Agenda and minutes

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 the inspection of documents.

1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as   containing exempt information, 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 so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 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:

 No exempt items or information have been identified on the agenda

There were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be considered.

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

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

There were no late items of business

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Procter

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2000 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests.

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 Community 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 Community Committee.

On this occasion, there was one representation who wished to address the Committee

The Chair invited Nick Fawcett, Clifford Parish Council to address the Community Committee

Mr Fawcett thanked Members for the opportunity to address the Community Committee. He said the purpose of his attendance was to seek the views of the Community Committee in establishing a closer working relationship with Parish and Town Councils within the Outer North East Area.

Members welcomed the suggestion commenting that communication between the various parties could be further improved, whilst acknowledging the already established ONE Town and Parish Council that was supported and facilitated by members of the Communities Team (ENE).  It was suggested that the regular exchange of agendas and minutes would be a useful starting point and the possibility of co-opting Parish & Town Councillors onto the Community Committee on certain issue may also be helpful.

The Chair thanked Mr Fawcett for his attendance and representations; he requested officers to draw up proposals for a closer working relationship with Parish and Town Councils which would be brought back to a future meeting of this Committee once the on-going Scrutiny Board Inquiry into Community Committees had been concluded.

RESOLVED – That the East North East Area Leader be requested to draw up proposals for a closer working relationship with Parish and Town Councils which would be brought back to a future meeting of this Committee.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th December 2016

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th December 2015 were approved as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes (If any)

There were no issues raised under matters arising

To receive a presentation from West Yorkshire Police on the new Operating Model for Leeds.

Chief Inspector Ian Croft, Sergeant Susan MacLachlan and Bev Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment & Housing will be in attendance and respond to Members questions and queries

The Chair introduced and welcomed Sgt Sue Maclachlan from West Yorkshire Police who would address the Committee on the “New Operating Model Leeds”.

Also in attendance were Chief Inspector Ian Croft, Superintendent Lisa Atkinson and Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment & Housing.

A copy of the “New Operating Model Leeds” was circulated at the meeting.

In addressing the document Sgt Maclachlan spoke in detail about the following:

·  Leeds District Mission Statement

·  The District Structure Overview and the resources available to the district; including the Neighbourhood Team, the Crime Team, the Ops Team and the Partnerships Team

·  Neighbourhoods – East Leeds – Overview

·  Neighbourhood Sergeant – An explanation of the role Neighbour Sergeants and their supervisory responsibilities in: Crime, Offender Management, Partnership Work and problem solving. Issues they should not get drawn into were also highlighted

·  The role and responsibilities of Neighbourhood Ward Officers

·  The role and responsibilities of PCSO’s

Sgt Maclachlan said in terms of resources available, there were no noticeable or significant changes in the Outer North East Area; the force was committed to the Neighbourhood Policing Policy.

The Chair highlighted a number of acronyms contained within the circulated document: POPI’s, IOM and ASB

Sgt Maclachlan provided clarification on the referred to acronyms

Councillor Buckley raised the issue of PAC’s meetings, suggesting they appeared to be not well publicised and requested if the public could be made more aware.

In responding Sgt Maclachlan said enquiries would be made with a view to providing additional PR for the Moor Allerton area

The Chair thanked Officers for their attendance and contributions; it was welcomed and appreciated by Members of the Committee

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which seeks to explore the role of the Outer North East Community Committee (ONECC) within the neighbourhood planning process. Community Committees have no statutory role in the process however they are in a unique position between local communities and the City Council to assist in neighbourhood plan production and delivery.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sought the views of Members in exploring the role of this Committee within the neighbouring planning process.

It was reported that currently Community Committees had no statutory role in the process; however, they were in a unique position between local communities and the City Council to assist in the production and delivery of a neighbourhood plan.

