Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for the 2008/09 municipal year.

(Council Function)

(2.5 mins presentation / 2.5 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Chief Democratic Services Officer, which outlined the arrangements for the annual election of Chair of the South (Inner) Area Committee.  It was reported that one nomination for the position of Chair had been received on behalf of Councillor Gabriel.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That following a unanimous vote by those Elected Members present at the meeting, Councillor Gabriel be elected Chair of the South (Inner) Area Committee for the 2008/2009 municipal year.

(Councillor Gabriel took the Chair)

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the first South (Inner) Area Committee meeting of the new municipal year.

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, photos and information in relation to Advertising on Lamp Posts and Existing Advertising Sites, which were to be considered as part of agenda item 10, entitled, ‘Area Management Income from Advertising on Lamp Posts’.  The photos and information were unavailable at the time of the agenda despatch, and needed to be considered as part of agenda item 10 (Minute No. 13 refers).

The Chair also admitted to the agenda a Small Grant application for determination by the Area Committee, which was to be considered under agenda item 12, entitled, ‘South Inner Area Committee – Well-being Budget’.  The proposal had been submitted by Beeston Community Forum and needed to be determined prior to the next scheduled meeting of the Area Committee (Minute No. 10 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.

The following declarations of interest were made:-

Councillor J Blake declared a personal interest in relation to agenda item 11, Gardening Service and agenda item 12, South Inner Area Committee – Well-being Budget, due to being a Member of Middleton Elderly Aid (Minute Nos. 9 and 10 refer).

Councillor G Driver declared a personal interest in relation to agenda item 11, Gardening Service and agenda item 12, South Inner Area Committee – Well-being Budget, due to being a Member of Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid (Minute Nos. 9 and 10 refer).

Councillor D Congreve indicated that he was a Member of the Plans Panel (East) and could possibly be considering an application by the Kashmir Muslim Welfare Association at a later date in that capacity.  In view of this, and in order to avoid any perception of pre-determination when the matter came before the Plans Panel, he would take no part in the discussion or voting on this item (Minute No. 10 refers).

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors P Davey and M Iqbal.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th April, 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th April, 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

In relation to Minute No. 75, Area Manager’s Update Report, it was reported that Councillor A Gabriel would serve as the champion/key link on behalf of the Area Committee for Stronger Communities – Community Cohesion Partnership.  It was also reported that Councillor D Congreve had replaced Councillor E Nash as the champion/key link for Transport.

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 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.

A local resident raised concern in relation to the poor standard of garden maintenance work in Cottingley.  It was reported that weeds had not been sprayed and some areas were in need of grass cutting.  The Committee was advised that Aire Valley Homes had been contacted by a local Ward Member to address these concerns.

A representative of ‘Together for Peace’ attended the meeting and reported that a ‘Walk Talk’ event was taking place, starting 19^th July, 2008, from Millennium Square, Leeds and finishing in central London a month later.  The Committee was informed that Walk Talk offered an opportunity to meet, walk and talk with people about matters of belief and conscience.  Further information was available via the website www.walktalk.org

A local resident requested additional police patrols in the Cross Flatts area, due to some motorcyclists causing a nuisance to local residents.  An instance of drug abuse at a local picnic area was also reported.  The Committee was informed that a police representative was in attendance at the meeting to note these concerns.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report to assist

the Area Committee in determining the way forward for supporting existing

gardening services and for developing a new service where needed.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Area Committee supports Option 3 to allocate Well-being funding of £3,450 to Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid; 

(b)  That the Area Committee allocates £2,470 of Well-being funding to Middleton Elderly Aid, to increase the number of gardens they are able to maintain in the current year;

(c)  That the Area Management Team continues to pursue options for Beeston and Holbeck and City and Hunslet Wards.

Further to Minute No.73 of the meeting held on 8^th April, 2008, the Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which provided options and recommendations for the Area Committee to determine the support and development of gardening services for elderly people and people with disabilities.

