of the draft Service Level Agreement (SLA), and he would circulate this to Members prior to the Members Workshop, at which it would be discussed, to be held in the Members’ Lounge at Civic Hall, Leeds, on Tuesday 29^th March, 10am – 1.00pm. He hoped that as many Members as possible would be able to attend.

In response to a query regarding a commensurate delegation of resources to Area Committees in respect of this proposed delegation of service, it was regarded that this was an issue which Members could pursue at the Workshop.

(b)  Town and Parish Council Forum Meeting, 21^st April 2011, 7.00pm, Deepdale Children’s Centre (Min. No. 68 refers)

It was reported that this meeting would now, in fact, be Chaired by Councillor John Procter.

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

Further to Minute No. 10, 5^th July 2010, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report regarding public consultation prior to the proposed introduction of Phase 2 of the Dog Control Orders.

Phase 1 had introduced limitations to the number of dogs which an individual could walk. Following representations from professional dog walkers, and further consideration by the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods), discussions were ongoing regarding this issue, including the possible introduction of a voluntary licensing scheme for dog walkers. In the interim, the current limit of no more than four dogs per walker still applied, with officer discretion to allow up to six dogs, provided that they were being walked responsibly.

Phase 2 dealt with the exclusion of dogs from prescribed areas e.g. sports pitches and children’s play areas, and dogs requiring to be kept on leads whenever owners were so requested by an authorised officer e.g. when being walked on a footpath adjacent to a road or in a cemetery.

In attendance at the meeting, and responding to Members’ queries and comments, was Graham Wilson, Head of Environmental Action and Parking. In brief summary, the main points discussed were :-

• Graham Wilson explained that the aim of Phase 2 was to encourage  more responsible dog ownership, to ban dogs from prescribed areas (which would become known to the public and to a large degree self-enforcing) and to encourage dog owners to clean up after their dogs. There was also a road safety aspect to the dogs on leads on footpaths proposal. Consultation would take place over the summer, and would involve Area Committees, professional dog walkers and canine organisations and the general public. Reports would then be submitted to the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) and the Executive Board in the autumn, with a view to the Orders coming into operation early in 2012. He sought Members’ views on the proposals, particularly in relation to any areas where it was regarded that dog walking should perhaps be banned;
• Members’ re-iterated their views expressed at the Area Committee meeting held on 5^th July 2010 (Min. No. 10 refers). They were highly sceptical regarding the overall benefits of the scheme relative to the costs involved, and also the Council’s ability, or otherwise, to enforce the Orders. It was also regarded that the practical application of the Orders was likely to have a disproportionately unfair effect on the, by and large, responsible dog owners in areas such as this Committee’s area, whilst at the same time doing very little to encourage responsible dog ownership in inner-City areas;
• It was suggested that the Orders should be flexible enough to allow for the exemption of certain areas of the City, say for instance villages in largely rural areas of the City.

Graham Wilson undertook to report this suggestion back to the Project Board. Ultimately, it was a matter for the Executive Board to resolve. However, he could envisage problems if the Orders were applied selectively. He also undertook to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Leader

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the report be noted, including the current balances for the 2010/11 financial year for capital and revenue wellbeing budgets;

(b)  That approval be given to the following revenue projects, for which the wellbeing applications have already been received:

·  £3,150 for WISE – activities for people over 60 years old;

·  £4,960 for Barleyfields youth club refurbishment;

·  £5,850 for Deepdale fencing;

·  £2,000 for Deepdale Community Association assistance with venue hire;

(c)  That approval be given to the following revenue and capital projects, subject to receiving appropriate applications and financial process and eligibility being met: 

Revenue

·  £16,667 for LCC Highways - parking improvements in Sandringham Drive;

·  £3,000 for LCC Highways – parking restrictions in Scholes;

Capital

·  £9,747 for LCC Highways – parking improvements in Sandringham Drive;

·  £3,000 for LCC City Signs – welcome sign for Alwoodley;

·  £20,000 for Parks and Countryside – enhancement of Wetherby roundabouts

·  £5,000 for a highway and environmental fund in Alwoodley Ward;

(d)   That approval be given to the following revenue projects from  2011/12 wellbeing budget:

·  £40,000 from Wetherby and Harewood Wards – development of a localism officer post, subject to the full compliance with LCC’s  HR policies and procedures

·  £2,000 for MAEcare – Promoting Partnerships – programme to benefit older people in Harewood Ward.

(e)  That the capital wellbeing project currently in development for the Harewood Ward (tree planting, Moor Lane) be noted.

(f)  That the availability of wellbeing revenue for 2011/12 (Appendix 3) be noted.

Further to Minute No. 66, 7^th February 2011, the East North East Area Leader submitted a report updating the Committee on its current revenue and capital wellbeing budgets, and setting out details of some applications before the Committee today for a decision.

