Agenda, decisions and minutes

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

A report had been submitted to the agenda, Item 8, Leeds City Credit Union – Branch Network.  An appendix to the report had been considered as exempt under Paragraph 10.4(3) of Access to Information Procedure Rules and Members were advised that should the information in the appendix be discussed, they would need to pass a resolution to exclude any members of the press and public from the meeting.

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

Additional appendices, Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Neighbourhood Improvement Plans were submitted for Agenda Item 12, Priority Neighbourhoods – Update and Priority for 2010/11 and an additional appendix – Area Committee Forward Plan was submitted for Agenda Item 16, Dates, Times & Venues and Area Committee Forward Plan 2010/11.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor A 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 February 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 71 – Residual Waste Treatment

It was reported that a further independent report had been made which detailed other modes of transporting waste and also alternatives for the siting of a waste treatment plan.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Customer Services Officer and Director of City Development

Executive Function – 15 Mins

The joint report of the Chief Customer Services Officer and Director of City Development provided details on the services provided by Leeds City Credit Union (LCCU) to enable the Area Committee to engage in an informed debate about the future of Credit Union Branches within their area.  The report described the branches and locations relative to the various Area Committees and Ward boundaries.

The Chair welcomed Paul Broughton, Chief Customer Services Officer and Paul Higgins, Finance Director of the Leeds City Credit Union to the meeting.

Paul Broughton presented the report to the Area Committee and gave an overview of the role of the Credit Union and the branch network.  Members were asked to consider providing financial support to the Credit Union to maintain the current branch network.

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

• The role of the Credit Union in supporting financial inclusion and providing banking services to those who would otherwise be unable to access such services.
• Credit Union facilities proposed for the Joint Service Centres would initially be advice/information points.
• Health issues related to financial inclusion.
• Alternative provision to the current network.
• Running costs of the Credit Union.
•  

RESOLVED – That £10,000 be allocated to support Credit Union Branches in Inner East Leeds

(Councillor Selby and Sarah Covell declared a personal interest in this item as Members of the Credit Union)

To provide, for information the forecast end of year position for the Wellbeing (revenue) budget; including the anticipated c/f to 2010/11 and commitments to be met from that balance.

Executive Function – 15 Mins

The report of the East North East Area Manager presented the Area Committee with an update on activities delivered through the use of Wellbeing (Revenue) budget together with a projected outturn for the 2009/10 financial year.

Members were reminded of the spending programme previously approved which allocated the budget to be spent in accordance with the themes of the Area Delivery Plan and attention was brought to Appendix A of the report which detailed spending during 2009/10.

Further discussion included receiving feedback on funded projects/schemes and remaining funds.

RESOLVED – That the use of Wellbeing (revenue) to deliver activities to tackle the Area Committee’s ADP priorities in 2009/10 and the projected outturn position for the end of 2009/10 be noted.

To provide an updated financial statement of the Wellbeing (capital ) budget for 2008/10 together with request for approval for new schemes.

Executive Function – 10 Mins

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided an updated on 2009-10 capital wellbeing expenditure and requested the Area Committee to consider a number of capital projects.

RESOLVED – That the following schemes be approved:

  Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Pot

·  Contribution of £30,000 towards the resurfacing of paths in East End Park.

·  An additional £1,602 towards the previously agreed Scargill alleygating scheme.

·  Contribution of £10,000 towards the changing facilities for East Leeds Amateur Rugby League Football Club, on conditions described in paragraph 14 of the report.

  Killingbeck and Seacroft Pot

·  Resident parking scheme at Lyme Chase - £10,000

·  Construction of a lay-by at Eastdean Drive - £12,000

·  Contribution towards the improvements at Denis Healy Youth Club - £10,000

To provide for approval an update of the 2008/11 Area Delivery Plan in the form of a refreshed Community Charter for 2010/11 and complementary spending plan for Wellbeing budget.

Executive Function – 15 Mins

The report of the East North East Area Manager presented a refreshed 2008/11 Area Delivery Plan (ADP) in the form of a revised Community Charter for 2010/11.  Also included was an outline spending plan for Wellbeing (revenue) budget to support the development activities to help deliver the promises set out in the charter.

The report sought approval from the Area Committee to establish commissioning pots against the ADP priority themes and give the Area Manager authority to make decisions and report spending to the Area Committee.

Also detailed in the report was background information from the Neighbourhood Index, Leeds City Council Residents Survey and local community engagement activities in order to support the identification of priorities in the ADP and Community Charter.

Members attention was brought to priorities identified at Ward Member meetings and the Wellbeing (Revenue) Spending Plan for 2010/11.

