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 admitted to the agenda a further application for funding to be considered under Agenda Item 8, Well-Being Fund.  The application had been unavailable at the time of the agenda despatch and needed to be considered by the Board before their next meeting in January 2011.

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.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors R Pryke and A Taylor 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.

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.

Concern was raised regarding the former library building on York Road in relation to safety issues with temporary repairs to the building and whether these had been carried out to the appropriate specification.  Further questions were raised regarding the sale of the building.  Area Management agreed to investigate these concerns.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2010

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2010 be confirmed as a correct record

Minute No 30 – Open Forum

Further to previous requests for information regarding the proposals for a Residual Waste Treatment Plant, it was reported that this would be an item on the next round of Community Forum meetings.

Minute No 46 – 2010/11 Well Being Fund

It was reported that a ward by ward breakdown of funds and spending had been e-mailed to Members and was detailed in the report to be considered later.

Minute No 43 – Open Forum

Further to a query regarding Youth Service Provision, it was reported that the Neighbourhood Manager was in discussion with the Youth Sevice and Police regarding provision.

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 the Area Committee with an update on the progress towards achieving delegation of certain environmental services for the next Municipal Year.  It also presented proposals for the involvement of Members throughout the preparatory stage.

The Chair welcomed Helen Freeman (Chief Officer, Health and Environmental Action Services) to the meeting.

It was reported that the delegation included the majority of environmental services with the main exceptions of refuse collection and recycling services.  It was proposed that the delegation would take place in June/July 2011 and reference was made to the Programme of Member Involvement, as appended to the report, and the development of Service Level Agreements.

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

• Community involvement – community clean ups had previously proved successful and it was reported that the delegation gave more opportunity for the Area Committee to work in collaboration with residents and community groups.
• Focus on enforcement and education issues.
• The delegation would allow more local input into the distribution of resources to tackle local priorities.
• The use of Community Payback Scheme to provide an additional resource.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted, specifically the programme of Member involvement and that it be agreed that a further progress report be brought to the next meeting and training be arranged for Elected Members

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 for consideration.  Members were also asked to note the spend to date, current balances for the 2010/11 financial year and the awarding of small grants.

The Area Committee was asked to consider the following project proposals:

·  Capital

·  New way markers for Seacroft - £6,000 Killingbeck Tenants Association/Affinity Sutton Housing Trust, Refurbishment of Killingbeck Community Park - £20,000

·  Harehills Cemetery Boundary Improvement Works - £20,652 East Dean Drive Lay-by - £2,708

·  Continuation of Existing Revenue Commitments 2011/12 (subject to Wellbeing funds being available)

·  Prioritisation of Neighbourhood Manager Posts - £60,000 CCTV Running Costs - £14,109.76

·  Community Payback - £15,000

Members were made aware of the recommendations of the Wellbeing Working Group in respect of the project proposals and further discussion focussed on the improvement works at Harehills Cemetery, the further funding request for the lay-by at East Dean Drive and Community Payback.

The Chair welcomed Keith Wyatt, Innovation Director, Avalon to the meeting to discuss the Garden Gang scheme which had previously received funding from the Area Committee.

Members were informed of the gardening projects carried out in Inner East Leeds and surrounding areas  which had been done in partnership with the East North East ALMO.  The services were provided for elderly and disabled people and allowed the scheme to provide training and employment opportunities for people with learning disabilities and mental health problems.  The scheme had recently being able to support the employment of a trainee who would also have the opportunity of undertaking NVQ qualifications.  Members praised the success of the scheme and thanked Mr Wyatt for his attendance.

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 following decisions be made in respect of grant applications:

·  Capital

·  New way markers for Seacroft - £6,000 - approved

·  Killingbeck Tenants Association/Affinity Sutton Housing Trust, Refurbishment of Killingbeck Community Park - £10,000 - approved

·  Harehills Cemetery Boundary Improvement Works - £20,652 - approved

·  East Dean Drive Lay-by - £2,708 – approved

·  Continuation of Existing Revenue Commitments 2011/12 (subject to Wellbeing funds being available)

·  Prioritisation of Neighbourhood Manager Posts - £60,000 – approved

·  CCTV Running Costs - £14,109.76 – approved

·  Community Payback - £15,000 - approved

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

Time – 5 Minutes

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided the Area Committee with an update of progress in the 2008-11 Inner East Area Delivery Plan, information about preparation of the 2011/12 Charter and details of the Area Committee Forward Plan.

