Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

The Area Committee was informed that Hannah Rees, Area Management Officer, would shortly be leaving her post to take up employment at Kingston Upon Thames Council.  The Chair thanked Hannah for her hard work and contribution to the Area Committee’s work.  The Chair also welcomed to the meeting, Hannah’s replacement, Sheila Fletcher.

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 report of the South Leeds Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM) Steering Group, which was to be considered as part of agenda item 13.  The report was not available at the time of agenda despatch and needed to be considered by the Area Committee for ratification purposes (Minute No. 57 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 of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Coupar, Davey, Iqbal and Dave Richmond, Area Manager.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th November 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th November 2008, be confirmed 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.

(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 reported on general anti-social behaviour in Beeston Hill.  There were also concerns about litter on and around Tempest Road.  Members acknowledged the concerns and it was agreed that Area Management would address both matters with the relevant departments.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the future delivery of post 16 and adult learning by the new merged College.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 15 mins discussion)

The Area Manager submitted a report, which informed Members of the Executive Board’s endorsement of the proposed merger of the City’s 3 largest colleges, namely Leeds Thomas Danby, Leeds College of Technology and Park Lane College, which would result in the creation of a new single institution to be known as Leeds City College.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

·  Christine George – Learning Skills Council; and

·  Paul Forbes – Learning Skills Council.

The Committee was provided with information in relation to the proposed merger.  The Area Committee was informed that following a review of college provision in Leeds, it had been concluded that some of the current college accommodation in Leeds was no longer fit for purpose and there was a duplication of provision.  There was also a need to raise post 16 educational achievement and increase numbers of students progressing to higher education. 

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

·  The Area Committee was advised that a governing body for the new college had been established.  Governance arrangements were being finalised in the new year.

·  It was reported that the post of Principal was being advertised and interviews were taking place in January 2009.

·  Members expressed concern about the implications of Joseph Priestley College not forming part of the merger.  There were also concerns about the future location of facilities in south Leeds. 

·  One Member queried what provision was proposed at community venues.  It was advised that provision at community venues was part of a longer term development strategy, although there were some issues in relation to identifying suitable venues and cost effectiveness. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the Area Committee submit its views direct to Christine George at LSC on the future delivery of post 16 and adult learning by the new merged College; and 

(c)  That the Area Committee receive a further report on the outcome of the accommodation/estates review of the new College once completed in 2009.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Risk and Emergency Planning on recent work undertaken to improve the management of flood risk both nationally and locally.

(Council Function)

(10 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Head of Risk and Emergency Planning submitted a report on recent work undertaken to improve the management of flood risk both nationally and locally and the implications of this for the inner south area of Leeds.

The following information was appended to the report:-

• Citations taken from the Government commissioned independent Pitt Review;
• An overview of the proposed new approach to flood risk management; and
• Annual Report of the Water Asset Management Working Group (June 2008).

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

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 / 5 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 the Small Grant application, which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• Fayre Care for Christmas – £1,500 (£500 from Beeston and Holbeck, City and Hunslet and Middleton Park wards) – Approved;

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

• Safer Leeds – Senior Neighbourhood Warden – £5,643 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved; and
• Holbeck Elderly Aid – Sloppy Slippers – £1,140 (2008/09 Revenue 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 revenue proposals, as detailed within the report.

The Area Committee considered a request to remove all bin yards at Beeston Hill.  It was agreed to utilise capital from the City and Hunslet budget.

It was reported that Members had received a request to improve signage at Middleton Leisure Centre.  It was agreed that Area Management would contact Middleton Leisure to discuss the proposals.

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 the Small Grant application, which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

·  Fayre Care for Christmas – £1,500 – Approved;

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

·  Safer Leeds – Senior Neighbourhood Warden – £5,643 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved; and

·  Holbeck Elderly Aid – Sloppy Slippers – £1,140 (2008/09 Revenue 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 –

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

(b)  That the decisions of the Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM) Steering Group in relation to Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) Allocation 2009/10, be endorsed.

The Committee received 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 following information was appended to the report:-

• Report on the Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Pre Area Committee Event held on 11^th November 2008;
• Report on the achievements of the Recreations Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP);
• Minutes of Aire Valley Homes Board meeting held on 24^th September 2008; and
• Report of the South Leeds Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM) – Proposed Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) allocations 2009/10,

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

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

• Members considered a late appendix, which requested the Area Committee to endorse the decisions of the INM Steering Group on proposed Safer Stronger Communities Fund allocations 2009/10.
• There was concern about the reported increase in dog fouling.  The Area Committee was informed that work was being undertaken by the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) to address this issue.  One Member suggested contacting the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, to highlight the Area Committee’s concerns.
• It was reported that Joy Hart had been appointed to replace Richard Lancaster as Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker.  The Chair thanked Richard for all his hard work and wished him every success in his new role.
• Members briefly discussed altering the start time of future Area Committee themed events.
• One Member highlighted the successful bid by ‘My Place’, to provide state of the art facilities for young people. 
• Concern was expressed about the lack of consultation with Elected Members and Area Management on youth services.
• It was reported that Merran McRae was leaving her post as Chief Executive of Aire Valley Homes.  Interim arrangements were currently in place.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the decisions of the Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM) Steering Group in relation to Safer Stronger Communities Fund (SSCF) Allocation 2009/10, be endorsed.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services, which outlines the draft city-wide Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) framework and priorities.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report, which outlined the draft city-wide Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) framework and priorities and sought the Committee’s involvement in identifying local priorities for children and young people to drive the work of Children’s Services in Leeds.

Shaid Mahmood, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:-

• Concern that cluster meetings were being dominated by teaching professionals.  One Member suggested Elected Members chairing the cluster meetings as they had a better understanding of local priorities.
• The need to improve partnership arrangements.
• Key priority areas for action, especially teenage conception and infant mortality.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b)  That Councillor Gabriel be nominated to work with the Locality Enabler and the Area Manager on behalf of the Area Committee to develop the local context for these priorities and develop local actions for the Area Delivery Plan 2009/10.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services, which provides the Area Committee with an overview of the evolution of locality children’s trust arrangements.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report, which provided an overview of locality children’s trust arrangements.

Shaid Mahmood, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services, presented the report and provided a background to some of the main issues highlighted in the report.  He also circulated a map of the clusters together with contact details of all cluster co-ordinators for Members’ information.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

• One Member reported that he had attended an event on Family Group Conferencing.  It was suggested that this area of work could be developed in the inner south area of Leeds.
• There were concerns about the distance some young people had to travel to school, e.g., from Belle Isle and Hunslet to Rodillian High School in Rothwell. 
• It was agreed that additional capacity might be required to develop the work of clusters.
• There was a query about composition of the Leadership Team.  It was reported that details of the organisations involved would be forwarded to the Area Committee once finalised.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That Councillor Gabriel be nominated to work with the Locality Enabler and the Area Manager on behalf of the Area Committee to take these developments forward; and

(c)  Represent the Area Committee on the South Children Leeds Partnership, subject to Member Management approval.

Wednesday 11^th February, 2009 at 6.30 pm

(Venue – Hugh Gaitskell Primary School, St Anthony’s Drive, Beeston,

LS11 8AB)

Thursday 2^nd April, 2009 at 6.30 pm

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

* Wednesday 11^th February, 2009 at 5.30 pm

(Venue – Former Beeston Library, St Anthony’s Drive, Leeds, LS11 8AB)

Thursday 2^nd April, 2009 at 6.30 pm

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

* Please note change of time and venue.

(The meeting concluded at 8.11 pm ).