Agenda, decisions and minutes

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 Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

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

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

There were no late items submitted to the agenda for consideration.

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.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Carter, Coulson, Lewis and Marjoram.

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 minutes of the meeting held on 14^th October 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th October 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Further to Minute 60, it was agreed that draft versions of the Wellbeing Fund reports would be circulated to all Members of the Committee in order that Members can alert the Chair and/or Deputy Chair of any potential issues relating to their ward.

Further to Minute 59, Councillor Jarosz informed Members that Stephen Walker, the Council’s newly appointed Deputy Director of Safeguarding, Targeted and Specialist Services may be attending a future Area Committee meeting as part of the more localised approach to Children’s care.

Further to Minute 63, Councillor Hardy reported that the Director of Children’s Services was checking whether class size could be increased at schools close to the site of the former South Leeds Sports Centre.

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader seeking approval for the appointment of a new Co-optee, the Rev. Paul Ayers from the Pudsey ward.

(Council Function)

The Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the West North West Area Leader seeking approval for the appointment of a new Co-optee, the Rev. Paul Ayers from the Pudsey ward.

RESOLVED – That the appointment of the Rev. Paul Ayers as Co-optee to the West (Outer) Area Committee be approved.

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader updating Members on the current amount of capital and revenue funding committed and available via the Area Committee Wellbeing Budget for wards in the Outer West area.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the relatively small amount of revenue Wellbeing Budget available for 2011/12 be noted;

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

Revenue 2011/12

 (i) Replacing Damaged Tables - £1,660.16 – Approved.

Revenue 2012/13

(i)  Summer Bands in the Park -  £3,000.00 - Approved

(c)  The approval for the small grant given since the last Area Committee, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report, be noted.

The Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the West North West Area Leader updating Members on the current amount of capital and revenue funding committed and available via the Area Committee Wellbeing Budget for wards in the Outer West area.

The Area Improvement Manager informed Members that if approved, the funding requested by New Farnley Community Association would be drawn from the 2011/12 revenue budget, not the 2012/13 revenue budget as stated in the report.

RESOLVED –

(a)   That the relatively small amount of revenue Wellbeing Budget available for 2011/12 be noted;

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

Revenue 2011/12

(i) Replacing Damaged Tables - £1,660.16 – Approved.

Revenue 2012/13

(i) Summer Bands in the Park - £3,000.00 – Approved.

(c)   The approval for the small grant given since the last Area Committee, as set out in paragraph 3.7 of the report, be noted.

(At the conclusion of this item the meeting was adjourned for 5 minutes from 1.20 – 1.25pm.)

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked Clare Wiggins and Sam Woodhead for the excellent support they had provided to the Area Committee and its Members. The Chair informed Members that both Sam and Clare had been appointed as Area Improvement Managers as part of the restructure of the Area Management Teams, and that Sam would continue to work in the West North West Area, but would not be attending Area Committee meetings, and Clare had now moved to the East North East Area team.

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader informing Members of progress against the Area Management work programme for Outer West Leeds and local contributions to Council priorities.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That the Area Improvement Manager investigate whether it would be feasible for the Area Committee to provide funding towards grit bins; and

(c)  That the Area Leader seek to progress the Area Committee’s request to move trees in order for a nearby CCTV camera to gain visibility to the soft play area in Pudsey Park with the Head of Parks and Countryside.

The Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the West North West Area Leader informing Members of progress against the Area Management work programme for Outer West Leeds and local contributions to Council priorities.

Members particularly discussed the following issues:

·  The damage caused to the ‘ginnel’ by a runaway vehicle, and the difficulty encountered in establishing who is responsible for the boundary wall. The Area Improvement Manager informed Members that a letter would be sent seeking assurance that payment would be received for repairing the wall, and that a copy of this would be sent to the Calverley and Farsley Ward Councillors;

·  The pilot of joined up working between West North West Homes ALMO and Environmental Services, which will take place on the Tongs estate. It was confirmed that the pilot would commence in January, and would be reviewed after four or five months;

