Agenda and minutes

OFFICERS:  Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Support

Stuart Byrne, West North West Area Support

  Zahid Butt – Environment and Neighbourhoods

  Lynne Hamshaw – West North West Homes

Insp Simon Brooksbank – West Yorkshire Police

  John Grieve, Governance Services 

  MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 

  Ben Fisher, Leeds University Union

  Mia Tamarin, Leeds Met Students Union

  Rachel Barker, Leeds University Union 

    Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community 

Association 

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor S Bentley declared an interest in Agenda Item No. 10 West North West Homes Leeds Involvement in Area Committees as a Members of the

West North West Homes Management Board (Minute No.35 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Chapman,

Councillor L Yeadon and Councillor J Walker.

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.

Decline in Student Numbers – Ben Fisher, Leeds University Students Union spoke about the reduction in student numbers following the introduction of tuition fees. It was estimated that nationally student numbers were down by 30%, contributing to a dramatic rise in youth unemployment. Locally, student numbers were likely to be down by around 2,500 and there could be a loss of up to £30M to the Leeds economy.  A national demonstration was planned for 21^st November 2012 when students and the trade unions would travel to London to lobby MP’s. A Deputation to Council was also planned for 14th November 2012.

The Area Committee is requested to support Leeds University Student Union in  expressing concern in the decline of Student numbers.

RESOLVED – To support Leeds University Students Union in expressing concern at the decline in Student numbers and the impact this could have locally.

Woodhouse Moor – Sue Buckle (SHCA) spoke of behalf of John Davison, a local football coach who had asked if the Woodhose Moor bonfire could be relocated further away from the football pitches. Recent rain had turned the pitch into a “quagmire” and recovery time could be reduced if bonfire spectators  could be kept off the pitch.

RESOLVED - That officers in Parks and Countryside be made aware of

Mr Davison’s concerns.

Noise Nuisance on Ash Grove - Sue Buckle (SHCA) spoke of the arrival of new students to the area and the accompanying late night partying. There was a great deal of anti-social behaviour leading to sleep depravation for neighbouring residents. Council Officers had intervened with limited success.

Councillor Illingworth suggested that in such instances arrests could be made under breach of the peace legislation.

In responding Inspector Brooksbanks suggested that noise nuisance powers may prove more effective.

The Area Community Safety Coordinator said that in consultation with the Police, further investigations would be made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2012

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th September 2012 be accepted as a true and correct record

To consider any matters arising from the minutes

(Report attached)

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

RESOLVED – To note the progress and outcomes of the issues identified in the Matters Arising report.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing which sets out the Annual Community Safety Report and  provides details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months.  The report  also provides details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

(Report attached)

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted the Annual Community Safety Report covering the period September 2011 to August 2012. The report provided details of community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months together with details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

Appended to the report was an analysis of crime figure for the North West (Inner) Area.

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

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

• Multi Agency Tasking
• Burglary
• Community Payback
• Anti Social Behaviour
• Robbery

Commenting on a spate of burglaries in the Hyde Park Area, Zahid Butt, reported that action had since been taken to create a more visible presence in the area through the deployment of more uniformed officers.

Referring to Community Payback Councillor J Bentley asked if more opportunities could be created for offenders?

In responding Inspector Brooksbank, West Yorkshire Police confirmed that this was an area that could be further explored.

Commenting on the instances of anti social behaviour in the Kirkstall area (66) Councillor Atha suggested that this was a significant statistic and could Ward Members be supplied with further details.

Zahid Butt confirm the requested information would be provided.

Referring to Appendix 3 of the submitted report, the Chair referred to instances of robbery for the Hyde Park Woodhouse area, 184 instances for the period 2011/12. The Chair asked if there were any particular “hotspots” and if so, could details be provided.

In responding Inspector Brooksbank said the Police figures were entirely different with a figure of 53 for the same period.

In passing comment Zahid Butt suggested that recent engagement with the community may have encouraged more people to come forward and report crime.

