Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the February meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee held at Hawksworth Wood Primary School, Cragside Walk, Leeds 5.

He welcomed Chris Dickinson to his first meeting following his appointment to succeed Sheila Fletcher to the position of Area Management Officer.

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:-

Agenda Items 12 and 13 (Minute Nos 83 and 84 refer) – Area Manager’s Report and Leeds Housing Strategy – Councillor J Chapman in her capacity as a Director of Leeds West North West Homes ALMO.

Agenda Item 12 (Minute No 83 refers) – Area Manager’s Report – Councillor  J Illingworth in his capacity as a Director and Company  Secretary of Kirkstall Valley Park.

In addition, Councillor B  Chastney, on behalf of himself and Councillors J Matthews and L Yeadon, in their capacities as members of the Plans Panel West, made a statement to the effect that during recent discussions at the Area Committee regarding planning applications in respect of the Leeds Girls High School site, none of them had expressed any opinion on this matter, and they all remained neutral on this issue.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors P Ewens and L Rhodes-Clayton.  A number of apologies received from members of the public were reported.

To receive a deputation regarding Royal Park School.

(Please note that in accordance with paragraph 6.19 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the deputation must not exceed 5 minutes in duration)

The Committee received a deputation from Sue Buckle and Ted Winter on behalf of the Royal Park Community Consortium. The deputation made specific reference to the former Royal Park School building and requested the Area Committee to support the renewed ‘Community Bid’ following the withdrawal of Rushbond PLC from the scheme to redevelop the building.

It was reported that the Executive Board of the Council would be considering this subject at its meeting on 13^th February 2009, and the recommendation in the officers report was that the former school should be demolished and the site marketed for redevelopment, possibly for low-cost housing. Reference was also made to a late proposal which had been received, for the site to be used as a faith school.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the deputation be received and noted.

(b)  That the Area Committee supports the efforts of the Royal Park Community Consortium to save the building, requests the Executive Board to give the Consortium six months to come up with a business plan for its redevelopment and in the meantime takes immediate steps to secure the building from any further deterioration.

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.

(a)  Play Area – West Park / Butcher Hill / Spens Area

  Stephen Rennie, Hawksworth Wood Community Association, made reference to £1m which the City Council had received to improve/ upgrade/repair play areas in the City. There was an ideal opportunity, as part of the proposed designation of Butcher Hill playing fields as a village green, to develop a state of the art play area, but this was dependent on full and meaningful consultation with local residents regarding what was required.

  It was agreed that Chris Dickinson would liaise with Stephen Rennie on this matter, including the possibility of a Wellbeing Fund application.

(b)  Open Air Shakespeare Festival, Kirkstall Valley Park

  Mary Rennie, Kirkstall Valley Community Association, expressed disappointment that last year’s Festival had been cancelled for some reason, and expressed the hope that this year’s Festival would go ahead. 

  It was agreed that the Committee should make representations in this regard, and that local residents, especially young people, should be actively encouraged to participate in the Festival.

  RESOLVED -  That on behalf of the Committee, the Area Manager write to Councillor John Procter, the Executive Member (Leisure), expressing the Committee’s strong support for the Open Air Shakespeare Festival at Kirkstall Valley Park, and that Chris Dickinson also liaise with the Kirkstall Ward Members regarding a possible Wellbeing Fund application in respect of the Festival.

(c)  BMX Track (Minute No 61(b) 18.12.08 refers)

  Further to Minute No 61(b), 18^th December 2008, in response to local enthusiasts present at the meeting, Members stated that they shared the sense of frustration that proposals for a replacement BMX track in the area were taking so long to emerge, and instructed that some urgency be introduced into the process.  Councillors Chastney, Matthews and Yeadon also asked to be involved in any proposed meetings.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th December 2008.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th December 2008 be approved as a correct record.

(b)  That the update on matters arising from the previous minutes be noted.

(a)  Butcher Hill Playing Fields – Village Green Status (Minute No 59(a) refers)

  Further to Minute No 59(a), 18^th December 2008, it was noted that this was due to be considered again at the next Area Committee Planning Group meeting.

(b)  Waste Disposal Site, Evanston Avenue / Kirkstall Road (Minute Nos 44(e) and61(c) refer)

  Further to consideration of this issue at previous meetings, Members sympathised with representations made by a local resident regarding the suitability or otherwise of this possible waste disposal site, and the potential problems it might create for local residents.

  Reference was made to the update included in the Area Manager’s report at Agenda Item 12, and it was noted that this subject was due to be considered again at the next Area Committee meeting on 2^nd April 2009, when the appropriate officers would be present.

(c)  West Park Centre (Minute No 59(b) refers)

  Further to Minute No 59(b), 18^th December 2008, the Area Manager understood that the options for the future of the West Park Centre was due to be considered by the Executive Board on 1^st April.

