Agenda, decisions and minutes

In Councillor D Blackburn’s absence, Councillor Jarosz took the Chair.

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.)

The Chair agreed to admit one late item to the agenda, entitled ‘Area Chairs Forum Minutes’ (Minute 104 refers). The minutes were approved on 13^th January 2012 and therefore were not available at the time of the agenda dispatch.

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 Councillor D Blackburn.

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 16^th December 2011, and to formally ratify Minute numbers 81 – 87, as the Committee was inquorate during the consideration of these items.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th December 2011 be confirmed as a correct record, and that the decisions taken at Minutes 81-87 be formally ratified.

Further to Minute 73, the Area Improvement Manager reported that draft versions of the Wellbeing reports were now being circulated to all Members prior to the publication of the agenda.

Further to Minute 77, the Area Improvement Manager confirmed that a copy of the letter regarding the damaged wall had been sent to the Calverley and Farsley ward members, and that she was in discussion with Legal officers regarding a set time limit to be made on offer of loan by the Council to the wall owner, in order for repairs to be carried out to the wall within a reasonable timescale. The Area Improvement Manager also undertook to remind Jason Singh, Locality Manager to provide Councillor Wood with details of the enforcement notice served to Green Flag. In relation to grit bins, Members were informed that bins could be purchased at a cost of £292.00, however additional funding would be required for grit, and the Area Committee would also be required to appoint a ‘grit bin champion’ to ensure that they were stocked. It was agreed that this issue should be reviewed again and brought back to the Committee for further consideration in the Summer.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services providing details of work being undertaken in Leeds to improve the effectiveness of health and social care services. The report describes the approach of using demonstrator sites to test out and develop aspects of the model of service.

(Council Function)

John Lennon, Chief Officer – Access and Inclusion presented a report of the Director of Adult Social Services providing Members with detail of work being undertaken in Leeds to improve the effectiveness of health and social care services. The report also described the approach of using demonstrator sites to test out and develop aspects of the model of service.

Paul Morrin, Director of Integration at Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust was also in attendance to present the report and respond to Members’ questions.

Members welcomed the proposals outlined in the report. In response to the queries raised, Members were informed that:

·  The NHS and the Council could work together on preventative services, for example gritting roads and pavements. Members felt that this would be worthwhile, particularly in areas with sheltered housing. The Area Improvement Manager undertook to discuss this further with Tim Taylor, Health Improvement Manager;

·  There were no plans to re-locate GPs, and services would be arranged around current GPs surgeries;

·  The three demonstrator sites were chosen as they are diverse, and will therefore show whether the new model of service is likely to work in all parts of Leeds;

·  A workforce development analysis is being undertaken to assess the competencies that will be required of staff working under the new model; and

·  The workforce planning model and Joint Strategic Needs Assessment would help to ensure that resources are distributed fairly.

Members recognised that residential care isn’t always the best solution, but also highlighted the importance of not pressurising individuals to be treated at home if more suitable options were available.

Members requested further information in relation to the cost of injuries caused by ice this Winter, and a list of the twelve neighbourhoods used by the NHS. Paul Morrin undertook to provide this information to the Committee members.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That regular updates be requested on the progress of the demonstrator sites over the next 12 months.

(Councillor Carter arrived at 1.30pm, during the consideration of this item.)

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader seeking to update Members on the current amount of funding committed and available via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for wards in the Outer West area.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the amount of revenue Well-Being 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)  Farsley Farfield CCTV - £15,000.00 (towards capital costs) – Approved;

(ii)  Vehicle Signs, Phoenix Park - £975.00 – Approved;

(iii)  Felling Trees – Pudsey Park - £1,525.00 – Approved.

Revenue 2012/13 – 2016/17

(i)  Farsley Farfield CCTV - £2,500.00 (towards annual revenue costs) – Approved.

(c)  That the approval for a small grant given since the last meeting of the Area Committee be noted.

The Area Project Officer presented a report of the West North West Area Leader updating Members on the current amount of funding committed and available via the Area Committee Well-Being budget for wards in the Outer West area.

Members were supportive of all three applications, and particularly discussed the anti-social behaviour and crime occurring on the Farsley Farfield estate.

Members were encouraged to visit Leedswatch to see the high quality of the images captured.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the amount of revenue Well-Being 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)  Farsley Farfield CCTV - £15,000.00 (towards capital costs) – Approved;

(ii)  Vehicle Signs, Phoenix Park - £975.00 – Approved;

(iii)  Felling Trees –Pudsey Park - £1,525.00 – Approved.

Revenue 2012/13 – 2016/2017

(i)  Farsley Farfield CCTV - £2,500.00 (towards annual revenue costs for a period of five years in the first instance, however this is an ongoing commitment) – Approved.

(c)  That the approval for a small grant given since the last meeting of the Area Committee be noted.

(Councillor Marjoram left the meeting at 2.10pm, at the conclusion of this item.)

To consider the report of the Markets Service, City Development updating Members on current issues and opportunities facing Pudsey market, and outlining future proposals to better promote the market.

(Council Function)

Sue Burgess, Manager, Leeds Markets presented a report of the Markets Service updating Members on current issues and opportunities facing Pudsey market and outlining future proposals to better promote the market.

Members discussed current problems with the Market, including its location and lack of visibility. The work already undertaken to try to improve the Market was also discussed.

Members highlighted the need to better promote Pudsey as a whole, and to promote the Market as part of Pudsey’s core offer.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b)  That the Markets Service and the Area Management Team work together to better promote Pudsey Market.

(Councillor Lewis left the meeting at 2.45pm, at the conclusion of this item.)

To consider the report of West Yorkshire Police and Community Safety providing an overview of the Dog Watch scheme which was launched on 29^th October 2011.

(Council Function)

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Sergeant Steve Williamson presented a report of West Yorkshire Police and Community Safety providing an overview of the Dog Watch scheme which was launched on 29^th October 2011.

In discussing ways to raise awareness of the scheme, it was suggested that information be placed in school and parish newsletters.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Environmental Services Officer updating Area Committees on the mobilisation and start of the new Grounds Maintenance contract that commenced on the 1^st of January 2012.

(Council Function)

The Chief Environmental Services Officer submitted a report updating Area Committees on the mobilisation and start date of the new Grounds Maintenance Contract that commenced on 1^st January 2012.

The Area Improvement Manager informed Members that the Area Leaders had requested that this report be deferred until more local area based information was available to present to the Area Committee. However, the Committee agreed to consider the report and raise any queries which could then be answered at the next meeting of the Environmental Sub-Committee, at which Stephen Smith, Environmental Services would be in attendance.

Members requested further information in relation to the equipment available to the Grounds Maintenance Team, and whether it was appropriate for the areas they are responsible for, for example hilly areas. As this is a new contract, it was also requested that updates be provided to the Committee every six months, rather than every year.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That updates on the Grounds Maintenance Contract be provided to the Area Committee every six months.

(Councillor Coulson left the meeting at 3.00pm, during the consideration of this item.)

Copy attached.

RESOLVED – That the forward plan be noted.

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum held on 11^th November 2011.

(Council Function)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 11^th November 2011 be received and noted.

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

Friday 18^th May 2012 at 1.00pm, Leeds Civic Hall

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

Friday 18^th May 2012 at 1.00pm, Leeds Civic Hall

The Chair thanked Sam Woodhead, Area Improvement Manager for the excellent support she had provided to Members of the Area Committee. Sam would continue to work within the Area Management Team but was no longer responsible for supporting Area Committee meetings.

The meeting concluded at 3.05pm.