Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

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, however declarations of interest were made at later points in the meeting (Minute No’s 60 and 62 refer).

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December, 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13, December, 2007 be approved as a correct record.

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.

(Executive Function)

(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 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.

Local Community Groups’ Access to Leisure Facilities

Further to Minute No. 35 of the meeting held on 1^st November, 2007, Mr Sagoo confirmed that he had concerns in relation to the levels of access that community groups had in utilising Elland Road car park and not South Leeds Stadium, as had been previously stated.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the future of area based partnership working in Leeds.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Committee endorses the principle of utilising Area Committee meetings to improve partnership working so far as it relates to the Strategic Plan (subject to further negotiation with key partners);

(b)  Nominates elected members with an interest and the availability to act as champions for the specific themes dealt with by the sub-groups;

(c)  Requests that consideration be given to the development of a specific sub-group to focus on the theme of environment;

(d)  Supports the idea of bringing together partnership working on the basis of the geography covered by the new ‘South East Area’ (in so far as this is seen as the best solution on an operational basis); and

(e)  The minutes of the thematic sub-groups be circulated with the agenda for future Area Committee meetings for Members’ information.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which brought together current thinking on the future of area based partnership working in Leeds, and included proposals for changing the structure of partnership working in order to reflect changes that were taking place across organisational boundaries.

Dave Richmond, Area Manager (South) provided a summary of the issues detailed within the report and the following key issues were discussed:-

• Members noted the proposed changes in District Partnership arrangements and organisational boundaries. 
• Members discussed future proposals for partnership working.  The Area Manager reported that under future proposals, Area Committees would play a central role in partnership working.
• It was reported that under the proposals, Members would be required to nominate elected Members to act as thematic champions for key issues.
• One Member queried whether consideration could be given to the development of a specific sub-group to focus on the theme of environment.
• It was also suggested that the minutes of the thematic sub-groups could be circulated with the agenda for future Area Committee meetings for Members’ information.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the Area Committee endorses the principle of utilising Area Committee meetings to improve partnership working so far as it relates to the Strategic Plan (subject to further negotiation with key partners);

(b)   Nominates elected members with an interest and the availability to act as champions for the specific themes dealt with by the sub-groups;

(c)  Requests that consideration be given to the development of a specific sub-group to focus on the theme of environment;

(d)  Supports the idea of bringing together partnership working on the basis of the geography covered by the new ‘South East Area’ (in so far as this is seen as the best solution on an operational basis); and

(e)  The minutes of the thematic sub-groups be circulated with the agenda for future Area Committee meetings for Members’ information.

(Councillor D Congreve joined the meeting at 7.00 pm during the consideration of this item).

(Councillor J Blake declared a personal interest in this item due to her being Non-Executive Director of Leeds North West Primary Care Trust).

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the proposed changes to the way in which community consultation is undertaken on behalf of the Area Committees in South Leeds.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Committee supports the proposal to deliver two specific community events per ward per year; and

(b)  Requests a proposed schedule of additional consultation events, which will be offered in the area for the forthcoming year.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which proposed changes to the way in which community consultation was undertaken on behalf of the Area Committees in South Leeds.

Dave Richmond, Area Manager (South) was in attendance at the meeting to present information and respond to Members’ questions.

In brief summary, the main issues highlighted were:-

• The Committee was informed that under the proposals, each ward would be offered a minimum of two major consultation events per year.
• Members also considered other processes that would be taking place throughout the year.
• The Committee emphasised the importance of engaging with harder to reach groups.
• Members discussed whether the events would benefit the community.
• Specific reference was made to a number of other events that were not supported by the Area Committee.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the Area Committee supports the proposal to deliver two specific community events per ward per year; and

(b)  Requests a proposed schedule of additional consultation events, which will be offered in the area for the forthcoming year.

To receive and consider 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 Grant applications approved since the last meeting and invites the Area Committee to determine various Wellbeing proposals, as detailed within the report.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current outstanding balance of £88,050.58, yet to be committed from 2007/08(including £50k for conservation / car parking), the projected balance of £76,181 for 2007/08, and the projected balance of £136,439 for 2008/09for the Area Committee’s Wellbeing revenue budget be noted;

(b)  the outstanding balance of £57,845.45 for the Area Committee’s Capital Wellbeing budget be noted;

(c)  the Small Grants approved since the last meeting be noted; and

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

• Safer Leeds – Acting Senior Neighbourhood Warden - £5,200 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) - Approved
• Learning Partnerships – Learning Works – Family Learning Workers – £20,000 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) – Approved
• Out of School Activities Team – Pilot Breeze Technology – £750 (2007/2008 Revenue Budget) – Declined

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which updated Members on both the revenue and capital elements of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget, provided a forecasted balance of the Wellbeing budget for 2007/08 and 2008/09, advised Members of the Small Grant applications approved since the last meeting and invited the Area Committee to determine various Wellbeing proposals, as detailed within the report.

