Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 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 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

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

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:-

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

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

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.

No declarations were made.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th September 2013.

RESOLVED – The minutes of the meeting held on 4^th September 2013 be approved as a correct record.

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 member of public asked Members about Middleton Park Golf Course. Councillor Truswell confirmed that there had been no change since the Committee was last updated at its September meeting (see Minute 22 – “Open Forum”.); and

•  A member of public asked Members if there was any further information about the former ice pack site in Beeston. It was confirmed that nothing further was happening presently. A pre-application had been presented to South and West Plans Panel which resulted in a request for the plans to be amended and there has been no further application made to date.

To receive a report of the Area Leader – South East Leeds which brings Members’ attention in a succinct fashion, details of the range of activities with which the Area Support Team are engaged in 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.

The Acting Area Officer (Citizens and Communities) presented a report of the Area Leader – South East Leeds which detailed a range of activities taking place within the Inner South Leeds Area.

Members gave updates on their theme areas including the following:

•  Children and Young People Sub Group;

•  Health and Well Being;

•  Environmental Sub Group.

Employment and Skills update was provided by the Acting Area Officer.

The secretary of Beeston Festival provided an update on the success of the Beeston Festival which was held on Saturday 8th June 2013. The Committee were informed that around 5,000 people attended and that 60 people volunteered working a total of 300 hours for free. The secretary wished to put on record his gratitude for the help of volunteers and the support of the South Inner Area Committee. 

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the contents of the report;

(b)  Agree the proposed model for delivering a programme of activities for children and young people 2013/14 as attached at Appendix 2b to the submitted report;

(c)  Agree that funding be provided for after school activities and the February 2014 half term; and

(d)  Agree that projects be progressed outside of the Area Committee following consultation with Members.

To receive a report of 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 allocation proposals for consideration and approval; Details of Activities Fund Delegation 2013/14; and asks Members to note the current position of the Small Grants Budget.

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.

Members felt it important to reinforce that it was Councillors of

South Inner Area Committee which approved grants to local organisations

and the Area Support Team managed the process.

Members discussed the future naming and direction of Committees which is

currently being considered by the Council across the City.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved:

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

(b)  That the position of the Wellbeing budget be noted as set out in paragraph 3.0 of the submitted report;

(c)  Note the Wellbeing revenue projects already agreed as listed in Table 2 of the submitted report;

(d)  That the proposals as detailed within paragraphs 3.3 of the submitted report be agreed; and

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

To receive a report of the Chief Officer, Employment and Skills the report summarises the work recently undertaken by the Employment and Skills Service to support businesses in the Aire Valley and outlines the services that can be provided to business to support the achievement of the Aire Valley Enterprise Zone objectives and link local residents from surrounding communities to employment opportunities.

The Head of Employment and Skills (City Development) presented a report submitted by the Chief Officer (Employment and Skills) which summarised the work recently undertaken by the Employment and Skills service to support businesses in the Aire Valley and outlined the services that can be provided to business to support the achievement.

The figures contained within Table 2 of the submitted report were considered by Members. They requested that clarification be sought as to the meaning of the figures.

Members requested more information on Employment opportunities to Inner South wards and whether figures could be broken down to that level.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the contents of the report;

(b)  Instruct officers to liaise with and support the employment, Skills, and Welfare Area Lead Member to maintain an overview of the developing approach and provision to support local people to access training and employment through the Inner South Employment & Skills Board.

(c)  Request that if possible to establish specific information on employment opportunities in the Inner South Wards, this be circulated to the Inner South Ward councillors; and

(d)  Request that a revised version of Table 2 contained within the submitted report be circulated to Members with explanatory notes.

To receive a report of the Director of Children’s Services informing the Committee about local outcomes for children and young people, and support the involvement of area committees in improving these outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas is also highlighted. The report summarises performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance.  Key issues for Children’s Services are highlighted, including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city.

The Chief Officer (Strategy, Commissioning and Performance) and the Area Head of Targeted services (South East Leeds) presented a report submitted by the Director of Children’s Services which informed the Committee about local outcomes for children and young people, and supported the involvement of area committees in improving these outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements.  The progress made against local and national agendas was also highlighted. The report summarised performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance.  Key issues for Children’s Services were highlighted, including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city.

Members asked questions about the location of The Ruth Gorse Academy which has been approved to pre-opening stage. Members were informed that a specific location had not been identified as yet but that a number of sites were being considered.

Members highlighted their concerns about the state of South Leeds Academy which had recently received a poor Ofsted report.

Members discussed with officers the positives of free schools starting in Leeds such as the benefits of partnership working with the Council and the finance they bring with them.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Agree that the Area Committee lead for Children’s Services meets with the are head of targeted services and local authority partner to discuss local issues and future initiatives; and

(b)  That officers set up a workshop on basic need/school.

Councillor E Nash entered the meeting at 7:05pm during the discussion of this item.

Councillor K Groves entered the meeting at 07:15pm during the discussion of this item.

To receive a report of the South East Area Leader and Chief Officer of Voluntary Action LeedsUpdating the Area Committee about recent developments regarding work with the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector.

The South East Area Leader and Chief Officer of Voluntary Action Leeds submitted a report which updated the Committee about recent developments regarding work with the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. The report sought Members’ support for the direction of travel planned and outlined within the report. The report also highlighted key initiatives for the Area Committee to discuss and agree regarding how to strengthen relationships with the third sector.

David Smith and Richard Curtis from Groundwork Leeds were in attendance to answer questions from Members.

Members discussed the allocation of funding to third sector organisations and commented that decisions on commissioning should be made at a more local level.

Members agreed that the Council needs to work closely with the third sector and focus on ensuring any money allocated to third sector organisations is spent in the right areas.

The benefits of third sector work were discussed both in terms of the professionals employed and the many volunteers involved making investment in this sector a value for money exercise.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the contents of the report;

(b)  Support the work being done to strengthen the links between the third sector and Area Committees; and

(c)  Agree the key initiatives outlined in paragraph 3.4 of the submitted report for the Area Committee and Third Sector Leeds South East to take forward aimed at strengthening their relationship and better meeting the needs of local communities through collaboration.

6pm Wednesday11th December 2013, Civic Hall, Committee Rooms 6&7

6pm Wednesday 11th December 2013, Civic Hall, Leeds, Committee Rooms 6&7.