  The Committee reiterated its view expressed at the last meeting that it fully supported the request for dialogue between the Council and relevant local community groups regarding the future of the West Park Centre.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining how Health and Environmental Action Services operates, with a particular focus on the Environmental Action Teams.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the operation of Health and Environmental Action Services, with a particular focus on the Environmental Action Teams and on the options of how Area Committees can help influence the work carried out by the Environmental Action Teams in their areas.

The following officers were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments:-

Graham Wilson, Head of Environmental Action and Parking

Keith Gibson, Environment and Neighbourhoods

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

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

• The need for partnership working with the local Universities and local voluntary and community groups in respect of the local issues identified within the report;
• The need to be proactive as well as reactive, and the role which Neighbourhood Wardens might play in this respect;
• The ongoing problems with bin yards, efforts being made to tackle the issue and the City-wide policy review currently being undertaken

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That the report and the issues it highlights be referred for more detailed discussion by the Committee’s Streetscene Sub-Group

(c)  That relevant officer attendance at Ward Member meetings from time to time would be useful

(d)  That the Area Committee receive 6 monthly update reports regarding the work of the local EAT.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the Well-being Budget.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That approval be given to the following capital application:-

Name of Project  Name of Organisation  Decision

Streetlight for  SEC  Approved

Sandy Lane footpath  £2,866

  (c)   That this Committee notes the small grant applications as outlined in 

  4.2 of the report now submitted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the Well-being Budget.

Jason Singh, Deputy Area Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED-

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

(b)  That approval be given to the following capital application:-

(c)  That this Committee notes the small grant applications as outlined in  4.2 of the report now submitted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining the 2009/10 budget for Intensive Neighbourhood Management in Little London and Woodhouse.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That approval be given to the proposed 2009/10 Little London and Woodhouse Intensive Neighbourhood Management budget, subject to further Ward Member consultation on the projects listed in 3.4 and 3.7 of the report now submitted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report outlining the 2009/10 budget for Intensive Neighbourhood Management in Little London and Woodhouse.

Jason Singh, Deputy Area Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

The report highlighted those projects which would be funded in 2009/10, and also those projects which would no longer be supported, due to the reductions in the amount available, as highlighted in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That approval be given to the proposed 2009/10 Little London and Woodhouse Intensive Neighbourhood Management budget, subject to further Ward Member discussion of the projects listed in 3.4 and 3.7 of the report now submitted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods informing the meeting of progress on a number of projects and issues in Inner North Leeds not addressed elsewhere on the agenda.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report informing the meeting of progress on a number of projects and issues in Inner North Leeds not addressed elsewhere on the agenda.

Steve Crocker, West North West Area Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• Employment and Skills training – The Area Manager confirmed that work continued in this area on a multi-agency basis, and a Jobs and Skills team was now based in the West North West area. This initiative included the use of Children’s Centres and the Tinshill Learning Centre as part of the extended services approach. 
• St Ann’s Mills – Councillor Illingworth urged support for the campaign to list St Ann’s Mills.
• Councillor Yeadon welcomed the initiative to establish a police base on the Hawksworth Wood estate, which would also be used by the ALMO and the Neighbourhood Wardens.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on a draft Leeds Housing Strategy.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on a draft Leeds Housing Strategy.

In the absence of a Housing Manager, the Area Manager  presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• Concern was expressed that if the specific NW Inner housing strategy document was subsumed into a general City-wide policy statement, then the specific and unique issues facing the area were likely to be lost and not sufficiently addressed;
• However, it was accepted that some issues, such as a lettings policy, needed a co-ordinated and consistent policy;
• It was also acknowledged that housing was not an issue delegated to Area Committees, therefore the Area Committee would have to work to ensure that its concerns and the problems it faced were incorporated and addressed in the corporate strategy document. There was a danger that work would stop on the NW Inner document as a result of the above, and Members were keen that this should not happen;
• Members commented that the Council house lettings system should not become systematic to the extent that common sense no longer applied.  Issues such as the age mix of residents and not placing children in the upper floors of blocks of flats were quoted as examples in this regard.

RESOLVED-

(a)  That a report on the final City-wide housing strategy be submitted to this Area Committee in summer 2009.

(b)  That the comments made in respect of  the draft Housing Strategy for Inner North West Leeds, and Member support in respect of this document, be noted and that a final draft of this document be submitted to a future meeting of this Area Committee for consideration.

To consider a report of the Director of City Development updating Members on the recent work carried out for Communities and Local Government in relation to Houses in Multiple Occupation.

RESOLVED – That consideration of this report be deferred to the next meeting on 2^nd April 2009.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with full minutes from ward forums and sub groups that have taken place since the last meeting.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with full minutes from Ward Forums and Sub Groups that have taken place since the last Area Committee, together with further information of future meeting dates for the Committee’s Forums and Sub Groups.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

Thursday 2^nd April 2009 at 7.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Hawksworth Wood Primary School, Cragside Walk, Leeds LS5 3QE

Thursday 2^nd April 2009 at 7.00 pm, possibly at Little London Community Centre (venue to be confirmed)

(The meeting concluded at  8.57 pm)