Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the September 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.

Councillors Driver and Gabriel declared a personal interest in agenda item 8, Future Secondary School Provision Proposal for South Leeds High School, in their capacity as Governor’s at South Leeds High School.  Councillors Congreve, Coupar, Iqbal and Ogilvie also declared a personal interest in this item as Governor’s at various local schools and colleges (Minute No. 24 refers).

Councillors Blake and Gabriel declared a personal interest in agenda item 11, I Love South Leeds Festival, due to being Members of South Leeds Health for All  (Minute No. 28 refers).

Councillors Blake and Gabriel also declared an interest in agenda item 12, Inner South Area Committee Well-being Budget Report (6.1, 6.3 and 7.2 of the report), as Members of South Leeds Health for All.  On the basis that their interest was prejudicial, both Members withdrew from the meeting and did not vote (Minute No. 25 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted by Councillor Davey.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24^th June, 2008.

(N.B. Part of the meeting was inquorate and recommendations relating to Minute Nos. 13, 14 and 15 will need to be formally ratified by the Area Committee).

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th June, 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Area Manager referred to Minute No. 11, Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies.  It was reported that a vacancy had occurred on Holbeck Elderly Aid, due to the pressure of work on local Councillors.  Members noted the opportunity to consider appointing a representative in 2009/10.

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 representative of Vera Media and LeedselevenFM attended the meeting and reported on some of the recent events that had taken place.  A CD of one of the programme’s was also provided to the Area Committee.

A local resident reported that a campaign had been launched to save South Leeds Sports Centre.  A meeting against the closure was taking place at the Sports Centre on Saturday, 27^th September 2008 at 10.00am.  One Member pointed out that there was also uncertainty regarding the future of Middleton Sports Centre.  The Chair reported that a special meeting of the South (Inner) Area Committee, to discuss the future provision of leisure facilities in south Leeds, was taking place on Wednesday 8^th October (venue to be confirmed).

To receive a report from the Chief Executive of Education Leeds, which outlines the proposed public consultation on future secondary school provision at South Leeds High School.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 15 mins discussion)

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

The Chief Executive of Education Leeds submitted a report, which provided the Area Committee with information on public consultation in relation to future secondary school provision at South Leeds High School.

Appended to the report was a copy of the public consultation document, which outlined the proposal to close South Leeds High School and replace it with an academy on the same site.

The following officers attended the meeting:-

- Patrick Toner, Education Leeds, Director of Organisational Improvement;

- Lesley Savage, Education Leeds, Senior Planning and Bids Manager;

Paul Edwards and Ian Garforth of the Schools Partnership Trust were also in attendance.

Patrick Toner, Director of Organisational Improvement, reported that the formal consultation on future provision at South Leeds High School had commenced on 8^th September, 2008 and was due to finish on 17^th October, 2008.  Formal responses to the consultation were invited.  The Committee was informed that a meeting with the governing body at South Leeds High School had taken place.  It was advised that ward members would be regularly involved.  It was reported that a final decision on the proposal would be made by Executive Board in December, 2008.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

·  The Committee considered the work of the School Partnership Trust.

·  There was concern that some people were not aware of the consultation exercise. 

·  The Committee was informed that all feeder primary schools, head-teachers and parents had been consulted.  Information was also provided on the Council and Education Leeds website.

·  It was advised that further consultation with South Leeds High School was taking place on Thursday 25^th September, 2008 at 4.00pm.

·  Members requested a total of three additional public consultation meetings (one in each South (Inner) ward).

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That a total of three additional public consultation meetings take place (one in each South (Inner) ward).

(Councillor Iqbal left the meeting at 7.35 pm during the consideration of this item).

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which updates Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Committee’s Well-being budget, advises Members of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invites Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals detailed within the report.

(Executive Function)

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

• South Leeds Health For All – South Leeds Information Project – £9,000 (£4,500 from 2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Beeston Hill United Free Church – Redevelopment of Beeston Hill United Free Church Site (Malvern Road) – £4,800 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• South Leeds Health For All – Former Beeston Library – £10,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Vera Media – Leeds Eleven FM – Community Radio Station – £15,000 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• South Leeds Health For All – Former Beeston Library – £18,000 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved; and
• Groundwork –  St Luke’s Multi-Use Games Area and Landscaping – £10,000 (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 Well-being budget, advised the Committee of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invited Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals, as detailed within the report.

Following a brief 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 decisions be made in relation to the Well-being funding proposals, which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• South Leeds Health For All – South Leeds Information Project – £9,000 (£4,500 from 2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Beeston Hill United Free Church – Redevelopment of Beeston Hill United Free Church Site (Malvern Road) – £4,800 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• South Leeds Health For All – Former Beeston Library – £10,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Vera Media – Leeds Eleven FM – Community Radio Station – £15,000 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved, subject to all other match funding being secured before payment;
• South Leeds Health For All – Former Beeston Library – £18,000 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved; and
• Groundwork –  St Luke’s Multi-Use Games Area and Landscaping – £10,000 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved, subject to all other match funding being secured before payment.

