Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors A Castle, D Cohen 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.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

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 meeting held on 24^th October 2011.

RESOLVED -That the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th October 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

a)  Outer North East Business Plan 2011/12 (Minute 45 refers)

Carole Clark, East North East Area Management informed the meeting that discussions were ongoing with Ward Members in relation ward profiles prior to implementation/publication of the Business Plan.

b)  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (WYFRS) – Fire Cover

Proposals (Minute 48 refers)

The Chair informed the Committee that the Ward Members meeting due to be held prior to Council on 16^th November 2011 for the purpose of Members formulating a collective response to the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service was cancelled.

It was noted that this issue was ongoing with another Ward Members meeting planned in the near future.

c)  Annual Report for Parks and Countryside Service in North East Outer

  Area Committee (Minute 49 refers)

  Carole Clark, East North East Area Management informed the 

meeting that, to date, she had not received a copy of the protocol used for calculating the visitor figures/resident surveys from Parks and Countryside.

She apologised for the delay in disseminating this information to Members and agreed to liaise with Parks and Countryside.

d)  East North East Homes Capital Programme (Minute 50 refers)

  Carole Clark, East North East Area Management confirmed that 

  the comparative figures requested at the previous meeting in relation to

  the Alwoodley ward had been disseminated to Members by the

  Director of Technical Services.

e)  East North East Homes Leeds Estate Investment Bids (Minute 51

  refers)

Carole Clark, East North East Area Management informed the Committee that a Ward Members meeting would be convened early in the New Year to discuss similar schemes that had been approved by Aire Valley Homes.

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 proposals be dealt with as follows:-

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)

Carole Clark, 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 proposals be dealt with as follows:-

To consider a report of the Locality Manager (East North East) providing an update on performance against the Service Level Agreement between Outer North East Area Committee and the East North East Locality Team.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

The Locality Manager (Environmental Services, East North East) submitted a report providing an update on performance against the Service Level Agreement between Outer North East Area Committee and the Environmental Services, East North East Locality Team.

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

• Delegation of Environmental Services - Outer North East Area Committee – Service Level Agreement 2011/12 – Half Year Performance Update (September – November 2011) (Appendix A refers)
• ENE Enforcement Statistics – 1^st September – 15^th November 2011 (Appendix B refers)

John Woolmer, Locality Manager (East North East) and Beverley Kirk, Technical Enforcement Officer, Environment and Neighbourhoods presented  the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

Specific reference was made to flytipping of tyres and clarification was sought with regards to the protocol used by garages for commercial disposal and the departments legal powers in this regard.

During discussions reference was also made to the safety aspects and disposal arrangements in relation to a large number of tyres flytipped at the Tockwith airfield which was in close proximity to the Wetherby ward.

The Technical Enforcement Officer responded and agreed to follow up this issue with a report back to Members on the latest position.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(Councillor P Harrand left the meeting at 5.55pm during discussions of the above item)

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an overview of progress to develop more joined-up working within locality based City Council services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/PCSOs.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with an overview of progress to develop more joined-up working within locality based City Council services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/PCSOs.

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

• Key Contacts/Duties in North East and other areas (Appendix 1 refers)
• Safer Leeds Executive – Protocol to Support Local Working between Leeds City Council Environmental Services and Police Community Support Officers (Appendix 2 refers)

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

Specific reference was made to the continuing speeding problems and safety issues on Harrogate Road from the Grammar School to the Ring Road and on the non-availability of speed cameras despite warning signs in the vicinity.

The Area Community Safety Officer responded and agreed to follow up this issue with West Yorkshire Police and Highways with a report back on progress to Ward Members in due course.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That this Committee notes the progress made to develop more joined up working within localities between LCC services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/PCSOs.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance outlining the progress being made to create and manage a new and enlarged Leeds Citizens’ Panel that will form an important tool for the Council and partners’ consultation activity.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance submitted a report outlining the progress being made to create and manage a new and enlarged Leeds Citizens’ Panel that would form an important tool for the Council and partners’ consultation activity.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Leeds Citizens’ Panel progress update, October 27^th 2011’ (Appendix 1 refers) for the information/comment of the meeting.

Matthew Lund, Corporate Consultation Manager, Planning, Policy and Improvement presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

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

• clarification of how much the Council spends on consultation and on the criteria used in achieving such savings

(The Corporate Consultation Manager responded and agreed to supply the best available cost to Members via the East North East Area Leader)

• the need for the report to make it clear that the Leeds Citizens Panel was not responsible for spending Area Committee well-being monies
• clarification of the cost implications in managing the Leeds Citizens Panel at officer level
• clarification of the process in relation to recruiting members of the Leeds Citizens Panel and whether or not an ethical mix of people throughout the city was taken into consideration

(The Corporate Consultation Manager responded and agreed to supply a copy of the demographic profile spreadsheet to Members via the East North East Area Leader)

• clarification of the procedures in place to protect conflict of interests
• the need for the Area Committee to be supplied with a list of questions that the Citizens Panel had been asked over a five year period

(The Corporate Consultation Manager responded and agreed to supply a copy to Members via the East North East Area Leader, subject to this information been available)

• clarification of the breakdown in responses relating to the 74% pilot figure arising from consultations with the Citizens Panel on local issues

(The Corporate Consultation Manager responded and informed the meeting that this percentage was based on the receipt of 300 out of 400 responses)

• clarification as to why universities were chosen as many students were not Leeds residents
• clarification of the input and support received from Leeds Rhinos and Leeds United Football club
• clarification of the role of ‘About Leeds’ and the budget implications around questionnaires
• clarification as whom set the questions prior to them being issued
• clarification of whether or not officers were barred from being a panel member
• clarification as why the Private Sector i.e. You Gov were not involved which would have eliminated conflict of interest
• clarification of the budget questions asked and whether or not reference was made to the £90 million figure in Spending Challenge 2010

• clarification of the proposed input of Area Management staff within the data analysis process. Members indicated that they would not fund or support Area Management resources being used for such purposes
• clarification as to whether or not Parish Councils had been consulted

(The Corporate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services on the School demographic process with Outer North East.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on the School demographic process with Outer North East.

