Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the April meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee held at Abbey Grange Church of England High School, Butcher Hill, Leeds 16.

He informed the meeting that as there were no Elected Members present from the Hyde Park and Woodhouse ward, the meeting was currently inquorate.

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

a)  The following personal declarations were made:-

·  Councillor J Illingworth in his capacity as Company Secretary of ‘dig2ride’ which was a charitable company established to provide BMX dirt jumps in the Kirkstall Valley (Agenda Item 11) (Minute 100 refers)

b)  The following personal and prejudicial declaration was made:-

·  Councillor J Illingworth in his capacity as Company Secretary of ‘dig2ride’ which was a charitable company established to provide BMX dirt jumps in the Kirkstall Valley (Agenda Item 12) (Minute 101 refers)

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor G Harper.

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 paragraph 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)  New Laws on Shared Houses (HMOs) (Houses in Multiple Occupation)

Dr Richard Tyler, Leeds HMO Lobby made a brief reference to the following legislation in relation to new laws on Shared Housing (HMOs):-

• Statutory Instrument 2010 No. 653 The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) (Amendment) (England) Order 2010 which came into force 6^th April 2010
• Statutory Instrument 2010 No. 654 The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2010 which came into force 6 April 2010
• Communities & Local Government Introducing a definition of houses in multiple occupation into the Use Classes Order: Impact assessment, CLG, London, 18 March 2010
• Communities & Local Government, Circular 05/10: Changes to Planning Regulations for Dwelling Houses and Houses in Multiple Occupation, CLG, London, 31 March 2010
• Communities & Local Government, General consents for discretionary licensing schemes under Parts 2 and 3 of the Housing Act 2004: Consultation - Summary of responses, CLG, London, 31 March 2010; general consent delegated to local authorities, 1 April 2010

As a result of this legislation, all new HMOs needed planning permission and the new rules also meant that you don’t need permission to turn a HMO back into a family home.

The Committee welcomed this new legislation and paid tribute to Leeds HMO Lobby and local residents for ten years of campaigning.

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

·  the need for a report to be brought to the Area Committee on the policing/monitoring of HMOs

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to consult with the Housing Strategy Team with the aim of bringing a local tailored HMO report to the next meeting In July 2010)

·  the view expressed that discretionary licensing could help local authorities in relation to enforcement in the long run and the need for the Area Committee to place on record it’s opposition to the Conservative’s Parties position on HMOs which favoured landlords

(The Area Committee supported this statement)

·  the concerns expressed about the increasing problems of Anti Social Behaviour resulting from the large number of HMO properties in Kirkstall (Burley in particular) where student lets were not being returned to family properties and the need for the Area Committee to address this issue

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to include this issue within the HMO report)

  Councillor P Ewens joined the meeting at 7.15pm during discussions 

  of the above item. The meeting was now quorate.

  b)  Royal Park School

Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association wished to place on record her sincere thanks to Councillors for their continuing efforts in securing the retention of the building for community use.

A debate then ensued on the discussions that took place  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25^th February 2010.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25^th February 2010 be approved as a correct record.

a)  West Park Centre (Minute 82 refers)

Councillor B Atha referred to the proposed sale of the West Park Centre and of the fact that he was in receipt of a number of e mails which alleged that the sale was imminent.

Detailed discussion ensued on this issue and it was noted that no decision had been made to sell the building and that it was still the Council’s intention to retain the site for community use.

Councillor S Bentley referred to an e mail in her possession which confirmed that the building was not to be sold and, on behalf of the Chair, she agreed to forward a copy of this e mail to Councillor B Atha for his information/retention.

b)  Former Royal Park School (Minute 84 a refers)

Councillor B Atha referred to the above issue and enquired on the latest position with regards to the legal costs.

It was noted that this issue had been debated at the Council Meeting held on 21^st April 2010 and that a report setting out the legal position and implications would be submitted to the Executive Board in July 2010 for consideration.

c)   Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum (Minute 84 b) refers)

The Committee noted that a meeting of the Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum would be held on Wednesday 12^th May 2010 at 7pm at Woodsley Road Community Centre.

