Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for the South Outer Area Committee for the 2010/11 Municipal Year

The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer informed Members of the arrangements for the annual election of the Area Committee Chair.  It was reported that a nomination had been received in support of Councillor Robert Finnigan to take the Chair for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.

Following a show of hands, it was

RESOLVED – That Councillor Robert Finnigan be elected as Chair of the South Outer Area Committee for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, 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 so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 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:-

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during

consideration of the following parts of the meeting designated exempt 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 public were present

there would be disclosure to them of exempt information so designated as

follows:

Agenda Item 18, Town Centre Management, discussion of the Options as outlined in paragraph 6.0 under the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3) (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) and on the grounds that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

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.

The following declarations of personal interests were made:

• Councillor Elliott – Agenda Item 18, Town Centre Management -  as a Member of the Morley Town Centre Partnership (Minute No. 16 refers)
• Councillor Wilson – Agenda Item 12, Licensing Act 2003 Policy – as a Member of the Licensing Committee (Minute No. 9 refers)
• Councillor Mulherin – Agenda Item 13, Children and Young People’s Activities Final Evaluation 2009/10 – due to her Membership of the Rothwell Cluster of Extended Services (Minute No. 10 refers)
• Councillor Finnigan – Agenda Item 18, Town Centre Management – due to his position on the Morley Town Centre Management Board (Minute No. ? refers) and Agenda Item 17, Area Manager’s Report due to his position on the Morley Literature Festival (Minute No. ? refers)
• Councillor Leadley - Agenda Item 13, Children and Young People’s Activities Final Evaluation 2009/10 – due to his position as Chair of the Lewisham Centre Management Committee and position as Governor at Westerton Primary School (Minute No. ? refers); Agenda Item 16, Area Committee Well-Being Budget as a Member of Morley Town Council (part fund Town Centre Management), . Trustee and Management Committee Member of Morley Elderly Action (Minute No. ? refers); Agenda Item 17, Area Manager’s Report as Member of Morley Town Council (part fund Town Centre Management), Chair of Morley Town Council’s Planning Committee (Conservation Audits), Trustee and Committee Member of Morley Elderly Action (Minute No. ? refers), Agenda Item 18, Town Centre Management as Member of Morley Town Council (Minute No. ? refers).
• Councillor Gettings – Agenda Item 17, Area Manager’s Report as a Member of Morley Town Council (part funds Town Centre Management) and Chair of the Morley Literature Festival (Minute No. ? refers) and Agenda Item 18, Town Centre Management as a Member of Morley Town Council
• Councillor Varley – Agenda Item 17, Area Manager’s Report as a Member of Morley Town Council (part funds Town Centre Management) and Chair of the Morley Literature Festival (Minute No. ? refers) and Agenda Item 18, Town Centre Management as a Member of Morley Town Council

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Grayshon.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2010

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2010 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)

The agenda made reference to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure rules for an Open Forum Session at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no matters were raised under this item by those members of the public who were in attendance.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

(5 minutes presentation / 5 minutes discussion)

This report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the Area Committee with a summary of their Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2010/11.  As there were no significant changes proposed to the functions agreed by the Executive Board for 2009/10, it was agreed that this approval is to be rolled forward to 2010/11.

Members discussed the role of Community Environmental Officers and Community Environmental Support Officers and further information was requested on enforcement issues and the issue of Fixed Penalty Notices.  Further discussion focussed on street cleansing.

RESOLVED – That the summary of approved Area Functions and designated priority functions for 2010/11 which are appended to this report be noted.

(Councillor Renshaw joined the meeting at 4.10 p.m. during the discussion on this item).

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer.

( 5 minutes presentation / 5 minutes discussion)

The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer outlined the procedures for Council appointments to outside bodies, and the Committee was requested to consider and appoint to those bodies listed at Appendix 2 and referred to in Paragraphs 14-33 of the report.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the following outside body appointments be made:

(2)  That Councillor Judith Elliott be appointed as Corporate Carer.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance)

(presentation 5 minutes / discussion 5 minutes)

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) advised the Area Committee of the impending review of the Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy and public consultation.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Michael Waters, Senior Liaison and Enforcement Officer
• Nicola Raper, Section Head, Entertainments Licensing
• Susan Holden, Principal Project Officer, Licensing and Registration Services.

