Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the October meeting of the North East (Outer) Area Committee.

In particular, he also welcomed Inspector Marcus Griffiths, West Yorkshire Police to the meeting. The Chair informed Members that Inspector Griffiths would be retiring from the police force at the beginning of December 2011.

The Chair, on behalf of the Area Committee, thanked Inspector Griffiths for his tremendous support to the North East (Outer) Area Committee over the years and wished him a long and happy retirement.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors A Lamb,

J Procter 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.

The following personal declaration of interest was made:-

• Councillor G Wilkinson in his capacity as a Member of Wetherby Town Council, the organisers of the Wetherby Community Bonfire event (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 46 refers)

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, there were no matters raised under this item by members of the public.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 19^th September 2011 and 3^rd October 2011.

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the meetings held on 19^th September 2011 and 3^rd October 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

a)  Consultation on Expansion of Primary School Provision for September

  2011 (Minute 27 refers)

  At the request of the Chair, Lesley Savage, Senior Planning and Bids 

  Manager, Children’s Services attended the meeting to provide the Area

   Committee with a verbal update on the work being undertaken across the

  city to ensure the authority meets its statutory duty to ensure sufficiency of

  school places in the context of an increasing birth rate.

  A brief discussion ensued and Members raised their concerns about the

   shortages of Primary School places within their respective wards, in

   particular where planned housing developments were planned.

  Specific reference was made to the future provision in Boston Spa;

   Moortown, Scholes and east Leeds.

  Following discussions, the Senior Planning and Bids Manager agreed to

  prepare a report for consideration at the next meeting on 5^th December

  2011 identifying the demographic needs of primary school provision within

  the three Outer North East wards.

b)  Well Being Fund Capital and Revenue Budgets (Minute 30 refers)

  Councillor M Robinson referred to the Security of Bardsey Recreation

  Ground project and sought further clarification on the amount awarded and 

  the Area Committee’s decision. He was of the opinion that the Area

  Committee had agreed to defer consideration of this application while

  awaiting planning information.

  The East North East Area Leader responded and it was noted that to date

  a letter had not been sent to the applicant confirming the amount of

  funding. In the interim period the Area Leader agreed to look into this

  matter with a report back on progress at the next meeting under the Well

  Being item.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader explaining the context for introducing a new business plan, including changes to the city and council planning and partnership framework and reviewing the ADP format.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That approval be given, in principle, to the Outer North East Business Plan 2011/12 in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That in relation to finalising the factual information contained within the three ward profiles, this issue be delegated at Ward Member level prior to implementation/publication of the Business Plan.

d)  That this Committee notes the progress made in relation to the plan and the Moor Allerton Partnership Neighbourhood Improvement Plan.

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report explaining the context for introducing a new business plan, including changes to the city and council planning and partnership framework and reviewing the Area Delivery Plan format.

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

Nicola Denson, East North East Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

The Chair invited Members to comment on the detail contained within the document.

During discussions it became apparent that there were a number of inaccuracies referred to in the ward profiles and it was agreed to delegate this issue to Ward Members for consideration prior to implementation/publication of the Business Plan.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That approval be given, in principle, to the Outer North East Business Plan 2011/12 in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That in relation to finalising the factual information contained within the three ward profiles, this issue be delegated at Ward Member level prior to implementation/publication of the Business Plan.

d)  That this Committee notes the progress made in relation to the plan and the Moor Allerton Partnership Neighbourhood Improvement Plan.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader providing Members with an update on the current position of the capital and revenue budget for the Outer North East, together with applications made for funding.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes the spend to date and current balances for the 2011/12 financial year as outlined in the report now submitted.

c)  That the following project proposal be dealt with as follows:-

Project       Decision

Wetherby Community Bonfire        Approved £1,000

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report on an update on the current position of the capital and revenue budget for the Outer North East  and setting out applications made for consideration by the Area Committee.

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

·  Outer North East Area Committee Well-Being Budget 2011-12 (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Outer North East Area Management Capital Budget Information (Appendix 2 refers)

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

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes the spend to date and current balances for the 2011/12 financial year as outlined in the report now submitted.

c)  That the following project proposal be dealt with as follows:-

Project  Decision

Wetherby Community Bonfire  Approved £1,000

To consider a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) on progress in relation to Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies in relation to the Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

Referring to Minute 25 of the meeting held on 19^th September 2011, the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report on progress in relation to Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies with specific reference to the Health and Wellbeing Partnership.

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

• Briefing for Outer North East Councillors around role of Health Champion on the Health and Wellbeing Partnership (Appendix 1 refers)

• Terms of Reference for Local Health and Wellbeing Partnerships

(Appendix 2 refers)

• Membership of East North East Leeds Health and Wellbeing Partnership (Appendix 3 refers)

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That Councillor G Wilkinson be appointed to the outstanding vacancy in relation to the Area Health and Wellbeing Partnership for 2011/12.

To consider a report of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service on fire cover proposals within the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

A report of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service on fire cover proposals within the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was submitted.

