Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting

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

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

Although there were no formal late items, Members were in receipt of the following supplementary information for consideration at the meeting:

·  revised pages 93-96 of the agenda relating to Children’s

Services Centre Inspection Judgement grades showing the levels achieved; that data not having been properly reproduced in the copying process (minute 80 refers)

·  the Area Chairs Forum minutes of 13/1/12 which were not

available at the time the agenda was despatched (minute 83 refers)

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

  The following Members declared personal/prejudicial interests for the purposes of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8-12 of the Members Code of Conduct:

  Environmental Services Consultation on the 2012/13 SLA – Councillor Dobson declared a personal interest through being the Executive Member for Environmental Services (minute 77 refers)

  Aire Valley Homes Leeds Service Delivery update – Councillor Murray declared a personal interest through being a member of the Aire Valley Homes ALMO (minute 79 refers)

  Outer East Wellbeing budget – Councillor Armitage declared a personal interest through being the Chair of Swarcliffe Good Neighbours as the report contained details about the work being undertaken by this organisation following a grant by East Outer Area Committee (minute 81 refers)

  Further declarations were made during the course of the meeting, minutes 77 and 80 refer

To receive any apologies for absence.

  Apologies for absence were received from Councillor A McKenna and Councillor Mitchell

To approve the minutes of the East Outer Area Committee meeting held on 14^th February 2012

(minutes attached)

  RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the East Outer Area Committee meeting held on 14^th February 2012 be approved

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.

  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 to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, there were no matters raised

To consider a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) setting out possible meeting dates for East Outer Area Committee for the 2012/2013 municipal year

(report attached)

Council Function

Members considered a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) setting out possible meeting dates for East Outer Area Committee for the 2012/2013 municipal year

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Area Committee which would be to appoint a Chair for the new municipal year was 21^st May 2012, with concerns being raised at this timescale in view of the Annual Council meeting being held later that day and the practicalities for Members

RESOLVED –

i)  That a revised meeting date be arranged to elect the Chair for 2012/2013

ii)  To agree the meeting dates for the 2012/2013 municipal year as set out in the submitted report

iii)  That the current arrangements in terms of time and venue be continued

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods setting out services to be added to the Locality Team’s portfolio and included in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2012/2013 and consulting on updated priorities East Outer Area Committee would like to see addressed in the new SLA

(report attached)

Executive Function

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing information about services that are to be added to the Locality Team’s portfolio and therefore included in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2012/12 and consulting on updated priorities the Area Committee would like to see addressed in the new SLA which will be presented for approval at the June meeting cycle

  RESOLVED -  

  i)   To note the comments now made

  ii)  To note the addition of further services to the delegation as approved by Executive Board on 10^th February 2012

iii)  To agree the development of the new SLA for 2012/13 to be

brought to East Outer Area Committee in the June meeting cycle for approval, based on the newly delegated elements, additional delivery capacity, responses to Olympic and Queen’s Jubilee events and refreshed Elected Member and Area Committee local priorities

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods setting out services to be added to the Locality Team’s portfolio and included in the SLA for 2012/13.  The report also sought to consult on updated priorities the Area Committee wished to see addressed in the new SLA

  Tom Smith – Locality Manager South and Outer East Leeds presented the report and outlined the new services to be delegated, these being:

·  Gully cleaning

·  Graffiti removal

·  Needle removal

·  Ginnel clearance

·  Dog Wardens

Members were informed that specific commitments relating to a

number of issues, including cleansing/maintenance of priority ginnels; litter bin replacement; cleaning of arterial routes and enforcement would form part of the new SLA, together with specific events, ie the Olympic Torch relay and the event at Temple Newsam and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee events, including street parties

  Members commented on the following matters:

·  the need for the service to be provided equitably across the four wards comprising East Outer Area Committee

·  the number of prosecutions secured in 2011 for dog fouling and some confusion over which bins dog owners should use to dispose of waste safely

·  fly tipping, particularly of tyres in the Garforth and Swillington Ward and how this problem had been addressed

·  the success of the first SLA and that thanks should be given to the staff who had embraced the changes and worked hard to deliver the service