Further information and details of the Well-being Fund proposals for the gardening services were appended to the report.

A brief discussion then ensued on the contents and information appended to the report.  The Committee also wished to place on record its appreciation to the report author, Steve Ross for producing such an informative report.

RESOLVED –

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

(b) That the Area Committee supports Option 3 to allocate Well-being funding of £3,450 to Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid; 

(c)  That the Area Committee allocates £2,470 of Well-being funding to Middleton Elderly Aid;

(d)  That the Area Management Team continues to pursue options for Beeston and Holbeck and City and Hunslet Wards.

To consider a report by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updating Members on the amount of capital and revenue funding available via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for wards in the South Inner area.  The forecast for 2008/2009 based on potential spending the Area Committee may make in order to plan the Area Committee’s future expenditure.  The report also seeks approval for new projects commissioned by the South Inner Area Management Team.

(Executive Report)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital Well-being budgets, be noted;

(b)  That the Small Grant proposals approved since the last meeting of the Area Committee, be noted;

(c)  That the following decision be made in relation to a Small Grant application which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• Beeston Community Forum – £500 – The Area Committee approved funding towards room hire (£25 for 12 months = £300) and declined funding of £200 towards refreshments / Christmas buffet;

(d)  That the following decisions be made in relation to the Well-being funding proposals which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid – Gardening Scheme – £3,450 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Middleton Elderly Aid – Additional Gardens – £2,470 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Kashmir Muslim Welfare Association – Design and Costing for Community Centre in Francis Grove – £14,687.50 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved as a one-off payment;
• South East Area Management Team – Inner South Community Centres Support Fund – £6,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• South East Area Management Team – Arson Reduction Project – Cleaning Binyards – £2,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• South East Area Management Team – Operation Champion (3 operations) – £1,000 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Youth Service – Youth Activities for Middleton Park Ward – £6,800 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) – Approved, subject to further detailed analysis by Area Management and consultation with Ward Members;
• Clarksfield Allotments – Access and Growth – £1,269 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Groundwork – William Gascoigne - £10,486 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which updated Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget, advised the Committee of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invited Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals, in addition to a Small Grants proposal, which had been submitted to the meeting as a late item for determination.

Following a discussion relating to the proposals for Well-being funding which had been submitted to the meeting for determination, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital Well-being budgets, be noted;

(b)  That the Small Grant proposals approved since the last meeting of the Area Committee, be noted;

(c)  That the following decision be made in relation to a Small Grant application which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• Beeston Community Forum – £500 – The Area Committee approved funding towards room hire (£25 for 12 months = £300) and declined funding of £200 towards refreshments / Christmas buffet;

(d)  That the following decisions be made in relation to the Well-being funding proposals which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid – Gardening Scheme – £3,450 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Middleton Elderly Aid – Additional Gardens – £2,470 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Kashmir Muslim Welfare Association – Design and Costing for Community Centre in Francis Grove – £14,687.50 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved as a one-off payment;
• South East Area Management Team – Inner South Community Centres Support Fund – £6,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• South East Area Management Team – Arson Reduction Project – Cleaning Binyards – £2,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• South East Area Management Team – Operation Champion (3 operations) – £1,000 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Youth Service – Youth Activities for Middleton Park Ward – £6,800 (2008/2009 Revenue Budget) – Approved, subject to further detailed analysis by Area Management and consultation with Ward Members;
• Clarksfield Allotments – Access and Growth – £1,269 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Groundwork – William Gascoigne - £10,486 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer and to agree the appointments to those organisations that fall within the remit of this Area Committee.

(Council Function)

(2.5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Chief Democratic Services Officer, which outlined the procedure concerned with local authority appointments to outside bodies, and which also invited Members to consider making appointments to those outside bodies detailed within the report.

The following changes in membership were noted at the meeting:-

Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid – Councillor D Coupar to replace Councillor G Driver;

Holbeck Elderly Aid – Vacancy (previously Councillor A Gabriel).

