Agenda and minutes

The Chair admitted the following late item to the agenda;

·  Welfare Reform Impact on Tenants

There were no declarations of interest

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors B Gettings and L Mulherin.

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 ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

On this occasion, there were no members of the public present.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2013

Matters RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2012 be confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

·  Councillor D Nagle was in attendance at the meeting.

·  Addition to Minute no. 45 – Morley Literature Festival 2012 – Evaluation Report – Although Morley Literature festival room bookings had been dealt with efficiently by LCC Lettings in 2012, there were concerns that errors including double bookings did still happen.

Minute No 37  - Summary of Key Work

It was reported that an outline specification had been drawn up for carrying out the audit of Youth Provision in Outer Sout Leeds.

Minute No 36 – Garden Maintenance Service Evaluation 2011-12

It was reported that further research into similar schemes as had operated in Outer South was still ongoing and a further report with options would be brought to the March meeting.

Minute No 44 – South and Outer East Locality Team Service Level Agreement Performance Update

It was asked that if the Environment Sub Group could investigate the possibility of utilising refuse collection staff for gritting and snow clearance.

Minute No 46 – Priority Neighbourhood Worker Update

It was suggested that Parish and Town Councils could be contacted as part of the Priority Neighbourhood Workers role.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Facilities.

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes – Executive Function

Presenting Officer: Les Reed

The report of the Head of Facilities sought the approval of the Area Committee for a compensatory credit to the value of £2,371.00 to Morley Amateur Operatic Society for loss of income owing to a double booking at Morley Town Hall on 9 February 2013.

Les Reed, Head of Facilities, attended the meeting for this item.

It was reported that when the booking for Morley Amateur Operatic Society was made, a fail safe mechanism in the computer booking system had been de-activated and had not highlighted that facilities were already booked.  Following this there had also been changes to paper based back up systems to prevent a re-occurrence.  Despite efforts to re-locate events, alternative suitable venues could not be found and it had been requested that Morley Amateur Operatic Service be compensated with a credit of £2,371 to be used against future bookings.

RESOLVED – That a credit of £2,371 to Morley Amateur Operatic Society to be used against future lettings at Morley Town Hall to offset the losses incurred be approved.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Adult Social Services

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes – Council Function

Presenting Officers: Julie Bootle and Ann Robertson

The report of the Director of Adult Social Services provided an update on the rollout of integrated neighbourhood health and social care teams.  It described progress to date and future plans for development.

Julie Bootle, Head of Service, Access and Inclusion and Ann Robertson, Leeds Community Health Care attended the meeting and gave a presentation on this item.

Issues highlighted in the presentation included the following:

·  Integrated teams – 12 across the City – co-location of Social Workers and District Nurses.

·  Neighbourhood Networks.

·  Expert Patient Programme.

·  Involvement of NHS Commissioners and Clinical Commissioning Groups.

·  Involvement of Service Users and their families and roles of voluntary and community organisations.

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

·  Risk stratification – the role of GPs in identifying those in need.

·  Cross boundary issues – those who were treated outside Leeds.  It was reported that all information would be fed back in through GP practices.

·  Integrated health and social care teams also covered children as well as adults.

·  Responsibility and accountability issues.

·  Work around hospital discharges and those at risk of admission to hospital.

·  It was suggested that a further update report be brought to the Area Committee in 6 months.

RESOLVED – That the progress in developing integrated health and social care services in Leeds be noted and the direction of travel in developing and delivering improvements in how health and social care services be provided to Leeds residents be endorsed.

To receive and consider the attached rep[ort of the Chief Officer, Parks and Countryside.

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes – Council Function

Presenting Officers: Bob Buckenham and Phil Staniforth

The report of the Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside sought to further develop the relationship between Parks and Countryside service and the Area Committee.  It provided an overview of the service and set out some of the challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives.  It also set out at an area level, progress made in attaining Leeds Quality Park (LQP) standard and investment needed to attain LQP standards and for them to be retained.

Bob Buckenham, Public Rights of Way Manager and Phil Staniforth, Senior Area Manager, Parks and Countryside presented the report.

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

·  Members requested information of spending on Parks in Outer South on a ward by ward basis.

·  The assessment process for the LQP standard.

·  Use of Section 106 funds and introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy.

·  Provision of allotment sites.

·  Role of the Environment Sub-Group.

·  Problems with dog fouling.

·  Site based gardeners.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes – Executive Function

Presenting Officer: Phil Staniforth

The report of the Head of Parks and Countryside advised the Area Committee of the work that had been on going with the site based gardeners over the past 12 months and sought continued support for the scheme through area committee funding.  The report provided costs for the scheme and options to continue the scheme over a 6 month or 12 month period.

