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)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1971, the Chair admitted to the agenda a late item, Residual Waste Treatment. (Minute No. 80 refers).  The report was delayed to allow the inclusion of up to date information to be included.

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 Selby declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 12, Consultation on Expansion of Cross Gates Primary School due to his position as a governor at the school.  He withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and voting on this item.  (Minute No. 76 refers).

Councillor Pryke declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10, The Future of Primrose, City of Leeds & Parklands Girls High School and of Girl’s Secondary Provision in Leeds due to his position as a Governor at Primrose High School.  He remained in the meeting, but took no part in the discussion relating to Primrose High School or the voting on this item.  (Minute No. 69 refers).

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Mr P Rone, Co-opted Member.

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.

The Chair welcomed Mr J Karim of Radio Fever to the meeting.

Mr Karim spoke to refute allegations that had been made at the Committee’s October meeting when a funding application for Radio Fever had been turned down.  He also asked that the Committee re-visit the application to make an unprejudiced decision.  He was informed that this had been discussed at the Committee’s meeting in December and that a fresh application would need to be made.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009

RESOLVED – That subject to the inclusion of Co-opted Members attendance, the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

Time – 10 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided an overview of the production of a Health & Environmental Action Services report to the Area Committee.  The aim of the report was to provide information about the scope and activities of the service in particular areas and how these aligned to strategic outcomes.  It sought feedback on the value, level of detail and format of information presented in the report.

The Chair welcomed Phil Gamble, Health and Environmental Action Services to the meeting.

Members attention was brought to the appendix of the report which gave detailed figures on the kinds of service requests and actions carried out.

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

• Performance management information was available on a postcode basis and could be broken down an a ward by ward basis.
• Information was requested on fixed penalty notices and prosecutions taken.
• Dog fouling enforcement – this was carried out by another service and information would be made available to Members.
• Energy efficiency – the use of solar energy.
• The star ratings given to food premises – these reflected the running and management of food premises.
• Issues surrounding the report of complaints outside normal hours, in particular regarding noise complaints, although there was a late night, 7 day a week service, this covered the whole City and it was not always possible to give immediate responses or attend to situations directly.  Neighbourhood Policing Teams and Neighbourhood Wardens could also be contacted.  Members were asked to contact Phil Gamble regarding the deployment of Neighbourhood Wardens.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the East North East Area Manager outlined the following three strands of community centres work within Inner East Leeds which required consideration by the Area Committee:

• An update on the review of the Pricing & Letting Policy for Inner East Leeds and approval was sought for the implementation of the revised Discount Schedule.
• An update on the current position with the closure of Harehills Place Community Centre on health and safety grounds and to seek approval for the building to be declared surplus in order to progress its disposal.
• An update with the current position with the proposed transfer of South Gipton Community Centre to Gipsil in order for them to secure Community Builders funding to build a new facility.  Approval was sought for the building to be declared surplus, in order to progress this.

The Chair introduced Stuart Byrne to the meeting.

It was reported that the Pricings and Lettings Policy had been considered by the Committee’s Community Centre Sub Group and all the recommendations in the report had been supported.

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

• It was questioned why it was deemed to be unconstitutional to charge for Election Station use as other venues charged for this.  It was agreed that this would be further investigated.
• With regard to Harehills Community Centre it was eported that it was in such a poor state of repair, it had become cost prohibitive to keep open.  The centre had been closed for 3 months and Area Management staff had worked with user groups to find alternative centres.  Capital receipts from the disposal of the centre could be used to improve other centres in the area.  Members expressed concern that they were not fully aware of events relating to the closure of the centre and any alternative options to its disposal.
• Use of Community Centres for Area Committee meetings.
• How to get centres used by the appropriate groups and users.

RESOLVED -

a)  That the implementation of the revised Pricing & Lettings Discount Schedule be approved with the exception of Category 16.  The East North East Area Manager to investigate charges for the use of Community Centres as Election Stations.

b)  That a further report be brought to the next meeting with a full detailed background of the discussions regarding the future of Harehills Community Centre.

c)  That South Gipton Community Centre be declared surplus to Area Committee requirements, in order to progress its transfer to GIPSIL.  This agreement is made with the caveat, that this is being made because of the opportunites that the Community Builders Fund offers.  If the bid is unsuccessful, the Committee is advised to retain the option to keep the centre.

(Councillor Harington joined the meeting at 7.00 p.m. during the discussion on this item.  He also declared a personal interest due to his position as Chair of Gipsil).

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

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function

The report of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds referred to the following recommendations made by the Executive Board at its January meeting:

• Move to formal consultation on a proposal to close Primrose High School in August 2011, and that a new 11-18 Academy, sponsored by the Co-operative Group with Leeds City College as education partner, open on the site in September 2011.

• Move to formal consultation on a proposal to close City of Leeds High School and the future use of the site for educational provision.

• Move to formal consultation on a proposal to close Parklands Girls High School in August 2011, and that a new co-educational 11-18 Academy, sponsored by the Edutrust Academies Charitable Trust (EACT), open on the site in September 2011.

• Undertake a city wide consultation on the future of girls only secondary education in Leeds.

The Committee was informed that a further report would be submitted to Executive Board in April 2010 with the outcomes of the consultation and this would include any representations made by the Area Committee.

