Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the April meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee held in the James Graham Building, Jubilee Room, Headingley Campus, Church Wood Avenue, Leeds 6.

He informed Members that the meeting was inquorate due to no Members being present from the Hyde Park and Woodhouse ward.

He announced that Inspector Ian Croft, West Yorkshire Police would be leaving the area due to promotion and, on behalf of the Area Committee,

he thanked him for his contribution to the North West Inner area.

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair consented to a late item of business relating to a report entitled ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)’ which had been previously submitted to the Area Committee on 5^th February 2009 and subsequently deferred at that meeting.

The report was late due to the Chair’s wish that the report should be considered as supplementary information in conjunction with the report on the Review of Private Rented Sector Housing (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 96 refers).

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:-

·  Councillor J Chapman in her capacity as a Director of West North West Homes ALMO (Agenda Items 11 and 12) (Minutes 98 and 99 refer)

·  Councillor J Illingworth in view of him renting a Council owned allotment which was located a few metres from the proposed BMX site on Kirkstall Road (Agenda Item 14) (Minute 101 refers)

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor K Hussain and Councillor L Rhodes-Clayton.

A number of apologies received from members of the public were reported.

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)  Proposed BBQ Designated Area on Woodhouse Moor

  Martin Staniforth, North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association reported his concerns regarding the proposed bbq designated area on Woodhouse Moor. He stated that the proposed bbq designated area should be disposed with and the money budgeted to fund be used instead for essential repairs to the moor.

In addition to the above comments, the Chair allowed two further members of the public to speak on this item who raised issues around potential damage to trees on Woodhouse Moor; bonfires; refuse and out of date byelaws on the Council’s website.

Councillor P Ewens joined the meeting at 7.15 pm during discussion of the Woodhouse Moor BBQ issue. The Chair informed the Members that the meeting was now quorate.

Arising from the above discussions, it was moved by Councillor B Atha and seconded by Councillor L Yeadon that the Area Committee should strongly oppose any bbq activity on Woodhouse Moor and to prosecute those responsible through enforcement.

An amendment was moved by Councillor B Chastney and seconded by Councillor M Hamilton that the agreed consultation process on this issue should continue with those interested parties and to report back any concerns at the next meeting in July 2009.

The amendment was voted upon and carried.

In conclusion, the Chair requested that a meeting should be convened, as soon as possible, with North West Area Management, North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association, Friends of Woodhouse Moor and South Headingley Community Association to discuss the way forward.

(b)  Review of Leeds Unipol Code for Shared Student Housing Consultation Process

  Scott Blakeway, Unipol Student Homes informed the meeting that Unipol Student Homes were reviewing the Leeds Unipol Code for Shared Student Housing.

  As part of the consultation process, Unipol was now seeking the views of as many interested parties as possible before 24^th April 2009.

  The Chair responded and encouraged Members and the general public to convey their comments prior to the above deadline.

(c)  Environmental Impact on New Generation Transport (NGT) Bus System

  Councillor J Illingworth referred to the above issue and raised his concerns about the proposals and the consultation process.

  Jason Singh, Deputy Area Manager, responded and confirmed that a report on this issue would be submitted to the next meeting in July 2009.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th February 2009.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th February 2009 be approved as a correct record.

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

(a)  Leeds Housing Strategy (Minute 84 refers)

  Dr Richard Tyler, Leeds HMO Lobby, referred to the proposed meeting with Rob McCartney, Housing Strategy and Commissioning Manager, and North West Area Management to discuss the process by which links between Inner North West Area Committee Strategy and the Leeds Housing Strategy could be developed. He suggested to the meeting that it would be useful if Huw Jones, Re’new could take part in the discussions in view of his involvement with this specific issue.

  Jason Singh, Deputy Area Manager responded and agreed, in principle, to this suggestion which was subject to a departmental service level agreement.

To consider a report of the Head of Planning, Policy and Improvement providing background information on the Sustainable Communities Act and it’s implications for Leeds.