It was reported that the review of the Council’s Licensing Policy was due and public consultation period would be held between July and October.  The consultation would be publicised in Ones Stop Centres, Libraries, Leisure Centres and other Council buildings.  There would also be press releases to announce the review.  The three main amendments to the review included the introduction of minor variations, the ability to for Community Halls to operate without a Designated Premises Supervisor and the Challenge 25 Age Verification Scheme.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• The decision on a large casino for Leeds.
• The change of classification for bars that have lap dancing to Sex Establishments.
• Amendments to the Social Responsibilities Bill which may affect licensing issues.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

(5 minutes presentation / 5 minutes discussion)

The report of the Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods referred to the £35,000 well being funds previously agreed by the committee to enable the development of an annual programme for out of school activities.  Further information detailed in the reported included a summary of the work achieved by the Children and Young Peoples Working Group; an evaluation of out of school activities; an update on the commissioning of 2010/11 Children and Young People out of school activities and success of the Breeze monitoring.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Work with the Voluntary Sector
• Match funding – Members requested further details
• Concern regarding provision and facilities in Ardsley and Robin Hood
• Concern over impact that could be caused by potential spending cuts
• Youth Service provision in the Area
• Use of other funding streams

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

(5 minutes presentation / 5 minutes discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the annual refresh of the ADP 2008-11 be approved.

(b)  That the intention to use Ward Member meetings to bring forward and track any new local actions that relate to the agreed priorities be noted.

(c)  That the continued connectivity with the community engagement events and the setting of Area Committee priorities outlined in the ADP be noted.

(d)  That the following Members be nominated to act as champions for the specific themes of the ADP:

o  Culture – Councillor J Elliott

o  Enterprise & Economy – Councillor L Mulherin

o  Transport – Councillor T Leadley

o  Environment –

o  Health & Wellbeing – Councillor T Grayshon

o  Thriving Places – Councillor R Finnigan

o  Harmonious Communities – Councillor T Grayshon

(e)  That the continued development of the community charter as the public facing resident friendly version of the ADP be agreed and the Area Committee Chair approve the final draft before printing.

The report of the South East Area Manager presented a refresh of the Area Delivery Plan (ADP) 2008-11 to ensure that priorities and actions met with current local needs.  It explained the context for the plan including its links to the Leeds Strategic Plan and actions planned relating to responsibilities delegated to Area Committee by the Executive Board, both around Council functions and partnership working.  The report presented the Outer South area priorities around which the work of the Area Management Team would be focused in 2010-11 on behalf of the Area Committee. The report also presented an update on the Outer South ‘Community Charter, the ‘resident-friendly’ document of the Area Delivery Plan

Members attention was drawn to the draft Area Delivery Plan and Community Charter, both of which were appended to the report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the annual refresh of the ADP 2008-11 be approved.

(b)  That the intention to use Ward Member meetings to bring forward and track any new local actions that relate to the agreed priorities be noted.

(c)  That the continued connectivity with the community engagement events and the setting of Area Committee priorities outlined in the ADP be noted.

(d)  That the following Members be nominated to act as champions for the specific themes of the ADP:

o  Culture – Councillor J Elliott

o  Enterprise & Economy – Councillor L Mulherin

o  Transport – Councillor T Leadley

o  Environment – Vacancy

o  Health & Wellbeing – Councillor K Renshaw

o  Thriving Places – Councillor R Finnigan

o  Harmonious Communities – Councillor T Grayshon

(e)  That the continued development of the community charter as the public facing resident friendly version of the ADP be agreed and the Area Committee Chair approve the final draft before printing.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

(presentation 5 minutes / discussion 5 minutes)

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods sought feedback on the proposals to introduce Dog Control Orders in the City and inform committees of the consultation process with regards to these proposals.

The Chair welcomed Stacey Campbell, Health and Environmental Action Services, to the meeting.

Members were informed of the different kinds of Dog Control Orders available and those that it was proposed to introduce in Leeds, which included the following:

·  Areas where dogs must be kept on leads at all times;

·  Areas where dog owners could be requested to keep their dogs on leads;

·  Areas where dogs were to be excluded, and

·  Limiting the number of dogs that can be walked by one person at any one time - a limit of 6 was proposed.

Fixed penalty notices would be issues where orders were contravened and prosecution would follow if the fixed penalty notices were not adhered to.

It was reported that the first phase of introducing the orders would include play areas and the second phase would include schools and playing fields.  Members were asked to inform Stacey Campbell of any areas not included in the report.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  Enforcement Issues – who had the powers to enforce and costs of Fixed Penalty Notices – it was reported that staff in Environmental Action Teams would be able to issue Fixed Penalty Notices in addition to current provision and Fixed Penalty Notices would be for £75.

·  The consultation process – it was reported consultation closed on 31 August 2010 and a report would be submitted to Executive Board in the autumn.

·  Publicising of the orders – this would be done via signage and other resources including the Council website.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

(5 minutes presentation / 5 minutes discussion)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlined the work achieved by the Priority Neighbourhood Worker since November 2009; including an update to Members on the Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs), details on the ‘Supported Area’ programme and additional community engagement work.

