Agenda and minutes

The Committee was not able to gain access to the venue for the meeting – Seacroft Methodist Church Hall - in time for the published 5:30 pm start time. Members assembled outside the Hall and it was agreed that another venue should be found to enable the meeting to commence, rather than postpone to another date.

The Committee, having made efforts to move the meeting to another location in Seacroft, reconvened at the Dame Fanny Waterman Community Centre, Gipton at approximately 6:00 pm. A notice was placed at Seacroft Methodist Church Hall advising of the relocation of the meeting.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda however supplementary documents had been despatched in relation to Agenda item 14 – Area Update Report – minutes of the sub group meetings.(minute 45 refers)

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13 -18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19 -20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests however in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members Code of Conduct, the following declarations were made by members who felt it was in the public interest to do so:

Councillors Khan and R Grahame as members of the GMB union (minute 40 refers)

Councillors A Hussain and R Grahame as local authority appointed members of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (minute 39 refers)

Councillor Grahame as he stated he had some involvement in the recruitment & selection process for staff at the proposed new school, Florence Street (minute 40 refers)

Councillors Hyde and Khan as local authority appointed members of the ALMO (minutes 41 & 44 refer)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Morgan. It was noted that she was recovering from an operation and Members expressed their best wishes to her for a speedy recovery.

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.

In accordance worth Paragraphs 6:24 and 6:245 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules the Chair admitted the following item of business to be brought to the attention of the Committee through the Open Forum

Beeches and Oaktrees Tenants Management Organisation (BOTMO) – Mr A Armstrong provided information on the establishment of BOTMO which intended to manage housing services in the Beeches & Oaktrees area, by the tenants for the tenants. Mr Armstrong tabled associated literature for Members’ reference and highlighted the local support for the organisation (200 tenants of 450 properties were BOTMO members). EIAC noted the discussions relating to the legal requirements and assessments necessary to ensure BOTMO was fit for purpose prior to final approval being granted by the DCLG and prior to LCC/ALMO approval of the financial appraisal/business plan and release of housing stock. Mr Anderson stated the intention for BOTMO to take control of the properties in January 2014 and he outlined a request for local councillor membership of the management Board from January 2013.

RESOLVED – To thank Mr Armstrong for his informative presentation on the progress so far on the establishment of BOTMO and to note the contents of the submission

(Councillor Maqsood withdrew from the meeting at this point)

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September 2012

(copy attached)(Time – 5 minutes)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 6^th September 2012 be agreed as a correct record

To note any matters arising from the minutes

Minute 24 Appointment to Outside Bodies – EIAC received confirmation that Councillor Maqsood had accepted the nomination as EIAC representative for Chapeltown Citizens Advice Bureau

Minute 26 Wellbeing Fund – Crossgates Christmas Motifs – Confirmation was received that this scheme would be part funded from the Killingbeck & Seacroft pot only, as the project crossed the ward boundaries

Minute 28 West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service Annual report – Members noted that Ms S Covell had not submitted the questions she had intended to ask Station Commander Kirk in writing to the Area Management team so that WYFRS responses could be despatched to Members to their information. Ms Covell responded. EIAC also noted that the Hepworth Building, Osmondthorpe Lane, was suggested by one member as an alternative site for the new fire station as it was perceived as being nearer to “high risk” areas

(Councillor Maqsood resumed her seat in the meeting)

To consider the report of the Chief Waste Management Officer on the proposed closure of Stanley Road Household Waste Sorting Site and the communications strategy that Waste Management plan to undertake to publicise the closure

(Report attached) (Time – 10 minutes)

The Locality Manager presented a report on behalf of the Chief Waste Management Officer setting out the recycling services which will remain available to the residents of Inner East area following the closure of Stanley Road Household Waste Sorting Site (HWSS). Closure of the site had been agreed by Executive Board on 17^th October 2012 in order to facilitate the Florence Street school development.

