Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the December meeting of the South (Inner) Area Committee.

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 Area Manager’s Update report which was to be considered in place of the original report detailed at agenda item 14. The revised report contained statistics concerning the recently published 2007 Indices of Deprivation, in addition to information concerning the introduction of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF). Both sets of information were not available at the time of agenda despatch, and the implications arising from both matters needed to be considered by the Committee at today’s meeting (Minute No. 53 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

There were no declarations made at this point, howevera declaration of interest was made at a later point in the meeting (Minute No. 51 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting

Apologies for absence from the meeting were received on behalf of Councillors J Blake, D Coupar, M Iqbal, E Nash and A Ogilvie.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st November 2007

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 1^st November 2007 be approved as a correct record, subject to Minute No. 31 entitled, ‘Matters Arising from the Minutes’ being revised to read, ‘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’.

I Love South Leeds Festival 2007 (Minute No. 35 refers)

Members were reminded of the concerns raised by a member of the public at the previous meeting regarding the levels of access that local community groups had in respect of utilising local leisure facilities for the purposes of community events. In relation to the progress which had been made on this issue, the Committee noted that the specific details of such concerns were being clarified with the member of the public involved, prior to such concerns being relayed to the Learning and Leisure department for consideration.

Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies (Minute No. 7, 25^th June 2007 refers)

The Committee noted that despite Hunslet Hawks Rugby League Club being invited on three occasions during the previous two municipal years to express an interest in having Leeds City Council representation on the club’s Board of Management, to date, no response had been received.

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.

Issues within the Cottingley Area

A representative of the Tenants’ and Residents’ Association for Cottingley (TRAC) raised the following issues:-

·  Glass being found on pathways, alleyways and in grassed areas around Cottingley Drive;

·  Shrubbery being destroyed in the vicinity of Old Road to Dulverton Place, the need for such shrubbery to be extended to Dulverton Gardens, and the need for a clean up team to remove the range of debris present in the area;

·  Refuse collection teams not clearing all rubbish left from burst bin bags;

·  Barriers being left by gas engineers, following the completion of works in the area;

·  The disruption to traffic which had been experienced on match days, due to traffic cones not being used in the locality;

·  A number of issues which had been reported to the estate manager, which to date remained unresolved;

·  Following the completion of works in the area by Keep Moat PLC, the problem of building materials and deep wheel marks in the ground being left by the company.

In response, the representative of TRAC was assured that all the issues raised would be pursued.

The Committee then received an update on issues relating to grass cutting in the area from the Committee’s representative on the Board of Aire Valley Homes Leeds. Following the problems which had been experienced in this area, Members noted that regular walkabouts around the locality had been arranged in order to monitor the grass cutting service which was being delivered.

Provision of Double Yellow Lines

Concerns were raised in relation to the lack of double yellow lines in Cross Flatts Avenue, an issue which had been previously raised with Highways Services.

In response, the Committee was assured that this matter would again be pursued.

Communities Residing within the Locality of LS11

A local resident raised concerns regarding the current level and make up of the population within the LS11 area, and enquired whether there were any actions which could be taken by the Area Committee to address such issues.

In response, Members stated that they did not concur with the comments made, and advised the local resident of the Committee’s limited authority in such matters. The Committee then highlighted that generally speaking, the population of the area was currently in decline, emphasised the positive results achieved by several local schools in the area, and underlined the ways in which the local community benefited from the range of diverse cultures which were currently present in Inner South Leeds.

Beeston Road

In response to the concerns raised by a local resident, the Committee was advised that Highways Services would be contacted in relation to the speed of vehicles using Beeston Road.

About Leeds

A local resident raised concerns about not receiving  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To receive an update report on the progress made by the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) Programme, which aims to tackle worklessness in the most deprived areas by encouraging residents to consider starting their own business, in addition to providing support to existing local businesses in order to enable them to survive and grow

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Leeds Local Enterprise Growth Initiative (LEGI) Programme Manager which provided Members with an update on the progress being made by the Leeds LEGI Programme throughout the area.

The Committee received a brief overview of the progress which had been made by the programme from Simon Brereton, Leeds LEGI Progamme Mananger, and were provided with updates on several initiatives, such as ‘South Leeds Health For All’ and ‘Tiger 11’, which had been the beneficiaries of support from LEGI.

Members highlighted the positive work which was currently being undertaken to address worklessness and encourage enterprise throughout the area, and emphasised that for the LEGI programme to be a success, a co-ordinated and all encompassing approach was needed, which would enable the local community’s attitudes towards enterprise to be altered.

RESOLVED –

(a). That the contents of the report be noted;

(b). That the work being undertaken by the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative in the Inner South area of Leeds be supported;

(c). That a report which updates Members on the progress being made by Local Enterprise Growth Initiative be submitted to the April meeting of the Area Committee.

