Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Brett, Harington and Taylor.

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.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2009

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

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

Time – 5 Mins (Executive Function)

Following the resignation of the Co-opted Member from the Killingbeck and Seacroft Forum, the East North East Area Manager presented a report seeking the Area Committee’s approval to a nominated representative from the Forum.

It was reported that Mr Rod Manners had been nominated by the Killingbeck and Seacroft Forum.

RESOLVED – That the appointment of Mr Rod Manners as Co-opted Member to the East Inner Area Committee for the remainder of the 2008/09 Municipal Year be noted.

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the East North East Area Manager gave an example of how the Wellbeing revenue funding enabled the Area Committee to support the strategic themes of the Area Delivery Plan (ADP).  In particular, it looked at collaboration between Area Management, voluntary sector and a local school making an impact on Learning, thriving Neighbourhoods and Stronger Communities themes.

The report gave the Committee details on the ‘Climb in Education’ Project which was carried out in collaboration between Harehills Youth in Partnership (HYiP) and Harehills Primary School and was aimed at 8 to 11 year olds.  The project was funded by Wellbeing Fund contributions for the current academic year, after which the costs would be met directly by the school.

Jamil Khan addressed the meeting on behalf of the Harehills Youth Partnership.  He reported on the activities that had been undertaken during the project including basic skills work, revision groups and preparation for SATs and informed the Committee that positive feedback had been received from participants and parents.  Due to the success of the project, the school had made a commitment to continue it.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• The project was aimed at young people in the Harehills area.
• Potential for working with other age groups – this was difficult due to capacity issues.
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Elected Members were invited to the presentation evening of the Climb in Education Project on 16 March 2009.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Risk and Emergency Planning.

This item was deferred to be taken at a future meeting of the East Inner Area Committee.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Children’s Services.

Time – 10 Mins (executive Function)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which contained performance data, and commentary so far for 2008/09 for the Youth Service’s delivery in the inner east wards and priorities for next year.

The following issues were discussed in relation to the report:

• Meetings with Ward Members
• Links with the Youth Service and West Yorkshire Police.
• The £2.1m funding for Re’new from central government’s Youth Development Fund to deliver targeted support for young people living in Seacroft and the surrounding areas.
• Commissioning of Youth Service activities.
• How the Voluntary, Community and Faith sector contributes to youth activity
• Meeting of Leeds Strategic Plan targets.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods.

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided an outline of how Health & Environmental Action Services operated, with a particular emphasis on Environmental Action Teams.  The Committee was also asked to nominate an Environmental Champion.

The Chair welcomed Helen Freeman, Chief Officer (Health & Environmental Action Services) and Phil Gamble, Service Manager to the meeting.

It was reported that the Environmental Action Teams had been structured to cover each of the three Area Management wedges and this would assist with establishing better links with Area Management, setting priorities and performance management.  Members attention was brought to the priority based system in use by the Environmental Action Teams and the proactive approaches to working procedures.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Distribution of resources – it was reported that Inner East Leeds was one of the busiest areas in the district for the Environmental Action Teams.
• High residential turnover in the Inner East area created more intensive work for the teams.
• Enforcement issues – fly tipping and enforcement.
• It was suggested that meetings be held between Ward Members and Environmental Action to address issues on a ward by ward basis.
• The frequency of update reports to Members

RESOLVED –

(1)  That Councillor Hollingsworth be appointed Environmental Champion for the East Inner Area Committee

(2)  That Ward Member meetings be arranged to include attendance of officers from Environmental Action Services.

(3)  That 6 monthly update reports be provided to the Area Committee.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlined the Streetscene Services function schedule and proposed arrangements that would improve the working relationship between Area Committees, Area Management and Streetscene Services.

The Chair welcomed Stephen Smith, Chief Streetscene Services Officer to the meeting.

