Agenda and minutes

Venue: Tenants Hall Acre Close, Middleton, Leeds LS10 4HX

Contact: Phil Garnett (0113) 39 51632  Email: philip.garnett@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

15.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

 

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

 

Minutes:

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

16.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3  If  the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

 

Minutes:

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

17.

Late Items

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

 

Minutes:

There were no late items submitted to the agenda for consideration.

18.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests’

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

 

Minutes:

No declarations were made.

19.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor E Nash and Councillor M Iqbal.

20.

Minutes - 19th June 2013 pdf icon PDF 78 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19th June 2013.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19th June 2013 be approved as a correct record subject to an amendment to Minute No. 6 ‘Appointment of Area Lead Members, Cluster representatives and Corporate Carers’ to replace Councillor J Blake with Councillor A Gabriel as the Area Lead Member for Children’s Services.

21.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Minute No.4 Open forum

 

In response to a question regarding the re-use of maisonettes and housing on Beeston Road and Hillside, The Chief Executive of Aire Valley Homes commented that 88 units are being brought back into use as part of a two year programme of work, all of these will be re-let on completion.

 

With regards to the PFI project in Holbeck Councillor Congreve reported that the project would be happening and wished to record his thanks to residents in Holbeck for all their time and patience.

 

Minute No.6  Appointment of Area Lead Members, Cluster Representatives and Corporate Carers

 

It was requested that the minute be amended to reflect that Councillor A Gabriel is the Area Lead Member for Children’s Services.

22.

Open Forum

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)

 

Minutes:

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 ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

 

The following issues were discussed:

 

  A local resident raised the issue of children getting in under the fencing at Stank Hall Barn. This has been reported to the Police and was highlighted further to Police Officers present at the meeting;

  A local resident asked for news on Middleton Park Golf Course.  Truswell reported that a working group was in place and that a report was being prepared for the next meeting of the Executive Board. It was also reported that there will be a public consultation and that the issue will come to the Area Committee; and

  Police Officers present informed the Area Committee of the latest crime issues in the area and encouraged residents to report crimes using the 101 number.

23.

A Summary of Key Work pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To receive a report of the Area Leader – South East which brings to Members’ attention in a succinct fashion, brief details of the range of activities with which are based on the Area Committee Business Plan priorities, that are not addressed in greater detail elsewhere on this agenda. It provides opportunities for further questioning or the opportunity to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Area Leader – South East Leeds detailed a range of activities taking place within the Inner South Leeds Area.

 

The Chair welcomed Glen Gorner (Natural Environment Manager) to update Members and answer any questions on the South Leeds Green Infrastructure Corridor, following the response from Parks and countryside to a letter sent by the Chair on 13th June 2013. Members were keen to ensure the right trees were planted in the right places and that opportunities should be identified to increase tree cover in the area. Glen Gorner was requested to communicate plans for engaging Elected Members.

 

Members agreed the Area Business Plan attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

 

Members gave updates on their theme areas including the following:

 

  Children and Young People Sub Group;

  Health and Well Being;

  Employment and Skills Board; and

  Environmental Sub Group.

 

Councillor Truswell informed the meeting of a piece of work looking at an audit of Public Health resources in the area. Members requested a discussion at a future Area Committee meeting.

 

The Chair welcomed Louise Megson from SLATE (South Leeds Alternative Trading Enterprise) who updated the Members on the success of the organisation since it received funding form the Area Committee. The aim of this project was to contribute to the costs of employing a part-time Volunteer Development Worker to support volunteers with learning difficulties, including assessing talents and skills of individuals and putting them into appropriate teams, supervising volunteers and recruiting volunteers.

 

The Chair also welcomed Jason Slack from the Hunslet Club The aim of this project was to offer vocational training in plumbing, joinery, bricklaying, plastering, car mechanics, bike mechanics, hairdressing and beauty therapy after school hours to 48 students in inner South Leeds between years 10 and 12. The course was to operate one day a week for two hours after school and run for an academic year.

