Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for the 2010/11 Municipal Year

The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer informed Members of the arrangements for the annual election of the Area Committee Chair.  It was reported that a nomination had been received in support of Councillor Graham Hyde to take the Chair for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.

Following a show of hands, it was

RESOLVED – That Councillor Graham Hyde be elected as Chair of the East Inner Area Committee for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor R Grahame and 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. 

A member of the public addressed the Area Committee with concerns regarding the condition of the old library building on York Road.  Contact had been made with Council officers regarding this in November 2009 when assurances were given that emergency repairs would be carried out, but these had not been carried out.  The building was no longer secured and access could easily be made which raised concerns over safety.  The following questions were asked:

·  Why could the Council use powers to act on similar building at Armley (Mike's Carpets) and not York Rd?

·  Could it be recategorised as a Priority B site?

·  Can immediate repairs be carried out to the roof?

It was reported that Area Management would persue this query with Planning/Conservation officers.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2010

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager – Time – 15 Minutes

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided Members with an update on the progress against the 33 promises in the Community Charter for 2010-11. It included details of schemes developed in support of the Community Charter priorities. It also presented information on the Wellbeing revenue expenditure in order to monitor its use.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• Members attention was brought to the progress against promises as outlined in the report.
• It was reported that the 33 promises outlined in the Charter were all on track and progress was detailed in Appendix A of the report.
• The well being budget update and match funding.
• The provision of local employment opportunities for local people.

RESOLVED: That the following be noted:

a)  Progress on the delivery of Community Charter priorities (appendix A)

b)  Commissioned schemes detailed in paragraphs 8 – 12

c)  The Area Committee forward plan (appendix B)

d)  The summary of spending commitments (appendix C)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods – Time – 15 Minutes

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

• Outline 2010/11 Neighbourhood Improvement Plans that set out key priorities for the development of actions to address inequalities in the Burmantofts, Gipton, Harehills, Richmond Hill and Seacroft priority neighbourhoods for approval
• a proposed framework to develop new local delivery and accountability arrangements in the priority neighbourhoods as part of the overall community engagement strategy for Inner East.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the outline 2010/11 Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs) for the Burmantofts, Gipton, Harehills, Richmond Hill and Seacroft priority neighbourhoods; specifically the top priorities identified in paragraph 9 (with the addition of Crime/ASB as a priority for Gipton), be approved.

(b)  That the intention to develop action plans which tackle the top priorities and relevant Area Delivery Plan promises through local ward members and the new Community Leadership Teams and report progress to future Area Committee meetings be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods – Time 20 Minutes

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods highlighted the services provided by Leeds City Council Community Safety CCTV to demonstrate the effectiveness of the service in reducing the fear of crime and facilitating the apprehension and detection of offenders in areas covered by both mobile and fixed CCTV cameras.  Cost details were appended to the report.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• CCTV costs across Inner East Leeds
• Future CCTV provision
• CCTV provision in Seacroft and Bellbrooks

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer – Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer outlined the procedures for Council appointments to outside bodies, and the Committee ws requested to consider and appoint to those bodies listed at Appendix 2 and referred to in Paragraphs 14-33 of the report.

RESOLVED – That the following appointments be made, subject to Councillor A Taylor’s agreement to accept the appointment to the Chapeltown Citizen Advice Bureax:

To receive and consider the attached report of the Driector of Environment and Neighbourhoods – Time 10 Minutes

This report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the Area Committee with a summary of their Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2010/11.  As there were no significant changes proposed to the functions agreed by the Executive Board for 2009/10, it was agreed that this approval is to be rolled forward to 2010/11.

RESOLVED – That the summary of approved Area Functions and designated priority functions for 2010/11 which are appended to this report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Manager – Time – 30 Minutes

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

The proposal had been updated following discussion at the previous Area Committee meeting to better explain the role of the proposed Community Leadership Teams and how it is proposed to strengthen the links between residents and the business of the Area Committee.

The report asked the Area Committee to appoint Chairs for each of the new Community Leadership Teams, subject to approval by the Council’s  Member Management Committee.

Members attention was brought to the following areas:

• The proposals would empower local residents who became involved and strengthen their links of working in conjunction with front line staff.
• Local residents would maintain the ability to hold the Council and its partner agencies to account.
• Better alignment with the Police and Community Together (PaCT) meetings would be provided.
• It was proposed that there would be 5 Community Leadership Teams (CLTs) – one for each priority neighbourhood area.
• Proposals for a two stage structure to Community Leadership Team (CLT) meetings – the full meeting held in public, with the second part of the meeting encouraging public debate on a key issue and to incorporate a “have your say” item.

