Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor A Carter, Councillor J Marjoram and Rev’d K Dowling.

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 as there were no members of the public in attendance.

Councillor Hardy reiterated comments made at earlier meetings regarding the start time of the meetings and whether these could be changed to encourage public attendance.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

The report of the Area Leader, West North West provided the Area Committee with a progress update on the ‘Make the Grade’ Scheme at Crawshaw School which was run by Leeds Head.  Members had requested an update at the September meeting of the Area Committee.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting for this item:

·  Nigel Conder – Leeds Ahead

·  Claire Studd – Crawshaw High School

·  Nigel Beck – Kayes Solicitors

Claire Studd addressed the meeting and gave an update of what was happening in the school and work with partners.  Issues highlighted included the following:

• The opportunity to bridge the gap in helping young people to develop work place and functional skills.
• Activities taking place with local businesses.
• Partnership work with Trinity and All Saints College.
• Members were invited to attend a forthcoming careers event.

Nigel Beck informed the Committee of how Kaye’s Solicitors were wishing to get involved in the local community  and their involvement with the Make the Grade programme.  Kaye’s would be looking to involve young people to help them gain employability skills and work experience would be offered.

The Area Committee was also informed of the newsletter that had been sent to local businesses which detailed how they could become involved, areas of support including funding and news stories of events in Outer West Leeds.

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

• It was hoped to get Priestfield and Pudsey Grange Schools involved.
• Twenty businesses had become involved so far and these were spread across the city and not just based in Outer West Leeds.  The four businesses named in the report had committed funds to the project.
• How to engage with manufacturing business -  work with the Textile Manufacturers Association and Manufactures Association was being undertaken.
• Work with West North West Homes.
• Mentoring skills.
• It was agreed to circulate the newsletter to Members.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the West Noth West Homes Leeds

The report of West North West Homes Leeds (WNWhL) advised the Area Committee of activities undertaken which impacted on local communities and areas where opportunities existed to work collaboratively to improve conditions for local people.

The Chair welcomed Kevin Bruce, West North West Homes Leeds to the meeting for this item.

The following issues were highlighted from the report:

• Pilot programme with locality teams and Ward Members on monitoring standards.  This had received good publicity and reference was made to clean up days that had taken place.
• Customer satisfaction surveys – these had shown a significant increase in satisfaction  between January and May 2012.
• Estate walkabouts and involvement of Ward Members.
• Work of the Area Panels and funding allocated.
• Community engagement.
• Focus on activities including litter, youth provision and anti-social behaviour.

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

• Success of the project carried out on the Tong estate.  This was a joint project carried out by WNWhL and the Locality Team.
• Which areas to prioritise for further projects.
• How to involve other partners including Neighbourhood Networks and other volunteers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report of the Area Leader, West North West updated Members on the current amount of revenue funding committed and available via the Area Committee well-being budget for wards in the Outer West area.  Members were also asked to consider grant applications that were detailed in the report.

With regards to the application for funding from Rycroft High Rise Residents Association, Members felt that in respect of previous similar applications that had been refused and in light of more restricted budgets, that the Area Committee was not the appropriate mechanism for the funding and it was suggested that they be contacted regarding other streams of funding they could apply for.

Members discussed the application for The Chaucer Avenue Alley Gating Scheme.  Further information was requested regarding rights of way.

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That the monitoring information for projects approved in 2012/13 be noted.

(3)  That the financial breakdown for 2012/13 be noted.

(4)  That the application from Rycroft High Rise Residents Association be refused.

(5)  That the application for the Chaucer Avenue Alley Gating Scheme be deferred to seek further information regarding rights of way.

The report of the Area Leader, West North West, 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.  Issues highlighted included the following:

• Farsley Town and District Centre Scheme – this was due to be completed on 26 October 2012.
• Environment Sub Group – Members attention was brought to an update on sites that were eyesore, derelict and nuisance sites in Outer West Leeds.
• CCTV At Farfield Avenue – funding had been secured and it was hoping to be operational in the new year.
• Pudsey Public Conveniences – further discussion had been held with the Access Team regarding the provision of disabled toilets.
• Update on the Healthy Living Network/Community Development Worker.
• Update on funding options for the works at Musgrave Court.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Friday, 14 December 2012 at 1.00 p.m.

Friday, 14 December 2012 at 1.00 p.m.