Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the September meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee held at St Michael’s Church Parish Hall, St Michael’s Road, Headingley, 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.

There were no personal interests were declared at the meeting.

However, Councillors B Chastney and J Matthews indicated that they were  Members of Plans Panel (West) and would be considering matters arising from the Leeds Girls High School (Minutes 18, 19 g) and 24 refer) and Headingley Rugby Club (Minute 19 d) refers) at a later date in that capacity. They stated that they would remain in the meeting to listen to these issues, but not to take part in the debate. In order to avoid any perception of pre-determination, Councillors Chastney and Matthews agreed that they would not be bound by any discussion taken at the meeting when these issues  came before Plans Panel (West) for determination, but would consider all representations and viewpoints presented at the planning meeting before reaching a conclusion based on the merits of the case.

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor J Akhtar.

To receive a deputation by the local community requesting the Area Committee to do everything in its power to ensure that the level of provision of tennis courts in Headingley and Hyde Park and Woodhouse wards is brought up to the standard of he Lawn Tennis Association.

(Please note that in accordance with Paragraph 6.19 of the Area Committee Procedure rules, the deputation shall not be more than 5 minutes in duration)

The Committee received a deputation by Sue Buckle on behalf of the local community requesting the Area Committee to do everything in its power to ensure that the level of provision of tennis courts in Headingley and Hyde Park and Woodhouse wards were brought up to the standard of the Lawn Tennis Association.

In her presentation, she made reference to the current tennis courts/facilities available within the two wards; details of LTA funding; accessibility issues and on 170 signatures received to date towards the development of a tennis club facility within Headingley. She also made reference to the health and social benefits of playing tennis and with regards to the extra tennis courts/facilities available at Leeds Girls High School.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the deputation.

Specific reference was made to a recent report of the Chief Planning Officer submitted to Plans Panel (West) relating to Leeds Girls High School and the Area Committee noted that consideration of this report had been deferred until the next Plans Panel (West) meeting in October. General concern was raised over the content of the report which failed to address the PPG17 element and to recognise the special health and equality needs of the local ethnic minority population.

Following a debate, Councillor J Illingworth put forward the following proposal, which was seconded by Councillor B Atha, for the Area Committee to consider:-

‘That a letter be sent from the Chair of the North West (Inner) Area Committee to the Chair of Plans Panel (West) deploring the lack of attention to equality and health issues in the Chief Planning Officer’s reports on the Leeds Girls High School planning applications, and urges the Plans Panel (West) not to determine these applications until (i) the PPG17 survey data had been published for the local area and the whole of Leeds, and (ii) the special health and equality needs of local ethnic minority populations had been addressed’

The proposal was agreed.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the deputation be received and noted.

b)  That this Committee supports the local community’s request that the level of provision of tennis courts in Headingley and Hyde Park and Woodhouse wards were brought up to the standard of the Lawn Tennis Association.

c)  That a letter be sent from the Chair of the North West (Inner) Area Committee to the Chair of Plans Panel (West) deploring the lack of attention to equality and health issues in the Chief Planning Officer’s reports on the Leeds Girls High School planning applications, and urges the Plans Panel (West) not to determine these applications until (i) the PPG17 survey data had been published for the local area and the whole of Leeds, and (ii) the special health and equality needs of local ethnic minority populations had been addressed.

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 a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee:-

a) Area Committees : Amendments to Composition – General Purposes Committee

John Dickinson, Weetwood Residents Association referred a report which had been considered at the General Purposes Committee on 8^th September 2010 with regards to the proposal to move the Weetwood ward to the North West (Outer) Area Committee in order to improve the alignment of wards with comparable socio-economic profiles. He raised his concerns about this proposal and thanked Elected Members for their efforts in getting it withdrawn.

A detailed debate ensued on this issue and specific concerns were raised over the lack of consultation with Weetwood Ward Members, by either the Leader of Council, Executive Board Member or relevant officer on this proposal.

