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.)

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 at this stage of the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

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.  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 minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2011

Minute No.54 Open Forum

Further to earlier reports of the poor condition of the temporary repairs to the former library building it was commented that further repairs had not yet been carried out.

Minute No.57 Delegation of Environmental Services

It was reported that the Service Level Agreements were still being developed and that workshops had been held for Members.

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

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Director of Children’s Services supported local member engagement with the work of Children’s Services by providing the Area Committee with an update against key data relating to education for the academic year 2009/10 and November 2010 and NEET and Not Known data.  It also provided details of recent key inspections that had taken place across Children’s Services and provided an update on the development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-15.

Ken Morton, Locality Enabler presented this item to the Committee.

Members attention was brought to the appendices to the report which focussed on achievement and attainment and also included an update NEETs.  Further issues referred to included changes at Primrose School and Leeds City College and work with the Academies and John Smeaton and Parklands Schools.  Attendance, NEETs and looked after children remained priorities.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the report be noted

b)  That ward information be supplied to Members at Ward Member meetings.

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

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Chief Executive of East North East Homes Leeds (ENEHL) referred to the creation of Locality Management and the scope for closer working between East North East Homes Leeds and the Area Committee.  The report also set out some elements of the work programme for ENEHL for 2011/12 and indicated some areas where there is cope for an immediate impact on joint working.

The Chair welcomed Steve Hunt, Chief Executive, ENEHL to the meeting.

It was reported that the ENEHL work programme had been set for the next 12 months and Members attention was brought to the Capital Programmes as detailed in the report.

In summary, the following issues were highlighted:

• The estimated value of spend for 2011/12 was £37 million.
• There was approximately £15 million for repairs and improvements.
• £3 to £4 million would be spent on ensuring decency standards were maintained.  95% of properties currently met decency standards and of the other 5% these were properties where it had not been able to gain access.
• Current projected funding would ensure that decency standards were maintained until 2013/14.
• Further spending included £2 million on adaptations and £3 million on void properties. 
• There were additional funds for sheltered housing schemes and for the conversion of unused flats into houses.
• There would be a £50,000 capital and £70,000 revenue budget available to be spent by the ENEHL Area Panels in agreement with the Area Committee.
• The caretaking service had been rationalised and would be provided by mobile teams.
• There would be shared service areas across the Leeds ALMOs – back office functions such as Finance and Human Resources.
• Review of Anti-Social Behaviour – this was being done in conjunction with the Council and Police.

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

• Concern regarding grass verges in Gipton – it was reported that these should be maintained under current contractual arrangements and it would be investigated.
• Decency standards were currently being met but over 800 properties would fall below standard in the following year due to issues such as the projected lifespan of boilers becoming out of date.
• Central Government introduced decency standards in 2003.  At that time Leeds City Council carried out a decency plus programme which was no longer sustainable and now only works to maintain decency were carried out.
• Limited resources had meant a reduction in the provision of local housing offices.  Service provision would be re-opened in South Gipton.
• ALMO spending was proportional to the number of properties across different Wards.
• Double glazing was not part of the decency standards.  Not all properties had heating requirements to decency standards as some tenants refused on the grounds of potential costs with bills.
• Six apprentices had been appointed to ENEHL in the past 12 months.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted

(2)  That a further report be brought to the Area Committee in 6 months.

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

Time – 5 Minutes

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided information to the Area Committee with regards to the Council’s proposals to introduce further Dog Control Orders across the City.  Dog Control Orders have been considered in two phases.  Phase One orders came into force on 1 February 2011.

The Chair welcomed Stacey Campbell of Environmental Services to the meeting.

It was reported that Dog Control Orders had been introduced to encourage responsible dog ownership and Members were reminded of the orders introduced during phase one.  These limited the numbers of dogs that could be walked by one person, introduced some exclusion areas (children’s playgrounds) and areas where dogs had to be kept on leads when requested to do so.  Phase two would introduce further exclusion areas including sports pitches and school fields and further areas where dogs were to be kept on leads at all times.

The Committee was informed of the consultation process for Phase Two which would give landowners opportunity to opt in to the exclusion areas.  It was planned for the consultation to go public in July 2011 before referral back to the Scrutiny Board (Environment & Neighbourhoods) for further consideration.

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

• It was suggested that the Community Leadership Teams were included in the consultation.  Area Management would arrange this.
• Role of the ALMOs and enforcement of tenant arrangements in relation to dog ownership – it was reported that the ALMOs were represented on a multi agency project board.
• Concern where dogs became a noise nuisance – these issues were addressed by the Environmental Action Teams.
• Status dogs – where people had dogs that contravened the Dangerous Dogs Act, it became a Police matter.

