Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Armley Lazer Centre, Lenhurst Avenue, Armley, Leeds, LS12 2RE

Items
No. Item

1.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

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 Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

Minutes:

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

2.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

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:-‘

 

Minutes:

There was no exempt information.

3.

Late Items

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

 

 

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

Minutes:

There were no late items.

4.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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.

 

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

5.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

6.

Open Forum / Community Forums

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.

Minutes:

Cllr Illingworth arrived prior to this item.

 

In accordance with paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Community 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 Community 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.

 

On this occasion, none of the members of public in attendance chose to speak.

7.

Minutes - Inner West Area Committee 25th March 2014 and Inner North West Area Committee 27th March 2014 pdf icon PDF 99 KB

To receive and note the minutes of the final meeting of the Inner West Area Committee meeting held on 25th March 2014 and the minutes of Inner North West Area Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the former West Inner Area Committee, the fore-runner of this Community Committee, were submitted for noting.

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the last meeting of the former West Inner Area Committee held on 25th March 2014 be noted.

 

8.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Minute 100 – Readiness for learning and the inequality gap at age 5

Members had sought clarification on the points system used to calculate the indicators.

 

This issue had been looked at and will be brought back to the committee and will be addressed in relation to one of the committee topics.

 

Minute 102 – Families First

Members had sought information on how many BME families were included in the data used by Families First.

 

Families First are not confident in the data that was used for the report. The system used is due for review and improvement. This issue is to be addressed at a future General Purposes Meeting.

 

Minute 106 – Dates, Times and Venues of the Community Committee Meetings 2014/15

It was noted that the dates for the Inner West Community Committee had now changed.

 

·  8th October 2014

·  10th December 2014

·  28th January 2015

·  11th March 2015

9.

Introduction to Community Committees pdf icon PDF 652 KB

To receive the report of the West North West Area Leader this report sets the scene for your new community committee and asks approval of a set of minimum conditions for any decisions that may need to be delegated, or taken, between formal community committee meetings. The report also asks members to consider and approve the priorities for the committee for the rest of 2014/15.

Minutes:

The report of the West North West Area Leader set the scene for the new Community Committee and asked for Members approval of a set of minimum conditions for any decisions that may need to be delegated, or taken, between formal community committee meetings.

 

The Committee were informed on how the Community Committees had been established. They were informed that there is a change to the structure of the meetings with formal business at the start of the meeting and a themed session to be discussed at each meeting

 

Members’ attention was drawn to no. 8 of the submitted report which set out suggested topics for discussion:

 

-  Engaging and increasing the influence of young people

-  Parks, outdoor play and recreation

-  Free school meal take up and family health

-  District centre sustainability

-  Mental Health

 

Members were informed how the topics were selected.

 

It was noted that planning issues may be addressed through other work streams. Also noted that Inner North West Community Committee fund a community planner post who supports Neighbourhood Planning and would still cover Kirkstall for this financial year.

 

Members were informed how the delegated decision process will work and it will be made clear that ward councillors have made the decisions.

 

Members discussed engagement within the community committees. Kirkstall ward members told the committee that the Inner North West meetings start at 7pm and it was their view that this had increased public attendance at the meetings. The committee discussed meeting start times and it was proposed that two Community Committee meetings in the year ahead start at 7pm finishing at 9pm, and two will start at 5pm

 

RESOLVED – That:

  • Members welcomed the introduction of the Community Committees.
  • Members approved the minimum conditions set out in paragraph 9 of the submitted report with the regard to the need for delegated decisions to be taken between formal community committee meetings.
  • Members considered and approved the topics for engagement.

 

10.

Community Committee Appointments and Sub Groups pdf icon PDF 200 KB

To receive the report of the City Solicitor the report outlines the Community Committee’s role regarding appointments to: Outside Bodies; Area Lead Members; Children’s Services Cluster Partnerships and the Corporate Carers’ Group. In addition, the report invites the Committee to determine the appointments to these groups and organisations. The report also asks Members to consider whether they would like to establish a sub group structure around the Community Committee to support the Committee’s delegations and priority work streams.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the City Solicitor invited the Committee to make appointments to the following bodies as appropriate, and to consider establishing a new sub group structure to support the work of the Community Committee:-

 

·  Those Outside Bodies as detailed at Appendix 1 of the submitted report;

·  One representative to the Corporate Carers’ Group;

·  Community Committee Area Lead Members, as listed at Section 3 of the submitted report; and

·  Children’s Services Cluster Partnerships, also listed at Section 3 of the submitted report.