Zahid Butt confirm the requested information would be provided

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  To note the Area Committees role in reducing burglary and other crime

To consider a report of West North West Homes Leeds (WNWhL) which  outlines the involvement of West North West homes Leeds (WNWhL) in Area Committees and seeks Members support in exploring opportunities  of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

(Report attached)

Members considered a report from West North West Homes which outlined their involvement in the Area Committee process. The report requested Members support in exploring opportunities of making their involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

Lynne Hamshaw, Area Performance Manager, West North West Homes presented the report and responded to Members queries and comments.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report:

• Partnership Working
• New – Out of Hours Tenancy Team
• Neighbourhood Caretaking
• Apprentice Caretaker Scheme

In passing comment on the Apprentice Caretaker Scheme Councillor

J Bentley suggested that this was a welcome initiative.

In providing further details, Lynne Hamshaw, said four Apprentice Caretakers were currently taking part in the scheme. The scheme would run for a 12 month period with possible opportunities for full time employment at the end of this period.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That a further update be provided in six months time

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 and identifies additional revenue funding available for allocation.  The report also seek approval to the Wellbeing Funding Priorities for 2013/14 and sets out the process and timescales for commissioning wellbeing projects for the 2013/14 financial year.

(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 and identified additional revenue funding available for allocation. The report also requested approval to the Wellbeing Funding Priorities for 2013/14 and explained the process and timescales for commissioning wellbeing projects for the 2013/14 financial year.

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

• Wellbeing Budget Statement 2012/13 (Appendix 1)
• Area Committee Wellbeing Fund – Large Projects Guidance Notes (Appendix 2)

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

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

• Decommissioning of the Community Payback Project
• Revenue available for spend
• Wellbeing Funding Priorities for 2013/ 14
• Timetable for the Wellbeing commissioning process 2013/14

Referring to the revenue available for spend, Councillor Walshaw suggested funding Festive Lights in the Headingley and Hyde Parks areas. Councillor Atha put forward a proposal to add further funds to the to the Small Grants budget.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2012/13, as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report,  including the available balances within Small Grants and Skips allocation

(ii)  To approve the decommissioning of the Community Payback Project

(iii)  To note the additional £4,918 revenue available for allocation

(iv)  To approve that £500 (from the £4,918 revenue available) be transferred to the Small Grants budget, the remainder (£4,418) to used to fund Festive Lights in the Headingley and Woodsley Road areas (In addition to those already funded in Weetwood)

(v)  To note the available balance within the Kirkstall Revenue Pot

(vi)  To approve the Wellbeing funding priorities for 2013/14

(vii)  To approve the process and timescales for Wellbeing commissioning for 2013/14, as set out in Section 3.13 of the submitted report

(viii)  To approve that an additional Area Committee meeting be arranged for Thursday 7^th March 2013, to determine the 2013/14 Wellbeing Funding Allocation

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) which provides an update on the work to date to deliver the actions within the North West (Inner) Area Committee Business Plan 2011-15.

The report also seeks approval to undertake a review of the business plan to ensure that it continues to be fit for purpose and reflect the current city wide priority plans.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) submitted a report which provided  an update on the work to date to deliver the actions within the North West (Inner) Area Committee Business Plan 2011-15. The report also requested approval to undertake a review of the business plan to ensure that it continued to be fit for purpose and reflect the current city wide priority plans.

Appended to the report was a copy of the North West (Inner) Business Plan (Priorities for Action) 2011-13

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

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

• Business Plan (Priorities for Action) 2011-13

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the progress made against the Business Plan actions as described in Appendix 1 of the submitted report

(ii)  That approval be given for the Area Support Team to undertake a review of the Business Plan for 2013/14

(iii)  To receive  a refreshed Business Plan at the meeting scheduled for April 2013

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 13^th December 2012 at 7.00pm in St Chad’s Parish Centre, St Chad’s Vicarage, Otley Road, Leeds, LS16 5JT

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 13^th December 2012 at 7.00pm in St Chad’s Parish Centre, St Chad’s Vicarage, Otley Road, Leeds, LS16 5JT