Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the April meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee held in the West Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds 16.

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 interest was declared at the meeting:-

·  Councillor J Matthews in his capacity as a Member on METRO (West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority) (Agenda Item 9) (Minute 84 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors J Chapman and 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 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)  Royal Park School Building – Latest Developments

David Santa Maria, representing Royal Park Community Consortium, reported on the latest developments in relation to purchasing a lease for the Royal Park School building. The Committee noted that the Royal Park Consortium had recently received an offer of £825,000 from Community Builders, subject to a new condition that the Consortium raise a further 1.8 million before it was released.

In concluding, the Royal Park Community Consortium requested the Area Committee to give consideration to supporting an extension to the purchase leasing arrangements for a period of 6 to 9 months in order to give them more time to complete the transaction.

Following a brief discussion, the Chair agreed to write, on behalf of the Area Committee, to the Leader of Council requesting the Executive Member for Development and Regeneration to support this request for an extension.

In relation to the access arrangements referred to at the meeting, the Chair agreed to express concerns on this issue to the Executive Member for Development and Regeneration.

b)  Education Leeds – Area Committees

Marian Charlton clarified the reporting arrangements at Area Committee meetings following the demise of Education Leeds.

The Chair responded and confirmed that the Area Committee would consider matters relating to Education Leeds, but the Executive Board would be more involved in day to day policy issues.

c)  New South Stand Development – Headingley Stadium

Marian Charlton referred to the new South Stand development at Headingley Stadium and requested the Area Committee to give serious consideration to the height, access and scale of the development.

The Chair responded, on behalf of the Area Committee and acknowledged the ongoing planning issues.

  d)  Leeds Girls High School - Valuation Issues

Councillor J Illingworth informed the meeting that he had forwarded a copy of an e mail to Members of the Committee addressed to the Chief Executive in relation to a request for more accurate information on the valuation of the site for Leeds Girls High School. He requested the Committee to support this course of action.

e)  Kirkstall Deli Market – 28^th May 2011

Councilor L Yeadon reminded the meeting that the Kirkstall Deli Market would take place in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey on 28^th May 2011.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 24^th February 2011 and 23^rd March 2011.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 24^th February 2011 and 23^rd March 2011 be approved as a correct record.

b)  That the matters arising update from the 24^th February 2011 meeting be noted.

a)  Delegation of Environmental Services (Minute 62 refers)

Councillor J Monaghan clarified as to whether or not an operative driving a buggy was issuing spot fines on Woodhouse Moor in relation to litter. He requested that this issue should be addressed at a future meeting of the Environment Sub Group.

Councillor Monaghan also made reference to the excellent work being undertaken by staff from Parks and Countryside on Woodhouse Moor and the Chair agreed to write a letter, on behalf of the Area Committee, to the Head of Parks and Countryside congratulating the staff on their efforts.

b)  Environment Sub Group (Minute 69 refers)

Councillor J Matthews raised his concerns following a decision to cancel a recent meeting of the Environment Sub Group due to the non-availability of officers from Streetscene Services and Environment Enforcement.

Following a brief discussion, the Chair agreed to write, on behalf of the Area Committee, to the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods reminding him of the importance of officer representation at this meeting.

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 2010/11.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this Committee notes the progress made on the Environmental Services delegation to the Area Committee.

c)  That this Committee notes the current position of the Dobby Row BMX scheme.

d)  That this Committee notes the recent Hyde Park Neighbourhood Management Activity.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report informing Members of the progress in relation to two projects, namely; the delegation of Environmental Services to the Area Committee and the Dobby Row BMX trail in Kirkstall.

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:-

·  liability issues around the Dobby Row BMX scheme and the need to look at granting licences to Community Groups to maintain Council control and ownership

·  clarification of when the Area Committee would receive a report on the Service Level Agreement

(Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that this would be considered at the July meeting)

·  the concerns expressed that mechanical sweeping and litter picking was not being undertaken as planned in certain areas within the North West Inner area and that such issues needed resolving by officers before the Area Committee could enter into a Service Level Agreement

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this Committee notes the progress made on the Environmental Services delegation to the Area Committee.

c)  That this Committee notes the current position of the Dobby Row BMX scheme.

d)  That this Committee notes the recent Hyde Park Neighbourhood Management Activity.

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 the key messages outlined in Section 7.2  and 7.3 of the report arising from the Planning Sub Group and Transport Sub Group be noted and approved, where applicable.

c)  That in relation to the proposed surplus of money available in respect of the Local Transport Plan (LTP), this issue be referred to the Transport Sub Group for further investigation.

d)  That in relation to student housing, the West North West Area Management Team be requested to commission a piece of work with the relevant agency i.e. Unipol etc on the current status of student housing within the North West Inner area.

e)  That this Committee expresses it’s deep concern in relation to the lack 

  of data and information contained within planning reports and the need 

  for Planning Officers to reflect the accountability of Councillors' views 

  on such issues in their day to day duties and responsibilities. It deems 

  that current practices have, on occasion, been unsatisfactory and that 

  these have led to deleterious outcomes for local communities. It

  requests that this dissatisfaction be clearly communicated to relevant

  Senior Planning Officers with the aim that the situation can be improved

  over the coming year and beyond.

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 need for the Transport Sub Group to investigate the proposed surplus of money available in respect of the Local Transport Plan (LTP)

·  the need to commission a piece of work with the relevant agency on the current status of student housing within the North West Inner area

·  the concerns expressed about in relation to the lack of data and information contained within planning reports and the need for Planning Officers to reflect the accountability of Councillors' views  on such issues in their day to day duties and responsibilities

·  to note that in Section 5.2 of the report, Councillor G Harper and not Councillor J Akthar chaired the Little London Forum meeting held on 7^th April 2011

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That the key messages outlined in Section 7.2  and 7.3 of the report arising from the Planning Sub Group and Transport Sub Group be noted and approved, where applicable.

c)  That in relation to the proposed surplus of money available in respect of the Local Transport Plan (LTP), this issue be referred to the Transport Sub Group for further investigation.

d)  That in relation to student housing, the West North West Area Management Team be requested to commission a piece of work with the relevant agency i.e. Unipol etc on the current status of student housing within the North West Inner area.

e)  That this Committee expresses it’s deep concern in relation to the lack 

  of data and information contained within Planning reports and the need 

  for Planning Officers to reflect the accountability of Councillors' views 

  on such issues in their day to day duties and responsibilities. It deems 

  that current practices have, on occasion, been unsatisfactory and that 

  these have led to deleterious outcomes for local communities. It

  requests that this dissatisfaction be clearly communicated to relevant

  Senior Planning Officers with the aim that the situation can be improved

  over the coming year and beyond.

To consider a report of the Community Planner advising the Committee on the Community Planner work programme for the next 12 months and also including a review of the work programme over the previous 12 months.

The Community Planner submitted a report advising the Committee on the Community Planner work programme for the next 12 months and also including a review of the work programme over the previous 12 months.

Ryan Platten, Community Planner presented the report and responded to Member’s queries and comments.

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

·  to welcome the development of a Community Planner website

·  the need for the Community Planner to be directly involved in the discussions and negotiations regarding the Kirkstall District site

·  the ongoing developments in relation to the TRICKS data base

·  the need for a report on the Localism Bill to be submitted to a future meeting for consideration

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That authority be given for the Community Planner to be directly involved in the discussions and negotiations regarding the Kirkstall District site.

c)  That a report on the Localism Bill be submitted to a future meeting for consideration.

To consider a report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer on the dates, times and venues of the North West (Inner) Area Committee for 2011/12.

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report on the dates, times and venues of the North West (Inner) Area Committee for 2011/12.

RESOLVED – That the following dates and times be approved for meetings of the North West (inner) Inner Area Committee for the 2011/12 municipal year, the remaining venues to be arranged by the Area Leader in consultation with Members:-

14^th July 2011 (Woodsley Road Mulicultural Community Centre)

22^nd September 2011 (HEART Centre)

27^th October 2011

15^th December 2011

23^rd February 2012

12^th April 2012

Meetings to commence at 7.00pm

(The meeting concluded at 8.00pm)