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which sets out and invites Members to endorse a revised Community Centres Lettings and Pricing Policy for South Leeds

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/15 mins discussion)

Members received a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which set out and sought the Committee’s endorsement of a revised Community Centres’ Lettings and Pricing Policy for implementation across the Inner South area.

A copy the revised Pricing and Lettings Policy, in addition to a summary of the responses received from the associated consultation exercise were appended to the report for Members’ information.

The Committee was advised that the policy aimed to create a standardised charging system for all those community centres in the area which had been, or were scheduled to be delegated to the Area Committee. Members noted however that the proposed policy would not affect those centres which were leased out to community organisations on a long term basis.

Members then discussed the proposed schedule of charges for the relevant community facilities, in addition to the proposals concerning a revised discount policy.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That the revised Community Centres Pricing and Lettings Policy be endorsed for implementation across the area;

(c). That any further alterations to the policy be discussed and considered by the Community Centres Sub Committee, prior to such alterations being submitted to the Area Committee for formal approval;

(d). That anindicative implementation date of 1^st April 2008 for the policy be agreed, however should this not be achieved, the policy be implemented as soon as is operationally possible.

To receive a report from the Out of School Activities Team which provides Members with data relating to the take up of the Breeze on Tour events by young people in South Leeds throughout the summer of 2007

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Out of School Activities Team which provided Members with information concerning the levels of young people who had attended the Breeze on Tour event in Cross Flatts Park and various other Mini Breeze events which had been held throughout South Leeds in the summer of 2007.

Having received a summary of the data within the report, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  Members received a brief overview of the ways in which the Breeze card was used to compile data, in addition to the ways in which a young person could utilise the card;

·  The Committee noted that young people residing in the LS10 area had a low propensity to travel in order to access Breeze events, and emphasised that the lack of public transport provision in the area was a contributing factor to such a trend. The Committee then underlined the need for the levels of such transport provision to be improved;

·  Members made enquiries into the ways in which Breeze cards, and the series of Breeze events held across the city were publicised;

·  The Committee discussed the range and geographic spread of community events held in the area, in which Breeze could potentially become involved;

·  Members then discussed the methods used to compile data in relation to attendance at all Breeze events, and the benefits of obtaining such data. It was then proposed that the Committee could give further consideration to utilising the equipment used by Youth Services to compile attendance related data at Breeze events, in order to monitor the levels of engagement by young people in other youth provision which was currently being delivered across the area.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That the multi agency work being undertaken across Inner South Leeds to develop and deliver activities for young people, in addition to the commitment of such agencies to continually improve the services available to young people, be recognised;

(c). That a further report be submitted to the February 2008 meeting of the Area Committee which invites Members to consider proposals to utilise Breeze equipment to collect data regarding young people registering in other youth provision, and to consider any resource implications.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which invites the Committee to determine a range of proposals which have been prepared in relation to a proposed programme of events scheduled for summer 2008

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

Further to Minute No. 35, 1^st November 2007, a report was submitted by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which invited the Committee to consider a range of detailed proposals prepared by the Director of South Leeds Health For All in conjunction with the Area Management Team which related to the proposed delivery of the I Love South Leeds Festival during the summer of 2008.

Members received a brief overview of the proposals from the Director of South Leeds Health For All, in addition to the potential financial implications of such proposals.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That ‘Option 2’ as detailed within the report, be identified as the preferred option for delivering the I Love South Leeds Festival in 2008, and that a maximum of £34,000.00 from the Committee’s Wellbeing revenue budget be allocated towards the cost of delivering that option;

(c). That the ‘Battle of the Bands’, Stars in their Eyes’ and ‘South Leeds Olympics’ events be incorporated into the delivery of Option 2, with one event being held in each Ward;

(d). That South Leeds Health for All seek to contribute upto £12,000.00 from external funding sources towards the cost of delivering the Festival, and that the Committee agree to underwrite any shortfall from South Leeds Health For All’s contribution, upto a maximum of £12,000.00 from the Committee’s Wellbeing revenue budget.

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, revenue and Small Grants proposals, as detailed within the report

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/10 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 budgets 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, in addition to a Small Grant application, which had been submitted to the meeting for consideration.

With regard to the Middleton Park Youth Hub Scheme, Members emphasised that the scheme was a significant opportunity to utilise other funding sources, in order to improve the provision of facilities for young people in the area.

Members considered a proposal which asked the Area Committee to fund the cost of undertaking a Conservation Area Review on the Stanks Hall site from the additional allocation received from Executive Board. In considering the proposal, Members made reference to the levels of access that the public currently had to the site, in addition to the extent to which the site had been maintained in the past.

With regard to the Small Grant application entitled, ‘Fayre Care for Christmas’ which had been submitted for Members’ determination, the Committee was advised that receipts from one of the previous two years funding allocations given to the project had been received by the Area Management Team prior to the meeting.

A reference was then made to the provision of community facilities within the Beeston area.

