Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the December meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee held at Greenacre Hall, New Road Side, Rawdon.

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

The following personal declarations were made:-

·  Councillor R Downes in his capacity as Chair of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority in relation to cuts to bus services on the A65 (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 53(a) refers)

·  Councillor G P Kirkland in view of him owning a house which was located within Otley Conservation Area (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 51 refers)

·  Councillor C Townsley in view of the beer mat project idea being pioneered by him following a recent visit to licensed premises where the idea had been introduced (Agenda Item 12) (Minute 58 refers)

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor A Barker, Councillor J L Carter and Councillor  B Cleasby.

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 paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period for members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

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

·  Conservation Area Appraisals

Clive Woods, Aireborough Civic Society raised his concerns that Leeds City Council had not conducted a review, to date of Conservation Areas, in particular the Guiseley area, which was in need of reviewing as a matter of urgency.

The Chair responded and outlined the current funding arrangements for Conservation Areas and following a brief discussion it was agreed that North West Area Management would consider including a review of Conservation Areas within the Area Delivery Plan.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th November 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th November 2007 be approved as a correct record.

(a)  Cuts to Bus Services on the A65 (Minute 37(a) refers)

  Jane Pattison, North West Area Management informed the meeting that a letter had been sent to Metro seeking a full review of bus services within the North West (Outer) area with proper consultation.  It was noted that, to date, no response had been received.

  Councillor R Downes, in his capacity as Chair of the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority responded and agreed to follow up the letter on behalf of the Area Committee.  He informed the meeting that a public meeting had been recently held on bus service cuts with another meeting planned in January 2008.

  Specific reference was made to the new Yeadon Forum and Councillor R Downes agreed to consult with his colleagues at Metro to ensue that any future changes to bus services would be channelled through this forum and other forums of the Area Committee with a view to improving consultation on this issue.

  Councillor J Bale and Councillor G Latty made reference to the need for an officer to co-ordinate this role and that problems arose when Metro failed to provide any feedback when attending public meetings.

  Councillor C Campbell commented that First Bus often failed to promote their bus services and that any form of promotion should be seen as a key factor to their tendering agreement.

  Following discussions it was agreed that Metro should, in future, convey any changes to bus services or changes in policy through North West Area Management.

(b)  Horsforth Cemetery (Minute 37(b) refers)

  The Chair informed the meeting that he had received an email from Ann Badura conveying her thanks to all concerned for the work undertaken at Horsforth Cemetery following her concerns expressed at the last meeting of the Area Committee.

  Councillor G P Kirkland made reference to Yeadon Cemetery and following a recent visit to the cemetery he confirmed that the complaints received were justified and that urgent attention was required in relation to a number of headstones that were facing down, together with general grass cutting/maintenance works.

(c)  Pool Conservation Area (Minute 37(d) refers)

  Councillor C Fox made reference to the above issue and enquired on the progress with regards to Pool becoming a Conservation Area in view of the fact that the Planning Section were now in possession of the required documentation.

  Jane Pattison, North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that to date no response had been received from the Director of City Development to a letter sent following the last meeting.

  Following discussions, it was agreed that North West Area Management pursue with the Director of City Development seeking the reasons why there had been a delay with regards to progressing this issue.

(d)  Woodside Quarry Update (Minute 41(a) refers)

  The Chair referred to the above issue and informed the meeting that he was currently awaiting a date from the Lord Mayor’s Secretary following which a meeting would then be arranged between Councillor B Cleasby, Paul  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods outlining changes to Area Committee responsibilities and working arrangements previously agreed at the Council’s Executive Board on 14^th November 2007.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report outlining changes to Area Committee responsibilities and working arrangements previously agreed at the Council’s Executive Board on 14^th November 2007.

Appended to the report was a copy of the document entitled ‘Area Management Review’ previously considered at the Executive Board meeting held on 14^th November 2007 for the information/comment of the meeting.

