Agenda and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest made.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor R Lewis, Councillor R Wood and Rev’d P Ayers/

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.

Mr Mustapha Mohammed informed the meeting of a new dental laboratory that had been established in Wortley.  The laboratory would employ 37 people and was a large initiative with an initial investment of £0.5 million.  Further issues highlighted included the following:

·  £100m of NHS funding was currently going to companies in China for the work that could be carried out at the new laboratory.

·  The laboratory would employ a number of apprentices and trainees – there had been a fall in the number of dental technicians in the UK over the past 10 years and there had been a lack of training and investment in this.

·  The laboratory was also equipped for the employment of disabled people and was also working with the Help for Heroes programme.

It was agreed for Mr Mohammed to liaise further with Area Management to promote the new laboratory and it was reported that there would be an official opening in the New Year.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2012

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Locality Manager (West North West)

The report of the Locality Manager (West North West) provided the Area Committee with a half year update on performance against the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between Outer West Area Committee and the West North West (WNW) Environmental Locality Team from the period May to November 2012.

Jason Singh, Locality Manager (West North West) presented the report.

The following issues were highlighted from the report:

·  Services currently included in the delegation.

·  Education and enforcement issues.

·  Updates on work carried out.

·  Service requests received.

·  Role of Elected Members and how they could influence what works they wished to see carried out.

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

·  Missed mechanical sweeping rounds – there were issues regarding cover for sickness/absence and this would be discussed with the Environmental sub-group.

·  Support at Community events was welcomed.

·  Improvements in ginnels were noted.

·  Leaf clearance – problems with this had been noted and raised with the Environmental Sub Group.

·  Dog fouling – discussion regarding procurement of out of hours services to increase enforcement.

·  Unemptied litter bins – Members were asked to report these and they should be emptied within 24 hours.

·  Details of updated out of hours emergency contacts were requested.

·  Fly tipping – particular problems at Woodhall Road.

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 provided details on crime trends and a range of community safety activity that had taken place during 2011/12.  It also updated Members on the key priorities for 2012/13 and provided information on wellbeing spend on community safety issues.

Inspector Marc Adams and Gill Hunter, Community Safety Co-ordinator were in attendance for this item.

The following issues were highlighted from the report:

·  Maintaining the focus on burglary prevention – there had continued to be significant reductions across Outer West Leeds and the division as a whole.

·  Multi agency and partnership work.

·  Offender management – linking in work with the Youth Service, Probation Service and Signpost.

·  Overview of Leedswatch and CCTV.

·  Offroad bikes – these were also deployed near burglary hotspots.

·  The Families First project.

·  There had been a total of 716 less offences in the West Outer area within the last year.

·  Speedwatch scheme.

·  Light up/lock up campaign to reduce the number of walk in burglaries.

·  The nominated neighbour scheme.

·  Pro-active approach to drug crime – increased numbers of stop and search and execution of drug warrants.

·  Increasing officer visibility and footprint.

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

·  Families First initiative – involvement of schools.  A meeting would be held with the Targeted Services Leader and links to the clusters would be discussed.

·  Reduction in anti-social behaviour in Pudsey following the issue of an Anti-Social Behaviour Order to a persistant offender.

·  Pro-active approach to assisting prisoners on their release from prison.

·  Burglar Demographics – the last 9 burglars arrested had come from outside the area.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) sought to update 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.

Harpreet Singh, Area Project Officer presented the report.

Members attention was brought to applications that had been brought for funding, one from the 2012/13 budget and two provisionally from the 2013/14 budget.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the revenue well-being budget available for 2012-13 be noted.

(2)  That the application for Cow Close Community Corner for £1,160 be approved.

(3)  That the application for Summer Bands in Leeds Parks 2013 for £3,000 be provisionally approved subject to the funds being available from the 2013/14 wellbeing budget.

(4)  That the application for Farsley Festival 2013 for £2,500 be provisionally approved subject to the funds being available from the 2013/14 wellbeing budget.

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

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:

·  Making the Grade event at Crawhsaw School.

·  Visit to the Council Chamber with Grangefield School.

·  Completion of the Farsley Town Centre Scheme.

·  CCTv at Farfields was scheduled for completion.

·  Update on the Healthy Living and Community Development

·  Success of Christmas light switch on events

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) presented an update on the work to date to deliver the actions outlined in the West (Outer) Business Plan 2011-2015.

Harpreet Singh, Area Project Officer presented the report.

Attention was brought to the appendix to the report which set out Priorities for action and Members were asked to agree a review of the Business Plan for 2013/14.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the progress made against the Business Plan actions be noted.

(2)  That the Area Support Team undertake a review of the Business Plan for 2013/14.

(3)  That a refreshed Business Plan be submitted for approval at the Area Committee meeting in April 2013.

Friday, 18 January 2012 at 1.00 p.m.

Friday, 18 January, 2013 at 1.00 p.m.