The purpose of the report was to provide Members with an update by ward of the latest demographics including the numbers of children attending schools within these areas. The report also identified known housing developments and the impact this may have on the schools within this area.

Lesley Savage, Senior Planning and Bids Manager, Children’s Services presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• clarification of the location of planned housing developments within the Harewood area
• the concerns expressed that Children’s Services were not up to speed with regards to Phase 2/Phase 3 development sites which had been recently discussed at Plans Panel (East) and the issues around Section 106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy
• the need for Children’s Services to acknowledge the principle that where housing development takes place, appropriate education provision should be made
• to acknowledge that Councillor M Robinson would give consideration to whether there was a need for Scrutiny Board (Regeneration) to look into the issue of planning for strategic housing growth and regeneration in view of the complexity and speed of events
• clarification of which Free Schools had been approved for 2012 and how they had been considered in the planning process

(Councillor A Lamb informed the meeting that he would raise this specific issue at a forthcoming meeting with the Director of Children’s Services)

• the need for the Committee to be supplied with information relating to:-

- the exact location of the site in Thorp Arch where 400 houses were

  proposed to be built

- a copy of the national regulation guidelines which showed how

  calculations were undertaken regarding family homes

(The Senior Planning and Bids Manager responded and agreed to 

 supply this information to Members via the East North East Area Leader)

• the need for this issue to be discussed at ward level in more detail

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this issue be discussed at Ward level and that the East North East Area Leader be requested to liaise with the Senior Planning and Bids Manager on bringing forward the information and detail as required.

To consider a report of the East North East Area Leader on Welfare Reform.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance submitted a report on Welfare Reform.

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

• Welfare Reform timetable (Appendix 1 refers)
• Reports on Welfare Reform submitted to the Area Committee Chairs Forum meeting held on 3^rd November 2011 (Appendix 2 and 3 refers)
• Welfare Reforms: Cross ALMO/BITO Action Plan 2011/12 (Appendix 4 refers)
• Copy of a letter from the Leader of Council on  a response to localisation of Council Tax Support addressed to the Council Tax Benefit Reform Team (Appendix 5 refers)

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

Prior to discussing this issue, the Chair informed the meeting that he had written to Alec Shelbrooke, MP raising his serious concerns over the proposal to pay housing benefit direct to tenants.

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

• the concerns expressed that the implications of this Act would put the Council in the same position potentially as private landlords
• the concerns expressed that more and more people would potentially result in crime and disorder and drug abuse resulting from the welfare reform
• the need for the Area Committee to recognise that there were also some potential benefits arising from the reform
• the need to focus on how housing rent was paid for and to deplore the fact that some people receive more in benefit than working
• clarification if ALMOs could impose a condition requiring rent to be paid by direct debit on a given day

(The Director of Housing Services responded and informed the meeting that work was continuing on this issue between the ALMO and the Council)

In concluding, Rory Barke, East North East Area Leader informed the meeting that work was currently being undertaken on a multi-agency basis across the East and North East of Leeds and that an action plan would be submitted to a future Area Committee meeting for comment.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance highlighting the Capital Receipt Incentive Scheme that received approval at the Executive Board meeting on 12^th October 2011.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance submitted a report highlighting the Capital Receipt Incentive Scheme that received approval at the Executive Board meeting on 12^th October 2011.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Executive Board report on Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme considered at the meeting held on 12^th October 2011 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 – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance providing a high level summary of the main elements of the Localism Act that will be of direct relevance to Area Committees and to provide an opportunity to debate and influence the way the Council implements the legislation.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance submitted a report providing a high level summary of the main elements of the Localism Act that would be of direct relevance to Area Committees and to provide an opportunity to debate and influence the way the Council implemented the legislation.

Andy Birkbeck, Localism Officer, Planning, Policy and Improvement presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• clarification if local schools could challenge the youth service under the ‘Community right to challenge’ proposal

(The Localism Officer responded and agreed to follow up this issue with a report back to Members via East North East Area Leader)

• clarification if communities could draw up a list within their ward in relation to assets of community value

(The Localism Officer responded and agreed to follow up this issue with a report back to Members via East North East Area Leader)

• the need for a co-ordinated response in relation to the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) 80% proposal
• the need for officers to address the issue in relation to how a community asset was defined and whom from the Council decided if it was of sufficient community value

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this Committee welcomed the debate at today’s meeting about localism and the contents of the Act in view of the important element for areas to begin to think about what localism means for them and what they see as the main opportunities, challenges and risks taking into consideration the role they wished to play in future in engaging with their communities on this issue.

c)  That the above views, ideas, suggestions and concerns be fed back to officers in order to inform a further report to go to Executive Board on the implications of the Act and more detailed reports/sessions on Planning, Assets of Community Value and Right to Challenge as agreed by Area Chairs.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) notifying Members of the minutes of Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 5th September 2011 and to give a brief overview of the issues raised at the Area Chairs Forum.

The Assistant Chief Executive, Planning, Policy and Improvement submitted a report notifying Members of the minutes of Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 5th September 2011 and to give a brief overview of the issues raised at the Area Chairs Forum.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Area Chairs Forum minutes of the meeting held on 5^th September 2011 for the information/comment of the meeting.

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

Monday 6^th February 2012 at 5.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

Monday 6^th February 2012 at 5.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

(The meeting concluded at 8.00pm)