Agenda and minutes

OFFICERS:  Jane Maxwell, West North West Area Leader

Stuart Byrne, West North West Area Management

Jason Singh, West North West Environmental Locality 

 Manager     

  Lynne Hamshaw, West North West Homes Leeds 

  John Grieve, Governance Services 

  MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:

  Joan Brown, Cardigan Triangle Community Association

  Amanda Jackson, University of Leeds 

    Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community 

Association

  Bill McKinnon, North Hyde Park Residents Association

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 J Chapman.

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

Royal Park Building – In providing an update on the Royal Park Building, Sue Buckle reported that the Royal Park Community Consortium (RPCC) had gone back to the community to collect signatures in a “pledge of work” to save the building. The initial area of work would focus on brining the caretaker’s house back into use as a community facility.

Sparrow Park – Councillor Hamilton raised the issue of “Sparrow Park”, a small pocket park in the Headingley area. Councillor Hamilton report that the Cardigan Residents Association had been trying to progress a Compulsory Purchase Order on the park since 2003 without success. Advice from the City Solicitor’s Office was that the proposed course of action was unlikely to be approved by the Secretary of State and would be cost prohibitive. It was reported that the Sparrow Park Action Group would be taking a delegation to the next Council meeting on 11^th July 2012 to seek the Council’s support.

Members expressed  their support for Sparrow Park in being brought back to community use but recognised there were a range of challenges that would need to be overcome to achieve the proposed outcome.

Jane Maxwell, West North West Area Leader, agreed to speak with the City Solicitor to ensure the Area Committee had the most up to date legal advice possible

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 12^th April and 17^th May 2012

(Copies attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 12^th April and 17^th May 2012 be accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes of the meetings held on 12^th April and 17^th May 2012

(Report attached)

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

Park Wardens on Woodhouse Moor – Residents requested to know who should be contacted in the event of anti social behaviour taking place in the park in the absence of the Park Warden Patrols.

In responding Jason Singh said that discussions were ongoing with regard  possible enforcement action for the consumption of alcohol in the park

Councillor Harper reported that he had recently had a meeting with the Police with a view to PCSO’s enforcing littering on the Moor; it was a question of educating the Moor users.

In terms of reporting barbecue activity, the Parks & Countryside Office should be contacted in such instances.

Kirkstall Lane Resurfacing – In providing an update, Councillor Yeadon said that the disabled parking bays would be replaced following the resurfacing works. Councillor Yeadon reported that she had expressed her concern to the Highways Department that disabled parking bays had been removed without  due consultation

Tesco Development at Kirkstall – Councillor Yeadon requested if an update on the Tesco Development at Kirkstall could be provided for the next meeting

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

To consider a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) which outlines the Area Committee’s role in relation to Elected Member Appointments to Outside Bodies and asks the Committee to determine the appointments to those organisations which fall to the Committee to make an appointment to.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report which outlined the procedure relating to local authority appointments to outside bodies and invited Members to consider making appointments to those outside bodies detailed within the submitted report.

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

• Appointment to Outside Bodies Procedure Rules (Appendix 1)
• Appointments Schedule (Appendix 2)

RESOLVED –

(a)    That the report and information appended to the report be noted.

(b)    That approval be given to the following Outside Body Appointments being made for the 2012/2013 Municipal year:

Burley Lodge Centre – Committee of Management – Councillor J Akhtar and Councillor C Towler

Mary Jane Butler Trust – Councillor B Atha and Councillor L Yeadon

Cardigan Centre – Councillor N Walshaw

Ireland Wood Children’s Centre Management Committee – Councillor S Bentley

ALMO Inner North West Area Panel – Councillor J Illingworth and Councillor J Chapman

Swarthmore Education Centre – Councillor G Harper

To consider a report by the Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods which provides the final details of the Service Level Agreement (SLA). The report also  seeks the approval of the document through which the work of the Environmental Locality team will be steered over the year.

(Report attached)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided the final details of the Services Level Agreement (SLA) for the Inner North West and West North West Area. The report sought the approval of the Service Level Agreement by the Area Committee which would be used to steer the work of the Environmental Locality Team throughout 2012/13.

