Agenda, decisions and minutes

 Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillor A Carter, Councillor F Robinson, Councillor M Coulson, Liz Navin- Jones (Co-optee),  Howard Bradley (Co-optee) and Amanda Jackson, Locality Enabler – West Leeds.

The Chair also announced that Councillor A Blackburn would be arriving late to the meeting.

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

The following declarations of interest were made:

Councillor R Lewis declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11 – Leeds Housing Strategy (Minute 85  refers), in his capacity as a member of the Affordable Housing Strategic Partnership Board and a West Outer Area Panel Member on West North West Leeds Homes.  He also declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 14  – Outer West Area Committee Well-Being Budget – Update (Minute 87 refers) as a member of the West Yorkshire Police Authority (Two application for funding were submitted by the West Yorkshire Police Appendices 5 & 6 refer).

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.

The Chair gave notice that in accordance with the Area Committee Procedure Rules, there was provision for an Open Form session of up to 10 minutes at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee in order to allow members of the public an opportunity to ask questions or to make representations on any matter which fell within the remit of the Area Committee.

Mr Terry Dean addressed the Area Committee in his capacity as a representative from the Pudsey Civic Society and Chair of their Environmental Committee.  Mr Dean and his deputy Chair, Mr Barry Brown, an ex architect, want to be proactive about the future of the area and asked the Area Committee if they could be involved when the Area Committee looked at the future of Pudsey.

Steve Crocker, West North West Area Manager welcomed Mr Dean’s involvement and suggested ways that he could be involved.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on

6^th February 2009 and to consider any matters arising from the minutes.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th February 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute 70 – Environmental Services and Streetscene – Enhanced Roles for Area Committees

Members requested clarification on when the Environmental Sub-Committee  - Streetscene/Environmental Action Teams (EATs) - (Task Group) meetings were to be set up and if these meetings could be programmed for Member involvement.

To note the minutes of  West North West Homes Leeds – Outer West Area Panel meeting held on 10^th December 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the West North West Homes Outer Area Panel meeting held on 10^th December 2008, be received and noted.

To receive and consider the following minutes for the (Outer) West Community Forum meeting:

(a)  Farnley and Wortley Community Forum held on 19^th February 2009.

(b)  Tyersall Community Forum meeting held on 23^rd February 2009.

(c )  Pudsey & Swinnow Community Forum meeting held on 24^th February   2009.

RESOLVED – That the following minutes of the Community Forums be received and noted:

·  Farnley and Wortley Community Forum -  19^th February 2009

·  Tyersall Community Forum – 23^rd February 2009

·  Pudsey & Swinnow Community Forum – 24^th February 2009

RESOLVED – That the following minutes of the Community Forums be received and noted:

·  Farnley and Wortley Community Forum -  19^th February 2009

·  Tyersall Community Forum – 23^rd February 2009

·  Pudsey & Swinnow Community Forum – 24^th February 2009

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, and to receive an update from NPT Inspector Tom Horner, West Yorkshire Police, regarding Community Safety issues within the Outer West Leeds area over the past eight weeks.  

 Inspector Horner introduced the report and announced his departure as NPT Inspector for the Pudsey Neighbourhood Police Team for the West Outer  area and introduced Detective Inspector Simon Atkinson who presented a DVD on the use of ‘capture houses’ and ‘capture cars’ within the division for Members information. 

Both Detective Inspector Atkinson and Inspector Tom Horner responded to questions regarding, how many hits could be made on one property;  what was the cost effectiveness of both ‘capture houses’ and ‘capture cars’ and, whether there had been any cases where Solicitors claimed entrapment in defence of their clients?

In response, Inspector Horner informed the meeting that there can only be one hit per property, that the equipment costs around £2,500, although since introducing this equipment there had been a high success rate in retrieving stolen goods within hours of catching the thief and, as a result, all the cases so far presented at court by the Solicitors working for the Police Authority had resulted in the thief being convicted. 

