Agenda and minutes

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 minytes 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 the Community 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 there were no members of the public in attendance.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2015

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2015 be confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

Minute No 25 – Summary of Key Work

Further to the minute published, Councillor S Golton had raised an objection that the Community Centre Review had not been brought back to the full Community Committee and as the Community Committee was the democratic discussion and decision making process that such an issue should have been brought to all Members.

Members further discussed involvement in the Community Centre Review which included input at Ward Member Briefings, meetings with the Executive Board Member and discussion at the Community Centre Sub-Group.

To receive and consider the attached report of the South East Area Leader

The report of the South East Area Leader sought to provide Members with the following:

·  Details of the Wellbeing budget position

·  An update on the revenue, capital and youth activities fund elements of the Wellbeing Budget

·  Details of revenue projects agreed to date

·  Details of Youth Activities fund agreed to date

·  Details of revenue funding for consideration and approval

·  Details of proposed ring-fences for 2015/16

·  Details of activities funded through the Youth Activities Fund

·  The current position of the Small Grants Budget

Aretha Hanson, Area Officer presented the report:

The following was discussed:

·  Proposed increase to the Community Committee’s communication budget – some concern was expressed whether this was necessary and it was suggested that the Community Committee’s communication strategy be reviewed in the next year.

·  Increase to the contribution for the Neighbourhood Improvement Officer commissioned by Health for All.  The amount of the proposed increase was queried but, following a discussion and vote proposal was approved.

·  Possibility of purchasing portable skate park equipment.

·  Funding for off-road bikes – following reports that West Yorkshire Police would not be bidding for funding in 2015/16 it was asked whether this could be considered further with Parks and Countryside.

·  With regard to the application for litter bins it was asked if enforcement action could be taken and whether the covert CCTV could be used to support action in the Drighlington Bypass and Hodgson Lane areas.  Covert cameras having previously been purchased through Wellbeing Funding. This would be referred to the Environmental Action Team.

RESOLVED -

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the position of the Wellbeing, Capital and Activities fund elements of the Wellbeing Budgets be noted.

(3)  That the revenue projects already agreed be noted.

(4)  That details of Youth Activities Fund agreed to date be noted.

(5)  That proposed ring fences for 2015/16 be approved.

(6)  That the following projects be approved:

·  Outer South Garden Maintenance Scheme - £33,000 – Approved

·  Ground Perimeter Fencing – Woodkirk Valley FC - £3,000 – approved.

·  Rothwell May Day Celebrations - £1,000- approved

·  Drighlington Library Replacement of Public Use Computers - £1,100 approved

·  Drighlington Bypass and Hodgson Lane Litterbins - £600 approved

(7)  That the small grants situation be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the South East Area Leader

The report of the South East Area Leader brought Members’ attention to work which the Area Support Team was engaged in based on priorities identified by the Community Committee that were not covered elsewhere on the Agenda. 

Aretha Hanson, Area Officer presented the report.

Issues discussed included the following:

·  The Children’s and Families Sub Group had met on 25 February 2015 and had reviewed applications for Youth Activities Funds for 2015/16.  Consultation had also included young people.

·  Employment, Skills and Welfare – reference was made to the workshop held prior to the meeting and the successful jobs fair that had been held.

·  Environment and Community Safety – It was reported that the Environmental Action Teams had now moved to more joined up working methods and a request was made to look at expanding areas for litter picking and whether more enforcement work could be undertaken. Crime had fallen overall in the Outer South Area and there was a Wellbeing application anticipated for funding for crime prevention packs. Members also discussed child sexual exploitation and whether this could form part of a future workshop discussion.

·  Health and Wellbeing – Members were given an update on the Social Prescribing work and a funding bid had been submitted for work in the Outer South Area.  Eighty percent of the Wellbeing packs had been distributed by the end of February and an evaluation of the scheme was being undertaken.  There was still some work to do on identifying those most in need of the packs.  Reference was also made to the Childhood Obesity Programme and Obesity & Physical Activity and the ‘Sugar Swaps’ Campaign.

·  Adult Social Care – The Older People’s Working Group had met and discussed evaluations of the Wellbeing Packs and Outer South Garden Maintenance Scheme.

·  Community Centre Review – The Area Leader provided a verbal update on the views of the Community Centre sub group following the meeting held on 12th March 2015.  At that meeting the sub group had considered a number of available options regarding the future of those Community Centres located within the Outer South area.  It was noted that the Community Centre sub group had expressed the following views:-

o  St Gabriel’s Community Centre: support for option 3, as detailed within the submitted report

o  Gildersome Community Centre: support for the option set out in the paper

o  Lewisham Community Centre: support for the option set out in the paper

o  Windmill Community Centre: support for option 3, as detailed within the submitted report.

In conclusion, the Community Committee concurred with the views of the Community Centre sub group.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor

The report of the City Solicitor requested that Members give consideration to agreeing a Community Committee schedule for the 2015/16 municipal year and to also give consideration as to whether any revisions to the current meeting and venue arrangements should be explored.

The following dates and times had been proposed in the report:

·  Monday, 29th June 2015

·  Monday, 10th September 2015

·  Monday, 30^th November 2015

·  Monday, 14^th  March 2016

Meetings to commence at 4.00 p.m.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the following dates be agreed:

·  Monday, 29th June 2015

·  Monday, 10th September 2015

·  Monday, 30^th November 2015

·  Monday, 14^th March 2016

Meetings to commence at 4.00 p.m.