RESOLVED – That the report and proposals for Dog Control Orders be noted.

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

Time – 10 Minutes

The report of the Health and Wellbeing Manager – Inner East Leeds introduced a presentation to the Area Committee which provided details of work underway to reduce high levels of lung cancer deaths within Inner East Leeds through the undertaking of a social marketing campaign that encouraged local residents to attend for early screening if they had key symptoms such as a troublesome cough.

The Chair welcomed Liz Bailey, Health and Wellbeing Manager – Inner East Leeds and Paul Plant, Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust to the meeting.

Key issues highlighted included the following:

• There was a focus on those aged over 50 and those who had a persistent cough for 3 weeks or more.
• Training was being given to Community Health Education workers
• Encouraging people to see their GP.
• Quicker hospital referrals.
• There were 500 cases per year in Leeds – of these 45% had been diagnosed at stage IV of the disease – the figure for East Leeds was higher at 60%.
• Attention to the advertising campaign.
• The referral service available at Seacroft.

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

·  The smoking ban had not yet had an effect on lung cancer, as this was usually associated with the duration that someone had smoked. There had been a fall in cardio vascular illnesses.

·  Members suggested more local places to advertise the campaign and services available.

·  Concern over links to air pollution and higher levels of lung cancer due to the industrial developments in East Leeds.  It was reported that the overwhelming cause of lung cancer was smoking but air pollution could be linked to other illnesses such as asthma.

·  The sale of counterfeit cigarettes – these had up to 100 more times toxins than other cigarettes.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the promotion of lung cancer work taking place in Inner East Leeds be supported.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Leader

Time – 10 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 wellbeing revenue spending plan for 2011/12 be agreed.

(4)  That the following revenue project proposals be approved: 

·  Youth Service Holiday Programme - £15,000

·  Community Sports School Holiday Programme - £6,000

·  Space 2 Leeds, Breathing Buddies - £3,000

·  Connect  Housing, Sing for Joy - £2,520

·  NHS Leeds, Inner East Falls Prevention - £3,760

·  East Leeds FM - £10,000

(5)  That the following capital project proposal be approved:

·  CASAC, Burglary Reduction - £7,000

The report of the East North East Area Leader provided an overview of spending to date and presented for consideration, a number of new proposals requesting funding for 2010/11.  It also set out a spending plan for 2011/12 together with a number of new project proposals for 2011/12.  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;

·  Agree a wellbeing revenue spending plan for 2011/12;

·  Consider the following project proposals and approve where appropriate, the amount of grant to be awarded:

o  Youth Service school holiday programme - £15,000

o  Community Sports school holiday programme - £6,000

o  Space 2 Leeds, Breathing Buddies - £3,000

o  Connect Housing, Sing for Joy - £2,520

o  NHS Leeds, Inner East Leeds Fall Prevention - £3,760

o  East Leeds FM - £10,000

·  Consider the following capital project proposal and approve where appropriate the amount of grant to be awarded:

o  CASAC, Burglary Reduction - £7,000

Carole Clark, East North East Area Management presented the report and  gave further details on the project proposals outlined in the report.  Members attention was also brought to the Wellbeing Revenue Draft Budget for 2011/12 as detailed in Appendix B.  Members discussed the proposed equitable split of funding across the Inner East wards and a suggestion was made that this could be adjusted to take account of higher rates of deprivation in Burmantofts and Richmond Hill.  A proposal was made to move the recommendation as detailed in the report and this was carried.

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 wellbeing revenue spending plan for 2011/12 be agreed.

(4)  That the following revenue project proposals be approved: 

·  Youth Service Holiday Programme - £15,000

·  Community Sports School Holiday Programme - £6,000

·  Space 2 Leeds, Breathing Buddies - £3,000

·  Connect  Housing, Sing for Joy - £2,520

·  NHS Leeds, Inner East Falls Prevention - £3,760

·  East Leeds FM - £10,000

(5)  That the following capital project proposal be approved:

·  CASAC, Burglary Reduction - £7,000

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

Time – 5 Minutes

RESOLVED – That the proposals for the Community Charter be endorsed, including the proposals set out in Appendix A and the information from the Neighbourhood Index be noted.

The report of the East North East Area Leader set out the proposals for a Community Charter for 2011/12 along with details of the partnership working and consultation that had taken place.

The Charter is a public facing documents that sets out key achievements for the previous year and as series of promises to the community for the forthcoming year.