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

• Gipton and Stanks Fire Station Business Case (Appendix 1 refers)

Graham Ambler, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• clarification of the direct impact of the fire cover proposals within the North East Outer ward
• the need for Members of the Area Committee to be supplied with a copy of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service ‘Moortown Fire Station Business Case’

(Graham Ambler, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service responded and agreed to e mail a copy of the document to the East North East Area Leader for dissemination to Members)

• the need for the Fire Service to include the views and comments of Parish Councils within the consultation process
• the need for a collective response to be undertaken by this Area Committee prior to the deadline for the receipt of comments i.e.

  9^th December 2011

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That on behalf of the Chair, Councillor P Harrand be requested to convene a Ward Members meeting prior to Council on 16^th November 2011 in order for Members to formulate a collective response to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service.

To consider a report of the Head of Parks and Countryside updating the Area Committee on the yearly review of the Parks and Countryside Service in the North East Outer area.

The Head of Parks and Countryside submitted a report updating the Area Committee on the yearly review of the Parks and Countryside Service in the North East Outer area.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document detailing residents survey information for the comment of the meeting.

Mike Kinnaird, Development Manager, Parks and Countryside, City Development presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• clarification of the date when fencing works around the play area at Deepdale Recreation Ground would be undertaken

(The Development Manager, Parks and Countryside responded and informed the meeting that the works would be completed by January/February 2012)

• the need for Scholes in Bloom and Slaid Hill In Bloom to be included within future annual reports

(The Development Manager, Parks and Countryside responded and agreed to address this omission)

• the concern that Harewood Ward Members had not been consulted on the content of a report being presented to Executive Board on 2^nd November 2011 in relation to consultation on Lotherton Hall and the current charging arrangements

(The Development Manager, Parks and Countryside responded and agreed to raise this issue with the project team)

• clarification of the support in place for future schemes (including MUGA schemes)

(The Development Manager, Parks and Countryside responded and confirmed that Parks and Countryside would provide as much support as possible to new schemes subject to available funding and were happy to work with Ward Members)

Arising from detailed discussions, Members raised their general concerns on how the visitor figures and resident survey information were calculated e.g. Cranmer Bank park/Lotherton Park and also on the accuracy of such figures.

The Development Manager, Parks and Countryside responded and agreed to e mail the protocol used for calculating the visitor figures/resident surveys to the East North East Area Leader for dissemination to Members.  If requested a briefing session with interested Members on this issue would be arranged.

In concluding, Rory Barke, East North East Area Leader provided the meeting with statistics and costings in relation to volunteer labour across the city and Members acknowledged the incredible support and value of the volunteer workforce in this area.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  The Development Manager, Parks and Countryside be requested to e mail the protocol used for calculating the visitor figures and resident surveys to the East North East Area Leader for dissemination to Members and if then requested, to arrange a briefing session with interested Members on this issue.

To consider a report of the Director of Technical Services, East North Homes Leeds on progress on how the capital programme is formulated; progress made on each scheme and spending to date.

The Director of Technical Services, East North East Homes Leeds submitted a report on progress on how the capital programme was formulated; progress made on each scheme and spending to date.

Appended to the report was a copy of document highlighting the Capital Programme areas for the information/comment of the meeting.

In addition to the above documents, a revised copy of the Capital Programme Areas (Appendix 1 refers) was circulated.

Tony Butler, Director of Technical Services, East North East Homes Leeds presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• clarification of the protocol in relation to the shortfall in funding and details of those schemes which would not be completed within the year
• clarification why the Moortown ward appeared to be the ‘poor relation’  and the need for comparative data within other wards

(The Director of Technical Services responded and agreed to e mail comparative figures in relation to the Alwoodley ward via the East North East Area Leader for dissemination to Members)

• clarification of the background behind the 2011 ‘unallocated’ Capital Programme Areas in relation to heating and whether they were transferable to other areas

(The Director of Technical Services responded and commented on the aims of the Heat Leeds Scheme which was in place to deliver this initiative)

• the need for Members to be supplied with a list of void properties

(The Director of Technical Services responded and agreed to e mail this information via the East North East Area Leader for dissemination to Members)

• to welcome the fact that 15 apprentices had been recently employed within Construction Services

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted and welcomed.

To consider a report of the Director of Housing Services, East North East Homes Leeds informing the Area Committee of the work carried out by East North East Homes Leeds and the residents Area Panel.

The Director of Housing Services, East North East Homes Leeds submitted a report informing the Area Committee of the work carried out by East North East Homes Leeds and the residents Area Panel.

Jill Wildman, Director of Housing Services, East North East Homes Leeds presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• clarification of the match funding criteria in relation to the Kirkfield Green scheme

(The Director of Housing Services responded and agreed to investigate this issue further with a report back to Members via the East North East Area Leader)

• clarification of the source of match funding

(The Director of Housing Services responded and informed the meeting that match funding was received from lottery funding, together with external funding)

• the need the Area Committee to address similar schemes approved by Aire Valley Homes

(The East North East Area Leader responded and agreed to follow up this issue with the aim of ensuring that this item was discussed  at Ward Members meetings)

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

Monday 5^th December 2011 at 5.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

Monday 5^th December 2011 at 5.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

(The meeting concluded at 6.50 pm)