Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee.

In addition, on behalf of the Committee, the Chair paid tribute to and thanked Councillor Graham Kirkland for his service both to the Committee and to the Council, together with the invaluable work he had undertaken in his Ward during his 45 years as an Elected Member, as this marked his final meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee, before stepping down from his position as a Leeds City Councillor.

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

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

There were no late items as such, however, it was noted that supplementary information had been circulated to Committee Members following the despatch of the agenda, in the form of a further expression of interest for Wellbeing funding from the Adel Association, to be considered as part of the  report entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’ (Minute No. 82 referred).

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.

Councillor Anderson declared personal and prejudicial interest in respect of the expression of interest for Wellbeing funding entitled, ‘Healthy Living for Older People’, due to being an observer at the management committee meetings of OPAL (Older People’s Action in the Locality) and also a personal and prejudicial interest in the expression of interest for Wellbeing funding entitled, ‘No Cold Calling’, due to his position in respect of the Adel Association. Both matters were considered as part of the item entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’ (Minute No. 82 referred)

Further declarations of interest were made at later points in the meeting (Minute No. 82 referred).

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, there were no members of the public present.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 6^th February 2012, be approved as a correct record.

Area Update Report – Minute No. 70 – 6^th February 2012

Members noted the low immunisation levels of vulnerable adults and children which had been highlighted at the previous meeting and the fact that the matter would be considered further by the Committee’s Health and Wellbeing Sub Group.

It was stated that during a recent Scrutiny Board meeting, related statistics had come to light regarding immunisation levels across Leeds. In response, it was noted that such matters could be looked at as part of the Health and Wellbeing Sub Group’s further consideration of the low immunisation levels of the Outer North West’s vulnerable adults and children.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update on the progress made regarding those services previously managed at a city wide level which have been delegated to the Area Committee. In addition, the report seeks confirmation of the local priorities, operational principles and service improvements to be included in the 2012/13 Service Level Agreement (SLA), which are scheduled to be formally agreed at the June  2012 meeting.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the formal consideration of the Environmental Services Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2012/13 be deferred to the June 2012 meeting, with the draft SLA being provided to Committee Members in advance of this meeting for consideration and comment.

(b)  That in relation to the SLA, Members’ concerns regarding the need to have the respective negotiated agreements with Parks and Countryside and the West North West homes Leeds ALMO established and operational, be forwarded to the Head of Environmental Action.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing details of the services which were to be added to the Locality Team’s portfolio in respect of Environmental Services provision and therefore included within the associated Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2012/2013. In addition, the report consulted the Area Committee upon those service areas which Members would like to be prioritised within the updated SLA.

The Committee noted that as further information on related matters was expected to be received shortly, it was proposed that formal consideration of the Area Committee’s Environmental Services SLA was deferred to the June 2012 meeting, with the draft SLA being provided to Members in advance of this meeting, for consideration and comment.

In relation to the SLA, Members raised concerns regarding the respective negotiated agreements with Parks and Countryside and West North West homes Leeds ALMO which were yet to be established, and requested that such concerns were forwarded to the Head of Environmental Action for consideration. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the formal consideration of the Environmental Services Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2012/13 be deferred to the June 2012 meeting, with the draft SLA being provided to Committee Members in advance of this meeting for consideration and comment.

(b)  That in relation to the SLA, Members’ concerns regarding the need to have the respective negotiated agreements with Parks and Countryside and the West North West homes Leeds ALMO established and operational, be forwarded to the Head of Environmental Action.

To consider the report of the Director of Adult Social Services providing detail of work being undertaken in Leeds to improve the effectiveness of health and social care services.  The report describes the approach of using demonstrator sites to test out and develop aspects of the model of service.

(Council Function)

The Director of Adult Social Care submitted a report providing details of the work which was currently being undertaken in Leeds which was aimed at improving the effectiveness of health and social care services across the city. The report described the approach of using demonstrator sites, which were being utilised in order to test out and develop a number of aspects of the proposed service model.

Following an introduction to the report from John Lennon, Chief Officer (Access and Inclusion), a question and answer session ensued. The key areas of discussion were as follows:-

·  Members highlighted the key contribution that Ward Councillors could make to the development of the service provision model and the need to ensure that Ward Members were afforded sufficient opportunity to become involved in such matters.

