Agenda and minutes

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

No declarations of interest were declared at this stage of the meeting and Members were advised to declare any interests should they arise during any stage of the meeting.  (Minute nos. 22, 27 and 28 refer)

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Harris.

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 the powers outlined in the Area Committee Procedure Rules for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions within the terms of reference of Area Committees, the Chair introduced Mr Bob Stephenson to the meeting.

Mr Stephenson was given the following responses to his questions and comments:

• What progress has been made with the Mansion in Roundhay Park? – A report was due to be considered by the Executive Board at its October meeting.  Outline plans had been made for a commercial operator to run a bar/restaurant at the mansion.  The conservatory area was due to open in October as a visitor centre and there would also be meeting rooms available for hire.
•  What progress had there been regarding the siting of a wayside bench on Shadwell Lane? The funding for this had been approved last year.  It was reported that Parks and Countryside services would be contacted regarding this and there had been consultation with local residents.
• Signage regarding cycle routes in Roundhay park, particularly around the lake was confusing and this had led to incidents where elderly and disabled people had almost had accidents with cyclists.  It was agreed to contact the Parks Manager regarding cycling restrictions in the park and to determine whether the current signage was sufficient.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2007 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute no 7 – Parks & Countryside Update Report

It was reported that further to the presentation given, Members had still not received further information regarding Meanwood Park, which although it fell within the Inner North East Area was maintained by a different operational team.

Minute no 14 – North East District Partnership Update

In response to a Members query regarding the future use of the Miles Hill School Site, it was reported that an update would be given later in the meeting.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Children’s Services.

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which contained the performance date and commentary for financial year end 2006-07 for the Youth Service delivery for the Inner Management Area of Chapel Allerton, Moortown and Roundhay wards.  Key service issues were also highlighted.

The Chair welcomed Neil Bowden, Senior Youth Worker to the meeting.

Members attention was brought to performance figures detailed in the report, the main highlight being that the number of young people worked with by the Youth Service across the Inner North East area exceeded the planned target.  It was also stressed that these figures did not take account of younger children.  Figures in Moortown ward had not met anticipated targets, although it was reported that there had been access issues following the loss of use of facilities at Carr Manor High School.  Roundhay ward targets had also not been met and it was reported that the team in that area had been operating without  a Senior Youth Worker and had therefore not been able to deliver all its programmes.  The reorganisation of the Youth Service would provide the opportunity to address this gap in staffing and it was hoped that an appointment would be mdae in December 2007.

Further issues discussed included the following:

• Successful bids to the Youth Opportunities fund.
• Activities funded by the Area Committee.
• Premises in Moortown and the suggested use of the Miles Hill School site.
• Provision for 11 to 12 year olds.
• A future substantial bid for capital funding.
• The Mandela Centre – the housing of Yes Cyber and possible improvements to the centre.
• Connexions.
• Problems with anti-social behaviour along Stonegate Road/Meanwood Road.
• Joint Area Review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(Councillor Wadsworth declared a personal interest in this item due to his position as Chair of the Open Door project as did Councillor Harker due to his position as  Executive Member for Learning and Councillor Lancaster due to her position as Vice Chair of Governors at Carr Manor High School).

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of City Development and Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the Directors of City Development and Environment & Neighbourhoods provided information about Conservation Areas and recommended an approach to Conservation Area reviews.

The Chair welcomed Richard Taylor, Conservation Team Leader to the meeting.  He reported that each Area Committee had been allocated £50,000 from 2007/08 General Fund Reserves and that Conservation Areas reviews had been identified as a possible area of spend for these funds.  It was suggested that an estimate of £15,000 per Conservation Area would be sufficient to carry out a full review.

It was reported that there were 5 Conservation Areas in the Inner North East Area and three of these already had completed or in progress reviews.  Members discussed the remaining Conservation Areas to be reviewed and possibilities for the use of any remaining monies from the allocated General Fund Reserves.  It was understood that any remaining monies would be available to be carried over into the next financial year.

RESOLVED - That the following allocations be made from the North East Inner Area Committee share of 2007/08 General Fund Reserves in respect of the following Conservation Area Reviews:

(i)  Chapel Allerton - £15,000

(ii)  Meanwoodside (part) - £10,000 (North West Inner Area Committee to be contacted regarding possibility of further funding to Meanwoodside)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Community Safety Officer.

