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)

There were no late items as such.  The following additional information was submitted for the following items:

• Agenda Item 9 – Radio Fever Proposal – Response from Radio Fever to Ofcom
• Agenda Item 10 – Grounds Maintenance – Future Procurement Strategy – Copies of Ward Maps

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

Councillor Harington declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda item 9, Radio Fever Proposal as he had recently carried out some unpaid work for the station, he withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and voting on this item – Minute No. 40 refers.  He also declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Community Centres Report due to his position with Gipsil – Minute No. 39 refers.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Arif Hussain.

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. 

A Member of the public raised concern regarding bollards at East End Park.  It was reported that this would be investigated and would be a matter for discussion at the next meeting of the Richmond Hill Forum.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2009

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 September 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

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

Time 20 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the content of the report be noted.

(2)  That the Community Centres Working Group be reconvened and a Member of CPM be invited to join.

(3)  That the asset transfer of South Gipton Community Centre to Gipsil, in order to enable them to access resources through the Community Builders Fund to provide a new, purpose built community facility be approved in principle.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided the Area Committee with the following:

• A service overview and outline of the role of Area Committees in relation to this delegated function
• Service budget information – revenue and capital
• A briefing note on the new Corporate Property Management service (CPM)
• An update on the implementation of the pricing and lettings policy and database.
• Proposals regarding rental support to voluntary and community organisations
• Area specific information including annual budget forecasts for each of the centres in section 6 of this report

The Chair welcomed Liz Jarmin, Neighbourhood Services Manager and Trudie Canavan, Community Issues Officer to the meeting.

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

• Extra income could be used by the Area Committee in line with its Area Delivery Plan.
• Controllable and none controllable budget items.
• Management fee payment to CPM  - it was reported that the Service Level Agreement with CPM was currently being re-negotiated and there could be savings on this fee in future.
• Caretaking costs.
• Business rates – community centres were subject to normal levels of business rates unless the centre was wholly leased to a charitable organisation.
• The proposed transfer of South Gipton Community Centre to Gipsil and future Youth Service provision from the centre – it was reported that Gipsil planned to develop a new community base and that a wider range of services would be provided from there.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the content of the report be noted.

(2)  That the Community Centres Working Group be reconvened and a Member of CPM be invited to join.

(3)  That the asset transfer of South Gipton Community Centre to Gipsil, in order to enable them to access resources through the Community Builders Fund to provide a new, purpose built community facility be approved in principle.

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the request for funding be refused.

The report of the East North East Area Manager presented Members with information on the development of Radio Fever (formerly Radio Asian Fever) to date and presented information on a new initiative – Community Voices.

To develop their Community Voices initiative, Radio Fever sought to appoint a Community Outreach Worker.  Funding had been received from the Tudor Trust to guarantee staff salaries over the next 3 years, although there was a shortfall of £21k for the following year.

It was reported that the North East Inner Area Committee had agreed to provide £8,000 match funding on the condition that the East Inner committee also made the same allocation.  Members’ attention was also brought to a recent Ofcom ruling following a breach of rules by the station and also the station’s response to this complaint.

Members discussed the application in detail and Sekina Rehman of Radio Asian Fever was invited to comment and answer Members’ questions.

A proposal was made that £8k match funding be awarded and that Radio Fever be made aware that  the Committee would not provide any more support should there be any further breach of Ofcom regulations.  Members were invited to vote on the proposal.

RESOLVED – That the application for funding be refused.

(Councillor Brett joined the meeting at 6.45 p.m. during the discussion on this item)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Environmental Services Officer

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Chief Environmental Services Officer informed Members of existing arrangements for grounds maintenance provision and the current position in regards to the procurement proposals for a new grounds maintenance contract.  It also provided an overview of the client base and governance arrangements along with the consultation process regarding the proposals for a new contract.  The views of the Area Committee were sought on the development of the contract specification and client consultation process.

The Chair welcomed Roger Foyle, Area Development Manager and Tony Saynor, East North East Homes to the meeting.

It was reported that consultation had commenced regarding the provision of a new and hopefully improved contract that would commence in March 2011.  Members attention was brought to the outline specification and scope of works covered by the contract and issues such as frequency and length of grass cutting, enhanced services, shrubs, hedges and monitoring arrangements were highlighted.  Reference was also made to the Inquiry carried out by the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) and their recommendations of what should be covered by the next contract.  Members were issued with detailed ward maps that showed areas of work and responsibility across Inner East Leeds.

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

• Concern over areas where it was proposed to reduce the number of cuts – it was reported that this didn’t necessarily mean extra cuts couldn’t be carried out if needed.
• Members’ welcomed the proposals to increase the maintenance of shrub beds.
• Concern regarding the collection of grass cuttings.
• Ownership issues on hedgerows and bushes and responsibility for maintaining these.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That any additional comments be sent to Roger Foyle, Area Development Manager no later than 25 November 2009.