Phil Staniforth, Senior Area Manager. Parks and Countryside presented the report.

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

·  Last year the scheme started in May and it was requested that this be earlier – it was reported that should the Area Committee approve the continuation of the scheme then it would do so.

·  In response to a question of why a 12 month scheme would be double that of a 6 month scheme when it covered the winter period, it was reported that a reduced scheme could be put in place over the winter which would cost less.

·  Benefits of having sited based gardeners in relation to prevention of anti-social behaviour and dog fouling.

·  Work with ‘In bloom’ groups and ‘Friends of Parks’ groups.

RESOLVED – That approval be given to a six month scheme at the cost of £35,654.01 to provide 3 gardeners (37 hours per week) for 6 months from 1 April 2013 to 30 September 2013 dedicated to managing a number of parks and green spaces including Woodlesford Park, Drighlington Park, Lewisham Park, Hembrigg Rec, Lowry Road POS and Magpie Lane POS.

To receive and consider the attached joint report of the Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes, Chief Officer (Revenue & Benefits) and South East Area Leader.

The joint report ofChief Executive Aire Valley Homes, Chief Officer (Revenues & Benefits) and South East Area Leader updated the Area Committee on Welfare Reform changes that impact on council tenants and were due to be implemented in April 2013.  It also summarised work that was currently being undertaken to prepare tenants for those changes and for future changes that would impact later in the year.

Steve Carey, Chief Officer (Revenues & Benefits attended the meeting to present the report).

Issues highlighted from the report included the following:

·  Changes to housing benefit and council tax benefit.

·  Replacement of crisis loans and community care grants.

·  Deferral of the benefit cap.

·  Changes to disability allowances.

·  How to support those affected.

·  Under occupied properties.

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

·  Residents in private rented accommodation.

·  Information was being passed on via mailshots and roadshows.  The ALMOs had visited almost all residents and further information would be sent out with Council Tax bills.

·  There would be additional funding from the government for discretionary housing payments which would be used to help those most affected by the changes.

·  Provision of debt advice.

·  Role of the Credit Union – each of the ALMOs had a Credit Union Officer employed.

·  Commissioning exercise to look at under occupancy.

·  Re-designation of property types.

·  It was requested that a further report with localised information be brought back to the Area Committee.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the work done to date by ALMOs and the Council to prepare for the introduction of Welfare Reform changes be noted.

(2)  That the South East Area Leader be invited to develop a bespoke report in relation to current challenges presented for citizens in the Outer South Area Committee Area and current and future activity to address those challenges.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes – Executive Function

Presenting Officers: Tom O’Donovan/Ann Marie Spry/Ellie Rogers

The report of the South East Area Leader presented an update on the key work taking place within the Outer South Leeds are not covered elsewhere on the agenda,

Shaid Mahmood, South East Area Leader; Ellie Rogers, Priority Neighbourhood Worker and Light Addaquay, Area Support Officer presented the report.

The following issues were discussed:

·  Progress had made with the acquisition of the Print Works for Leeds City College and capital renewal funds had been received for the Joseph Priestly Campus in Morley.

·  How to get Small and Medium Enterprises involved with the apprenticeship training.

·  Members were asked to approve the timetable and in principle funding for 2013 Christmas Trees and Lights as outlined in the report.  Costs for the use of ‘live’ trees were also requested.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That  the timetable for Outer South Christmas Trees and Lights 2013 and in principle funding of £12,000 of wellbeing funding for 2013/14 be approved subject to consultation and final agreement with Members.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes

Presenting Officer: Tom O’Donovan

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

·  Confirmation of the 2012/13 revenue allocation.

·  The current position of the Wellbeing Budget.

·  Details of capital and revenue funding for consideration and approval.

·  Detail of revenue projects agreed to date.

·  Detail 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.

Light Addaquay, Area Support Officer presented the report.

Member’s attention was brought to the following applications:

·  Outer South Wedge Locality Enforcement

·  Oulton Rugby Club – Pitch Improvements

·  PCSO Bicycles

·  Site Based Gardeners – this had been agreed earlier in the meeting.

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  Outer South Wedge Locality Enforcement - £2,940 revenue approved (£735 per ward)

o  Oulton Rugby Club Pitch Improvement - £1,600 revenue approved

o  PCSO Bicycles - £1,000 revenue approved.

(6)  That the small grants situation be noted.

Monday, 25 March 2013 at 4.00 p.m. – Rothwell One Stop Centre

Monday, 13 May 2013 at 4.00 p.m. – Morley Town Hall

Monday, 25 March 2013 at 4.00 p.m. – Rothwell One Stop Centre.