 

RESOLVED –

 

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

(b)  That the refreshed Inner South Area Committee Business Plan be approved; and

(c)  That the mini breeze events in each of the three areas be approved.

24.

Wellbeing Report pdf icon PDF 217 KB

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customers and Communities) providing confirmation of the 2012/13 and 2013/14 revenue allocation and carry forward figure, an update on the revenue element of the Wellbeing budget, details of revenue projects agreed to date, details of Activities Fund Delegation 2013/14, details of revenue funding for consideration and approval. The Committee is also asked to note the current position of the Small Grants Budget.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customers and Communities) provided Members with the following:

 

1.  Confirmation of the 2013/14 revenue allocation and the 2012/13 carry forward figure;

2.  An update on the revenue element of the Wellbeing budget;

3.  Details of revenue projects agreed to date;

4.  Details of Activities Fund Delegation 2013/14;

5.  Details of revenue funding for consideration and approval; and

6.  Members are also asked to note the current position of the Small Grants Budget.

 

RESOLVED –

 

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

(b)  That the position of the Wellbeing budget be noted;

(c)  That the Wellbeing revenue projects already agreed be noted

(d)  That the proposals  as detailed within paragraphs 3.3 be agreed

(e)  That the following be agreed in respect of Wellbeing funding allocations, as detailed within paragraph 4.0 of the submitted report:

 

Name of Project

Name of Delivery Organisation

Decision

Marlborough Green roof Projects – Phase 2

The Leeds Groundwork Trust

£5,875 Revenue (City and Hunslet) 

APPROVED

Beeston Hill Waste and Recycling Junior Wardens Scheme

The Leeds Groundwork Trust

£3,500 Revenue (City & Hunslet)

APPROVED

Christmas Lights -  Beeston & Holbeck

Leeds Lights/Area Support Team

£2,500 (Revenue) 

Beeston & Holbeck

APPROVED

South Leeds Academy- Litter

South and Outer East Locality Team

£162 Revenue (Middleton Park) APPROVED

 

 

(f)  That the small grant position detailed within paragraph 5.0 of the submitted report be noted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.

Update on Welfare Benefit changes pdf icon PDF 423 KB

To receive a report of the Chief Officer, Welfare and Benefits providing an update of the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also provides information on arrangements that have been put in place to support tenants.

Minutes:

The Chief Officer (Welfare and Benefits) submitted a report providing an update of the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also provided information on arrangements that have been put in place to support tenants. 

 

The report detailed some of the preparations that are underway for Universal Credit with a focus on locality-based support that can be provided.  A key element of the preparations for Universal Credit and a response to the welfare reforms is a programme of work aimed at tackling the issue of payday and high cost lending in the city.  The report provided information about this programme and sought input from the Area Committee on how the programme of activity can work at a locality level. 

 

Dave Roberts (Financial Inclusion Strategy Manager) and Simon Costigan (Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes) were in attendance to present the report and answer any Member’s questions.

 

Members were informed about the procedures which surround Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) and that where DHP payments are applicable to a claim against rent arrears action us suspended.

 

Members discussed the problems of high street banks not lending to people which has contributed to the rise of pay day loan companies. It was also noted that there had been a loss of high street bank branches which had shut in the area.

 

Members considered the impact on children and were pleased to report that Leeds has kept all Children’s Centres open. Members raised concern that the take up of free school meals was low and that families should be encouraged to take up them up wherever applicable.

 

At this point in the meeting a representative of West Yorkshire Trading Standards informed the Area Committee about the financial workshops and open to members of the public.

 

 

RESOLVED –

 

(a)  That the information about the impact of the welfare reforms be noted

(b)  That the information about the campaign against high cost lenders be noted; and

(c)  That the ongoing work in the locality in response to welfare changes be noted.

 

26.

Date and time of Next Meeting

Beeston Village Community Centre. St Anthony’s Drive, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 8AB.

Minutes:

6pm Wednesday 6th November 2013.

 

Beeston Village Community Centre, St Anthony’s Drive, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 8AB.