The report set out the results of a review of City Centre HWSS provision which found that the Stanley Road was not well used and achieved a lower recycling rate when compared to the Council’s other HWSSs. The report also outlined the proposed communications strategy the Waste Management Serviceplanned to undertake to publicise the closure of Stanley Road HWSS to local residents andincluded a commitment for the Waste Management Service to patrol the site and remove any nearby flytipping in the period following its closure.

A list of “Bring Sites” in the Inner East area was tabled at the meeting for reference to provide Members with information as to the extent of alternative local recycling facilities currently available.

EIAC discussed the following matters:

• Three large sites were within 20 minutes driving distance (Seacroft, Meanwood and Kirkstall Road). These would be promoted as useful alternatives to Stanley Road with the Seacoft (East Leeds) site presented at the main option. However a comment regarding low car ownership in the BRH ward was noted. The Locality Manager responded that the vast majority of residents using the site currently were doing so in a vehicle and so the closure should have little impact in this regard, other than to potentially require a slightly longer distance/time to travel.
• Concerns that closure of the Stanley Road site could lead to increased flytipping in the locality. Members considered whether flytipping was mainly caused by commercial users rather than local residents and whether the development of the site as a school could actually discourage flytipping activity in and around the immediate area.
• Relocation of staff from Stanley Road to other sites/posts was anticipated
• Comment that the citywide Household Bulky Item Collection Service required improvement and better performance monitoring to encourage greater uptake of the service which in turn would prevent localised fly-tipping
• It was noted that the report stated that revenue savings from the closure of the Stanley Road site would be required to fund refurbishment works to the Kirkstall Road site in order to deliver the corporatewaste strategy, however Members felt there was a strong case for some funds to be retained and spent, with local ward Councillor input, in the locality. It was agreed to invite the Chief Waste Management Officer to the EIAC Environmental Sub Group to discuss this issue together with the concerns that the Bulky Item Collection Service is currently too unreliable.
• Recognition that there is potential for additional demands/pressure on the Locality Team to deal with impact of the closure of Stanley Road that would have to be considered with competing priorities without additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an overview of the progress being made against the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan priorities throughout the EIAC area

(Report attached) (Time – 10 minutes)

EIAC considered the report of the ENE Area Leader on the progress being made against the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan priorities in the Burmantofts & Richmond Hill, Gipton, Harehills and Seacroft priority neighbourhoods and the work which has been undertaken across the priority neighbourhoods between April and September 2012. The report also outlined the principles of the neighbourhood management approach and EIAC reiterated its support for this approach through the Community Leadership Teams

The Committee discussed a number of key actions undertaken in each of the priority neighbourhoods which highlighted the wide range of work underway and in particular initiatives to improve the local environment. In response to queries it was confirmed that

• the Glendales would be included within the next Environmental Improvement Zone
• the suggestions to roll-out the identifying bin stickers initiative and to undertake an environmental audit in the Bellbrookes area could be discussed at the Environmental sub group

Officers reported the following updated information gathered since the report had been written:

-  Burglary reduction activity in BRH now reached 1300 homes

- 61 project applications considered to the BRH Community First programme, totalling £56k of allocated funding for various schemes

(Councillor Selby joined the meeting at this point)

Members noted the progress made with the arrangements for the Burmantofts Gala, including the support offered from local businesses and the date/venue of the next Gala committee meeting as being 30/10 at 6.00pm at Ebor Gardens. EIAC also commented that information on future ENE Homes Open Days should be made available to the local ward Councillors in future

RESOLVED - That the achievements highlighted in the submitted report and the comments of the Committee be noted

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an overview of spending to date and setting out new project proposals for consideration

(Report attached) (Time – 10 minutes)

The ENE Area Leader submitted a report providing an overview of spending to date and seeking consideration of a number of new projects requesting funding. The Area Manager briefed EIAC on the underspend and it was noted that a report would be presented to the December meeting on schemes which had not yet claimed funds or “slipped” to enable an assessment of whether there were additional funds now available to spend. Additionally, future reports would indicate when a scheme was likely to spend the funds in order to assist decision making.