Following discussions, Councillor J Matthews put forward the following motion for the Area Committee to consider which was seconded by Councillor M Hamilton:-

‘That this Area Committee recommends to Council that it strongly opposes any changes to the North West (Inner) Area Committee’s current membership’

A vote on the motion was taken and carried.

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

John Dickinson, Weetwood Residents Association/Leeds HMO Lobby referred to the above issue and reported his concerns that following the last Area Committee meeting, Grant Shapps, Housing Minister had removed two key elements on proposals to change the new laws on Shared Houses (HMOs).

Detailed discussion ensued on this issue and the Area Committee praised the work undertaken to date by Ryan Platten, Community Planner in this area.

It was agreed for the Chair of the Area Committee to write again to Grant Shapps, Housing Minister raising the Committee’s concerns over the removal of these two key elements and to invite him to visit Headingley to see the problems at first hand. In addition, the Area Committee also requested the Acting West North West Area Manager to bring a paper, if appropriate, to the next meeting in October on the implications of these changes and to seek the views of Unipol Student Homes.

c) Hyde Park Unity Day

Ollie, Hyde Park Unity Day referred to the above issue and wished to place on record his thanks to the Area Committee for their well-being grant. The Committee noted and welcomed that this year’s event had been a success.

Amit Roy, Hyde Park Unity Day raised his concerns over the policing arrangements on the actual day of the event and on the lack of consultation on a proposal to charge for policing next year’s event.

Following a discussion, the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to arrange a meeting between the Divisional Commander, an Elected Member from each ward of Inner North West and representatives from the Hyde Park Unity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th July 2010.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th July 2010 be approved as a correct record.

b)  That the matters arising update from the 8^th July 2010 meeting be noted.

a)  West Park Centre (Minute 8 b) refers)

  Councillor S Bentley referred to the above issue and raised her 

  concerns that the consultation process on the future of the West Park 

  Centre had still not commenced.

  Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management responded and 

  informed the meeting that following a request by the Leader of Council, 

  the consultation process had been delayed to allow for more

  information to be obtained by Asset Management.

b)  Licensing Act 2003 Policy and Cumulative Impact Policy (Minute 8c) refers)

Councillor J Monaghan referred to the above issue and welcomed the positive steps undertaken to date in relation to Cumulative Impact policies covering Headingley/Hyde Park areas.

The Area Committee were also supportive of the proposals to date and the Chair agreed to write to the Chief Legal Officer recommending that other areas within the North West Inner ward be also covered.

c)  Key Messages from Area Committee Sub Groups and Forums 

  (Minute 11 refers)

  Councillor J Matthews referred to the issue of parking in Headingley

    and on the possibility of the Headingley Forum establishing a sub group

   to develop a Parking Strategy.

  Discussion ensued on this issue and Members were of the opinion that

  such issues should be still considered by the Committee’s Transport

  Sub Group.

  In the interim period, the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed

to follow up the Parking Strategy issue with a report back on progress at the next meeting in October 2010.

d)  Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies (Minute 12 refers)

Councillor L Yeadon informed the meeting that she had recently replaced Councillor J Chapman on the Area Health and Social Care Partnership and as a result there was now a vacancy on the Area Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership.

The Chair responded and invited Members to fill this vacancy through the Acting West North West Area Manager.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods  updating the Area Committee on the current Well-being Fund budget position.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to an allocation of £2,805 from the central capital Wellbeing budget to the Headingley capital budget to cover the cost of funding shortfalls as outlined in Section 2.1 of the report.

c)  That this Committee notes the projected year-end revenue overspend of £11,139 as outlined in Section 2.2 of the report and agrees to decommission the following projects and re-allocate the funding to the 20010/11 Area Committee budget:-

a.  Small Grants budget £7,000

b.  Neighbourhood Design Statement budget: £5,400

d)  That approval be given to the request for £2,500 of revenue funding to be allocated to support  community activities Little London as outlined in Section 2.4 of the report.

e)  That approval be given to the request for a change of use for £7,500 revenue granted to the Woodhouse Ridge Action Group as outlined in Section 2 of the report.

f)  That approval be given to the request for £499.85 to be allocated from the Small Grants budget to Leeds University Union to deliver a waste and recycling education scheme.

g)  That this Committee notes the charges relating to Headingley Town and District Centre fees and Hyde Park CCTV monitoring as outlined in Section 2.4 of the report.