To consider a report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer requesting Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meetings for the 2010/11 Municipal Year.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report requesting Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates and times of their meetings for the 2010/11 municipal year.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to the dates and times for the North West (Inner) Area Committee for 2010/11 in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That Members of the Committee be requested to give consideration to any suitable venues with their respective wards and to forward any suggestions to the Acting West North West Area Manager for discussion with the Chair.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining the achievements of the Little London Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM) project and providing information on plans for the partnerships and delivery of the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan in 2010/11.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report outlining the achievements of the Little London Intensive Neighbourhood Management (INM) project and providing information on plans for the partnerships and delivery of the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan in 2010/11.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘ Little London – Neighbourhood Improvement Plan 2009 – 2011’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

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

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

• the need to convey this Committee’s thanks and appreciation to those officers and staff who were involved in the successful clean up scheme of Hawksworth Wood where a significant improvement has been achieved
• the need for the Area Committee to closely monitor the situation in relation to the loss of two services; the weekly drugs outreach and the dedicated Streetscene Pride Team as a result of both Safer Stronger Community Funding and Neighbourhood Renewal Funding coming to the end of their three year programme in March 2010.

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

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) providing the Area Committee with the opportunity to make comment on the current policy which includes a cumulative impact policy for Headingley and Woodhouse/Hyde Park.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) submitted a report providing the Area Committee with the opportunity to make comment on the current policy which included a cumulative impact policy for Headingley and Woodhouse/Hyde Park.

Appended to the report was a document entitled ‘ Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy 2008-2010’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

Sue Holden, Principal Project Officer, and Nicola Raper, Section Head, Corporate Governance were in attendance and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the need for a separate meeting of the Headingley Forum to be convened to enable residents to convey their detailed comments on the Cumulative Impact Policy and with a requirement to extend the geographical area

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to make the necessary arrangements)

• to welcome the fact that Weetwood ward’s requirements relating to the Far Headingley area had been taken into consideration within the document
• clarification of the regulations in relation to alcohol delivery services and proof of age

(The Principal Project Officer responded and explained that new mandatory conditions would address this issue and it was accepted that was an area enforced by Trading Standards)

• clarification of the criteria in relation to ‘Carnage Events’

(The Principal Project Officer responded and explained that it was difficult to prevent such events, although the promoters now liaised closely with the responsible authorities and the events were monitored)

• clarification of the lap dancing regulations

(The Principal Project Officer responded and explained that this would be regulated under new legislation and was subject to a separate policy)

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That Members of the Committee be requested to forward any further comments on the Licensing Act 2003 Policy and Cumulative Impact Policy to the Principal Project Officer, Corporate Governance in accordance with public consultation period outlined in Section 3.5 of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presenting the meeting with an updated Inner North West Area Delivery Plan (ADP) for 2010-11 for approval, and to inform Members of the proposed content and format of the Area Delivery Plan with detail of how it will link with the Leeds Strategic Plan.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That approval be given to the draft Area Delivery Plan in accordance with the report now submitted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report presenting the meeting with an updated Inner North West Area Delivery Plan (ADP) for 2010-11 for approval, and to inform Members of the proposed content and format of the Area Delivery Plan with detail of how it will link with the Leeds Strategic Plan.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Inner North West Area Committee – Area Delivery Plan 2008/11’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

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

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

• the need to strengthen the Enterprise and Economy theme and to consider establishing a Sub Group to lead on this

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and confirmed that further work would be undertaken to address these issues and that officers would work closely with the theme Champion to link with the existing worklessness partnership )

• the need for the work of the voluntary and community sector to be better reflected in the Area Delivery Plan

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and made reference to the development of an Community Engagement Plan in this respect)

• the need for the Council to improve its community engagement efforts in relation to the A65 Bus Scheme and to adopt a more consistent engagement approach, especially within the Kirkstall area

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and confirmed that a summary of the Area Delivery Plan would be presented to Area Committee later in the year that addressed some of these issues)

• the need to explore the possibility of establishing a Sub Group in relation to the District Children Leeds Partnership