N.B.  In the absence of Councillor Gabriel, who had declared a prejudicial interest and left the room, Councillor Coupar assumed the Chair for well-being budget proposals considered under 6.1, 6.3 and 7.2 to the report.

(Councillors Blake and Coupar left at 7.50 pm at the conclusion of this item).

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which outlines the area function schedules and roles for 2008/09.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

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

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a written report, which provided the Area Committee with details of the area function schedules and roles for 2008/09.

The following information was appended to the report:-

·  Executive Board report – Area Committee Roles 2008/09;

·  Area Committee Roles for 2008/09 – Area Functions; and

·  Area Committee Roles for 2008/09 – Other Roles.

Dave Richmond, Area Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The Area Manager advised that Members would receive regular reports from Chief Officers in relation to the extended roles.

Members considered reference to the development and review of local (wedge) Children and Young People’s Plans.  Ken Morton, Children’s Services, agreed to report back with further information at a future meeting.

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That the Area Committee receives further information on the development and review of local (wedge) Children and Young People’s Plans.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which outlines the process for the development and delivery of the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) programme for 2008-2011.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Area Committee nominates a Chair for each of the four Phase 1 NIP Steering Groups as follows:-

• Beeston and Holbeck – Councillor Gabriel;
• City and Hunslet – Councillor Iqbal; and
• Middleton Park – Councillor Coupar.

(c)  That the Area Committee allocates Well-being funding of £5,000 for each of the four NIP areas in 2008/09, giving a total of £20,000 contribution from the 2008/09 Well-being fund allocation.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which outlined the process for the development and delivery of Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs).

Appended to the report was the following information:

  - Schedule of Inner South Priority Neighbourhoods 2008-2011; and

- Maps illustrating the 12 priority neighbourhoods.

Hannah Rees, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Member’s comments.

The Committee was informed that future Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs) included a standard offer.  The offer included, an intensive clean up, and newsletters being distributed to all households in the NIP area on a quarterly basis.  Members briefly discussed the list of priority neighbourhoods.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Area Committee nominates a Chair for each of the four Phase 1 NIP Steering Groups as follows:-

• Beeston and Holbeck – Councillor Gabriel;
• City and Hunslet – Councillor Iqbal; and
• Middleton Park – Councillor Coupar.

(c)  That the Area Committee allocates Well-being funding of £5,000 for each of the four NIP areas in 2008/09, giving a total of £20,000 contribution from the 2008/09 Well-being fund allocation.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which presents an evaluation of the I Love South Leeds Festival 2008 and outlines a suggested way forward for the 2009 festival.

(Executive Function)

(10 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That consideration of the recommendations contained within the report be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which provided an evaluation of the I Love South Leeds Festival 2008 and provided a framework to consider the future organisation of the event.

The Area Manager presented the report and the main areas of discussion were:- 

• The Area Committee discussed some of the activities that had taken place. 
• It was felt that there should be greater focus on bringing local communities together and less emphasis on tournaments and competitions.
• There were lessons to be learnt in terms of organisation.  Festival activities should be promoted in the Summer Chill holiday activity booklet.
• Members discussed involving youth organisations to organise future events.

RESOLVED – That consideration of the recommendations contained within the report be deferred to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which presents options for spending the income the Area Committee will receive from advertising on lamp posts.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee supports the option to ring fence the income received from advertising on street lighting columns to fund the in-bloom groups in the area.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which provided the Area Committee with options to determine how income generated from advertising on lamp posts could be allocated to benefit local communities.

The Area Manager presented the report.  Following a brief discussion regarding the options available, it was

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee supports the option to ring fence the income received from advertising on street lighting columns to fund the in-bloom groups in the area.

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

(Executive Function)

(10 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

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

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which updated Members on the work of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

The Area Manager presented the report.  It was reported that the next Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM) meeting was Tuesday, 23^rd September 2008.  In relation to Beeston Hill and Holbeck Regeneration, the Chair wished to place on record her thanks to David Horner. 

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

Please note that the meeting originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 4^th November, 2008,  will now take place on Tuesday 11^th November at 6.30pm –  Manorfield Hall, Newhall Road, Leeds, LS10 3RR.

It was noted that a special meeting of the South (Inner) Area Committee, to discuss the future provision of leisure facilities in south Leeds, was taking place on Wednesday, 8^th October 2008 at 6.30 pm (venue to be confirmed).

(The meeting concluded at 8.35 pm).