·  Concerns regarding the amount of litter on the footpath leading from Priesthorpe School. The Locality Manager informed Members that Green Flag (who operate in the same area) had been served with a fixed penalty notice, and further to Councillor Wood’s request undertook to inform him of the date the notice was sent and the date it expires. He also informed Members that additional litter bins would be placed on the path on a temporary basis, as eighty one bags of rubbish had recently been removed from it. Members were also informed that in the new year, a week of targeted action would be undertaken with PCSOs in this area, following which there would be regular patrols, and that stickers would be placed on the bins to highlight the £75 fixed penalty notice;

·  The resignation of the Chair and Deputy Chair from the Pudsey Business Forum. It was reported that the Pudsey Town Centre Manager is attempting to resolve this issue, however the Business Forum may not continue as a result;

·  Whether the Area Committee could provide funding for grit bins. Due to potential issues in relation to the placing of bins and keeping them stocked, the Area Improvement Manager undertook to look into whether this would be feasible; and

·  The Committee’s request to move trees in order for a nearby CCTV camera to gain visibility to the soft play area in Pudsey Park, which had not progressed due to the concerns of the Parks and Countryside service in relation to the cost of moving trees. It was agreed that the Area Leader would seek to progress this with the Head of Parks and Countryside.

RESOLVED –

(a)   That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)   That the Area Improvement Manager investigate whether it would be feasible for the Area Committee to provide funding towards grit bins; and

(c)   That the Area Leader seek to progress the Area Committee’s request to move trees in order for a nearby CCTV camera to gain visibility to the soft play area in Pudsey Park with the Head of Parks and Countryside.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) presenting the annual community safety report, providing Members with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months. The report also provides details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

(Council Function)

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Inspector Richard Cawkwell presented the annual community safety report, providing Members with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months. The report also provided details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

Further to requests made by Members, the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator undertook to:

·  E-mail the Calverley and Farsley Ward Councillors with an update in relation to the railing project being undertaken near to Red Lane;

·  Look into opportunities for linking CCTV surveillance with that undertaken by West North West Homes ALMO; and

·  Check whether there are still problems with bikes in the area around Lawns Lane, and pass on concerns raised regarding noise in Matalan car park (when it is closed) to the off road bikes team.

The Committee congratulated Inspector Cawkwell on the work undertaken by him and his team during the last year, and the improved crime statistics. Members felt that the media should be informed of the figures, and to that end it was agreed that officers would prepare a letter to be signed by all members of the Area Committee and sent to the local media.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)  That the officers prepare a letter regarding the improved crime statistics to be signed by all members of the Area Committee and sent to the local media.

To consider the report of the Locality Manager (West North West) providing an update on performance against the Service Level Agreement between Outer West Committee and the WNW Environmental Locality Team.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the progress being made by the Locality Team in delivering the Service Level Agreement be noted.

The Locality Manager (West North West) presented a report providing an update on performance against the Service Level Agreement between the West (Outer) Area Committee and the West North West Environmental Locality Team.

Members were supportive of the intention to combine education and enforcement approaches to tackling long standing problems.

In response to a query raised regarding the purchasing of new litter bins, the Locality Manager confirmed that the Environmental Locality Team has six damaged bins, three of which could be refurbished for re-use.

RESOLVED – That the progress being made by the Locality Team in delivering the Service Level Agreement be noted.

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader presenting an update on the work to date to develop and Area Committee Business Plan Action Plan.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That the contents of the Business Plan Action Plan, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be noted;

(c)  That the Area Management Team continue to develop the Business Plan;

(d)  That updates be received at future meetings, and that a four year plan be adopted at the March 2012 meeting that will be subject to an annual refresh; and

(e)  That the Area Leader discuss Members’ concerns regarding the new Area Management Team structure with the Chair of the Committee.

The Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the West North West Area Leader providing an update on the work to date to develop an Area Committee Business Plan Action Plan.

Members raised concerns regarding the new structure of the Area Management Team. It was agreed that the Area Leader would discuss these concerns further with the Chair of the Committee who requested that Councillor Carter and Councillor Coulson also be invited.

RESOLVED –

(a)   That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)   That the contents of the Business Plan Action Plan, as attached at Appendix 1 to the report, be noted;

(c)   That the Area Management Team continue to develop the Business Plan;

(d)   That updates be received at future meetings, and that a four year plan be adopted at the March 2012 meeting that will be subject to an annual refresh; and

(e)   That the Area Leader discuss Members’ concerns regarding the new Area Management Team structure with the Chair of the Committee, Councillor Carter and Councillor Coulson.

