Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all to the meeting.

The Chair proposed Claire Turnbull of the Pudsey Wellbeing Centre be appointed as co-optee of the West Outer Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That Members approved the appointment of Claire Turnbull as Co-optee of the West Outer Area Committee.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no resolutions to exclude the public as there were no members of the public present.

There were no late items. However, supplementary information had been sent to the committee members, prior to the meeting relating to item 12 Wellbeing Fund Update Report (minute 47 refers).

No declarations were made.

Apologies were received from Councillor Marjoram and Rev. Ayres.

Members raised their concerns that few members of the public attended the meetings of the West (Outer) Area Committee. It was noted that the Area Support Team are currently looking at ways to engage with members of the public, to raise the profile of area committees including the use of social media.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th September 2013.

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 18^th September 2013 be approved as a correct record.

Minute 29 – Children’s Services Performance Report: Members had requested clarification on attendance figures and performance figures for Farnley Academy and Swallow Hill.

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 28^th June 2013 and 6^th September 2013.

The Committee considered the Area Chairs Forum minutes of the meetings held on 28^th June 2013, 6^th September 2013 and of the notes of the Area Chairs Workshop held on 28^th June 2013.

RESOLVED – That the minutes be noted.

To receive the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing this report provides the Area Committee with recent crime statistics for Outer West Leeds, and the Safer Leeds Priorities for 2013 – 2014.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided the Committee with an update on recent crime statistics for Outer West Leeds. The report also updated Members on the progress against the Safer Leeds Priorities for 2013-2014.

Gillian Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Sergeant Anton Chin, West Yorkshire Police attended the meeting to provide the Area Committee with information on crime trends, partnership initiatives and future joint projects between Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Police and partners.

Members of the Committee were disappointed not to be able to discuss the closure of the Pudsey Custody Suite. Members were informed that Chief Inspector Norton would be  hoping to attend the Area Committees in January 2014.

Member’s attention was brought to a number of issues highlighted in the report including the increase in burglary, shoplifting and vehicle crime burglary.

The Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Sergeant Chin told the Committee of the work that is ongoing in relation to the anti-social behaviour issues on Farfield and the action that is being taken to address this. The Committee were also told about the engagement events that had taken place over the summer in the West Outer Area Committee area which had been well attended and the community engagement at Cottingley Springs was ongoing with good effect and links were being made with partner agencies.

Member’s thanked the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and her team for all the good work in the Farfields and the links that they were making with other agencies.

The Committee were informed of a new contact point at Café Lux in Pudsey and of a new Strategy on Domestic Violence.

Members’ awareness was raised in relation to a number of shops opening up in the Leeds area which are selling legal high substances. The Area Community Safety Co-ordinator informed the Committee that work is being undertaken with the Clusters to educate young people about the dangers of these substances.

RESOLVED – That Member’s noted the content of the report.

To receive the report of West North West Homes this report provides the Area Committee with information on the Housing Services function, previously undertaken by the 3 ALMO’s which transferred back to Leeds City Council (LCC), on the 1st October 2013. This report seeks to advise the Area Committee of activities undertaken, which impact on local communities and areas where opportunities exist to work collaboratively to improve conditions for local people. 

The report of the West North West Homes was presented by Sharon Guy, Performance Manager.

The report provided the Committee with an update on the transfer of the ALMO back into Leeds City Council which had taken place on 1^st October 2013. 

The Performance Manager informed Members that LCC Housing Service would continue to provide a decentralised housing management services in West Leeds with Tenancy and Estate Management services being delivered locally from Wortley Area Office. All major decisions about the housing service will be addressed through the Housing Advisory Board which is made up of 6 Councillors 3 Tenant Representatives and 3 Independent Members, the board will make recommendations to the Executive Board.

The report informed Members of activities undertaken and those which are ongoing including a Local Shark Campaign which raises awareness, how to recognise Loan Shark behaviour and how to confidentially report Loan Shark activity. Work is ongoing in relation to Welfare Reform with a team of dedicated officers working on all aspects of the welfare changes, including downsizing and sign-posting to accredited advisors where issues of financial hardship are identified.

Members were invited to attend estate inspections and gradings which take place on a monthly basis a list of forthcoming gradings was included in the report.

The Area Committee passed on their thanks to the Performance Manager and the Housing Staff for their work specifically the removal of the canopy from the Gamble Hill Flats.

Members were advised that Area Panel money is still available, bids and reports with suggestions should be sent to the Performance Manager.

RESOLVED – That Members noted the Content of the report.

To receive the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) it provides the West (Outer) Area Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14.

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) provided the committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14. The report provided the current position of the Small Grants and skips and those Small Grants and skips that have been received or approved since the last meeting. The report also provided an update on the Youth Activity Fund and the proposal from Ahead Partnership in relation to the Business Engagement Project for consideration.

Members raised their concern about whether all monies in the Wellbeing Capital fund should committed so as not to lose it. Members were informed that Capital money would be discussed at the next Area Chairs meeting and that the Committee will be updated on the outcome of that discussion.

Members discussed all the new applications which included Farsley Festive Lights, Calverley Festive Lights, Pudsey Festive Lights, and Outer West Grit Bins.

Amrit Choda who has been seconded from the Leeds City Council Development Department to Ahead Partnership as a Business Broker attended the meeting and provided information on the Ahead Partnership Project to Members in support of the proposed grant application.

The Committee were told that the business broker service provides an efficient way of engaging with small businesses that need support. By linking with partners that have support on offer but no way of connecting to local businesses, the broker can help more businesses to find out about available support.

Ahead Partnership’s model is supported by Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and Leeds University Business School. The model provides local businesses with the opportunity to invest back into their area through a menu of opportunities. The menu includes opportunities to create apprenticeships and support local schools’ and initiatives and community enterprises. The pilot project was very successful in attracting business engagement in Crawshaw School, building a partnership that has now entered a second year.

The Committee discussed the benefits that such a project could bring to all three wards of the West Outer Area Committee over the breadth of businesses located in the West Outer area.

RESOLVED – That Members noted the content of the report.

Members approved the follow allocations of funding;

·  Farsley Festive Lights - £1,000

·  Calverley Festive Lights - £1,000

·  Pudsey Festive Lights - £2,000

·  Outer West Grit Bins - £2,525.70

·  Ahead Partnership - £12,620 (this financial year only)

To receive the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) to inform the Area Committee of the progress against the Area Support Team work programme for Outer West Leeds and the local contributions to Council priorities.

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) informed the Committee of the progress against the Area Support Team work programme for Outer West Leeds and local contributions to council priorities.

A brief update was given to members concerning the appointment of a Community Development Worker which is jointly funded with the Inner North West Area Committee.

The Area Committees have now undertaken a tender process to select a VCFS organisation to deliver the community development project on their behalf and have appointed Better Leeds Communities (BLC) as the VCFS partner to deliver targeted Community Development Work in Inner North West and Outer West. BLC are now in the process of recruiting to the post of Community Development Worker, a person will be in post by mid November 2013.

RESOLVED – That Members noted the content of the report.

Date and Time of next meeting to be confirmed.

The Chair asked for agreement of the Members of the Committee in cancelling the next meeting due to be held on 11th December 2013 as no agreement could be reached for rescheduling due to prior arrangements. The next meeting of the West (Outer) Area Committee will be held on 29^th January 2014, 1pm at Pudsey Town Hall