·  In responding to Members’ enquiries, the Committee was provided with details regarding the funding arrangements which were in place for the development of the demonstrator sites, together with details of the Local Authority’s role in the development of the service provision. Members noted that temporary funds had been allocated by Government towards the initial costs associated with service transformation, but concerns were raised at the fact that there was not to be an increase in funding for the Local Authority in the longer term.

·  With regard to addressing service users needs, Members highlighted that a more preventative approach was needed to accompany the proposed changes in service delivery, in order to ensure that, wherever possible, service users remained in their own homes. The Committee highlighted the vital role of the Re-ablement Service, which looked to keep service users within their own homes.

·  Responding to Members’ enquiries, the Committee received details regarding the developments which had occurred which aimed to ensure that a joined up approach was being taken by the NHS and the Local Authority in respect of the delivery of health and social care services.

·  Members highlighted their concerns regarding the lack of co-terminocity in place, specifically in respect of the geographical boundaries which the NHS worked to, when compared to those boundaries used by the Local Authority, West Yorkshire Police and the ALMOs.

·  The Committee highlighted the need for a truly multi-agency approach to be taken when addressing health and social care issue.

·  Assurances were sought specifically in respect of domiciliary care, and the need to ensure that value for money, together with a modernised service was achieved in this area.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the content of the submitted report be noted.

(b)  That regular updates on the progress being achieved on the demonstrator sites be submitted to the Committee over the next 12 months, and that any future reports on such matters include further details regarding the associated costs and funding arrangements in place for this transformation of service delivery.

To consider the report of the Director of Public Health providing an update on the emerging priorities for the Outer North West area flowing from the refresh of the Leeds Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.

(Council Function)

 The Director of Public Health submitted a report which provided an update on the emerging priorities for the Outer North West area, which had arisen following the refresh of the Leeds Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA).

Having received a brief introduction to the report from Victoria Eaton, Consultant in Public Health and Tim Taylor of Adult Social Care, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of discussion were as follows:-

·  Members highlighted the striking differences which could be found within the life expectancy statistics for different communities within the same geographical area.

·  Responding to Members enquiries, the Committee was provided with an explanation of how the data had been divided, and noted that the statistics for each Area Committee had been broken down into Middle Level Super Output Areas (MSOAs), an approach which was used nationally. Members noted that the minimum population for an MSOA was 5,000.

·   The Committee received details of the range and age of the data which had been drawn on to compile the life expectancy statistics and considered the accuracy of such statistics.

·  Members discussed how the statistics could be effectively utilised in order to address the health issues which had been revealed by the data compiled.

Having given consideration to the appropriateness of the recommendations detailed within the report, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report be noted, together with the vital role which can be played by Ward Councillors in addressing the health needs of the area.

(b)  That further updates be provided to the Area Committee in due course, and as part of such updates, further detail be provided on the identification of the vulnerable groups in the area and the actions which are being taken to support them.

(c)  That as part of any further updates, details regarding the identification of the different agencies which are tasked with addressing such health needs be provided, together with the work that they are currently undertaking.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing an update on the current amount of revenue and capital funding the Committee which has been committed and the remaining amounts available via the Area Committee well-being budgets for wards in the Outer North West. It seeks approval for new projects and provides details of small grant applications received since the last Area Committee.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current position of the Wellbeing budget, as set out within sections 2 and 3 of the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That the following be agreed in respect of those expressions of interest received for Wellbeing funding, as detailed within section 4 of the submitted report:-

(c)  That the small grant and skip approvals, as detailed within section 5 of the submitted report, be noted.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report outlining the current position statement of the Area Committee’s Wellbeing budget, detailing for determination those expressions of interest received for Wellbeing funding and presenting for information those Small Grant applications which had been received to date.

In considering the Wellbeing application entitled, ‘‘Off-Road Bikes’, Members received confirmation that the use of the bikes would be restricted to the four Outer North West Wards only.

The Chair requested that in future, all relevant Ward Members were fully briefed on Wellbeing applications affecting their Wards, prior to the matter being formally determined by the Area Committee.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current position of the Wellbeing budget, as set out within sections 2 and 3 of the submitted report, be noted.

(b)  That the following be agreed in respect of those expressions of interest received for Wellbeing funding, as detailed within section 4 of the submitted report:-

(c)  That the small grant and skip approvals, as detailed within section 5 of the submitted report, be noted.

