Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

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 added to the agenda.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Townsley declared a significant other interest in Agenda Item 9 ‘West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service – Proposals for Changes to Emergency Cover in West Yorkshire as a Member of the West Yorkshire Fire Authority. (Minute 43 refers.)

Councillor Cleasby declared a significant other interest in Agenda Item 10 ‘Well – Being Fund Budget Report’ as a Committee Member of the Horsforth Live at Home Scheme. (Minute 44 refers.)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P Latty.

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 two members of the public in attendance who had heard about the meeting through an advert placed in the Otley and Wharfedale Observer.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24^th September 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24^th September 2012 were approved as a correct record.

Minute No. 23 Matters Arising

In relation to a question asked about a representative of Leeds Bradford Airport attending the Area Committee, Members were informed that due to the most appropriate person currently being off work sick the  airport were unable to confirm at present which Area Committee meeting they would be able to attend.

To receive the annual community safety report, providing the Area Committee with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted the annual community safety report which provided Members with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months. The report also provided details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

In attendance to answer member questions were:

Zahid Butt – Area Community Safety Officer; and

Inspector Richard Coldwell – West Yorkshire Police.

Lucy Mosalski – Leeds Anti-social Behaviour Team

Members discussed the crime statistics for the Adel and Wharfedale ward, and the increase in car crime due to two active criminals operating in the area.  Arrests have been made and overall crime had dropped in the current year.

Specific discussion took place on theft from vehicles and that preventative measures can significantly reduce the crime statistics in relation to this.

Inspector Coldwell confirmed this was the message West Yorkshire Police were communicating to the public.

Discussion took place about the effectiveness of cameras in preventing crime and providing assurance to the public. Members were informed that CCTV evidence can be powerful and that cameras generally help the Police gather intelligence and can act as a deterrent.

The merits of using special constables was considered by Members and the Area Committee were informed that the number of special constables being recruited in the North West Leeds division had increased and a new process for specials deployment has led to more effective use of the specials. 

Specific questions were asked of the Leeds Anti-social Behaviour Team in terms of anti social behaviour in Otley and Yeadon which the Leeds Anti-social Team agreed to provide to Members for Otley and Yeadon

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee:

(a)  note the contents of the report;

(b)  note the Area Committee’s role in reducing burglary and other crime; and

(c)  request specific crime figures in terms of anti social behaviour in Otley and Yeadon.

To receive a report bringing to the attention of the Area Committee the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services’ consultation document which provides outline proposals for addressing the challenges of a reducing budget and the realignment of resources following a dramatic reduction in risk and demand over the past 10 years.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which brought to the attention of the Area Committee the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services’ consultation document which provided outline proposals for addressing the challenges of a reducing budget and the realignment of resources following a dramatic reduction in risk and demand over the past ten years.

Nick Smith, District Fire Commander and Nigel Atkins Station Commander (Rawdon & Cookridge) informed Members about proposed changes to fire services in North West Leeds. They highlighted the budget pressures the service was under, current and future response times and the reduction in risk over the last few years especially in the outer areas of Leeds. The plan for Rawdon and Otley was put forward and the merger between Cookridge and Moortown was also highlighted to Members.

Members discussed the report in detail. Members sought reassurance that the new station to replace the merged stations of Cookridge and Moortown would be large enough to cope with future demand especially considering the likelihood of new housing developments. The location of a new fire station was discussed.

Members also sought explanation for the closure of Rawdon fire station and the difficulties that would now be encountered as fire vehicles would have to travel along the congested A65. Members were informed that the area was low risk and that there was no longer finance available to keep Rawdon fire station open.

Members also discussed with fire service officers the need for continued focus on prevention especially when considering vulnerable people.

Members asked questions about the new response times and whether these had been calculated.  Fire officers confirmed calculations had been made and these were read out to Members.

Members also asked fire officers questions about the future and whether there would be more cuts to services imposed. Members were informed that the current plan takes West Yorkshire Fire Service through to 2020.

The time spent on various activities was broken down by fire service officers present, at the request of Members.

Members also discussed the relationship West Yorkshire Fire Service has with neighbouring fire services, how services overlapped and the opportunities to re-charge other authorities when the service attend incidents outside the county.

Members were also assured that West Yorkshire Fire Service were well placed to support problems caused by flooding.

RESOLVED –

(a)that the Area Committee note the report; and

(b) that information on response times be circulated to Members

To receive a report providing the Area Committee with an update on the current amount of revenue and capital funding committed and available via the Area Committee well-being budgets for wards in the Outer North West.

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.

RESOLVED –

(a)  that the current position of the Well Being Budget, as set out in Section 2 and Section 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.

Name of Project: Horsforth Live at Home Gardening Scheme

Ward affected:  Horsforth

Name of delivery organisation:  Horsforth Live at Home Scheme

Decision: £1,225 revenue APPROVED

Name of Project: OPAL in the Community

Ward affected: Adel and Wharefdale

Name of delivery organisation: Older People Action in the Locality (OPAL)

Decision: £2,450 revenue APPROVED

  Name of Project: Adel Players Theatre Sound System

  Ward affected: Adel & Wharfedale

Name of delivery organisation:  Adel Players

Decision : £4,957 revenue APPROVED

    Name of Project: Lawnswood Community Percussion Band

  Ward affected: Adel & Wharfedale

Name of delivery organisation: 2527 (Lawnswood Squadron Air Cadets)

Decision: £6,385 revenue DEFERRED

Name of Project: Upgrading of lay-bys in Church Lane , Adel

Ward affected: Adel & Wharefdale

Name of delivery organisation: Perennial Gardener’s Royal Benevolent Society

Decision: £5,000 revenue  APPROVED   

(c)  that the small grant and skip approvals detailed in paragraph 5.0 be noted.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & 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.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which brought together a range of information regarding Area Committee business.

Members questioned officers present about Neighbourhood Planning and what would be on the agenda of the meeting to be held on 16^th November 2012.

RESOLVED – That the Area Committee note the contents of the report.

To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) providing a brief overview of the Area Chair’s Forum minutes.

The Area Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive Customer Access and Performance.  The report formally notified Members that the minutes of the Area Chair’s Forum meetings will be brought to Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item and presented for comment the minutes of the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting held on 13^th July 2012.

RESOLVED – that the contents of the report be noted.

2pm, Monday  10^th December 2012. Civic Hall, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 1UR.

MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING

Guiseley Methodist Church, Off Oxford Road, LS20 9EP

2pm, Monday, 10^th December 2012, Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

The meeting ended at 3:45pm.