Members were asked to endorse the proposals for the Community Charter including the promises set out in Appendix A and note the information provided from the Neighbourhood Index.

Attention was brought to the suggested content of the Community Charter and the Draft Promises for 2011/12.

RESOLVED – That the proposals for the Community Charter be endorsed, including the proposals set out in Appendix A and the information from the Neighbourhood Index be noted.

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

Time – 15 Minutes

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the continuation of the ‘Working Together’ community engagement strategy for 2011/12 be approved.

(3)  That nominations be sought for co-opted members from Gipton, Seacroft and Harehills (when it is formed) CLTs, plus Burmantofts & Lincoln Green and Richmond Hill Forums for appointment at the first meeting of the Area Committee in the 2011/12 Municipal Year.

The report of the East North East Area Manager sought Area Committee approval of the refreshed Community Engagement Strategy for Inner East which set out the methods of consultation, engagement and communication with residents within the resources available to the Area Committee, or that could be levered in from partner organisations.  It also outlined the proposals for co-opting community representatives to the Area Committee for 2011/12.

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

• Concern regarding the lack of transparency at Community Leadership Team (CLT) meetings – it was stressed that the CLTs aimed to be open and transparent and public attendance was welcomed at all meetings and there would be opportunity for involvement.
• Community Forums would continue to operate in line with current arrangements in Burmantofts and Richmond Hill.  These would not be replaced with CLTs.
• Concern was expressed regarding the lack of community consultation in Harehills as the CLT had not yet been established and the PaCT meetings were to be discontinued.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the continuation of the ‘Working Together’ community engagement strategy for 2011/12 be approved.

(3)  That nominations be sought for co-opted members from Gipton, Seacroft and Harehills (when it is formed) CLTs, plus Burmantofts & Lincoln Green and Richmond Hill Forums for appointment at the first meeting of the Area Committee in the 2011/12 Municipal Year.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Area Leader – Appendices to follow

Time – 10 Minutes

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the review of progress for 2010/11 be noted.

(2)  That the outline 2011/12 NIPs for Burmantofts, Gipton, Harehills, Richmond Hill and Seacroft be approved.

(3)  That the intention to bring completed NIPs, including action plans, to the June Area Committee for approval be noted.

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided the Area Committee with a summary of progress made in 2010/11 by Neighbourhood Managers in the five priority neighbourhoods of Inner East – Burmantofts, Gipton, Harehills, Richmond Hill and Seacroft.  The report also sought to consult the Area Committee on the current Neighbourhod improvement Plans (NIPs) and asked for views on any changes for the refreshed 2011/12 plans.

Members discussed the role of the Community Leadership Teams in the preparation of the Neighbourhood Improvement Plans, Members attention was brought to arrangements in Richmond Hill and Burmantofts.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the review of progress for 2010/11 be noted.

(2)  That the outline 2011/12 NIPs for Burmantofts, Gipton, Harehills, Richmond Hill and Seacroft be approved.

(3)  That the intention to bring completed NIPs, including action plans, to the June Area Committee for approval be noted.

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

Time – 5 Minutes

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the contents of the report and progress made to date on the work requested be noted.

(2)  That Gipton Members discuss provision at a future Ward Member Briefing.

(3)  That the proposal for Education Leeds to expand Wykebeck Primary School on the site of South Gipton Community Centre, and to invest in the provision of  a community space within the expanded school be supported.

The report of the East North East Area Leader outlined the recent work of the Community Centres Working Group within Inner East Leeds which required consideration by the Area Committee.  It gave an update on the current position with the closure of Harehills Place and South Gipton Community Centres and also looked at options for the provision of alternative community space within the locality.

The following issues were discussed:

• Concern regarding the lack of consultation and the provision of Youth facilities.  This had been addressed with the local MP.
• Concern with the lack of response to issues at Nowell Mount Community Centre by Corporate Property Management.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the contents of the report and progress made to date on the work requested be noted.

(2)  That Gipton Members discuss provision at a future Ward Member Briefing.

(3)  That the proposal for Education Leeds to expand Wykebeck Primary School on the site of South Gipton Community Centre, and to invest in the provision of  a community space within the expanded school be supported.

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

RESOLVED – That meetings of the East Inner Area Committee take place at 6.00 p.m. on the following dates during the 2011/12 Municipal Year:

• Thursday, 23 June 2011
• Thursday, 8 September 2011
• Thursday, 20 October 2011
• Thursday, 1 December 2011
• Thursday, 2 February 2012
• Thursday, 22 March 2012

Venues to be confirmed.