Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the April 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.)

The Chair admitted to the agenda supplementary information about the well-being budget and proposed commissioning approach (Minute No. 84 refers) and the minutes of the Aire Valley Homes Board Meeting held on 3^rd February 2009 (Minute No. 85 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.

Councillors Blake and Gabriel declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 ‘Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker’ due to being Trustee’s of Health For All.  (Minute No. 82 refers).

Councillors Blake and Gabriel declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 ‘Area Committee Well-being Budget (Nos. 21 and 28 of the report)’ due to being Trustee’s of Health For All. (Minute No. 84 refers).

Councillor Driver declared a personal interest in agenda item 12 ‘Area Committee Well-being Budget (No. 25 of the report)’ due to being a Board Member of Leeds Groundwork Trust (Minute No. 84 refers).

(Councillor Davey joined the meeting at 6.34 pm during the consideration of this item).

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Coupar and Ogilvie.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th February 2009.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th February 2009, 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 Chairman 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 Cottingley TRAC raised concern that it would cost a reported £40k to provide fencing around the travellers’ site on the Cottingley estate.  The Area Manager acknowledged concern about the cost and agreed to explore the possibility of pursuing alternative options.

To receive a report from the Locality Commissioner: Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood which provides details of the Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Strategy’s focus on reducing teenage conceptions in hotspot wards in the inner south area of Leeds.

(Council Function)

(10 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Locality Commissioner: Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with information about the Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Strategy’s focus on reducing teenage conceptions in hotspot wards in the inner south area of Leeds.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the following officers:

-  ShaidMahmood, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services; and

-  Jenny Midwinter, Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator.

Members were advised that teenage pregnancy was a complex issue associated with a large range of risk factors.  It was pointed out that Members had a particularly important role in delivering strong messages to young people and partner agencies.  A key event was taking place on 30^th April to raise the profile of the issue with a broad range of local stakeholders.  Elected Members were invited to attend.

The following key areas were also discussed:

·  Links with infant mortality.

·  Work being undertaken with young mothers in the inner east area of Leeds.

·  The virtual baby project and the difference of opinion amongst professionals about its effectiveness.

·  Concern about the high proportion of teenage pregnancies in the LS10 area and the need to identify women at risk earlier.

·  Opportunities for joined up working, especially in terms of planning events and activities.

(Councillor Nash joined the meeting at 6.45 pm during the consideration of this item). 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That reducing teenage conceptions be included as a priority in the Area Delivery Plan; and

(c)  That a copy of the agreed action plan for reducing teenage conceptions in the inner south area of Leeds be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

To receive a report from the Executive Project Manager / Head of Performance and Communications (Environmental Services) which updates Members on the residual waste project and the proposed communication and community engagement strategy.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Executive Project Manager / Head of Performance and Communications (Environmental Services) submitted a report which updated Members on the current status of the Residual Waste Treatment PFI project and sought Members’ feedback on the proposed strategy for communication and community engagement.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer and Tom Smith, Head of Performance Management and Service Improvement, to respond to Members’ questions and comments.

The Head of Performance Management and Service Improvement, presented the report.  He advised the Committee that the current bidders for the contract were proposing a range of technologies at various sites.  Members were advised that the key purpose of the report was to seek Members’ feedback on the proposals for communication and community engagement.

The Area Committee considered the proposals for communication and community engagement.  In response to Members’ concerns, it was advised that:

·  The Council had taken a neutral position on the choice of site and technology.  Officers made clear that there had been transparency with regard to the four sites in the Aire Valley that had been identified.

·  There were currently bids on three different sites and the reference site, which was in the Council’s ownership, was one of them.

The following key areas were also discussed:

·  Concern about the potential for development in the Parnaby and Westbury area and the affect on the local community.

·  The need for consultation with local community groups and forums, particularly Voice of Holbeck and Beeston Forum.

·  Types of ‘thermal treatment’, including incineration, pre-heating and heating in a closed vessel.

·  Clarification about the planning application at Kirkstall Road site (It was agreed that a report back on this issue would be provided).

·  Concern about whether local residents were being consulted or told.

·  Concern about the affect of development on recycling rates.

·  The need to provide households with brown and green recycling bins.

·  Further work needed to encourage composting.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Manager which requests Members’ approval to continue funding a Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker to support the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) process and future community engagement events.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee approves two years of funding for a Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker to be employed by South Leeds Health For All, subject to the increase in salary costs detailed under 4.1 of the report being in line with employees of Leeds City Council and annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget.

The South East Area Manager submitted a report which outlined a proposal to

continue funding a Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker to support the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) process and future community engagement events.

Sheila Fletcher, Area Management Officer, presented the report and provided a brief overview of the work undertaken and costs involved to continue funding a Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker.  It was reported that the recommendation was to fund the post for two years from July 2009, not August 2009, as had been stated in the report.  One Member suggested that the increase in salary costs detailed under 4.1 of the report be in line with employees of Leeds City Council.