Members attention was brought to the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan updates detailed in the report and Community Safety Issues.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

(5 minutes presentation / 5 minutes discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the content of the report be noted.

(b)  That the position of the Well being Budget as set out at 3.0 be noted.

(c)  That the actual revenue expenditure for 2009/10 as outlined in Appendix 1 be noted.

(d)  That the revenue allocation for 2010/11 as outlined in 2.2. be noted.

(e)  That the ring fence revenue amounts for 2010/11 as outlined in Appendix 1 be noted.

(f)  That the capital allocation for 2010/11 as outlined in 2.2 be noted.

(g)  That the Well being capital projects already agreed as listed in Appendix 2 be noted.

(h)  That £12,800 capital (£3,200 from each ward pot) towards Outer South Additional Litterbins as detailed in 4.4.1 be agreed.

(i)  That the Small Grants situation as outlined in 5.1 be noted.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided Members with the following:

·  An update on both the revenue and capital elements of the Area Committee’s budget.

·  Details of projects that require approval.

·  A summary of all revenue and capital projects agreed to date.

·  A summary of the revenue allocation for 2010/11 Well being Revenue Budget already approved and linked to the priorities and outcomes identified in the approved Area Delivery Plan (ADP).

·  An update on the Small Grants budget.

The Area Committee was asked to consider the approval of funding for additional litterbins across the South Outer area.  Further discussion included the  additional allocation to each Area Committee from the Area Committee Wellbeing Capital programme and Members queried whether this was the same for each Area Committee regardless of the number of Wards involved.  Area Management staff agreed to investigate this.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the content of the report be noted.

(b)  That the position of the Well being Budget as set out at 3.0 be noted.

(c)  That the actual revenue expenditure for 2009/10 as outlined in Appendix 1 be noted.

(d)  That the revenue allocation for 2010/11 as outlined in 2.2. be noted.

(e)  That the ring fence revenue amounts for 2010/11 as outlined in Appendix 1 be noted.

(f)  That the capital allocation for 2010/11 as outlined in 2.2 be noted.

(g)  That the Well being capital projects already agreed as listed in Appendix 2 be noted.

(h)  That £12,800 capital (£3,200 from each ward pot) towards Outer South Additional Litterbins as detailed in 4.4.1 be agreed.

(i)  That the Small Grants situation as outlined in 5.1 be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

( 5 minutes presentation / 5 minutes discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Terms of Reference and Commmunity Skip criteria for 2010/11 as outlined in 6.1 be confirmed.

(c)  That Morley North be the next ward to have a ginnel location map compiled as outlined in 6.1.

(d)  That £30,000 funding and locations outlined in 6.5 for the Site Based Gardeners Project be confirmed.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods detailed a range of activities taking place within the Outer South Leeds Area and also provided Members with an update on actions and achievement of the Area Management Team relating too priorities and work of the Area Committee since the Area Committee meeting in March 2010.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• Work that was linked to the Aree Delivery Plan
• Ginnel Mapping
• Site Based Gardeners
• Morley Literature Festival – it was reported that the Arts Council would not be contributing this year

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Terms of Reference and Commmunity Skip criteria for 2010/11 as outlined in 6.1 be confirmed.

(c)  That Morley North be the next ward to have a ginnel location map compiled as outlined in 6.1.

(d)  That £30,000 funding and locations outlined in 6.5 for the Site Based Gardeners Project be confirmed.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report noted.

(b)  That Option 3 as described in paragraph 6.2.3 be agreed as the preferred option for the future delivery of Town Centre Management with the amendment to end the current project in September 2010 and a final report to come back to the Area Committee at the September meeting.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided Members with an opportunity to review the Town Centre Management Project and following Member briefings, consider future options for the future delivery of the project.

The Chair welcomed Peter Mudge. Town Centre Management to the meeting.  Peter gave the Area Committee a brief overview of the work carried out by Town Centre Management in Morley and Rothwell over the previous few years and  possible future areas of work.

The Chair thanked Peter for his efforts on behalf of the Area Committee and the Meeting went into private session to discuss the options as outlined in the report.

Members discussed the options available.  It was proposed to take Option 6.2.3 as described in paragraph 6.2.3 of the report with the amendment that the project should end in September 2010 and Members subsequently votein favour of this option.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That Option 3 as detailed in paragraph 6.2.3. be agreed with the amendment that the current project ends in September 2010.

Monday, 6 September 2010 – Rothwell One Stop Centre

Monday, 18 October 2010– to be arranged

Monday, 29 November 2010 – Drighlington Meeting Hall

Monday, 31 January 2011 – Morley Town Hall

Monday, 14 March 2011 – Rothwell One Stop Centre

All meetings to commence at 4.00 p.m.

The meeting concluded at 6.05 p.m.