Agenda and minutes

There were no late items as such.  The Chair allowed an additional application for funding from Rothwell & District Carnival Committee to be considered along with Agenda Item 14, Well Being Budget Report.

In relation to Agenda Item 11, Outer South Garden Maintenance Service, Councillors J Elliott, T Leadley and S Varley brought their membership of Morley Elderly Action to the attention of the Area Committee.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No 59 – Parks and Countryside Annual Report

It was reported that there had been further discussion with the Chief Officer (Parks and Countryside) regarding resources and the role of the Area Committee.

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

Presentation 10 Minutes/Discussion 10 Minutes - Council Function

Presenting Officers: Steve Walker and Martyn Stenton

The report of the Director of Children’s Services provided the Area Committee with an update on Children’s Services developments.  Updates included:

·  Key developments concerning Children’s Services in Leeds, including the development of targeted services and locality provision.

·  Performance against the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP); information was provided at an Area Committee level where possible.

·  Headline school results for the 2011-12 academic year.

Steve Walker, Deputy Director-Safeguarding, Specialist & Targeted Services presented the report.

Issues highlighted from the report included the following:

·  Good progress towards reducing the number of looked after children.

·  Improvement in reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training,

·  Improved school attendance figures.

·  Cluster working – the Committee was given an example of successful cluster working and the different partners involved.

·  Members’ attention was drawn to the tables appended to the report which detailed performance information.

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

·  Improvements in Ofsted ratings for primary schools.

·  Recruitment of young people to participate in the National Citizen Service programme.

·  Concern regarding a fall in attendance levels at Royds and Rodillian Schools.

·  Families First programme.

·  Recruitment of foster carers.

·  Ofsted inspection of children’s homes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes – Council Function

Presenting Officer: Stuart Gosney

The report of the Director of Children’s Services presented the Area Committee with an update on the work undertaken across the city to ensure that the authority meets its statutory duty to ensure sufficiency of school places in the context of an increasing birth rate.  This included formal consultation on six proposals, for which Members’ comments were sought, and an update on four proposals consulted upon in September and October 2012.

Stuart Gosney, Capacity Planning and Sufficiency Lead, Children’s Services presented the report.

Consultation would take place on the following proposals that affected the Outer South area:

·  AllertonBywater Primary School – expand from one to two form entry from September 2014

·  Asquith Primary School – expand from one to two form entry from September 2014.

·  Morley St Francis Catholic Primary School – increase admission number from 22 per year group to 30 from September 2014.

·  East Ardsley Primary School – increase admission number from 45 to 60 per year group from September 2014.

·  Robin Hood Primary School – increase admission number from 45 to 60 per year group from September 2014.

·  Hollybush Primary School – lower the age range from 5 to 11 to 3 to 11.

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

·  Thorpe Primary School – although Thorpe Primary School had a large waiting list, there was currently more demand on East Ardsley and Robin Hood Primary Schools.  This did not rule out the possibility of future expansion at Thorpe Primary and some work had been carried out to assess capacity issues at Thorpe.

·  Concern that expansion of Robin Hood Primary School would have an effect on Rothwell Primary schools.

·  Future concern due to new housing development, particularly in Morley.  It was reported that work would be undertaken with planning and housing developers with a view to investigating the possibility of a new school in a strategic location in Morley.

·  Popularity of schools in the Outer South area and pupils from outside the area wanting to access these schools.

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 5 Minutes

Prsenting Officer: Shaid Mahmood

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) referred to the review of area working which was completed in December 2012.  One of the recommendations was to develop and strengthen the existing local ‘Champion role’ and re-launch this as an Area Lead Role.  The main aims included strengthening links to the Executive Member and Council Services, improve training and support and encourage both formal and informal links to relevant partners.

Shaid Mahmood, South East Area Leader presented the report.

Members attention was brought to the key elements of the Area Lead role as outlined in the report and the list of core area leads that needed to be developed.

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

·  Current champion roles and how they interacted with partners.

·  Role of sub-committees and how the Area Lead role could be linked to sub-committees.

·  How an Area Lead would report back to Area Committees.

·  Neighbourhood planning – could this include strategic planning?

·  How could the Area Lead role focus more on outcomes and meet the localism agenda?

It was reported that Members comments would be fed into further discussion regarding the development of the Area Lead role and the Chair thanked current Champions for their work.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes – Executive Function

Presenting Officer: Aretha Hanson

The report of the Area Leader – South East Leeds, reminded Members of the garden maintenance scheme delivered by Morley Elderly Action.  The previously agreed 3 year scheme had finished in 2011/12 and an evaluation report had been presented to the Area Committee in October 2012.  Subsequent to this, the Area Leader was requested to investigate alternative schemes for comparability and provide the Area Committee with options for consideration for the following financial year.  The report contained details of gardening schemes provided elsewhere along with different service delivery options from Morley Elderly Action.

