Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the February meeting of East (Outer) Area Committee held at St Gregory’s Youth and Adult Centre, Swarcliffe, Leeds 14.

The Chair reported that Councillor S Armitage had sadly passed away on 6^th February 2013 after a long illness.

Members of the Committee and officers paid tribute to her and stood for a minute’s silence. They also conveyed their condolences to her family.

There were no formal late items of business to consider, however the Chair agreed to accept the following as supplementary information:-

·  Cross Gates Community Forum – Minutes of a meeting held on 9^th January 2013 (Appendix 1 refers) (Agenda Item 8)(Minute 59 refers)

The document was not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but subsequently made available to the public on the Council’s website.

There were no disclosable pecuniary and other interests declared at the meeting.

There were no apologies reported.

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 11^th December 2012.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th December 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

a)  Summary of Key Work (Minute 48 refers)

Councillor P Gruen referred to the general issue of ‘Champions’ and stated that there was a need for a discussion at Area Committee level prior to the Annual Meeting in May 2013 in relation to their status and responsibility, together with the support arrangements provided by officers in fulfilling this role.

Following a brief discussion, Peter Mudge, South East Area Improvement Officer agreed to place this item on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting in March 2013.

(Councillor K Mitchell joined the meeting at 4.10pm during discussion of the above item)

b)  South and Outer East Locality Team Service Level Agreement Performance Update (Minute 49 refers)

Peter Mudge, South East Area Improvement Officer referred to the above issue and provided the meeting with a verbal update received from the South South-East Environmental Locality Team on the outstanding issues raised by Members at the last meeting.

Following a brief discussion, it was noted that a report on the success of CCTV would be presented to the next meeting in March 2013 and that the comparative data for the national picture or that in other local authorities would be discussed at the Environmental Sub Group at the end of February 2013.

To consider a report of the South East Area Leader providing information on priority work carried out in the area over recent weeks and providing the minutes relating to partnership and sub-group meetings.

An update on the Thorpe Business Park will be provided at the meeting.

(N.B. Cross Gates Community Forum (Appendix 1 refers) - Minutes of a meeting held on 9 January 2013 to follow)

The South East Area Leader submitted a report providing information on priority work carried out in the area over recent weeks and on the minutes relating to partnership and sub-group meetings.

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

• Cross Gates Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 9^th January 2013 (Appendix 1 refers)
• Halton Moor Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 13^th January 2013 2 (Appendix 2 refers)
• Halton Forum – Minutes of a Meeting held on 17^th January 2013 (Appendix 3 refers)
• Garforth and Swillington Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 21^st January 2013 (Appendix 4 refers)
• Area Chairs Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 2^nd November 2012 (Appendix 5 refers)
• East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Minutes of a Meeting held on 29^th November 2013 (Appendix 6 refers)
• South East Leeds Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Minutes of a Meeting held on 29^th November 2013 (Appendix 7 refers)

Peter Mudge, South East Area Improvement Officer presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In his presentation, the Area Improvement Officer referred to a number of exciting projects identified at recent ward member briefing meetings. He made specific reference to a new scheme on Whitkirk Lane/Austhorpe Lane and that a meeting with Highways was planned in the near future to discuss the proposals.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

Councillor M Lyons referred to the review of Youth Services/Update on Clusters issue discussed at the Area Chairs Forum held on 2^nd November 2012. He informed the meeting that clusters were not working for Elected Members as they had no vote and a small input within the process.

The Chair reported on recent discussions held with Councillor J Blake, Executive Member, Children’s Services on this issue.

In concluding discussions, the Chair agreed to raise this at the next Area Chairs Forum and Peter Mudge, South East Area Improvement Officer agreed to provide a briefing report on this issue at the next meeting in March 2013.

The Chair then welcomed representatives from Scarborough Developments Group and Planning Services who were attending the meeting to report on progress on the planning application for a mix of uses on the underdeveloped land at Thorpe Park Business Park, junction 46 of the M1, in Leeds 15.

The Committee noted that:-

-  good progress on planning and engagement was being made;

-  the Council was taking a leading role in relation to the delivery of the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR);

-  on going discussions were being held with Barnbow and Vickers with regarding to delivering the Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR);

-  on going discussions were being held with Network Rail regarding the bridge;

Detailed information was provided on complex highway issues and employment issues. Reference was made to on going discussions with Employment Leeds and it was noted that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To consider a report of the South East Area Leader updating Members on the Well Being Budget for Outer East in 2012/13; including how the Area Committee decided to allocate the funds against specific work streams and seeking approval for new project work.