·  Community Committee sub groups as required

·  Chair of Armley and Bramley forums

 

It was noted that at the Community Chairs meeting it was agreed that Area Lead Members would be known as Community Champions.

 

It was noted that Kirkstall Ward has a large student population. Kirkstall ward members are still to have involvement with the Change Over Sub Group which addresses issues of houses of multiple occupation.

 

Co-optees invited to the sub groups.

 

Work is being carried out on local groups and is to be brought to the next meeting.

 

Kirkstall Ward Members informed the Committee that the Kirkstall and Burley Forum used to be Chaired by Cllr Yeadon on an informal basis. The Kirkstall ward members would like to see the position of Chair to the forum on a formal basis in line with the Armley and Bramley forums

 

RESOLVED - That the Committee confirmed appointments to the following:

Outside Bodies as at Appendix 1 of the submitted report;

·  Inner West Local Housing Advisory Panel – Cllr. J McKenna and Cllr. Ritchie

·  Mary Jane Butler Trust – Cllr. Yeadon and Cllr. Venner

·  Bramley Poors Allotment Trust – Cllr. Hanley

 

Community Champion Roles;

·  Environment and Community Safety – Cllr. Ritchie

·  Children’s Services – Cllr Smart

·  Employment, Skills and Welfare – Cllr. J. McKenna

·  Health Wellbeing and Adult Social Care to be split,

-  Health and Wellbeing – Cllr Lowe

-  Adult Social Care – Cllr. Venner

·  Fuel Poverty  - Cllr. Hanley

 

Children’s Services Cluster Partnership Representatives;

Bramley – Cllr. Gruen

ACES (Armley Cluster Extended Services) – Cllr Lowe

Inner North West Hub covering Kirkstall ward – Cllr Illingworth

 

Corporate Carers’ Group – Cllr. Gruen

 

Sub Groups to be as follows:-

·  General Purposes Sub Group

·  Children and Young People Sub Group

·  Environment Sub Group

 

Armley Forum Chair – Cllr. J. McKenna

Bramley Forum Chair – Cllr. Hanley

 

11.

Appointment of Co-optees pdf icon PDF 182 KB

To receive the report of the City Solicitor the report seeks to gain approval of the appointment of co-optees to the Community Committee for the remainder of the municipal year.

Minutes:

The report of the City Solicitor sought to gain approval of the appointment of co-optees to the Community Committee.

 

A new co-optee role profile had been drafted for Members consideration at Appendix 1 of the submitted report. It was proposed that the co-optees take an active role around community engagement and seek the views of local residents, in particular around the chosen topics. Co-optees would also take a role in supporting the Community Committee Area Leads.

 

Cllr. Ritchie was thanked for his input through experience into producing the co-optee role profile.

 

The following names had been put forward by Ward Members as nominees for Armley and Bramley and Stanningley wards.

 

Armley Ward: Hazel Boutle and Eric Bowes

 

Bramley and Stanningley Ward: Stephen McBarron and Annabel Gaskin

 

 Kirkstall Ward Members would seek nominations from Kirkstall Valley Community Association for the next meeting.

 

Responding to a question from a member of the public the Committee were informed that it was not usual for a committee to have more co-optees than Members. 

 

It was noted that the Area Support Team would circulate information to the forums explaining the Constitution.

 

RESOLVED - That the Community Committee:

·  Approved the approach of appointing two co-optees per ward as outlined within the submitted report.

·  Approved the appointment of;

-  Armley Ward: Hazel Boutle and Eric Bowes

-  Bramley and Stanningley Ward: Stephen McBarron and Annabel Gaskin

·  Defer the decision to appoint co-optees to the Kirkstall Ward to the next meeting

12.

Employment, Skills and Welfare Priority Neighbourhoods Report pdf icon PDF 196 KB

To receive the report of Head of Service Employment and Skills the report seeks endorsement from the Inner West Community Committee for the proposal to develop a West North West Employment, Skills and Welfare Priority Neighbourhoods Board.

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Employment and Skills sought endorsement from the Inner West Community Committee for the proposal to develop a West North West Employment, Skills and Welfare Priority Neighbourhoods Board.

 

Members were informed that a West North West Employment, Skills and Welfare operational group had been operating for 18 months. The proposal was to build on the effective practice elsewhere and to consolidate employment, skills and welfare matters within one dedicated forum.

 

Members were informed that the proposal was for the board to be chaired by Councillor McKenna and made up of key partners with responsibility for providing a coordinated, effective response to employment, skills and welfare issues across the West North West with particular focus on those neighbourhoods with the highest rates of unemployment and poverty.