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and indicated that Jane Maxwell was in discussions with Councillor P Ewens in preparation for a meeting of the Children and Young People’s sub group)

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That approval be given to the draft Area Delivery Plan in accordance with the report now submitted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods informing Members of progress on a number of projects in Inner North West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2008-11.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to £5,000 Well-being revenue funding, in principle, to cover the costs of the Dobby Row BMX trail feasibility study, as referred to in paragraph 6.6 of the report, should the scheme not progress to completion.

c)  That the Chair write, on behalf of the Area Committee, to Parks and Countryside seeking the assurances that work to develop the proposed BMX trail on disused land known as Dobby Row, off Kirkstall Road, be progressed without delay.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report informing Members of progress on a number of projects in Inner North West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2008-11.

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

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

• clarification of the issues and arrangements in relation to the preparations for the Year of the Volunteer 2010

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and outlined the arrangements, with specific reference to hosting a volunteer celebration event in September 2010 to held in the Civic Hall, Leeds)

• to note that Councillor L Yeadon in her capacity as ‘Area Committee Year of the Volunteer Champion’ would be attending a steering group meeting in the near future, together with convening a briefing session with the Leeds Year of Volunteering 2010 Co-ordinator after the elections
• the need for a letter to be sent by the Chair, on behalf of the Area Committee, to Parks and Countryside seeking the assurances that work to develop the proposed BMX trial on disused land known as Dobby Row, off Kirkstall Road, be progressed without delay

(This proposal was supported by the Committee)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to £5,000 Well-being revenue funding, in principle, to cover the costs of the Dobby Row BMX trail feasibility study, as referred to in paragraph 6.6 of the report, should the scheme not progress to completion.

c)  That the Chair write, on behalf of the Area Committee, to Parks and Countryside seeking the assurances that work to develop the proposed BMX trail on disused land known as Dobby Row, off Kirkstall Road, be progressed without delay.

(Councillor J Illingworth having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Dobby Row BMX trial feasibility study, left the room during this item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Abbey Grange Church of England High School, Butcher Hill, Leeds LS16 5EA

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Environmental Action Team’s Community Environment Officer and Community Environment Support Officer be continued to be deployed to Hawksworth Wood and Little London as a top priority, and that the Environmental Sub Group be requested to monitor the situation over the next six months with a view to coming back to the Area Committee on any proposed changes to the central focus.

c)  That approval be given to the recommendation in Section 3.2.2 of the report to decommission the York stone capital budget and to split the £7,500 funding between Hyde Park and Woodhouse, Headingley and Kirkstall wards.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Report of Environmental Action Team Service Manager – Deployment of Community Environment Officers and Support Officers within the Area Committee’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management and Alison Gilliland, 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 to establish a Health and Well-being Sub Group or to expand the group that currently exists in Hyde Park and Woodhouse

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and outlined the work currently undertaken by the Health Partnership in order to address Health issues in the area. It was agreed to request Tim Taylor, Health Partnership Board to present a report to the Area Committee at the July 2010 Area Committee meeting before progressing with any plans for the development of a sub group)

• the need for a progress report on PP17 Assessment to be submitted to a future Area Committee

(This proposal was supported by the Committee)

• clarification of the current deployment arrangements in relation to the Community Environment Officer and Community Environment Support Officer; the role of the Environmental Sub Group in this regard and whether these officers be continued to be deployed to Hawksworth Wood and Little London, as a top priority, or that they be deployed in other areas within the NW Inner area where there was an increasing demand
• some indication of a discussion over resolution c) regarding the decommissioning of the York stone budget

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Environmental Action Team’s Community Environment Officer and Community Environment Support Officer be continued to be deployed to Hawksworth Wood and Little London as a top priority, and that the Environmental Sub Group be requested to monitor the situation over the next six months with a view to coming back to the Area Committee on any proposed changes to their working arrangements.

c)  That approval be given to the recommendation in Section 3.2.2 of the report to decommission the York stone capital budget and to split the £7,500 funding between Hyde Park and Woodhouse, Headingley and Kirkstall wards.

Thursday 1^st July 2010 at 7.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

(The meeting concluded at 8.40pm)