Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the January 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.

Councillor Gabriel declared an interest in agenda item 11, Inner South Wellbeing Budget (wellbeing application by Health for All in relation to Cottingley Teatime Club), in her capacity as a Trustee of Health for All.  On the basis that the interest was prejudicial, she withdrew from the meeting and did not vote. (Minute No. 54 refers)

Councillors Gabriel and Ogilvie declared a personal interest in agenda item 11, Inner South Wellbeing Budget (small grant approval by Holbeck Gala for Holbeck Christmas Market), in their capacity as Members of Holbeck Gala. (Minute No. 54 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors Congreve and Nash.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th November 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th November be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 37 – South Leeds Sports Centre

Local residents raised concerns about the closure of South Leeds Sports Centre.  The Area Committee was informed that Tiger 11 had been unable to proceed with proposals to manage the facility.  To date, no interest had been registered from other organisations interested in managing the facility.

Minute No. 38 – Proposed Merger for Joseph Priestley College

It was confirmed that Peter Roberts, Principal of Leeds City College, would be invited to attend the February Area Committee meeting, as part of the statutory consultation programme.

Minute No. 39 – Reporting Health and Environmental Action Service activities to the area committees

The Deputy Area Manager confirmed that a further breakdown of service requests for the City and Hunslet Ward, including separate data for the city centre, was being prepared.

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 raised concern about parked vehicles on Princes Street, Holbeck.  Councillor Ogilvie reported that yellow lines were being introduced. (this was originally due to take place prior to Christmas, but was delayed due to the severe weather conditions)

Another local resident expressed concern about parked vehicles outside St Mary’s school in Middleton.  It was reported that in future, the police would be issuing fines.

Local residents raised concerns about prostitution in Holbeck.  Members emphasised the importance of reporting incidents to the police.

Local residents also raised concerns about the proposed closure of Holbeck library.  Members advised that a decision had not yet been taken on the future of Holbeck library and residents were encouraged to take part in the consultation process to feedback their views.  One resident raised the possibility of the local community taking ownership of the library.

(Councillor Davey joined the meeting at 6.48 pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Parks and Countryside providing an overview of the service and highlighting some of the challenges faced together with key performance initiatives.

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Head of Parks and Countryside submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with an overview of the service and highlighted some of the challenges faced together with key performance initiatives.

Appended to the report was information highlighting Parks and Countryside contributions to the delivery of the Leeds Strategic Plan targets and outcomes.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Kris Nenadic and Vicky Nunns, Parks and Countryside, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• Play area improvements planned at Beggars Hill Recreation Ground and Grove Road Recreation.
• Clarification that works at Church Street were due to commence in the 2011/12 financial year.
• Concern that some sites had not been included in the report, e.g. Middleton and Cranmore Recreation Grounds.  Parks and Countryside agreed to review the list of sites included in reports.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the request to relocate the skateboard park at South Leeds Sports Centre to Holbeck Moor be approved (approved by Councillors Davey and Iqbal, Ward Members for City and Hunslet); and

(c)  That the request to remove the shelter from the Sports Centre be approved (approved by Councillors Davey and Iqbal, Ward Members for City and Hunslet).

To receive and consider a report from the South East Health and Improvement Wellbeing Manager outlining the significant changes taking place locally following publication of the recent government white paper and highlighting implications for the work of the local area partnerships.

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The South East Health and Improvement Wellbeing Manager submitted a report which outlined the significant changes taking place locally following publication of the recent government white paper and highlighted implications for the work of the local area partnerships.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Bash Uppal, Health and Improvement Wellbeing Manager, and Councillor Groves (Inner South Area Committee health and wellbeing Member champion), to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments. 

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:

• Concerns about the transfer of existing services and accountability.
• Local priorities identified as part of work undertaken by South East Health and Wellbeing Partnership:

-  challenges around lower life expectancy in parts of inner south

-  reducing obesity and teenage pregnancy

-  developing links with the voluntary and independent sector

-  development of the pathfinder approach

-  avoiding duplication of services

-  improving take-up of free school meals.

• Members endorsed proposals around the development of a multi-agency referral system.
• Brenda Fullard was reported to be the Council’s link in developing the new partnership arrangements.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

(Councillor Blake left the meeting at 7.11 pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) informing Area Committees on the progress of recent work on locality working through a Locality Working Pathfinder in the South East wedge of the city.

