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 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to admit to the agenda, as a late item of urgent business, a report submitted by the East Inner Area Management Officer relating to the Biffa Proposed Energy Recovery Facility (Agenda Item 17, Minute No. 37 refers).  The report had not been available at the time of agenda despatch.

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 indicated that he was Chair of the City Centre Plans Panel and could, at a later date be considering the planning application in relation to the proposals from Biffa for the proposed Energy Recovery Facility.  He intended to remain in the meeting during the discussion on this item and to avoid any perception of pre-determination, Councillor Selby stated that he would not be bound by any discussions or decisions taken at today’s meeting should this matter come before the Plans Panel for determination, but would consider all representations and viewpoints presented at the planning meeting before reaching a conclusion based on the merits of the case.  Minute No. 28 refers.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Pryke.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Inner East Area Management Officer

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the East Inner Area Management Officer introduced a presentation from Biffa regarding their proposals for an Energy Recovery Facility on the former Skelton Grange Power Station site.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Mike Harty – Biffa
• Jason Stringer – Biffa
• Elizabeth Simmons – SLR

The Committee was given a presentation regarding the proposals which also showed plans of the proposed site – key points highlighted included the following:

• The site would not take in recyclable materials, these would be processed elsewhere.
• The benefits of renewable energy and how this would contribute to the national grid.
• The site would only take non-hazardous residual waste.
• Regulation would be carried out by the Environment Agency.
• It would reduce the amount of landfill tax the Council was liable for.
• The site would not be traffic intensive and would not cause any extra traffic.

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

• There was room within the proposed the site to expand and there were plans to include an anaerobic digestion plant in future.  This would recycle food waste.
• There was no evidence that the proposals and facility would cause any kind of health risk.
• There would be local employment opportunities with two to three hundred construction opportunities and up to forty permanent jobs at the site.  Biffa had worked closely with Leeds College of Building and this had given opportunity to source local employment.
• Materials processed at the site would have no recyclable value.  These included some plastics, contaminated paper and other poor quality material.
• An environmental impact assessment had been carried out and there were no adverse environmental effects.  There would be no waste discharged into the river.

The Chair thanked Mike Harty, Jason Stringer and Elizabeth Simmons for their attendance and presentation.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

(Councillors A Hussain and K Maqsood joined the meeting at 6.05 p.m and Councillor A Taylor joined the meeting at 6.10 p.m. during the discussion on this item.  Councillor A Taylor indicated that as a member of Plans Panel (East), he could at a later date be considering the planning application in relation to the proposals from Biffa for the proposed Energy Recovery Facility.  He intended to remain in the meeting during the discussion on this item and to avoid any perception of pre-determination, Councillor Taylor stated that he would not be bound by any discussions or decisions taken at today’s meeting should this matter come before the Plans Panel for determination, but would consider all representations and viewpoints presented at the planning meeting before reaching a conclusion based on the merits of the case. 

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

Time – 5 Minutes

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That the awarding of small grants be noted

(3)  That the awarding of £11,700 capital to the removal of East End Park Road Closure points be approved subject to Highways covering the staffing and legal costs and the work being programmed in for this financial year.

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided an overview of spending to date and the Area Committee was requested to:

• Note the spend to date and current balances for the 2010/11 financial year;
• Note the awarding of small grants;
• Consider a project proposal for the removal or road closure points at East End Park.

The Chair welcomed Beverly Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator to the meeting to address the Committee on the proposals at East End Park.  It was reported that consultation had been undertaken with Area Management and the local community and the majority had wanted the removal of bollards.  Alternative traffic calming schemes were discussed and it was hoped that the removal of bollards could be done without revoking the traffic regulation order which would reduce the legal fees and overall cost.  The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods had indicated that any additional monies required for the scheme would be available.

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That the awarding of small grants be noted

(3)  That the awarding of £11,700 capital to the removal of East End Park Road Closure points be approved subject to Highways covering the staffing and legal costs and the work being programmed in for this financial year.

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.

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.

Sarah Covell informed the Committee of a Freedom of Information request that had been submitted to the Council regarding costs of the Residual Waste Treatment Project.  It was reported that the figures provided were believed to be inaccurate and Area Management agreed to investigate this.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2010

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2010 be approved subject to the following amendments

• Councillor G Hyde in the Chair
• Minute 20 – Matters arising from the Minutes, 2^nd paragraph – amend to read bringing the building back into use…

Further to previous discussion regarding the old library building on York Road, it was reported that there was a further meeting due on this issue.

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 Members with ward level information about the scope and activities of Health and Environmental Action Services (HEAS) with a particular focus on enforcement action and the work of the Environment Action Teams which was aligned to strategic outcomes.

