Agenda and minutes

Contact: Phil Garnett (0113) 39 51632  Email: philip.garnett@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

46.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 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 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

 

Minutes:

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

47.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

 

Minutes:

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

48.

Late Items

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

 

Minutes:

There were no late items submitted to the agenda.

49.

Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests’

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Minutes:

There were no declarations made.

50.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

 

 

51.

Minutes - 21st November 2012 pdf icon PDF 68 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21st November 2012.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 21st November 2012 were approved as a correct record.

52.

Open Forum

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.

 

(10 mins discussion)

 

Minutes:

In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

 

A local resident raised the issue of parking on Dewsbury Road in the area around the new Iceland store, which has the effect of blocking a public footpath. The Locality Manager agreed that he would pick this issue up and work with other agencies and departments to ensure parking regulations are enforced.

 

A representative of St Luke’s Cares thanked the Committee for its financial support which has been on-going since 2006 but that has now ceased. He confirmed that other ways of financing the service would be looked into but raised a note of caution that certain areas in South Leeds with high levels of anti-social behaviour need greater service provision.

53.

Domestic Violence in Inner South Leeds pdf icon PDF 106 KB

To receive a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an overview of the levels of reported domestic violence in Inner South Leeds.

Minutes:

The Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods submitted a report which brought to Members’ attention an overview of the levels of reported domestic violence in Inner South Leeds. It also provided information on specialist services and initiatives that are available to residents to offer support around the issue and improve service responses.

 

The following were in attendance to answer Member questions:

 

Gerry Shevlin (Area Community Safety Co-ordinator); and

Lucy Fishwick (Women’s Health Matters).

 

Members were pleased with the work that has been undertaken over the last year and were supportive of this continuing.

 

Members considered that the current economic climate could potentially have an effect on domestic violence levels and requested to be informed of any trends taking place in the Inner South Area of Leeds and also where there are any gaps in service provision.

 

Members expressed a desire to support and empower women who are affected by domestic violence.

 

Members asked questions about the capacity of the Leeds Domestic Violence Service and whether it could cope with the number of referrals. Officers informed Members that this was being monitored.

 

Members also raised the effect that domestic violence has on children and that there needs to be greater consideration given to this as they are also affected. This triggered wider debated about the roles of other professionals such as teachers and children’s centres which have a role in identifying domestic violence and providing support.

 

Members considered that ALMOs also had a role in reducing the impact of domestic violence in ensuring locks are changed promptly and that homes are made secure. Members agreed that they would raise this issue with the appropriate service.

 

 

The issue of funding Women’s Health Matters was raised, It was confirmed that funding is in place until March 2013. Members broadly supported the continuation of funding on the back of the good work done over the last year and suggested that a report be brought forward detailing the funding that would be required for 2013/14.

 

Members also requested a report of hate crimes and the statistics surrounding these crimes.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  That a further report be brought to the Committee considering the figures and trends of domestic violence cases in the Inner South;

(c)  That the issue of ensuring council homes are made secure and locks changed promptly following a case of domestic violence is raised with the appropriate service; and

(d)  That a report be submitted detailing the funding requirements of Women’s Health Matters for the financial year 2013/14.

 

54.

South and Outer East Locality Team Service Level Agreement Performance Update pdf icon PDF 154 KB

To receive a report of the Locality Manager (South and Outer East Leeds) which provides an update on performance against the SLA between Inner South Area Committee and the South South-East Environmental Locality Team. This report covers the period from 1st July 2012 to 31st  October 2012.

Minutes:

The Locality Manager (South and Outer East Leeds) submitted a report which provided an update on performance against the SLA between the Inner South Area Committee and the South – East Environmental Locality Team. This report covered the period from 1st July 2012 to 31st October 2012.

 

Members were pleased with the increase in capacity of the service.

 

Members asked about enforcement in terms of dog fouling and other environmental offences. Members were informed that after the staffing re-structure a greater emphasis will be placed on enforcement.