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

• Draft Services level Agreement - Delegation of Environmental Services (Appendix A)
• West North West Locality Team – Draft Budget for 2012/13 (Appendix B )
• Environmental Services – West North West Locality Team Structure (Appendix C)

Jason Singh, Environmental Locality Manager for West North West presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

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

• Gully cleaning in the Weetwood area and also along Spen Lane
• Bin yards – Who’s responsibility to keep clean and tidy, possible strategy to address this issue
• Discarded boxes and bags around Recycling sites

RESOLVED – To approve the Services Level Agreement (SLA) for the Inner North West Area Committee and West North West Environmental Locality Team 2012/13

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) which sets out details of a Community Engagement Plan for the North West (Inner)Area and describes how the Area Committee will fulfil its delegated responsibility for engagement. The report also seeks Members support to improve the functioning of community forums and consider the proposed engagement activity in support of the Business Plan.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) submitted a report which set out details of a Community Engagement Plan for the North West (Inner) Area Committee and explained how the Area Committee would fulfil its delegated responsibility for engagement. The report also sought members support to improve the functioning of Community Forums and consider the proposed engagement activity in support of the Business Plan.

Stuart Byrne, Inner North West Area Support Team presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

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

• Leeds Citizens Panel
• Community Forums
• Priority Neighbourhoods
• Area Committee Business Plan Consultation
• Proposals for Ward Forums
• The importance of Elected Member involvement
• Publicity around the Community Engagement process

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That a further report be brought back to this Committee in autumn to review progress made on Community Engagement

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) which provides an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2012 -13.  The report also outlines the current position of both the Skips Budget and Small Grants budget and seeks Members opinions on how these are managed going forward.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) submitted a report which provided an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2012-13. The report also outlined the current position of both the Skips Budget and the Small Grants Budget and sought Members views on how these should be managed going forward.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Inner North West Area Committee Wellbeing Budget Statement for 2012-13

Stuart Byrne, Inner North West Support Team, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

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

• That all available funding from the Skips Budget had been allocated
• Consideration of the guidance for small grant allocation to individual projects
• Lump sums given for events should cover all coasts, organisers seeking further funding for the same event should be discouraged
• Consideration of a small grant application for £500 towards Irish History Month

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2012 -13.

(ii)  To approve a virement of £1,000 from the Small Grants Budget to the Skips Budget.

(iii)  To approve that no changes be made to the small grants process.

(iv)  That an application from Irish History Month (£500) be not granted

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) which provides an update on recent Sub Group business and the current position relating to other project activity.  The report also includes an update on the work of the West North West Area Leadership Team and the work taking place around Student Changeover. Nominations for a Fuel Poverty Champion and community representatives to area committee sub groups are also requested.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) submitted a report which provided an update on recent sub group business and the current position relating to other project activity. The report also included an update on the work of the West North West Area Leadership Team and the work taking place around student changeover. Nominations for a Fuel Poverty Champion and community representatives to Area Committee Sub Groups were also requested.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Fuel Poverty Area Committee Champions Role for the information/comment of the meeting

Stuart Byrne, Inner North West Support Team, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

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

·  Nominations to the various Sub Groups

·  The work of the Transport Sub Group and the intention to establish links across the geographical boundaries, raise local concerns and progress priorities through the Council and regional infrastructure

·  Student Changeover

·  West North West Area Leadership Team

·  Nomination for Fuel Poverty Champion

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note and action as appropriate the Key Messages from Sub Groups as set out in section 3 of the submitted report.

(ii)  To approve Community Representatives to the Area Committee Sub Groups, as follows:

  Planning Sub Group

  Dr R Tyler  - Headingley

  Vacancy - Headingley

  Mrs B Mitchell / Mr G Rawinsky Hyde Park & Woodhouse

Mr T Green – Hyde Park & Woodhouse

  Martin Thomas – Weetwood

  Mr D Hall – Weetwood

  Mr K Torode – Kirkstall

  Vacancy – Kirkstall 

  Environmental Sub Group

  Mr J Davison – Weetwood

  Mr P Hall – Hyde Park & Woodhouse

  Mr H Eaglestone – Headingley

  Vacancy – Headingley

  Vacancy - Kirkstall 

(iii)  To note the update on the work around Student Changeover.

(iv)  To note the work of the West North West Area Leadership Team.

(v)  To note the role of Affordable Warmth Partnership and approve the appointment of Councillor N Walshaw as the Fuel Poverty Champion from the Area Committee.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 20^th September 2012 at 7.00pm (Venue to be determined)

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 20^th September 2012 at 7.00pm in the North West (Inner) Area, venue to be made known at a later date.