Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Committee Chair, nominations were sought for a Member to preside as Area Committee Chair for the duration of the meeting. It was then moved by Councillor Truswell and seconded by Councillor Blake.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Groves be elected as Chair of the Area Committee for the duration of the meeting.

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.

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.

With the agreement of those Members present, the Committee considered a

late item of business in the form of Wellbeing applications entitled,‘ Hunslet Festival, SLATE VAN, Easter 2014 Holidays Activities - Beeston & Holbeck, Holiday Youth Activities (Middleton Park) ’, which was to be determined as part of agenda item 9 (Wellbeing Report). Secondly, in the form of additional information relating to agenda item 13 – New Locality Services and Development of the 2014/15 Service Level Agreement.

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.

Apologies for absence were received form Councillor E Nash and Councillor A Gabriel.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th February 2014.

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 5th February 2014 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.

On this occasion no questions or representations were made.

To receive a report of the City Solicitor seeking the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2014/2015 municipal year and also to agree a date for the Election of Chair Committee meeting prior to the Annual Council Meeting in June 2014. In addition, Members are requested to give consideration as to whether they wish to continue with the Committee’s current meeting and venue arrangements or whether they would like to request any amendments to such arrangements.

The City Solicitor submitted a report which sought the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2014/2015 municipal year and also to agree a date for the Election of Chair Committee meeting prior to the Annual Council Meeting in June 2014.

In addition, Members were requested to give consideration as to whether they wished to continue with the Committee’s current meeting and venue arrangements or whether they would like to request any amendments to such arrangements.

Members discussed the report and felt that that the meetings detailed within the submitted report in July and October needed to be re-considered due to Member commitments.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Request that the dates detailed in the submitted report for the 2014/15 municipal year be re-considered and circulated to Members for approval;

(b)  agree to continue with the Committee’s current meeting and venue arrangements; and

(c)  agree the proposed date for the meeting primarily scheduled to elect a Chair for the 2014/2015 municipal year to be 6.00pm, Wednesday 4th June 2014.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) providing Confirmation of the 2012/13 and 2013/14 revenue allocation and carry forward figure, An update on the revenue element of the Wellbeing budget, Details of ringfenced proposals for 2014/15, details of revenue projects agreed to date, details of project proposals for consideration and approval, Members are also asked to note the current position of the Small Grants Budget.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report confirming the Committee’s 2012/13 and 2013/14 revenue allocation and carry forward figure, the report provided an update on the revenue element of the Wellbeing budget, detailed the ringfenced proposals for 2014/15 and detailed the revenue projects agreed to date. In addition, the report sought Members’ consideration of the Wellbeing project proposals which had been submitted and provided an update on the current position of the Small Grants budget.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved:

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

(b)  That the current position of the Wellbeing budget, as set out within paragraph 3.0 of the submitted report be noted;

(c)  note the details of ring fence proposals for 2014/15 as detailed in Table 1 of the submitted report;

(d)  That the Wellbeing revenue projects already agreed, as listed within Table 2 of the submitted report be noted; and

(e)  That the following be agreed in respect of those expressions of interest received for  Wellbeing funding project proposals which were detailed within section 4.0 of the submitted report:-

(f) that the Small grants position detailed at paragraph 5.0 of the submitted report be noted.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) which brings to Members’ attention in a succinct fashion, details of the range of activities with which the Area Support Team are engaged in based on the Area Committee Business Plan priorities, that are not addressed in greater detail elsewhere on this agenda. It provides opportunities for further questioning or the opportunity to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report which brought together details of the range of activities with which the Area Support Team were engaged in, based on the Area Committee Business Plan priorities, that were not addressed in greater detail elsewhere within the agenda. It also provided opportunities for further discussion on particular issues.

The Chair invited those Lead Members present to update the Committee on the work which was currently being undertaken within their respective themed areas.

Employment Skills and Welfare

Councillor Groves provided an update on the jobs being created locally by the opening of a new superstore.

Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Truswell informed the Committee that more work is being undertaken with the third sector and recognised the key role played by the sector in Health and Wellbeing.

Adult Social Care

Councillor Blake highlighted the recent work done for older people and stressed the importance of keeping older people up to date with information and events that affect them.

The Committee also received an update on the work being undertaken with

regards to Integrated Locality Working, with particular reference being made to the various Neighbourhood Improvement Boards (NIBs), the Holbeck

Neighbourhood Plan, Community Led local Development and progress on the Town & district Centres 2 Programme. With regard to City and Hunslet NIB, it was noted that City and Hunslet Ward Members had recently considered and agreed 5 Projects’ identified through the NIB Improvement Plan to be funded via the £30,000.00 which had been allocated to the NIB.

