Agenda, decisions and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair accepted onto the agenda, as late items of urgent business, the minutes of the West North West Homes Outer West Area Panel meeting held on 10^th February 2010.  This was on the basis that this was the last meeting of the Area Committee in the 2009/10 municipal year, and the next meeting would not be until July 2010.

The Chair also accepted a late application for Wellbeing funding, from the Farsley Community Festival, which was due to take place in July.

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 M Coulson – Agenda Item 10 (Minute No. 96 refers) – Secondary Schools Moving to Trust Status – personal interest in his capacity as a Governor of Crawshaw High School

-  Councillor M Coulson – Agenda Item 14 (Minute No. 99 refers) – Wellbeing Fund Applications – Application on behalf of Pudsey in Bloom – personal and prejudicial interest in his capacity as a member of Pudsey in Bloom.

-  Councillor J Jarosz - Agenda Item 10 (Minute No. 96 refers) – Secondary Schools Moving to Trust Status – personal interest in her capacity as a Governor of Pudsey Grangefield High School

-  Councillor A Blackburn - Agenda Item 14 – (Minute No. 99 refers) - Wellbeing Fund Applications – Application on behalf of West North West Homes ALMO – Stonebridge Lane Improvements – personal and prejudicial interest in her capacity as a Director of West North West Homes Leeds .

Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors A Carter, A Parnham and R Lewis and also Howard Bradley (Co-optee).

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th January 2010 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

In accordance with the provisions of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, reference was made to the Open Forum item which allowed members of the public up to 10 minutes in total to ask questions or to make representations on any matter which fell within the remit of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no such issues were raised.

a)  Proposed Expansion of 6 Primary Schools (Minute No. 77 refers)

Councillor A Blackburn reported that she had still not received details regarding the proposed expansion of Ryecroft Primary School, where she was a Governor.

The Area Management Officer undertook to pursue this matter with Education Leeds.

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

(a)  Farnley and Wortley Community Forum held on 1 March 2010.

(b)  Tyersall Community Forum meeting held on 10 February 2010.

(c )  Pudsey & Swinnow Community Forum meeting held on 9 February   2010

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the following meetings be received and noted:-

a)  Pudsey and Swinnow Community Forum, 9^th February 2010.

b)  Tyresal Community Forum, 10^th February 2010.

c)  ALMO Outer West Area Panel, 10^th February 2010.

d)  Farnley and Wortley Community Forum, 1^st March 2010.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officers for Regeneration and Health and Environmental Action Services 

Further to Minute No. 15, 10^th July 2009, the Committee considered a joint report submitted by the Chief Officer, Regeneration and the Chief Officer, Health and Environmental Action, updating Members regarding the restructuring of the former Neighbourhood Wardens Service and the proposed deployment in the Committee’s area of a new post of Community Environment Support Officer.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the report be received and noted.

b)  That, initially, the new post of Community Environment Support Officer focuses on priority areas within Farnley and Wortley Ward, on the understanding that this post is a flexible resource available to the whole of the Outer West area, and that priorities might change from time to time.

c)  That the Committee receive a further report regarding the possibility of the Committee funding an additional part-time post to work in the Priority Neighbourhoods or to provide a further flexible resource across the Outer West area.

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

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a performance report containing information, performance indicators and statistical information, broken down by Wards, in respect of a raft of issues, such as the outcome of OFSTED inspections, teenage pregnancy rates and young people Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs).

Amanda Jackson, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.  In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

a)  Members regarded the content and format of the report as a good starting point for future regular reporting arrangements.  However, a more detailed breakdown and analysis would be necessary to enable Members to ‘drill down’ beneath the broad statistics to identify ‘cause and effect’ under­lying some of the issues, and possible actions which might mitigate some of the problems.

b)  Examples of the above and requests for further information were quoted as:-

·  Teenage Pregnancy Rates – The information presented was out of date (2004-2006) and based on the old Wards, not the current ones.  It was reported that the 2006-2008 equivalent information had just been received and would be circulated to Members once it had been disaggregated.

·  Annex 3 – Referrals – this information related to one month only – November 2009.  Up to date and more detailed information was necessary to enable Members to gauge what was happening locally, whether early interventions were taking place, etc.

·  Some comparative information was necessary in all categories to enable Members to gauge the potential scale of problems.

·  NEETs – There was a need for a more detailed analysis, e.g. links to Super Output Areas.  Comment was made that there was a link between many of the areas reported on, and Members needed more detailed information in order to understand what was happening in the area.  Reference was made to the extensive work being undertaken by the Council with schools and local partnership agencies to improve NEET statistics.  Updated information to the end of February 2010 was now available and would be circulated separately to Members.

·  Breezecard Requirements – Members would be forwarded further information on this, in particular why it was regarded as necessary for very young children to be registered and issued with a Breezecard when they were taken swimming.

c)  It was confirmed that the previous problems associated with the Connexions database had now been resolved.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments and requests for further information, the report be received and noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Executive, Education Leeds

The Chief Executive, Education Leeds, submitted a report outlining possible proposals by Crawshaw High School and Pudsey Grangefield High School to apply, separately, for Trust School status.