(Having declared personal and prejudicial interests in the respective Wellbeing applications entitled, ‘No Cold Calling’ and ‘Healthy Living for Older People’ , Councillor Anderson left the room during the consideration of these applications and took no part in the voting thereof)

(During the consideration of this item, Councillor Collins declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Wellbeing application entitled, ‘Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – Horsforth Party in the Park’, due to being a member of Horsforth Town Council. In declaring this interest, Councillor Collins did not speak during the consideration of this matter or vote upon it)

(During the consideration of this item, Councillor J L Carter declared a personal interest in the Wellbeing application entitled, ‘Police Off-Road Bikes’, due to being Vice Chair of the West Yorkshire Police Authority)

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on developments within Children’s Services, including the progress achieved against the priorities of the Leeds’ Children and Young People’s Plan. In addition, the report builds upon previous reports presented to Area Committees in 2010 and 2011. 

(Council Function)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing an update on the key developments which had occurred in Children’s Services, following the previous update reports which had been considered by the Committee in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Having received a brief introduction to the key points within the submitted report from Steve Walker, Deputy Director, Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services, and Simon Flowers, Strategic Leader for Education Integration, a question and answer session ensued. The main issues raised were as follows:-

• Members requested that in future reports, comparative statistics from previous years are included in respect of the data presented to the Committee regarding the 15 key indicators.
• Responding to Members’ enquiries, details were provided regarding the compilation of the statistics detailed within the submitted report and how the data overcame the fact that often, young people attended schools which were located outside of the Ward in which they resided. Members noted that data could be provided which encompassed all those young people who attended schools within the Outer North West area.

·  The Committee noted that the ‘not in employment, education or training (NEET)’ statistics related to those young people between the ages of 16 – 19, and responding to Members’ enquiries, the Committee received a definition of the ‘not known’ classification.

·  With regard to those young people who fell within the NEET and ‘not known’ categories, Members were provided with details regarding how those individuals who fell within these categories were identified and tracked, should they have re-located. In addition, Members also discussed what the expected level for NEETs  and ‘not knowns’ in the Outer North West area may be and were provided with details of the actions being taken to reduce such levels.

·  The Committee highlighted the similar issues which connected those young people falling within the  NEET  and ‘not known’ categories with those issues which were raised earlier in the meeting, during the consideration of the report on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and also the report regarding health and social care reform. Members emphasised that the role which could be played by Children’s Services in the future development of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and also the work which continued in respect of health and social care reform.

·  Members requested that in  respect of future reports submitted to the Committee, the data relating to pupils achieving 5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C was broken down further by individual school.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the comments made by the Area Committee in respect of the data within the submitted report be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development seeking the Area Committee’s views upon the Council’s Local Development Framework (Publication Draft), in line with the current public consultation exercise which runs from 28^th February to 12^th April 2012.

(Council Function)

The Director of City Development submitted a report making the Committee aware of the public consultation exercise which was currently ongoing in respect of the Council’s Core Strategy document. In addition, as part of that consultation process, the report sought comments from the Area Committee in respect of the soundness of that document.

Having received a brief introduction to the report, a question and answer session ensued. The key points raised were as follows:-

• Responding to Members’ enquiries, the Committee was provided with details regarding the extent of the consultation being conducted;
• The Committee noted that Elected Members of the Council and members of the public would have the opportunity to contribute towards the selective Green Belt review, which was to be undertaken in due course as part of the overarching process;
• Members received assurances regarding the protected status of Green Belt areas within Leeds, during the consultation stage of the Core Strategy;
• The Committee received an update regarding the current position of the Government’s new Planning Policy Framework which was scheduled to be unveiled and how such a Framework would supersede existing Planning Policy Guidance;
• Members requested access to the associated Site Allocations document when it became available;
• Members noted that one of the ‘Housing Market Characteristic Areas’ had been named Aireborough and received details regarding the boundaries which would form this area;
• Emphasis was placed upon the need for Leeds to have a Core Strategy in place, in order to ensure that as a planning authority, it could effectively defend any planning appeals it faced.