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee approves two years of funding for a Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker to be employed by South Leeds Health For All, subject to the increase in salary costs detailed under 4.1 of the report being in line with employees of Leeds City Council and annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Manager which requests Members’ approval to continue funding mobile youth provision for a further year.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee approves a further 12 months funding for mobile youth provision to be delivered by St Luke’s Cares from July 2009 – July 2010, subject to further discussions with the service provider and ward members and annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being Budget.

The South East Area Manager submitted a report which outlined a proposal to continue funding mobile youth provision for a further year from July 2009.

Sheila Fletcher, Area Management Officer, presented the report and provided a brief overview of current provision and associated costs for 2009/10.

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee approves a further 12 months funding for mobile youth provision to be delivered by St Luke’s Cares from July 2009 – July 2010, subject to further discussions with the service provider and ward members and annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being Budget.

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)

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 large 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;

(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 East Area Management – Middleton Enterprise, Employment and Economic Development – Partnership Projects – £2,500 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Belle Isle Family Centre – Belle Isle Think Family Activities – £10,500 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• South Leeds Health For All – Old Beeston Library – £5,000 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Beeston Festival – £3,000 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• St Luke’s Cares – Mobile Youth Provision – £35,260 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved in principle, subject to further discussions with the service provider and ward members;
• South Leeds Health For All – Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker – £33,684 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved, subject to the increase in salary costs detailed under 4.1 of the report being in line with employees of Leeds City Council;
• Hunslet Methodist Church – Warm Welcome – £4,000 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Middleton Extended Services – Virtual Baby Project – £3,525 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Groundwork Leeds – Belle Isle Environmental Project – £8,197 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Deferred to receive further information;
• Middleton Park FC – Cranmore and Raylands Community Centre – £25,000 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Leeds Lights – Middleton Park Circus Christmas Lights – £4,463.04 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• South Leeds Health For All – Old Beeston Library – £9,000 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved.

(d)  That more detailed work and options be undertaken by the Area Management Team to develop the proposed commissioning approach.

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.

The Area Committee considered the proposed approach to earmark funds against the Area Delivery Plan (ADP) priority themes.  A guide for Members’ consideration was circulated as supplementary information.

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 decision be made in relation to the large 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;

(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 East Area Management – Middleton Enterprise, Employment and Economic Development – Partnership Projects – £2,500 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Belle Isle Family Centre – Belle Isle Think Family Activities – £10,500 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Health For All – Old Beeston Library – £5,000 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Beeston Festival – £3,000 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• St Luke’s Cares – Mobile Youth Provision – £35,260 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved in principle, subject to further discussions with the service provider and ward members;
• Health For All – Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker – £33,684 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved, subject to the increase in salary costs detailed under 4.1 of the report being in line with employees of Leeds City Council;
• Hunslet Methodist Church – Warm Welcome – £4,000 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Middleton Extended Services – Virtual Baby Project – £3,525 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Groundwork Leeds – Belle Isle Environmental Project – £8,197 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Deferred to receive further information;
• Middleton Park FC – Cranmore and Raylands Community Centre – £25,000 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Leeds Lights – Middleton Park Circus Christmas Lights – £4,463.04 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved;
• Health For All – Old Beeston Library – £9,000 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved.

(d)  That more detailed work and options be undertaken by the Area Management Team to develop the proposed commissioning approach.

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 considered a report from the South East Area Manager which updated Members on the work of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• Clarification about lease arrangements for community centres referred to under 4.2 of the report.  (It was agreed that a further update would be provided).
• Regeneration of Beeston Hill and Holbeck PFI scheme and options for future development.
• The need for signs to be displayed in Holbeck regeneration area.
• Opportunities for sponsorship in Holbeck regeneration area.

The Chair reported that it was Dave Richmond’s last South (Inner) Area Committee before he left his post to take up employment at Rotherham Council.  Members expressed their gratitude to Dave for his hard work and contribution to the Committee’s work.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

(Councillor Driver left the meeting at 8.18 pm during the consideration of this item).

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Democratic Services Officer.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report which requested Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meetings for the 2009/10 municipal year.

One Member suggested re-arranging the meeting on Thursday 17^th December, 2009 to take place on Thursday 7^th January, 2010.

RESOLVED – That the following dates be approved for meetings of the South (Inner) Area Committee in the 2009/10 municipal year to take place at various venues across the inner south area of Leeds at 6.30pm

Tuesday 23^rd June 2009, Wednesday 23^rd September 2009, Tuesday 3^rd November 2009, Thursday 7^th January 2010, Wednesday 10^th February 2010, Thursday 25^th March 2010.

(The meeting concluded at 8.28 pm).