Agenda, decisions and minutes

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors A Carter and R Wood.

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 agenda made reference to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure rules for an Open Forum Session at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no matters were raised under this item by those members of the public who were in attendance.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

Council Function

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report on the election of Area Committee Chair for the 2012/13.

Appended to the report was a copy of Paragraph 5 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules which dealt with the process by which Chairs for Area Committees were elected (Appendix 1 refers).

It was reported that one nomination had been received for Area Committee Chair on behalf of Councillor J Jarosz.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That Councillor J Jarosz be elected as Chair for the 2012/2013 Municipal Year.

c)  That Councillor D Blackburn be elected as Deputy Chair for the 2012/13 Municipal Year.

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

Council Function

The report of the Director of Children’s Services provided the Area Committee with an update on Children’s Services developments including progress against the priorities of the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan, where possible at a local level.  It built on previous reports presented to the Area Committee in 2010 and 2011.

The following issues were highlighted:

• Preparation for the forthcoming Ofsted inspections.
• The drive towards becoming a Child Friendly City.
• Integrated Children’s Services
• Development of locality work and clusters.
• Governor and Elected Member engagement.
• Positive feedback had been received from schools.
• Reducing the number of looked after children, those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) and improving attendance.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Costs for children in care and the need to improve release of monies to speed up the process to enable older children to leave care.
• Future information contained in the reports will become more localised.
• The role of Fostering Panels.
• Social Care referrals.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the West North West Area Leader

Executive Function

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the amount of revenue Well-Being budget available for 2012/13 be noted.

(2)  That the approval for small grants and skips given since the last meeting of the Area Committee be noted.

(3)  That the following large grant applications for the 2012/13 financial year be approved:

·  Pudsey Festive Lights Switch On - £8,000

·  Farsley Festive Lights Community Switch On Event - £5,000

·  Pudsey Jubilee Celebration - £2,500

The report of the West North West Area Leader updated Members on the current amount of funding committed and available via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for Wards in the Outer West area.  It also asked the Area Committee to consider the Large Grant applications received and to note the approval for the small grants given since the last meeting of the Area Committee.

Members attention was brought to the applications for funding as detailed in the report.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the amount of revenue Well-Being budget available for 2012/13 be noted.

(2)  That the approval for small grants and skips given since the last meeting of the Area Committee be noted.

(3)  That the following large grant applications for the 2012/13 financial year be approved:

·  Pudsey Festive Lights Switch On - £8,000

·  Farsley Festive Lights Community Switch On Event - £5,000

·  Pudsey Jubilee Celebration - £2,500

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance)

Executive Function

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the following Members be appointed to the West Outer Area Committee Environment Sub Group:

·  Councillor M Coulson (Pudsey)

·  Councillor D Blackburn (Farnley and Wortley)

·  Councillor R Wood (Calverley and Farsley)

(2)  That a Chair be appointed at the next meeting of the Environment Sub Group

The report of the West North West Area Leader set out the role of the Outer West Area Committee Environment Sub Group and sought nominations to the group and for the position of Chair.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the following Members be appointed to the West Outer Area Committee Environment Sub Group:

·  Councillor M Coulson (Pudsey)

·  Councillor D Blackburn (Farnley and Wortley)

·  Councillor R Wood (Calverley and Farsley)

(2)  That a Chair be appointed at the next meeting of the Environment Sub Group

Friday, 6 July 2012 at 1.00 p.m.

Friday, 6 July 2012 at 1.30 p.m.