Agenda, decisions and minutes

In the absence of the Chair to elect a Chair for the meeting.

Due to the absence of Councillor Lobley, Members were asked to nominate a Chair for the meeting.  A nomination was received on behalf of Councillor Lancaster.

RESOLVED – That following a unanimous vote of Members present, Councillor Lancaster be elected Chair for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Lobley and Wadsworth.

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 3 December 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No 56 – Well-Being Fund – Oakwood Farmer’s Market

It was reported, that subject to the grant of a license, Oakwood Farmers Market would be held on 15 March 2008 and every third Saturday thereafter.

To receive and consider the report of the Director of City Services.

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function

RESOLVED – That the report and performance information be noted.

The Director of City Services submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with an update relating to the performance of Streetscene Services including the removal of graffiti and drug waste.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Chris Young, Principal Area Manager – North East, City Services
• Wayne Tonks, Environmental Enforcement officer, Cit Services
• Graham Hollings, Streetscene Manager

In response to Members’ questions and comments, the following issues were discussed:

• Garden bins – Streetscene had considered implementing a further 8 rounds of garden waste collection.  Positive feedback had been received following the commencement of collections in Roundhay.  It was agreed to investigate instances of non collection of garden waste.
• Leaf clearance – Concern was expressed that the leaf clearance programme needed to run for longer.  It was reported that Streetscene were constantly investigating ways of improving the service and a list of hard to access areas had been identified.  Problems had been encountered due to wind and areas where machinery could not get access to clear leaves.  Members gave details of areas that suffered problems due to fallen leaves.
• It was reported it was aimed to remove graffiti of a sexual or racial nature and drug waste within 24 hours.
• Repairs had been made to bin yards on the Beckhill estate.  Letters had been sent to residents reminding them to use the bin yards and not leave refuse out on the highway.
• Publicising of services and educational promotion had taken place in schools and at various events and meetings.  Literature had been made available in different languages and formats.
• Clearing of ginnels and alleyways.
• Recycling plastics.
• Gulley cleaning – it was reported that areas which had flooding concerns were given highest priority.

The Chair thanked those present for their attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report and performance information be noted.

(Councillors Hamilton, Rafique and Harris joined the meeting at 4.10 p.m ., 4.15 p.m. and 4.20 p.m. respectively, during discussion of this item.)

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

Time – 20 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the development of the proposed Pricing and Lettings Policy   based on the principles outlined in the report be approved.

(2)  That the Well-Being Fund Working Group develop the policy further.

(3)  That a 3-month community and user consultation period following   approval of the draft policy be agreed, with a view to implementation   from October 2008.

The report of the North East Area Manager proposed details of a revised Pricing and Lettings Policy which the Area Committee was asked to endorse.  It outlined the centres which would be affected by the implementation of the revised pricing policy and included details of a draft discount schedule.

The report sought the support of the Area Committee for a three month consultation period in order for all centre users and the wider community to gain a clear understanding of the proposals.

It was confirmed that charges detailed in the report were based on hourly rates and in response to concern regarding hire costs for weddings, it was reported that there could be a possibility of part of the cost being a refundable deposit.  These and other issues would form part of the consultation.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the development of the proposed Pricing and Lettings Policy   based on the principles outlined in the report be approved.

(2)  That the Well-Being Fund Working Group develop the policy further.

(3)  That a 3-month community and user consultation period following   approval of the draft policy be agreed, with a view to implementation   from October 2008.

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the Area Committee’s support for community engagement as set   out in the report be confirmed.

(2)  That the format and theme for the spring event be agreed.

(3)  That an additional £3,000 for publicity of the community engagement   events in spring and summer be approved.

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which gave feedback on the recent community engagement session.  The Area Committee was asked to formally endorse the community engagement principles and format and theme for the spring community engagement events.

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• The Ward Members ‘Take Action’ Cards which allowed local residents to highlight specific issue sfor the attention of their local Councillor.
• How to increase public involvement at Area Committee meetings.
• Feedback from organisations that were funded by the Area Committee.
• Publicising events.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the Area Committee’s support for community engagement as set   out in the report be confirmed.

(2)  That the format and theme for the spring event be agreed.

(3)  That an additional £3,000 for publicity of the community engagement   events in spring and summer be approved.

(Councillor Harris left the meeting at 5.05 p.m. during discussion of this item.)

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

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

Revenue:

Commissioned Projects:

(i)  Youth Service – Ratified - £14,275 from 2007/08 and £11,431 underspend from 2006/07.

(ii)  Chapel Allerton Good Neighbours – Ratified - £6,000

Non Commissioned Projects:

(i)  Beckhill Community Centre Feasibility Study – Agreed - £10,000

(ii)  St Andrew’s United Reform Church - deferred

The North East Area Manager submitted a report which detailed projects that had been commissioned since the last meeting of the Area Committee and also detailed recommendations of the Well-Being Fund Working Group on new applications that had been received.  Details of small grants that had been approved and the current Well-Being Fund 2007/08 position were appended to the report.

With reference to the application for St Andrews United Reform Church, it was reported that they had been given details of other sources of potential funding and advised to re-apply should funding still be required.

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

Revenue:

Commissioned Projects:

(i)  Youth Service – Ratified - £14,275 from 2007/08 and £11,431 underspend from 2006/07.

(ii)  Chapel Allerton Good Neighbours – Ratified - £6,000

Non Commissioned Projects:

(i)  Beckhill Community Centre Feasibility Study – Agreed - £10,000

(ii)  St Andrew’s United Reform Church - deferred

(Councillor Rafique left the meeting at 5.15 p.m. during the discussion on this item).

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The report of the North East Area Manager provided Members with an update on progress towards the achievement of the 2007/08 Area Delivery Plan covering the quarter 3 period (October – December 2007).

Issues discussed included the following:

• The Open Door project – proposals to redevelop as a Youth and Community Centre
• The inclusion of a resident representative on the Beckhill Implementation group
• PFI street lighting replacement and costs
• Youth Forums and the Youth Council
• Identifying a lead agency to establish the Chapeltown Development Trust
• Ginnels – Members expressed thanks to Sandra Fowler for her work and advised of other ginnels where problems with anti social behaviour had been identified.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Monday, 17 March 2008, 400.p.m. at NE City Learning Centre. Allerton Grange.

Monday, 17 March 2008, 4.00 p.m. at NE City Learning Centre, Allerton Grange.