The South East Area Leader submitted a report updating Members on the Well Being Budget for Outer East in 2012/13; including how the Area Committee decided to allocate the funds against specific work streams and seeking approval for new project work.

Appended to the report was a copy of the following document for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  Outer East small grant position as at 30^th January 2013 (Appendix 1 refers)

Martin Hackett, Area Improvement Manager, South East Leeds presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the position of the Well Being Budget be noted.

c)  That the Small Grants approved to date be noted.

d)  That approval be given to fund a gardening service through Swarcliffe Good Neighbours Scheme in 2013 at a cost of £20,000.

e)  That this Committee supports a young sport coaching scholarship in Outer East at a cost of £1,000.

f)  That this Committee notes the cost increase for a dedicated ‘community payback’ service in Outer East and that the Area Improvement Manager be requested to contact Parish Council’s in the area to ascertain if they would be willing to make a contribution to this valuable service with a report back on the outcome at the next meeting in March 2013.

g)  That approval be given to fund the distraction burglary project on outer towns and villages at a cost of £600.

h)  That this Committee notes the information regarding Temple Newsam Park Run.

i)  That this Committee notes that there could be a slight increase to the Older People’s Week project should the HOPE event be undertaken.

(Councillors J Lewis and K Wakefield left the meeting at 5.05pm at the conclusion of this item)

To consider a report of the Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside providing the meeting with an area profile of key assets, information on park usage and a customer based perspective of the quality of the assets and services provided.

The Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside submitted a report providing the meeting with an area profile of key assets, information on park usage and a customer based perspective of the quality of the assets and services provided.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Detailed residents survey information’ (Appendix 1 refers) for the information/comment of the meeting.

Mr Kris Nenadic, Parks Operations Manager, Parks and Countryside was in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

·  To welcome the fact that the comprehensive report focused on the areas specific to this Area Committee

·  To raise concerns over the inadequate drainage problems at Skelton Woods

(The Parks Operations Manager responded and agreed to investigate this issue with a report back on the outcome. He also agreed to attend the next forum meeting to answer any concerns and queries)

·  The need to roll out within the wards the fantastic work being undertaken to date between schools and environmental issues

·  The need to empty duel purpose bins more often within the Temple Newsam ward

(The Parks Operations Manager responded and agreed to address this issue with a report back on the outcome)

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

To consider a joint report by the Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes Leeds, Chief Officer (Revenue and Benefits) and South East Area Leader updating the meeting on Welfare Reform changes that impact on Council Tenants and are due to be implemented in April 2013. The report also summarises work that is currently being undertaken to prepare Tenants for those changes and for future changes that will impact later in the year.

A joint report of the Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes Leeds, Chief Officer (Revenue and Benefits) and the South East Area Leader was submitted  updating the meeting on Welfare Reform changes that impact on Council Tenants and were due to be implemented in April 2013. The report also summarised work that was currently being undertaken to prepare Tenants for those changes and for future changes that would impact later in the year.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents as a document entitled ‘for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  The Impact of the change of Housing Benefit at ward level (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Social Sector Size Criteria – Update on Contacts/Visits and Option Outcomes to Date’ (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Welfare Benefit Changes – Terms of Reference (Appendix 3 refers)

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Members’ comments and queries:-

-  Mr Steve Carey, Chief Revenues and Benefits Officer, Resources

-  Mr Simon Costigan, Chief Executive, Aire Valley Homes, Leeds

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

·  To acknowledge the detailed work being undertaken in this area by the Scrutiny Board (Resources and Council Services)

·  Clarification of when tenants would be informed about the assistance being offered from the Council in relation to bedroom tax

·  Concerns about the budget restraints in this area and whether or not the collection of debts would be problematic

·  Clarification if any predictions had been made in relation to monies which would not be collected under the new arrangements

In concluding discussions, the Chair invited Councillor P Gruen to sum up in his capacity as Executive Member, Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services. He emphasised the importance of those in the front line speaking the same script to ensure clarity and consistency around the new proposals.

The Committee noted that following the completion of all discussions in this area, a statement would be produced by the Labour Group and submitted to all interested parties and Area Committees for discussion and ratification.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee notes the work done to date by the ALMOs and the Council to prepare for the introduction of Welfare Reform changes affecting Council tenants in accordance with the report now submitted.

Tuesday 19^th March 2013 at 4.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

St Gregory’s Youth and Adult Centre, Swarcliffe, LS14 5LS

Tuesday 19^th March 2013 at 4.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(The meeting concluded at 5.55pm)