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

There were no declarations of interest at this stage of the meeting. 

A declaration of interest was made later in the meeting.  (Minute no. 40 refers).

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Harris and Lancaster.

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.

The agenda made reference to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure rules for an Open Forum Session at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on  matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no matters were raised under this item by those members of the public who were in attendance.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2007, be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No 28 – North East District Partnership Update

Further to discussion regarding the Miles Hill School site, it was reported that a report was to be considered by the Scrutiny Board (City Development) on 20 November 2007.  The report would concern school closures across the City.

Minute No 23 – Conservation Area Reviews

It was reported that the North West Inner Area Committee would be considering a report regarding the Meanwoodside Conservation Area at its November meeting.

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

Time – 20 Mins (Executive Function)

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which provided Members with a summary of recent community safety actions and achievements, including the work of the Neighbourhood Wardens over the period April to August 2007.

The Chair welcomed Sandra Fowler to the meeting to answer Members questions regarding Community Safety.  In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• Ginnel Closures
• Community Clean Ups
• The Community Safety Partnership – and the need to review and revise partnership arrangements.
• Fencing
• Fly Tipping

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Time - 20 Mins (Council Function)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which described the Joint Area Review process and outlined the timetable of activities in Leeds.

The Chair welcomed Shaid Mahmood, Locality Enabler to the meeting.

It was reported that the Joint Area review aimed to find out what life in the City was like for Children and Young People and how services from all sectors worked together to improve their outcomes.  The Joint Area Review would focus on the vulnerable and replaced a number of previous inspections of services which in turn cut down on duplicated inspection areas.

Members were informed of the timescales for the Joint Area Review.  It was reported that the main inspection of services would take place in the first two weeks of December with a report back to full Council in March 2008.  The final report would be published in April 2008.

Further issues discussed in relation to the Joint Area Review included the following:

• The need to ensure that white children from deprived backgrounds were focussed on.
• The involvement of other partners including the Youth Service, Social Services, Education Leeds, Housing and West Yorkshire Police.
• Financial implications of the review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement)

Time – 20 Mins (Council Function)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report which detailed the draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities proposed for the Leeds Strategic Plan 2008 -11.  The report and an accompanying presentation provided the background to the development of the Leeds Strategic Plan and the planned consultation process.  It was recommended that the Committee considered and commented on the draft improvement priorities and how they may influence the contents of the Area Delivery Plan.

The Chair welcomed Chris Edwards, Chief Executive, Education Leeds and Elaine Rey, Senior Project Officer to the meeting.

It was reported that the Leeds Strategic Plan would be used to set priorities in the City for the next 3 years and key issues included tackling worklessness and homelessness.  The consultation process for the Plan was scheduled to run until December 2007 with a final version of the Plan to be presented to full Council March 2008. 

Members discussed the following in relation to the strategic outcomes and improvement priorities:

• Thriving places – Prevention of re-offending should be tied in with the reduction of offending.  Examples of working with prisoners were stated.
• It was felt that some of the outcomes and priorities may fall outside the remit of the Council.  It was reported that at this stage, it was necessary to gather suggestions to plan and commission activity in relation to the Strategic Plan.
• How to involve the community.

Members were reminded of a questionnaire that was available to complete regarding the Leeds Strategic Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Time – 20 Mins (Executive Function)

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which provided Members of the Area Committee with an evaluation of the Youth Development Worker post which was funded through the Well-Being Fund.

The Chair welcomed Neil Bowden, Senior Youth Officer and Ian Jones, Senior Youth Worker to the meeting.

Ian Jones addressed the meeting.  He informed Members of the volunteer programme which had been one of the project objectives of the Youth Development Worker post.  Out of a total of 40 volunteers, 25 had gone on to paid employment or other youth service programmes within the inner north east area.  He also informed Members of the mapping exercise which had led to the production of the Yag-Mag; which promoted the provision of Youth Activities within the area. Further issues reported included the engagement of young people and the slight reduction in anti-social behaviour from young people in the inner north east area.

Ian Jones and Neil Bowden answered Members questions in relation to the Youth Development Worker post and general Youth Service issues.  Subjects discussed included the Youth Council,  the Youth Issues Group and the Youth Volunteering Course.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(Councillor Harker declared a personal interest in this item due to his position as Executive Member for Learning)

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

The report of the North East Area Manager described progress over the last 7 months on the development of the Chapeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative application to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Issues discussed included the following:

• Training Plan – Recruitment and training of local people.
• Match Funding – A bid for £409,000 from the Council’s Town and District Centre Regeneration Budget had been prepared.
• The proposed extension of the Chapeltown Conservation Area.

RESOLVED - That the bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Chapeltown Townscape Heritage Initiative be supported, including

• The extension of the Chapeltown Conservation area;
• The bid for funds from the Town and District Centre programme for public area improvements.

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

Time – 15 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.  Appended to the report were details of small grants that hasd been approved and the Wellbeing fund current position for 2007/08.

Further information was requested on the bid for funding from the Lifeforce WizeMove project.

RESOLVED –

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

Commissioned Projects:

Volunteer Thank You Event 2007 – Ratified - £700

Non Commissioned Projects:

LifeforceWizeMove project– deferred

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 discussed from the report included the following:

• Changes to administration boundaries – it was reported that following changes to the Police, PCT and ALMO boundaries, changes were also been made to move Area Management from 5 to 3 teams and proposals had been made regarding changes to the District Partnerships.  The Area Committee would be subject to a further report regarding these proposals.
• Health issues relating to teenage pregnancy and the Tobacco Action Strategy.

RESOLVED – That the recent Actions and Achievements be noted.

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

Time - 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which provided Members with an update on actions and achievements of the Area Management team since the last meeting.  Also appended to the report was the Quarter Two update of the 2007/08 Area Delivery Plan.

The following issues were discussed:

• Community Centres – it was hoped to provide Members with the draft letting and policy pricing at the next meeting of the Committee.
• Community Engagement Events
• Area Delivery Plan - Safer and Stronger Communities - reducing crime and perception of crime – it was reported that leaflets had been produced and were awaiting to be delivered.

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 14 Spetember and the Well-Being Fund Working Group held on 18 September.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Monday, 3 December 2007 at 4.00 p.m.

Monday, 3 December 2007 at 4.00 p.m.