·  the event at Temple Newsam to celebrate the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Leeds and the need to work with Parks and Countryside staff to clear up quickly after what was expected to be a well-attended event

·  the possibility of using mobile CCTV in well-known fly tipping hot spots

Tom Smith responded to the points raised and provided the following

information:

·  that the number of prosecutions for dog fouling in 2011 was small and that specific details could be provided in a future report.  However, there was now greater emphasis on enforcement action with more people being trained to take witness statements and a referral plan being implemented for PCSOs to report incidents.  The threshold for fixed penalty notices was also being reviewed as was the possibility, in serious cases, of prosecuting immediately rather than using the warning mechanism of fixed penalty notices

·  that work was needed to better inform people that black bins could be used to dispose of dog waste as well as the specific bins provided

·  that the problems of fly tipping of tyres in Garforth had abated and that firms had been targeted directly by Environmental Services about this matter and that the second SLA provided for targeting of zero tolerance enforcement, both geographical and issue based

·  that mobile CCTV equipment although expensive, was available albeit on a limited basis but that if Members were of the view this was necessary to address persistent problems of fly tipping, this could be considered

RESOLVED -  

i)  To note the report and the comments now made

ii)  To note the addition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

To consider a report of the Director of City Development outlining the public consultation period for the Core Strategy and seeking comments from the Area Committee on the document

(report attached)

Council Function

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Director of City Development outlining the public consultation period for the Core Strategy and seeking comments from the Area Committee on the document

  Kathryn Holloway – Team Leader Local Plans East and Lyla Peter – Team Leader - Data from City Development were in attendance and presented the report

  Concerns were raised that for a matter of such importance, no Senior Officers from City Development had attended the meeting

  Officers outlined the report and the challenges Leeds faced in terms of changing demographics and the infrastructure and green space requirements a growing city needed

  A key aim of the Core Strategy was to provide a strategic overview for the preparation of a future Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) and neighbourhood plans, therefore the Core Strategy was not site specific but took a district-wide approach to planning for homes, jobs etc

  The importance of regeneration was emphasised as was the maintenance of distinctive communities and accessibility to public transport

  Members were informed that the consultation related to the soundness of the plan rather than to general comments and changes

  Members discussed the report and commented on the following matters:

·  the remit of the consultation and the likelihood of the public engaging in this

·  the real problems being faced by people in East Leeds due to a shortage of school places and poor transport

·  demographics and the figures being used to predict demand, with concerns that mistakes made in the past should not be repeated

·  the number of planning permissions granted where no development had commenced despite the need for housing in the city

·  that developers would concentrate on areas of their choosing, with greenfield sites in outer areas being likely to be developed ahead of brownfield inner city sites

·  that no mention of social housing had been made

·  that population forecasts were paramount and that there should be regular reviews of the soundness of these figures

·  the need to ensure there was good communication between the different sections within City Development, particularly where there were changing circumstances, with concerns that a recent residential development in LS15 had been recommended for approval, despite it failing to meet policy requirements for affordable housing; with the financial viability of the scheme being assessed by Officers.  Following refusal of the application by Plans Panel East, it seemed the developer had now agreed to provide the level of affordable housing required

·  concern that in concentrating on the Core Strategy, the Protected Areas of Search (PAS) sites would be forgotten and the need for planning applications on these sites to also conform to the same tests as in the Core Strategy, i.e. around identity/cohesiveness

·  indications on the Core Strategy key diagram for 2000 – 3500 additional homes in Garforth and whether this related to the town or the whole Garforth and Swillington Ward and the need for further, specific information to fully understand the address the issues which would be raised by this

·  the difficulties  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive of Aire Valley Homes providing an update on areas of activity and performance and highlighting areas of joint work currently ongoing between Aire Valley Homes Leeds and other Council services

(report attached)

Council Function

  (Prior to considering this matter, Councillor Wakefield left the meeting)

  Members considered a report of the Chief Executive of Aire Valley Homes Leeds (AVHL) which provided an update on areas of activity and performance and highlighted areas of joint working between the organisation and other Council services