Mushroom bollards - a query relating to the destination of the patent fee for installation of “mushroom bollards” was raised as Halton Moor Board which held the patent, no longer existed.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report

b)  To note the intention to present a report to the next meeting on underspend so far

c)  To approve the following grant awards: 

Beechwood School Mushroom Bollards  £1,260

Seacroft Christmas Gala  £483.60

Pigeon Cote Road Fencing  £2,500

Safe & Secure, St Phillips PCC   £2,360

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader on the key achievements, challenges and focus of the priority neighbourhoods within the EIAC area since the introduction of the Neighbourhood Managers

(Report attached) (Time – 10 minutes)

The ENE Area Leader presented a report setting out a request to extend the Area Committee funding for the Neighbourhood Manager roles within the Inner East area for a further two years from April 2013 and seeking consideration of funding a third Neighbourhood Manager. The report also sought consideration of the future geographical focus of a Neighbourhood Management resource, to include Harehills which does not currently benefit from a Neighbourhood Manager.

The key achievements and successes that have been seen in the priority neighbourhoods of Burmantofts and Richmond Hill and Gipton and Seacroft, since the Area Committee began funding the posts in 2010 were highlighted in the report. It was noted that the most recent neighbourhood index would be available shortly.

EIAC noted the positive results that locality working had on the Inner East area and agreed that this approach represented value for money in terms of service delivery. Members supported the proposals to fund three neighbourhood manager posts as set out in the report.

With regards to the Gipton South Middle Super Output Area (MSOA) data within the report relating to health and education, it was noted that some of the indicators required further review as the intelligence used was out of date.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and the achievements made in the priority neighbourhoods in Inner East be noted

b)  That approval be given to the Wellbeing revenue funding to extend the contract of the Neighbourhood Managers for a further two years from 1st April 2013 to 31st March 2015, subject to availability of funds and to note that a further report will be presented to the December Area Committee setting out the cost implications for the Wellbeing Fund

c)  To confirm the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill; Gipton and Seacroft areas as priority neighbourhoods within Inner East which should continue to benefit from a Neighbourhood Manager resource from March 2013

d)  That, taking into account the indices of deprivation across the priority neighbourhoods within Inner East, approval be given to the allocation of funding for an additional Neighbourhood Manager. To note that a further report will be presented in due course to consider an area specific focus of that role which is most likely to cover the Harehills area

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader on progress made towards responding to the changes contained within the Welfare Reform Act

(Report attached) (Time - 10 minutes)

The ENE Area Leader submitted a report providing an update on the progress made since June 2012 by the East North East Welfare Reform Project Team to respond to the changes within the Welfare Reform Act and to mitigate the impact for residents within east north east Leeds.

EIAC discussed the following issues:

Pinnacle – EIAC was keen to ensure that Pinnacle was encouraged to provide clients with sufficient information on the implications of the changes to Working Tax Credits in terms of shift working. Members requested that information be presented to the next meeting

Food banks – Members discussed the establishment of food banks as social enterprise outlets and asked that a list of all groups minded to establish food banks be provided to Members

Downsizing homes - it was noted that the Board had previously asked for details of the costs to tenants of downsizing their homes in terms of removal/storage/decoration costs

Get It Together – A report on the scheme including details of the area covered was requested

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and the comments made by Members be noted

b)  To note the requests for further information on Pinnacle; Get it Together, community groups minded to establish food banks and the costs to tenants for downsizing their homes

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader on community engagement activity throughout the EIAC area and providing an update on the recommendations of the Area Committee sub groups

(Report attached) (Time – 5 minutes)

