Agenda 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 Elliott, Leadley and Varley declared a pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 11, Garden Maintenance Service Evaluation 2011-12 due to their positions with Morley Elderly Action.  They left the room while the decision was made on this item.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2012 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 Chair 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 the attached report from West Yorkshire Fire Service

Presentation 10 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes

The report of West Yorkshire Fire Service outlined the proposed changes to West Yorkshire Fire Service, particularly to the Fire Stations of Hunslet & Morley and Garforth & Rothwell wich cover the Outer South area.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting for this item:

• Ian D, Senior Operations Manager
• M Allen, Station Commander, Morley and Rothwell

Members were informed of spending cuts that the Fire Service faced following the Comprehensive Spending Review and the development of an eight year strategy to address this.  A major study had been carried out across West Yorkshire which had considered where to site stations and engines to minimise risk.  Further considerations included the following:

• The introduction of combined aerial response units which reduced the need for two engines at incidents.
• The introduction of smaller vehicles for smaller incidents.
• Ensuring fire engines are stationed at optimum locations for responding to emergencies.
• Locations to site new stations between the current positions of Rothwell & Garforth and Morley & Hunslet.
• Fire Safety Awareness – the 4 strand plan for the area of Prevention, Protection, Response and Resilience.

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

• There had been  a massive drop in the number of fires that the fire service attended to and a reduction in the number of deaths.  Closure of stations would not necessarily mean reduced response times as at the current time it could depend where appliances were located.
• West Yorkshire Fire Service had fitted over a million smoke alarms over the past 5 years.
• Morley was considered to be a low risk area with an average of  a seven and a half minute response time.  The target time for responses was ten minutes.
• Improving response times – roll out of traffic light computers.
• Concern that disadvantaged areas which had a higher risk would be worse off under the new proposals with regard to response times.
• Reductions to back office staffing.
• Shared fire control with South Yorkshire.
• New stations would be cheaper to maintain and be more efficient than existing stations.
• Members agreed that representation needed to be made regarding the proposals.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the Area Committee opposed the closures as outlined by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue

(2)  That the Area Committee makes a commitment to work together to request a reversal of any decision that may be taken by this or any successive government.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Employment and Skills

Presentation 10 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes

The report of the Head of Employment and Skills provided an update on the employment and skills development opportunities for young people and adults at the White Rose facility.

Members were given a summary of services on offer at the White Rose Learning Centre and the following issues were highlighted:

• Partnership working with the Council and Job Centre Plus.
• Opportunities for 16 to 18 year olds – these included apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and work experience.
• Opportunites for adults included a ‘Routeway to Work’ course and a Sector Based Work Academy which helped with developing employment skills.

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

• It was felt that the White Rose Learning Centre was a step in the right direction and it was welcomed that it helped people get a work history and work experience.
• It was requested that there should be a local Ward Member (Morley North) on the steering group.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Presentation 10 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes

The report of the Area Leader outlined a request from the Friends of Drighlington Community Library to waive the standard community rental agreement (CRA) cost for space within Drighlington Meeting Hall and also requested that the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods agree a 100% reduction of £6,860 for the rent and service charges.

It was reported that the Friends of Drighlington Community Library had found over  60 volunteers willing to assist with the running of the library and it was proposed to open the library for 6 days a week.  Members expressed support for what was considered to be an excellent example of community involvement.

RESOLVED – That the rent and service charge for Friends of Drighlington Community Library use of the Library Space within Drighlington  Meeting Hall be reduced to nil for a period of 12 months and that this agreement is backdated to the commencement of the letting and that the arrangement be reviewed annually to determine whether the letting agreement should continue and agree the future arrangements, with a view to reducing the level of discount on a sliding scale.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Area Improvement Manager, South East Leeds

The report of the Area Improvement Manager, South East Leeds provided an update and evaluation of the Garden Maintenance Scheme operated by Morley Elderly Action.  The Outer South Garden Maintenance Scheme had completed the second year of a three year project agreed by the Area Committee.

Members were reminded that the report had been presented to the last meeting of the Area Committee where concerns had been raised with regards to contractors overcharging customers and contacting customers directly.

The Chair welcomed Anne, of Morley Elderly Action to the meeting for this item.

The following issues were discussed:

• With regard to the previous concerns that had been raised, it was reported that Morley Elderly Action should have been informed by the contractor concerned.  Action would be taken should there be a future occurrence.
• Members requested a further breakdown of how the funding for the scheme was split between administration costs and payments to contractors.
• Work carried out on a Ward level across Outer South was discussed.  It was suggested that the scheme be reviewed so that a revised scheme could be considered at the end of the current agreement.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That Morley Elderly Action retain the under spend figure from the Outer South Garden Maintenance Service 2011/12 to support an enhanced service delivery in 2012/13

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes

The report of the Area Leader – South East Leeds presented an update on the key work that was taking place within the Outer South Leeds area.

Aretha Hanson, Area Officer presented the report.

Issues highlighted from the report included the proposed changes to Crime and Grime arrangements and Community First Panel funding.  Ellie Rogers, who had recently taken up the post of Priority Neighbourhood Worker was introduced to Members.

Members discussed youth provision and whilst it was acknowledged there had been an improvement with Youth Service provision in Outer South over the previous few years, it was felt that due to the differing needs across the different wards it would be better if Youth provision was the responsibility of the Area Committee.  This had been discussed at the Area Chair’s Forum.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance)

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) provide Members with the following:

• Confirmation of the 2012/13 revenue allocation.
• The current position of the Well-being budget.
• Details of capital and revenue funding for consideration and approval.
• Details of revenue projects agreed to date.
• Details of capital projects agreed to date.
• A summary of the revenue for 2011/12 and 2012/13 already approved and linked to the priorities and actions in the Area Committee Business Plan.

Aretha Hanson, Area Officer presented the report and informed the Committee.  Members were informed that the funding previously allocated to Newlands Church for CCTV would not be used as the CCTV was already in place and the application could not be made retrospectively.

Members were also asked to consider applications for the following projects:

• Crime & Grime: Feeling Safe in Rothwell
• Cold Calling Control Zones
• Christmas Trees and Lights 2012 – Rothwell and Ardley & Robin Hood

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the position of the Well-being Revenue Budget be noted.

(3)  That the revenue projects already agreed be noted.

(4)  That the capital projects already agreed be noted.

(5)  That the following project proposals be approved:

o  Crime & Grime: Feeling Safe in Rothwell - £1,999.70 (revenue)

o  Cold Calling Control Zones - £1,535.82 (revenue)

o  Christmas Trees and Lights 2012 (Rothwell) - £50 (revenue)

o  Christmas Trees and Lights 2012 (Ardsley & Robin Hood) - £1,842.15 (revenue)

(6)  That the small grants situation be noted.

• Monday, 3 December 2012 – Drighlington Meeting Hall
• Monday, 4 February 2013 – Morley Town Hall
• Monday, 25 March – Rothwell One Stop Centre

• Monday, 3 December 2012 at Drighlington Meeting Hall
• Monday, 4 February 2013 at Morley Town Hall
• Monday, 25 March at Rothwell One Stop Centre

All meetings to commence at 4.00 p.m.