Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the February meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee held in the Otley Courthouse, Courthouse Street, Otley.

The Chair agreed to accept a copy of a document entitled ‘Public Consultation: Proposals to change primary school provision in Horsforth from September 2011’ as supplementary information (Agenda Item 14) (Minute 77 refers). The document in question was not included in the original agenda pack to due an administrative error.

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

a)  The following personal interests were declared:-

• Councillor B Anderson in his capacity as a Member on the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority –Transport Forum (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 75 refers)
• Councillor C Campbell in his capacity as a Member on the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (Agenda Item 10)

  (Minute 75 refers)

• Councillor R Downes in his capacity as Chair of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 75 refers)
• Councillor C Fox in his capacity as a Member on the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority - Transport Consultative Committee (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 75 refers); and in his capacity as a Director of West North West Homes Leeds (Agenda Items 11 and 15)

(Minutes 76 and 80 refer)

• Councillor G Latty in his capacity as an Area Panel Member on West North West Homes Leeds (Agenda Items 11 and 15) (Minutes 76 and  80 refer)

b)  The following personal and prejudicial interests were declared:-

• Councillor B Anderson in his capacity as an Observer at the Management Committee of Older People’s Action in the Locality (OPAL) (Agenda Item 8) (Minute 74 refers)
• Councillor A Barker in his capacity as a School Governor at Horsforth Featherbank Infant School (Agenda Item 14) (Minute 77 refers)
• Councillor C Townsley in view of his wife being a School Governor at Newlaithes Junior School (Agenda Item 14) (Minute 77 refers)
• Jane Pattison, West North West Area Management, in her capacity as a Parent Governor of West End Primary School and of the fact that her children also attend the same school (Agenda Item 14)

  (Minute 77 refers)

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor S Andrew.

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 Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed members of the public a period of up to 10 minutes to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

a)  Dog Fouling in Pool-In-Wharfedale

Hazel Lee, Pool Parish Council raised her concerns about the increasing problem of dog fouling in  Pool-in-Wharfedale  and enquired if the Area Committee were able to fund a post of Dog Warden for the area.

At the request of the Chair, Councillor B Anderson responded and outlined the protocol and informed the meeting that there was no monies available to fund this request in this year’s budget.

Discussion ensued around enforcement issues and of the fact that a detailed statement on the Dog Warden Service had been presented to the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) in February 2009.

In concluding, the Chair requested that this issue be carried forward as part of next year’s budget discussions.

Mr S Robinson agreed to e mail Mrs Lee a copy of the relevant Scrutiny Board statement for her attention.

b)  Local Housing Issue

Mr Geoffory Birch, a local resident raised his concerns about his mother-in-law who had been without heating or hot water for a period of ten days due to the Council’s failure to repair a boiler in her flat.

The Committee acknowledged his concerns and at the request of the Chair, Councillor C Campbell informed the meeting that to his knowledge, the repair contractors were addressing the problem.

The Acting West North West Area Manager also agreed to follow up this issue with a report back to Mr Birch.

c)  Weston Estate/Broadwalk, Otley

Betty Bevan, a resident from the Weston Estate raised her concerns about the Council’s/ALMOs failure to enforce introductory tenancy on Weston Estate and around the Broadwalk area.

Two other residents from the Weston Estate and one resident from Broadwalk also attended the meeting.

Detailed discussions ensued around the protocol for Choiced Based Lettings, ALMO responsibilities/delegated powers and the prosecution process relating to Anti Social Behaviour.

At the request of the Chair, Richard Walker, Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services, West North West Homes Leeds

and Inspector Richard Coldwell, West Yorkshire Police  also responded to the issues raised by Members and residents.

In concluding, the Chair thanked the residents for attending the meeting and requested that a report be prepared by West North West Homes Leeds on the current problems within the Weston Estate for consideration at the next meeting in March 2010.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th December 2009.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th December 2009 be approved as a correct record.

b)  That in respect of Minute numbers 61-64, the recommendations be ratified.

a)  Minute 54 North West Leeds Country Park and Green Gateways  Initiative

Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager referred to the above issue and circulated a copy of a document entitled ‘Capital Costs for the North West Leeds Country Park and Green Gateways’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

The Committee specifically noted that capital costs would be only incurred during the second year of the scheme to help initiate the scheme.

The Acting West North West Area Manager informed the meeting that the total capital cost of £99,015 was not feasible for this initiative and that as result of this, a further meeting was required with Parks and Countryside to discuss the possibility of engaging more agency work in order to reduce the overall costs of the scheme.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the document, together with the current position be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing the Area Committee with a current position statement on the well-being budget, details of proposed projects, small grant applications received to date and monitoring information for Quarter 1, 09/10.