The Chair welcomed Phil Gamble, Service Manager, East North East Environmental Action Team to the meeting.

Members attention was brought to the tables detailed in the report which provided information on the numbers of service requests and enforcement and penalty notices issued across various service areas.  These related to issues such as dog fouling, fly tipping, litter, noise pollution, abandoned vehicles and pest control.

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

• Pest control issues
• Parking – this was not covered by HEAS
• Concern regarding binyards – it was reported that there were often difficulties identifying ownership and enforcement notices had been issued.  Work was ongoing with landlords tin an attempt to prevent any further problems.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Chief Environment Services Officer referred to the approval of a new grounds maintenance contract.  The report advised Members of key issues that had emerged and that the start of the contract had been revised from 1 March 2011 to 1 January 2012.

The Chair welcomed Anne-Marie Broadhead East North East Homes to the meeting.

Members attention was brought to the following issues regarding the new Grounds Maintenance contract:

• Procurement strategy
• Consultation
• Mapping
• Clearing of litter

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

• It was reported that the draft specification for the contract had been approved but the tendering process had not yet commenced.

• Problem areas where ownership of land had not been identified – it was reported that this would hopefully be resolved under the new contract but ongoing issues could be reported either to the ALMO or Highways.
• The Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) Inquiry into the contract.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the East North East Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager outlined the key health and wellbeing issues being considered by the East North East Health and Wellbeing Partnership and set out how issues affecting Inner East Leeds were being addressed.

The Chair introduced Liz Bailey, Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager to the meeting.

Members attention was brought to the following issues detailed in the report:

• The overarching priorities around improving health
• Partnership arrangements with key agencies across the City
• Local Health and Wellbeing Partnership Priorities:
  • Preventing Lung Disease
  • Increasing uptake of free school meals
  • Removing barriers to physical activity

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

• Preventative work – concern was express regarding the loss of facilities particularly in relation to physical activity.
• Involvement of Elected Members
• Teenage pregnancy
• Smoking cessation

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(Councillor R Grahame joined the meeting at 7.40 p.m. during the discussion on this item).

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

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods referred to the meeting of the Area Committee Chair’s where it was agreed that a further report be prepared to look at the potential delegation of a range of Streetscene Services to the Area Committee.

Members attention was brought to the following issues:

• Not all Streetscene Services would be delegated, examples that could be influenced at local level were highlighted in the report.
• The delegated services would be operated on a wedge basis.
• Management and delegation would take place through an annual business planning cycle and would take account of input from Elected Members.
• The use of District Local Environmental Quality Surveys model for reporting on the delegated services.

It was hoped that further detail would be reported to the Area Committee in September.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• Budgetary issues
• Legal and constitutional issues
• Members welcomed the opportunity it would provide for decision making at a local level.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Time – 10 Minutes

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the following recommendations be supported:

• That Harehills Place be declared surplus in order to progress its disposal
• That South Gipton Community Centre be declared surplus in order to progress its disposal
• That options 6a and 6b for Harehills Place Community Centre as detailed in the report be developed in greater detail
• That option 4b for South Gipton Community Centre as detailed in the report be developed in greater detail

The report of the East North East Area Manager referred to the future viability of the Harehills and South Gipton Community Centres and gave background information and an options appraisal for the centres.

It was reported that the Area Committee Community Centres Working Group had met and discussed available options.  Both centres were currently costing money to operate and had no options for investment.  It was recognised that there was a need to still provide facilities that these centres offered to local people but it was recommended that they be declared surplus to arrange for their disposal.

Members discussed other options for community centre users and it was reported further updates would be brought to the Area Committee following consultation with users and residents.  Area Management also agreed to contact the relevant Council Department regarding traces of legionella that had been identified in Harehills Place.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the following recommendations be supported:

• That Harehills Place be declared surplus in order to progress its disposal
• That South Gipton Community Centre be declared surplus in order to progress its disposal
• That options 6a and 6b for Harehills Place Community Centre as detailed in the report be developed in greater detail
• That option 4b for South Gipton Community Centre as detailed in the report be developed in greater detail
• That with regards to any of the options above, officers will undertake community consultation as appropriate

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

Time – 10 Minutes

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided MEmbers with an update of progress on actions in the 2008-11 Inner East Area Delivery Plan.  Members were also issued with copies of the Inner East Community Charter for 2010/11 and feedback from the Inaugural Meeting of the Killingbeck & Seacroft Community Leadership Team.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• A Neighbourhood Manager for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill had been appointed.
• Safe Neighbourhoods working

RESOLVED – That the report be noted

Thursday, 2 December 2010 at 6.00 p.m. in the Civic Hall.

Thursday, 2 December 2010 at 6.00 p.m., Civic Hall.

The meeting concluded at 8.20 p.m.