 The following document was appended to the report for information/ comment of the meeting:

·  Production of Neighbourhood Plans in the Outer North East area (Appendix A referred)

·  CIL Neighbourhood Fund – Spending Guidance for Community Committees (Appendix B referred)

Heather Suggate, Principal Planning Policy Officer, City Development, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the appendices which included:

·  An update on Neighbourhood Planning within Leeds

·  Neighbourhood Planning in the Outer North East area

·  Ward Member and Community Committee Involvement to date

·  Future Arrangements for Ward Members and Community Committee Involvement

·  Neighbourhood Plans Statutory Process

·  Delivery of Neighbourhood Plans

It was reported that Collingham with Linton Parish Council were progressing well with their Neighbourhood Plan but there application was currently the subject of a Judicial Review.

In offering comment Councillor Procter said that it was his understanding that progress on neighbourhood plans should be reported to the appropriate Community Committee and that previous reports to the Executive Board did express this intent. He said Neighbourhood Plans could impact on neighbouring Parish &Towns Councils and it was important for the Community Committee to have that overview so as to feed into the planning process.

Councillor Cohen said if Community Committees are to be involved in the formulation of Neighbourhood Plans officers must engage with Community Committee

In responding Ms Suggate gave assurances that progress on Neighbourhood Plans would be brought back to this Committee.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That Neighbourhood planning be included as a standard item on future agendas of this Community Committee

(ii)  That Pre-submission and post-submission draft plans be circulated to Ward Members and the Chair of the Community Committee for comment during the formal publicity period

(iii)  Ward Members and the Chair to be notified of the examiner’s report and date of referendum 

To consider a report of the Chief Officer, Environmental Action Service which seeks the views of Members on the issues it would like to see the East North East (ENE) Locality Team focus in the 2016/17 municipal year.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer, Environmental Action Services submitted a report which sought the views of Members as to what issues the Locality Team should focus on in the 2016/17 Municipal Year.

John Woolmer, Head of Service (ENE Locality), Jessica Hodgson (Team Leader, (Outer East Leeds Area) together with Ben Fligg and Winston Green (Chargehands) were in attendance at the meeting.

Mr Woolmer presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  The delivery of the household bulky waste collection service

·  In zones /neighbourhoods where the Council was the predominant landlord to support and ensure its tenants were contributing towards the effective management of household  waste

·  Working with Community Committees to identify practical opportunities to work with community residents to improve recycling and re-use rates to reduce landfill costs

In offering suggestions as to where further resources should be focused, Members identified the following areas:

·  The reclaiming of sections of footpaths and pavements across the area as a consequence of verge creep

·  To investigate further opportunities for glass re-cycling facilities within the area. 

The Chair thanked officers for their attendance and acknowledge the good work carried out within the area in particular their efforts during the unprecedented rainfall during the Christmas /New Year period.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To welcome and support new functions introduced in the 2015/16 Service Agreement including the introduction of a zonal approach/team

(ii)  To continue to work with Members and other stakeholders to develop the draft Service Agreement for 2016/17 to provide a clear focus in each ward across the area

(iii)  To support and pursue further waste management and recycling opportunities within the Service Agreement

(iv)  To include with the Service Agreement the  reclaiming of sections of footpaths and pavements across the area as a consequence of verge creep

(v)  To investigate further opportunities for glass re-cycling facilities within the area. 

To consider a report by Employment and Skills - Head of Communities & Partnerships, which provides an update on the progress of the work of the Board in 2014/15 for the East North East area as a whole, and for the three specific Community Committee areas.

The report also describes the revised structure of the ENE Employment and Skills Board and Plan for 2015/16 and provides an update on the employment & skills activities, business and school engagement.

(Report attached)

The Head of Communities & Partnerships submitted a report which provided an update on the progress of the work of the Skills Board in 2014/15 for the East North East area as a whole and, for the three specific Community Committee areas.

