Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the first North East (Outer) Area Committee meeting of the new municipal year.

In particular he also welcomed Councillor D Cohen, newly elected Member to the Alwoodley ward and Stuart Robinson, Governance Services to their first meeting of the Area Committee.

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 personal declaration of interest was made:-

• Councillor M Robinson in view of his sister's involvement as a volunteer presenter on Radio Tempo (Agenda Item 16) (Minute 15 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor R Procter.

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.

In accordance with paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee. 

On this occasion, no such matters were raised under this item by members of the public.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st March 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st March 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

a)  Area Delivery Plan 2011/12 (Minute 79 refers)

Councillor M Robinson referred to the affordable housing issue and enquired if there had been feedback on this.

It was noted and welcomed that Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) would be addressing this issue as part of their work programme for 2011/12.

To consider a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) on the appointment of Area Committee Chair for 2011/2012 and revisions to Area Committee Procedure Rules.

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted  a report on the appointment of Area Committee Chair for 2011/2012 and revisions to Area Committee Procedure Rules.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Extract from the Area Committee Procedure Rules (Appendix 1 refers)
• Agenda Items (Appendix 2 refers)

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted;

b)  That the Area Committee notes the following specific issues identified within the report:-

·  that Councillor G Wilkinson was elected as Chair of the North East (Outer) Area Committee for the duration of the 2011/2012 municipal year by Council at its Annual Meeting on 26^th May 2011;

·  the revised arrangements for the annual election of Area Committee Chairs, as approved by Council on the 26^th May 2011 and as reflected within the amended Area Committee Procedure Rules; and

·  the revision to Area Committee Procedure Rule 6.7, as approved by Council on the 26^th May 2011, which now requires the minutes from the Area Chairs’ meetings to be formally considered by Area Committees

To consider a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) on Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies.

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report which outlined the procedure relating to local authority appointments to outside bodies and invited Members to consider making appointments to those outside bodies detailed within the report.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Appointment to Outside Bodies Procedure Rules (Appendix 1 refers)
• Appointments Schedule (Appendix 2 refers)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted;

(b)  That approval be given to the following Outside Body appointments being made for the 2011/2012 municipal year:

East/North East Homes Outer North East Area Panel – Councillor R D Feldman and Councillor G Wilkinson

Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Councillor A Lamb

Area Children’s Partnership – Councillor A Lamb

Area Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Deferred – to be reconsidered at the next meeting to enable the East North East Area Leader to have further discussions with the partnership

Area Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership – Councillor M Robinson

(c)  That in relation to the Aberford Almshouses Trust, this Committee notes that the Chairman of Aberford Almshouses Trust had indicated that Frank Watson no longer wishes to be on the trust and that the trust would be in agreement with only one Council representative (currently Councillor M Robinson).

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) presenting the meeting with a summary of Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the summary of approved Area Functions and designated priority  

    functions for 2011/12 be noted.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report presenting the meeting with a summary of Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• A summary of the delegated functions and priority advisory functions for Area Committees for 2011/12 (Appendix 1 refers)
• Details of the delegated functions and priority advisory functions for Area Committees for 2011/12 (Appendix 2 and 3 refers)

Rory Barke, East North East Area Leader presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the summary of approved Area Functions and designated priority 

  functions for 2011/12 be noted.

To consider a report of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership providing the meeting with an overview of the performance of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership and ward based Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

A report of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership was submitted providing the meeting with an overview of the performance of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership and ward based Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• North East Leeds – 2011/12 Targets (Appendix A refers)
• North East  Division – Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Updated Structure (Appendix B refers)
• Summary of POCA  Projects funded in the Outer North East area (Appendix C refers)

Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the report outlining the key issues and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Inspectors Marcus Griffiths and Melanie Jones, West Yorkshire Police were also in attendance to provide the meeting with additional background information.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• Clarification of the composition of POCA and the criteria and procedure in applying for funding