RESOLVED - The Committee Resolved to:

(a)  note the contents of the report;

(b)  consider a place based name for their new community committee;

(c)  note projects agreed from City & Hunslet ward Neighbourhood Improvement Board allocation featured at Section 9.2.2 of the submitted report; and

(d)  sign off the Business Plan Priorities & Actions for 2013/14 and considered new priorities for 2014/15 to be included for further consideration and approval at the first meeting of the new municipal year.

The purpose of this report is to outline the action being taken to discharge the statutory responsibilities of Leeds City Council, to lead and deliver the public health agenda, raise awareness of the Area Lead member for Health and Wellbeing, inform the Area Committee of the current position regarding public health work in the Inner South Area Committee and set the scene for future progress.

The Health and Wellbeing Manager presented a report submitted by The Director of Public Health. The report outlined the action being taken to: discharge the statutory responsibilities of Leeds City Council, lead and deliver the public health agenda, raise awareness of the Area Lead member for Health and Wellbeing, inform the Area Committee of the current position regarding public health work in the Inner South Area Committee and set the scene for future progress.

Members questioned the officers present from Public Health about work being undertaken to stop younger people from smoking in the Inner South Area. Members commented that different ways of discouraging people from smoking need to be put into action and noted that often the benefits of this work was not seen for years afterwards.

Members requested that a report to a future meeting should be presented outlining public health resources linked to addressing key health inequalities, and the devolved allocation for Inner South Leeds.

Members were pleased that mental health was an area being focused on especially due to a significant percentage of unemployed people who suffer mental health issues.

Finally Members suggested that a focus should be made on supporting families and not just individuals.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the new arrangements in Leeds City Council around providing local leadership for public health;

(b)  Acknowledge the role of the Area Lead member for Health and Wellbeing; and

(c)  Note the public health work that is currently being delivered in the Area Committee boundaries.

To receive a report of the Chief Officer, Customer Access which provides members with an update on the current position and short / longer term plans for the coming year in establishing a Community Hub pilot at the St George’s Centre, Middleton.

The Head of Face to Face Contact presented a report of the Chief Officer (Customer Access).The report provided members with an update on the current position and short / longer term plans for the coming year in establishing a Community Hub pilot at the St George’s Centre, Middleton.

Members considered the report and offered to provide thoughts to the Head of Face to Face contact after giving the project some more thought.

Members stressed the importance of being able to refer people to the correct place when they are asked for help and advice.

Members commented that the report did not mention the role of the third and voluntary sectors and that these sectors need to be more involved.

RESOLVED - The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the work being undertaken with current service partners on site at the St George’s Centre to deliver a Community Hub provision for the local community;

(b)  Note the plans for future closer working with partners internal and external to the Council to provide a more holistic customer service provision in communities, led by the needs of the local community; and

(c)  Consider its role in the development of the Community Hub concept within its locality in line with the developments and ideas set-out in Section 3 of the submitted report and contact the Head of Face to Face contact directly.

Locality Manager (South and Outer East Leeds) This report provides an update on proposed changes to the operating model and structure of Environmental Action Service Locality Teams to deliver zonally based services. It outlines the reasons for these changes and the process for agreeing them. It also describes the process for developing the Service Level Agreements with Area Committees for 2014/15

The Locality Manager (South and Outer East Leeds) presented his report which provided an update on proposed changes to the operating model and structure of Environmental Action Service Locality Teams to deliver zonally based services. It outlined the reasons for these changes and the process for agreeing them. It also described the process for developing the Service Level Agreements with Area Committees for 2014/15.

Members requested, wherever possible that cleaning of streets takes place after bin collection rather than before. It was noted that this is done wherever possible and that under new arrangements was more likely to happen.

Members sought assurances that there will be enough cover to keep on top of duties over the summer holiday period. Furthermore Members requested that zones continued to be looked at, bearing in mind areas that are not seen as priorities.

Generally Members were satisfied with the direction of travel that the service was making.

RESOLVED - The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the proposals for a new working model for Locality Team services; and

(b)  Agree the approach to consulting on proposals for changes to the Locality Team operating model, the priorities within the SLA for 2014/15 and proposals for future waste management arrangements.

To receive a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate which provides an annual update from the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator on progress made in Inner South to deliver the priorities of the Safer Leeds Executive during 2012/13 and 2013/14.  It provides an overview of activity and performance information at a ward level to reduce crime and ASB in neighbourhoods and in relation to the delegated function of CCTV.  The report provides an overview of wellbeing funded activity that has taken place during 2013.