 

Members noted the recent positivity amongst staff and noted the care and responsibility taken within the areas allocated to staff.

 

Members were of the view that the Inner South Area does not receive equivalent resources compared to other areas within the city.

 

Better partnership working with Aire Valley Homes Leeds and the BITMO was raised as something that could be improved to ensure that all areas of Inner South are kept clean and tidy.

 

It was agreed by Members that a task and finish group should established with a representative of each ward to sit on it.

 

PCSO training was raised and Members asked whether this had been completed. The Locality Manager confirmed that this was still outstanding but would be completed as soon as a suitable date could be arranged with the Police.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  That the South Inner Area Committee note the report;

(b)  That a task and finish group be established consisting of Councillor Groves; Cllr Ogilvie; and Councillor Iqbal; and

(c)That the Locality Manager continue to push for the training of PCSOs.

55.

Wellbeing Report pdf icon PDF 119 KB

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing the Area Committee with an update on the current amount of revenue and capital funding committed and available via the Area Committee well – being budgets for Inner South.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Area Officer presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance). The report provided:

1.  Confirmation of the 2012/13 revenue allocation and the 2011/12 carry forward figure.

2.  An update on both the revenue and capital elements of the Well being budget.

3.  Details of revenue funding for consideration and approval.

4.  Details of revenue projects agreed to date (as shown at Appendix 1 to the report).

5.  Members were also asked to note the current position of the Small Grants Budget.

 

RESOLVED

 

(a)  that the contents of the report be noted;

(b)  that the Well Being Budget as set out at paragraph 3.0 be noted;

(c)  that the points raised under ring fencing arrangements set out in paragraph 3.3 of the report be noted and the recommendations of the Children & Young People’s working group requesting approval of £106,019 be approved;

(d)  that the Well Being revenue projects previously agreed as set out in Appendix 1 be noted;

(e)  that the following be agreed in respect of Wellbeing funding allocations, as detailed within paragraph 4.0 of the submitted report:

 

Name of Project

Name of Delivery Organisation

Decision

Celebration Event

Area Support Team

£1,000 Revenue (£333.33 per ward) 

APPROVED

 

 

(f)  that the small grants situation as set out in paragraph 5.0 to the report be noted.

 

56.

Summary Of Key Work pdf icon PDF 122 KB

To receive a report of the Area Leader  - South East Leeds, detailing work by the Area Management Team on key priorities in the Inner South Area of Leeds since the last Area Committee meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Area Leader submitted a report which provided brief details of the range of activities with which the Area Support Team are engaged based on the Area Committee Business Plan priorities and actions, that are not addressed in greater detail elsewhere on this agenda. It provided opportunities for further questioning or the opportunity to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

 

Members supported the suggestion that the Champions detailed within section 4.2 of the report feedback to the Committee on their respective meeting.

 

The Community Safety Champion Cllr Groves highlighted the work being done in this area. Specifically Cllr Groves informed the Committee of on the positive steps being taken to stop child grooming. Also brought to the Committee’s attention were the recent developments which have created a city wide strategy on prostitution. It was acknowledged by Members that further work on this issue needs to be done including a crackdown on the men who use prostitutes.

 

The Health and Wellbeing Champion Councillor Truswell highlighted the work being done in this area. Members were informed that more work needs to be completed in terms of working with people to help improve their health rather than broadcasting messages which people already know and understand.

 

The large number of takeaways in South Leeds was highlighted as an area of concern by Members and local residents in attendance. The difficulties in the application of the planning system were highlighted as a problem which essentially allows such businesses to appeal Council decisions which are then likely to be overturned.

 

The Leeds Citizens Panel was discussed by Members. A local resident questioned how people were selected to sit on the Panel, and was informed that the Panel is randomly selected from volunteers.

 

 

RESOLVED – that the contents of the report be noted.

 

57.

Dates, Times and Venues of Future Meetings

06:30pm Wednesday 13th February 2013. Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Minutes:

6:30pm 13th February 2013.