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 a further £7,000.00 Wellbeing revenue funding be ringfenced within the Committee’s 2007/08 Small Grants budget;

(c). That £1,000.00 be allocated from the Committee’s 2007/08 Small Grants budget towards the Small Grant proposal entitled, ‘Fayre Care For Christmas’;

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

(i). ’Middleton Regeneration - Publicity Marketing and Community Engagement’ - Re’new - £7,500.00 (£2,000.00 from the Area Committee’s ringfenced consultation budget and £5,500.00 from 2007/08 revenue budget) - Approved;

(ii). ‘Conservation Area Review - Stanks Hall’ - City Development - £5,000.00 (from the additional allocation of £50,000.00 from Executive Board for Conservation Areas and/or residents’ parking schemes) - Declined;

(iii). ‘Street Signs’ - City Services - £7,000.00 - 2007/08 capital budget – Approved;

(e). That in the absence of a firm decision regarding the future of the William Gascoigne Centre, the £10,000.00 capital funding from the 2007/08 budget which was previously allocated towards the cost of outdoor improvements at the centre be transferred to the Middleton Park Youth Hub Scheme. Subject to the outcome of discussions regarding the future of the William Gascoigne Centre, approval be given in principle to £10,000.00 Wellbeing capital  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which outlines changes to Area Committee responsibilities and working arrangements agreed at the Council’s Executive Board in November

(Council Function)

(10 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining the changes to Area Committee responsibilities and working arrangements which had been agreed at the Council’s Executive Board meeting in November 2007.

Having received a brief overview of the key issues detailed within the report, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  Members discussed whether the changes to Area Management structures would impact upon the levels of support given to the Area Committee. In response, the Committee noted that such levels of support would not be affected;

·  The Committee discussed the proposals which aimed to develop local partnership working arrangements in each area, and highlighted the prospect of Area Committee Members being appointed as local ‘champions’ of specific themes, in order to increase Elected Members’ involvement in the development of such partnership working;

·  Members emphasised that the proposals detailed within the review would enable the specific needs of local communities within Inner South Leeds to be addressed in a more specific, effective and localised way;

·  The Committee emphasised the need for the Area Committee’s budgetary allocation to reflect any increases in delegated responsibilities;

·  Members highlighted the changes to Area Management which would see the number of Area Management Teams reduced from 5 to 3, and made enquiries into whether there was any intention to similarly revise the structure of Area Committees in the future;

·  The Committee discussed the proposal to submit a report to a future meeting which related to Local Children and Young People Plans.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That the Area Committee receive further reports in the next and subsequent meeting cycles which relate to Area Delivery Plan preparations, Local Children and Young People Plans and local partnership working arrangements.

To receive 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)

(5 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.

A revised report was tabled at the meeting for Members’ consideration, which replaced the original as detailed at agenda item 14. The revised report contained statistics concerning the recently published 2007 Indices of Deprivation, and information relating to the introduction of the Working Neighbourhoods Fund (WNF).

Having received a brief update on the range of issues detailed within the report, the South Leeds Area Manager provided the Committee with a summary of the key issues arising from the recent publication of the 2007 Indices of Deprivation. A discussion then ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:- 

·  Members noted that overall, the results from the Indices which related to Leeds had been positive, and learned that an implication of such positive results would be that the levels of funding allocated to Leeds from the Working Neighbourhoods Fund, a successor to the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF), would be gradually reduced. In light of this, it was proposed that further information was submitted to the next Committee meeting which related to those services within the area which were currently resourced by the NRF, and would therefore be affected by the changes to such funding arrangements;

·  The Committee highlighted the need for further consideration to be given to a more co-ordinated and inclusive approach to be taken when addressing issues such as educational attainment and deprivation levels in the area, in order to ensure that resources were maximised, and the range of existing local needs were mapped out and addressed effectively;

·  Members discussed the range of factors which were taken into consideration when compiling the Indices of Deprivation, highlighted the need for more sensitive criteria to be used, and noted the specific results which had been achieved for those communities located within Inner South Leeds;

·  Members discussed several matters relating to regeneration in the area, with particular reference being made to the replacement of outdated dwellings with more affordable housing provision in the area. The Committee then emphasised the need for such affordable housing provision to be available, prior to any demolition work being undertaken.

RESOLVED –

(a). That the report and information appended to the report, which includes newly published statistics concerning the 2007 Indices of Deprivation be noted;

(b). That the Action Plan for the Recreations Neighbourhood Improvement Plan be approved;

(c). That further information be submitted to the February 2008 Committee meeting in relation to those services within the area which are currently resourced by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and that will be affected by the changes to NRF funding arrangements;

(d). That the views of Ward Members from Beeston and Holbeck and City and Hunslet be sought in relation to the ways in which such Members wish to be consulted upon forthcoming PFI issues.

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

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 8.45 p.m.)