Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the September meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee held at Greenacre Hall, New Road Side, Rawdon, Leeds 19.

There were no late Items of business admitted to the agenda.

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.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors A Barker and J L Carter.

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 of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee:-

a) Planned Residential Developments within the Outer North West Area

Clive Woods, Aireborough Civic Society reported his concerns about the number of planned residential developments within the Outer North West area which was contributing towards the problems of congestion on the A65/A660, especially at weekends. He also referred to an increasing number of Brownfield sites which were obtaining planning permission and circulated a list of examples for the information/comment of the meeting.

Robert Turner, a local resident also attended and made reference to a number of issues around health and transport within the Guiseley area . He also supported the above comments made by Clive Woods.

The Chair invited comments from Members of the Committee and in summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• the fact that this issue had been debated previously at the Guiseley and Rawdon Forum and that a further meeting was planned with all interested parties i.e. Planning/Highways representatives: MP for Pudsey etc to discuss the implications on the A65
• the current position in respect of employment sites in relation to Springhead Mills and Moons on Netherfield Road
• the need to acknowledge that there was some issues with the Local Development Framework and the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) which affected the whole valley in Outer North West and to invite planning officers to the Area Committee to explain the protocol behind the above documents
• the need for the Area Committee to acknowledge that there were too many planning permissions (as opposed to planning applications) being granted in the Outer North West area
• the need to obtain the views of Bradford City Council on this issue
• the concerns expressed that the A65 was not now part of the national primary network without any prior consultation with Elected Members
• the need for a Core Strategy to be in place as officers state that the city had a surplus of employment sites
• the need for evidence to be gathered for the Area Committee which supported the view that the commuter corridor was now beyond capacity

The Acting West North West Area Manager responded to the comments made and put forward the following two options for the Area Committee to consider:-

1. Consult the Chief Planning Officer with the view of drawing up an action plan/report on the issue of planned residential development within the Outer North West area
2. Refer the issue to the Transport Sub Group for discussion and to obtain the views of local residents, including an input from the Aireborough Civic Society

Following these discussions, the Committee agreed to proceed with these options and to revisit this issue at a future Area Committee meeting.

(Councillor R Downes joined the meeting at 2.35pm during discussions of the above  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st June 2010.

RESOLVED- That, subject to the following amendments, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st June 2010 be approved as a correct record:-

Minute 18 ‘Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies’-

• Area Children’s Partnership – the appointee should have read ‘Councillor P Latty’ and not Councillor G Latty
• Area Health and Social Care Partnership should have read ‘Area Health and Wellbeing Partnership’

.

a)  Leeds Bradford International Airport (Minute 6 b) refers)

  Councillor B Anderson referred to the above issue and enquired if a reply

  had been received from Leeds Bradford International Airport in response

  to Mr Wood’s letter.

  The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and informed the

  meeting that a letter, together with a copy of Mr Wood’s correspondence,

  had been sent to Mr J Parkin at Leeds Bradford International Airport in

  August 2010, but to date no reply had been received.

  The Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to follow up this issue

  with the airport. In the interim period, he informed the meeting that he

  would be speaking to officers within the Environmental Action Team  

   with a view to pulling together a range of options for

  both the North West (Outer) and North West (Inner) Area Committees with

  a view to reporting back progress at a future meeting.

b)  Leeds Bradford International Airport (Minute 8 refers)

Councillor G Latty referred to the above issue and raised his concerns about the airport’s failure to erect a canopy which resulted in people getting wet from outside the drop off pick up zones/taxis ranks when accessing the airport’s main entrance.

c)  Well Being Budget Report (Minute 9 refers)

Jane Pattison, West North West Area Management informed the meeting that the Energy Efficiency Campaign project had now been withdrawn following the Council’s decision to look at energy projects on a city-wide basis.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing the Area Committee with a current position statement on the well-being budget, details of proposed projects and small grant applications.

Referring to Minute 9 of the meeting held on 21^st June 2010, 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 and small grant applications received to date.

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

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report, with specific reference to the Westfield Community Sports Facility project.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report informing Members of progress on a number of projects in Outer North West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2010.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to provide the Area Committee with more detail in relation to the estimated figure for the Leeds Core Cycle Network as outlined in Section 3.18 of the report for consideration at the next meeting in November 2010.

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.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Scrutiny Statement – Youth Service Surveys – Scrutiny Board (Children’s Services) April 2010’ for the information/comment of the meeting

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

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

• to note and welcome the forthcoming launch of the new Horsforth youth centre on 2^nd October 2010 with an invitation for Members of the Area Committee to attend
• to note and welcome the success of the ‘Have your say’ event organised in Horsforth St Margaret’s Church Hall on 27^th July 2010
• the need for the Area Committee to be provided with more detail in relation to the estimated figure for the Leeds Core Cycle Network as outlined in Section 3.18 of the report for consideration at the next meeting in November 2010

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to provide the Area Committee with more detail in relation to the estimated figure for the Leeds Core Cycle Network as outlined in Section 3.18 of the report for consideration at the next meeting in November 2010.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on a proposal for the establishment of an Area Committee Carbon Reduction Grant Scheme and to give an explanation of how such a scheme could be operated and managed in outer north west Leeds.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That, subject to seeking legal advice, approval be given to the 

  approach to be taken as now outlined.

c)   That authority be given for officers to approach local businesses and

   employers on their behalf to request additional funding towards the 

  project.

d)   That the further development and progression of the Carbon

  Reduction Small Grant Scheme, together with the design of the

   promotional leaflet be referred to the Area Committee’s  

   Environment and Streetscene Sub Group for discussions, the

   outcome of which to be reported back to a future Area Committee

  meeting.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on a proposal for the establishment of an Area Committee Carbon Reduction Grant Scheme and to give an explanation of how such a scheme could be operated and managed in outer north west Leeds.