The Head of Planning Policy and Improvement submitted a report providing background information on the Sustainable Communities Act and its implications for Leeds.

Dylan Griffiths, Planning, Policy and Improvement presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the powers to allow appeals against planning approvals
• the powers to decriminalise dangerous and obstructive car parking
• the powers to introduce fixed penalty notices for garden rubbish
• the powers to introduce regulations covering cold food take away’s
• the powers for Planning Inspectors to take notice of local conditions when determining planning appeals

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That Members of the Committee be requested to forward any further comments/proposals on the Sustainable Communities Act to Dylan Griffiths, Planning, Policy and Improvement via North West Area Management prior to the deadline of 15^th May 2009.

(c)  That North West Area Management be requested to circulate a copy of the comments/proposals to Members of the Committee and the North West Inner mailing list for information/retention.

To consider a report of the Director of City Development advising Members of the contents of the Private Rented Sector review that has been commissioned by the Minister of Housing.

The Director of City Development submitted a report advising Members of the contents of the Private Rented Sector review that had been commissioned by the Minister of Housing.

The purpose of the review was to consider the contribution and potential of the Private Rented sector in the context of change within the housing market.

In addition to the above report, a copy of a report entitled ‘Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)’ previously considered and deferred at the Area Committee on 5^th February 2009 was circulated as supplementary information to assist Members in their deliberations on this matter.

Jade Corcoran, Community Planning Officer, City Development presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the need for all houses in multiple occupation and the private rented sector to be licensed
• the need for greater protection for tenants
• the need to review the conditions/timescales around right to buy properties
• the need to address the shortage of social housing
• the need for more privately owned properties being transferred to ALMOs
• the need for this Committee to support the findings of ECOTEC report and the Glassworks Inquiry
• the need for the authority to be more strategic in its approach to private rented sector housing
• the need for progress in this area and to focus on landlord licensing

In concluding, the Chair made reference to the supplementary information circulated and requested Members to give consideration to the recommendations outlined in the report previously submitted to the City Centre Plans Panel meeting held on 6^th November 2008.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That approval be given to lobbying the Communities and Local Government, MPs, the Local Government Association and other appropriate organisations in order to advance legislative change.

(c)  That consideration be given to reviewing planning policy with regard to HMOs and student accommodation through the emerging Local Development Framework (LDF) process in order to ensure that the authority had robust policies in place.

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 the well-being funding allocations to capital and revenue projects for 2009/10 be approved or refused in accordance with the document appended to these minutes.

(c)  That in relation to the well-being capital proposals for 2009/10, approval be given allocating the remaining £10,127 evenly between the four North West Inner wards i.e. £2,531 per ward.

(d)  That this Committee notes that the Weetwood Ward allocation was yet to be determined by the Ward Members.

(e)  That in relation to the well-being revenue proposals for 2009/10, this Committee notes that the total amount approved for revenue projects was £219,400.

(f)  That in relation to the fees for the Headingley Town and District Centre Scheme that are no longer scheduled to proceed, such fees amounting to £52,308.59 be defrayed from well-being funds allocated to the Inner North West Area Committee and that approval be given to pay a proportion of the fees from the 2009/10 well-being budget and the balance to be paid in future years.

Referring to Minute 81 of the meeting held on 5^th February 2009, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the Well-being budget.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

(a)  Wellbeing Capital Proposals 2009/10 (Appendix 1 refers)

(b)  Wellbeing Revenue Proposals 2009/10 (Appendix 2 refers)

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

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

The West North West Area Manager raised the issue of the fees for the Headingley Town and District Centre Scheme that were no longer scheduled to proceed. The Executive Board report of 4^th March 2009 stated that that these fees amounting to £52,308.59 should be defrayed from Wellbeing Funds allocated to the Inner North West Area Committee.