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

• Neighbourhood Indices – comparative information across the City was requested.
• Grass verges – a Co-opted MEmber reported that he had been in contact with highways regarding repairs to grass verges.  He had been informed that Highways would be willing to contribute £20,000 if this was match funded by Area Committee funds.  Area Management agreed to investigate this.
• Spending on Neighbourhood Wardens – concern was expressed that there was no allocation as in previous years.  It was reported that this was due to a change in service provision and the introduction of Community Environment Officers (CEOs) and Community Environment Support Officers (CESOs).  The Chair introduced Phil Gamble, Environmental Services to the meeting and further issues discussed in relation to this matter included the following:

o  Concern that there would be fewer officers patrolling the area.

o  The CEOs and CESOs would have increased enforcement powers and ability to issue fixed penalty notices.

o  A focus on environmental crime – it was reported that the average time of clearing garden waste had been reduced from 87 to 14 days.

o  Members were asked to supply details of problem areas that could be targeted.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the refreshed 2010/11 ADP, as expressed by the promises set out in the revised Community Charter (Appendix A) be approved.

b)  That the changed format of the Community Charter, as described in paragraph 19, to include an extended ‘Report Back’ section be approved.

c)  That the estimated Wellbeing (Revenue) outturn projection and commitments to be met from the anticipated balance (as shown in Appendix B) be noted.

d)  That the establishment of themed budgets for activity/projects to be commissioned by the Area Manager to the values set out in Appendix C; subject to appropriate member consultation on each proposed activity, completion of project delivery agreements and report back to the Area Committee on activities commissioned be approved.

To provide an update on the previous quarters main activities and present for approval a number of key priorities for each priority neighbourhood for development of a Neighbourhood Improvement and Action Plan for 2010/11.

Executive Function – 15 Mins

This item was deferred due to the main report having been omitted from the Agenda papers.  The report would be circulated to Members for comment before the next meeting.

RESOLVED – That this item be deferred to the next meeting. 

To present for approval a new strategy for 2010/11 including proposals to establish new Community Leadership Teams in each of the priority neighbourhoods.

Executive Function – 15 Mins

The report of the East North East Area Manager presented a proposed new Community Engagement Strategy, “Working Together” for the Inner East Area Committee for 2010/11.

The proposals included the establishment of new Community Leadership teams for each of the priority neighbourhoods in Inner East.  The Area Committee was asked to agree this approach in principle with details to be brought back to the June meeting for approval following local stakeholder consultation.

Members attention was brought to the following issues:

·  The 3 main strands to the Strategy:

o  Improving everyday engagement between local staff and residents

o  Influencing the planning and improvement of services to tackle local priorities

o  Improving accountability for promised actions

·  Minimum engagement that would take place under the new strategy

·  Links with other community engagement i.e. local PACT meetings

·  Work with priority neighbourhoods

·  Establishment of Community Leadership Teams – who would be involved and how.

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

• Concern regarding the loss of community forums and not having had the appropriate officers in attendance at these forums.
• How to ensure maximum publicity of community events and encourage public attendance.
• Concern that the proposals do not give enough involvement to local residents and that involvement would include some who lived outside the area.
• That a minimum of 3 Community Leadership Team meetings per annum was not enough.
• Concern regarding the lack of engagement between local residents and Elected Members.
• How to consult with a wider audience of people - suggested contact with the Youth Council and Senior Citizen’s groups to get different perspectives and fresh ideas.
• The establishment of a working group to discuss the proposals.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the report be noted

b)  That the draft ‘Working Together’ community engagement strategy for the establishment of Community Leadership Teams be subject to further consultation with local stakeholders and that operational detail be brought for approval to the June meeting be approved.

To provide an update on the recruitment to the new posts and how the Area Committee would like to see them deployed in 2010/11.

Executive Function – 10 Mins

The joint report of the Chief Regeneration Officer and Chief Health & Environmental Services Officer outlined the roles of the new Community Environment Officer (CEO) and Community Environment Support Officer (CESO) posts that had been introduced to replace the existing Neighbourhood Warden Staff structure.  The paper also detailed the allocation of these posts to the Area Committee.

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

• The use of Ward Member meetings and the role of the Area Co0mmittee’s Environmental Champion in identifying areas for targeting.
• CEOs and CESOs would receive an allowance for using their own transport to travel across the area.

 RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That options for the deployment of the new CEOs/CESOs within Inner   East Leeds be discussed at Ward Member meetings.

(c)  That a review of how roles previously undertaken by Neighbourhood   Wardens have been embedded into other local staff/services roles to   be provided for the October Area Committee.

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

Council Function – 5 Mins

The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer provided information on the constitutional background for the appointment of Co-opted Members to the Area Committee, the position citywide and options for Members to consider with regards to the East Inner Area Committee.

Issues discussed included the provision of training for Co-opted Members and nomination procedures.

RESOLVED – That the current Co-opted Members be reappointed for the 2010/11 Municipal Year

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

Council Function – 5 Mins

The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer requested Members consideration to agree dates and times of the meetings of the East Inner Area Committee for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.  Suggested dates included in the report were based on the meeting schedule for the current Municipal Year.

It also presented a copy of the annual Area Committee forward plan to allow for a systematic management of the committee business in its delegated functions, partnership work and service delivery.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the dates of the Area Committee as detailed in Paragraph 3.1 be approved.  The meetings still to commence at 6.00 p.m.  Venues to be confirmed.

(b)  That the Area Committee Forward Plan 2010/11 be noted.