Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor G Harper

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 to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  The following was discussed:

·  Members heard representation from a member of the public who had been encountering noise nuisance problems from neighbouring properties that were occupied by students.  It was reported that this would be followed up by the Noise Nuisance team.  Further discussion on this particular case included the following:

o  Reference to previous involvement of the Noise Nuisance team and complaints to the police.

o  Possible referral to the Anti-Social Behaviour Team.

o  Concern regarding more housing being used for student accommodation and the role of estate agents in encouraging this. 

o  Partnership work between the Council, Police and Universities.

·  An update was given on proposals for the re-use of the former Royal Park school.  Members unanimously agreed to support the proposals for community use.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 19 September 2013

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September 2013 be confirmed as a correct record.

To note the minutes of the Area Chair’s Forum held on 6 September 2013

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Area Chair’s Forum be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Housing

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing provided crime statistics for Inner North West Leeds and gave details of key activity to address crime and anti-social behaviour issues.  The report recognised the fall in crime, particularly a reduction in burglaries, in the Inner North West wards during 2012/13 and the challenges faced during the coming year.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Off road bikes – there had been funding towards these from the Area Committee and concern was expressed they didn’t cover all Inner North West wards.  It was reported that the off road bikes were deployed to be as efficient as possible.

·  It was felt that improved ways of working including the identification of problem areas and individuals with subsequently directed resources had been a contribution to the reduction in crime figures.

·  Deployment of PCSOs.

·  Stop and Search – it was asked if there was any statistical information available.

·  Members thanked all those involved for their hard work and contribution to the reduction in crime across the area nd the city.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted

(2)  That the role of the Area Committee in reducing burglary and other crime be noted and consideration be given to allocating Wellbeing funding to support a burglary reduction scheme.

To receive and consider the attached report of  West North West Homes Leeds

The report of West North West Homes Leeds (WNWhL)outlined their involvement with the Area Committee and explored ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

It was reported that this would be the last report from WNWhL following the transfer of the housing function back to the Council.

Issues highlighted from the report included the following:

·  WNWhL partnership work with regards to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

·  Activity in Little London – commencement of the PFI scheme.

·  Relocation of the neighbourhood office.

·  Work with the developers and colleagues in the Council’s regeneration team.

·  Work in preparation for the transfer to the Council.

·  Apprenticeship scheme – all the apprentices had been retained and had contracts till December 2013.

·  Housing review and schemes including the environmental locality pilot and out of hours tenancy management service.

·  Members were also informed that following the transfer of the housing function back to the Council it was intended to retain the three areas previously covered by the ALMOs in terms of locality management arrangements.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  Local labour would be sourced for the PFI scheme in Little London.

·  Amalgamation of the caretaking teams and the Environmental Action Teams.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) provided members with an update on recent Sub Group business and the current position relating to other project activity.  This included an update on the work which took place around student changeover in 2013 and recommendations for 2014, work being undertaken in Little London and the appointment of the Wellbeing funded Community Development worker.

Further issues highlighted from the report included the following:

·  Area Lead Members had met with relevant Executive Members.

·  Update on Royal Park.

·  Update on the Leeds Girls High School sports field.

·  Appointment of Better Leeds Communities as the VCFS partner to deliver targeted community development work.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  Removal of the Leeds Girls High School playing fields from the list of assets of community value.

·  Youth Activities Fund – mapping of activities for young people, including disabled young people. It was suggested that a Sub-Group be established.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the key messages from Sub Groups and forums be noted.

(2)  That the update on the work around Student Changeover and the recommendations of the Changeover Planning Group be noted.

(3)  That the update on the work of Area Leeds be noted.

(4)  That the work being undertaken in Little London and Hawksworth Wood be noted.

(5)  That the update on the former Royal Park School and Leeds Girls High School Sports Facilities sites be noted.

(6)  That the appointment of Better Leeds Communities as the VCFS partner to deliver targeted Community Development Work in Inner Nort West and Outer West be noted.

(7)  That Councillors J Akhtar, S Bentley, B Atha and N Walshaw be appointed to form a Youth Activities Sub Group

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer (Citizens and Communities)

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) presented an update on the work to deliver the actions outlined in the North West (Inner) Area Committee Business Plan 2011-2015.

Members’ attention was brought to the action table which outlined the objectives and progress made.  They were also asked to agree to a review of the plan and for a refreshed plan to be approved in May 2014.

Further discussion was held regarding Town and District Centre improvements and sports facilities for young people.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the progress made against the Business Plan actions be noted.

(2)  That it be agreed for the Area Support Team to undertake a review of the Business Plan for 2014/15.

(3)  That a refreshed Business Plan be received at the Area Committee meeting in May 2014 for approval.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) provided the Area Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 and the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and the Small Grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting.  It also provided an update on the Youth Activity Fund and projects seeking approval through that pot.

Members were informed of capital funding that was still available and it was suggested that this be discussed at Ward Member briefings with a view to bringing project proposals to a future meeting.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund 2013/14 be noted.

(2)  That the content of the Quarter 2 monitoring returns for projects funded in 2013/14 be noted.

(3)  That the Wellbeing funding commissioning priorities for 2014/15 be approved.

(4)  That the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting be noted.

(5)  That the current position of the Youth Activity Fund and those projects supported through this be noted.

Thursday, 12 December 2013 at 7.00 p.m.

Thursday, 12 December 2013 at 7.00 p.m.