Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

A revised version of the Area Leader’s report was circulated (Agenda Item 12, Minute No. 94 refers), plus Inspector R Cawkwell circulated the latest crime statistics for the area (Agenda Item 15, Minute No. 97 refers).

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 Wood – Agenda Item 11 (Minute No. 93 refers) – Wellbeing Budget Update Report – personal interest in respect of the following previously approved Small Grant applications:-

·  Drainage improvements to Woodhall Lake (in his capacity as a member of Friends of Woodhall Lake).

·  Rotary Club of Calverley – Folding Tables (in his capacity as a Rotary Club member).

·  Art First and Farsley War Memorial (personal connections).

-  Councillor A Blackburn - Agenda Item 11 (Minute No. 93 refers) – Wellbeing Budget Update Report – personal and prejudicial interest in respect of the applications for parking improvements in Farsley and the Wateringcoates community garden, in her capacity as a Director of Leeds West North West Homes ALMO.

-  Councillor R Lewis - Agenda Item 11 (Minute No. 93 refers) – Wellbeing Budget Update Report – personal interest in respect of the applications for parking improvements in Farsley and the Wateringcoates community garden, in his capacity as a member of the ALMO Outer West Area Panel.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors A Carter and M Coulson and Rev Kingsley Dowling, Co-optee.

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.

Reference was made to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure Rules for an Open Forum session to take place at every ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, whereby members of the public could ask questions or make representations on any matter which fell within the remit of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no such matters were raised.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 28^th January 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th January 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

a)  West Leeds Visitor Centre – Disabled Access (Minute No. 72(b) refers)

The Area Management Officer indicated that Councillor Coulson had been pursuing this matter, and she understood that Parks and Countryside had given an undertaking that the remaining necessary works would be completed shortly.

b)  Wellbeing Budget (Minute No. 76 refers)

The Chair reported that the small Member Working Group, established at the last meeting to consider the funding application from the ‘I Love West Leeds’ Festival organisers, had met earlier in the week.  The Inner West Area Committee, at its meeting held on 16^th February 2011, had agreed to grant to the Festival £25,000 in 2011/12, and the recommendation of the Working Group was that the Outer West Area Committee should grant £18,000.  This was on the basis that the grant was not dependent on the organisers receiving monies from elsewhere, and that this amount was likely to lead to less workshop-type activity in the Outer West area in the run up to the Festival.  The Festival Day in 2011 was likely to be held in Rodley Park, and this was regarded as a good idea.

RESOLVED – That the Committee agrees with the recommendation of the Member Working Group, and a grant of £18,000 be made to the ‘I Love West Leeds’ Festival in 2011/12.

Further to Minute No. 76, 28^th January 2011, the Area Management Officer reported that the ALMO Outer West Area Panel had also agreed to find £1,000 toward the covert crime reduction initiative agreed at the last meeting, and also that the work at Pudsey St Lawrence Cricket Club would be DDA compliant.

c)  Delegation of Environmental Services (Minute No. 81 refers)

Further to Minute No. 81, 28^th January 2011, the Chair indicated that he had now received a copy of the draft Service Level Agreement, which would be the subject of discussion at the planned Members’ Workshop.  He was still not entirely happy with the accuracy of the information and maps being supplied regarding supposed existing service levels, but this was being pursued and could be discussed at the Workshop.

To receive for information purposes the attached minutes of the ALMO Outer West Area Panel meeting held on 8^th December 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the ALMO Outer West Area Panel meeting held on 8^th December 2010 be received and noted.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the ALMO Outer West Area Panel meeting held on 8^th December 2010 be received and noted.

To receive for information purposes the following Community Forum minutes –

Tyersal Community Forum, 29^th September 2010

Pudsey and Swinnow Community Forum, 18^th January 2011

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Tyersal Community Forum meeting held on 29^th September 2010 and the Pudsey and Swinnow Community Forum meeting held on 18^th January 2011 be received and noted.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Tyersal Community Forum meeting held on 29^th September 2010 and the Pudsey and Swinnow Community Forum meeting held on 18^th January 2011 be received and noted.

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

RESOLVED

(a)  That the report be noted, including the capital and revenue wellbeing budget balances and the Small Grants approved since the last meeting.

(b)  That the following decisions be taken in respect of the applications before the Committee today for consideration :-

Revenue 2010/11

(i)  Serious Fun - £5,000 – Approved.

(ii)  Wateringcoates Community Garden - £2,000 – Approved.

(iii)  Anti-Sneak In burglary merchandise - £1,500 – Approved.

Capital 2010/11

Parking improvements, Farsley - £4,000 – Approved.

Revenue 2011/12

(i)  Site based gardeners – Tyersal Park and New Farnley Park - £23,301 – Approved.

(ii)  Farsley Festival - £3,500 – Approved.

(iii)  ‘ I Love West Leeds ‘ Festival – further to Minute No. 76, 28^th January 2011 - £18,000 – Approved.

(c)That approval be given to the balance of the Committee’s capital wellbeing budget 2010/11, £12,851.43, being put towards the costs of refurbishing the toilets at Pudsey Leisure Centre, the facilities to be available for general public use.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Committee on its revenue and capital wellbeing budget balances for 2010/11 and 2011/12, together with details of Small Grants approved since the last meeting and several applications for funding before the Committee today for a decision.

