Agenda and minutes

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

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, 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  the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those 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:-

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

There were no late items submitted to the agenda.

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.

There were no declarations made.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th March 2013.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th March 2013 be 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. 

A member of the public asked about progress in saving Middleton Park Golf Course from closure. Members confirmed that work was on going to develop a business plan to keep the course open which included the introduction of refreshment facilities.  It was confirmed that there will be a meeting in the next week to discuss the business plan. Members stressed the importance that more people use the course in order for it to become viable. Furthermore it was considered that other councillors should be included in discussions as although this is in Middleton Park it is a facility for all of South Leeds.

A member of the public enquired about progress on the housing PFI scheme within South Inner Leeds. Members confirmed there was no further news with regards to this.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic Services) which explains the arrangements for the annual election of Chairs for Area Committees and that in line with this process, to recommend that the Area Committee elect a Chair for the 2013/2014 municipal year.

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report on the election of Area Committee Chair for the 2013/14 municipal year.

Appended to the report was a copy of Paragraph 5 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules which dealt with the process by which Chairs for Area Committees were elected (Appendix 1 refers).

It was reported that one nomination had been received for Area Committee Chair on behalf of Councillor A Gabriel.

RESOLVED-

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

(b)  That Councillor Angela Gabriel be elected as Chair for the 2013/2014 Municipal Year.

To receive a report of Parks and Countryside the report provides an update to Members to an important scheme to effect the important greenspaces in Inner South.

The Parks and Countryside service submitted a report providing an update to the Committee on the important green spaces in Inner South Leeds.

Glen Gorner - Natural Environment Manager (City Development) was in attendance to answer Members’ questions and present the submitted report.

Members commented on the need for priority to be given to the South Inner area specifically in relation to estates with little or no trees.

Also considered was the funding streams to help continue the work on the green infrastructure and the partnerships that contribute to improvements made. It was viewed important by Members that deprived areas be targeted first.

Members discussed the career opportunities which exist in horticulture and asked that work be continued to get children interested in this field of work.

At this point Members were informed about the management of the woodland and how income is generated from companies wishing to collect firewood. In exchange these companies also undertake improvement to woodland under the direction of the Parks and Countryside Service.

Discussion moved to the need for the right trees to be planted in the right places and that often this is not achieved with cheaper inappropriate species planted. Members considered that improved co-operation between Parks and Countryside and Planning Services was required to get this aspect of tree planting correct.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Committee note the contents of the report; and

(b)  That the Area Support Team contact Martin Farrington (Director of City Development) to highlight the Committee’s concern that the appropriate trees are planted in the right places when developments are proposed in Leeds.

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, 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.

The Committee were provided with updates from the following Sub Group Chairs:

Children’s and Young People Sub Group

The Committee were informed that the Sub Group would be meeting on the 10th June 2013.

Inner South Environmental Sub Group

The Committee were informed that the green corridor had been discussed as had street cleaning and the local environment. Members were informed that the timetable and the development of the SLA3 had been fully discussed. Further, it was highlighted that the re-configuration of services should also result in extra resources.

Crime and Grime Partnership

The Group has begun looking at child exploitation. In terms of burglary, an action plan is being constructed which will be available in time for the next meeting of the Area Committee.

South East Health and Wellbeing Partnership

It was highlighted that there are high levels of smokers in Belle Isle and that in response, a new smoking cessation clinic was opened on May 3rd at Belle Isle Family Centre. The work on understanding and tackling obesity was mentioned to the Committee as an important area. The Committee were informed that the partnership is aiming to become more focused in its work by targeting specific issues.

Members discussed the International Day for Older Persons and the possibility of the Committee supporting this event. Members also considered funding an event to coincide with the 2013 celebrations.

The Committee received an update on the use of Public Health funding to support communities around Welfare Reform. Specifically, a Financial Fitness scheme and an IT Hub at Cottingley Towers were planned. The Committee heard from two officers representing West Yorkshire Trading Standards who highlighted the range of issues covered by the Financial Fitness scheme and the type of frauds which are prevalent at the moment and the workshops they provide to help people understand types of frauds and the rights they have as consumers. The programme also seeks to address wider money management issues. A detailed programme of workshops would be shared with Councillors before implementation. The Committee’s support for the work undertaken was requested.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That in principal the Committee support the ring fencing of £1,500 for an event to coincide with the International Day for Older Persons; and

(c)  That the Committee support the programme to be delivered by West Yorkshire Trading Standards in South Inner area and looks fortward to receiving details of proposed workshops.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing the Area Committee with and 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 sought to provide:

1.  Confirmation of the 2012/13 carry forward figure and 2013/14 revenue allocation.

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

3.  Details of revenue funding for consideration and approval

4.  Details of revenue projects agreed to date (as shown at Table 1)

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

Member requested that the money granted for Children’s Services be brought back to the Committee for review on a regular basis. Further that the activities funding to be delegated to the Area Committee for young people should be should be considered by the Committee at its next meeting on 19th June 2013.

Members also commented that a greater focus should be made to target the sections of the community not receiving any money at all.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the position of the Wellbeing Budget, as set out at paragraph 3.0 of the submitted report, be noted;

(c)  That the ring fencing arrangements, as proposed within paragraph 3.1.5 of the submitted report, be approved;

(d)  That the Wellbeing revenue projects already agreed as listed in Table 1 attached to the report be noted;

(e)  That the Small Grants Position detailed in paragraph 6.0 of the report be noted; and

(f)  That the money delegated for Children’s Services be brought to the Committee for consideration at its meeting on 19th June 2013.

6pm Wednesday 19^th June 2013, Venue To Be Confirmed.

6pm Wednesday 19th June 2013. St Mathews Community Centre , St Mathews Street, Leeds, LS11 9NR.