(Arising from discussions, Councillor A Lamb agreed to be a member on the POCA Funding Panel which was duly noted and welcomed by the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator)

• Clarification if POCA funding had to be spent in the area where the crime took place
• Clarification as to whether or not checks were undertaken with those organisations receiving POCA funding in relation to receiving other sources of funding
• Clarification of the number of PCSOs deployed in each ward

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That this Area Committee supports the continuation of the Divisional Community Safety Partnership in relation to prioritising and tackling Burglary Dwelling during 2011/12 through partnership work at neighbourhood level.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on an update on the CCTV service in North East (Outer) Area Committee.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report highlighting the services provided by Leeds City Council Community Safety CCTV to demonstrate the effectiveness of the service in reducing the crime and facilitating the apprehension and detection of offenders in areas covered by mobile and fixed CCTV cameras.

Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Inspectors Marcus Griffiths and Melanie Jones, West Yorkshire Police were also in attendance to provide the meeting with additional background information.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• Clarification of how active mobile CCTV units were within the Harewood ward
• Clarification of the location and number of fixed cameras in and around Wetherby
• To welcome the success of speed cameras on King Lane

RESOLVED–That the contents of the report and information appended to the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on an update on progress towards the establishment of a new locality based Environmental Service and its delegation to Area Committees, including relevant information relevant information relating to the current review of street cleansing services.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That this Committee notes the progress towards the establishment of a new locality based Environmental Service and the structure for the ENE Locality Team.

c)  That the progress towards the delegation to Area Committees including initial resource, budget and performance information to support the development of the first Service Level Agreement (SLA) be noted.

d)  That approval be given to the principles (as set out in section 36) on which to base the operational and service delivery proposals to be included in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) and to agree that this will form the basis for the July workshops with the final SLA to be presented at the September meeting for further discussions.

e)  That approval be given to the revised role of the Member Environment Sub-group for Outer NE Area Committee to manage the detailed oversight of the delegated services with officer support and that the membership of the Member Environment Sub-group be discussed at Ward Member meetings with the East North East Environmental Locality Manager in attendance between now and September.

f)  That Councillor G Wilkinson be confirmed as the Environmental Champion for Outer NE Area Committee for 2011/12.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on an update on progress towards the establishment of a new locality based Environmental Service and its delegation to Area Committees, including  relevant information relating to the current review of street cleansing services.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Area Committee Function Schedules Extract (Appendix A refers)
• Environmental Services – East North East Locality Team Structure (Appendix B refers)

John Woolmer, Environmental Locality Manager for East North East presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Inspector Marcus Griffiths was also in attendance to provide the meeting with additional background information.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• Clarification of East North East Locality Team Structure with reference to salaries and motivation levels
• Clarification around the allocation of resources with specific reference to litter on rural roads and the non existence of such roads in Inner North East
• The need to reflect and address within the Service Level Agreement the work carried out by Parish Councils/Voluntary Litter Groups and to recognise/involve the achievements and success stories i.e. Wetherby in Bloom Awards
• Clarification of the meaning of ‘high obstruction housing’

(The Environmental Locality Manager responded and agreed to investigate this issue further with a report back at the next meeting)

• The need for more litter bins in lay-bys on the A168
• The need for the East North East Locality Team Structure to be flexible when deploying staff

(The Environmental Locality Manager responded and acknowledged this view. It was noted that such specific detail relating to the Service Level Agreement would be reported back to the Area Committee in three months time)

• Clarification of the role and responsibilities of those staff employed within Community Enforcement and the need for Elected Members to identify their key enforcement issues within their specific wards
• Clarification of the ratio/balance of the East North East Locality Team Structure and the opportunities available for Elected Members to contribute towards this important process
• The need for Elected Members to be supplied with all the relevant background information prior to discussing this at the July workshop

(The Environmental Locality Manager responded and agreed to provide the relevant background information)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That this Committee notes the progress towards the establishment of a new locality based Environmental Service and the structure for the ENE Locality Team.

c)  That the progress towards the delegation to Area Committees including initial resource, budget and performance information to support the development of the first Service Level Agreement (SLA) be noted.

d)  That approval be given to the principles (as set out in section 36) on which to base the operational and service delivery proposals to be included in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) and to agree that this will form the basis for the July workshops with the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive East North East Homes Leeds on a proposal for joint working between East North East Homes (Leeds) and the Area Committee.

