Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

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

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 at this stage of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor S Smith

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2011

RESOLVED – That the minuets of the meeting held on 31 January 2011, 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

Presentation 5 Minutes / Discussion 5 Minutes

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided information to the Area Committee with regards to the  Council’s proposals to introduce further Dog Control Orders across the City.  Dog Control Orders have been considered in two phases.  Phase One orders came into force on 1 February 2011.

The Chair welcomed Graham Wilson, Head of Environmental Services to the meeting.

It was reported that Dog Control Orders had been introduced to encourage responsible dog ownership and Members were reminded of the orders introduced during phase one.  These limited the numbers of dogs that could be walked by one person, introduced some exclusion areas (children’s playgrounds) and areas where dogs had to be kept on leads when requested to do so.  Phase two would introduce further exclusion areas and areas where dogs were to be kept on leads at all times.

The Committee was informed of the consultation process for Phase Two which would give landowners opportunity to opt in to the exclusion areas.  It was planned for the consultation to go public in July 2011 before referral back to the Scrutiny Board (Environment & Neighbourhoods) for further consideration.

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

• Exclusion on Golf courses – it was reported that this may not be possible due to the requirement for signposting and the area of land covered but other enforcement issues could still be applied.
• Enforcement – concern was expressed that there weren’t enough Dog Wardens across the City to enforce the orders and that other staff should be trained.  It was reported that other staff with enforcement powers would be able to issue fixed penalty notices and it was recognised there needed to be an expansion of enforcement staff.  The use of PCSOs was also discussed.
• The use of Dog Control Orders on private land which had public rights of way – all land that had public access could be subject of a Dog Control Order.  Issues where landowners left dogs in what could be considered to be a threatening position could be in breach of the Dangerous Dogs Act.
• Dog Wardens could operate alone and did not need anyone else to corroborate evidence where fixed penalty issues were noticed or for any breach of Dog Control Orders.
• Cemeteries – the move to ensure dogs be kept on leads in cemeteries was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the report and proposals for Dog Control Orders be noted.

(Councillors Finnigan, Golton and Renshaw joined the meeting during the discussion on this item.  Councillor Finnigan assumed the Chair at the end of the item).

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Children’s Services

Presentation 5 Minutes / Discussion 5 Minutes

The report of the Director of Children’s Services supported local member engagement with the work of Children’s Services by providing the Area Committee with an update against key data relating to education for the academic year 2009/10 and November 2010 and NEET and Not Known data.  It 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 2011-15.

Shaid Mahmood, South East Area Leader presented this item to the Committee.

Members attention was brought to the appendices to the report which included data on the following issues:

• Ofsted Inspection reports on schools
• Level 4 attainment at Key Stage Level 2
• Information relating to proportion of pupils achieving 5 grade A*-C or equivalent in GCSEs.
• Attendance and Absence records
• Exclusions
• Those not in education, employment or training (NEETs) and others whose information was not known.

Other issues referred to include inspections across Children’s Services including those on the Adoption Service and the Youth Offending Service and the outcomes of the Children’s and Young People’s Plan.

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

• The use of free schools meal data for providing information.
• Each school had its own individual targets to meet.
• Concern regarding the numbers of children leaving primary school who could not read.
• Members requested information on a ward basis.  It was suggested that this could be provided at Ward Member briefings.
• Members welcomed areas of good progress including looked after children and improvements in attainment.
• The need to tackles issues such as absence and poor attainment as these eventually led to NEETs.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the report be noted

b)  That ward information be supplied to Members at Ward briefings.

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 provided a review of the operation of St Gabriel’s Community Centre over the last 12 months.  It highlighted the work of the Management Committee, Area Management and partners in supporting the operation of the Centre.

Tom O’Donovan, South East Area Management presented the report.

The Committee was reminded of the review period for St Gabriel’s Community Centre, youth service provision at the centre and support given by Area Management.  Attention was brought to current financial position and the protocols developed for the management of the centre.

The following issues were discussed:

• Difficulties in contacting Corporate Property Management with regard to repairs.
• A suggestion that it could be transferred to a community group or ‘Friends of’ group to be managed independently.
• Difficulty in arranging lettings.
• Prohibitive costs for letting the centre and a need to review the charging policy.
• Caretaking arrangements.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and a further report be brought to the Area Committee in March 2012.