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 2.0 and 3.0 of the report.

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

d)  That the project monitoring information as detailed in Appendix 1 be noted.

e)  That the small grant as detailed in Section 6.2 of the report be noted.

Referring to Minute 59 of the meeting held on 14^th December 2009, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with a current position statement on the Well-being budget, details of proposed projects, project monitoring information for Quarter 3 2009/10 and small grant applications received to date.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Quarter 3 2009/10 Well-Being Projects Updates’ (Appendix 1 refers), for the information/comment of the meeting.

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

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 2.0 and 3.0 of the report.

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

d)  That the project monitoring information as detailed in Appendix 1 be noted.

e)  That the small grant as detailed in Section 6.2 of the report be noted.

(Councillor B Anderson having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Chair Based Exercise Class project, left the room during this item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updating the meeting on the outcomes of the Locality Based Accessibility Planning Pilot and requesting the Committee to agree the Action Plan arising from the exercise.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee endorses the Local Accessibility Priorities and the Accessibility Action Plan in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That the specific detail contained in the Action Plan be submitted to the Area Committee’s Transport Sub Group for consideration.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the meeting on the outcomes of the Locality Based Accessibility Planning Pilot and requesting the Committee to agree the Action Plan arising from the exercise.

Appended to the report was a document entitled ‘Accessibility Action Plan for Outer North West Leeds 2010’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

At the request of the Chair, Dave Pearson, METRO presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• clarification of the source of the information contained in the Action Plan and the timescales involved

(Mr Pearson responded and outlined the consultation process and informed the meeting that it was his intention to come back at regular intervals)

• the lack of adequate car parking at railway stations within the NW (Outer) area and the need for Woodside to have a railway station

(Mr Pearson responded and agreed to address both issues within the Action Plan)

• the need to address the issue of redirecting buses through the village at Billing View, Rawdon to increase usage

(Mr Pearson responded and agreed to come back on this issue)

• the concerns expressed that the 33/33A bus service was missing the Westfield Estate when running late and whether this was within the driver’s remit

(Mr Pearson responded and confirmed that drivers should not divert from their agreed routes, but acknowledged that there were ongoing problems around this reduced service. He agreed to look into the real time information data with a report back to Members)

• the need for METRO to be represented at Guiseley and Rawdon Forum meetings

(Mr Pearson responded and confirmed that the invitation request for METRO to attend should be made directly through his office)

• the need for METRO/Leeds Bradford Airport to recognise that the airport can be used a local ‘hub’ for bus services and as a valuable interchange

• the need to address the complaints regarding the non arrival of buses on the Otley to Leeds route
• the need to focus on improving hospital bus services

(Mr Pearson responded and outlined the current service provision at St James’s Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary . He agreed that this was an important issue and confirmed that it would be addressed within the Action Plan as a key priority)

• the need to ensure that screen displays at bus stops work effectively and efficiently
• the view expressed that proposals for Park and Ride sites would not be well received by residents living in Pool, Bramhope and Adel

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee endorses the Local Accessibility Priorities and the Accessibility Action Plan in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That the specific detail contained in the Action Plan be submitted to the Area Committee’s Business and Transport Sub Group for consideration.

To consider a report of the Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services providing the Area Committee with an update of performance, organisational and service improvement initiatives within the Tenancy Management and Customer Services Directorate of West North West Homes Leeds. Specifically the report updates Members on performance against core indicators, management restructure, access to services, local lettings review, sheltered review, caretaking review, ASB Audits, capital programme, Area Panels and new initiatives.

The Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services submitted a report providing the Area Committee with an update of performance, organisational and service improvement initiatives within the Tenancy Management and Customer Services Directorate of West North West Homes Leeds. Specifically the report updates Members on performance against core indicators, management restructure, access to services, local lettings review, sheltered review, caretaking review, ASB Audits, capital programme, Area Panels and new initiatives.

Richard Walker, Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services, West North West Homes Leeds presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• clarification as to why their was no mention of the Access review in relation to Horsforth Area Office and whether ward members would be consulted on the access points

(The Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services responded and agreed  to follow up this issue with a report back)

• the need for ‘swing’ indicators to be included on all performance indicators, especially around evictions, Anti Social Behaviour complaints and the length of time

(The Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services responded and confirmed that future reports would include much more detail around performance and under performance)

• the view expressed that ALMO Area Panels were not very constructive in their current form and that it would be beneficial to make them Funding Panels

(The Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Service acknowledged this point)

• clarification of what money was spent on the £1m service delivery as outlined in Section 3.8.1 of the report

(The Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Service responded and agreed to follow up this issue with a report back)

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That the Head of Tenancy Management and Customer Services be requested to take on board the comments raised by Members and to report back via the Acting West North West Area Manager where necessary. 

