Agenda and minutes

To identify items where resolutions may be moved to exclude the public.

Item 15 – Miles Hill Primary School

RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of Appendix 1 in respect of Item 15 “Miles Hill Primary School”.  The appendix was confidential under the Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4.3 – ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information).

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 Wadsworth declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 11, Well Being Fund 2007/08 due to his position as Chair of the Friends of Wykebeck Woods and withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and voting on this item.

Councillor Harker declared a personal and prejudicial interest  in Item 16, Miles Hill School Site, due to his position as Executive Member for Learning and withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and voting on this item.

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

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.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2007, be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No 32 – Matters Arising – Conservation Area Reviews

It was reported that the scheme for Meanwoodside had been reduced and overall cost would now be approximately £14,000.  The review would be carried out ‘in house’ and it was hoped to commence early in the new year.

Minute No 44 – Actions and Achievements Report – Community Centres

It was reported that there was still further work to resolve issues regarding the lettings and pricing policy.  It was hoped top bring a report to the Area Committee in February 2008.

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

Time – 25 Mins (Council Function)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented a report regarding the Area Management Review.  The report outlined changes to Area Committee responsibilities and working arrangements agreed at the meeting of the Executive Board held on 14^th November.  Reference as also made to the report prepared by Councillor Chapman, Making a Bigger Difference in Localities, Proposals to Develop Area Management and Area Committees in Leeds.

Rory Barke, North East Inner Area Manager addressed the meeting.  He reported that the new proposals placed Area Committees in a key role with regards to locality planning.  This would provide links to the Leeds Strategic Plan, Leeds Vision and Area Delivery Plans, all of which encompassed Area Committee priorities.

Members were informed of the increase in the number of service and function responsibilities that were grouped under the following six themes:

• Community Engagement and Facilities
• Community Safety
• Environment
• Children and Young People
• Adult Social Care and Healthier Communities
• Regeneration and Development

Area Committees would need to develop a Community Engagement plan and take a lead on community engagement with their local partners.  This would prevent duplication  and enable the development of priorities and plans to serve the local community.

Changes would be made to Area Management Teams.  These would reflect those made to the Police and ALMOS.  Ten Area Committees would fall under the areas of North East, North West and South East.  There would also be changes to District Partnership arrangements.

Members discussed the proposals.  In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• Community engagement – the need to where people are i.e. to where events are held in the area
• Boundary anomalies with uses and charges for Community Centres – Weetwood Community Centre served residents of Meanwood who received higher charge rates.  It was reported that these issues would be addressed.
• Would the increase in delegated powers mean more meetings for the Area Committee? – it was reported that the Committee’s workload would be developed around the current meeting schedule.  There were other options such as working groups and Member briefings.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the issues covered in the Executive Board report  and discussion   be noted.

(2)  That the Area Committee receive reports in the next and subsequent   cycle of meetings on Area Delivery Plan preparations, Local Children   and Young People Plans and local partnership working arrangements.

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 presented findings from the Planning for Real community engagement events which were undertaken in August and September.  The report also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the events and Members were asked to consider the outcomes of the events, address the issues that have emerged and support proposals detailed in the report for the next events in Spring 2008.

Reference was made to the three community engagement events held across the North East Inner wards and Members attention was brought to appendices in the report which provided statistical information and detailed priority themes which had been identified.  Over 500 issues had been collated from the events and these would help inform priorities for the 2008/09 Area Delivery Plan.

Issues discussed included tracking issues, how to increase attendance and attract young people and new attendees to the events.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the theme and focus for the Spring events be endorsed.

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

Time – 15 Mins (Council Function)

The Committee gave consideration to a report that provided an update on how the new North East Leeds Police Division was operating.  The report also outlined the amalgamation of the Stainbeck and Killingbeck Divisional Community Safety Partnerships (DCSP).

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

Divisional Commander Gerry Broadbent, West Yorkshire Police

Superintendent Simon Atkin, West Yorkshire Police

Sandra Fowler, Community Safety Officer

Simon Atkin addressed the Committee.  He reported on the structural changes that had taken place and further proposals to increase Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs).  Members were given performance information  for the North East area which showed a 7.2% decrease in overall crime for the year so far.

With regard to Neighbourhood Policing Teams it was reported that the number of Constables would be doubled and the Division would move from 5 to 8 Inspector led teams aligned to wards or ward clusters.

It was reported that the new District Community Safety Partnership (DCSP), would carry on meeting quarterly and would consist of the following themed sub-groups:

• Burglary
• Vehicle Crime and Arson
• Anti Social Behaviour
• Hate Crime
• Domestic Violence
• Drugs and Robbery

Reference was also made to Tasking Teams and Community Intelligence.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• Drugs – it was reported drug related crime was still high priority, there had been recent instances of the closure of premises in relation to this.
• In response to a question regarding the clustering of wards and differences in numbers of staff allocated to each ward/cluster, it was reported that allocation was based on statistical information and would be under constant review.
• Where Police Community Support Officers were placed in schools, these were funded part by the school and part by the Police.
• Call handling.

Members were asked for nominations to elect a representative on the DCSP.  It was reported that any appointment made would be subject to approval at the meeting of the Member Management Committee to be held on 15 January 2008.  As two nominations were received, a ballot was held to elect the Committee’s representative.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the new divisional Police structure and NPTs be noted.

(2)  That the new arrangements proposed for the DCSP, its sub-groups   and tasking arrangements be noted.

(3)  That Councillor Mohammed Rafique be nominated as Champion for   Community Safety as part of the DCSP.  This appointment to be   approved at the meeting of the Member Management Committee to be   held on 15 January 2008.

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 had been approved and the Wellbeing fund current position for 2007/08.

RESOLVED –

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

  Revenue:

   Commissioned Projects

(i)  Northern School of Contemporary Dance ‘Reach!’ Project – Ratified - £2,608

(ii)  Oakwood Clock Farmers Market – Ratified - £1,184

  Non Commissioned Projects

(i)  LifeforceWizeMove project– No contribution.

(ii)  Community Mediation Service – Agreed - £843

  Capital:

(i)  Friends of Wyke Beck Woods – Agreed - £7,000

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 updated the Area Committee of the outcomes and outputs of projects that had received Well-Being Funding over the last two years.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the 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.

The following issues were highlighted:

• The Volunteer Thank You event on 13 december
• Street Scene Improvements – Litter and Gulley Cleaning
• Festive lights.

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 report of the North East Area manager provided the Committee with a summary of recent development and actions of the Moor Allerton Partnership.

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.  These included the Youth Issues Working Group held on 19 October and Well-Being Fund Working Group held on 12 November 2007.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the North East Area Manager.  An appendix to this report is designated exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (1) (3).

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which provided an update on the position regarding Miles Hill Primary School and also included details of all current Capital Programmes in the area.

An options appraisal had been carried out by Area Management for future use of the site for service delivery and Members were asked to identify any Capital Schemes that could be withdrawn.  Members discussed the options available and it was felt that none of the current Capital Programmes could be changed to release the necessary funding.

RESOLVED – That no changes be made to the current Capital Programme and alternative revenue sources be sought.

Monday, 4 December 2007 at 4.00 p.m. – Prout Conference Centre – St Gemma’s Hospice.

Monday, 4 February 2008 at 4.00 p.m.