Agenda 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, M Coulson and J 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.

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 18 May 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 May 2012 be confirmed as a correct record subject to the inclusion of the following:

• Wellbeing fund report – Farnley and Wortley Members agreed to jointly fund the pensioners coach trip that had previously been declined by the Area Committee.

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

The report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) outlined the procedure for the appointment of Co-opted Members to the Area Committee.

Nominations for Co-opted Members had been submitted on behalf of Reverend Paul Ayres and Reverend Kingsley Downing.  Members were informed that further nominations could be made at any time and that all appointments were for the duration of the municipal year.

RESOLVED – That the following be appointed as Co-opted Members for the 2012/13 Municipal Year:  Reverend Paul Ayres and Reverend Kingsley Downing.

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

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided Members with information on crime trends, partnership initiatives and future joint projects between Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Police in Outer West Leeds.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Inspector Marc Adams, West Yorkshire Police
• Sharon Wade, West Yorkshire Police
• Gill Hunter, Community Safety Co-ordinator

Inspector Adams addressed the meeting and reported on headline crime figures.  It was reported that there had been an overall reduction in crime with significant reductions in assault, vehicle theft and burglaries.  Further information was reported on issues relating to public confidence including  confidence in local policing, perception of anti-social behaviour, how to contact the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and satisfaction with visible patrols; it was noted that there was a need to increase satisfaction in all these areas.  Reference was also made to the role of Police Community Safety Officers (PCSOs) and how to increase participation with the public.

Gill Hunter, Community Safety Co-ordinator also addressed the meeting and highlighted the following issues:

• Priority areas – burglary; anti social behaviour; safeguarding vulnerable individuals
• Operation Optimal – predictive analysis on burglary and crime trends.
• Work with partner agencies including streetscene and housing.
• Immobilise – property security initiative.
• Work that had taken place in local communities and hotspots.
• Offender management.

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

• Involvement of partner agencies and how to get others involved.
• Impact of Welfare Reform and whether this will affect crime figures.
• Domestic Violence – awareness training had been carried out and would be continued.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented a final version of the Service Level Agreement (SLA) through which the work of the Environment Locality Team would be steered over the following year.  Members were asked to approve the SLA.

Jason Singh, Locality Manager, West North West Leeds presented the report.

Members were reminded of the services included in the delegation and new services that would be included for 2012/13.  There were also a number of ongoing issues in the area including problems with dog fouling, bin yard enforcement and tidying of grass verges.

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

• Binyards – problems with turnover of residents, different options for communal facilities and enforcement issues.
• Dog fouling – reference was made to the Calverley Park Dogs Day and enforcement issues.
• Work with the West North West Homes ALMO
• Fly tipping – the Environment Locality Team responded to fly tipping requests, usually within 24 hours.  Support was also given to the bulky waste team.
• Grass cutting – concern regarding grass cuttings not being cleared away.  As part of the grass cutting contract, it was reported that cuttings were not collected but should be blown back onto grassed areas.  It was suggested to invite the contractor to a meeting of the Environment Sub-Group.  Members were also informed there would be a Scrutiny Inquiry into the new grass cutting contract.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted

(2)  That the attached Service Level Agreement be agreed.

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

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) set out a community engagement plan for the West (Outer) Area Committee.  It described the delegated responsibility for community engagement and highlighted the corporate context for this area work.  It also outlined the work being undertaken to improve community forums and in support of the Business Plan.

Jane Pattison, Area Officer presented the report.

The following issues were highlighted:

• Citizens Panel – this was a key way of engaging with local people, there were currently 312 participants in the West Outer Area and the target was 600.
• Young people would be targeted for engagement via the Citizens Panel.
• The role of community forums and future forum arrangements.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and a further report be received in Autumn 2012 to review progress in relation to community engagement.

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

The report of the Youth Service summarised the key programmes and performance of the Youth Service team in the Outer West Wards over the previous year.

The following were in attendance for this item:

• Neil Bowden, Senior Youth Officer
• Harnek Panesar, Youth Services

The following issues were highlighted:

• Realignment of programmes provided by the Youth Service – work was being carried out with young people to ensure that programmes focussed on those who required services most and who would benefit the most.
• Work with those not in employment, education or training (NEETs).
• Work with schools – attendance issues.
• Prevention of young people going into care
• Work with Community Safety partners and the Police to reduce crime and anti social behaviour.
• Members were informed of projects that had been organised in the Outer West area.

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

• Mobile services.
• Football project and links with Armley Juniors.
• Continuation of the Friday Project.
• Youth engagement.
• Area Committee support for youth projects.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

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 and also provided monitoring information on projects approved in 2011/12.

Harpreet Singh, Area Project Officer presented the report.

Members were informed of applications for funding that had been received.

The following issues were discussed:

• With regard to the application for the Friday Night Project, it was reported that £1,000 had been received from Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) funds.
• Small grant application from Wortley Football Club.
• An update report was requested on the Site Based Gardeners scheme.
• It was suggested that the remaining small grant funds be made available for larger projects and for any applications to go to the Area Committee for consideration.  Urgent applications to go to the Chair/Vice Chair for consideration; and then all West Outer Councillors of for approval.

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That £2,000 be approved for the Pudsey Friday Night Project.

(3)  That the small grants awarded since the last Area Committee be noted.

(4)  That the small grant request for Wortley Football Club be refused.

(5)  That the monitoring for projects approved in 2011/12 be noted.

(6)  That the small grants fund be available for larger projects.

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

The report of the West North West Area Leader outlined a proposed change to the Community Centre Pricing Policy approved in December 2009.

Jane Pattison, Area Project Officer, presented the report.

Reference was made to charging arrangements for political arrangements that attracted a cost of £5 per room, per hour on a weekend.

RESOLVED – That the proposed change to the pricing policy to make usage of community centres for Elected Members free of charge on a weekend be approved.

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

The report of the West North West Area Leader informed the Area Committee of progress against the Area Support Team work programme for Outer West Leeds and local contributions to Council priorities.

Harpreet Singh, Area Project Officer presented the report.

The following issues were discussed:

• Fuel Poverty – Councillor D Blackburn was nominated as the Area Committee Fuel Poverty Champion.
• Farsley Town and District Centre Scheme – this was now entering the final phase.
• CCTV at Fairfield – work was ongoing.
• Jubilee Celebrations – successful events had been held in the area.
• Pudsey Public Conveniences – discussions were ongoing with Property Services and the re-location of toilets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) outlined procedures for the appointment of Members to Outside Bodies.

The following organisations had vacancies to be appointed to:

• ALMO West Outer Area Panel – 2 positions
• Thomas and Sarah Lund’s Almshouse Trust – 2 positions (4 year appointments)

RESOLVED – That the following appointments be made

• ALMO West Outer Area Panel – Councillors R Lewis and R Wood
• Thomas and Sarah Lund’s Almshouse Trust  - Councillors J Jarosz and R Lewis

Friday 7 September 2012 at 1.00 p.m.

Friday, 7 September 2012 at 1.30 p.m.