The report also described the revised structure of the ENE Employment and Skills Board and Plan for 2015/16 and provided an update on the employment & skills activities, business and school engagement

Jane Hopkins, Head of Communities & Partnerships, Children's Services presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  Revised structure of the East North East Employment and Skills Board and Plan for 2015/16

·  Priorities and Achievements to date

In offering comment Councillor Robinson said that he welcomed the move to a more thematic approach with a more data driven approach and greater engagement with businesses

Referring to section 5 of the submitted report “outcomes from employment & skills activities” Councillor Lamb said that of the 530 people seeking employment only 97 had obtained employment. He said that as a business owner within the area he had found it increasingly difficult to fill vacant positions and was left with the impression that people did not want to work.

Councillor Procter said that as an employer he too had found it difficult to recruit and retain suitable people, the processes for recruiting were stacked against the employer.

In responding Mrs Hopkins said there were a number of barriers to gaining employment, disincentives within the benefits system may influence an individual’s decision to pursue employment.

Councillor Lamb said he would welcome the opportunity to access such schemes.

Mrs Hopkins gave an assurance to Councillor Lamb that officers from Communities and Partnership would contact him with a view to providing advice/ information on employment schemes

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  To receive updates from the Employment and Skills Board on an annual basis

(iii)  That officers from Communities and Partnership contact Councillor Lamb with a view to providing advice/ information on employment schemes

  To consider a report by the Chief Officer, Partnership Development and Business Support which provides a briefing to Members on issues relating the policy for home to school transport assistance and the implementation of that policy.

The report includes background information detailing changes that were approved by Executive Board in 2013 and information about the impact of those changes.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer, Partnership Development and Business Support submitted a report which provided a briefing on issues relating to the policy for home to school transport assistance and the implementation of that policy.

The report included background information detailing changes that were approved by the Executive Board in 2013 and information about the impact of those changes.

John Bradshaw, Programme Lead, together with Paul Bollom, Head of Service (Commissioning) Children’s Services, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report which included:

·  The statutory provision

·  Discretionary Provision – Post 16 SEN Home to School/College

·  Discretionary Provision  - Faith Transport

·  Discretionary Provision – Post 16 Mainstream Home to School/ College

·  Discretionary Provision – Not the nearest School

·  Impact of Changes

·  Local Representations

In offering comment Councillor Robinson said he was disappointed with the existing policy because it left some parents at a disadvantage

In responding Mr Bradshaw said the policy had been applied fairly and consistently across the city but accepted a small number of parents, particularly in rural areas, considered the policy to be unfair.

It was suggested that if the policy was to be amended to accommodate a particular area, those changes would be applied on a city wide basis which could substantially increase the number of pupils qualifying for transport assistance

Mr Bradshaw said there was provision within the policy for unique situations; provision of taxis for example, there was additional assistance for families on low means and there was also an appeals process.

Referring to the provision of taxis, Councillor Procter requested if he could be supplied with details of the number of pupils travelling to school by taxi in the Outer North East area and the cost of that provision.

Officers confirmed the requested information would be provided.

A discussion then ensued as to how home to school distances were calculated, officers confirming that GIS (Geographic Information System) software was used in the calculation of home to school distances

The Chair thanked officers for their attendance and explanation

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That details of taxi provision for pupils within the Outer North East Area together with associated costs be supplied to Councillor J Procter

To consider a report by the Outer North East Area Leader which provides an update on the work programme of Outer North East Community Committee.

(Report attached)

The Area Leader submitted a report which provided an update on the Work Programme for the Outer North East Community Committee

The following document was appended to the report for information/ comment of the meeting:

·  The minutes of the Moor Allerton Partnership (MAP) meeting held on 17^th December 2015 (Appendix A referred)

Andrew Birkbeck, Area Officer, presented the report and highlighted the main issues.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

To consider a report by the East North East Area Leader which provides an update on the current position of the Outer North East Community Committee’s budgets and sets out details of applications seeking Wellbeing Revenue Funding and Youth Activity Funding.

