Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the September meeting of the West (Inner) Area Committee.

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.

Councillor Taggart declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to Item 6- Open Forum- as Chair of Plans Panel (West)- minute 24 refers.

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.

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 for the Area Committee.

Development at Hayleys Yard

Kirsty Quayle referred to the above issue and outlined her concerns around how the Local Authority assists members of the public when they contact the Council, as well as other issues including monitoring.

Councillor Taggart left the meeting during the open forum.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd June 2011.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd June 2011 be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Taggart rejoined the meeting for consideration of this item.

Councillor McKenna joined the meeting during consideration of this item.

Sergeant Needham, referring to minute 7, informed the Sub-Committee that nine tickets for on street drinking had been issued within the Designated Public Places Order Area on Armley Town Street. There was a discussion regarding the issuing of fines, and how repeat offenders were dealt with.

Councillor Harper joined the meeting during consideration of this item.

Clare Wiggins, North West Area Management, referring to minute 9, informed Members that officers had circulated larger versions of the appendix as requested. Members noted that Area Committee funding for this year had been used up, however Teenage Pregnancy could be considered for funding in the next financial year. Members were informed that they would receive Cluster Partnership Invites.

Clare Wiggins, referring to minute 13, informed Members that Local Leadership Teams were being set up, and that any issues should be passed to Jane Maxwell, North West Area Management. It was intended that Partnerships be set up in 2012.

Clare Wiggins, referring to minute 15, informed Members that the Hayleysfield Allotment toilets were now complete.

Clare Wiggins, referring to minute 16, informed Members that they could attend the  new CCTV system at Middleton, and gave specific dates for this.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) formally notifying Members that the minutes of Area Chairs Forum meetings will be brought to Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item, and to give a brief overview of the Area Chairs Forum meetings.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report on a requirement to submit copies of the Area Chairs Forum  Minutes to Area Committee meetings.

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted

To receive for information purposes the minutes of the following Community Forum meetings:

Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum Meeting – 29^th July 2011

Armley Community Forum Meeting – 19^th July 2011

A copy of the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meeting held on 19^th July 2011, together with the minutes of the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meeting held on 29^th July 2011 were submitted for Members’ information.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meeting held on 19^th July 2011, together with the minutes of the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meeting held on 29^th July 2011 be received and noted.

To receive for information purposes the minutes of the ALMO Inner West Area Panel meeting held on the 13^th June 2011.

A copy of the minutes of the ALMO Inner West Area Panel meeting held on 13^th June 2011 was submitted for Members’ information.

Michael Parker, West North West homes Leeds responded to Members’ queries regarding the presence of Travellers on the Gasfield Site in Armley. There was a discussion around different measures which could be used as possible prevention methods in the future, together with how funding to implement them could be obtained.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the ALMO West Inner Area Panel meeting held on 13^th June 2011 be received and noted

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive providing information on the Area Committee Wellbeing funding that has been allocated in the Inner West area, whilst also detailing the small grant applications received since the last Area Committee meeting.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

-  That the position of the Well-being budget be noted.

-  That the small grant approvals detailed within the report be noted.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report seeking to update Members on the capital and revenue funding committed via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for wards in the Inner West area in financial year 2011/12.

Clare Wiggins, North West Area Management, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• that there had been a nearly even split in allocations between Armley and Bramley & Stanningley
• the possibility of having a Member Workshop to look at Area Committee funding in order to look at the budget and discuss possible projects. It was suggested that this could be held in December 2011, and Members would be informed closer to the time.
• there was a total of £2050 remaining for Small Grants, and it was suggested that a maximum of £250 be allocated to Small Grants in order to make the remaining money last longer

RESOLVED –

a)  That the position of the Well-being budget be noted

b)  That the small grant approvals detailed within the report be noted

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader providing details in respect of the added value of Wellbeing funding for capital projects.  The report also describes how the capital Wellbeing budget in the West North West has been spent, for what purpose and the benefits gained from its expenditure

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the contents of  the report be noted

The West North West Area Leader submitted a report highlighting the major benefits and added value of Capital Well Being Funding in West North West Leeds, and setting out applications made for consideration by the Area Committee.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information / comment of the meeting:-

·  Inner West Expenditure (Appendix 1 refers)

·  West North West Consolidated figures (Appendix 2 refers)

Clare Wiggins, North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• that £472,000 had been spent within Inner West on 51 projects, with a significant amount of other funding being levered in. West North West as a whole had levered £3.2m internal funding and £5.6m external funding. Within Inner West specifically, Area Committee Well-being capital funding had levered in £98,000 internal funding and £3,228,000 from external sources.
• to welcome the report and it’s findings around spending and leverage.
• that there was no further capital budget allocation in 2010/11 or 2011/12

RESOLVED – That the contents of  the report be noted

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive informing Members of the progress made against the Area Management Team’s work programme and locality priorities.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report informing the Area Committee on progress against the Area Management Team’s work programme and locality priorities.