The Inspector thanked the Area Committee for funding the Police initiative during the Christmas period which had been a great success.  There had been a substantial increase in burglaries and thefts from cars  in the Pudsey, Calverley and Farsley areas in recent months and the extra funding had helped the Police in making the operation successful in capturing culprits who had committed these crimes. 

The Inspector also gave an update on the recent closure of the Black Bull public house in Pudsey area as a result of partnership working with Licensing and other agencies.  Members informed the Inspector that the lights inside these premises were on during the evening, which might suggest that the landlord could be serving alcohol and holding parties for some of his regulars.  The Inspector informed the meeting that he would investigate this matter further and update Ward Members in due course.

Inspector Horner thanked Members for their kind words at the beginning of the meeting and announced that since arriving over two and a half years ago, he had thoroughly enjoyed his time working with this Area Committee, Ward Members, Area Management Officers and agency partners and went on to thank everyone for all their support.  At this point the Inspector introduced his replacement Inspector Richard Caukwell who addressed the meeting with a short introduction and congratulated Inspector Horner for the good service he had provided for the West Outer area and went on to assure the meeting that he would continue to provide a good service.

Both the Chair and Councillor R Lewis welcomed Inspector Caukwell and advised him to keep in touch with Ward Members on issues relating to their Ward.  Both Members also spoke about the good relationship Ward Members had with Inspector Horner and wished him well in his future endeavours.

The Inspector also gave an update on the following issues:

·  Vehicle crime problems in the Pudsey area and arrangements being made to hold another Operation Champion in the Pudsey area.

·  The attendance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To consider a report by the Executive Project Manager, Head of Performance & Communications (Environmental Services) describing the current status of the Residual Waste Project in order to update ~Area Committee Members about the project and to consult with Area Committees on the proposed communication and community engagement strategy for Residual Waste Treatment PFI project.

The Board considered a report by the Executive Project Manager, Head of Performance and Communications (Environmental Services) describing the current status of the Residual Waste Project in order to update Members about the project and to consult with the Area Committees on the proposed communication and community engagement strategy for Residual Waste Treatment PFI project.

Andrew Lingham, Senior Project Manager (Waste Strategy) presented the report and gave an overview of the bids received, the future timetable and  communication and community engagement planning.  Members were also informed that there would be further formal consultation process during the planning application stage.

In brief, specific reference was made on the following issues:

·  Clarification that the Kirkstall Road site would only be used as a transfer station.

·  The need to ensure that any new technology used on waste sites does not emit strong odours and that measures are put in place to minimise the impact of waste management.

·  Clarification on why Leeds only recycles certain elements of waste compared to other cities.

The Chair thanked the officer for his attendance.

RESOLVED - 

(a)  That the current status of the Residual Waste PFI project and the bids   recently received be noted.

(b)  That Members give their feedback on the proposals for communication   and community engagement for Residual Waste Treatment Project at   their two way Ward Member meetings with Officers.

To note a report submitted by the Housing Strategy and Commissioning Section giving Area Committee Members an overview of the emerging Leeds Housing Strategy and links to the Outer West area.

The Housing Strategy and Commissioning Section submitted a report to give Area Committee Members an overview of the emerging Leeds Housing Strategy and links to the Outer West Leeds area.

In brief, the main issues discussed were:

·  The need to ensure that private landlords are encouraged to bring their properties up to a decent standard, without any financial help from the Council, before being able to rent out their properties.

·  The need to ensure that tenants are not over housed larger properties especially specially adapted properties for the disabled. 

·  The need to help the public understand the implications of becoming a home owner, especially during the present financial climate.

RESOLVED - 

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That any further feedback on the above item should be referred to the West North West Area Manager.

To note a report submitted by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods informing Members of progress on a number of projects in Outer West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2008-2011, which is in turn governed by the Area Committees functions and roles as agreed by the Executive Board in July 2008.

RESOLVED -  That the report be received and noted.

The Area Committee received a detailed report by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to inform Members of progress on a number of projects in Outer West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2008/2011, which in turn, is governed by the Area Committee’s functions and roles as agreed by the Executive Board at its meeting in July 2008. 

