Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Brett, Pryke and Taylor and Mr P Rone.

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 22 October 2009

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 40 – Radio Fever Proposal

Further information regarding the Radio Fever Proposal was discussed.  The Committee was informed that a further report would be considered by the North East Inner Area Committee.  In response to a question of why the East Inner Area Committee was not reconsidering this item, it was reported that there had not been any further request from Radio Fever. It was also additionally reported that a fresh officer led report would need to be submitted that was offering different proposals to those initially refused.

Minute No.41 – Grounds Maintenance Future Procurement Strategy.

A Co-opted Member reported that outstanding information from Grounds Maintenance staff was still awaited.  This was to be followed up by Area Management staff.

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

Time 10 Mins (Council Function)

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

The Chair welcomed Neil Bowden, Senior Youth Worker to the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Communications, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS

Time 10 Mins (Council Function)

Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust submitted a report regarding consultation on the Trust becoming a Foundation Trust.  The consultation document, ‘Your Trust Your Say’ was appended to the report.

The Chair welcomed Ross Langford, Director of Communications, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust to the meeting.

The Committee was given an overview of what the implications of becoming a foundation trust entailed and the background behind the consultation.  Issues highlighted included the following:

• Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust covered St James’ Hospital, Leeds General Infirmary, Chapel Allerton, Seacroft and Wharfedale Hospitals as well as the Leeds Dental Institute.
• Foundation status would give a more locally enhanced status as a public benefit organisation.  Governance arrangements were explained including the Trust Membership.
• It was Government Policy to change current hospital trusts to foundation trusts and the consultation was about how the foundation trust should be formed.

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

• A foundation trust would be more democratically accountable.
• A foundation Trust would be able to make use of surplus monies whereas hospital trusts had to return surplus to the treasury.
• How to improve standards and efficiency.
• Recruitment of Members for the Foundation Trust.
• The proposed role of Trust Members
• There would be a full time regulation body for the proposed Trust.
• Community  involvement

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Executive, Education Leeds.

Time 20 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Chief Executive, Education Leeds presented the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for the expansion of 17 primary schools and additional provision for children with special educational needs at 2 primary schools..

George Turnbull, Education Leeds presented this item.

It was reported that more children had been applying for places in schools than had been anticipated.  Various reasons had been identified for this including a reduction in the number going into private sector education, migration to the City and an increase in birth rates.

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

• In relation to the knock on effect for high schools, it was reported that this would be covered by the 21^st Century Schools programme and the 14-19 agenda.
• The proposals affected 3 schools in the area.
• The provision of modular buildings.
• Public consultation and the consultation process.
• The planning process – it was reported that some schools had capacity to take extra children.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the New Generation Transport Team (City Development)

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the New Generation Transport Tea (City Development) outlined progress on the New Generation Transport Scheme and provided Members with feedback from the summer consultation process and recent Major Business Scheme Case submission.  The next stage and proposed timeframe for submission of the Transport and Works Act Order were also outlined.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• The scheme had attracted 77% support of those consulted across the City, with 79% in Inner East Leeds.
• The trolleybus mode of transport was supported.
• There was likely to be a public inquiry into the application for works – it was anticipated that there would be some objections to the scheme.
• Issues of concern included the loss of green space, loss of car parking areas and the proposed demolition of the Fountains Head public house.
• Building on the scheme would commence in 2013 and hopefully be completed by 2015.
• There would be consultation opportunities at all stages of the scheme.

RESOLVED – That the report, in particular the Request for Further Information (RFI) be noted.

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

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods informed the Area Committee of proposals to make 2010 the Year of the Volunteer.

Members attention was brought to examples of volunteer work that was carried out in the Inner East Leeds area and also to an outline calendar for the 2010 Year of Volunteering.  It was reported that March was a crucial month for the Committee as this was the launch of Area Based Volunteering and it was suggested that a time limited working group be established.

Councillor Harington, Morgan and Pryke were nominated to sit on the working group along with Sarah Covell, Co-opted Member.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 an outline of the proposed children’s services performance management arrangements for Area Committees.  The report sought member involvement in ensuring local performance information was relevant to local priorities and enabled the area committee to carry out its performance monitoring role to support the achievement of local and city-wide priorities, as outlined in the area function information and council’s constitution.

The Chair welcomed Ken Morton, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services to the meeting. 

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

• Key priorities in the Children and Young People’s Plan and the new inspection framework.
• The performance framework was not just related to schools.  Child minders, children’s social services and other providers were subject to inspection.
• National performance indicators.
• Links to the Area Delivery Plan.
• Targeting those not in education, employment or training (NEETs).
• How to make performance information more publicly accessible.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 introduced a presentation about key priorities of the Leeds Children and Young People Plan.  The presentation provided the Area Committee with an opportunity to comment on multi-service development and to advise on how this work could be taken forward with the Area Committee and the Children’s Champion.

Ken Morton presented this item to the Committee.

The Committee was informed of the recent unannounced Ofsted inspection and a number of issues that had arisen as a result of this inspection.

Further issues discussed included the following:

• Children in the social care system.
• Identified actions that had taken place in East Leeds.
• Revised guidance on thresholds.
• The development and use of the Common Assesment Framework.
• Role of the Children’s Champion.
• Further reporting to the Area Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

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

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds referred to the report submitted to Executive Board in October 2009 which informed of the National Challenge and Structural Change to Secondary Provision.  A copy of the Executive Board report was included with the Agenda.

The Chair welcomed Pat Toner, Education Leeds to the meeting.

The following issues were discussed:

• Matching provision to meet demand for places.
• Consultation on and provison of all girls secondary education.  It was reported that Parklands School was currently half full.
• Reduction in the number of pupils from Inner East Leeds attending schools outside the area, particularly in Wetherby and Boston Spa.
• It was hoped that a further report would be submitted to the December meeting of the Executive Board.

RESOLVED – That the report 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 Noth East Area Manager provided Members with an update on the Area Delivery Plan (ADP) actions for 2009-10.  It also highlighted the 33 promises included in the Community Charter and information on recent consultation events in the Inner East Area.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• The publication and distribution of the Community Charter.
• Progress and key successes against the promises outlined in the Community Charter.
• Concern regarding the format of community forums and alternative methods of community engagement.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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 presented an update on 2009/10 capital wellbeing expenditure.  It also requested that the committee approved a capital project from the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill pot for a Scargill Close alleygating scheme.

RESOLVED –

a.  That £3,710 funding for the alleygating scheme at Scargill Close from Burmantofts and Richmond Hill capital wellbeing be approved.

b)  That the maintenance and repairs over the lifetime of the scheme are to be taken from the Burmantofts tasking budget.

Thursday, 4 February 2010 at 4.00 p.m.

The meeting concluded at 8.30 p.m.