Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

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 the minutes of the Aire Valley Homes Board meeting held on 26^th November 2008.  The minutes were not available at the time of agenda despatch and had been submitted as additional information (Minute No. 72 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 and Davey.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th December 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 a ‘Rape Crisis’ event that was taking place at Leeds Civic Hall that evening.  Members were informed that funding might be sought from the Area Committee in the future.  The Area Manager advised that Members needed to consider how the project fitted in with the Area Committee’s priorities and the benefit to the local area. 

Another local resident expressed concern about refuse services completing collections outside of normal hours.  Stephen Smith, Head of Environmental Services confirmed that a ‘twilight shift’ had been in operation to take account of industrial action and recent bad weather.

(Councillor Iqbal arrived at 5.42 pm during the consideration of this item).

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which outlines how Health and Environmental Action Services operates, with a particular focus on the work of Environmental Action Teams.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 15 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the operation of Health and Environmental Action Services, with a particular focus on the work of Environmental Action Teams and options relating to how Area Committees could help influence the work undertaken by the Environmental Action Teams in their areas.

Andy Beattie, Head of Service – Housing and Pollution Control, attended the meeting and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

The main areas of discussion were:-

• Establishing links with the Area Committee’s Environmental Sub-Committee and Thematic Champion for Environment.
• Establishing ward based initiatives.

• Participation in the Area Committee’s community engagement activities that are linked to service improvement and area delivery plan priorities.
• The need for officers to attend ward based community engagement events.
• The need to undertake regular walkabouts, especially in NIP areas.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the report and the issues it highlights be referred for more detailed

discussion to the Committee’s Environmental Sub-Committee and Thematic

Champion for Environment, Councillor Ogilvie.

(c)  That consideration be given to establishing ward based initiatives in relation to this service area;

(d)  That service and performance issues be reported to the Area Committee

on an annual basis.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which outlines the Streetscene Services function schedule and proposes arrangements that will improve the working relationship between Area Committees, Area Management and Streetscene Services.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 15 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which outlined the Streetscene Services function schedule and proposed arrangements to improve the working relationship between Area Committees, Area Management and Streetscene Services.

Stephen Smith, Head of Environmental Services, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

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

• Concern about cutbacks to services.
• The benefits of establishing local arrangements, especially in relation to services such as street sweeping and litter picking.
• Concern about parked vehicles making it difficult to undertake streetscene services.
• The need for streetscene representatives to attend community group meetings.
• Issues relating to missing and damaged bins.
• The need for greater educational awareness regarding the use of green recycling bins.
• Concern that some Middleton residents had not received an up to date list of recycling dates.
• Concern about missed collections, especially in the Beeston Hill area.
• The need for clear guidance about the type of plastic items that could be recycled.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the report and the issues it highlights be referred for more detailed

discussion to the Committee’s Environmental Sub-Committee and Thematic

Champion for Environment, Councillor Ogilvie.

(c)  That consideration be given to establishing ward based initiatives in relation to this service area;

(d)  That service and performance issues be reported to the Area Committee

on an annual basis.

(Councillor Blake arrived at 6.03 pm during the consideration of this item).

To receive and consider a report from the Fuelsavers Team – Health and Environmental Action Service, which seeks support for actions and targets to be established at a local level to eradicate fuel poverty in the city.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

A report of the Fuelsavers Team – Health and Environmental Action Service, was submitted for the Board’s consideration, which sought Members’ support for actions and targets to be established at a local level to eradicate fuel poverty in the city in line with the Leeds Affordable Warmth Strategy 2007 to 2016.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Alan Jones, Fuelsavers Manager, to present the report and respond to Members questions and comments.

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

• The process of identifying suitable households in need of support.
• The need for officers to attend ward based community engagement events.
• Developing actions to be integrated into the ADP.
• Concern about the high proportion of the Kashmiri ethnic group, vulnerable to fuel poverty.

RESOLVED – That a further report with full details of the funding implications be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which provides the Area Committee with an update on crime levels in the inner south area of Leeds.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which provided an update from the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator on crime levels in inner south Leeds.

Appended to the report was the following information:-

-  Crime statistics by ward;

-  Safer School Partnership officer contacts;

-  South Leeds Divisional Community Safety Partnership (DSCP) structure charts; and

-  Results of Operation Champions.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Gerry Shevlin, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Chief Inspector Julie Sykes, West Yorkshire Police, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

The main areas of discussion were:-

• Concern that there was no reference in the report to domestic violence.  In response to a query, it was reported that the Chair of Domestic Violence MARAC (Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference) was Detective Inspector Stuart Piper.  Members also received information about the Domestic Violence workshop, which aimed to raise awareness and provide advice about places to go for help.
• Concern about the increase in burglaries in Beeston and Holbeck.  In response, it was reported that a small number of repeat offenders had been released into the community.  To date 3 out of 6 had since been arrested or were in custody.
• Working with schools, especially in relation to hotspot areas.
• The need for greater youth club provision.

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

To receive and consider 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)

(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 Alternative Trading Enterprise Ltd – The Feel Good Furniture Shop – £1,221 revised from £1,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved in principle, subject to revised application being submitted;
• West Yorkshire Police – Operation Drummond – £10,213.60 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Youth Service – DIY Construction Project – £5,376 (£896 approx from 2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Declined;
• Holbeck Elderly Aid – Capacity Building Project – move to Oak House, Holbeck – £3,000 (£250 to be spent from 2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Environment and Neighbourhoods – Litterbin – Tempest Road / Maud Avenue – £400 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved; and
• City Development, Sport and Active Recreation – Signage – Middleton Leisure Centre – £4,101 (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.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

• One Member expressed concern about improvements to binyards in Beeston Hill.  It was agreed to delay funding further improvements at this stage.
• The Area Management Officer reported on potential well-being schemes in the Middleton area, for future consideration by the Area Committee.

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 Alternative Trading Enterprise Ltd – The Feel Good Furniture Shop – £1,221 revised from £1,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved in principle, subject to revised application being submitted;
• West Yorkshire Police – Operation Drummond – £10,213.60 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Youth Service – DIY Construction Project – £5,376 (£896 approx from 2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Declined;
• Holbeck Elderly Aid – Capacity Building Project – move to Oak House, Holbeck – £3,000 (£250 to be spent from 2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Environment and Neighbourhoods – Litterbin – Tempest Road / Maud Avenue – £400 (2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved; and
• City Development, Sport and Active Recreation – Signage – Middleton Leisure Centre – £4,101 (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 / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

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.

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

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

·  The need for consultation with Ward Members regarding possible sites for waste treatment facilities – the Area Manager advised that a further report on this issue would be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.  Members commented on the need for an officer from the highways department to attend the next meeting.

·  Concern about the consultation process and lack of information about proposed alternative sites.

·  Plans for family housing as part of the Beeston Hill and Holbeck PFI Scheme.  It was reported that further information was contained within the minutes of the Aire Valley Homes Board meeting.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

Thursday 2^nd April 2009 at 6.30 pm

(Middleton Park Ward)

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

Thursday 2^nd April 2009 at 6.30 pm

(Middleton Park Ward)

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

(The meeting concluded at 7.30 pm).