(Councillor Renshaw declared a personal interest in this item due to her position on the St Gabriel’s Community Centre Management Committee)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Recreation Officer

Presentation 5 Minutes / Discussion 5 Minutes

The report of the Chief Recreation Officer provided the Area Committee with a review of the site based gardeners scheme that was currently funded by the Area Committee Wellbeing fund.  This funding was due to cease on 31 March 2011.  It also outlined options available to the Area Committee for the continuation of the service.

The Chair welcomed Victoria Nunns, to the meeting.

There were two options for continuation of the service detailed in the report.  The first option would be for 12 months at a cost of £69,903 and the second would be for 6 months at a cost of £34,951.

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

• Use of Probation Service Community Payback Teams – these had been used where possible and more assistance would be welcomed but they could not carry out some of the more specialised work.
• Security provided by the presence of site based gardeners.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the report be noted.

b)  That the decision on the options to continue the service be deferred to the Wellbeing Fund item.

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 introduced the evaluation report of the Priority Neighbourhood Worker project and the 2008-11 Neighbourhood Improvement Plan programme as part of the Wellbeing funding monitoring process.  Members were requested to consider the future of the programme.

Tom O’Donovan, South East Area Management presented the report and introduced Judith Hickman, Health For All and Nicky Greening to the meeting.

The Committee was informed of the work of the Priority Neighbourhood Worker that had taken place with groups and individuals and the leadership role within communities.  The progress of the Neighbourhood Improvement Plans was highlighted and members were reminded of the previous evaluation and the key community engagement role involved.

Members welcomed the report and the work to date and supported the continuation.

RESOLVED –

  a)  That the report be noted.

  b)  That the future work as outlined in 4.0 be agreed as an Area   Committee priority.

  c)  That the PNW project be extended for a further 2 years from 1 April   2011 to 31 March 2013, subject to annual Executive Board   approval of future Wellbeing Budgets

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 provided the Area Committee with the following:

• Confirmation of the 2011/12 revenue allocation
• The current position on the wellbeing budget
• Details of revenue and capital funding for consideration and approval
• Details of revenue agreed to date
• Details of capital projects agreed to date
• A summary of the revenue allocation for 2010/11 already approved and linked to the priorities and outcomes of the Area Delivery Plan
• A summary of projected and possible revenue allocations for 2011/12

Tom O’Donovan presented the report and gave the Committee further details on the project applications.

RESOLVED –

a) That the report be noted.

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

c) That the revenue amounts for 2010/11 as outlined in Appendix 1 be noted.

d) That the Wellbeing capital projects already agreed as listed in Appendix 2 be noted.

e) That the 2011/12 revenue Well being budget as allocations as detailed in 3.2 be agreed including £34,591.50 for site based gardeners.

f) That the following project proposals be approved:

·  Off Road Bikes - £2,964 (revenue)

·  Mother’s Pride Tea Time Club - £3,750 (revenue)

·  My Woodkirk - £20,000 (capital)

·  East Ardsley Recreation Ground Footpath Improvements - £5,000 (capital)

·  Proposed Zebra Crossing (Leadwell Lane/Westfield Road) - £20,000 (capital)

·  Gildersome Guiding Centenary - £2,000 (capital)

·  Improved Access Arrangements, East and West Ardsley Allotment Gardens - £3,000 (capital)

  g) That the small grants situation in 5.1 be noted.

(Councillors Elliott and Varley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item due to their positions with Morley Murals (application for funding from My Woodkirk) and left the meeting during the discussion and decision making on this application)

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 detailed a range of activities that had taken place in the Outer South Leeds Area and provided Members with an update on actions and achievements of the Area Management Team relating to priorities and work of the Area Committee since the Area Committee meeting in January 2011.

Tom O’Donovan presented the report and brought Members attention to the Community Centres Sub Committee, the Oulton and Woodlesford Design Statement and South Leeds Youth Hub.  Members were requested to consider a funding request in respect of the Oulton and Woodlesford Design Statement.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

RESOLVED – That meetings be held on the following dates in the 2011/12 Municipal Year:

·  4 July 2011

·  5 September 2011

·  17 October 2011

·  5 December 2011

·  13 February 2012

·  26 March 2012

All meetings to start at 4.00 p.m.  Venues to be confirmed.