Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the December meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee held in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

The Chair agreed to accept the following document as a late item of business:-

• The Spending Challenge – Report of the Acting West North West Area Manager (Minute 61 refers)

The purpose of the report was to notify the Area Committee that an exercise was taking place entitled ‘ The Spending Challenge’ to gather the views of local residents and community groups on the spending challenges the Council would need to deal with over the next four years.

The document was not available at the time of the agenda despatch due to ongoing discussions, but was made available to the public on the Council’s website prior to today’s meeting.

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 interest was declared at the meeting:-

• Councillor B Cleasby in view of his home being part of the Yeadon and Rawdon Neighbourhood Watch Association – Yeadon and Rawdon No Cold Calling Zones Project (Agenda Item 8) (Minute 56 refers)

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.

On this occasion, no such matters were raised.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th November 2010.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th November 2010 be approved as a correct record.

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 and small grant applications.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report 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 small grants as detailed in Section 5.1 of the report be noted.

e)  That the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to follow up the issue of identifying the indicative position in relation to the carry over of monies for circulation to Members of the Committee.

f)  That, in the interim period, Members be requested to identify any future projects for submission to the Acting West North West Area Manager.

Referring to Minute 41 of the meeting held on 8^th November 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.

Inspector R Coldwell, West Yorkshire Police and Zahid Butt, West North West Area Management were also in attendance to provide the meting with background information.

At the request of the Chair, Inspector Coldwell referred to Section 2.3 of the report in relation to the Area Committee’s approval at the last meeting for the allocation of monies to the West Yorkshire Police to run the police off-road motorbike project. He informed the meeting that due to an administrative error within the police force, the project would not accrue an under spend this financial year. The Committee were reassured that the police were on target with this expenditure and Inspector Coldwell agreed to supply the correct details to the Acting West North West Area Manager for circulation to Members of the Committee.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

Specific reference was made to the need for the Area Committee to be supplied with the indicative position in relation to the carry over of monies.

Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to follow up this issue.

In the interim period, the Chair also invited Members of the Area Committee to identify any future projects for submission to the Acting West North West Area Manager.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report 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 small grants as detailed in Section 5.1 of the report be noted.

e)  That the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to follow up the issue of identifying the indicative position in relation to the carry over of monies for circulation to Members of the Committee.

f)  That, in the interim period, Members be requested to identify any future projects for submission to the Acting West North West Area Manager.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods informing Members of progress on a number of projects in Outer North West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan 2010/11.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the contents of the Community Charter be referred to the Area Committee Sub Groups for further discussion/amendment prior to it’s final publication.

c)  That this Committee confirms the approval of the transfer of revenue savings from Stanhope Drive youth centre to support the accommodation costs of the Old Library in accordance with the report now submitted.

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 ‘Outer North West Area Committee Your Community Charter’ 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:-

• the recent decision to withdraw PFI credits, including the ‘Lifetime Neighbourhoods for Leeds’ project and clarification of whether or not the Council had applied for additional funding from the Government

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to follow up this issue with a progress report at the next meeting)

• feedback from the ‘Year of the Volunteer 2010’ event held on 9^th November 2010 and the need to make a number of improvements

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to take on board the comments made in relation to next year’s event)

• clarification of the current composition of the Citizen’s Panel

(The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and outlined the present arrangements. The Committee also noted that there were proposals to extend the Citizen’s panel to 6,000 with recruitment based on local population with a wider remit)

• the need for clarity in relation to the Community Charter document with the aim of tailoring Members’ individual wishes and to submit a copy to the Area Committee Sub Groups for further discussion/amendment prior to it’s final publication

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the contents of the Community Charter be referred to the Area Committee Sub Groups for further discussion/amendment prior to it’s final publication.

c)  That this Committee confirms the approval of the transfer of revenue savings from Stanhope Drive youth centre to support the accommodation costs of the Old Library in accordance with the report now submitted.

(Councillor G Latty and Councillor P Latty joined the meeting at 2.20pm during discussions of the above meeting)

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing a summary of ward forums and sub groups 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 meeting.

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

Jane Maxwell, Children’s Services was also in attendance to provide the meeting with relevant background information.

At the request of the Chair, Mrs Maxwell informed the meeting that it was her intention to submit a report to the next meeting on 7^th February 2011 to include details of children’s education by ward and on restructuring proposals in Children’s Services to include a short overview of the structures and timescales, together with details of extended services clusters.