Clare Wiggins, West Outer Area Management gave an indepth update on the report and, together with Steve Crocker, West North West Area Manager, responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The main areas discussed were:

·  the significant progress of the work undertaken under the West Leeds Country Park and Green Gateways project.

·  the potential for environmental improvements around the businesses at Stanningley Bottoms.

·  Members were given a progress report on the number of area based regeneration schemes undertaken in the Outer West area.  It was noted that an update report will be submitted to the next meeting relating to CCTV cameras in the West Outer area.

·  the extensive work being undertaken by the newly appointed Town and District Centre Manager and the success of the first Business Forum meeting.  Members were delighted that the large unit once occupied by Woolworths had now been occupied by B & M ?

·  Pudsey in Bloom - It was reported that more shops were becoming interested in obtaining flower displays outside their business premises.

RESOLVED -  That the report be received and noted.

Note:   Councillor A Blackburn declared a personal interest in above item in   her capacity as a Director of Groundwork Leeds.

To consider a report by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to update Members on the current amount of capital and revenue funding committee and available via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for Wards in the Outer West area.  The report also seeks approval for new projects commissioned by the Area Management Team.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be received and noted.

(b)  That the following decisions be taken in respect of the applications for   funding from the:

  Revenue Budget for 2009/2010

(a)  Armley Helping Hands (Year 2) – Approved £7,823

(b)  Farsley Community Festival – Approved £5,500

(c)  Conservation Area Review – Farsley & Woodhall Hills – Approved £10,000

(d)  Fuel Savers thermal over flight – Approved £3,000

(e)  West Yorkshire Police – Off Road Bikes – Approved £1,497

(f)  Green Check Project – Approved £2,500

(g)  In Bloom Schemes for Calverley, Farsley and Pudsey – Approved £10,000 

(h)  Site based gardeners – Tyersal Park & New Farnley Park –

Approved £18,884

(i)  Senior Warden – Approved £6,359

(j)  Town Centre Manager for Armley & Pudsey – Approved £20,000

(k)  CCTV (3 original cameras in Pudsey) – Approved £4,867

(l)  CCTV (Pudsey Park) – Approved £3,377

(m)  CCTV (Pudsey Lidget car park) – Approved  £2,909

(n)  CCTV (Farsley) -  Approved £15,526

(o)  CCTV (Butterbowl Drive) – Approved £6,297

(p)   ‘I Love West Leeds’ Festival – Approved £24,000

Capital Budget for 2009/2010

(a)  West Yorkshire Police/Thermal Cameras – Approved £4,500 

(b)  Victoria Park, Calverley – 4 new benches – Approved £2,600

(c)  Participatory Budget for Swinnow – Approved £20,000

(b)  That all West Inner Area Committee Members be encouraged to submit suggestions for capital schemes within each Ward up to the value of £15,000 to Area Management for processing and submission for Area Committee approval.

(c)  That the list of Small Grants made since the last meeting as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report, be noted.

(d)  That approval be given for £9,500 out of the 2009/2010 budget for small grants, skips and communications as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the submitted report.

(e)  That the budget pressures set out in paragraph 5.1 of the submitted report be noted.

(f)  To note that an update report on CCTV for the West Outer area shall be submitted to the July 2009 Area Committee meeting.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating Members on the latest position regarding the revenue and capital Wellbeing Budgets for Wards in the Outer West area for 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 municipal year, Small Grants made under delegated powers since the last meeting of the Committee, and containing details of 11 applications for funding and ratification of eight commissioned projected previously agreed in principle, for consideration at today’s meeting.

Clare Wiggins presented the report and, together with Steve Crocker responded to various questions and comments.

The Area Manager explained that under the new agreement currently being established with Community Safety, it would be intended that the Area Committee would only have to fund half the cost of the CCTV cameras.  The implications under this new agreement would mean the cost would be as follows:

·  CCTV (3 original cameras in Pudsey) – Approved £2,433

·  CCTV (Pudsey Park) – Approved £1,688

·  CCTV (Pudsey Light car park) – Approved  £1,455

·  CCTV (Farsley) -  Approved £7,763

·  CCTV (Butterbowl Drive) – Approved £3,148

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be received and noted.

