Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the February meeting of the South (Outer) 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.)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair admitted to the agenda, the following late item:

Agenda item 12 – Consultation on a proposal to relocate the West SILC (Victoria Park) building from Farnley Park Maths and Computing College to Bruntcliffe High School. (Minute No. 68 refers)

The report and appendix was unavailable at the time of agenda despatch.

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 Finnigan declared a personal interest in agenda item 8, Consultation on Expansion of Blackgates Primary School, and agenda item 12, Consultation on a proposal to relocate the West SILC (Victoria Park) building from Farnley Park Maths and Computing College to Bruntcliffe High School, in his capacity as Governor at Morley Victoria Primary School and Bruntcliffe High School. (Minute Nos. 67 and 68 refer)

Councillor Renshaw declared a personal interest in agenda item 8, Consultation on Expansion of Blackgates Primary School, and agenda item 12, Consultation on a proposal to relocate the West SILC (Victoria Park) building from Farnley Park Maths and Computing College to Bruntcliffe High School, in her capacity as Governor at Rodillian High School, Seven Hills Primary School and East Ardsley Primary School, and as a Member of Rothwell Extended Services Cluster. (Minute Nos. 67 and 68 refer)

Councillor Gettings declared a personal interest in agenda item 12, Consultation on a proposal to relocate the West SILC (Victoria Park) building from Farnley Park Maths and Computing College to Bruntcliffe High School, in his capacity as Governor at Bruntcliffe High School. (Minute No. 68 refers)

A further declaration of interest was made at a later point in the meeting. (Minute No. 67 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Elliott and Smith.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 30^th November 2009.

The following amendments were agreed in relation to Minute No. 58, Outer South Area Committee Well-being Budget Report:

• Under ‘the following issues were discussed’ (3^rd bullet point) – To read ‘The possibility of the virement of funds from the capital to revenue budget.’
• Under ‘the following revenue projects be agreed’ (2^nd bullet point) – To read ‘Garden Maintenance Service (Morley Elderly Action) – £33,000 – Approved.’

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th November 2009, as amended, be confirmed as a correct record.

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 Chairman 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.

On this occasion, there were no matters raised under this item by members of the public.

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Executive, Education Leeds, presenting the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for the expansion of Blackgates Primary School.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Chief Executive, Education Leeds, submitted a report, which presented the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for the expansion of Blackgates Primary School.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Viv Buckland, Education Leeds, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:

• Concern about the effect of birth rates on school places.
• Concerns about transport and issues relating to road safety.
• Acknowledgement that a 2 mile radius was applied to the allocation of school places.
• Confirmation that demographic changes were a factor in the drive for expansion in some parts of the city.
• Confirmation that the head-teacher and governing body of Blackgates Primary School welcomed the proposals.
• Clarification about the areas (specifically postcodes) that had been consulted.  (It was agreed to provide the Area Committee with this information.)

RESOLVED – That the report and consultation document be noted.

(Councillor Golton arrived at 4.06 pm during the consideration of this item.)

(Councillor Leadley declared a personal interest in this item as Governor at Westerton Primary School.)

To receive and consider a late report from the Chief Executive, Education Leeds, presenting the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for the relocation of the West SILC (Victoria Park) modular building at Farnley Park Maths and Computing College to Bruntcliffe High School.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Chief Executive, Education Leeds, submitted a report which presented the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for the relocation of the West SILC (Victoria Park) modular building at Farnley Park Maths and Computing College to Bruntcliffe High School.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the following officers from Education Leeds;

-  Carol Jordan, Director of Integrated Children’s Services; and

-  Stuart Gosney, Head of BSF and Academies.

In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:

• Concern that the proposals were an unwelcome distraction to Bruncliffe High School, particularly taking into account the difficulties previously experienced by the school.
• Clarification about the increase in transport costs. (estimated at £45k for the year)
• Recognition of provision for young people with special educational needs.