Aretha Hanson, Area Management Officer presented the report.

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

·  Further to comments on the Swarcliffe Gardening Scheme which was funded by the East Outer Area Committee, it was reported that it had been very difficult to provide comparative information, particularly on value for money, due to the differing nature of the schemes but the report aimed to give a broader view on other schemes.

·  Morley Elderly Action would have a reduced management fee from the previous scheme which would allow more funds to be available to provide for gardening services.

Members’ attention was brought to the options for service delivery as provided by Morley Elderly Action.  A proposal was made to take Option One for a period of three years which would retain the current client subsidy and deliver a total of 4,375 hours gardening.  Six Members voted in favour of this option.  A further proposal was made to take Option Three for one year.  This would provide a free hour to new and existing customers, retain the current client subsidy and deliver a total of 3,062 hours gardening.  Six Members voted in favour of this option, including the Chair with the casting vote.  At this stage of the meeting further information was provided by Morley Elderly Action which included the following:

·  Option three and other options that included free hours or a change in the client subsidy would make it difficult to take on new clients due to the reduced hours of provision and funding would be likely to run out in September.

·  Options that reduced the gardening hours would mean that services would not be available to all that requested them and would result in the introduction of a waiting list.

Further issues discussed included the following:

·  The management fee covered stationery, postage and other running costs.

·  Concern that options which reduced the payments to gardeners would not be feasible.

·  Breakdown of funding allocated would be £11,000 to Morley Elderly Action Staff costs, £4,000 for the management fee and £17,000 thousand for gardening services.  There would be no additional cost than in previous years.

·  3,900 hours of gardening provision had been carried out in the previous year.

Having considered all of the information detailed within the submitted report, together with the further detail that had been provided during the course of the meeting, a proposal was made to take Option One as detailed within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 minutes – Executive function

Presenting Officer: Aretha Hanson

The report of the Area Leader – South East Leeds provided a review of the operation of the St Gabriel’s Community Centre over the last 12 months.  It highlighted the work of the Management Committee, Outer South Community Centre Sub Committee, Area Support Team and partners in supporting the operation of the centre.

Aretha Hanson, Area Officer presented the report.

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

·  Recent decoration and repair work carried out by Members of the community.  It was reported that the centre was looking greatly improved and the Members asked that thanks be recorded to those involved.

·  Concern regarding the number of broken or cracked windows at the centre.

·  Involvement of the Community Centres Sub Group with volunteers.  Disappointment was expressed that the necessary officers did not always attend sub group meetings,

·  Use of the centre for Elections.

·  Funding and insurance.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That a further review be brought to the Area Committee in 12 months.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes – Executive Function

Presenting Officer: Aretha Hanson

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

Aretha Hanson, Area Officer presented the report.

Greg Sallabank, Environment and Neighbourhoods attended the meeting to inform the Area Committee of the new recycling services.  It was reported that letters had been sent out to local residents and that a briefing session for Elected Members would be held in April 2013.

Further issues highlighted from the report included Community Safety and Community First Grants.  Members were reminded that if there were any community groups that could benefit from the community first grants scheme to contact Ellie Rogers, Priority Neighbourhood Worker.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes

Presenting Officer: Aretha Hanson

turneThe report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) presented the Area Committee 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.

·  The position of the small grants budget.

Aretha Hanson, Area Officer presented the report and Members were asked to consider requests for funding for the following projects:

·  Replacement of perimeter fencing on Rein Park, Morley

·  Outer South Christmas Tree Lights for 2013/14

·  Rothwell Celebrations 2013/14

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:

·  Replacement of perimeter fencing on Rein Park, Morley - £5,480 - approved

·  Outer South Christmas Tree Lights for 2013/14 – Morley North & South - £7,205 approved; Rothwell - £12,960 approved, Ardsley & Robin Hood - £2,985 approved

·  Rothwell Celebrations 2013/14 - £5,700 – approved.

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

Presentation 5 Minutes/Discussion 5 Minutes – Council Function

Presenting Officer: Andy Booth

The report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) sought the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

Andy Booth, Governance Services presented the report.

Draft dates were outlined in the report for the 2013/14 Municipal Year.

A suggestion was made that Area Committee meetings should be held more frequently and at a time that may encourage public attendance.

RESOLVED – That the South Outer Area Committee should continue to meet at 4.00 p.m. and on the following dates in the 2013/14 Municipal Year:

Monday, 15 July 2013

Monday, 23 September 2013

Monday, 2 December 2013

Monday, 27 January 2014

Monday, 31 March 2014

To be confirmed

Wednesday, 15 May 2013 at 4.00 p.m.