Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the September meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee held at South Parade Baptist Church, Leeds 6.

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

The following personal interests were declared at the meeting:-

·  Councillor E Minkin in her capacity as a Member of Plans Panel (West) – Key Messages from Ward Forums and Area Committee Sub Groups (Agenda Item 8) (Minute 26 refers)

·  Councillor J Illingworth in his capacity as a Director of Leeds Organic Growers – Quarter One Well-Being Monitoring Report (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 27 refers)

An apology of absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor J Chapman.

A number of other apologies received from members of the public were also read out at the meeting.

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 with paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

In summary, the following issues were raised at the meeting:-

·  St Ann’s Mills / A65 Quality Bus Initiative

Stephen Rennie, Hawksworth Wood Community Association raised concerns about the Council’s intention to dispose of St Ann’s Mills.

Councillor J Illingworth supported this and expressed additional concern about the lack of public consultation on the sale of St Ann’s Mills. Councillor Illingworth also informed the meeting that the A65 Quality Bus Initiative was being carried out under permitted development, and therefore no statutory public consultation would be required.

Detailed discussion ensued by Members of the Area Committee and the following courses of action were approved:-

(a)  That this Committee recommends that the sale of St Ann’s Mills should not proceed until a formal public planning process has been undertaken

(b)  That the A65 Quality Bus Initiative should be subject to the proper planning process, therefore including public consultation

(c)  That the above decisions be conveyed in writing by the Chair of the Area Committee to the Director of City Development

(d)  That in relation to the A65 corridor, a joint Planning Group and Transport Sub Group meeting be arranged, with relevant Highways officers invited to attend to discuss

(e)  That in respect of Kirkstall Valley, this Committee expresses the need for a local development framework to be produced for this area

·  Hyde Park Unity Day

Amit Roy, Hyde Park Unity Day made reference to the recent success of the Hyde Park Unity Day and expressed his grateful thanks to the Area Committee for their funding contribution to the event.

(Councillor D Morton and Councillor P Ewens arrived at 7.10 pm during discussion of the St Ann’s Mills/A65 Quality Bus Initiative issue)

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28^th June 2007.

RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2007 be approved as a correct record.

(a)  Leeds Girls’ High School (Minute 6 refers)

  Councillor B Atha referred to the above issue and highlighted again that Sports England’s comments on the loss of playing pitches had been misrepresented, and that this needed to be addressed.

  The Area Committee supported this view.

(b)  Open Forum / Student Tower Blocks (Minute 7(a) refers)

  Councillor E Minkin referred to the Inspector’s decision to dismiss an appeal against the refusal of an application for reserved matters approved by Leeds City Council for multi level development up to 12 storeys in height with basement car parking consisting of 414 student bedspaces at Cavendish Street, Leeds 3 which was reported at the Plans Panel (City Centre) meeting on 13^th September 2007.

  The Area Committee welcomed the above decision, together with the issue of ‘principles’ which would affect future developments of this nature.

(c)  Key Messages from Area Forums and Area Committee Themed Sub Groups (Minute 12 refers)

  Councillor B Atha referred to the Area Committee’s decision in ‘expressing their concerns about the inclusion of purpose built student accommodation in the proposals for Kirkstall District Centre’ and affirmed that the Area Committee opposed any future purpose built student accommodation on this site.

  The Area Committee supported this view.

(d)  Well-being Report (Minute 14 refers)

  Councillor  B Jennings referred to the ‘Environment Project – St Chad’s Primary’ capital project which was deferred at the last meeting and enquired on the latest developments.

  Dayle Lynch, North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that discussions were continuing between officers and St Chad’s Primary on the alternatives available.  It was noted that this issue would be discussed at the next meeting in October 2007 as part of the Well-being report.

(e)  The University of Leeds Inner North West Community Strategy 2007-2012 (Minute 17 refers)

  Councillor E Minkin referred to the above issue and enquired if a response had been received from Leeds Metropolitan University regarding any plans they had for producing a similar strategy.

  Dayle Lynch, North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that no formal communication had been received to date from the Leeds Metropolitan University.

(f)  Community Centre Lettings Policy Review (Minute 18 refers)

  Councillor E Minkin referred to the above issue and sought clarification on the definition of a community centre.

  Dayle Lynch, North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that  the definition had not been set, but that in theory it could be any building ‘where local people met’ (however this would exclude a public house for instance). It was further noted that work was progressing with a view to analysing the gaps.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updating Members on key messages from ward forums and sub groups that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating Members on key messages from ward forums and sub groups that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum – concern was expressed by Councillor K Hussain that the key messages contained in the report did not accurately reflect those decisions taken at the last two forum meetings

(The Chair responded and outlined the protocol, together with his responsibilities for the clearance/amendment of Area Committee reports and following a discussion it was agreed that changes would be made to the key messages from the Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum)

·  Streetscene Sub-Group – the need for weekly rather than monthly CAST/ Environmental Pride team reports (this suggestion was acknowledged by officers)

·  Community Safety Sub Group

- the need to bring forward the schedule for street lighting PFI replacement in Hyde Park and Woodhouse and Headingley Wards

-  the urgent need for the renewal of the Headingley Cumulative Impact Policy

·  Planning Group – the need for the Area Committee to support the retention of greenspaces within Inner North West, especially in light of a recent decision by the Planning Inspector to overturn a refusal of planning application by Plans Panel (West), for development on a small piece of greenspace in Farnley.