Following the question and answer session, the Committee raised several concerns and requested that such concerns were formally recorded and submitted as part of the associated consultation process:-

·  Concerns were raised regarding the overarching levels of housing requirement which had been identified as part of Spatial Policy 6, specifically when considering the current low levels of housing demand and also in respect of the ability to deliver such significant levels of housing development, based on the number of new houses which had been built in recent years;

·  The need to ensure that a more effective approach towards affordable housing was established as part of the Core Strategy, and the need to ensure that developers’ were required to make adequate contribution towards such provision;

·  The need for the Core Strategy to ensure that any new developments were made sustainable via the promotion of local employment opportunities, the establishment of effective transportation infrastructure and the development of any additional accommodation for education provision which was required as a result of such development. In addition, it was emphasised that the Core Strategy needed to ensure that developers were obliged to make adequate contribution towards such matters;

·  Members raised concerns regarding the accuracy of the timings within the ‘Accessibility Standards’ as detailed within appendix 2 of the Core Strategy document;

·  Representations were made regarding the fact that under the Core Strategy, Horsforth did not currently possess ‘village’ status, but rather formed part of the ‘Main Urban Area’.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing Members with information on a range of Area Committee business, including key messages from forums and sub-groups, together with project and service activity.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the comments made by the Committee, be noted.

(b)  That the Area Committee’s Business Plan, appended to the submitted report, be approved as a draft document, with the proposed final document which incorporates Members’ comments, being submitted to the June 2012 meeting for approval.

(c)  That the Area Support Team continue to monitor and develop the Business Plan, with the proposed final version being submitted to the June 2012 meeting.

(d)  That from the commencement of the new municipal year, each Chair of the Area Committee’s Sub Groups, in conjunction with the Area Support Team, establish a meeting schedule for each Sub Group for the duration of the municipal year.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which brought together a range of information regarding Area Committee business. As such, the report provided details of the key messages from Area Committee Sub Groups and Area Forums, whilst also receiving an update in respect of projects and service provision, including the Area Committee’s Business Plan.

Having considered the future operational arrangements for the Area Committee’s Sub Groups, it was agreed that from the commencement of the new municipal year, each Chair of the Area Committee’s Sub Groups, in conjunction with the Area Support Team, established a meeting schedule for each Sub Group for the duration of the municipal year. During the consideration of this matter, it was suggested that the membership of each Sub Group should include at least one representative from each of the four Outer North West Wards. 

With regard to the Area Committee’s Business Plan, which was appended to the submitted report, Members were requested to approve the Plan as a draft, with the proposed final document, incorporating Members’ comments, being submitted to the June 2012 meeting for formal consideration.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the comments made by the Committee, be noted.

(b)  That the Area Committee’s Business Plan, appended to the submitted report, be approved as a draft document, with the proposed final document which incorporates Members’ comments, being submitted to the June 2012 meeting for approval.

(c)  That the Area Support Team continue to monitor and develop the Business Plan, with the proposed final version being submitted to the June 2012 meeting.

(d)  That from the commencement of the new municipal year, each Chair of the Area Committee’s Sub Groups, in conjunction with the Area Support Team, establish a meeting schedule for each Sub Group for the duration of the municipal year.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) presenting for comment the minutes of the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting held on 13^th January 2012.

(Council Function)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report presenting for comment the minutes of the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting held on 13^th January 2012.

Responding to enquiries relating to the minute entitled, ‘Localism Act: Feedback from Area Committee Meetings’, Members  received further details regarding the discussion held at the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting in respect of Area Committees’ role in ‘community planning’.

RESOLVED  - That the submitted report, together with the content of the minutes from the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting held on 13^th January 2012, be noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) seeking formal approval of the proposed North West (Outer) Area Committee meeting schedule and associated venue arrangements for the 2012/2013 municipal year.

(Council Function)

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report which sought the Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2012/2013 municipal year. In addition, the report invited the Committee to give consideration to the current meeting venue arrangements, and whether they wished to alter such arrangements.

The Chair requested that in future, Area Committee meetings were not scheduled for the Monday prior to full Council meetings, in order to avoid any potential clashes with political Group meetings.

RESOLVED – That the proposed 2012/2013 meeting schedule for the North West (Outer) Area Committee, as detailed within the submitted report be approved.

Meeting to elect an Area Committee Chair for the 2012/13 municipal year.

(Arrangements to be confirmed, following conclusion of consultation with Committee Members). 

2.00 p.m., Monday, 14^th May 2012 in the Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR.

Meeting concluded at 4.25 p.m.