In respect of the proposal to create a new post of Localism Officer, it was agreed that the Area Management Officer would prepare a briefing note for discussion at the next Harewood and Wetherby Town and Parish Council Forum meeting on 21^st April, with a view to encouraging local councils to support and contribute towards the costs of the initiative. The briefing note could also be used by Ward Members for the same purpose. Although the proposal was being funded from the Harewood and Wetherby Wards’ wellbeing allocation, there was no objection to Alwoodley Parish Council possibly getting involved in the initiative if it so wished.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the report be noted, including the current balances for the 2010/11 financial year for capital and revenue wellbeing budgets;

(b)  That approval be given to the following revenue projects, for which the wellbeing applications have already been received:

·  £3,150 for WISE – activities for people over 60 years old;

·  £4,960 for Barleyfields youth club refurbishment;

·  £5,850 for Deepdale fencing;

·  £2,000 for Deepdale Community Association assistance with venue hire;

(c)  That approval be given to the following revenue and capital projects, subject to receiving appropriate applications and financial process and eligibility being met: 

Revenue

·  £16,667 for LCC Highways - parking improvements in Sandringham Drive;

·  £3,000 for LCC Highways – parking restrictions in Scholes;

Capital

·  £9,747 for LCC Highways – parking improvements in Sandringham Drive;

·  £3,000 for LCC City Signs – welcome sign for Alwoodley;

·  £20,000 for Parks and Countryside – enhancement of Wetherby roundabouts

·  £5,000 for a highway and environmental fund in Alwoodley Ward;

(d)   That approval be given to the following revenue projects from  2011/12 wellbeing budget:

·  £40,000 from Wetherby and Harewood Wards – development of a localism officer post, subject to the full compliance with LCC’s  HR policies and procedures

·  £2,000 for MAEcare – Promoting Partnerships – programme to benefit older people in Harewood Ward.

(e)  That the capital wellbeing project currently in development for the Harewood Ward (tree planting, Moor Lane) be noted.

(f)  That the availability of wellbeing revenue for 2011/12 (Appendix 3) be noted.

( N.B. Councillor P. Harrand left the meeting at 6.55pm, at the conclusion of this item ).

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Leader

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the Committee receive an update report at its meeting in July regarding progress on the delegation of Environmental Services to Area Committees.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report updating the Committee on actions taken in respect of delivering the 2008 – 2011 ADP.

The Alwoodley Members expressed some concerns regarding the current lack of concrete information regarding proposals to convert the former Lingfield public house into an Islamic multi-faith centre, with associated sport and community facilities, and the potential damaging effect this lack of information could have on local community relations. The Area Leader undertook to pursue the matter on Members’ behalf and to keep them informed.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the Committee receive an update report at its meeting in July regarding progress on the delegation of Environmental Services to Area Committees.

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted, and similar arrangements be made next year.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report updating the Committee on community engagement activity carried out by the Area Management Team during the winter 2010/spring 2011 period, including feedback from community engagement events.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted, and similar arrangements be made next year.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Leader

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the refreshed ADP 2011/12 be approved;

(b)  That the information contained in the Neighbourhood Index be noted;

(c)  That, subject to the costs being met by the Area Management Team, the production and distribution of a poster version of the ADP be approved;

(d)  That the draft NIP priorities for the Moor Allerton Partnership for 2011/12 be approved.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report regarding the proposed refreshed ADP for 2011/12 and the draft Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) for the Moor Allerton Partnership area for 2011/12.

In brief summary the main points of discussion were :-

• The Area Management Officer undertook to brief the Alwoodley Ward Members more fully regarding the Middle Super Output Areas in their Ward, at the Ward Member meeting on Friday 25^th March;
• Special Constables – although these were now recruited and administered centrally by West Yorkshire Police, it was suggested that it might be beneficial to promote the issue locally – the Area Management Officer to liaise with Inspector Griffiths;
• ‘ Affordable ‘ housing – the loose definition of what was deemed to be ‘ affordable ‘ housing was discussed. Some developers had a ‘first purchasers only’ clause. It was believed that a scheme might be possible whereby affordable homes were in some way legally vested in the local Parish Council, and the Area Leader undertook to investigate the suggestion further.  

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the refreshed ADP 2011/12 be approved;

(b)  That the information contained in the Neighbourhood Index be noted;

(c)  That, subject to the costs being met by the Area Management Team, the production and distribution of a poster version of the ADP be approved;

(d)  That the draft NIP priorities for the Moor Allerton Partnership for 2011/12 be approved.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer

RESOLVED – That the following dates and times be approved for meetings of the Area Committee during the 2011/12 municipal year, venues to be arranged at a later date in consultation with Members :-

Monday 4^th July 2011, at 6.00pm

Monday 19^th September 2011, at 6.00pm

Monday 24^th October 2011, at 5.30pm

Monday 5^th December 2011, at 5.30pm

Monday 6^th February 2012, at 5.30pm

Monday 19^th March 2012, at 6.00pm

This being Mike Earle’s last meeting of the Area Committee prior to his retirement on 31^st March 2011, on behalf of the Committee the Chair paid tribute to Mike, thanked him for all his work for the Committee and the Council and wished him a long and happy retirement.