Agenda and draft minutes

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary inyerests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of interest at this point in this meeting

Apologies for absence were received from Revd. K Dowling and from Councillors D Blackburn; Marjoram and Wood

No matters were raised under the Open Forum

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2103

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th January 2013 be agreed as a correct record

To note the latest minutes of the Area Chair’s meeting.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 9^th January 2013

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

The Committee received the bi-annual report of the Director of Children’s Services on local outcomes for children and young people within the West Outer area. An update on the work of the Directorate and Leeds Children’s Trust was provided including the ongoing development of targeted and early intervention services, local performance against the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) and headline school results for the 2011-12 academic year.

Paul Brennan, Deputy Director Children’s Services; and Jancis Andrew Area Head, Targeted Services for WNW Area; discussed the following key issues with Members:

-  The work and remit of the Family Intervention Service and the number of families in the area receiving such support. A case study was tabled at the meeting for reference showing the type of intensive support work undertaken

-  The importance of partnership working with the Clusters and the need to establish appropriate Information Sharing Protocols

(Councillor Lewis joined the meeting at this point)

-  The number of young people recorded as being within the “not known” category (doing well in learning/skills for life indicator). Members noted the issue where some young people moved out of an area but were still being included within this data and without any concerns being investigated by the Connexions Service

-  It was noted that partnership working between schools, Clusters and Family Services Managers ensured that safeguarding information on children who lived in one area but attended a school in another (such as Swallow Hill) was shared appropriately. Additionally, where necessary, information on those families on the Families List was included on the Police National Computer to inform officers responding to any calls to the family residence

At this point Councillor Hardy stated that his wife currently worked at Swallow Hill although it was noted that this was not a disclosable pecuniary interest

A request to provide the statistics in respect of absences from school and NEETS on a ward by ward basis was noted

RESOLVED -

a)  To note the content of this report.

b)  That the comments made by Members be noted and be reported back to the Department as appropriate

c)  That, having noted the information provided on the National Citizen Service programme, the Area Committee agree in principle to provide financial support to young people wanting to access the programme who are unable to self-fund (subject to receipt of appropriate funding applications)

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 & Performance) provided an update on the ‘Business Management Project’, established by Leeds Ahead to support business growth and deliver private sector resources and investment to identified priorities within the Outer West Leeds.

Sally Wright of Leeds Ahead provided a summary of the work undertaken by the Outer West Project in partnership with local business and schools. The pilot scheme had now ceased and Members views were sought on whether the initiative, or any elements of it, could be continued and supported by the Area Committee. Members commented on the following issues:

·  The administration of the Reward Card Scheme 2012, noting the scheme had been popular in 2010/11 but interest had dwindled the following year

·  That, although the work undertaken with Pudsey Crawshaw School was well received and supported, there was a feeling that the work undertaken with local businesses had not been so successful

·  The general view that the initiative should have been delivered more widely throughout Outer West area.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted

b)  That the contents of the update report on the “Business Management Project”, as attached at Appendix 1 and the presentation provided by Leeds Ahead be noted

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Executive, West North West Homes

The report of the Chief Executive West North West Homes Leeds (WNWhL) outlined the involvement of WNWhL with the Area Committee and explored ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible, with the focus on environmental management and community engagement.

Kevin Bruce and Sharon Guy attended the meeting to present the report. Members noted the planned Action Days (22 April Wellstone’s area and May Fairfield’s area) to target environmental issues, such as grass cutting and highways and welcomed the joint working initiative established between WNWhL and LCC Parks & Countryside Service and Neighbourhoods & Environment and noted improvements achieved in the area, with the support of tenants.

The Area Committee discussed the following matters:

• Consideration of an Action Day in the Victoria’s area, highlighting the need to address grass verges in that area. It was reported that WNWhL Area Panel had considered a scheme, subject to resources, however the success of any scheme would be limited by the nature of the narrow roads and tenant parking.
• The need to address the outdated heating systems in multi storey residences, having regard to the general demographic of the tenants and the need for a plan of works to be drawn up.  Information on the LCC Bulk Fuel Purchasing initiative was noted and it was greed that the relevant Environment & Neighbourhoods officer should contact the WNWhL Chief Executive with details
• Concerns regarding Wortley Road litter picking, noting that although work was ongoing, it was necessary to share such intensive schemes fairly throughout the wards

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report and the intention to present a six monthly update report be noted

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer, Parks and Countryside

The report of the Chief Officer, Parks & Countryside, provided an overview of the service; key performance management initiatives and the progress made in attaining Leeds Quality Park standard at an area level and the investment needed to attain and retain LQP standards.

Phil Staniforth attended the meeting to highlight the profile of key assets, information on park usage and the results of the customer service data which provided a customer based perspective of the quality of the assets and services provided.