RESOLVED – That the report and consultation document be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which updates Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Area Committee’s Well-being budget, advises Members of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invites Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals detailed within the report.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital well-being budgets, be noted;

(b)  That a decision on funding (outlined in 3.2.7 of the report) being allocated from revenue to the capital fund for Ardsley and Robin Hood, be deferred for further discussions between Area Management and Ward Members for Ardsley and Robin Hood;

(c)  That continued development of the Site Based Gardeners Project be approved and further information be submitted to the March Area Committee;

(d)  That the following decisions be made in relation to well-being funding proposals which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:

·  Highways, Transport Strategy – Removal of Walton Drive Steps –  £2,767.50 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved

·  Conservation Team – Woodlesford Conservation Audit – £5,000 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved

·  Rothwell Competitive Music Festival – £2,100 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which updated Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Committee’s Well-being budget, advised the Committee of the small grants approved since the last meeting and invited Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals, as detailed within the report.

The Area Committee noted an amendment to recommendation in 9.1 (e) of the report to defer consideration of funding being allocated from revenue to the capital fund for Ardsley and Robin Hood.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:

• Members welcomed the breakdown of well-being funding aligned to ADP themes and priorities in 2009/10.
• Members supported the well-being application for the removal of Walton Drive Steps, particularly as removal of the steps would help reduce anti-social behaviour and make the area more accessible to Wakefield Road.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital well-being budgets, be noted;

(b)  That a decision on funding (outlined in 3.2.7 of the report) being allocated from revenue to the capital fund for Ardsley and Robin Hood, be deferred for further discussions between Area Management and Ward Members for Ardsley and Robin Hood;

(c)  That continued development of the Site Based Gardeners Project be approved and further information be submitted to the March Area Committee;

(d)  That the following decisions be made in relation to well-being funding proposals which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:

·  Highways, Transport Strategy – Removal of Walton Drive Steps –  £2,767.50 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved

·  Conservation Team – Woodlesford Conservation Audit – £5,000 (2009/10 Revenue Budget) – Approved

·  Rothwell Competitive Music Festival – £2,100 (2009/10 Capital Budget) – Approved.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an overview of the range of activities currently taking place within the outer south area of Leeds.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Empty Shop Fund Criteria for Morley Bottoms, outlined under appendix 8, be identified as an appropriate way to spend the Local Shops Initiative Fund; and

(c)  That Councillors Finnigan and Gettings be appointed to serve as the Council’s representatives on the Morley Literature Festival.

The Area Committee considered a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which updated Members on the work of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

The following information was appended to the report for Members’ information:

-  Minutes of South Leeds Community Safety Partnership – Core Group held on 4^th December 2009

-  Operation Champion Schedule 2010

-  Minutes of South East Leeds Health and Well-being Partnership held on 17^th November 2009

-  Minutes of South Leeds Enterprise, Education and Training Group (SLEET) held on 9^th December 2009

-  Minutes of Children Leeds South Leadership Team held on 24^th September 2009

-  Wood Lane ‘You Choose’ Participatory Budgeting Initiative – Evaluation Report

-  Oakwell and Fairfax Neighbourhood Improvement Plan – Evaluation Report

-  Empty Shop Fund Criteria.

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

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:

• Concern that parts of Ardsley and Robin Hood were not overlooked for Empty Shop Funding.
• Recognition of the positive work undertaken by the Morley Bottoms Project Team, particularly Joanne Gomersal, Project Manager in City Development, Town Councillors, Planning Enforcement and the local community.
• Confirmation that a new Director of Morley Literature Festival had been appointed, subject to contracts being signed.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Empty Shop Fund Criteria for Morley Bottoms, outlined under appendix 8, be identified as an appropriate way to spend the Local Shops Initiative Fund; and

(c)  That Councillors Finnigan and Gettings be appointed to serve as the Council’s representatives on the Morley Literature Festival.

Monday 15^th March, 2010 at 4.00 pm

(Rothwell One Stop Centre, Civic Chamber, Main Street, Rothwell, LS26 0AD)

Monday 15^th March, 2010 at 4.00 pm

(Rothwell One Stop Centre, Civic Chamber, Main Street, Rothwell, LS26 0AD)

(The meeting concluded at 5.00 pm.)