Agenda and minutes

In Attendance

Officers:

Steve Walker – Children’s Services

Jancis Andrew – Children’s Services

Heather Pinches – Customer Access and Performance

Lynne Hamshaw – West North West Homes

Jane Maxwell – West North West Area Leader

Stuart Byrne – West North West Area Support Team

John Grieve – Governance Services

Members of the Public

J Kemp – West Park Residents Association

D Kemp – West Park Residents Association

D Salinger – Hyde Park Resident

Scott Nicholson – Local Resident

Sue Buckle – (SHCA) (HPOL)

Gwynneth Harrup – Burley Lodge Centre

Ben Fisher – Leeds University Union

Howard Eaglestone – Hyde Park Resident

D Paley-Smith – Local Resident

Josie Green – NHPNA

Tony Green – NHPNA

Tony Davey-Smith – NHPNA

Martyn Moakes – Weetwood Residents Association

Amanda Jackson – Leeds University

John Griffiths – A660 Joint Council

Isobel Sidebottom – NHPNA

Chris Webb – NHPNA

Christopher Todd – Local Resident

Michele Todd – Local Resident

Marian Charlton – Interested party

There were no late items

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13 -16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest

There were no apologies for absence.

(i)  Proposed Street Party Ebberston Place, Leeds 6 – Members heard representations from Mr Howard Eaglestone, a Hyde Park resident who was concerned about proposals to hold a street party at Ebberston Place, Leeds 6 which would result in noise/ nuisance to the detriment of local residents. Mr Eaglestone said that he had contacted the appropriate authorities; West Yorkshire Police and the Licensing Authority in order to make known his objections; but had been advised that because the event had not been held previously, there was no past history and therefore there were no grounds for objection. Mr Eaglestone suggested that such a situation was nonsense and made the Licensing regulations unfit for purpose.

In offering comment Councillor Hamilton said that if national legislation was at fault, the appropriate Minister should be made aware of the anomaly.

It was reported that the event organiser had submitted a road closure application to which 7 objections had already been received. Inquiries were also being made as to whether the event could be stopped on the grounds of public disorder.

Sue Buckle (SHCA) said she was aware that some dialogue had taken place with the event organiser.

In drawing the discussion to conclusion the Chair said it was important that all channels of communication be explored 

RESOLVED –

(a)  To support Hyde Park residents in objecting to the proposed street party event

(b)  That the Chair be requested to write to the Minister responsible, requesting a review of the legislation dealing with Temporary Event Notices making it possible to receive objections to a TEN which had no previous history

(ii)  New Generation Transport – Members heard representations from Mr Tony Green, Chair of the North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association and the A660 Joint Council who expressed concerns about the proposed New Generation Transport scheme, in particular:

·  Did the proposed scheme offer value for money

·  A substantial amount of the costs would be paid by Leeds Council –Tax payers

·  There were some environmental advantages but at a cost of degradation of an attractive townscape

·  The new trolleybus system would not be up and running until 2020

·  Congestion along A660 was seasonal and at a peak when students were in residence

·  The student population was shifting from the Headingley area to other part of the city, the demand for such a system was now questionable

·  How many Compulsory Purchase Orders would be required

·  The North West (Outer) Area Committee had already rejected the scheme

·  The Committee’s views on NGT

Speaking in support of the scheme Mr David Salinger, Headingley resident said that the introduction of the trolleybus scheme would alleviate congestion, reduce journey times and bring substantial Government funding to the City.

Mr Bill McKinnon, Hyde Park resident, expressed concern about the demolition of shops at Hyde Park corner and the loss of mature trees along the route. It was a substantial amount of money to save ten minutes journey time, he suggested.

Members also joined in the discussion, some in favour of the proposal,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 21^st February and 7^th March 2013

(Copies attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 21^st February 2013 and 7^th March 2013 were accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider matters arising from the previous meetings held on: 21^st February and 7^th March 2013.

(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 submitted report.

To receive, for information and comment the minutes of the last meeting of the Area Chairs Forum held 9^th January 2013

(Copy attached)

The minutes of the Area Chair’s Forum held on 9^th January 2013 were received and noted.

To consider a report by the Director of Children’s Services which provides a six monthly update on the work of Children’s Services in the North West (Inner) Area.

The report sets out a summary of performance at area committee level with a broader summary of city level performance, and builds on previous reports with additional local context and tracking of local indicators.  The majority of education results are presented in this report, including tables of headline results for all Leeds schools and links to additional information.

(Report attached)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which provided a six monthly update on the work of Children’s Services in the North West (Inner) Area.

The report set out a summary of performance at Area Committee level with a broader summary of city level performance. The report built on previous reports with additional local context and tracking of local indicators. It was reported that the majority of education results were presented in the report, including tables of headline results for all Leeds schools and links to additional information.