Following a brief discussion, Members agreed to pay a proportion of the fees from the 2009/10 Well-being budget and the balance to be paid from future years.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the well-being funding allocations to capital and revenue projects for 2009/10 be approved or refused in accordance with the document appended to these minutes.

(c)  That in relation to the well-being capital proposals for 2009/10, approval be given allocating the remaining £10,127 evenly between the four North West Inner wards i.e. £2,531 per ward.

(d)  That this Committee notes that the Weetwood Ward allocation was yet to be determined by the Ward Members.

(e)  That in relation to the well-being revenue proposals for 2009/10, this Committee notes that the total amount approved for revenue projects was £219,400.

(f)  That in relation to the fees for the Headingley Town and District Centre Scheme that are no longer scheduled to proceed, such fees amounting to £52,308.59 be defrayed from well-being funds allocated to the Inner North West Area Committee and that approval be given to pay a proportion of the fees from the 2009/10 well-being budget and the balance to be paid in future years.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on feedback received from North West Inner Ward Members regarding Streetscene issues.

Referring to Minute 34 of the meeting held on 25^th September 2008, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on feedback received from North West Inner Ward Members regarding Streetscene issues.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the need for one Elected Member from each ward to meet with Streetscene on a monthly basis to discuss areas of concern and to ascertain if resources had been allocated efficiently
• the need for the Environment Sub Group to act as a monitoring organisation
• clarification of progress in relation to green bags and the difficulties encountered with the system in flats
• the difficulties around leaf collection and the need for a list of problem areas/streets to be supplied to Elected Members
• the problems associated with litter bins being positioned in the wrong place and those going missing at bus stops
• the recent introduction of traffic regulations in relation to corners and thereby giving better access to refuse vehicles
• the problems associated with call centres around missed bin collections and the need to provide a weekly or monthly report on missed collections to enable effective monitoring
• the need to re-introduce the notification of refuse vehicle breakdowns to Elected Members for dissemination to residents
• the need to introduce a more formalised procedure in relation to refuse and recycling
• clarification of the resources required to enable Streetscene Services to operate a more efficient service

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods be requested to forward the comments raised to Streetscene Services for appropriate action.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining the current Streetscene Services arrangements, links with area management and elected members and current reporting mechanisms.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report outlining the current Streetscene Services arrangements, links with area management and elected members and current reporting mechanisms.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• clarification of the resources available in determining  Streetscene’s priorities in relation to the proposed introduction of the District Local Environment Quality Survey (DLEQS) methodology
• the need to increase the frequency of gully cleansing and for Elected Members to identify those sites which require urgent attention by Streetscene Services
• clarification as to who judges the standard of cleaning and the need for more resources in those inner city areas, especially around leaf collection
• the need for more community engagement in view of the positive feedback received from residents and for this model to be fed into Streetscene Services
• clarification of the enforcement powers available to the authority in relation to parked cars when engaging in street cleaning and the need for closer communication with residents

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That further reports on this issue be submitted to this Committee on a six monthly basis.

(c)  That the issues raised at this meeting be discussed further at the Environment Sub Group

(d)  That this Committee endorses the following actions:-

·  the use of District Local Environment Quality surveying and measuring methodology at a local level, subject to surveying resource implications that needed to be identified and agreed

·  the process outlined in Section 3.3 of the report in relation to how area committees and area management can assist Streetscene Services with customer/community engagement

·  to encourage the desirable process of individual ward member meetings with Streetscene officers

·  the use of the ‘probability/impact’ approach to service prioritisation

To consider a report of the Executive Project Manager/Head of Performance and Communications (Environmental Services) on the current status of the Residual Waste Treatment PFI project, together with seeking Members feedback on the proposed strategy for communication and community engagement for the Residual Waste Treatment PFI project.

The Executive Project Manager/Head of Performance and Communications (Environmental Services) submitted a report on the current status of the Residual Waste Treatment PFI Project, together with seeking Members feedback on the proposed strategy for communication and community engagement for the Residual Waste Treatment PFI Project.

Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods an Susan Upton, Recycling and Waste Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the need for the department to investigate the suitability of a potential waste disposal site located on the Ring Road (i.e. near Sandos)
• the need to address the traffic situation in relation to the Kirkstall site

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That this Committee notes the current status of the Residual Waste PFI project and the bids recently received.

(c)  That the above feedback on the proposals for communication and community engagement for the Residual Waste Treatment Project be fed back to the Council as it progresses.

(d)  That the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods be requested to undertake a review of the Horsforth site with a report back to a future meeting.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on a number of projects and issues in Inner North West Leeds that are not addressed elsewhere on the agenda.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That subject to legal advice, this Committee supports the comparative advantages of pursuing village green status at Butcher Hill.

(c)  That in relation to Royal Park School, this Committee reaffirms that any agreed scheme must have a benefit to the local community.

(d)  That this Committee congratulates those officers and organisations who had been involved in the successful transfer arrangements of the former Headingley Primary School to Headingley Development Trust.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on a number of projects and initiatives in Inner North West Leeds that were 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:-

• the need to congratulate those officers and organisations who had been involved in the successful transfer arrangements of the former Headingley Primary School to Headingley Development Trust
• the need for ward members to be actively involved in the arrangements for the feasibility of a dirt jump track
• the need for Members of the Committee to receive case history information relating to the Butcher Hill Village Green status

(Chris Dickinson, North West Area Management responded and agreed to liaise with Councillor B Atha on this issue)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That, subject to legal advice, this Committee supports the comparative advantages of pursuing village green status at Butcher Hill.

(c)  That in relation to Royal Park School, this Committee reaffirms that any agreed scheme must have a benefit to the local community.

(d)  That this Committee congratulates those officers and organisations who had been involved in the successful transfer arrangements of the former Headingley Primary School to Headingley Development Trust.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods requesting Members to endorse and implement a revised Pricing and Lettings Policy across Inner North West Leeds.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That approval be given to endorsing the revised Pricing and Lettings Policy for implementation in the inner north west community centres.

(c)  That approval be given to the indicative implementation date of 1^st October 2009 and should this date be not achieved, the policy would be implemented as soon as operationally possible.

Referring to Minute 54 of the meeting held on 13^th November 2008, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report requesting Members to endorse and implement a revised Pricing and Lettings Policy across Inner North West Leeds.

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

Specific reference was made to the non attachment of Appendix 1 to the report in relation to the discount policy.

Chris Dickinson, North West Area Management agreed to email a copy of the document to Members of the Committee for their retention/information.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That approval be given to endorsing the revised Pricing and Lettings Policy for implementation in the inner north west community centres.

(c)  That approval be given to the indicative implementation date of 1^st October 2009 and should this date be not achieved, the policy would be implemented as soon as operationally possible.

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 Area Committee, together 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.

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.

Councillor J Ilingworth referred to the Kirkstall Burley Forum minutes of the meeting held on 7^th October 2008 and informed the meeting that it was Councillor L Yeadon who chaired the forum.

Chris Dickinson, North West Area Management responded and noted the correction.

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

To consider a report the Chief Democratic Services Officer requesting Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meetings for the 2009/10 municipal year which commences in May 2009.

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

James Graham Building, Jubilee Room, Headingley Campus, Church Wood Avenue, Leeds LS6 3QS

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report requesting Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meetings for the 2009/10 municipal year which commences in May 2009.

RESOLVED-

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

(b)  That approval be given to the following dates, times and provisional venues for the 2009/10 municipal year in accordance with Section 3.1 of the report:-

  2^nd July 2009 – Hawksworth Wood Primary School

  17^th September 2009 – West Park Centre

  22^nd October 2009 – Abbey Grange

  10^th December 2009 – Little London Community Centre

  25^th February 2010 – Unipol Conference Room

  22^nd April 1010 – venue to be confirmed

  (NB: All meetings to commence at 7.00 pm)

(The meeting concluded at 9.30pm)