Agenda and minutes

Having viewed a short video outlining the variety of events and activities which had been undertaken as part of the ‘I Love South Leeds’ festival, the Chair welcomed all in attendance to the November meeting of the South (Inner) Area Committee and invited those present to introduce themselves.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair admitted to the agenda a revised proposal for Wellbeing funding entitled, ‘Test Purchasing’, together with an additional proposal for Wellbeing funding entitled, ‘Off-Road Motorcycle Project’. Both proposals had been submitted by West Yorkshire Police and due to the respective timescales involved, both needed to be determined by Members prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Area Committee (Minute No. 38 refers).

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 under this agenda item, however a declaration of interest was made at a later point in the meeting (Minute No. 35 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting

No apologies for absence from the meeting had been received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 18^th September 2007

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th September 2007 be approved as a correct record.

Declarations of Interest (Minute No. 16 refers)

Members were advised by the Committee’s representative on the Board of Aire Valley Homes Leeds that the organisation was due to be inspected in April 2008. The Committee noted that the results of the inspection could potentially affect the levels of funding that the Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) received in the future, which could impact upon the services delivered by the organisation. However, the Committee was assured that every effort would be made to ensure that a positive inspection result was achieved.

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

(10 mins discussion)

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

Forthcoming Inspection of Aire Valley Homes Leeds

In response to an enquiry on this issue, the Committee received a brief explanation of the inspection procedure which would be undertaken in respect of Aire Valley Homes Leeds, and the financial impact that the results of such an inspection could potentially have upon the ALMO.

Closure of Supermarket

A local resident emphasised the need for a local supermarket in the Holbeck area following the closure of Kwiksave, and enquired whether any progress had been made in identifying another company which was interested in taking over the site.

In response, local Ward Councillors advised the Committee that enquiries with other supermarkets had been made, but as yet, no interested parties had been identified.

Community Skips

In response to an enquiry relating to the availability of community skips, the Chair advised all in attendance that skips were still available for appropriate use by community groups, and that any applications for such skips should be directed to the Area Management Team for consideration.

To receive a report from the Assistant Chief Executive of Planning, Policy and Improvement which invites the Area Committee to consider the draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities which will shape the content of the Leeds Strategic Plan

(Council Function)

(20 mins in total for presentation and discussion)

The Assistant Chief Executive of Planning, Policy and Improvement submitted a report which introduced to the Committee the Leeds Strategic Plan 2008-2011. The report also invited Members to consider and comment upon the plan’s draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities which had been appended to the report.

Having received a brief summary of the background to the plan and details of the associated consultation process from the Director of Children’s Services, the Committee viewed a promotional video which outlined the plan’s draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities. Members’ comments on the plan were then invited, and the main points raised were as follows:-

·  Members made enquiries into how the strategic plan would benefit the communities of Inner South Leeds, and emphasised the need to ensure that any resources which were allocated as part of the plan were distributed in an equitable manner;

·  In response to Members enquiries, the Committee was advised of the methods which would be used to deliver the plan’s objectives and priorities once they had been finalised;

·  With regard to the draft improvement priorities listed, Members indicated that it was essential for all such priorities to be successfully delivered by the local authority. In response, the Director of Children’s Services acknowledged Members’ comments, but emphasised that the aim of this consultation exercise was to identify which areas should be pursued as a priority;

·  Having commented upon the presentation and content of the promotional video, Members highlighted the need for the plan to place a greater emphasis upon the ‘Narrowing the Gap’ agenda;

·  Members made enquiries into the range of work which was being undertaken by ‘Marketing Leeds’, and the procedures in place to monitor the organisation. In response, Members were advised that their comments on this issue had been noted;

·  The Committee emphasised the need for the plan to give priority to several key issues such as addressing levels of poverty and underachievement, in addition to improving job opportunities and education provision. Members also highlighted the need to ensure that resources for addressing such issues were made available to those communities which required them the most;

·  The Committee underlined the need to maximise the involvement of local communities in any related consultation exercises which were being undertaken.

In conclusion, the Chair encouraged all those in attendance to complete and return the questionnaire appended to the report which sought any views on the draft improvement priorities of the Leeds Strategic Plan 2008-2011.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That the Committee’s comments which relate to the draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities of the Leeds Strategic Plan 2008-2011 be noted.

(Councillor Driver left the meeting at 7.12 p.m., during the consideration of this item)

To consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services Unit which seeks to describe the Joint Area Review (JAR) process, and outline the timetable of activities in Leeds so that Members are informed of developments. The report also offers an opportunity to consider the JAR at Area Committee.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which advised the Committee of the Joint Area Review (JAR) process, and provided Members with an opportunity to discuss any related issues.