·  Transport Sub Group – an overview was given by Councillor B Jennings of the items discussed at the meeting held on 12^th September 2007 and the Committee noted that an officer had been invited to attend the next meeting of the Transport Sub Group to update the Group on the Council’s policy for making improvements into road surfaces i.e. pot holes/ temporary repairs etc

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted and that the agreed changes be made to the key messages from the Hyde Park & Woodhouse Forum.

(b)  That this Committee supports the proposal that there should be wide ranging consultation on the community space to be provided within the redeveloped Royal Park School.

(c)  That this Committee does not support the Community Safety Sub Group’s request for Hyde Park and Woodhouse and Headingley wards to be brought forward in the schedule for street lighting PFI replacement.

(d)  That this Committee supports the Planning Group’s request in defending residents’ views and concerns regarding the Leeds Girls High School draft planning brief.

(e)  That approval be given to the Transport Sub Group’s request for an improved A660 cycle route being an agenda item at a future Area Committee meeting.

(f)  That this Committee supports the renewal of the Headingley Cumulative Impact Policy with the inclusion of takeaways, restricting the opening of new takeaways and the extension of existing opening hours, on the grounds now reported.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with a summary of Quarter 1 of the Well-being projects todate.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with a summary of Quarter One of the Well-being projects to date.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following projects:-

·  Fund Raising Officer – the need for the Committee to be supplied with detailed information on the number of groups who received support in the Headingley and Kirkstall wards

(North West Area Management agreed to pass this information onto the appropriate Members)

·  Site Based Gardeners – reference to the list of duties undertaken by the gardeners which appeared to be core duties that should be mainstream funded by Parks and Countryside

·  Community Composting – the project had now received consent for an amended planning application and therefore was in a position to progress

(A report on the funding issues would be submitted to the next meeting in October 2007)

·  Additional litter bins – the need for the Chair to write to Metro, on behalf of the Committee, seeking funding to replace litter bins being removed from bus stops

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)  That in respect of the Community Composting project, a report on the funding issues be submitted to the next meeting in October 2007 for consideration.

(c)  That in respect of litter bins being removed from bus stops, authority be given for the Chair to write to Metro, on behalf of the Committee, seeking funding to replace.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the Area Manager’s Report.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the Area Manager’s Report.

Jason Singh, North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  Little London PFI

·  Headingley Town and District Centre Scheme

·  Royal Park School

·  Headingley Primary School

·  Kirkstall District Centre

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)  That this Committee gives ‘in principle’ support to Headingley Development Trust’s HEART request to be one of the city’s pilot schemes under the new Community Asset Transfer Fund.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updating the meeting on progress in relation to the Designated Public Places Order.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the meeting on progress in relation to the Designated Public Places Order (DPPO).

Zahid Butt, North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Inspector Richard Coldwell, West Yorkshire Police and Gill Marshall, Legal and Democratic Services also provided the meeting with additional information for Member’s guidance.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  clarification of the law in relation to how the police tackle those whose offences may be related to their alcohol dependency

·  clarification as to what difference a DPPO would make within the proposed area and on whether people would move to an area where a DPPO was excluded

·  clarification of the amount of alcohol sold by off licences to underage people

·  clarification of how many street drinkers there were in Leeds; including how many come into the North West area and the number of arrests made to date

·  concern expressed by West Yorkshire Police regarding ability to effectively and fairly police the DPPO without discrimination

Following detailed discussions, Councillor B Jennings proposed a motion that approval be given to the inclusion of Woodhouse Moor within the area to be consulted upon for the proposed Designated Public Places Order.

Councillor B Atha then moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor K Hussain that approval be given to Woodhouse Moor being included in the proposed boundaries for a DPPO because otherwise the Moor would be the only place to drink in public.

Having been moved and seconded first, the amendment was put to the vote and lost.

The original motion put by Councillor B Jennings was then put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)  That approval be given to theinclusion of Woodhouse Moor within the area to be consulted upon for the proposed Designated Public Places Order.

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor P Ewens required it to be recorded that she abstained from voting on the original motion in view of her being a Member of the Licensing Committee)

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the Student Accomodation Changeover initiative.

(Item withdrawn at the meeting – to be reconsidered on 18^th October 2007)

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on Climate Change.

(Item withdrawn at the meeting – to be reconsidered on 18^th October 2007)

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Environment on West Yorkshire Police Community Contact Points.

(Item withdrawn at the meeting – to be reconsidered on 18^th October 2007)

Thursday 18^th October 2007 at 7.00pm

(venue to be confirmed)

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

South Parade Baptist Church, 1 South Parade,  Leeds LS6 3LF

Thursday 18^th October 2007 at 7.00 pm (venue to be confirmed)

(The meeting concluded at 9.35 pm)