In addition, the Committee was advised that Hunslet Hawks Rugby League Club had been contacted in relation to local authority representation, but no response had been received to date.

RESOLVED –

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

(b) That in respect of the Outside Bodies listed in Appendix 2 of the report, approval be given to the following appointments being made for the 2008/2009 municipal year:-

• Belle Isle Elderly Winter Aid - Councillor D Coupar;
• Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) - Councillors J Blake and D Coupar;

• Holbeck Elderly Aid – Vacancy;
• Middleton Elderly Aid -  Councillor J Blake;
• Inner South ALMO Area Panel (Aire Valley Homes, Leeds) - Councillors E Nash and A Ogilvie.

To consider a report by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presenting the Inner South Area Deliver Plan for 2008/2011 and to agree the development of a more public friendly summary document, in the form of a

‘neighbourhoods charter’ to make transparent the service delivery commitments and improvements being aimed for across Inner South wards.

(Executive Function)

(10 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Committee approves the Area Delivery Plan (ADP), as set out in Appendix A of the report;

(b)  Approves the development and publishing of public facing summaries of the ADP in the form of “Neighbourhood Charters”;

(c)  Delegates authority to the Chair to approve the remaining sections of the plan.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which presented the South Area Delivery Plan (ADP) 2008-11 for approval. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Committee approves the Area Delivery Plan (ADP), as set out in Appendix A of the report;

(b)  Approves the development and publishing of public facing summaries of the ADP in the form of “Neighbourhood Charters”;

(c)  Delegates authority to the Chair to approve the remaining sections of the plan.

(Councillor E Nash left the meeting at 7.10 pm, after the determination of this item.  On the basis that the meeting was no longer quorate, the Governance Officer advised the Committee that no further formal decisions could be taken at this meeting).

To note a report submitted by the Director of City Development outlining the

contract for advertising on lamp posts in Leeds and opportunities to the Inner

South as a result of the lamp post advertising income share arrangement.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Director of City Development submitted a report, which advised the Area Committee of the implications for advertising on lampposts.

Photographs of some of the adverts and a list of the existing advertising sites were appended to the report as late information.

Helen Franklin, Highway Services, attended the meeting to update the Committee and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

The Committee was advised that the Council’s Executive Board had agreed income share proposals for advertising on lampposts.  It was reported that Highways would split the sites down by ward and arrange for the agreed proportion of income to be transferred to the relevant Area Committees.  The transferred amount would be £220 per column in the first year and £280 per column thereafter. 

In brief summary, the following points were discussed:-

·  Members expressed concern in relation to adverts being installed on busy roads.  Particular reference was made to Barn Road Bridge, opposite the bingo hall.  The Committee was advised that adverts would not be located in wholly residential areas or where there was a known poor highway safety record.

·  One Member queried whether Ward Members would be consulted on the content of the adverts.  The Committee was advised that restrictions had been imposed to ensure that the adverts were not offensive.  The adverts would also need to adhere to criteria set out by the Council, although Ward Members would not be consulted on the actual content.  If anyone wished to make an official complaint then they could contact the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA).

·  Another Member queried whether there would be an equal share of lamppost advertising across Leeds.  The Committee was advised that the service provider, Streetbroadcast, would be responsible for identifying sites.  It was noted that planning and highway officers would check these sites and unsuitable sites would be eliminated.

·  Members discussed the possibility of the local community designing and submitting their own adverts.  It was reported that the adverts could be displayed if there was sufficient advertising space leftover.

RESOLVED (Subject to ratification at the next meeting) – That the report and information appended to the report, be noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

outlining the background and recommendations on the attached evaluation of

the Participatory Budgeting Pilot schemes in South and West Leeds in 2008. 

It is presented to the South (Inner) Area Committee for information and

discussion.

(Executive Function)

(10 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which updated the Committee on the Participatory Budgeting (PB) Pilot schemes in South and West Leeds in 2008.

Appended to the report was an evaluation of both PB Pilot schemes.