Also arising from discussions, Councillor G Latty informed the meeting that he had invited Dr Ian Cameron to attend the next meeting of the Health and Well-Being Sub Group on 19^th January 2011 and the invitation was open for all Members of the Committee to attend.

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) on proposals towards integrated locality working.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report  informing the  Area Committee on the progress of recent work on locality working through a Locality Working Pathfinder in the South East wedge of the city. The report also invited Members to comment and support the initial proposals arising from the Pathfinder.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Locality Working – Draft Design Principles’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

ShaidMahmood, Locality Pathfinder Manager, Chief Executives Department presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• to acknowledge that the proposals could introduce a better way of working with a direct route to the Chief Executives’ office
• clarification of the involvement and engagement with partner organisations and whether or not they had been consulted on the set of design principles
• the concerns expressed that the officer structure could become too big and to recognise that area working was still important
• clarification if Elected Members would be directly involved in the recruitment process
• accepting that there was a fundamental budget difference in deprived and disadvantaged areas
• the need for the recruitment process to be ‘open’ with the aim of appointing the right person to make the process work
• the need for Elected Members to see a copy of the organisational/reporting structure and job descriptions

(The Locality Pathfinder Manager responded and agreed to consult with the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) with a view to obtaining the relevant information for circulation)

• clarification of the purpose and reasons behind the deletion of six posts on the current structure and for creating three new posts of Area Team Leader
• clarification of the future management support arrangements for the North West (Outer) Area Committee
• the need to consult with Town and Parish Councils
• clarification of the process in measuring the success of locality working
• the need for greater intelligence on ward data, including the lists of complaints and recalls to the Call Centre, in order to identify the areas of concern and to have a better understanding of the impact of a service in an area
• the concern expressed that no alternative models in relation to locality working had been addressed

Arising from detailed discussions, the Locality Pathfinder Manager agreed to convey the above comments to the Executive Board meeting on 15^th December 2010 to assist them with their deliberations.

The Chair also agreed to write, on behalf of the Area Committee, to the Executive Member, Neighbourhoods and Environment and the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) raising Members concerns over the lack of consultation and scrutiny on this issue.

RESOLVED –

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

b)  That this Committee notes the discussions and progress on the Locality Working Pathfinder to date.

(Councillor R Downes joined the meeting at 3.30pm during discussions of the above item)

(Councillor C Townsley left the meeting at 3.30pm during  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

To consider a report of the Head of Parks and Countryside Service on developing the relationship between the Parks and Countryside Service and the North West (Outer) Area Committee.

The Head of Parks and Countryside Service submitted a report on developing the relationship between the Parks and Countryside Service and the North West (Outer) Area Committee.

Appended to the report was copy of document entitled ‘Parks and Countryside contribution to the Leeds Strategic Plan’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

Phil Staniforth, Senior Area Manager, Parks and Countryside presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the concerns over the number of potholes at Golden Acre Park and Surprise View, Otley Chevin

(The Senior Area Manager responded and informed the meeting that subject to budgetary provision, temporary work would be undertaken on the potholes at both sites)

• the concerns of joy riders causing damage to the Weston Lane football pitch and the need for a solution to be found

(The Senior Area Manager responded and agreed to follow up this issue)

• clarification of the number of visitors attending Wharfemeadows Park  and on how the information was obtained

(The Senior Manager responded and made specific reference to the resident survey forms and feedback process)

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

To consider a report of the Acting West North West Area Manager notifying the Committee of an exercise taking place entitled ‘The Spending Challenge’ to gather views of local residents and community groups on the spending challenges the Council will need to deal with over the next four years.

The Acting North West Area Manager submitted a report on the spending challenge.

The purpose of the report was to notify the Area Committee that an exercise was taking place entitled ‘ The Spending Challenge’ to gather the views of local residents and community groups on the spending challenges the Council would need to deal with over the next four years.

Appended to the report was a copy of the spending challenge form that community groups and residents would be asked to complete 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:-

• the concern over the potential 20% reduction in PCSOs city-wide due to be considered in a paper to Executive Board on 15^th December 2010
• details of the number of responses received to date in relation to the survey

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That this Committee supports local participation in this exercise in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That the Chair, on behalf of the Area Committee, be requested to write to the Divisional Commander expressing Members concerns about the potential loss of PCSOs city-wide and on any pending cuts to police services.

Monday 7^th February 2011 at 2.00pm (venue to be confirmed).

Monday 7^th February 2011 at 2.00pm (Yeadon Town Hall - to be confirmed).

(The meeting concluded at 4.15pm)