Having received a brief summary of the key points detailed within the report from the Locality Enabler for South and East Leeds, Members were invited to forward any comments or concerns relating to this issue to the Locality Enabler for consideration.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That Members be invited to forward any comments which relate to the Joint Area Review process to the Locality Enabler for consideration.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which provides an overview and evaluation of the ‘I Love South Leeds Festival’ held in 2007, and invites the Committee to determine the future of the Festival

(Executive Function)

(15 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

A report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods was submitted to the Committee which provided Members with an evaluation of the 2007 ‘I Love South Leeds’ festival from the viewpoint of the Director of South Leeds Health For All. The report also sought Members’ views on whether a similar series of events should be delivered throughout the area during the summer of 2008.

Having received a brief review of the 2007 festival from the Director of South Leeds Health For All, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  Members made reference to the proportion of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget which had been made available for the delivery of the 2007 festival, and highlighted the need to ensure that any future events of this nature provided improved value for money;

·  The Committee highlighted that it was essential for a wide range of communities and organisations throughout Inner South Leeds to be given an opportunity to fully participate in events such as the ‘I Love South Leeds’ festival;

·  In response to Members’ enquiries, the Director of South Leeds Health For All suggested that in order maximise the potential of any such events in the future, the co-ordination of the festival, and the methods used to fully engage young people in any related activities, would need to be reviewed;

·  Members highlighted the varying levels of attendance at several of the events, and discussed the ways in which attendances could be improved;

·  Members highlighted some organisational and budgetary management issues which had arisen from the delivery of the 2007 festival;

·  The Committee requested that when it had been finalised, the data currently being compiled by the Youth Service on the take up rates of activities for young people which had been delivered during the summer holiday period was submitted to Members for consideration;

·  Members discussed the possibility of one or two other local community organisations, which had been present at the meeting, making contributions towards the delivery of any similar events in the future;

·  Having noted the concerns of a member of the local community regarding the levels of access that local groups had to South Leeds Stadium for the provision of community events, the Committee proposed that such concerns were relayed to the Learning and Leisure department for consideration.

In conclusion, it was suggested that proposals relating to the delivery of a series of events throughout the summer of 2008 were worked up by South Leeds Health For All in conjunction with Area Management, and submitted to the next meeting of the Committee for consideration.

RESOLVED –

(a). That the contents of the cover report and the evaluation report from South Leeds Health For All be noted;

(b). That further proposals relating to the delivery of a series of community events throughout summer 2008 be worked up by South Leeds Health For All in conjunction with Area Management and submitted to the next meeting of the Area Committee for determination;

(c). That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which seeks to address the enquiry raised by Members at the last Area Committee meeting regarding the possibility of splitting the Area Committees’  Wellbeing revenue budget on an individual Ward basis

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

Further to Minute No. 22, 18^th September 2007, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which sought to address an enquiry previously raised by Members concerning the possibility of splitting the Area Committee’s future Wellbeing revenue budget on an individual Ward basis.

Having received a brief summary of the key issues detailed within the report, which included several potential options for allocating the budget by Ward, Members proposed that from the beginning of the 2008/09 financial year, the Committee’s revenue budget was split equally between all three Wards, and that an appropriate ‘cut-off’ point at which one Ward’s unspent allocation of revenue funding could be accessed by other Wards was determined by the Committee prior to the 2008/09 revenue budget being split.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That from the beginning of the 2008/2009 financial year, the Wellbeing revenue budget allocated to the Area Committee be split evenly between all three Wards within Inner South Leeds;

(c). That prior to the Area Committee’s 2008/2009 Wellbeing revenue budget being split on a Ward basis, an appropriate ‘cut-off’ point at which one Ward’s unspent allocation of revenue can be accessed by other Wards be determined by the Area Committee.

(Councillor Iqbal left the meeting at 7.57 p.m., during the consideration of this item)

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which provides Members with the range of activities currently taking place within the Inner South area of Leeds

(Executive Function)

(10 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which detailed the range of activities currently taking place within the Inner South area of Leeds.

Members received a brief update on several matters detailed within the report. These included:-

·  The latest Operation Champion which had been conducted during September 2007 in the Stratfords and Woodviews areas of Beeston Hill;

·  The consultation and research currently being undertaken in relation to community facilities in the area;

·  The work being undertaken in the Beeston Hill and Holbeck and Middleton regeneration areas;

·  The current position relating to Neighbourhood Warden provision within Inner South Leeds;

·  An update on the work being undertaken in relation to the Local Enterprise and Growth Initiative (LEGI) and the Regional Competitiveness and Economy Programme 2008-2013.

