Agenda, decisions and 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.

Councillors Leadley and Dawson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11, Summary of Key Work, due to their positions on Morley Town Centre Management Board.

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.

The Chair took opportunity to pass on thanks to everyone involved with the Morley Literature Festival in particular to Area Management staff and Councillors Gettings and Elliott.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2011

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 September 2011 be confirmed as a correct record

Minute No 17 – Children’s Services Report

Members welcomed the recent Ofsted reports and recognition to improvements in Children’s Services across the City.

Minute No 25 – Summary of Key Work

The first meeting of the Middleton Park Strategic Advisory Group had been held.  Minutes of the meetings would be forwarded to future Area Committee meetings.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Parks and Countryside.

Presentation 5 Minutes / Discussion 10 Minutes

The report of the Head of Parks and Countryside  sought to further develop the relationship between the Parks and Countryside service and the South Outer Area Committee.  It provided an overview of the service and set out some of the challenges faced along with key performance initiatives.  It also sought to provide a positive way forward for delivering the extended role of the Area Committee to ensure that the benefits of the revised roles were secured.

The report set out, at an area level, progress made in attending Leeds Quality Park standards and the investment needed to attain these standards and to retain them.

Members attention was brought to the following issues::

• Outer South had 9 community parks, 21 playgrounds and over 40 sports pitches.
• Parks across Leeds attracted 68 million visits per year, 4.3 million of these being to parks in the Outer South area.
• The contribution of voluntary workers.
• The Parks and Greenspace Strategy.
• Investment required for each park in the Outer South area.

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

• The role of ‘In Bloom’ and ‘Friends of’ Groups and support from Town and Parish Councils.
• Lack of suitable play equipment for older children – it was reported more engagement was needed with older children and opportunities to this with the Youth Service were discussed.
• Use of allotments.
• Provision of cricket pitches – there was only one Council provided cricket pitch in Outer South as there was small demand.  There were private pitches and work was being carried out with the English Cricket Board regarding cricket development.
• The use of Community Payback teams.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

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

Presentation 5 mins / Discussion 5 mins

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the work that has taken place over the last 6 months through the Leedswatch Service to support crime reduction and improve public safety within the committee area be noted.

(2)  That the recent improvements made to increase the technical capacity of the CCTV control room and the additional service responsibilities that sit within the remit of Leedswatch be noted.

(3)  That the priority areas of work for the service highlighted from section 3.14 be noted.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided information on the effectiveness of the Leedswatch CCTV service within the Outer South Area in helping to reduce crime and improve public safety.  It also outlined a range of new service areas that the Leedswatch service was now responsible for and reported on recent improvements to increase the technical capacity within the CCTV control room.

Derek Whitehouse, CCTV Co-ordinator presented the report.  During presentation of the report, the following issues were highlighted:

• Work with West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority – the control room now oversaw transport matters.
• Partnership work with Urban Traffic Control, West Yorkshire Police and Emergency Planning.
• Significant changes to the control room - £1.5 million of improvement had been made
• Additional services that had come under the Leedswatch monitoring.
• The Area Committee funded 8 cameras in Outer South Leeds
• The use of Automatic Number Plate Recognition system.
• Provision of mobile cameras

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

• There was no budget for the installation of new cameras and new cameras cost approximately £25,000 to install.
• Concern regarding the lack of coverage in Ardsley and Robin Hood – arrangements for the deployment of mobile cameras were discussed.
• Opportunities to generate income – various funding avenues were being looked at along with other uses for CCTV that could generate income.
• Improvements to the control room and equipment – this had included switching form analogue to digital services, which provided better quality pictures.

The Chair welcomed Tom Riordan, Chief Executive, who had joined the meeting during the discussion on this item.  Mr Riordan addressed the Committee and highlighted Environment and Community Safety as two of the key issues highlighted when had visited Area Committees and local communities and reference was made to the delegation of some of the Streetscene services.  An offer was made to visit for any specific issues and it was hoped for senior managers out to visit communities more often.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the work that has taken place over the last 6 months through the Leedswatch Service to support crime reduction and improve public safety within the committee area be noted.

(2)  That the recent improvements made to increase the technical capacity of the CCTV control room and the additional service responsibilities that sit within the remit of Leedswatch be noted.

(3)  That the priority areas of work for the service highlighted from section 3.14 be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the South East Area Leader

Presentation 5 mins / Discussion 5 Mins

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the contents of the report be noted.

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

(3)  That the revenue amounts for 2011/12 as outlined in Appendix 1 be noted

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

(5)  That the following project proposals be approved:

·  Springhead Park Access Improvements - £7,000 capital

·  Rothwell Haigh Road Cemetery - £800 capital

·  Smithy Lane Recreation Ground Environmental Improvements - £750 capital

(6)  That the Small Grants situation in 5.1 be noted.

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

·  confirmation of the 2010/11 carry forward figure and 2011/12 revenue allocation

·  an update on both the revenue and capital elements of the Well being budget

·  a summary of revenue spend approved for 2011/12

·  details of revenue and capital funding for consideration and approval

·  details of revenue projects agreed to date details of capital projects agreed to update on the current position of the Small Grants Budget

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the contents of the report be noted.

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

(3)  That the revenue amounts for 2011/12 as outlined in Appendix 1 be noted

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

(5)  That the following project proposals be approved:

·  Springhead Park Access Improvements - £7,000 capital

·  Rothwell Haigh Road Cemetery - £800 capital

·  Smithy Lane Recreation Ground Environmental Improvements - £750 capital

(6)  That the Small Grants situation in 5.1 be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the South East Area Leader

Presentation 5 Mins / Discussion 5 Mins

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Morley Town Centre Management Board constitution be recognised and the transfer of Well being funding, previously paid to Morley Town Council, be transferred directly into the Board’s bank account.

(3)  That the balance in the Participatory Budgeting costcode be transferred into the revenue Well being budget.

The report of the Area Leader, South East Leeds presented a summary of key work that had taken place in the Outer South Leeds Area.

The Chair welcomed Sally Blunt, Leeds City College to the meeting to discuss arrangements following the merger of Joseph Priestly College into the Leeds City College.

The following issues were highlighted:

• The Secretary of State had approved the merger and the former Joseph Priestley College continued to provide for South Leeds.
• All staff had transferred across under TUPE conditions.
• Enrolment had remained consistent and there were additional places for 16 to 18 year olds.
• There would be a review of the curriculum and it would be ensured that local needs would still be met across South Leeds.

• Work with young people not in education, employment and training (NEETs) – this involved working with local schools and the role of Elected Members as School Governors.

Further issues discussed included the following:

• Constitution of the Morley Town Centre Management Board.
• Environmental Services Delegation.
• Conservation Audits.
• Participatory Budgeting

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the Morley Town Centre Management Board constitution be recognised and the transfer of Well being funding, previously paid to Morley Town Council, be transferred directly into the Board’s bank account.

(3)  That the balance in the Participatory Budgeting costcode be transferred into the revenue Well being budget.

Monday, 5^th December at 4.00 p.m.

Monday, 5^th December at 4.00 p.m.  Meeting to be held at Drighlington Meeting Hall.