A report of the Chief Executive East North East Homes Leeds was submitted on a proposal for joint working between East North East Homes (Leeds) and the Area Committee.

Steve Hunt, Chief Executive, East North East Homes Leeds presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The concerns raised that Area Panel’s were not working and the need to work towards more shared objectives in the future
• To welcome the fact that the East North East homes Leeds had resolved that £50k of the revenue allocation must be spent on schemes agreed with Area Committee potentially through Community Leadership Teams or their equivalent
• Clarification of the number of Area Panels and details of their resource allocations
• Clarification of the monies committed in each of the three wards in Outer North East

(The Chief Executive responded and agreed to investigate this issue further with a report back to East North East Area Management)

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this Area Committee confirms it’s agreement that a senior management representative of East North East Homes Leeds attends future Area Committee meetings.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing the meeting with a forward work programme for the 2011/12 municipal year.

A report of the East North East Area Leader was submitted providing the meeting with a forward work programme for the 2011/12 municipal year.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Outer North East Area Committee Forward Plan 2011/12 for the information/comment of the meeting.

Rory Barke, East North East Area Leader presented the report and responded to Members’; comments and queries.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the updated forward plan of reports to Area Committee.

c)  That approval be given to the proposed Forward Work Programme for 2011/12 in accordance with the report now submitted.

To consider report of the East North East Area Leader on the Well Being Fund Update and New Applications.

RESOLVED-

a) That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b) That the spend to date and current balances for 2011/12 be noted.

c)   That approval be given to pursuing Moor Lane tree planting scheme 

  through ward meetings and report to the Area Committee on

  completion of the project.

d)    That the following project proposals referred to in the report be dealt

      with as follows:--

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report on the Well Being Fund Update and New Applications.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Outer North East Area Committee Well-being Budget 2011 -12 (Appendix 1 refers), together with details of Capital allocations from 2004-10 (Appendix 2 refers) for the information/comment of the meeting.

Rory Barke, East North East Area Leader presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

Arising from discussions, Members sought clarification on whether or not project organisations were required to identify on their application form if other sources of funding had been applied for in addition to well-being funding.

The East North East Area Leader responded and agreed to make further inquiries in this regard with a report back on progress at the next meeting in September 2011.

RESOLVED-

a) That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b) That the spend to date and current balances for 2011/12 be

  noted.

c)   That approval be given to pursuing Moor Lane tree planting

  Scheme through ward meetings and report to the Area

  Committee on completion of the project.

d)   That the following project proposals referred to in the report be

  dealt with as follows:--

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader on feedback in relation to the Harewood and WetherbyTown and Parish Council Forum.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the issues raised be noted and through this Area Committee, the Parish Council Forum be supported in resolving those issues.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report on feedback in relation to the Harewood and WetherbyTown and Parish Council Forum.

Appended to the report was a copy of the notes of the Harewood and Wetherby Town and Parish Council Forum held on 21^st April 2011 for the information/comment of the meeting.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the issues raised be noted and through this Area Committee, the Parish Council Forum be supported in resolving those issues.

Monday 19^th September 2011 at 6.00pm at Boston Spa Children’s Centre.

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Thorner Parish Centre, Thorner, LS14 3ED

Monday 19^th September 2011 at 6.00pm at Boston Spa Children’s Centre, Deepdale Lane, Boston Spa, LS23 6EH.

(The meeting concluded at 8.00pm)