Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the November meeting of the South (Inner) Area Committee and invited those present to introduce themselves.

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 Blake and Gabriel declared a personal interest in agenda item 9, I Love South Leeds Festival – Options for the Future, due to them being Trustee’s of South Leeds Health for All (Minute No. 44 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors Coupar, Iqbal and Nash.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th September 2008 and the Special meeting on 8^th October 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th September 2008, and the Special meeting on 8^th October 2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

Further to Minute No. 24 of the meeting held on 18^th September 2008, it was reported that additional public consultation meetings had taken place in relation to Future Secondary School Provision at South Leeds High School.

In relation to Minute No. 35 of the Special meeting held on 8^th October 2008, it was reported that additional public consultation meetings had taken place on the future of Leisure Centres in South Leeds.

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.

One local resident queried whether there would be any disruption, if an academy at South Leeds High School was established.  Members commented that there would be no major disruption as the academy was expected to utilise the existing building and facilities.  It was reported that the academy was focussed on establishing different ways of working and improving educational achievements.

Another local resident expressed concern in relation to the proposed closure of Middleton Leisure Centre, which she pointed out was used by many local people.  In response to a query regarding swimming provision, it was advised that Leeds had signed up to the government initiative, which entitled all children under 14 and all adults over 60 to free swimming at Council leisure facilities.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which outlines the community engagement plan for the inner south area of Leeds.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Community Engagement Plan for the inner south area of Leeds 2008/09 be approved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which outlined a community engagement plan for the inner south area of Leeds. 

Appended to the report was detailed information on the different types of engagement events that Members could use for their ward events.

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments.

Members briefly considered the proposed arrangements for engaging with the community.  It was reported that Ward Councillors for Beeston and Holbeck and Middleton Park had recently held individual meetings to discuss future Ward based activities.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Community Engagement Plan for the inner south area of Leeds 2008/09 be approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which presents options for organising the I Love South Leeds Festival 2009.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b)  That, subject to theArea Management Team being commissioned to manage Junior Superstar,‘Option 3’ as detailed within the report, be identified as the preferred option for delivering the I Love South Leeds Festival in 2009.

Further to Minute No. 28 of the meeting held on 18^th September 2008, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which presented options for organising the I Love South Leeds Festival 2009.

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The main highlighted points were:-

• Members considered a proposal to proceed with option 3 (as detailed within the report).
• One Member emphasised the importance of there being clearly stated outputs.
• Members commented that the events should directly benefit young people.
• It was agreed to invite Ward Members to serve on a steering group to help manage the festival.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b)  That, ‘Option 3’ as detailed within the report, be identified as the preferred option for delivering the I Love South Leeds Festival in 2009.

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)

(10 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 Area Committee defer consideration of whether future small grants for Beeston and Holbeck be split equally from the outstanding balances of the other two wards for the remainder of the current financial year;

(d)  That the remaining monies in the Community Skips budget for Beeston and Holbeck Ward be transferred to the Small Grants budget (Beetson and Holbeck Ward); 

(e)  That in relation to a request from Vera Media that £15,000 of capital funding be transferred from Vera Media to Tiger11, Members defer consideration of this item to a future meeting of the Area Committee; and

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

• Area Management Team – Communications and Community Engagement (increase) – £6,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – Middleton Participatory Budgeting –  £10,700 (£700 from 2008/09 Revenue Budget and £10,000 to be ringfenced for 2009/10, subject to annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – ‘I Love South Leeds Festival 2009’ – £42,000 (£10,000 from 2008/09 Revenue Budget and £32,000 to be ringfenced for 2009/10, subject to annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget) – Approved;
• West Yorkshire Police – ‘A’ frame installation in the ginnel between Southleigh Drive and Southleigh Grove – £1,500 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – Street nameplates – £23,000 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – Holbeck binyard - £3,500 (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 Area Committee defer consideration of whether future small grants for Beeston and Holbeck be split equally from the outstanding balances of the other two wards for the remainder of the current financial year;

(d)  That the remaining monies in the Community Skips budget for Beeston and Holbeck Ward be transferred to the Small Grants budget (Beetson and Holbeck Ward); 

(e)  That in relation to a request from Vera Media that £15,000 of capital funding be transferred from Vera Media to Tiger11, Members defer consideration of this item to a future meeting of the Area Committee; and

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

• Area Management Team – Communications and Community Engagement (increase) – £6,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – Middleton Participatory Budgeting –  £10,700 (£700 from 2008/09 Revenue Budget and £10,000 to be ringfenced for 2009/10, subject to annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – ‘I Love South Leeds Festival 2009’ – £42,000 (2008/09 / 2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• West Yorkshire Police – ‘A’ frame installation in the ginnel between Southleigh Drive and Southleigh Grove – £1,500 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – Street nameplates – £23,000 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management Team – Holbeck binyard - £3,500 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved.

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)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That 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.

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The main highlighted points were:

• In relation to the work of the Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker (PNDW), it was reported that Richard Lancaster was leaving the post to take up employment at South Leeds Health for All and Belle Isle Family Centre.  It was reported that Richard would be attending his last Area Committee meeting in his current role at the meeting in December.
• It was reported that a recent meeting of the Middleton Regeneration Board had taken place and work continued on the current priorities regarding the physical regeneration of Middleton.
• It was reported that the recent Bonfire Night event in Middleton had been a success with approximately 10,000 people attending.
• It was noted that Joseph Priestley College was hoping to take over the management of the Old Cockburn Centre.  One Member reported that Joseph Priestley College had withdrawn from taking over Middleton Family Learning Centre.
• Members considered the themed event on Community Safety, which had taken place prior to the Area Committee meeting.  It was noted that the event had been well attended by members of the public.  Members and local residents commented that the event was interesting and informative, particularly the information provided by the Fire Service. 
• The Area Committee was informed that the next themed event would focus on the issue of worklessness.  Members considered deferring the next themed event from December to the February meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Members agreed that subject to availability, the meeting in December 2008, would take place at Civic Hall, Leeds and the meeting in February 2009, at Beeston Primary School.

*  Wednesday 17^th December 2008 at 6.30 pm

(City and Hunslet Ward)

Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

*  Wednesday 11^th February 2009 at 6.30 pm

(Beeston and Holbeck Ward)

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

Thursday 2^nd April 2009 at 6.30 pm

(Middleton Park Ward)

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

* subject to confirmation by Area Management.

(The meeting concluded at 7.30 pm).