Issues discussed included the following:

• Provision of courses/activities for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).  Concern was expressed that the report did not refer to any schemes in Burmantofts and Richmond Hill.  It was reported that a specific project was being carried out in the area.
• Development of the Community Charter – further discussions would be held at Ward Member meetings.  In response to a question of which community groups had received a questionnaire on the 2011/12 Coomunity Charter, it was agreed to supply this information to Members.
• Community Leadership Team meetings.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and Members to feed any further views and ideas for the refresh of the 2011/12 Community Charter through Area Management staff ahead of the March Area Committee where the Charter will be presented for approval.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement)

Time – 15 Minutes

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) informed the Area Committee on the progress of recent work on locality working through a Locality working Pathfinder in the south east wedge of the city.  The report invited Members to comment and support the initial proposals arising from the Pathfinder.

The Chair welcomed Shaid Mahmood, South East Area Leader to the meeting for this item to present the report with Rory Barke East & North East Area Leader.

The Committee was given a brief summary of the report and the following issues were highlighted:

• Local leadership
• Delegation of services at a local level
• The draft design principles
• How locality working would hopefully provide efficiencies across the City and help build sustainable communities where residents could look after and help shape local services.

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

• How to ensure that Elected Members are effectively engaged in ways if informing and influencing services.
• Co-ordination of working with local partners in the voluntary sector.
• There was a deliberate focus on how working with different partners could provide more coherent services and make the most of community assets.
• Concern regarding the number of regeneration projects that have previously been undertaken in the area.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the progress made on the Locality Working Pathfinder be noted.

(2)  That the approach of a ‘One Council’ Area Leader to lead the integration of services locally be supported.

(3)  That the set of design principles (Appendix 1) to form the basis of what was sought to be achieved through locality working in Leeds be supported.

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

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Chief Executive, Education Leeds presented the Area Committee with the consultation document on the proposals to expand Wykebeck Primary School.  The main issue was the permanent expansion of the school to move to two forms of entry each year from one and a half forms.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Deputy Director – Strategic Commissioning, Adult Social Care

Time – 30 Minutes

The report of the Director of Adult Social Services presented the Area Committee with information relating to the future options for long term residential and day care services for older people and outlined the consultation process to progress and implement the recommendations of the Executive Board agreed on 15 December 2010.

Members of the Area Committee were invited to suggest specific local issues that would help plan for the future needs of older people and make a response as part of the consultation process as agreed by the Executive Board.

The Chair welcomed Michelle Tynan, Chief Officer – Learning Disabilities to the meeting,

The following issues were brought to Members attention:

• Future provision of residential and day care services was currently being considered by the Scrutiny Board (Adult & Social Care)
• There was a rise in the provision of independent sector facilities and a fall in the use of Council facilities.
• Individual options appraisal of each centre would be carried out.
• Council involvement with the private sector.
• The consultation process currently being undertaken.

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

• The need to keep friendship groups together – this was one of the issues under consideration.
• Centres that were dedicated to a particular group or provided specialist services remained popular.
• Consultation would take account of families and carers views as well as those of service users.
• A further report would be presented to Executive Board in June/July 2011 following the consultation.
• Members were advised that further views on the consultation could be fed through Area Management at Ward Member meetings.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of Metro (Bus Development Team)

Time – 5 Minutes

The report of Metro (Bus Development Team) informed the Area Committee of Metro’s proposals for a Quality Bus Contract Scheme for West Yorkshire and the associated public consultation process.

The Chair welcomed Louise Porter of Metro Bus Development Team to the meeting.

It was reported that under the Quality Bus Contract Scheme, Metro would have the power to specify bus networks, fares, ticketing and other operating conditions.  Services in West Yorkshire were currently operated by private companies.  Features of a Quality Bus Contract for West Yorkshire could include the following:

• A simplified fare system
• Smartcard travel tickets that could be used on all public transport networks
• Fewer timetable changes
• Improved links with the rail network

Initial consultation had commenced and discussions had been held with bus operators and other key stakeholders.  Further to this consultation a decision would be made as to whether a formal consultation exercise should be carried out.

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

• Metro did not currently have the powers to introduce pre-paid fare systems such as the ‘kerching’ saverstrip that was previously available in West Yorkshire.
• Members welcomed the proposal to move to Quality Bus Contracts and reported frequent problems and complaints with local bus services.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

Thursday, 24 March 2011 at 6.00 p.m. – Seacroft Methodist Church Hall

Thursday, 24 March 2010 at 6.00 p.m. – Seacroft Methodist Church