Agenda item

To consider a report of the South East Area Leader providing information on priority work carried out in the area over recent weeks and providing the minutes relating to partnership and sub-group meetings.

An update on the Thorpe Business Park will be provided at the meeting.

(N.B. Cross Gates Community Forum (Appendix 1 refers) - Minutes of a meeting held on 9 January 2013 to follow)

The South East Area Leader submitted a report providing information on priority work carried out in the area over recent weeks and on the minutes relating to partnership and sub-group meetings.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Cross Gates Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 9^th January 2013 (Appendix 1 refers)
• Halton Moor Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 13^th January 2013 2 (Appendix 2 refers)
• Halton Forum – Minutes of a Meeting held on 17^th January 2013 (Appendix 3 refers)
• Garforth and Swillington Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 21^st January 2013 (Appendix 4 refers)
• Area Chairs Forum - Minutes of a Meeting held on 2^nd November 2012 (Appendix 5 refers)
• East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Minutes of a Meeting held on 29^th November 2013 (Appendix 6 refers)
• South East Leeds Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Minutes of a Meeting held on 29^th November 2013 (Appendix 7 refers)

Peter Mudge, South East Area Improvement Officer presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In his presentation, the Area Improvement Officer referred to a number of exciting projects identified at recent ward member briefing meetings. He made specific reference to a new scheme on Whitkirk Lane/Austhorpe Lane and that a meeting with Highways was planned in the near future to discuss the proposals.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

Councillor M Lyons referred to the review of Youth Services/Update on Clusters issue discussed at the Area Chairs Forum held on 2^nd November 2012. He informed the meeting that clusters were not working for Elected Members as they had no vote and a small input within the process.

The Chair reported on recent discussions held with Councillor J Blake, Executive Member, Children’s Services on this issue.

In concluding discussions, the Chair agreed to raise this at the next Area Chairs Forum and Peter Mudge, South East Area Improvement Officer agreed to provide a briefing report on this issue at the next meeting in March 2013.

The Chair then welcomed representatives from Scarborough Developments Group and Planning Services who were attending the meeting to report on progress on the planning application for a mix of uses on the underdeveloped land at Thorpe Park Business Park, junction 46 of the M1, in Leeds 15.

The Committee noted that:-

-  good progress on planning and engagement was being made;

-  the Council was taking a leading role in relation to the delivery of the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR);

-  on going discussions were being held with Barnbow and Vickers with regarding to delivering the Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR);

-  on going discussions were being held with Network Rail regarding the bridge;

Detailed information was provided on complex highway issues and employment issues. Reference was made to on going discussions with Employment Leeds and it was noted that a draft employment and skills plan would be submitted to Employment Leeds for consideration in the near future.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  The concerns expressed about the number of young people who were out of work and what steps were being undertaken in supporting those young people who were under achieving and were at the bottom level

(The representative from the Scarborough Development Group informed the meeting that a draft agreement addressing this issue would be prepared, together with an engagement process to be undertaken with local schools)

·  To look at introducing a roadshow similar to the one undertaken for the PFI Corrillian bid in relation to Elemete Towers which attracted local people and achieved a local element

·  The need for a copy of the draft employment and skills plan to be submitted to this Committee following consideration of the document by Employment Leeds

·  The need for a copy of the Draft Implementation Strategy to be submitted to this Committee for discussion

·  Clarification if the Green Park application was dependant on the  Thorpe Park application

In concluding discussions, the Committee noted that a Special City Plans Panel meeting would be convened at the end of March to consider the Thorpe Park application and Green Park application. The representative from Planning Services agreed to circulate a copy of the Panel reports to Members of the Area Committee for their information.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That a briefing report on clusters be considered at the next meeting in March 2013.

c)  That a copy of the draft employment and skills plan be submitted to this Committee following consideration of the document by Employment Leeds.

d)  That a copy of the Draft Implementation Strategy be submitted to the Committee for discussion.