Jason Singh, 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 ‘extra’ responsibilities facing the Area Committee and the need to create an ‘Executive’ (i.e. one Member from each ward) to deal with important/urgent issues that arise in between Area Committee meetings

·  clarification of how many Community Centres there were under the former Learning and Leisure portfolio

(The Acting Area Manager responded and confirmed that a report on Community Centres would be presented to the Area Committee in the near future)

·  the need for a clearer vision/or priorities under the Children and Young People portfolio and in respect of the Leeds Joint Area Review (JAR)

(The Acting Area Manager responded and agreed to liaise with the Locality Enabler, Children’s Services with a report back on progress)

·  the need for the Area Committee to engage with young people and to have a joined up thinking approach between the Youth Service/Police

·  reference to the increased development within the North West (Outer) area and to look at requesting developers to commit to greater contributions to public realm, together with reviewing Section106 monies

·  clarification of the staffing arrangements to support the proposed changes

·  reference to the tariff and the legal implications involved with a need to revise the Local Development Framework

·  clarification of how the Area Committee would engage with Parish and Town Councils under the proposed changes

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That further reports on Area Delivery Plan preparations, Local Children and Young People Plans and local partnership working arrangements be submitted to future meetings of the Area Committee for discussion.

(c)  That in relation to the next steps, this Committee notes a programme of briefings for Elected Members to be arranged in 2008 to help prepare Members for the new responsibilities that would come under the remit of the Area Committee.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updating the meeting on feedback from the sub groups and the ward forums that have taken place since the last meeting.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the meeting on feedback from the sub groups and the ward forum that have taken place since the last Area Committee meeting.

Jane Pattison, 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 need for the Area Committee to be supplied with further information on the revised street cleaning cycles and for an officer from Streetscene to be in attendance at the next meeting in February 2008

·  the need for a hard copy of the street cleaning cycles pack to be available to Members upon request

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That in relation to the revised street cleansing cycles previously discussed at the Streetscene Sub Group meeting, North West Area Management be requested to invite an officer from Streetscene to attend the next meeting in February 2008 to outline the new arrangements in more detail.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing providing an update on the current position of the Town and District Centre proposals for Otley and Yeadon.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing an update on the current position of the Town and District Centre proposals for Otley and Yeadon.

Jane Pattison, North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

·  clarification of why the Otley and Yeadon schemes had taken so long

·  the need for any slippage dates to be notified to Ward Members

·  the need to ensure that there was minimal disruption to market traders and the general public

·  clarification of whether Highways would adopt the works undertaken on Yeadon High Street / Otley Market Place

(The Committee noted that Highways had given their assurances that the works would be adopted)

·  clarification of the current position in relation to advertising the relevant planning applications for Yeadon High Street and Otley Market Place and the need for a progress report on this issue

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That in relation to advertising the relevant planning applications for Yeadon High Street and Otley Market Place, North West Area Management be requested to investigate the current position with a report back on progress at the next meeting.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update in relation to the DPPOs for North West Outer Town Centres.

Referring to minute 46 of the meeting held on 5^th November 2007, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing an update in relation to the DPPOs for North West Outer Town Centres.

Zahid Butt, North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

A brief discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices with specific reference to the clarification of those areas that may have been excluded and on a need to review the process.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the progress made in relation to the implementation of the Guiseley and Horsforth Designated Public Places Orders be noted.

(c)  That the progress made in relation to the Yeadon and Otley Designated Public Places Orders be noted.

(d)  That a further progress report on this issue be submitted to the next meeting

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the current position statement on the well-being budget, details of proposed projects and small grant applications received to date and project monitoring information.

Referring to Minute 39 of the meeting held on 5^th November 2007, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on the current position statement on the well-being budget, details of proposed projects and small grant applications received to date.

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

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That this Committee notes the current position of the Well-being budget as detailed in Sections 1.0 and 2.0 of the report now submitted.

(c)  That the following projects as outlined in Section 4.0 of the report be dealt with as follows:-

d)  That the small grants as outlined in Section 5.1 of the report be noted.

Monday 25^th February 2008 at 2.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Greenacre Hall, New Road Side, Rawdon, Leeds 19.

Monday 25^th February 2008 at 2.00 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(The meeting concluded at 3.40 pm)