  Simon Costigan, Chief Executive Aire Valley Homes Leeds presented the report and informed Members of the increased focus on partnership working and indicated that on issues around dog fouling and enforcement, AVHL staff were willing to assist the Locality Teams.  Relating to earlier discussions around the use of mobile CCTV cameras to detect environmental crime, Simon Costigan stated that AVHL had such technology and would discuss the use of this with Tom Smith

  The Chief Executive then outlined the following key areas of activity for AVHL:

• Outer South East Area Panel and the funding being provided through the Wellbeing budget
• Environmental clean up campaigns
• Joint working with the police
• Children’s Services
• Older People’s Housing Services, with discussions at an early stage with the NHS about the provision of bed spaces to help reduce bed blocking.  Members were also informed of a recent 5 star rating which AVHL had achieved for Older People’s Housing Services
• Community Payback
• Employment initiatives
• Energy efficiency
• Repairs and maintenance

In terms of customer satisfaction levels a recent survey showed an

increase in this level from the 2010 STATUS survey of 69% to 90%

  Simon Costigan also acknowledged the joint work being undertaken by the Aire Valley Homes Leeds and the South East Area Management Team

A discussion took place regarding housing priority for retired armed

services personnel and a particular case in the area.  Councillor Gruen stated that the family involved had been offered a property which had been accepted and that a report relating to issues raised in this case would be submitted to a future Executive Board meeting

RESOLVED -  To note the report and the good work being undertaken

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the current issues facing the Directorate and partnership as well as progress which is being made against local and national agendas

(report attached)

Council Function

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report f the Director of Children’s Services which provided an update on the current issues facing the Directorate and partnership as well as progress being made against local and national agendas.  Appended to the report was a copy of the Child Friendly City Priorities and statistical information on a range of issues relating to academic performance, referrals to Social Care, numbers of Looked after Children, NEET figures and Child Protection Plans – on a ward by ward basis across the city

  Nigel Richardson – Director of Children’s Services presented the report and asked for comments on the usefulness of the information being provided

  (Councillor Murray declared a personal interest as the Chief Executive for Learning Partnerships)

  Members commented on the following matters:

·  that in Garforth, some of the key areas and obsessions for Children’s Services were less a priority but that what was needed was information on outcomes, particularly the use young people made of the qualifications they had achieved

·  the lack of school places in areas and that local children were not always able to obtain places at their local school

·  academic attainment and why, year on year improved exam results did not translate into a higher national position when compared to other countries

Nigel Richardson responded and provided the following information:

·  that destination data could be provided and would be of increasing importance when schools would be held to account in terms of this

·  that whilst some areas of the city were performing well against the Department’s’ three obsessions, when the further eight profiles were considered which related to issues like healthy lifestyle and engagement, then there were areas to explore

·  that Children’s Services had inherited a challenge around school places and resources citywide and that a cross-directorate group had been pulled together to examine the data and how to respond to the issues it flagged up

·  that movements of children across the city to travel to school was an issue which was compounded when taking into account pupils with Special Educational Needs who were having to travel some distances each day and that these issues were a priority for Children’s Services

·  regarding academic achievement levels, whilst Leeds had improved performance, so had other Local Authorities so despite the best ever results on a 5A-C GCSE standard of 53%, Leeds was ranked 126 out of 151 Local Authorities

·  that the real challenge in Leeds was about narrowing the gap between the top students and those less advantaged pupils and that even in schools where improvements had been made, this gap had not closed and that developing the Leeds Education Challenge was one way to address gaps in achievement

RESOLVED –

i)  To note the report and the comments now made

ii)  To note the request for further information on outcomes for young people once they had left school

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing a summary of the revenue spend approved for 2011/2012; an update on small grants approved and details of new projects to be agreed

(report attached)

Executive Function

  Members considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing a summary of revenue spend approved for 2011/12 by East Outer Area Committee; an update on small grants approved and details of new projects to be agreed

  RESOLVED –

i)  That East Outer Area Committee note the following:

