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.)

The Chair admitted to the agenda additional wellbeing projects for approval, to be considered under agenda item 8, Inner South Wellbeing Budget.  (Minute No. 64 refers)

The Chair also admitted to the agenda a map highlighting elderly residential and day care provision in the inner south area, to be considered as part of agenda item 9, Future Options for Long term Residential and Day Care for Older People.  (Minute No. 65 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 by Councillors Davey and Iqbal.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th January 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 50 – Open Forum

In relation to concerns about parked vehicles on Princes Street, Holbeck, it was reported that yellow lines had now been introduced.  One member of the public raised concern that there were some gaps in the markings.  Members were informed that the Highways Department were looking into the issue.

Minute No. 55 – Actions and Achievements Report

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, confirmed that details of independent and voluntary sports providers had been forwarded to Members.

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 representative of SPLASH attended the meeting and expressed concern about the proposed closure of leisure facilities.  Members highlighted the budget pressures facing the Council – it was reported that there was now £1m less in the leisure centre budget.  In response to a query, the Area Committee was informed that there were still some possibilities in relation to maintaining provision at South Leeds Sports Centre, although no further details were available at this stage.  Another representative of SPLASH sought clarification about the timescales involved to develop South Leeds Sports Centre – Councillor Ogilvie agreed to attend a future SPLASH meeting to discuss this issue and other related concerns.

Mick Wood, Station Commander at Hunslet Fire Station, reported that West Yorkshire Fire Service were available to attend community meetings / events, to discuss fire safety measures and other activities in the local area.  For further information please contact mick.wood@westyorkshirefire.gov.uk

A member of the public requested an update in relation to the recent meeting involving Tesco’s to develop sites in Holbeck.  It was reported that there had been interest in various sites and discussions were ongoing.

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).

(15 mins presentation / 15 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the proposals for revenue wellbeing funding 2011/12, submitted by St Luke’s Cares and re’new be deferred to enable further discussions with Ward Members, with a view to a further report being submitted to the March Area Committee

(c)  That the following proposals for capital wellbeing funding be approved as follows:

• Hunslet Library – £70,529
• Holbeck binyards – £45,000
• Holbeck street nameplates – £8,000.

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.

The Chair welcomed representatives of St Luke’s Cares and Re’new to present a review of work undertaken throughout 2010/11, together with outline proposals for further work in 2011/12.

RESOLVED –

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

(b) That the proposals for revenue wellbeing funding 2011/12, submitted by St Luke’s Cares and Re’new be deferred to enable further discussions with Ward Members, with a view to a further report being submitted to the March Area Committee

(c) That the following proposals for capital wellbeing funding be approved as follows:

• Hunslet Library – £70,529
• Holbeckbinyards – £45,000
• Holbeck street nameplates – £8,000.

To receive and consider a report from the Deputy Director of Adult Social Care (Strategic Commissioning) presenting information relating to future options for long term residential and day care services for older people.

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Deputy Director (Strategic Commissioning) of Adult Social Care submitted a report which presented the Area Committee with information in relation to future options for long term residential and day care services for older people.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Dennis Holmes, Deputy Director (Strategic Commissioning), Adult Social Care, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments:

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• Concern about the future of Harry Booth House, which it was highlighted, was the only council owned residential home in the inner south area.  The Area Committee was advised that there were a number of council owned residential homes in need of further investment.  One Member requested further information about alternative provision, which the Deputy Director (Strategic Commissioning) undertook to provide.
• The role of Neighbourhood Networks in supporting the consultation process.
• Concerns associated with mixed services at day care centres, etc and support for dementia sufferers.
• Exploring opportunities for voluntary and community sector organisations to extend the range of services offered.

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

(Councillor Nash left the meeting at 7.50 pm during the consideration of this item.  The Chair advised that the meeting was now inquorate as there were no Members present from the City and Hunslet Ward.  Any formal decisions would need to be ratified at the March Area Committee meeting.) 

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing Area Committees with an update against key data relating to education for the academic year 2009-10; and November 2010 NEET and Not Known data.  The report also provides details of recent key inspections that have taken place across Children’s Services and provides an update on the development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2011-2015.

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which provided Area Committees with an update against key data in relation to education for the academic year 2009-10; and November 2010 NEET and Not Known data.  The report also provided details of recent key inspections that had taken place across Children’s Services and provided an update on the development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2011-2015.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Ofsted inspection judgements; attainment; absence / attendance and exclusions data

-  National Indicator 108 – Key Stage 4 attainment for black and minority ethnic groups

-  NEET and Not Known data

-  Draft Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) for 2011-15

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Ken Morton, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:

• The need for more detailed local data and analysis in the report.
• The role of clusters and other key agencies in tackling issues relating to absenteeism and NEET.
• One Member requested a breakdown of exclusion data, including numbers as well as percentages.

RECOMMENDED – That the contents of the report be noted.

(Councillor Congreve left the meeting at 8.25 pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updating the Area Committee on progress towards achieving delegation of certain environmental services from the 2011/12 municipal year.

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with an update on progress towards achieving delegation of certain environmental services from the 2011/12 municipal year.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Diagram showing how the proposed delegation will work

-  Proposed programme of member involvement.

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

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• One Member requested further information about resource implications and monitoring arrangements.
• Clarification whether enforcement and educational awareness formed part of the delegation.
• Clarification about services included as part of the delegation – Members were advised that refuse and recycling services and city centre street cleansing had not been included in the scope delegation.
• Members were encouraged to participate in the member involvement programme of workshops.
• Raising awareness in schools, community groups, etc and developing community pride, e.g. positive work undertaken in the Cardinals area developing street champions, Friends of Middleton Park organising litter picks, etc.
• More litter bins needed as well as increasing the frequency of emptying the bins.
• Examples of good practice in the UK and abroad.

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

Thursday 24^th March 2011

(South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle, Leeds, LS10 3JA)

To note the remaining meeting date, time and venue for the 2010/11 municipal year:

• Thursday, 24^th March, 2011 at 6.30 pm

Meeting to take place at South Leeds Youth Hub, Middleton Road, Belle Isle, Leeds, LS10 3JA.

(The meeting concluded at 8.40 pm.)