(Councillor A Barker left the meeting at 3.40pm at the conclusion of the above item)

To consider a report of the Chief Executive, Education Leeds presenting the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for changes to primary age school provision in Horsforth.

The Chief Executive, Education Leeds submitted a report presenting the Area Committee with the consultation document on proposals for changes to primary age school provision in Horsforth.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Public Consultation: Proposals to change primary school provision in Horsforth from September 2011.

George Turnbull, Head of Service, School Organisation, Education Leeds presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In the absence of Councillor C Townsley, Councillor G Latty,  Deputy Chair of North West (Outer) Area Committee, chaired the meeting during consideration of this item.

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

• the need for Education Leeds to stop the practice of printing glossy consultation brochures which gives parents the impression that the proposals have been approved
• the need for Headteachers and School Governors to make these proposals work and for Horsforth Ward Members and all interested parties to meet around the table to discuss the current position and on implementing proposals that work

(The Area Committee acknowledged that as this was a local issue, this was the right approach for all concerned)

• the need to involve Architectual Liaison Officers when looking at Modular buildings

(The Area Committee acknowledged and supported this view)

• the need to look at the current problems associated with walking buses

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That, in view of this being a local issue, Horsforth Ward Members be requested to take the negotiations forward with relevant parties, on behalf of the Area Committee, to ensure that specific recommendations were made towards the consultation process.

(Councillor C Townsley and Jane Pattison, West North West Area Management having previously declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, left the room and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services on Children’s Services Area Committee Performance Report.

Referring to minute 53 of the meeting held on 14^th December 2009, the Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing the Area Committee with a dashboard of Children Services performance data and to outline proposals for taking this forward.

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

a)  Area Performance Reporting – Area Committee Cycle 

  January/February 2009-10

b)  NEET and Not Known Breakdown – December 2009 Figures 

  (Annex 1 refers)

c)  Teenage Pregnancy (Annex 2 refers)

  d)  Children Young People Social Care (CYPSC) Referrals (Annex 3

  refers)

Jane Maxwell, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• clarification of the role of the Connexions Service

• the need to forward the report to the Children and Young People’s Sub Group for evaluation and discussion
• clarification with regard to the accuracy of the Neighbourhood Index figures and whether the Locality Enabler attends Access meetings

(The Locality Enabler responded and outlined the current protocol. The Committee noted that the social care database was not accessible at present and that Children’s Services were not represented at Access meetings. The Locality Enabler agreed to follow up this issue with a report back)

• the need to address the statistics outlined in Annex 1 within the Area Delivery Plan which were relevant to the three North West (Outer) wards
• the need for the authority to target those young people who were failing

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the report be referred to the Children and Young People’s Sub Group for evaluation and discussion and that the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to e mail all Members of the Committee advising them of the date and time of the next scheduled meeting.

To consider a report of the Acting West North West Area Manager providing Members with an update of progress against actions in the 2009/10 Area Delivery Plan for Outer North West.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

The Acting West North West Area Manager submitted a report providing Members with an update of progress against actions in the 2009/10 Area Delivery Plan for Outer North West.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Area Delivery Plan for 2009/10 previously approved by the Area Committee on 22^nd June 2009 for the information/comment of the meeting.

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

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods informing Members of the progress on a number of projects in Inner North Leeds West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2009-11 and the Leeds Strategic Plan.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report informing Members of the progress on a number of projects in Outer North Leeds West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2009-11 and the Leeds Strategic Plan.

Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In relation to the Neighbourhood Index figures previously supplied to the Committee, it was noted that this was work in progress, which would be used as valuable tool in taking forward proposals in delivering the Area Delivery Plan for 2010/11.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing Members with an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

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

a)  Outer North West Area Committee – Business and Transport Sub 

  Group –Terms of Reference (Appendix 1 refers)

b)  Outer North West Community Centre Pricing Review (directly 

  managed centres) (Appendix 2 refers)

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

The Chair referred to a recent meeting involving Councillor L Carter, Executive Member, Neighbourhoods and Housing and the Area Committee Chair’s where it was in agreed, in principle, to reduce the number of information reports being presented to Area Committees.

The agenda protocol for Area Committees was also discussed at the same meeting and it was agreed that a further meeting should be arranged between Councillor L Carter and the Head of Governance Services to discuss the proposals in more detail prior to implementing the new Area Committee Procedure Rules at the Annual Meeting in May 2010.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

Monday 29^th March 2010 at 2.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Otley Courthouse, Courthouse Street, Otley LS21 3AN

Monday 29^th March 2010 at 2.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

(The meeting concluded at 4.05pm)