Alison Szustakowski, North West Area management, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• that the Inner West Area Management Team is currently working on a Business Plan for 2011/12-13/14, which is proposed to replace previous Area Delivery Plans. The Business Plan will set out priorities for the next three years. Members are to be invited to a workshop looking at this in October 2011.
• there was a discussion regarding LAMP groups, Members were informed that this would be considered at the West (Inner) Area Committee December meeting.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

Following consideration of this item, Councillor Atkinson left the meeting and Councillor Hanley assumed the Chair.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods present to the Area Committee, for approval, a final version of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) through which the work of the Environmental Locality Team will be steered over for the remainder of the 2011/ 12 municipal year.

(Executive Function)

(Please note that several appendices referred to in the SLA document, due to their size, have been supplied to the Councillors and the co-optees of the Committee in CD format.  Further copies can be requested from the report author)

RESOLVED-

-  That the contents of the report be noted.

-  That the Service Level Agreement be approved

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report presenting to the Area Committee, for approval, a final version of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) through which the work of the West North West Environmental Locality Team would be steered to the end of the current 2011/ 2012 municipal year.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Service Level Agreement of the Delegation of Environmental Services for the information / comment of the  meeting.

Jason Singh, Environmental Locality Manager for West North West presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the need for Armley Town Street to be cleaned daily
• the need for effective monitoring
• that there is a priority email inbox for Councillors to contact the Service which will be checked daily

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That the Service Level Agreement be approved

To consider the report of the North West Divisional Community Safety Partnership providing an opportunity for West Yorkshire Police and Community Safety to inform the Committee on crime trends, partnership initiatives and future joint projects between Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police in West Leeds.

(Council Function)

The North West Divisional Community Safety Partnership submitted a report updating Members on crime trends, partnership initiatives and future joint projects between Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police in West Leeds.

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment and Neighbourhoods gave an update on current issues.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the Burglary Reduction Plan feeds into the citywide Burglary Strategy. There was a 34% reduction in burglaries in Armley since May 2011, with work being done to minimise displacement of burglary into Bramley and Stanningley.
• the importance of target hardening, and ensuring that properties were secure in reducing burglaries. Members were informed that the £2050 Small Grant Money could go back into the main pot to be used for target hardening work if Members wished.
• the need to thank Akbar Khan, West North West Homes for his work in particularly challenging circumstances in recent weeks

RESOLVED –

a)  That the report be noted

b)  That a letter be sent to Akbar Khan to thank him for his work in particularly challenging circumstances in recent weeks

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presenting details of the solar photovoltaic (PV) panel initiative.

(Council Function)

The Director of Environments and Neighbourhoods submitted a report presenting details of the solar photovoltaic panel initiative.

Phillip Charlton, Environment and Neighbourhoods, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the scheme will install solar photovoltaic systems on 5000 Council owned, ALMO managed homes, with 180 having been identified as suitable from within the West (Inner) Area. There have been issues with the method in which homes are connected to the National Grid which have meant that some homes were unsuitable for the scheme.
• the scheme will save tenants money on their electricity bills, and will also generate income for the Council. Tenants are required to give their approval for their home to be included within the scheme.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

To consider the report of the Director of City Development informing of three planning workshops to be held in relation to the production of a new supplementary planning document (SPD) which addresses the growth and management of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) concentrations.

(Council Function)

The Director of City Development submitted a report informing Ward Councillors of three planning workshops to be help in relation to the production of a new supplementary planning document (SPD) addressing the growth and management of houses in multiple occupation (HMO) concentrations.

The creation of a new SPD was in response to the introduction of an Article 4 direction in Leeds which would come into effect on the 10^th February 2012.

Appended to the report was a copy of a map of Article 4 Direction area with Workshop boundaries (Appendix 1 refers).

Robin Coghlan, Team Leader,(Policy), City Development presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

-  the need for Members to inform anyone who may be interested about the North West Workshop on 5^th October at the West Park Centre

-  that security of HMOs such as windows / locks and fire safety was generally a licensing matter, and that it is a criminal offence for an HMO not to be licensed

RESOLVED –  That the contents of the report be noted

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services intending to ensure that Members are fully briefed on the proposals being brought forward in response to rising demand for reception places city wide and are able to comment upon them.

(Council Function)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which intended to ensure Members were fully briefed on the proposals being brought forward in response to rising demand for reception places city wide.

Viv Buckland, Head of Service, School Access Service, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

-  the proposal to expand Bramley St Peter’s Primary school from 315 to 420 pupils from September 2013 is currently in the public consultation phase.

-  Members were informed of the process of consultation and bidding involved in opening a school.

-  the methods used in predicting future demand for school places were discussed

RESOLVED - that the contents of the report be noted

Wednesday, 19^th October 2011 at 5.00 p.m.

(Venue to be confirmed)

Wednesday 19^th October 2011 at 5.00 p.m. at St Barts

(The meeting concluded at 7.15 p.m.)