(Councillor Jarosz left the meeting at 3.00pm, at the conclusion of this item.)

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an overview of progress to develop more joined-up working arrangements between locality based City Council services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/PCSOs.

(Council Function)

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator presented a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an overview of progress to develop more joined up working arrangements between locality based City Council services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/PCSOs.

Members requested an update in relation to the dog watch initiative, and the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator undertook to provide this at a future meeting of the Area Committee.

*RECOMMENDED  –

(a)  That the progress made to develop more joined up working within localities between LCC services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/PCSOs be noted; and

(b)  That an update on the dog watch initiative be provided at a future Area Committee meeting.

To consider a report of the Markets Service updating Members on current issues and opportunities facing Pudsey market and outlines future proposals to better promote the market.

(Council Function)

The Markets Service submitted a report updating Members on current issues and opportunities facing Pudsey Market and outlining future proposals to better promote the market. As the Markets Manager was unable to attend to present the report and respond to Members’ questions, the Chair agreed to defer consideration of this report.

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 5^th September 2011.

(Council Function)

*RECOMMENDED – That the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 5^th September 2011 be received and noted.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance providing a high level summary of the main elements of the Localism Act that will be of direct relevance to area committees and to provide an opportunity to debate and influence the way the Council implements the legislation.

(Council Function)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report providing a high level summary of the main elements of the Localism Act that will be of direct relevance to area committees and to provide an opportunity to debate and influence the way the Council implements the legislation.

Members were requested to provide any comments regarding this report to the Area Leader and/or Area Improvement Manager.

*RECOMMENDED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) making Area Committees aware of the report on the Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme that received approval at the Executive Board meeting on 12^th October 2011.

(Council Function)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report making Area Committees aware of the report on the Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme that received approval at the Executive Board meeting held on 12^th October 2011.

Members were requested to provide any comments regarding this report to the Area Leader and/or Area Improvement Manager.

*RECOMMENDED – That the contents of the Executive Board report on the Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme be noted.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) outlining the progress being made to create a new Citizens’ Panel of 6000 residents who would be representative of population profiles at Area Committee level. The report also sets out how the new Leeds Citizens’ Panel will be developed and managed, and seeks the Area Committee’s views on the opportunities it presents for supporting local decision making.

(Council Function)

Chris Dickinson, Area Improvement Manager presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) outlining the progress being made to create a new Citizens’ Panel of 6000 residents who would be representative of population profiles at Area Committee level. The report also set out how the new Leeds Citizens’ Panel will be developed and managed, and sought the Area Committee’s views on the opportunities is presents for supporting local decision making.

Members were supportive of the proposals within the report, but highlighted the importance of achieving a representative panel, and ensuring that activists do not have the opportunity to distort the views of the Panel. As only residents aged 18 and over can join the Panel, it was recommended that the Youth Council be used to obtain the views of Leeds’ younger citizens.

*RECOMMENDED –

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b)  That the use of the new Leeds Citizens’ Panel be supported, and that it be used as part of the Committee’s community engagement activities in support of Wellbeing fund priority setting and in the development of the Area Business Plans.

Copy attached.

The Area Improvement Manager informed Members that a Community Safety Update would not be submitted to the Committee in January due to the short timescale between today’s meeting and the January meeting. It was also confirmed that the report on Pudsey Market which had been deferred from today’s agenda would now be received in January.

The Chair requested that the update on Dog Watch be submitted to the January meeting, if possible.

*RECOMMENDED – That the forward plan be noted.

Friday 20^th January 2012 at 1.00pm, Farsley Community Church

Friday 23^rd March 2012 at 1.00pm, Swinnow Community Centre

Friday 18^th May 2012 at 1.00pm, Venue tbc

Friday 20^th January 2012 at 1.00pm, Farsley Community Church

Friday 23^rd March 2012 at 1.00pm, Swinnow Community Centre

Friday 18^th May 2012 at 1.00pm, Venue tbc

The meeting concluded at 3.35pm.

* As the Committee was inquorate during the consideration of this item, the decisions will be ratified at the next meeting, to be held on 20^th January 2012.