The Committee made specific enquiries into the extent to which local Ward Councillors had been consulted on a proposal for the Play and Leisure Sub Group of Children’s Leeds South to submit a bid to the Big Lottery Fund to cover the cost of constructing an adventure playground in South Leeds. Having noted that Middleton Park had been identified as a potentially appropriate location for such a development, it was proposed that the views of Middleton Park Ward Councillors were sought on this matter.

The Committee learned that a report relating to the future scope and structure of District Partnerships and Area Management was to be submitted to Executive Board in November, with a detailed report on such matters intended to be subsequently submitted to the December cycle of Area Committee meetings. In response, Members raised concerns regarding the extent to which local Ward Councillors had been involved in, and consulted upon such proposals, and requested that their respective concerns on this matter were noted.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That the views of Middleton Park Ward Members be sought in relation to a funding application to build an adventure playground in South Leeds which is proposed to be submitted to the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of the Play and Leisure sub group of Children’s Leeds South;

(c). That Members’ concerns regarding the extent to which local Ward Members have been consulted on the future scope and structure of District Partnerships and Area Management be noted.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which updates Members on both the revenue and capital elements of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget, provides a forecasted balance of the Wellbeing budget for 2007/08 and 2008/09, advises Members of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invites the Committee to determine the capital and revenue proposals, as detailed within the report

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which updated Members on the Area Committee’s remaining revenue and capital Wellbeing budgets for 2007/08, provided a forecasted balance of the Wellbeing budget for 2007/08 and 2008/09, summarised the Small Grant applications received since the last meeting and invited Members to determine the revenue and capital proposals which had been submitted to the meeting for consideration.

Following Members’ enquiries, the Committee was assured that the work proposed to be undertaken as part of the ‘Test Purchasing’ initiative, would be carried out across all Wards within the area and was in addition to any routine test purchasing work which was already undertaken by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service and West Yorkshire Police.

The Committee sought further information from the Youth Service on the review which had been undertaken in relation to the buildings used to deliver youth work provision in the area, which included the establishment of youth hub centres throughout Leeds.

Following Members’ requests, the Committee was advised that information would be sought on the future usage of the Building Blocks Centre, and submitted to Members for consideration.

Members notified a representative of West Yorkshire Police of local residents’ concerns which related to the problem of a quad bike being driven around the areas of East Hunslet and Belle Isle.

RESOLVED –

(a). That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the Area Committee’s remaining revenue and capital Wellbeing budgets for 2007/08, a forecasted Wellbeing revenue budget for 2007/08 to 2008/09, and an update on the Small Grant applications received since the last meeting, be noted;

(b). That the following decisions be made in relation to the Wellbeing funding proposals which have been submitted for determination to this meeting:-

(i). ‘Test Purchasing’ – West Yorkshire Police – 2007/08 revenue budget - £2,200.00 – Approved, subject to West Yorkshire Police providing the Area Committee with a performance report on the initiative, following its conclusion;

(ii). ‘Domestic Violence’ – Theatre in Education – 2007/08 revenue budget - £10,000.00 – Declined;

(iii). ‘Marketing Project’ – Area Management Team/re’new - £8,000.00 (£6,000.00 from 2007/08 revenue budget and£2,000.00from the Committee’s ringfenced communication and consultation budget) –Deferred, pending a more detailed proposal, which lists a breakdown of all costings, being submitted to Members for consideration;

(iv). ‘Youth Hub’ – Youth Service – £30,000.00 (£20,000.00 from the capital budget and £10,000.00 either from the capital budget, or from the 2007/08 revenue budget, depending on the outcome of discussions which relate to the future of the William Gascoigne Centre, which is the subject of a previous funding proposal) – Approved, pending the remainder of the funding for the scheme being obtained, with the allocation of £20,000.00 from the capital budget. A further £10,000.00 will be allocated either from the capital budget, or from the 2007/08 revenue budget, depending on the outcome of discussions which relate to the future of the William Gascoigne Centre, which is the subject of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Thursday, 13^th December 2007 at 6.30 p.m. – Venue to be confirmed

Tuesday, 19^th February 2008 at 6.30 p.m. – Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Tuesday, 8^th April 2008 at 6.30 p.m. – Belle Isle family Centre, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG

Thursday, 13^th December 2007 at 6.30 p.m.

(Venue – To be confirmed)

Tuesday, 19^th February 2008 at 6.30 p.m.

(Venue – Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR)

Tuesday, 8^th April 2008 at 6.30 p.m.

(Venue – Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG)

(The meeting concluded at 8.35 p.m.)