Time – 10 Mins (Council Function)

The report of the Chief Community Safety Officer provided information on West Yorkshire Police’s contact points and summarised  good practise.  The report asked the Area Committee to suggest further potential contact points and to support the use of any council premises that may be identified.

RESOLVED -

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That Members inform the Area Management Team of any further   suitable contact points identified.

To receive and consider the attached report of the North East Area Manager.

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the North East Area Manager provided information on the constitutional background for the appointment of co-opted representatives to Area Committees, the citywide situation and options for Members to consider with regards to arrangements for inner north east.

Members discussed issues surrounding the involvement of Co-opted Members and it was reported that there was currently a citywide review of public consultation and involvement groups.  Area Management agreed to provide the Committee with an update in 6 months.

RESOLVED - That the role of Co-opted Members on other Area Committees be reviewed whilst also taking account of the review of the roles of District Partnerships and Area Committees and other public involvement forums.

To receive and consider the attached report of the North East Area Manager

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with detailed information on the range of support available for voluntary and community organisations in the area.  It provided the national context concerning external funding and gave local information in order that Members could signpost organisations to appropriate sources of support following the decision not to continue funding the Grant and Funding Advice Worker post.

Members were informed that information on local sources of funding advice detailed in the report was readily available to any organisation that requested it.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the North East Area Manager.

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the North East Area Manager contained details of projects commissioned since the last Area Committee meeting and also the recommendations of the Well-Being Fund Working Group on new applications received.  The Area Committee was asked to note the projects commissioned, and indicate if they were supportive of the new bids received.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the following decisions be made in respect of 2007/08 Well-Being   allocations – revenue:

  Commissioned Projects

(i)  Leeds Reach – Approved - £4,917

Non Commissioned Projects

(i)  Karate for Inner City Kids – Approved - £3,000

(2)  That the following decisions be made in respect of 2007/08 Well-Being   allocations – capital:

(i)  North Leeds Bowling Club – Approved - £7,000*

(ii)  Woodhouse Cricket Club Fencing – Approved - £6,000

(iii)  Groundwork Leeds Sugarwell Hill – Approved - £5,000

*Subsequent to the meeting the application from North Leeds Bowling Club was withdrawn.

(In relation to the application from Karate for Inner City Kids, Councillor Lancaster declared a personal and prejudicial interest as a trustee of the organisation and withdrew from the meeting during discussion and voting on the application.  Councillor Dowson declared a personal interest in the application for Groundwork Leeds Sugarwell Hill due to her membership of the Groundwork Trust).

To receive and consider the attached report of the North East Area Manager.

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the North East Area Manager provided Members with a summary of recent actions and achievements of the North East District Partnership.

Issues highlighted in the report included the following:

• An update on the work of the Children’s Leeds North East Partnership and the Children and Young People’s Plan
• Organisational restructures within the PCT, Police, Adult’s and Children’s Service and the ALMOs.
• Proposed restructure of District Partnerships.
• SSCF Budget Proposals

Rory Barke, North East Area Manager gave the Committee an update on the future of the Miles Hill site.  Following previous efforts to establish a project team to look into the future use of the site, it had been reported that there was a need to consider the Council’s requirements in the Capital Receipts Programme and it had been advised not to pursue this matter.  Members expressed concern over what was considered to be a valuable facility and requested further investigation into the possible future use of the site.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the recent actions and achievements be noted.

(2)  That the Chair contact the Chair of the Asset Management Group and   Executive Member for Development and Regeneration to express the   Area committee view that a review of the Miles Hill site should take   place.

(Councillor Harker declared a personal and prejudicial interest during the discussion on the Miles Hill School site and left the meeting during discussion and voting on this issue).

To receive and consider the attached report of the North East Area Manager.

Time – 5 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the North East Area Manager provided Members with an update on actions and achievements of the Area Management team since the last Area Committee meeting.  Appended to the report was a progress update on issues raised at Area Committee meetings.

RESOLVED -  that the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the North East Area Manager.

Time – 5 Mins (Executive Function)

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which informed Members of issues raised at Area Committee Working Groups held since the last meeting of the Area Committee.  This included feedback from the Youth Issues Working Group which was held on 10 August and the Well-Being Fund Working Group held on 30 July.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Monday, 15 October 2007 at 4.00 p.m.  Meeting to be held at NE City Learning Centre, Allerton Grange.