Agenda and minutes

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

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

There were no formal late items added to the agenda.  However supplementary information was submitted to the agenda with regard to Agenda Item 11. ‘Wellbeing Report’ Minute 68 refers.

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

No declarations were made.

There were no apologies.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2013.

RESOLVED - The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2013 were approved as a correct record.

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.

Alice MacDougal who works for Victim Support in the Anti-Social Behaviour Team for Leeds City Council briefly described the services her team has to offer and handed out leaflets containing further information and contact details.

A local resident commented on the untidy appearance of Dewsbury Road and that more should be done to keep the area clean and tidy. It was confirmed that this issue had be raised with the relevant officer who intends to re-align resources.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive Customer Access and Performance providing initial proposals to Area Committees for their input, shaping and feedback with a view to introducing the revised roles in the new municipal year. 

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which provided initial proposals to the Committee for its input, shaping and feedback with a view to introducing the revised roles in the new municipal year.

Shaid Mahmood, the Area Leader (South East Leeds) presented the report and was in attendance to answer Member questions.

Members commented that rationalisation of meetings needed to take place and that clearer objectives should be set.

Members also commented that some analysis should take place on the time commitments needed to be a champion/lead role as some Members have this role and some don’t. Further to this, equity of the roles was raised as an area for concern as some roles have support from other Members and some don’t.

Members agreed that the Area Lead Role should be linked to the Neighbourhood Improvement Boards.

It was highlighted to Members that there was only one Neighbourhood Plan in the South Inner Area but that as services are delegated, Members will be asked to take lead roles in managing this. Members discussed how this fitted in with the role of the existing local Councillors.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to

(a)  Note the contents of the report; and

(b)  Feedback the comments made during discussions

To receive a report of the Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes Leeds, Chief Officer (Revenues & Benefits) and South East Area Leaderupdating Inner South Area Committee on Welfare Reform changes that impact on council tenants and are due to be implemented inApril 2013. It also summarises work that is currently being undertaken to preparetenants for those changes and for future changes that will impact later in the year.

The Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes Leeds, Chief Officer (Revenues & Benefits) and South East Area Leader submitted a reportupdating Inner South Area Committee on Welfare Reform changes that impact on council tenants and that are due to be implemented inApril 2013. It also summarised work that is currently being undertaken to preparetenants for those changes and for future changes that will impact later in the year.

In attendance to answer Member questions was Steve Carey Chief Officer (Revenues & Benefits) and Simon Costigan, The Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes Leeds.

Members voiced concerns about the effects of these reforms and the potential for an increase in domestic violence as a result. Members considered that an update on this should be included within the next welfare reform report.

Members also stressed the importance of completing the review of one and two bedroomed flats and the accurate clarification of these flats.

Members considered that a further report be submitted concentrating on the issues local to the Inner South Area.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work done to date by ALMOs and the Council to prepare for the introduction of Welfare Reform changes be noted; and

(b)  That the Area Leader South East Leeds be invited to develop a bespoke report in relation to current challenges presented for citizens in the Inner South Area Committee Area and current and future activity to address those challenges.

To receive a report of the Director of Children’s Services informing the Committee on local outcomes for children and young people, and providing an update on the work of the Children’s Services Directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which informed the Committee on the local outcomes for children and young people, and provided an update on the work of the Children’s Services Directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust.

Sarah Sinclair Chief Officer (Children’s Services) and Martyn Stenton Area Head of Targeted Services (South East Leeds) were in attendance to answer Member questions.

Members questioned officers present about the number of social work teams in the Inner South commenting that there are only two teams when there should be three.

Members asked about the links with adult social care in terms of supporting families, it was confirmed to the Committee that this was taking place.

It was noted by the Committee that cluster engagement has improved however it still poses challenges.

Members also questioned why the numbers of NEETs were not going down in comparison to other areas of the City. It was considered that the contraction of the careers service and the transient nature of the area contributed to the levels remaining high.

Members considered that an update report was required in three months time.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That a further update report be submitted to the Committee in three months time.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) 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.

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;

(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:

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

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.

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.

In relation to Health and Wellbeing Councillor Truswell raised the co-operative energy scheme which Members have received an email about. The aim of the scheme being for local people to collectively negotiate for better energy tariffs.

Changes to the Neighbourhood Improvement Board structure in the Inner South to better reflect wards and their needs were noted.

RESOLVED – that the contents of the report be noted.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) seeking the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2013/2014 municipal year.

The Chief Officer (Democratic Services) submitted a report which sought approval of a meeting schedule for 2013/14 municipal year.

Members noted the dates proposed and commented that in terms of timing of meetings that it would be better for all if the meetings were moved from 6:30pm to 6pm.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved that

(a)  That the meeting dates as set out in paragraph 3.1.1 to the report be approved;

(b)  That once the date of the Annual Council Meeting for 2014 has been finalised that the Chair in consultation with Area Management Officers approve the arrangements for the seventh Area Committee meeting; and

(c)  That the time the Committee meets be moved from 6:30pm to 6pm.

6.30pm, Wednesday 15^th May 2013. Venue to be confirmed.

6:30pm 15^th May 2013 – Venue to be confirmed.