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report which informed the Area Committee on the progress of recent work on locality working through a Locality Working Pathfinder in the South East wedge of the city.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Locality Working Draft Design Principles.

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

The Area Committee emphasised the importance of support for local community forums / resident groups.  Reference was made to strengthening the language in the draft design principles, particularly in terms of empowering or enabling communities, encouraging residents’ responsibilities and involvement and support to resident groups / community forums from key partners, e.g. police, Aire Valley Homes.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Manager presenting details of proposed projects and activities to deliver local actions relating to the agreed themes and outcomes of the Area Delivery Plan (ADP).

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the following decision be made in relation to the application for 2010/11 revenue wellbeing funding:

• Cottingley Teatime Club – Health for All (Leeds) –  £4,920 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).

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, presented the report.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the following decision be made in relation to the application for 2010/11 revenue wellbeing funding:

• Cottingley Teatime Club – Health for All (Leeds) – £4,920 approved.

(In the absence of Councillor Gabriel who declared a prejudicial interest and left the room, Councillor Iqbal took the Chair for the wellbeing application by Health for All (Leeds) in relation to Cottingley Teatime Club.)

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Manager updating Members on actions and achievements around the Area Delivery Plan since the last Area Committee meeting.

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the change in delivery of Operation Champion (paragraph 22 of the report refers) be noted and approved

(c)  That the change in the delivery timetable for the Urban Bar project (paragraph 46 of the report refers) be noted and approved, and it be confirmed that the remainder of the funding already allocated to St Luke’s Cares be released

(d)  That the Extended Services proposal relating to I Love South Leeds Festival be deferred with a view to submitting outline costings and further information about the involvement of key local providers

(e)  That the Draft Investment Strategy for South Leeds be noted

(f)  That Councillors Ogilvie (Beeston and Holbeck), Iqbal (City and Hunslet) and Driver (Middleton Park) be appointed to serve on the Inner South Environmental Co-ordination group as part of the Member Development Programme, to assist the Area Committee to focus on the Service Level Agreement and the performance management of the Environmental Services delegation. (paragraph 23 of the report refers)

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 in November 2010.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Minutes of South Leeds Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership (SLEET) held on 22^nd November 2010

-  Minutes of the South Children’s Leadership Team held on 21^st October 2010

-  Minutes of South East Leeds Health and Well Being Partnership meeting held on 25^th November 2010

-  Draft outline proposal from Extended Services for ‘I Love South Leeds Festival’

-  Draft Investment Strategy for South Leeds

-  The Leeds Spending Challenge public consultation document.

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, presented the report.

In brief summary, the key highlighted points were:

• The role of key agencies in supporting the work of the Inner South Environmental Co-ordination group.
• Managing types of support required by local community groups, e.g. minute taking, help with publicity, etc.  Area Management agreed to follow up with Leeds Ahead.
• Members received a brief presentation from Barbara Temple, Leeds City Council, Extended Services, in relation to the Inner South cluster’s draft proposal to deliver elements of the I Love South Leeds Festival.
• One Member requested further information in relation to intensive family support in Middleton.  Area Management agreed to report back.
• There was also a request for a list of independent and voluntary sports providers and the types of programmes offered.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the change in delivery of Operation Champion (paragraph 22 of the report refers) be noted and approved;

(c)  That the change in the delivery timetable for the Urban Bar project (paragraph 46 of the report refers) be noted and approved, and it be confirmed that the remainder of the funding already allocated to St Luke’s Cares be released;

(d)  That the Extended Services proposal relating to I Love South Leeds Festival be deferred;

(e)  That the Draft Investment Strategy for South Leeds be noted; and

(f)  That Councillors Ogilvie (Beeston and Holbeck), Iqbal (City and Hunslet) and Driver (Middleton Park) be appointed to serve on the Inner South Environmental Co-ordination group as part of the Member Development Programme, to assist the Area Committee to focus on the Service Level Agreement and the performance management of the Environmental Services delegation. (paragraph 23 of the report refers)

(Councillor Iqbal left the meeting at 8.34 pm during the consideration of this item.)

Wednesday 9th February, 2011

(St Matthew’s Community Centre, St Matthew’s Street, LS11 9NR)

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:

Wednesday, 9th February, 2011

(St Matthew’s Community Centre, St Matthew’s Street, LS11 9NR)

Thursday, 24th March, 2011

(Venue to be advised)

(All meetings to commence at 6.30 pm).

(The meeting concluded at 8.35 pm.)