 

Updates would be provided to the Community Committee through a report rather than attendance at meetings.

 

Members queried the estates named at 3.1 of the submitted report. They were of the view that the Landseers be removed from the report and replaced with the Fairfields, also the Spens and Moor Granges to be included.

 

RESOLVED -  That the Inner West Community Committee noted the contents of the report and endorsed the establishment of a new West North West Employment, Skills and Welfare Priority Neighbourhoods Board.

13.

Wellbeing Update Report pdf icon PDF 198 KB

To receive the report of the West North West Area Leader the report provides Members with the new budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2014/15 following the creation of the new Community Committee. It also presents two new large grants for consideration.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the West North West Area Leader provided Members with the new budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2014/15 following the creation of the new Community Committee. It also presented two new large grants for consideration.

 

Members were informed that with the creation of the new Inner West Community Committee, the Wellbeing budget of the former Inner North West Area Committee has been reviewed, and projects relating to Kirkstall Ward are listed at Appendix 2. The former Inner North West Area Committee allocated its total large grant budget to projects in March 2014, therefore there is no available balance for large grants transferring into the Inner West Community Committee budget during 2014/15. However funds would be transferring into the new Committee’s small grants and skips pot, and the Youth Activities Fund budget.

 

Unallocated revenue budget for each ward was as follows:

-  Armley Ward: £33,246

-  Bramley & Stanningley Ward: £12,206

-  Kirkstall Ward: £0

Total: £45,452

 

Members discussed increasing the upper limit of small grant applications and the projects deferred from the March 2014 meeting and two new Wellbeing applications.

 

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

·  Noted the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2014/15 as per Appendix 1 and 2 of the submitted report.

·  Noted the current position of the small grants and skips budget and those small grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting, and agreed an upper limit of £500 for new small grant applications for 2014/15.

·  Noted the current position of the Youth Activity Fund and projects funded through a delegated decision.

·  Considered the two projects deferred from March 2014 Inner West Committee presented at 3.10 of the submitted report;

1)  AIM Education Playful Parents & Back to Sports Leaders £7,710 Bramley & Stanningley Ward – Members requested a meeting with AIM Education to further discuss.

2)  Burglary Other and Number Plate Theft Initiatives £3,000 split between Armley and Bramley & Stanningley wards – Approved

·  Considered two new Wellbeing applications presented at 3.14 of the submitted report;

1)  Aim for it –Revizit – requested £1,800 – Approved

2)  Breeze Games on Ley Lane – requested £1,960 – Approved

 

Cllr. Lowe arrived during this item.

14.

Community Committee Topic: District Centres pdf icon PDF 176 KB

Report of the West North West Area Leader the purpose of this report is to launch the ‘District Centres’ Community Committee topic to investigate how to promote sustainable district centres across the inner West area.

 

The reports sets out the challenges and opportunities facing the district centres in the years ahead and sets out a community engagement plan to find out what local residents want from their high street.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the West North West Area Leader launched the ‘District Centres’ Community Committee topic to investigate how to promote sustainable district centres across the Inner West area.

 

The report set out the challenges and opportunities facing the district centres in the years ahead and set out a community engagement plan to find out what local residents wanted from their high street.

 

A discussion paper was appended to the submitted report that set out key drivers, challenges and opportunities for the three district centres. It also explained the council’s role around planning, assets, environment and community safety.

 

Council officers from planning, asset management, environmental services, place management and regeneration were in attendance at the meeting and provided information on their specific areas of work. Also in attendance to offer information and experiences was Inspector Jessup and managers of Tesco’s located at Bramley Shopping Centre.

 

Tables had been arranged to represent each of the ward areas. Ward Members and members of the public discussed their district centre raising concerns, highlighting issues and presented their views of initiatives and improvements for the future. Officers circulated offering advice and ideas.

 

Each table was provided with an analysis chart covering the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) of each district centre. A member of the Area Support Team took notes on the discussions.

 

RESOLVED - The Community Committee considered the questions posed in the discussion paper and recommended key lines of enquiry to be explored further and identified opportunities for improvement activities that would be reviewed at a future committee meeting.

 

The Community Committee reviewed the community engagement plan and made recommendations for other ways to engage with local residents around the topic.

 

All information gathered by the Area Support Team during the break-out session will be collated and a report produced. The Report will be brought to a future meeting. 

15.

Venue Map - Armley Lazer Centre, Lenhurst Ave, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS12 2RE pdf icon PDF 289 KB