Agenda, decisions and minutes

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 Councillors Brett, Pryke and Taylor and Mr R Manners, 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.  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 17 June 2010

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2010, be confirmed as a correct record.

Carole Clark, Area Management Officer gave the Committee an update following concerns that had been raised at the Open Forum at the previous meeting regarding the condition of the old library building on York Road.

It was reported that there had been discussions with the landowner/developer about bringing the building back into use and it had been requested that the building be made weather tight and secure.  The Council could intervene and carry out this work, with charges to the building owner if it was not carried out.

Further to this,  Sarah Covell reported that along with local residents she had recently met with the developer, planning officers and the conservation officers.  This had not provided a satisfactory outcome and Area Management agreed to pursue this matter further.

Further discussion was held regarding the recent vandalism at Harehills Cemetery.

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

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided an overview of spending to date and presented a number of new project proposals that requested funding.  Members were also requested to establish and agree membership for a Wellbeing Working Group.

The Chair welcomed Members of the Getaway Girls Fusion Project.  A brief overview of their project was given mainly that the project provided a wide range of support services to vulnerable young women and was based in Harehills and Members were able to ask any questions in relation the application. 

RESOLVED: That the following be noted:

a)  That the spend to date and current balances for the 2010/11 financial year be noted

b)  That the awarding of small grants be noted.

c)  That the following decisions be taken in respect of the following project proposals:

·  Getaway Girls, Fusion Project - £9,800 revenue – Approved

·  Learning Partnerships, Inner East Extended Services Cluster Pantomimes - £1,800 – Approved

·  Harehills Healthy Living Group, Stop Smoking Campaign - £999 revenue – Approved

·  East End Park Removal of Road Closure Points - £12,600 capital – Deferred

·  Eastdean Drive Car Parking - £3,675 – Approved

  d)  That a Wellbeing Working Group be established consisting of   the following Members:

·  Councillor A Hussain

·  Councillor P Grahame

·  Councillor B Selby

·  One Member from the Liberal Democrat Group

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  provided an update on ongoing work to develop those Community Centres vested within Environment and Neighbourhoods and highlighted issues facing these centres.

It also sought approval of the Committee to reconvene the Community Centres Working Group.

Members were informed that there would be a more detailed report on maintenance and asset management issues submitted to a future meeting and that proposals made by GIPSIL for the future of the South Gipton Community Centre had now been withdrawn.

Members discussed the potential implications of the withdrawal of GIPSILS proposals for South Gipton Community Centre and concern was also expressed regarding the condition and future of Harehills Place Community Centre.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the Community Centre Working Group be reconvened, Membership as follows:

·  Councillor Hyde

·  Councillor Brett

·  Councillor Maqsood

·  Area Management Representative

·  Corporate Property Management Representative

·  Neighbourhood Services Team Representative

    (c)  That further consideration regarding the future of the South

Gipton Community Centre and Harehills Place be deferred to the Community Centres Working Group and Ward Members with a further report back to the Area Committee

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

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services provided the Area Committee with various Children’s Services performance data which was disaggregated at an Area Committee or Ward level.  It also provided information on performance data that would be received in January 2011 and provided an update on progress and activity with safeguarding arrangements across the City.

The Chair welcomed Ken Morton, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services to the meeting.  He reported that performance information which would be reported to the Area Committee in January 2011 would focus more on school and exam results once that most recent data had been reconciled.  He also drew Members attention to statistical information detailed in the appendices of the report which focussed on looked after children, assessment information and those not in education, employment or training (NEETs).

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

• Employment opportunities for NEETs – opportunities within local developments, skills training and work experience.  Methods of recording numbers of NEETs were also discussed.
• Safeguarding Issues – issues discussed included the deployment of resources and social care workloads.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Thursday, 21 October 2010 in the Civic Hall at 4.00 p.m.

Thursday, 21 October 2010 at 6.00 p.m. in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

The meeting concluded at 7.45 p.m.