(b)  That the following decisions be taken in respect of the applications for   funding from the:

  Revenue Budget for 2009/2010

(a)  Armley Helping Hands (Year 2) – Approved £7,823

(b)  Farsley Community Festival – Approved £5,500 Conservation Area Review – Farsley & Woodhall Hills – Approved £10,000

(c)  Fuel Savers thermal over flight – Approved £3,000

(d)  West Yorkshire Police – Off Road Bikes - £1,497

(e)  Green Check Project – Approved £6,250

(f)  In Bloom Schemes for Calverley, Farsley and Pudsey – Approved £10,000 

(g)  Site based gardeners – Tyersal Park & New Farnley Park –

Approved £18,884

(h)  Senior Warden – Approved £6,359

(i)  Town Centre Manager for Armley & Pudsey – Approved £20,000

(j)  CCTV (3 original cameras in Pudsey) – Approved £4,867

(k)  CCTV (Pudsey Park) – Approved £3,377

(l)  CCTV (Pudsey Light car park) – Approved  £2,909

(m)  CCTV (Farsley) -  Approved £15,526

(n)  CCTV (Butterbowl Drive) – Approved £6,297

(o)   ‘I Love West Leeds’ Festival – Approved £24,000

Capital Budget for 2009/2010

(a)  West Yorkshire Police/Thermal Cameras – Approved £4,500 

(b)  Victoria Park, Calverley – 4 new benches – Approved £2,600

(c)  Participatory Budget for Swinnow – Approved £20,000

(b)  That all West Inner Area Committee Members be encouraged to submit suggestions for capital schemes within each Ward up to the value of £15,000 to Area Management for processing and submission for Area Committee approval.

(c)  That the list of Small Grants made since the last meeting as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report, be noted.

(d)  That approval be given for £9,500 out of the 2009/2010 budget for small grants, skips and communications as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the submitted report.

(e)  That the budget pressures set out in paragraph 5.1 of the submitted report be noted.

(f)  To note that an update report on CCTV for the West Outer area shall be submitted to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

To note the report submitted by the West North West Leeds Area Manager informing Members of the progress to date for the first year of the 2008-2011 Area Delivery Plan (ADP) and to note the progress outlined in Appendix 1.

RESOLVED - 

(a)  That the progress made for the first year of the Area Delivery Plan   2008/2011, as outlined in Appendix 1 attached to the submitted report,   be noted.

(b)  That Members be given an update on any proceeds accrued from    Advertising on Lamp Posts in their Ward.  

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report and appendices updating Members of the Area Committee on progress to date for the first year of the Area Delivery Plan (ADP) 2008/2011.

Clare Wiggins, West Outer Area Management Officer gave an extensive update on the progress with the Area Delivery Plan.  Members were delighted with the layout of the performance update and congratulated Officers on the

work already achieved for the West Outer area.

RESOLVED -  That the progress made for the first year of the Area Delivery Plan 2008/2011, as outlined in Appendix 1 attached to the submitted report, be noted.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report to request Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates and times of their meeting for the 2009/2010 municipal year which commences in May 2009.

Consideration was given to a report by the Chief Democratic Services Officer

asking Members to agree the dates, times and possible venues for their 2009/2010 Area Committee meeting which commence in May 2009.

The Area Manager informed the meeting that it was intended to hold a themed partnership event relating to Health prior to the next Area Committee meeting.  It was suggested that arrangements be made for the 10^th July 2009 meeting be held at the Tyersal Working Mens’ Club.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the following dates and times of West Outer Area Committee   meetings for 2009/2010 be approved, venues to be confirmed at a later   date following discussions between the Chair and Area Management   Officers:-

  Friday, 10th July 2009

  Friday, 11^th September 2009

  Friday, 16^th October 2009

  Friday, 18^th December 2009

  Friday, 29^th January 2010

  Friday, 26^th March 2010

  (All meetings to be scheduled to commence at 2.00 p.m.)

 RESOLVED -  That the draft forward plan of proposed items for the next meeting be noted.

The meeting concluded at 4.50 p.m.