The Area Community Safety Officer Presented a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. The report provided an annual update on progress made in Inner South to deliver the priorities of the Safer Leeds Executive during 2012/13 and 2013/14.  It provided an overview of activity and performance information at a ward level to reduce crime and ASB in neighbourhoods and in relation to the delegated function of CCTV.  The report also provided an overview of wellbeing funded activity that has taken place during 2013.

The information it contained by necessity covered a longer time scale than usual and the most up to date information available was presented.  Members are advised that the next scheduled report is due to be presented to the Area Committee in September 2014.

Chief Inspector Nick Adams was also in attendance to answer Members’ questions.

Members considered that it was important to work as effectively as possible in light of reducing resources available to both the Police and the Council. Members established the best way to escalate matters with the Police when they have received complaints from the public.

Members considered the importance of the close working relationship that the Committee and the Council has with West Yorkshire Police.

At the invitation of the Chair a member of the public raised the issue of female genital mutilation which affects some communities in the Inner South area. Members agreed this was an important issue and would consider the best way to approach it.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report.

To receive a report of the Director of Children’s Services which provides members with a comprehensive set of children’s information in an increasingly succinct manner.  Common feedback is to build on this with more local context.  There are established city priorities in the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), especially the obsessions.  The purpose of this cycle of reports is to understand if there are any local priorities that should also be regularly highlighted in these reports, for example a focus on a particular aspect of one of the obsessions.  For this committee it is recommended that the local lead member for Children’s Services works with the area head of targeted services to identify local priorities for the committee’s approval.

The Chief Officer (Strategy, Commissioning and Performance) and Head of Targeted Services (Children’s Services) presented a report submitted by the Director of Children’s Services. The report provided members with a comprehensive set of children’s information. Members were informed there are established city priorities in the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), especially the obsessions.  The purpose of this cycle of reports was to understand if there are any local priorities that should also be regularly highlighted in these reports, for example a focus on a particular aspect of one of the obsessions.  For this committee it was recommended that the local lead member for Children’s Services works with the area head of targeted services to identify local priorities for the committee’s approval.

Members highlighted the good work being undertaken by Children’s Services specifically in relation to helping schools who are criticised by Ofsted.

Members agreed to continue to provide as much support to Children’s Service operating in the Inner South area as is required.

RESOLVED - The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report and support Children’s Services in their work where required.

To receive  report of the Chief Officer Parks and Countryside. This report seeks to further develop the relationship between the Parks and Countryside service and the South Inner Area Committee, as agreed at Executive Board. It provides an overview of the service and sets out some of the challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives.  In addition it seeks to provide a positive way forward for delivering the extended role of the Area Committee. In particular it sets out at an area level progress made in attaining Leeds Quality Park standard.  It also sets out investment need to attain and sustain LQP standards.

The Natural Environment Manager presented a report of the Chief Officer Parks and Countryside.  The report sought to further develop the relationship between the Parks and Countryside service and the South Inner Area Committee, as agreed at Executive Board. It provided an overview of the service and set out some of the challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives.  In addition it sought to provide a positive way forward for delivering the extended role of the Area Committee. In particular it sets out at an area level progress made in attaining Leeds Quality Park standard.  It also set out investment needed to attain and sustain LQP standards.

Members commented it was essential to get the right trees in the right places.

RESOLVED - The Committee resolved to:

(a)  note the contents of the report; and

(b)  further consider priorities for investment in community parks, playing pitches and fixed play facilities.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) which provides an overview of work carried out at neighbourhood level across Beeston & Holbeck; City & Hunslet; Middleton Park. It also provides members with an update on work to strengthen community infrastructure and area wide projects. Further it outlines proposals for future working arrangements for The Neighbourhood Improvement Project 2014/15.

The Neighbourhoods Improvement Officers presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) which provided an overview of work carried out at neighbourhood level across Beeston & Holbeck; City & Hunslet; Middleton Park. It provided members with an update on work to strengthen community infrastructure and area wide projects. The report also outlined proposals for future working arrangements for The Neighbourhood Improvement Project 2014/15.

Members noted the excellent jobs done in the area by Neighbourhood Improvement Officers.

RESOLVED - The Committee Resolved to:

(a)  note the contents of this report;

(b)  approve the overall structure for the future working arrangements for NIOs; and

(c)  note the Area Leader’s recommendation to approve two years of funding from 1st April 2014 to 31st March 2016 subject to an annual review of the project and Executive Board approval of the delegated Wellbeing Budget.  The NIO workers to be employed by Health for All Leeds.

6pm Wednesday 4^th June 2014

6pm Wednesday 4th June 2014, Hillside, Tiger 11,

The Committee expressed its regret and sadness for the death of Steve Williams.