The ENE Area Leader provided an update on community engagement activity undertaken across the EIAC area and the key messages on work being carried out which is pertinent to EIAC priorities. The sub groups established to support the EIAC priorities had met during September and October and the minutes of those meetings had been despatched following the agenda

EIAC discussed the following matters

Seacroft Church regeneration – Members noted the scheme was £38k short of the £750k target and that work was ongoing to secure this last amount. The Arts Council had yet to make a final decision

Henry Barran Centre kitchen – EIAC noted that it had not been possible to put a viable business plan together for the scheme, however interested parties were keen to review the project again and were due to reconvene discussions. Members noted the comment that there were no community kitchens in the BRH ward and that, if BRH ward was included within this scheme, the expanded scheme could be more financially viable with a larger customer base. It was agreed that information relating to the next meeting scheduled for 5^th December 2012 would be sent to ward Councillors

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and the comments made by Members be noted

b)  That the contents of the minutes of the following sub group meetings be noted

a.  Environmental Sub Group held 11^th October 2012

b.  Community Centres Sub Group 20^th September 2012

c.  Health & Wellbeing Sub Group held 9^th October 2012

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an update on the work carried out against the Area Committee priorities previously agreed for the 2012/13 Municipal Year

(Report attached) (Time – 5 minutes)

The ENE Area Leader submitted a report providing an update on work carried out against the Area Committees agreed priorities for 2012/13 during the last three months

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and the discussions

To consider the report of the ENE Area Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager which provides an update on the impact of national changes on the local health and wellbeing agenda and providing a progress report on how key health issues are being addressed

(Report attached) (Time – 10 minutes)

EIAC considered the report of the ENE Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager on the work being done to prepare for the transfer of Public Health responsibilities from the NHS to Leeds City Council in April 2013. The report highlighted the work of the ENE Health and Wellbeing partnership and included a progress report on how key health issues are being addressed in the context of the Inner East Leeds Area Committee.

Members noted the work being done to create one integrated model of health service provision, with the NHS Public Health Neighbourhoods team, existing Health and Wellbeing team and the Public Health Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) team now being managed as a single resource.

Proposals to provide a more comprehensive report on actions taking place within Inner East Leeds were outlined in the report. Members discussed the key health issues flagged up by the data from the Middle Super Output Areas (MSOA) and particularly noted the work being done across the agencies to tackle the issue of childhood obesity and that funding had now been secured to roll out a scheme to tackle Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) which originated in the EIAC area to those areas city wide with the greatest need.

EIAC also considered that diabetes, smoking and alcohol abuse were key health issues for the area and that these should be discussed, along with ward based MSOA data, at ward member briefings. Members noted that comparative data would provide the basis for discussions to secure much needed resources to target the issues in the area. A suggestion that health and wellbeing issues should also raised at Community Leadership Team level in order to publicise how to tackle the issues and raise awareness of the long term health implications was also noted.

Members supported the proposal to integrate health and wellbeing issues throughout the locality approach and agreed that the EIAC Health & Wellbeing sub group should provide a steer for the integration of health into one EIAC Neighbourhood Plan

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the information contained within the report

b)  To note the suggestions provided for building on and further developing health improvement work in Inner East Area

c)  To note the request for future reports on an outcome based plan and a scheme for Health/Area Management  integration

To note the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 13^th July 2012

(copy attached) (Time – 5 minutes)

Min 5 Review of Area Working – EIAC noted a comment advocating the retention of Section 106 monies gained from planning applications to be spent locally to the application site and the response that the Community Infrastructure Levy could bring a new focus for local funds and would form part of the ongoing larger review of devolved decision making through area committees. It was agreed that Members would be kept informed through the EIAC Planning sub group.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held 13^th July 2012

b)  To note that CIL would be considered by the EIAC Planning sub group in the future  

To note the next meeting will be held on Thursday 6^th December 2012 at 5.30 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

RESOLVED - To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 6^th December 2012 at 5:30 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds