Agenda, decisions and minutes

OFFICERS:  Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management

  Stuart Byrne, West North West Area Management

  Zahid Butt, West North West Area Management  Jason Singh, Locality Manager, West North West 

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

  Dr Richard Tyler, Leeds HMO Lobby

  Sue Buckle, SHCA, RPCC, FOWM

  David Salinger, Local Resident

  Doreen Illingworth, Local Resident

  Amanda Jackson, Leeds University Union 

  Rose Hampton, Leeds University Union

  Ben Fisher, Leeds University Union

  Jonathan Bentley, Observer

  Marian Charlton, Cardigan Centre

  Josie Green,NHPNA

  Tony Green, NHPNA

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 declarations of interest

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from: Councillor G Harper, Councillor L Yeadon and B Chastney.

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 Procedural 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.

  (i)  Contributions from the floor – Dr Richard Tyler, Leeds HMO   Lobby raised the issue of public participation at meetings of the   Area   Committee, suggesting that with the exception of “Open   Forum” contributions from the floor appeared to be limited, the   majority of the contributions coming from elected Members and     officers.

Speaking in support of Dr Tyler a number of Members were of the opinion that greater discretion should be exercised in allowing public participation.

In responding the Chair suggested that if everyone was allowed to speak on each item there was the possibility that the  business on the agenda would not be completed. The venue was only available until 9.00pm, but in order to be accommodating and allow greater public participation an earlier start time may be a possibility

RESOLVED – It was agreed to leave management of contributions from the floor to the discretion of the Chair, with a request that members of the public indicate to the Chair prior to the start of the meeting if they had a point to raise on any particular agenda item.

(ii)  Hyde Park Neighbourhood Improvement Board - Sue Buckle raised a number of issues regarding Agenda Item 14, Priority Neighbourhood Update Report.  These included concern that the Hyde Park Neighbourhood Plan did not reference the demographic imbalance within Hyde Park being a major cause of issues facing the area and that noise nuisance, although a major problem for the area, was not specifically highlighted as a priority.  Concern was also expressed regarding the number of community representatives that sat on the Board.  It was also requested to know the amount of the funding set aside for Hyde Park was spent on conducting the Hyde Park Neighbourhood Survey?

In responding officers recognised that the demographic imbalance was a major contributing factor to many of the issues raised but where people chose to live little was something that could not be controlled. 

It was noted that although noise nuisance was not specifically highlighted as a priority for Hyde Park, actions were included under both the Community Safety and the Environmental priority headings which looked at this issue.

It was recognised within the Hyde Park Programme Review that further work was needed to confirm how community engagement would be undertaken in support of the delivery of the neighbourhood improvement programme. It was understood that this will be discussed in detail at the next Hyde Park Board meeting.

In responding to how much of the funding set aside for Hyde Park was spent on conducting the Hyde Park Neighbourhood Survey, it was noted that this work was delivered through existing service resources and did not use any of the allocated funding.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th October 2011

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27^th October 2011 be accepted as a true and correct record

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

(Copy attached)

Members considered a report by West North West Area Management which identified issues requiring further action following the last meeting of the Area Committee.

Stuart Byrne, West North West Area Management provided an update on the following issues:

Cycle Routes – It was confirmed that the Chair had written to the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation seeking clarification on a number of issues. The Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum had also raised similar concerns.

It was reported that the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation was now investigating the areas of concern.

Transport Sub Group – Previously Members of the Committee had requested assistance from Highway Officers in supporting the work of the Transport Sub Group.

It was reported that a workshop, led by Gary Bartlett from Highways and Transportation would take place early in the new Year.

Former Royal Park School – It was confirmed that the Chair had written to the Leader of Council making known the views of the Area Committee on the former Royal Park School site.  A response had since been received indicating that that the Executive Board Member responsible would meet with the Chair to discuss issues within City Development.

Officers suggested that the issue may be discussed at the Executive Board early in the new year.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

To receive for information the Minutes of the Area Chair’s Forum held on 5^th September 2011

(Copy attached)

(Council Function 5 Minutes)

The Committee received for information and comment the Minutes of the Area Chair’s Forum held on 5^th September 2011

RESOLVED – That the Minutes from the Area Chair’s Forum held on 5^th September 2011 be noted

To consider a report by the Locality Manager (West North West) which provides an update on the performance against the Service Level Agreement between Inner North West Committee and the WNW Environmental Locality Team for the period 8^th September 2011 to November 2011. The report also provides feedback on discussions that had taken place at the Area Committees Environmental Sub Groups meetings

(Report attached)

(Executive Function 10 Minutes)

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the progress being made by the Locality Team in delivering the Service Level Agreement

(ii)  That approval be given to authorise officers to develop proposals to expand  the current Sub Group Membership to include residents representatives

The Locality Manager (West North West) submitted a report which provided an update on the performance against the Service Level Agreement between Inner North West Committee and the WNW Environmental Locality Team for the period 8^th September 2011 to November 2011. The report also provided feedback on discussions that had taken place at the Area Committee’s Environmental Sub Group meetings.

Included within the report were the following appendix:

• Half year service update (September – November 2011)

Jason Singh, Locality Manager 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:

• In consultation with Ward Members and local residents the development of more localised plans.
• A review of environmental services on offer in the area with a view to improved integration of service.
• Response/ reaction times.
• Delivery of service, target resources, adjust to fit in with the needs of the area (Headingley frequent litter picks at weekends).
• Cleaning at the Arndale Centre on Sundays, adjusted to accommodate social patterns had been very beneficial to the area.
• Improved street cleaning in the Kirkstall area but not so good in other areas.
• Leaf clearance required in the Weetwood Lane and Monkbridge Road areas.
• Accumulation of rubbish in Back Regent Park Avenue (Behind Hyde Park Pub) only cleaned on request not regularly maintained.
• Provision of new litter bins in the area, how many and when would they arrive.
• Resident representation on Sub Groups.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the progress being made by the Locality Team in delivering the Service Level Agreement.

(ii)  That approval be given to authorise officers to develop proposals to expand  the current Sub Group Membership to include residents representatives.

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive, Community Access and Performance which outlines the progress being made to create and manage a new and enlarged Leeds Citizens’ Panel that will form an important tool for the council and partners’ consultation activity.

The report also presents the advantages of the new Panel in terms of efficiency, partnership working and supporting localised consultation of communities of place and interest. The potential opportunities and the progress towards launching the new Citizens Panel.

(Report attached)

(Council Function 10 Minutes)

The Assistant Chief Executive, Community Access and Performance submitted a report which outlined the progress being made to create and manage a new and enlarged Leeds Citizen’s Panel that would form an important tool for the Council and partners consultation activity.

The report also identified the advantages of the new Panel in terms of efficiency, partnership working and supporting localised consultation of communities of place of interest. The potential opportunities and the progress towards launching the new Citizens Panel

Included within the report was the following appendix :

• Leeds Citizens’ Panel progress update, 27^th October 2011

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:

• Value for money, peoples perception of service
• The need to obtain the views of young people
• The importance of asking the right questions
• Large focus groups was not always the best way of doing things
• The need to refresh the Membership of the Panels (30% every 3 years)
• Internet usage

RESOLVED –

  (i)  To note the development of a new Citizen’s Panel in Leeds as   described in section 3 of the submitted report.

  (ii)  To support the use of the new Leeds Citizens’ Panel and to take   up its use as part of the Committee’s community engagement   activities in support of Wellbeing fund priority setting and in the   development of the Area Business Plans.

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance which provides a high-level summary of the main elements of the Localism Act that will be of direct relevance to Area Committees and allows an opportunity to debate and influence the way the Council implements the legislation.

(Report attached)

(Council Function 10 Minutes)

The Assistant Chief Executive, Customer Access and Performance submitted a report which provided a high level summary of the main elements of the Localism Act that would be of direct relevance to Area Committees and would allow an opportunity to debate and influence the way the Council implements the legislation.

Jane Maxwell, 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 creation of Neighbourhood Forums.
• The creation of Neighbourhood Plans.
• Planning concerns, development within the Greenbelt.
• Lots of opportunity in the West North West area for Localism.
• Elected Mayor and the impact on local democracy.
• Competence.

RESOLVED –

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

(ii)  That the comments made by Members be fed back to   officers with a view to inclusion in a future report to the   Executive Board.

To consider a report by the Director of Environments and Neighbourhoods which provides an overview of progress to develop more joined-up working arrangements between locality based City Council services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/ PCSOs.

(Report attached)

(Council Function 10 Minutes)

The Director of Environments and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided an overview of progress to develop a more joined up working arrangement between locality based City Council services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/ PCSOs.

Included within the report were the following appendix:

• The Key contacts within the West North West area.

Zahid Butt, Area Community Safety Coordinator, presented the report and responded to Members queries and comments.

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

• The role of PCSOs in tackling noise nuisance.
• The new duties of PCSO’s and the necessity for the Chief Inspector to be kept informed.

RESOLVED – To note the progress being made to develop more joined up working within localities between Leeds City Council services and Neighbourhood Police Teams/ PCSOs.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive which provides an update of neighbourhood improvement work in Inner North West Leeds.  The report also sets out an update on the delivery of the Hyde Park Neighbourhood Improvement Programme including a brief review of progress made to date in addressing the key neighbourhood improvement priorities: environment, community safety, parking and health and wellbeing.

A summary of the emerging Hawksworth Wood Neighbourhood Programme is provided and seeks support for the inclusion of Hawksworth Wood as a priority neighbourhood for the Inner North West Area Committee.

(Report attached)

(Executive Function 10 Minutes)

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the progress made in the Hyde Park area as part of the neighbourhood improvement work

(ii)  To approve the development of neighbourhood improvement work in Hawksworth Wood

(iii)  To approve the inclusion of Hawksworth Wood as a priority neighbourhood for the Inner North West Area Committee

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report which provided an update of the neighbourhood improvement work in the Inner North West Leeds area.

The report also set out the position on the delivery of the Hyde Park Neighbourhood Improvement Programme including a brief review of progress made to date in addressing the key neighbourhood improvement priorities: environment, community safety, parking and health and wellbeing.

Included within the report were the following appendices:

• Hyde Park Board - Programme Review and Way Forward.
• Hawksworth Wood Neighbourhood Improvement Programme – Programme Development Proposal: November 2011.

Stuart Byrne, 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:

• Issues around insurance for Community Volunteers.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the progress made in the Hyde Park area as part of the neighbourhood improvement work.

(ii)  To approve the development of neighbourhood improvement work in Hawksworth Wood.

(iii)  To approve the inclusion of Hawksworth Wood as a priority neighbourhood for the Inner North West Area Committee

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive which provides an update on the 2011-12 Wellbeing budget position, and identifies how individual projects have spent against their individual grants. The report also seeks approval for proposed Wellbeing fund priorities for 2012-13, following consultation with Elected Members through the Area Business Plan briefing and request authorisation to launch of the proposed Wellbeing commissioning round.

(Report attached)

(Executive Function 10 Minutes)

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the current Wellbeing budget position

(ii)  To approve the Wellbeing funding priorities for 2012 -13

(iii)  That approval be given to launch the 2012 -13 Wellbeing Commissioning Round

(iv)  That the Commissioning Round be extended from 4 to 6 weeks

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report which provided an update on the 2011-12 Wellbeing budget position and identified how individual projects had spent against their individual grants.

The report also sought approval for proposed Wellbeing fund priorities for 2012-13, following consultation with Elected Members through the Area Business Plan, and requested authorisation to launch the proposed Wellbeing Commissioning Round.

Included within the report were the following appendices:

• Inner North West Area Committee Wellbeing Budget Statement

  2011-12.

• Area Committee Wellbeing Fund Large Projects Guidance Notes.

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 suggested priorities for Wellbeing Funding 2012 -13.
• Concern that the Commissioning deadline of 4 weeks was too short given that fact that many smaller Community Groups meet infrequently.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the current Wellbeing budget position.

(ii)  To approve the Wellbeing funding priorities for 2012 -13.

(iii)  That approval be given to launch the 2012 - 13 Wellbeing Commissioning Round.

(iv)  That the Commissioning Round be extended from 4 to 6 weeks.

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) setting out detail of the Capital Receipt Incentive Scheme which  received approval at the Executive Board Meeting on 12^th October 2011.

(Report attached)

(Council Function 10 Minutes)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which set out details of the Capital Receipt Incentive Scheme which received approval at the Executive Board meeting on 12^th October 2011.

Included within the report were the following appendices:

• Report to Executive Board, 12^th October 2011, Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme.

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 Area Committee to be made aware of the assets available for disposal in the West North West area.
• How proceeds from the sale of assets would be used by the Area Committee.
• That Ward Based Initiative funding may not be the most appropriate way of distributing Capital Receipts.

Referring to section 3.2 of the submitted report Chris Dickinson reported that 20% of receipts generated would be retained locally up to a maximum of £100K per capital receipt with 15% retained by the Ward and 5% pooled across the Council and distributed to Wards on the basis of need.

RESOLVED –

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

(ii)  That the assets available for disposal in the West North West area be made known to Members of the Area Committee.

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive which provides a summary of the Sub Groups business since the October Area Committee. The report also includes an update on the Little London Community Centre.

(Report attached)

(Executive Function 5 Minutes)

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note and action as appropriate the Key Messages from the Sub Groups as set out in section 3.9 of the submitted report

(ii)  To note the update on the Little London Community Centre

(iii)  To approve the introduction of resident attendance at meetings of the Environmental Sub Group

(iv)  That residents groups to be invited to put forward nominations for the Environmental Sub Group

(v)  To note the position in relation to the recent robberies in the Hyde Park and Woodhouse Wards as set out in section 3.21 of the submitted report

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report which provided a summary of the Sub Groups business since the October Area Committee. The report also included an update on the Little London Community Centre

Included within the report were the following appendices:

• North West Inner Area Committee: Environmental Sub Group – Terms of Reference

Stuart Byrne, 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:

• How issues are addressed at an open Forum.
• Previously a Draft Housing Strategy had been produced for the area and such information could be called upon again.
• Residents Groups to be invited to put forward nominations for the Environmental Sub Group.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note and action as appropriate the Key Messages from the Sub Groups as set out in section 3.9 of the submitted report.

(ii)  To note the update on the Little London Community Centre.

(iii)  To approve the introduction of resident attendance at meetings of the Environmental Sub Group.

(iv)  That residents groups to be invited to put forward nominations for the Environmental Sub Group.

(v)  To note the position in relation to the recent robberies in the Hyde Park and Woodhouse Wards as set out in section 3.21 of the submitted report.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 23^rd February 2012 at 7.00pm at the City of Leeds High School, Bedford Field, Woodhouse Cliff, Leeds, LS6 2LG

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 23^rd February 2012 at 7.00pm at the City of Leeds High School, Bedford Field, Woodhouse Cliff, Leeds, LS6 2LG