The main highlighted points were:-

·  A DVD was shown to the Committee, which highlighted the main aspects of the PB process.  Members expressed concern that no women featured in the DVD. 

·  One Member raised concern that certain organisations might unfairly benefit more than others.  It was suggested that tighter controls could be introduced to prevent this from being the case.

·  The Area Manager reminded the Committee that residents had to attend the whole Decision Day to vote.  In addition, no proxy voting was allowed as voting was based on the presentations.

·  One Member felt that the event should be based more on co-operation with less emphasis on competition.

·  It was acknowledged that the PB Pilot schemes had provided a good opportunity for local community groups and organisations to work together and combine resources.  Members discussed involving less well-established groups and organisations.

·  Members discussed the range of options for developing PB in the area, including as part of the Committee’s community engagement events.

RESOLVED (Subject to ratification at the next meeting) – That the report and information appended to the report, be noted.

To consider a report by the South Leeds Area Manager providing an update for the Area Committee on activities the Area Management in South Inner Leeds over the last few months.

(Executive Function)

(10 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which updated Members on the work of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

The main highlighted points were:-

·  In relation to the ‘I Love South Leeds Festival 2008’, it was reported that the grand finale of ‘South Leeds Junior Superstar’ would be taking place at the Bowling Centre not South Leeds High School.

·  Members considered the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) programme – 2008-2011.  Clarification was required in relation to some of the areas suggested to benefit from the NIP process.

·  The Committee discussed options for managing the meeting schedule of the Intensive Neighbourhood Management Steering Group in 2008/09. 

·  Members also discussed proposals for community engagement and themed Area Committee meetings.

·  One Member suggested appointing a Neighbourhood Warden to cover the Cottingley area.  The Area Manager advised that the Council was no longer eligible to receive Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) and it would therefore be difficult to support this area of work.

RESOLVED (Subject to ratification at the next meeting) -

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

(b)  That the Committee endorses the three year programme of NIPs to commence in September 2008, subject to clarification being provided in relation to some of the areas suggested to benefit from the NIP process;

(c) That in relation to section 5.5 of the report, Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM), the Committee supports the proposal for the INM Steering Group to continue meeting on a quarterly basis with a member representative invited from each ward.

Thursday 18^th September, 2008 at 6.30 pm. (City and Hunslet Ward)

Building Blocks Maud Avenue, Leeds LS11 7DD

Tuesday, 4^th November 2008 at 6.30 p.m. (Middleton Park Ward)

Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Leeds LS10 3RR

Wednesday, 17^th December 2008 at 6.30 p.m. (Beeston and Holbeck Ward)

*Beeston Primary School, Town Street, Leeds LS11 8PN

Wednesday, 11^th February 2009 at 6.30 p.m. (City and Hunslet Ward)

*Civic Hall, Leeds LS1 1UR

Thursday, 2^nd April 2009 at 6.30 p.m. (Middleton Park Ward)

Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road, Leeds LS10 3PG

*These venues may be subject to alteration.

Thursday, 18^th September 2008 at 6.30 pm.

(City and Hunslet Ward)

Building Blocks, Maud Avenue, Leeds, LS11 7DD

Tuesday 4^th November 2008 at 6.30 pm

(Middleton Park Ward)

Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Leeds, LS10 3RR

Wednesday 17^th December 2008 at 6.30 pm

(Beeston and Holbeck Ward)

*  Beeston Primary School, Town Street, Leeds, LS11 8PN

Wednesday 11^th February 2009 at 6.30 pm

(City and Hunslet Ward)

*  Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Thursday 2^nd April 2009 at 6.30 pm

(Middleton Park Ward)

Belle Isle Family Centre, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG

*  These venues may be subject to alteration.

The Chair reported that it was Keith Lander’s last South (Inner) Area Committee meeting.  Members expressed their gratitude to Keith for his hardwork and contribution to the Committee’s work. 

The meeting concluded at 8.20 pm.