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

A copy of the draft promotional leaflet was circulated at the meeting for information/comment.

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

• the general concerns expressed about ring fencing the funds to support this scheme
• clarification as to whether or not the Area Committee can fundraise towards this scheme
• reference to a successful ‘plant a tree’ scheme operated in the Dales
• clarification of the reasons why landowners, individuals and statutory organisations would not be able to apply
• the need to promote this scheme as a priority for businesses with a level of funding commitment and to revisit the outcome of discussions at the December Area Committee
• the need to look at relaxing the scheme’s criteria and to obtain legal advice in this regard
• the need for a detailed discussion on the further development and progression of the scheme, together with the design of the promotional leaflet at the Area Committee’s Environment and Streetscene Sub Group

RESOLVED-

a)    That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That, subject to seeking legal advice, approval be given to the 

  approach to be taken as now outlined.

c)   That authority be given for officers to approach local 

  businesses and employers on their behalf to request additional 

  funding towards the project.

d)   That the further development and progression of the Carbon

  Reduction Small Grant Scheme, together with the design of

  the promotional leaflet be referred to the Area Committee’s 

  Environment and Streetscene Sub Group for discussions, the

  outcome of which to be reported back to a future Area

  Committee meeting.

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

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That on behalf of the Area Committee, Councillor B Anderson in his capacity as Chair of the Environment and Streetscene Sub Group be requested to formally write to the Executive Member for Environment to confirm that a fortnightly bin collection in Outer North West would benefit those residents residing in that area.

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 Meeting.

Jane Pattison, West 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 the current position in relation to the route rationalisation process
• the need for the Area Committee to support a fortnightly bin collection in Outer North West which would benefit those residents residing in that area

(Following discussions, the Area Committee agreed to this request and authorised Councillor B Anderson in his capacity as Chair of the Environment and Streetscene Sub Group to formally write to the Executive Member for Environment to confirm that a fortnightly bin collection in Outer North West would benefit those residents residing in that area)

• the need for the Area Committee to be supplied with more information in relation to i) which properties were not supplied with a green bin and ii) the figures from the trial recently discussed at a meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods)

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to forward this information to the Area Committee prior to the next meeting in November 2010)

• the cross contamination issues arising from a fortnightly green bin collection and the lost opportunities around recycling

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That on behalf of the Area Committee, Councillor B Anderson in his capacity as Chair of the Environment and Streetscene Sub Group be requested to formally write to the Executive Member for Environment to confirm that a fortnightly bin collection in Outer North West would benefit those residents residing in that area.

To consider a report of the Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager outlining the key and health and wellbeing issues being considered by the West North West Partnership.

The Health and Improvement Manager submitted a report providing background information about health and wellbeing partnerships and how initial priorities had been developed.

Appended to the report was a copy of the West North West Partnership Plan for the information/comment of the meeting.

Tim Taylor, Health and Improvement Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the need for LS29 to be included within the WNW postcodes as referred to in Appendix 1 of the report

(The Health and Improvement Manager responded and acknowledged this omission)

• the important aspect of re-directing services and keeping people within their own homes, wherever possible, which improved their wellbeing as opposed to being hospitalised
• the need to encourage people to get fitter and thereby allowing the authority to use it’s resources more effectively

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

(Councillor C Townsley left the meeting at 3.40pm during discussions of the above item)

To consider a report of the Interim Director of Children’s Services on children’s performance issues

The Interim Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on children’s performance data issues.

Jane Maxwell, Director of Children’s Services Unit and Mike Brown, Interim Head of Service, Children’s Social Care, 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 percentage of children coming into care resulting from referrals
• clarification of the percentage figures with regards to the number of children in care as at 31^st March 2010 by originating ward address (Appendix 1 refers)
• clarification as to why children’s post codes were not available
• clarification of the number of children in care in the Otley and Yeadon ward and whether or not this included residential placements
• clarification of the current protocol with regards to Councillors visits to children’s homes as previously agreed by Scrutiny Board (Social Care)
• to welcome the fact that children in care were now giving presentations on their experiences of being in care
• the need for the Area Committee to become more proactive within schools by supporting the School Governor role and for a paper to be submitted to a future meeting on the tensions around clusters

(The Director of Children’s Services Unit responded and agreed to prepare a report on this issue and to invite a number of Cluster Managers to attend the Area Committee)

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Director of Children’s Services be requested to prepare a report on the tensions around clusters for future consideration by the Area Committee and to invite a number of Cluster Managers to attend the Area Committee.

(Councillor B Anderson left the meeting at 4.00pm during discussions of the above item)

Monday 8^th November 2010 at 2.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Greenacre Hall, New Road Side, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6AS.

Monday 8^th November 2010 at 2.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

(The meeting concluded at 4.25pm)