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

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

• If it was decided to continue to provide girls only provision, the current Parklands Girls High School site may be used for a co-educational academy with an alternative site for girls provision elsewhere in the City.
• Concerns regarding the consultation process – not enough notice given to parents before events, the need to ensure girls only provision is given citywide consultation, language barriers, not reaching those who live outside the area and have children in or likely to attend schools in East Inner Leeds, consultation with religious groups.
• The lack of secular and state education in Inner East Leeds should the proposals go ahead.
• Previous promises of more secondary education in Inner East Leeds.
• It was reported that academies would remain as part of the community schools in Leeds relating to catchments and admissions.  Accountability was different as they were not under direct control of the Local Education Authority.
• Concern regarding the loss of community facilities should the schools become academies.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion 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 Director of Children’s Services provided the Area Committee with a range of Children’s Services performance data at both Area Committee and Ward level.

The Chair welcomed Ken Morton, Locality Enabler to the meeting. 

Members attention was brought to the appendices of the report which detailed performance figures which included a summary of Ofsted judgements along with performance indicators at a local level.

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

• Reference to NEET figures and difficulty in obtaining information for those who were classed as unknown.
• Concern that ward information provided by the PCT was based on the old ward boundaries.
• Teenage pregnancy
• An update from the Committee’s Children’s Champion
• How to gather information on those who attended schools outside the area but lived in Inner East – it was reported that figures were gathered on a residential basis.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Chair writes to the PCT requesting future information be provided in line with the current ward boundaries.

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 updated the Area Committee on the Residual Waste and Treatment PFI Project.  This included an update on the bid evaluation process, a summary of options appraisal work to determine the need for a residual waste transfer station in the West/North West of the City in addition to the main treatment facility, details of traffic analysis impacts associated with the proposals and the proposed communications and consultation strategy.

The Chair welcomed Susan Upton, Head of Waste Management to the meeting.

Members attention was brought to the bidding process and the shortlisted bidders.  It was informed that the report due to be submitted to Executive Board would be recommending the plans to develop a waste transfer station at Kirkstall were not good value for money and should be dropped.  Further attention was brought to the Communications Strategy and Traffic Analysis.

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

• An increase in recycling rates could lead to fewer vehicle movements.
• Disappointment was expressed at a consultation event that was held at 6.00 p.m. on a Friday and subsequently poorly attended.  It was reported that the Department had been pro-active in trying to get the message across to the public via posters, press releases, leaflet drops, door knocking and consultation events.  It was acknowledged that there had been poor attendance and the plans would be taken to resident forums.
• It was not planned to treat waste from outside the City at any proposed plant.
• It was reported that following further evaluation of the plans had identified that the cost of having a waste transfer station at Kirkstall would outweigh any savings that could be made.
• There had not been any plans to use a rail link to transfer waste.
• In response to concerns regarding the use of minor roads for use by the refuse collection vehicles, it was confirmed that normal restrictions would apply other than for refuse collection.
• The Cross Green Market site.
• Future recycling opportunities.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager  - Revised Appendix A attached.

Time 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the East North East Area manager presented the Area Committee with a projected outturn for the 2009/10 Wellbeing (revenue) Budget.  It aslos saought agreement in principal to pre-allocate funds for the 2010/11 financial year.

RESOLVED -

a)  That the outturn Wellbeing budget for 2009/10 be noted.

b)  That the use of remaining monies be carried towards the cost of intensive neighbourhood management in 2010/11.

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 the Area Delivery Plan (ADP) actions for 2009/10.  It concentrated on the 33 promises included in the Community Charter, highlighting successes and detailing concerns.  It sought comments on the draft promises for 2010/11.

IIt was reported that further consultation was to be undertaken on the draft promises and Members were asked to feed comments to Area Management.

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 updated Members on 2009/10 capital wellbeing expenditure.  It also sought the Area Committee’s approval from the Killingbeck and Seacroft pot for a parking scheme in Skelwith Walk (£19,600); from the Gipton and Harehills pot for refurbishment of Compton’s bin yards (£45,500) and a contribution from all wards towards an area wide recreational facility at Wyke Beck Valley (£3,500 per ward).

The report also provided and update of the capital well being expenditure, which was attached at appendix A .

RESOLVED –

a)  That £19,600 funding for the Skelwith Walk parking scheme from the Killingbeck and Seacroft capital wellbeing pot be approved.

b)  That £10,500 (£3,500 per ward) towards capital works at Wyke Beck Valley be approved.

c)  That £45,000 from the Gipton and Harehills pot for the refurbishment of Compton’s bin yards be approved.

Councillors Brett, Harington, Morgan and Selby left the meeting at 9.00 p.m. following the conclusion of this item.

Due to Councillor Selby’s withdrawal from the meeting due to his personal and prejudicial interest in the following item, Members were asked to nominate a Chair for the remainder of the meeting.  Councillor Hyde was nominated and following a show of hands by Members, was duly elected to the Chair.

RESOLVED – That Councillor Hyde Chair the remainder of the meeting.

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

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Chief Executive, Education Leeds presented the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for the expansopn of Cross Gates Primary School.

Pat Toner, Education Leeds, presented the report.

It was reported that the purpose behind the proposals was to address a projected increasing population and to ensure a degree of parental preference.

Further issues discussed included the following:

• Concern over schools that had surplus places – Seacroft Grange and Parklands Primary Schools were mentioned.
• Reference to schools that had closed in recent years.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 at 6.00 p.m.

Thursday, 25 March 2010 at 6.00 p.m.

The meeting concluded at 9.20 p.m.