The following appendices accompanied the report:

·  Performance data for North West (Inner) Area

·  Individual School Foundation Stage and Key Stage 2 Results 2012

·  Individual School Key Stage 4 Results 2012

·  Clusters – Member Leads: Cluster Chair’s: Cluster Managers; LAPS

Steve Walker, Deputy Director of Children’s Services and Jancis Andrew, Area Head of Targeted Services, Children’s Services presented the report and responded to Members queries and comments.

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

• Child Friendly Leeds
• New ways of working
• Delivery of service at local level (Cluster)
• Development of locality, targeted and early support services – Intensive family support
• Ofsted Inspections
• The increase in the number of children on Child Protection Plans

Referring to the Ofsted Inspections for Children’s Homes and that recently one home had been rated as “outstanding” Councillor S Bentley suggested that this was wonderful achievement and that all staff involved should be congratulated.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted and welcomed

(ii)  That the Chair, on behalf of the Committee be requested to write to the Director of Children’s Services congratulating him and all those staff involved in a recent Ofsted inspection which resulted in a Children’s Home achieving the rating of “Outstanding”

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) which intends to clarify the role of the Area Lead and  brings initial proposals to the Area Committee for their input, shaping and providing feedback with a view to introducing the revised roles in the new Municipal year.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which sets out initial proposals for the implementation of an area lead role following the review of area working in 2012.  It was reported that the role was seen as crucial in providing a local “lead” perspective on various issues and in driving democratic accountability by providing area committee based leadership on key issues. 

The report to clarify the role of the area lead was submitted for Members input, shaping and feedback with a view to introducing the revised roles in the new Municipal year. 

Heather Pinchers, Executive Officer, Performance Management, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the circulated appendices which included:

·  Defining the Area Lead Role

·  Training and support

·  Enable Partnership working

·  Assist in Service delivery

In offering comment Councillor Walshaw suggested that the Area Lead Role was a big improvement on the previous Champions role.

Councillor Yeadon suggested that further alignment of the area lead was required in terms of Adult Social Care/ Public Health.

RESOLVED

(i)  That the role of the Area Lead be welcomed

(ii)  That the feedback provided by Members be used to shape the role of the Area Lead due for implementation in the new Municipal year

To consider a report by West North West Homes Leeds which outlines there involvement in the Area Committee process and seeks to explore ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

(Report attached)

West North West Homes submitted a report which outlined their involvement in the Area Committee process and sought Members views in exploring ways of making their involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

An Appendix providing details of Estate Grading accompanied the report.

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

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the circulated appendices which included:

·  Partnership working

·  Crime prevention partnership working

·  Neighbourhood caretaking – Apprentices Scheme

·  Estate inspections and grading’s

·  Community engagement

Commenting on Partnership Working, Councillor Illingworth suggested that litter removal was an ideal issue for Partnership Working. Referring to Community Groups, Councillor Illingworth put forward the idea of funding such groups to carry out work in the area but suggested that further thought would be required to measure the work done.

Councillor Chapman referring to Estate Inspections and Grading’s said that  Beevers Court on the Iverson’s estate was the subject of numerous complaints suggesting that the grading of “Good” was not a true reflection.

In responding Mrs Hamshaw suggested that the inspection was carried out at a time when there were few complaints, had the inspection being undertaken at a different time the result of the grading may have been different.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That a further update report be brought back to this Committee in 6 months’ time (Autumn 2013) 

To consider a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) which provides an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2012/13 and notes those projects agreed for support from the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14.

The report also highlights the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting.

(Report attached)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which provided an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2012/13 and highlighted those projects agreed for support from the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14.

The report also set out the current position of the Small Grants and Skip pots and those Small Grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting.

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

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the circulated appendices which included:

·  The rolling forward of the remaining Small Grants and Skips budget into the 2013/14 budget (Small Grants £314 and Skip Hire £419)

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. 

(ii)  To note those projects agreed for support from the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 as described in Appendix 2.

(iii)  To note the current position of the Small Grants and Skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting.

(iv)  That approval be given to the rolling forward of the remaining Small Grants and Skips budgets for 2012/13 into the Small Grants and Skips budgets for 2013/14.

To consider a report by the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) which seeks the Area Committee’s formal approval to the schedule of meetings for the 2013/2014 Municipal year.

The report also request Members if they wish to continue with the Committee’s current meeting venue arrangements or whether they would seek to review such arrangements.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report seeking the Area Committee’s formal approval of the meeting schedule for the 2013/14 Municipal year.

The Area Committee were also requested to give consideration as to whether they wished to continue with the Committee’s current meeting venue arrangements or whether they would seek to review such arrangements.

John Grieve, Governance Services, presented the report and responded to Members queries and comments.

In the discussion that ensue Members were of the opinion that meetings held in the Community encouraged greater public attendance.

RESOLVED – That the following dates be approved for meetings of the North West (Inner) Area Committee for the 2013/14 Municipal year (Start time 7.00pm) the venues for the meetings to be arranged by the Area Leader in consultation with Members:-

27^th June 2013

19^th September 2013

24^th October 2013

12^th December 2013

13th February 2014

27^th March 2014

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 16^th May 2013 at 2.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 16^th May 2013 at 2.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.