The Area Committee considered a proposal from the Learning Partnerships, which requested funding for six Family Learning Workers between April and August 2008. 

Mr J Clare and Mr T Murray attended the meeting to provide key information in relation to the proposal and respond to Members questions.  The Committee also considered a number of activities and initiatives that the Project was involved with.

In relation to a request for funding from the Out of School Activities Team – Pilot Breeze Technology, it was suggested that funding for this project could be sought from the Youth Service.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the current outstanding balance of £88,050.58, yet to be committed from 2007/08(including £50k for conservation / car parking), the projected balance of £76,181 for 2007/08, and the projected balance of £136,439 for 2008/09for the Area Committee’s Wellbeing revenue budget be noted;

(b)  the outstanding balance of £57,845.45 for the Area Committee’s Capital Wellbeing budget be noted;

(c)  the Small Grants approved since the last meeting be noted; and

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

• Safer Leeds – Acting Senior Neighbourhood Warden - £5,200 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) - Approved
• Learning Partnerships – Learning Works – Family Learning Workers – £20,000 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) – Approved
• Out of School Activities Team – Pilot Breeze Technology – £750 (2007/2008 Revenue Budget) – Declined

(Councillor P Davey declared a personal interest in this item due to him being an LEA Governor of St Francis of Assisi Primary School).

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to consider the issues and options for the Area Committee to set up a gardening service in Inner South Leeds.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Committee agrees in principle to support a basic gardening service in Inner South Leeds.

(b)  That the service operates in partnership with other organisation(s), such as established service providers in the area and/or with those able to contribute resources; and

 (c)  That the Area Committee requests a further report once the issues outlined in the report have been examined in more detail, including different models of provision.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which provided Members with a summary of the issues and options to consider in relation to setting up a gardening service in Inner South Leeds.

A brief overview of the key issues detailed within the report was provided and the main areas of debate were as follows:-

• It was reported that there was considerable demand for setting up a gardening service. 
• Members discussed the type of service that could be provided and the risks involved of funding the scheme.
• Members suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a link with other voluntary service providers, including Aire Valley Homes and Elderly Action.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the Area Committee agrees in principle to support a basic gardening service in Inner South Leeds.

(b)  That the service operates in partnership with other organisation(s), such as established service providers in the area and/or with those able to contribute resources; and

(c)  That the Area Committee requests a further report once the issues outlined in the report have been examined in more detail, including different models of provision.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which updates Members on the work undertaken by the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and information appended to the report be noted.

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.

The main areas of debate were as follows:

• One Member expressed concern in relation to the level of clean up provided by Environmental Services in the Arthingtons and Royals area (City and Hunslet Ward).  (The Area Manager (South) agreed to raise this matter with the Department and email all Members of the Committee with a response.)
• In relation to Regenerating Areas, it was reported that Executive Board approval had been obtained for Phase III of the Holbeck acquisition programme.  (The Area Manager (South) reported that according to the latest information and figures provided, most valuations had been completed and 45% of owners had accepted offers.  Phase II was 92% acquired and Phase I was 69% acquired.)
• Reference was made to off-road motorbike patrols – Members expressed concern in relation to those areas that had not been patrolled.  (It was agreed that full details of the suggested hotspots be forwarded to the Police for action.)
• Members considered priorities for the Committee’s Area Delivery Plan (ADP).  (It was agreed that Members would meet informally to feed in their views on the Leeds Strategic Plan (LSP) themes within the Committee’s ADP.)

RESOLVED -

That the contents of the report and information appended to the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the positive changes that have been highlighted for the area by the recent publication of the 2007 Indices of Deprivation (IoD).

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the Committee notes the progress that has been made in the area, as evidenced by the new IoD data.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which highlighted the positive changes for the area by the recent publication of the 2007 Indices of Deprivation (IoD).  Members also considered details of existing projects in the South Leeds Area that were in receipt of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF).

RESOLVED – That the Committee notes the progress that has been made in the area, as evidenced by the new IoD data.

Tuesday, 8^th April, 2008 at 6.30 pm – Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG

Tuesday 8^th April, 2008 at 6.30 pm

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

(The meeting concluded at 8.19 pm)