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

• Concern regarding the structure of the CLT meetings.
• Concern as to how the core membership of CLTs would be recruited to
• That the proposals as presented could be seen as a ‘top down’ rather than ‘bottom up’ approach to engagement.
• Cost of community engagement

In response to the concerns expressed, it was reported that the intention was to give a greater voice and role to local residents in supporting the business of the Area Committee.  Members discussed differing options for establishing Community Leadership Teams.

The proposal to cease the role of co-optees on the Area Committee was discussed. There was agreement that this was premature and time was needed for the Community Engagement Strategy to be embedded and the effectiveness of the new CLTs to be assessed.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the content of the report be noted, including the agreement between partner agencies to provide greater support and attendance at public Police and Community Together (PaCT) meetings (as set out in appendix B)

(b)  That the ‘Working Together’ community engagement strategy for 2010/11 be approved.

(c)  That the Area Management Team work with Killingbeck & Seacroft and Gipton & Harehills Ward Members on establishing a CLT for their priority neighbourhoods based on the framework set out in the strategy.  Further discussion to be held with Gipton & Harehills Members at their next Ward Member meeting.

(d)  The implementation of CLTs in Burmantofts & Richmond Hill to be delayed to allow  the Area Committee to assess the effectiveness of operation in Killingbeck & Seacroft and Gipton & Harehills.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Time 15 Minutes

The report of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership provided Members of the Area Committee with an overview of the performance of the North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership and ward based Neighbourhood Policing Teams.  It also included details of the key initiatives that had been delivered in local communities to reduce crime and disorder.  The report focussed upon the period 1^st April 2009 to 31^st March 2010

The Chair welcomed Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Superintendent Timothy Kingsman to the meeting.

It was reported that there had been a continued overall reduction in crime across Inner East Leeds and the current key focus was on reducing burglary of dwellings.  Members attention was brought to other issues including the use of funds obtained under the Proceeds of Crime Act and Designated Public Places Orders.

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

• Concern that public confidence had fallen in Burmantofts and Richmond Hill and perceptions in the area that crime had not fallen due to increased levels of anti-social behaviour.
• Increased anti-social behaviour in Gipton and Harehills.
• Concerns with alleygated areas – some areas being permanently locked, and new residents having difficulties obtaining keys.
• Concern regarding race hate crime – it was agreed to provide the Area Committee with figures relating to this.

The Chair congratulated Beverly Yearwood for being shortlisted for the National Council Worker of the Year award and thanked her and Superintendent Kingsman for their attendance.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report of the North East  Divisional Community Safety Partnership be noted.

(b)  That Members continue to support the Divisional Community Safety Partnership in relation to prioritising and tackling Burglary Dwelling during 2010/11 through partnership work at neighbourhood level and the Area Delivery Plan.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods – Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods sought feedback on the proposals to introduce Dog Control Orders in the City and inform committees of the consultation process with regards to these proposals.

The Chair welcomed Stacey Campbell, Health and Environmental Action Services, to the meeting.

Members were informed of the different kinds of Dog Control Orders available and those that it was proposed to introduce in Leeds, which included the following:

·  Areas where dogs must be kept on leads at all times;

·  Areas where dog owners could be requested to keep their dogs on leads;

·  Areas where dogs were to be excluded, and

·  Limiting the number of dogs that can be walked by one person at any one time.

Fixed penalty notices would be issues where orders were contravened and prosecution would follow if the fixed penalty notices were not adhered to.

It was reported that the first phase of introducing the orders would include play areas and the second phase would include schools and playing fields.  Members were asked to inform Stacey Campbell of any areas not included in the report.

In response to questions regarding the enforcement of the orders, it was reported that there were currently 23 dog wardens and technical officers across the City with powers to issue the fixed penalty notices.  This would be increased to include all enforcement staff within Environment Action Teams, bringing the total staff across the City to approximately 90.  Discussion was also to be held with West Yorkshire Police regarding the role of Police Community Support Officers.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

It was reported that this would be the last meeting of the East Inner Area Committee for Anna Turner, Area Management Officer as she was off to cover the North East Outer Area Committee.  Members thanked Anna for her hard work and service to the Area Committee during the previous 6 years and she received a round of applause.

Thanks were also made to Councillor Selby for his work during the past 3 years as Chair of the Area Committee and to former Councillors Harington and Hollingsworth for their service.

Thursday, 23 September 2010

Thursday, 21 October 2010

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Thursday, 24 March 2011

All meetings commence at 6.00 p.m.

Thursday, 23 September 2010

Thursday, 21 October 2010

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Thursday, 3 February 2011

Thursday, 24 March 2011

All meetings commence at 6.00 p.m. Venues to be confirmed.

The meeting concluded at 8.05 p.m.