Pat Toner, Strategic Manager, Resources, Education Leeds, attended the meeting, responded to Members’ queries and comments and outlined some of the issues involved.

Councillor Coulson stated that Crawshaw High School was already contemplating going out to consultation on Trust School status, and Pat Toner indicated that he would follow up this information.

RESOLVED – That the current position regarding developments in the Trust School programme in the Outer West area of the City be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report regarding the Committee’s proposed updated Area Delivery Plan 2010/11.

Clare Wiggins, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.  The main points of discussion were:-

·  ‘I Love West Leeds’ Festival – Since its inception, this Festival had received substantial financial backing from both the West Inner and West Outer Area Committees, which would be difficult to sustain on a long term basis.  The Area Management Team was, therefore, liaising with the Festival organisers to try to identify other possible sources of funding.

·  Pudsey Town and District Centre Improvements Scheme – The Area Management Officer undertook to supply Members with further details regarding toilet provision.

·  Swinnow Playground – A plea was made for this scheme to be implemented as soon as possible.

·  Whitehall Surgery – Contraception advice etc, for young people – The Area Management Officer undertook to supply Members with further details regarding the numbers of young people using the service.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments and requests for further information, the draft Area Delivery Plan 2010/11 be approved and submitted to the Executive Board.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

The Acting Area Manager submitted a report updating Members on progress on a range of issues included in the Committee’s Area Delivery Plan 2008-11 and the key achievements of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

The Area Management Officer undertook to raise again the issue of the tidying up of the Bradford City Council owned land which was just within the Leeds City Council boundary on the Leeds/Bradford corridor.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report detailing the amount of Wellbeing monies available to the Committee in 2010/11 and inviting Members to consider several new applications for funding.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the report be received and the amount of revenue and capital Wellbeing Funding available to the Committee be noted.

b)   That the projects set out in Paragraph 5.1 of the report, previously approved in principle only, be confirmed.

c)   That £10,000 be allocated to a Small Grants Fund, £2,500 to a Community Skips Fund and £3,000 be allocated for community consultation and engagement.

d)   That the following decisions be taken in respect of the applications for funding before the Committee today :-

REVENUE

i)  Community Development Worker – Swinnow, Gamble, Heights and Green Thorpe neighbourhoods - £22,088 –  Approved (subject to checking the figure for NI contribution).

ii)  Site based Gardeners – Tyersal Park and New Farnley Park - £23,000 –  Approved.

iii)  Pudsey In Bloom - £4,000 –  Approved.

iv)  West Yorkshire Police – Memo cameras - £1,445 –  Approved.

v)  Youth Service application for £41,000 (capital) declined.  An alternative suggestion for £11,800 (revenue) to cover leasing, insurance, maintenance and repairs of the youth mobile for 12 months was approved in principle.  Final report, including cost breakdown, to be circulated to Members and approval to be resolved through the Chair.  Final decision to be reported to the next meeting.

vi)  Hindu Cultural Society – transport costs - £3,000 – Deferred, pending the receipt of further information.

vii)  Pudsey Town Centre – marketing and events budget - £5,000 – Approved.

viii)  Irish History Month - £500 – Refused.

ix)  Farsley Community Festival - £5,500 – Approved.

CAPITAL

i)  Tyersal Shop Parade – environmental improvements - £11,006 – Deferred for further investigation regarding whether or not the land in question is private property.

ii)  Stonebridge Lane – land improvements - £6,986.17 – Approved.

iii)  West Yorkshire Police – capture house - £4,000 – Approved.

(NB: 

1.  Councillor M Coulson left the meeting during the consideration of the application from Pudsey in Bloom (see Minute No. 88).

2.  Councillor A Blackburn left the meeting during the consideration of the application in respect of Stonebridge Lane Land Improvements (see Minute No. 88)

3.  Councillor F Robinson wished his vote against the decision to defer consideration of the application in respect of the Hindu Cultural Society to be recorded.)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Committee regarding recent community safety issues in the Committee’s area.

Inspector Richard Cawkwell presented some statistical information to Members regarding crime rates in the area and off-road motorcycle incidents between 2006-2009.  He also introduced Inspector Sue Disley, who would be deputising for him for the next 3-4 months whist he was Acting Chief Inspector in another part of the Force.  Inspector Cawkwell also placed on record his thanks and appreciation for the co-operation and hard work of Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(NB:    Councillor M Coulson left the meeting at 16:49, during this item.)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods

RESOLVED – That the provisional list of items for the 9^th July 2010 meeting of the Committee be approved.

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

RESOLVED – That the following dates be approved for meetings of the Area Committee during 2010/11, all to commence at 14:00, proposed venues to be agreed by the Chair, in consultation with the Area Management Officer:-

-  9^th July 2010

-  10^th September 2010

-  15^th October 2010

-  17^th December 2010

-  28^th January 2011

-  25^th March 2011

RESOLVED – That upon his retirement from the Council at the next elections on 6^th May 2010, the Committee places on record its thanks and appreciation for all the hard work performed by Councillor Frank Robinson.

The meeting concluded at 17:02.