RESOLVED

a)  That the report be noted, including the capital and revenue wellbeing budget balances and the Small Grants approved since the last meeting.

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

Revenue 2010/11

(i)  Serious Fun - £5,000 – Approved.

(ii)  Wateringcoates Community Garden - £2,000 – Approved.

(iii)  Anti-Sneak In burglary merchandise - £1,500 – Approved.

Capital 2010/11

Parking improvements, Farsley - £4,000 – Approved.

Revenue 2011/12

(i)  Site based gardeners – Tyersal Park and New Farnley Park - £23,301 – Approved.

(ii)  Farsley Festival - £3,500 – Approved.

c)  That approval be given to the balance of the Committee’s capital wellbeing budget 2010/11, £12,851.43, being put towards the costs of refurbishing the toilets at Pudsey Leisure Centre, the facilities to be available for general public use.

(NB:  1.  Councillor J Marjoram joined the meeting at 2.35 pm, during consideration of this item.

2.  Councillor A Blackburn declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to the applications for funding for the parking improvements in Farsley and the Wateringcoates community garden project and left the room whilst these applications w ere discussed and decided (see Minute No. 86).

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

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Committee on progress against the Committee’s Area Delivery Plan 2008-11.

·  Paragraph 3.12 – Councillor A Blackburn pointed out that no decision had yet been taken regarding possible library closures in the area.

·  Paragraph 3.24 - Tyersal Park – Stray horses issue – Councillor R Lewis indicated that it was not possible to utilise S106 monies for fencing improvements at Tyersal Park, and Members agreed that it would be inappropriate and unfortunate if any taxpayers’ money had to be spent on this issue, caused entirely by the irresponsible and anti-social activities of horse owners.  Impounding the horses and charging the owners was regarded as the best solution.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Copy attached.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report regarding the proposed dates, times and venues of meetings of the Area Committee during the 2011/12 municipal year.

Councillor Hardy suggested that, in future years, consideration should be given to varying the arrangements to make the meetings even more accessible to the public.

RESOLVED – That the following arrangements be approved for the 2011/12 municipal year, all at 1.00 pm:-

Friday, 8^th July 2011, St John’s Parish Church, Farsley.

Friday, 9^th September 2011, Pudsey Leisure Centre.

Friday, 14^th October 2011, Farnley Hall.

Friday, 16^th December 2011, Safety Central.

Friday, 20^th January 2012, St John’s Parish Church, Farsley.

Friday, 23^rd March 2012, Swinnow Community Centre.

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

Inspector Richard Cawkwell and Gill Hunter, Divisional Community Safety Co-ordinator, presented a report updating the Committee regarding the latest crime statistics and community safety initiatives in the Committee’s area, and responded to Members’ queries.

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 regarding public consultation prior to the proposed introduction of Phase 2 of the Dog Control Orders.

Phase 1 had introduced limitations to the number of dogs which an individual could walk. Following representations from professional dog walkers, and further consideration by the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods), discussions were ongoing regarding this issue, including the possible introduction of a voluntary licensing scheme for dog walkers. In the interim, the current limit of no more than four dogs per walker still applied, with officer discretion to allow up to six dogs, provided that they were being walked responsibly.

Phase 2 dealt with the exclusion of dogs from prescribed areas e.g. sports pitches and children’s play areas, and dogs requiring to be kept on leads whenever owners were so requested by an authorised officer e.g. when being walked on a footpath adjacent to a road or in a cemetery.

In attendance at the meeting, and responding to Members’ queries and comments, was Stacey Campbell, Environmental Services. In brief summary, the main points discussed were :-

·  The aim of Phase 2 was to encourage  more responsible dog ownership, to ban dogs from prescribed areas (which would become known to the public and to a large degree self-enforcing) and to encourage dog owners to clean up after their dogs. There was also a road safety aspect to the dogs on leads on footpaths proposal. Consultation would take place over the summer, and would involve Area Committees, professional dog walkers and canine organisations and the general public. Reports would then be submitted to the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) and the Executive Board in the autumn, with a view to the Orders coming into operation early in 2012. Members’ views were sought on the proposals, particularly in relation to any areas where it was regarded that dog walking should perhaps be banned;

·  Victoria Park, Calverley, was suggested as an area where dogs should be kept on a lead.  Members also regarded it as important that dog walkers were made aware of where they could walk their dogs, as well as where restrictions would apply, and it was suggested that the possible categorisation of parks might help in this respect.

·  It was noted that the Chair had already been designated as the Committee’s ‘Environmental Champion’.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments, the report be received and noted.

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

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report updating the Committee on youth service provision in its area, including the use of the mobile unit.

John Paxton, Head of Integrated Youth Support Service, attended the meeting and responded to Members’ queries and comments.  In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

·  The service had been successful in securing monies from outside the Council to enable it to purchase outright the mobile bus facility.

·  The driver insurance difficulties affecting volunteer drivers was being pursued via the Council’s corporate insurers.

·  The need for improved  communication with Local Members had been accepted by the service.

·  The need for collaborative working between agencies and the voluntary sector had also been recognised.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and noted.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

This being his last meeting prior to his retirement from the Council on 31^st March 2011, on behalf of the Committee, the Chair paid tribute to Mike Earle and thanked him for all his work for the Committee and the Council and wished him a long and happy retirement.

The meeting concluded at 3.55 pm.