Key issues arising were:

-  The quality of the data recently collected through the Citizens Panel

-  The current works ongoing throughout the Outer West Area

-  The support offered by Volunteer Groups and the need to encourage and build on existing community engagement through the establishment of “Friends Of” groups for each of the Parks within the locality

Members noted the intention to establish a Grounds Maintenance Team under the streetscene grounds maintenance contract by end of July 2013 with regular reporting to the environmental sub group in due course. With specific reference to maintenance of sports pitches, the Committee requested that contact details for the relevant Parks and Countryside officer be provided, in order to assist with the mapping exercise to ensure that pitches were marked up and season ready in order to be recognised by the Football Association

Members commented on the following specific issues:

• Welcomed the works undertaken to the Farnley Park entrance and noted its recent designation as a Community Park
• Condition of the paths to North Wortley Recreation Ground and the progress made so far with securing the necessary Section 106 (planning) monies
• Noted that cemeteries and Crematoria were not included within the report. In response to a request for information on the restoration of Rawdon Crematorium, it was agreed that contact details for the Bereavement Services Manager would be made available to Revd. Ayers
• The responses of the Citizens Panel pertinent to the West Outer area to be referred to the environmental sub group for consideration in order to inform the priorities for the forthcoming year

Members considered measures to encourage a better take-up of responses during public consultation exercises and suggested liaison with the ALMO for the distribution of information on future consultations

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted and the priorities for investment in community parks, playing pitches and fixed play facilities in the light of the issues raised in discussions 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, outlined the review of area working which was completed in December 2012. This resulted in one key recommendation to develop the existing local “Champion role” and to re-launch this as an Area Lead role in order to strengthen links with the Executive Member and Council services, improve training and support and encourage both formal and informal links to relevant partners.

Heather Pinches attended the meeting and highlighted the request for Members views on the proposals. Members broadly welcomed the initial proposals and discussed the need for clarity and training and a formal induction process to manage expectations. A suggestion that a review of the role was appropriate once Area Leads had been in place for a period of time was noted.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted

b)  That the comments expressed by Members be noted in order to inform the revisions to the Area Lead role prior to its introduction in the new municipal year

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

This item was withdrawn from the agenda prior to the meeting.

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

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updated Members on recent community safety issues within the Outer West Area. Sergeant Steve Williamson and Gill Hunter attended the meeting and presented information in respect of recent crime statistics, the prioritisation of burglary and acquisitive crime in the WOAC area, noting the additional resource allocated to reduce burglary across the city; and Partnership Action Days to tackle anti-social behaviour

Members commented on the following:

-  the current position in respect of Farsley CCTV cameras

-  the incidents of metal theft in the Farsley/Calverley areas

-  the recent licensing application for MacDonald’s and the lack of representation from West Yorkshire Police

-  the increase in the number of reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in Farnley & Wortley. It was agreed that information would be provided directly to the ward councillors

Additionally, copies of the “Community Safety Information Booklet 2013” were made available at the meeting for Members reference

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

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

The Committee received a report on the Wellbeing Revenue Budget allocation available for 2013/13 and projects for consideration for funding from the Revenue Budget and the Small Grants allocation. A workshop had previously been held to consider the applications and a revised Table 2 was presented to the meeting setting out the decisions made at the workshop for ratification by the Committee

The report also included proposals to decommission the Red Lane Railings project, approved on 14 October 2011 which had not been completed.

The Committee discussed the comments made by the workshop in respect of projects identified as requiring further information as follows:

Site Based gardener - Mr Staniforth confirmed that, with the 50% reduced funding proposed, the Service would most likely provide a gardener on-site from July to January

CCTV – Members requested further information on the costs of the cabling and networking prior to making a decision on the application

Community Development Worker – Members agreed to set aside funding for a Community Development related project and requested the Area Support Team (AST) to develop proposals with the possibility of funding a project in conjunction with Inner North West Area Committee. Officers therefore proposed that funding be retained pending further discussions with INW Area Committee

Business Engagement – It was noted that the workshop had agreed to set aside funding for a business engagement related project and for the AST to develop proposals. Additionally Councillor A Carter and Councillor Coulson had agreed to participate in discussions on the establishment of the project

In respect of the application outlined in paragraph 3.7 for West Leeds Club, Members noted that the application had been submitted by a community amateur sports club however it ran from a privately owned building, therefore the application could not be supported.

RESOLVED –

a)  That approval be given for the Red Lane Railings project to be decommissioned

b)  That the new Wellbeing Revenue allocation of £154,899 for the 2013/14 financial year be noted

c)  That the following requests for funding from the Wellbeing Revenue Budget, as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report be agreed

d)  That the decisions be as follows in respect of the following requests for funding as set out in the revised Table 2 presented to the meeting

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) informed the Area Committee of progress against the Area Support Team work programme for Outer West Leeds and local contributions to Council priorities. The report also included a copy of the minutes of the WNWhL Outer West Area Panel meeting held 6^th February 2013 for Members information

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

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

The report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) set out a proposed schedule of meetings for the forthcoming Municipal Year for Members consideration. The report indicated that venues for each of the meetings would be confirmed in due course having regard to the costs of venue hire, furthermore, the May 2014 meeting would be confirmed once the date for Annual Council 2014 had been finalised having regard to the date of the 2014 Local Elections.

Members considered whether they wished to continue with the Committee’s current meeting and venue arrangements and

RESOLVED –

a)  To agree the following schedule of meetings and venues: (All meetings now to be held on WEDNESDAYS AT 1.00pm)(All venues to be confirmed in due course)

10 July 2013, 18 September 2013, October 2013 date to be confirmed,   11 December 2013, 29 January 2014 and 12 March 2014.

b)  That approval be given for the Chair, in consultation with Area Management Officers, to agree the arrangements for the May 2014 meeting (the main purpose for which is to elect a Chair for the forthcoming municipal year), with all Committee Members. Relevant parties will be informed of the arrangements for the meeting at the earliest opportunity, once the date of the Annual Council Meeting for 2014 has been finalised

Friday, 17 May 2013 at 1.00 p.m.

RESOLVED - To note the date and time of the next meeting as Friday 17^th May 2013 at 1.00 pm