·  the position of the Wellbeing Budget

·  the small grants approved to date

·  the progress relating to the Olympic Torch relay

·  the progress relating to the continued funding of the gardening scheme and community payback scheme

ii)  That approval be given to the following project:: 

·  Garforth Parking strategy - £5,000

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing a summary of revenue spend approved for 2011/2012; an update on small grants approved and details of a new project seeking funding

  The Area Improvement Manager presented the report and informed Members that the gardening scheme which had secured wellbeing funding would recommence on 1^st April, with adverts and posters informing people about the service being distributed across all four wards.  A target of 400 gardens to be completed by September had been set and that if Members knew of any referrals, they could contact the Area Office

  The Community Payback scheme would continue and that, as agreed through the Environmental Sub-Group, an emphasis for the project would be on cleaning up ginnels

  In respect of the Olympic Torch relay, Members were informed that school cluster managers in all four wards were enthusiastic about the opportunity to participate in projects around this event

  Regarding Garforth parking strategy, a sum of £40,000 had been allocated for use across 6 town and district centres.  As Garforth’s plans were the most advanced, a request for funding of £5,000 was being made to the Area Committee to fund the first stage of the project, together with some funding secured from Aire Valley Homes Leeds

  RESOLVED -  

i)  To note the position of the Wellbeing budget

ii)  To note the small grants approved to date

iii)  To note the progress relating to the Olympic Torch relay

iv)  To note progress relating to funding of the gardening scheme and community payback scheme

v)  To confirm approval of the following project:

·  Garforth parking strategy - £5,000

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) presenting the Area Committee Business Plan for 2011/2012

(report attached)

Council Function

Members considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer

Access and Performance) presenting the Area Committee Business Plan for 2011/2012

  The Area Committee discussed the Business Plan which was appended to the submitted report, with the following main points being raised:

·  the functions delegated to the Area Committee and concerns that not all of these had been given attention

·  that highways maintenance, youth services and area based regeneration should be considered in the next year

·  that agenda setting should take place which allowed for regular items to be considered together with items throughout the year covering all of the priority advisory functions

RESOLVED -  

i)  To note the contents of the Business Plan, in particular Section 6 – Priorities and Actions 2012

ii)  To receive updates at future meetings and for the Area Committee to adopt a three year plan that will be subject to a refresh annually

iii)  To note the comments now made

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing information on priority work carried out in the area over recent works; minutes from community group meetings and details of key issues affecting the Outer East area

(report attached)

Executive Function

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing details of the priority work carried out in the area over recent weeks and detailing key issues affecting the Outer East area.  Appended to the report were minutes relating to recent community forums; engagement activities; partnership and sub-group minutes and the minutes from the Area Chairs Forum from January 2012

  RESOLVED -  To note the report and the comments now made

  The East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) detailing priority work carried out in the area, outlining details on key issues affecting the Outer East area and providing the minutes relating to community engagement activities, partnership meetings and the Area Chairs Forum meeting

  The Area Improvement Manager presented the report and outlined the key issues relating to:

·  Garforth parking strategy – that this was to be considered by the Highways Board on 3^rd April 2012

·  Grafton Villas long footpath – that highways had not begun to remove the York stones but that this would commence next week, with the scheme being completed on time

·  White Laithe shops – that planning permission would be considered for the provision of security gates to an alley way in early April

·  Community Payback – that referrals were increasing and now stood at 58 from a previous level of 37

·  Tasking meetings – with changes to the way police-led multi-agency initiatives to tackle crime and grime would operate

·  Olympic Torch route – that work was progressing well

·  Wykbeck Valley Pride – that work had commenced to improve this area at Halton Moor

Councillor Grahame expressed her thanks for the work carried out on

the Grafton Villas long footpath

The possibility of involving older people in the area’s Sheltered Homes,

in projects around the Olympic Torch route was raised, with the Area Improvement Manager agreeing to approach elderly groups and support workers on this matter

  RESOLVED -  To note the report

Councillor Lyons took the opportunity to thank Councillor Parker for the work he had undertaken, not just with the East Outer Area Committee but in the community, with Councillor Hyde seconding these comments

Monday 21^st May 2012 at 3.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

  To be confirmed