It was reported that Streetscene Services covered grounds maintenance and street cleansing and there would be an enhanced role for the Area Committee in 2009/10.  Grounds maintenance was currently contracted out until 2011 and there was therefore limited opportunity to influence issues.  Main clients of Streetscene Services included the ALMOs and highways.  The report also detailed roles and responsibilities of Area Committees in relation to Streetscene Services and proposed improvements.

In response to Members questions and comments, the following issues were discussed:

• Dog fouling
• Responsibility for grass cutting around street furniture and other obstacles.  It was reported that this was not part of the grounds maintenance contract but the responsibility of the Council.
• Problems with parking on grass verges.  This was the responsibility of Highways Services who could use enforcement action where necessary.
• The lack of collection from public litter bins.  It was reported that funds from alternative sources were often replied upon to carry out collections and repair and replace litter bins.  Problems had also been encountered with vandalism.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That Councillor Hollingsworth be appointed Environmental Champion for the East Inner Area Committee

(2)  That Ward Member meetings be arranged to include attendance of officers from Streetscene Services.

(3)  That 6 monthly update reports be provided to the Area Committee.

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the East North East Area Manager presented the Area Committee with the first full terms report of the Truancy Watch scheme that was operating in Inner East Leeds.  The report outlined proposals to increase funding from the Schools Area Management Board and a request for further support from the Area Committee’s Wellbeing Budget to enable a comprehensive evaluation of the scheme.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• It was noted that Leeds Schools still had high truancy rates compared to the national average.
• High exclusion rates.
• The need to keep young people in learning
• Associated issues such as poor housing and failing schools.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the extension of the pilot phase of Truancy Watch East in order to   enable full evaluation against the LSP and SSCF priorities be supported.

(2)  That the increase of Area Committee contribution during 2009/10 to £7,500 and the contribution of £15,000 from SSCF be agreed.

(3)  That the continued financial and in kind commitments from West Yorkshire Police, Education Leeds and the David Young Community Academy, and the increased financial commitment from £5k to £15k from the Schools Area Management Board to enable the pilot phase to continue during 2009/10, with a view to mainstreaming in subsequent years be noted.

(4)  That the Area Committee receive a further update in September 2009.

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the East North East Area Manager submitted a report which provided Members with an update of progress on actions in the 2008-11 Area Delivery Plan (ADP) since the last meeting of the Area Committee.

The report showed how the strategic themes of the ADP had been translated into individual actions which helped to reach agreed objectives.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided Members with an update on progress with the ongoing work to develop Community Centres under the responsibility of the Area Committee and also on the findings of the recent consultation on the proposed Pricings and Lettings Policy.

Members were reminded of the Executive Board decision to approve a Pricing and Lettings Policy for Community Centres and the need for Area Committees to develop policies for discounts.  It was hoped that the proposed discount policy as presented in the report would be ready for summer 2009 in time to be implemented for October 2009.  Further issues were discussed regarding the facilities management of the centres.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the work of the Community Centres Working Group be noted and the proposed allocation of the £15,000 Community Centre budget on equipment and furnishings be ratified.

(2)  That the findings of the consultation process around the Pricing & Lettings Policy be noted.

(3)  That the new Pricing & Lettings Policy for use in Environment & Neighbourhoods directly managed community centres from October 2009 – as presented in Appendix B, be adopted.

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

Time – 5 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the East North East Area Manager requested the Area Committee to support the following capital project schemes:

·  Burmantofts and Richmond Hill - £10,000 towards the cost of reinstallation of CCTV cameras on the Torres and £12,000 for development of open space in Richmond Hill

·  Killingbeck and Seacroft:  £27,000 for new parking spaces in Meanwood Rise.

RESOLVED – That the following be approved:

(i)  The contribution of £10k towards the installation of the Torres CCTV Cameras;

(ii)  Funding of £12k for the redevelopment of the Lincoln Green open public space;

(iii)  £27k towards the Monkswood Rise residents parking scheme

Thursday, 19 March 2-009 at 4.00 p.m.

Thursday, 19 March 2009 at 6.00 p.m.