(3)  That Members be provided with ward maps that detail areas that have had an enhanced grass cutting service provided.

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

Time - 10 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Director of Children’s Services provided performance data and commentary so far for 2009/10 for the Youth Service’s delivery in the Inner East Wards.

As Neil Bowden, Senior Youth Worker was unable to attend the meeting, it was suggested that this item be deferred to the December meeting of the Area Committee.

Members asked that the report address the following points:

• Youth Worker appointment at the Bangladeshi Centre.
• Further to performance information detailed in the report, comparison information across the City was request.

RESOLVED – That an amended report be brought to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Locality Commissioner: Teenage Pregnancy & Parenthood

Time – 10 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Locality Commissioner : Teenage Pregnancy & Parenthood provided details of the Teenage Pregnancy and Parenthood Partnership’s current focus on reducing teenage conceptions in 3 hotspot wards in the East of the City.  It also provided a progress report following the report presented to the Committee on 18 June 2009.

The Chair welcomed Paul Bollom, Children’s Services to the meeting.

It was reported that all 3 East Inner Wards were in the top 20% of wads nationally for teenage conception. Members were informed of work streams introduced to tackle this.  These included:

• Introducing new themes in PHSE
• Improved access to services
• Raising Aspirations
• Development of task and finish groups
• Additional CASH clinics
• Work with boys and young men

Councillor Morgan briefly explained some of her involvement  in her role as Children’s Champion and visits she had undertaken.  This included the following:

• Meetings with the Young Peoples’ Sexual Health Advisory Group (Y-SHAG)
• Facilities available at drop in centres – it was reported that city centre facilities were mainly used by students of the universities
• Opening of drop in centres across East Inner Leeds
• Visits to schools
• Raising the profile of this issue
• Involvement of School Governors – it was reported that this would be to the attention of School Governors

Other issues discussed in relation to teenage conceptions included housing, impact on families and concern over the length of time taken to get statistical information and that information was still based on the old ward boundaries.

RESOLVED – That the Committee continues its support for this priority by:

• Continuing to challenge and support partners and partnerships about their support for this agenda.
• Clarifying whether appropriate support is available to maximise the potential from the many roles elected members undertake e.g. as School Governors, as ALMO Board Members
• Supporting aspects of the workforce development programme – demonstrating the importance we are placing on developing the skills and competencies of staff
• Receiving a further report which promotes action to address risks and challenges identified in paragraph 5.0

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the five priority neighbourhoods being proposed for Inner East from 2010/11 as defined in Appendix A be approved.

(3)  That sufficient Wellbeing revenue funding as set out in paragraph 34 to allow the continuation of the existing Neighbourhood Management posts beyond 2009/10 for a further 3 years be approved.  This being subject to a revised job description as set out in paragraph 33, annual performance review and availability of funding.  The level of wellbeing funding required will be determined by the amount of match funding from Re’new and LCC Environment and Neighbourhoods.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report – Priority Neighbourhoods – Building on the Intensive Neighbourhood Management Approach.

Members attention was brought to the following issues:

• Proposed neighbourhoods with priority needs.
• The potential changes to delivery of services.
• The request for approval for funding to continue the Neighbourhood Manager post.

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

• Spending on Intensive Neighbourhood Management.
• Democratic accountability and concern that local community forums were not meeting as often as before.
• Neighbourhood Index – a new index was due to be published.
• Priority neighbourhoods and the focus on those areas with greater needs.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the five priority neighbourhoods being proposed for Inner East from 2010/11 as defined in Appendix A be approved.

(3)  That sufficient Wellbeing revenue funding as set out in paragraph 34 to allow the continuation of the existing Neighbourhood Management posts beyond 2009/10 for a further 3 years be approved.  This being subject to a revised job description as set out in paragraph 33, annual performance review and availability of funding.  The level of wellbeing funding required will be determined by the amount of match funding from Re’new and LCC Environment and Neighbourhoods.

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

Time - 5 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That £2,000 funding for the site development at the Osmondthorpe Allotments from Burmantofts and Richmond Hill capital wellbeing be approved.

The report of the East North East Area Manager updated Members on 2009-10 capital wellbeing expenditure.  It also requested the Area Committee to approve a capital project from the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill pot - £2,000 to bring into cultivation a derelict area bordered by the houses on Skelton Lane and Victoria Primary School.

RESOLVED – That £2,000 funding for the site development at the Osmondthorpe Allotments from Burmantofts and Richmond Hill capital wellbeing be approved.

Thursday, 3 December 2009 at 6.00 pm.

Thursday, 3 December 2009 at 6.00 p.m.

The meeting concluded at 8.15 p.m.