The report also provides Members with a draft budget position for the coming financial year (2016/17).

(Report attached)

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report which provided an update on the current position of the Outer North East Community Committee’s budgets and set out details of applications seeking Wellbeing Funding and Youth Activity Funding.

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

·  Outer North East Community Committee Wellbeing Revenue (Appendix A referred)

·  Outer North East Community Committee Youth Activity Funding (Appendix B referred)

·  Outer North East Community Committee Priorities 2015/16 (Appendix C referred)

·  Outer North East Community Committee – Draft Wellbeing Budget 2016/17 (Appendix D referred)

Andrew Birkbeck, Area Officer, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the appendices which included:

·  Available funding for the current financial year.

·  Clarification around some of the projects seeking financial assistance.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the spend to date and current balances for the 2015/16 financial year.

(ii)  That the following project requesting Wellbeing Funding be determined as follows:

(iii)  That the following projects requesting Youth Activity Funding be determined as follows:

(iv)  To note that the following applications had been approved since the Community Committee on 14^th December 2015 under the delegated authority of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

(v)  To note the draft budget position for 2016/17 as set out in appendix D of the submitted report

To consider a report by the East North East Area Leader which provides the minutes from the latest meeting of the Outer North East Parish and Town Council Forum.

(Report attached)

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report which set out the main issues discussed at the latest meeting of the Outer North East Parish and Town Council Forum held on 4^th February 2016. The minutes of that meeting were submitted for information/ discussion.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the report and minutes from the Outer North East Parish and Town Council Forum held on 4^th February 2016, be noted

(ii)  That where appropriate to support the Outer North East Parish and Town Council Forum in resolving any issues raised.

To consider a report by the City Solicitor which seeks Members approval to the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2016/2017 municipal year, whilst also considering whether any revisions to the current meeting and venue arrangements should be explored.

(Report attached)

The City Solicitor submitted a report which sought the Community Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2016/2017 Municipal year and to determine if there are any revisions to the current meeting and venue arrangements.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)  That the proposed scheduled of meetings for 2016/17 be determined as follows:

·  Monday 13^th June 2016

·  Monday 12^th September 2016

·  Monday 12^th December 2016

·  Monday 20^th March 2017

(iii)  That the meeting venues continue to alternate between the Civic 

     Hall during the winter months and at various venues held within   the three wards during the summer months. All meetings to   commence at 5.30pm

To consider a report by the Chief Officer Communities which informs Members of the planned programme of activity in the city to commemorate the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. In particular, the historical significance and the role played by the city’s volunteer battalion the Leeds Pals and to seek views on proposals for local commemoration events on 1^st July 2016.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer Communities submitted a report which informed Members of a planned programme of activity in the city to commemorate the centenary of the first day of the Battle of the Somme. In particular, the historical significance and the role played by the city’s volunteer battalion, the Leeds Pals.

Members’ views were sought on proposals for local commemoration events on 1^st July 2016.

The East North East Area Leader reported that as part of the local commemorative events there was a proposal to mark the contribution made by the Leeds Pals Battalions by employing buglers to play the “Last Post” to mark the point in time at which men went “Over the top” at 7.30am on 1^st July.

It was reported that funding was available up to £900 for each Community Committee which could include the cost of the buglers and the balance to be available to support additional local events.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note that £900 was available to the Community Committee to support additional local events, split equally between the three wards

(ii)  To agree that any that any funds not spent by an individual ward be made available to the other wards

That the next meeting be arranged for Monday 13^th June 20016 at 6.00pm (Venue to be confirmed at a later date)

RESOLVED – That the next meeting be arranged for Monday 13th June 2016 commencing at 5.30pm (Venue to be confirmed at a later date).

The Chair reported that today’s meeting would be the final time when Ann would be in attendance as a Council Member. Ann would be retiring in May and was not be seeking re-election in the forthcoming Local Elections.

Members joined the Chair in wishing Councillor Castle their best wishes for the future.