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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Groves.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 June 2010

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd June 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 69 – Streetscene Services Change Programme – Update Report

It was reported that a breakdown of litter pickers by Ward had been provided to Members of Beeston and Holbeck, and City and Hunslet Wards, but not Middleton Park.  Area Management agreed to raise this issue with Streetscene Services, and request that the information be provided.

Minute No. 70 – Deployment of Community Environment Officers and Support Officers within Inner South

The Deputy Area Manager reported that income from fixed penalty notices was re-distributed back to Environmental Services.

Minute No. 9 – Review of Mobile Youth Provision

Some Members expressed concern that they were still not receiving regular updates on youth services.  Area Management agreed to raise this issue with Children’s Services.

Minute No. 15  - Dog Control Orders

One Member expressed concern that signs were not being displayed to publicise Dog Control Orders.  Area Management agreed to raise this issue with Environment and Neighbourhoods.

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 Member of the public requested an update on the future of South Leeds Sports Centre.  It was advised that Tiger 11 was in the process of submitting detailed proposals to the Council’s Executive Board with a view to running the Centre as a community enterprise.  Members of the public emphasised the importance of being able to access local sports facilities and the benefits to the community.

Another member of the public queried the effect of budget cuts across inner south Leeds.  One Member reported on the reduction in the Council’s area based grant which affected the delivery of some local services.  It was advised that the full extent of the budget cuts was dependent on the Comprehensive Spending Review in October.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Interim Director or Children’s Services

Time – 15 Minutes

The Interim Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with various Children’s Services performance data disaggregated at Area Committee or Ward level.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Appendix 1 – Number of children in care

-  Appendix 2 – Percentage of referrals

-  Appendix 3 – Percentage of initial assessments

-  Appendix 4 – Core assessments

-  Appendix 5 – Common Assessment Framework (CAF)

-  Appendix 6 – NEET and Not Known data

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the following officers to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Amanda Jackson, Locality Enabler

-  Gail Faulkner, Interim Head of Service Delivery (South), Children’s Services.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:

·  Members welcomed the inclusion of local performance information in the report.

·  One Member expressed concern about the number of core assessments not completed within 35 working days in City and Hunslet.

·  There was concern about the number of referrals to children’s social care in the inner south area.  Members discussed the effectiveness of early intervention and prevention services in the area and the deployment of joined-up children’s services resources against need.

·  The Area Committee was informed that Nigel Richardson, the recently appointed Director of Children’s Services, was starting work on 30^th September.

·  Members requested further information about CAF’s, particularly around types of engagement with key services, e.g. police and housing.

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

(Councillor Nash left the meeting at 7.00 pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

Time – 15 Minutes

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which outlined community safety issues in the inner south area of Leeds and actions being taken to address them.

Crime figures for all inner south wards were appended to the report for Members’ information.

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

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

·  Acknowledgement of the positive work undertaken in relation to operation champion and clarification that the total cost was dependent on the type of operation undertaken.  Members were informed that the Outer South Area Committee had previously allocated £400 per operation champion.

·  A verbal update on burglaries in the inner south area was provided by Inspector Miller.  One Member requested a copy of the Burglary Action Plan.

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

To receive and consider the attached report of the South East Area Manager

Time – 5 Minutes

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the following decisions be made in relation to 2010/11 revenue well being applications:

• St Matthew’s Community Centre Feasibility Study – £4,000 approved
• Middleton Regeneration Banners – £1,500 approved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which

contained details of proposed projects and activities to deliver local actions relating to the agreed themes and outcomes of the Area Delivery Plan (ADP).

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the following decisions be made in relation to 2010/11 revenue well being applications:

• St Matthew’s Community Centre Feasibility Study – £4,000 approved
• Middleton Regeneration Banners – £1,500 approved.

To receive and consider the attached report of the South East Area Manager

Time – 5 Minutes

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

The Area Committee considered a report from the South East Area Manager which updated Members on the actions and achievements of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Minutes of South Leeds Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership held on 18^th June 2010

-  Minutes of South Leeds Children’s Services Leadership Team held on 12^th May 2010

-  A summary of recent activity of the Joint Extended Schools and Services Cluster, including South Leeds Academy

-  Minutes of South East Leeds Health and Well Being Partnership meetings  held on 27^th May and 22^nd July 2010

-  Minutes of South Leeds Community Safety Partnership (Core Group) held on 23^rd July 2010.

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

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:

·  Members briefly discussed re-establishing the community centres sub-committee and the importance of having Ward Member representation from all inner south wards.  Councillor Davey expressed an interest in serving on this sub-committee.

·  It was reported that development of the Youth Hub had been delayed and other facilities were being explored.

·  The South East Area Manager reported that work was being undertaken with Chair’s of local partnerships to strengthen joined up working.

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

Tuesday 4^th November, 2010

(Belle Isle Family Centre, St John and Barnabas

Church, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG)

Wednesday 12^thJanuary, 2011

(Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR)

Wednesday 9th February, 2011

(Venue to be advised)

Thursday 24th March, 2011

(Venue to be advised)

(All meetings to commence at 6.30 pm).

To note the following future meeting dates for the 2010/11 municipal year:

* Thursday, 11^th November, 2010

(Belle Isle Family Centre, St John and Barnabas

Church, Belle Isle Road, Leeds, LS10 3PG)

Wednesday, 12^th January, 2011

(Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR)

Wednesday, 9th February, 2011

(Venue to be advised)

Thursday, 24th March, 2011

(Venue to be advised)

* This meeting was originally scheduled to take place on Thursday, 4^th November 2010.

(All meetings to commence at 6.30 pm).

(The meeting concluded at 7.50 pm.)