Referring to Minute 9 of the meeting held on 8^th July 2010, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Area Committee on the current Well-being Fund budget position.

The purpose of the report was to update the Area Committee on the current Well-being Fund budget position taking account of recent developments in relation to both the capital and revenue budgets. It included proposals to decommission funding for projects that were not likely to achieve spend by the year end and recommended that Members consider an urgent proposal for funding to support community activities in Little London.

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

In presenting her report, specific reference was made to an additional request for £499.85 to be allocated from the Small Grants budget to Leeds University Union to deliver a waste and recycling education scheme.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That approval be given to an allocation of £2,805 from the central capital Wellbeing budget to the Headingley capital budget to cover the cost of funding shortfalls as outlined in Section 2.1 of the report.

c)  That this Committee notes the projected year-end revenue overspend of £11,139 as outlined in Section 2.2 of the report and agrees to decommission the following projects and re-allocate the funding to the 20010/11 Area Committee budget:-

a.  Small Grants budget £7,000

b.  Neighbourhood Design Statement budget: £5,400

d)  That approval be given to the request for £2,500 of revenue funding to be allocated to support  community activities Little London as outlined in Section 2.4 of the report.

e)  That approval be given to the request for a change of use for £7,500 revenue granted to the Woodhouse Ridge Action Group as outlined in Section 2 of the report.

f)  That approval be given to the request for £499.85 to be allocated from the Small Grants budget to Leeds University Union to deliver a waste and recycling education scheme.

g)  That this Committee notes the charges relating to Headingley Town and District Centre fees and Hyde Park CCTV monitoring as outlined in Section 2.4 of the report.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on CCTV monitoring within the Inner North West area.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That this Committee notes that Elected Members can influence the installation of additional CCTV cameras in appropriate identified areas, subject to funds being available.

c)  That this Area Committee endorses the recommendation that appropriate reporting mechanisms be put in place to highlight areas of concern within the community to local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on CCTV monitoring within the Inner North West area.

Derek Pearson, Deputy Operations Manager, Leeds Community Safety, Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the concerns of private hire vehicles applying for hire outside The Box and whether CCTV could be used to tackle the problem

(The Deputy Operations Manager responded and outlined the current protocol. He agreed to discuss this further with the Council’s Legal section)

• to welcome the monthly CCTV reports sent to Elected Members which was viewed as a valuable source of information
• the concerns raised of taxis/private hire vehicles parking on double yellow lines at the junction of Kirkstall lights
• the need for portable hanging CCTV cameras to be erected to buildings at ‘hotspots’ in Leeds
• clarification of how the CCTV operations were monitored by other departments i.e. fly tipping; truancy; travellers etc

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and informed the meeting that a review had been recently undertaken in this area between Leeds Watch/ALMOs)

• the need for Members to identify ‘hot spots’ for additional CCTV cameras in their respective wards and to channel them through the appropriate agencies

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That this Committee notes that Elected Members can influence the installation of additional CCTV cameras in appropriate identified areas, subject to funds being available.

c)  That this Area Committee endorses the recommendation that appropriate reporting mechanisms be put in place to highlight areas of concern within the community to local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing a summary of ward forums and sub groups that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That  Members of the Area Committee be requested to meet with the Chief Planning Officer to discuss Planning’s response to the
new Government proposed changes to HMO legislation.

  c)  That this Committee notes that the Planning Sub-Group had

  a number of significant concerns regarding the planning application for

  the proposed development at Leeds Girls High School.

d)  That this Committee notes that the  proposal to move Weetwood Ward to the Outer North West Area Committee would result in a loss of community planner resource for Weetwood which ward members see as being key to co-ordinating local planning issues which were common across the four existing wards.

e)  That a report on the Footpath Strategy be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee meeting for consideration.

f)  That the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to seek clarification on the legality issues relating to the planning permissions surrounding the A65 bus scheme with a report back on progress at the next meeting in October 2010.

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 that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

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 legality concerns relating to the planning permissions surrounding the A65 bus scheme
• the need for a report on the Footpath Strategy to be submitted to a future Area Committee meeting
• the concerns expressed that the actual discussions made at the Planning Sub Group were not reflected within the Key Messages report and for a request for the Area Committee to receive, in future, copies of all of the Sub Group minutes with their agenda papers

(Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that it would be impractical for the Area Committee to receive copies of the Sub Group minutes in view of the amount of paper that would be generated. Following discussions, West North West Area Management agreed to provide Members of the Committee with copies of the Sub Group minutes/or appropriate links via e mail)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That  Members of the Area Committee be requested to meet with the Chief Planning Officer to discuss Planning’s response to the new Government proposed changes to HMO legislation.

  c)  That this Committee notes that the Planning Sub-Group had

  a number of significant concerns regarding the planning 

  application for the proposed development at Leeds Girls High

  School.

d)  That this Committee notes that the  proposal to move Weetwood Ward to the Outer North West Area Committee would result in a loss of community planner resource for Weetwood which ward members see as being key to co-ordinating local planning issues which were common across the four existing wards.

e)  That a report on the Footpath Strategy be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee meeting for consideration.

f)  That the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to seek clarification on the legality issues relating to the planning permissions surrounding the A65 bus scheme with a report back on progress at the next meeting in October 2010.

To consider a report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services on children’s performance issues.

The Interim Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on children’s performance data issues.

Jane Maxwell, Director of Children’s Services Unit and Mike Brown, Interim Head of Service, Children’s Social Care, Children’s Services presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• to welcome the detail contained within the report, but to request that  future reports to the Area Committee should focus more on children’s issues/priorities within the North West Inner area

(The Director of Children’s Services Unit responded and agreed to take these comments on board)

• to note the positive progress and improvements in performance which continue to be scrutinised closely and would be subject of further inspection from OFSTED
• the need for safeguarding children’s welfare and the important role played by Elected Members in this regard via casework/home visits etc
• the need to recognise the important ‘link’ between Children’s Services and Adult Social Care

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

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining the key health and wellbeing issues being considered by the West North West Partnership.

The Health and Improvement Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing background information about health and wellbeing partnerships and how initial priorities had been developed.

Appended to the report was a copy of the West North West Partnership Plan for the information/comment of the meeting.

Tim Taylor, Health and Improvement Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the importance of engaging with the police and recognising the excellent work undertaken by PCSOs in delivering the get well messages within the wards e.g. the successful pilot around alcohol treatments within Inner North West
• reference to the Peer review and of the fact that every department within the Council has a responsibility in promoting good health
• the need for the Chief Planning Officer to understand the importance of health issues when addressing planning applications
• the need to circulate the contact details of the Health and Improvement Manager to everyone on the North West (Inner) Area Committee mailing list

(Stuart Robinson, Governance Services responded and agreed to comply with this request)

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

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update on the development of a programme of community engagement utilising the Leeds Citizens Panel to give local people a greater say in how services are developed and improved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing a summary of the progress made in delivering a programme of community engagement in the inner north west area.

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

Specific reference to Sheffield’s Area Committee’s area delivery plan where residents were writing their own targets and the need to look at introducing a similar practice in Leeds which reacted to relevant concerns.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this Committee notes the scope and content of the West North West Area Management Team’s Community Engagement Programme.

c)  That this Committee welcomes the use of the Citizens Panel as part of a wider tool for community engagement.

Thursday 28^th October 2010 at 7.00pm at Woodsley Road Multicultural Community Centre, 64 Woodsley Road, Leeds LS3 1DU.

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

St Michael’s Church Parish Hall, St Michael’s Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3AW.

Thursday 28^th October 2010 at 7.00pm at Woodsley Road Multicultural Community Centre, 64 Woodsley Road, Leeds LS3 1DU

(The meeting concluded at 9.30pm)