Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for the 2008/09 Municipal Year.

Council Function – 5 Minutes

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report explaining the arrangements for the annual election of the Chair of the Area Committee.

In accordance with the agreed procedure, the Chief Democratic Services Officer reported that nominations for the Chair had been received on Behalf of Councillors Selby and Taylor and Members were asked to take a formal vote.

RESOLVED – That following an overall majority of votes cast by those Elected Members present at the meeting eligible to vote, Councillor Brian Selby be elected chair of the East (Inner) Area Committee for the 2008/09 Municipal Year.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Brett.

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.

Time - 10 mins

The agenda made reference to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure rules for an Open Forum Session at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no matters were raised under this item by those members of the public who were in attendance.

It was reported that community engagement would not be limited to the Open Forum and that a review of community engagement for Area Committees would be undertaken.

RESOLVED – That a report on Community Engagement be brought to the Area Committee.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2008.

Members were informed of the following amendment to the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2008:

Item 76, Easel Update – Paragraph 3, bullet point 3 to read:

·  The Joint Venture Company would have a Board consisting of representatives from the Council and Bellway.  In addition, an EASEL steering group would operate which would include Elected Member representation including the Chair of the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 March 2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute no 76, EASEL Update

The Chair welcomed Peter Anderson Beck and Maggie Gjessing to the meeting.

It was reported that progress on Sites 5 and 7 had commenced and these were due for completion in June 2011 and August 2010 respectively.  Correspondence had been sent to local residents regarding the works.

In response to concern expressed that there was a lack of meaningful community engagement regarding the EASEL project, it was reported that Area Management would be working closely with the EASEL Project Team.  Community Engagement was considered high priority for local decision making, particularly with projects such as EASEL.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer and to agree the nominations to those organisations that fall under the remit of the Area Committee.

Council Function – 10 Minutes

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report and appendices outlining the Committee’s role in relation to its Elected Member appointments to community and local engagement category appointments to outside bodies which had been delegated to the Area Committee to decide.

It was reported that the East Inner Area Committee had responsibility for making appointments to the following organisations and Members were asked to make nominations:

• Chapeltown Citizen Advice Bureau – 3 yearly appointment
• East North East ALMO Area Panel – annual appointment
• Richmond Hill Elderly Aid – annual appointment

RESOLVED –

That the following appointments to Outside Bodies to be made by the Area Committee:

Chapeltown Citizens Advice Bureau  Councillor R Harington

East North East ALMO Area Panels  Councillor R Pryke

  Councillor V Morgan

  Councillor R Harington

Richmond Hill Elderly Action  Councillor D Hollingsworth

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer.

Council Function – 10 Minutes

The Chief Democratic Services Officer presented a report which sought approval for the annual appointment of co-opted Members to the East (Inner) Area Committee.

It was reported that the Area Committee could appoint up to 5 co-optees and that the following nominations had been received:

Seacroft & Killingbeck Forum:  Mick Dodds

Gipton Forum:  Carol Upton (supported by A Armstrong)

Harehills Forum:  Graham Moore and Jamil Khan

Richmond Hill Forum:  Maureen Aylward

Burmantofts Forum  Dennis Girdler

A nomination from the Harehills Forum was still to be received.

RESOLVED –

That the following forum representatives be appointed as Co-optees to the East (Inner) Area Committee:

Killingbeck  & Seacroft  - Mick Dodds

Harehills - Graham Moore and Jamil Khan*

Gipton - Carol Upton supported by Andrew Armstrong

Burmantofts - Maureen Aylward

Richmond Hill - Dennis Girdler

* Only one Co-opted Member to be present in the capacity as Co-opted Member at any one meeting.

To receive and consider the report of the East North East Area Manager.

Executive Function – 10 minutes

RESOLVED – That the progress made through the Intensive Neighbourhood Management approach in Gipton and South Seacroft as evidenced by the headline results of the local perceptions survey be noted.

The report of the East North East Manager updated the Area Committee on the progress of the Intensive Neighbourhood Management Approach within the Gipton and South Seacroft Cluster; specifically in relation to whether the approach had made a difference to a resident’s perception of their neighbourhood as a place to work and play.  The report detailed headline results in relation to the 2008 perceptions survey of the Gipton and South Seacroft INM Cluster and compared the results to the 2007 baseline survey.  A copy of the survey was attached to the report.

In response to questions of how the survey was carried out, it was reported that it was done at different times of day and on different days of the week to get as wide range of local residents as possible.  Ward Members had been involved.

Further discussion included the following:

·  Concern that focus on the Super Output Area’s may be of a disadvantage to other areas.

·  Exit strategies and plans for projects at the end of funding from SSCF.

RESOLVED – That the progress made through the Intensive Neighbourhood Management approach in Gipton and South Seacroft as evidenced by the headline results of the local perceptions survey be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

Executive Function – 20 minutes

RESOLVED – That the report of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership and the attached Performance Framework/Strategic Plan 2008-2011 be noted.

The report of the East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership provided the Area Committee with an overview of the performance of the newly merged North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership and ward based Neighbourhood Policing Teams.  It also detailed the initiatives that had been delivered in local communities to reduce crime and disorder.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Sandra Fowler, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator
• Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator
• Inspector Rod Wark, West Yorkshire Police

Following concern regarding an increase in burglaries during the reporting period, It was reported that recent significant reductions had been made in reducing the number of burglaries.  It was considered that between a third and a half of all burglaries could be easily prevented as they occurred where doors and windows had been left unlocked an opened.

Further issues discussed In relation to community safety included the following:

• Acquisitive crime – it was reported that assets had been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
• Metal theft – this was a national problem.  Problems had also been identified with catalytic converters being stolen from motor vehicles for precious metals.
• Alcohol misuse – PCSOs now had powers to seize alcohol and test purchases had been made in an attempt to prevent sales to under age drinkers.

RESOLVED – That the report of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership and the attached Performance Framework/Strategic Plan 2008-2011 be noted.

(Councillors Pryke and Taylor left the meeting at 7.05 p.m. during the discussion on this item).

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

Executive Function – 15 minutes

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Delivery Plan as set out in Appendix A be approved.

(b)  That the development and publishing of the public facing summary of   the ADP in the form of a ‘Neighbourhood Charter’ be approved.

The East North East Area Manager submitted a report that presented the Inner North East Delivery Plan (ADP) for 2008-11 for the Committee’s approval.  The report also included a profile of the Inner East area.

It was reported that the ADP was structured to mirror themes as set out in the Leeds Strategic Plan and Member Champions were sought for each of these themes.  It was proposed to develop a public friendly summary of the ADP in the form of a ‘Neighbourhood Charter’ which would give a clear indication to local residents of the aims of the ADP.

The following issues were discussed in relation to the Area Delivery Plan:

• Concern at the lack of information on access to health facilities and affordable housing in Inner East Leeds – it was reported that this year was developmental in terms of the ADP and as the plan progressed other issues would be addressed.  The current ADP focussed on citywide priorities.
• The need for committed resources to achieve the outcomes of the ADP.
•  How to measure the performance of the ADP.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Delivery Plan as set out in Appendix A be approved.

(b)  That the development and publishing of the public facing summary of   the ADP in the form of a ‘Neighbourhood Charter’ be approved.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager.

Executive Function – 15 Minutes

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The East North East Area Manager submitted a report which provided information on the spring cycle of the 5 local community forums.  Minutes of the Forums were attached to the report.

Concern was expressed regarding the removal of trees on the Bellbrookes Estate and Area Management agreed to investigate.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Thursday, 11 September 2008 at 6.00 p.m.

Thursday, 11 September 2008 at Harehills Primary School.