Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chair for the 2008/09 Municipal Year

Council Function – 5 Minutes

In accordance with the agreed procedure, the Chief Democratic Services Officer reported that nominations for the Chair had been received on behalf of Councillor Lobley and Members were asked to take a formal vote.

RESOLVED – That following an overall majority of votes cast by those Elected Members present at the meeting eligible to vote, Councillor Matthew Lobley be elected chair of the North East (Inner) Area Committee for the 2008/09 Municipal Year.

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 Lobley declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 1, Appointment of Chair, due to his participation in the vote.  (Minute No. 1 refers).

Councillor Harker declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 11, Review of the Palace Youth Project due to his position as Executive Member for Learning.  (Minute No. 8 Refers).

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.

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 17 March 2008

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer.

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report and appendices outlining the Committee’s role in relation to its Elected Member appointments to community and local engagement category appointments to outside bodies which had been delegated to the Area Committee to decide.

It was reported that the North East Inner Area Committee had responsibility for making appointments to the following organisations and Members were asked to make nominations:

• Chapeltown Citizen Advice Bureau – 3 yearly appointment
• East North East ALMO Area Panel – annual appointment
• Community Action for Roundhay Elderly – annual appointment

RESOLVED –

That the following appointments to Outside Bodies to be made by the Area Committee:

Chapeltown Citizens Advice Bureau  Councillor E Taylor

East North East ALMO Area Panels  Councillor J Dowson

  Councillor V Kendall

Community Action for Roundhay Elderly  Councillor V Kendall

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

Time – 20 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Area Delivery Plan set out in appendix A as the starting point for 2008-11 be approved and that a revised area profile be brought to the next meeting.

(b) That the development and publishing of a public facing summary of the ADP in the form of a ‘Neighbourhood Charter’ be approved.

The report of the East North East Area Manager presented the Inner North East Area Delivery Plan (ADP) for 2008-11.

It was reported that this was a developmental year for the Area Delivery Plan and that all Area Committee’s would be producing ADPs that would have links to the themes of the Leeds Strategic Partnership.  It was aimed to have links to the priorities of partner organisations, particularly those who were accountable to the Area Committee.  The plan was more comprehensive than in previous years although it was recognised that there was gaps.  Work was in progress on the ADP and there would be changes as the year progressed.

Members registered strong concern and protest at information detailed in the area profiles as described in the report.  It was agreed to provide revised profiles for the Area Committee.

It was reported that in its current format, the Area Delivery Plan was to be used as a management tool and it was proposed to develop a ‘Neighbourhood Charter’ which would give a clear public friendly document which outlined the aims of the plan.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Area Delivery Plan set out in appendix A as the starting point for 2008-11 be approved and that a revised area profile be brought to the next meeting.

(b) That the development and publishing of a public facing summary of the ADP in the form of a ‘Neighbourhood Charter’ be approved.

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Area Management Team work with the Youth Service and other partners involved with the Palace Youth Project to make it a viable long term centre.

(b) That further information be provided on revenue costs for the running of the Palace Youth Project be brought to the Area Committee.

The report of the East North East Area Manager aimed to provide the Committee with a review of the Palace Youth Project which was transferred to the Environment and Neighbourhoods Department in February 2008.  Responsibility for the management of the centre had been delegated to the Area Committee and this was expected to be formally covered by the Area Function Schedule that was due for consideration by the Executive Board.  The report also outlined current and proposed youth provision delivered from the facility and opportunities to expand and improve provision.

It was reported that when the Palace Youth Project was first delegated to the Area Committee there seemed to be high revenue costs and low usage.  There had since been a turnaround and the level of activity had increased with additional activities being provided from the centre.

Members expressed concern that the centre was used by young people from outside the area and it was requested that the East Inner Area Committee be consulted on the project and that mapping of the project’s clients was carried out.

Further issues discussed included the possibility of having a wider review of community facilities in the inner north east area; caretaking and key holder arrangements and budgetary implications.  It was reported that there were no revenue implications for the Area Committee and for any capital spending, bids would have to be made centrally.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the Area Management Team work with the Youth Service and other partners involved with the Palace Youth Project to make it a viable long term centre.

(b) That further information be provided on revenue costs for the running of the Palace Youth Project be brought to the Area Committee.

*(In accordance with Paragraph 15.5 of the Council Procedure Rules, Councillors Harker and Lancaster requested that their votes against the decision on this item be recorded).

(Councillor Lancaster left the meeting at 6.15 p.m. following the conclusion of this item).

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a) That a further report be brought to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

(b) That the following decisions be made in respect of Well-Being allocations:

(i)  Children and young people summer sports activities – approved - £11,940

(ii)  Environmental summer playscheme – approved - £6,590

(iii)Church Community Outreach and Development Enterprise – approved - £9,000

The East North East Area Manager submitted a report which contained a summary of Well-Being Fund expenditure in 2007/08 and contained recommendations for a greater commissioning role in the 2008/09 allocation.  

In response to Members concerns and questions regarding how much of the Well-Being Fund would be earmarked for commissioning activities and the future role of the Well-Being Fund Working Group, it was reported that the Working Group would still have a role regarding the distribution of Well-Being Funds.  There would still be opportunity for organisations to request Well-Being funding and the Working Group would provide the checking mechanism for any commissioned activity, with the whole process overseen by the Area Committee Chair.

Further questions were raised regarding the allocation of funds to Wards and availability of funds for small grants and requests from community organisations.

Members also considered pending grant applications for Well-Being funds.

RESOLVED –

(a) That a further report be brought to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

(b) That the following decisions be made in respect of Well-Being allocations:

(i)  Children and young people summer sports activities – approved - £11,940

(ii)  Environmental summer playscheme – approved - £6,590

(iii)Church Community Outreach and Development Enterprise – approved - £9,000

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report be noted.

(b) That the theme and focus for the summer events be endorsed.

The report of the East North East Area Manager presented the findings from the ‘Make your Ideas Count’ community engagement events undertaken in March.  It also sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the engagement events and the Area Committee was asked to support the proposals for the next events in Summer 2008.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the report be noted.

(b) That the theme and focus for the summer events be endorsed.

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 East North East Area Manager provided Members with an update on actions and achievements of the Area Management Team since the last Area Committee meeting.  It also provided a quarter 4 summary of progress against the Area Delivery Plan.  Progress on issues raised at Area Committee meetings was also detailed in the report.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

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

Time – 5 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The report of the North East Area Manager informed the Area Committee of outcomes and outputs of projects that have received revenue and capital Well-Being funding over the past financially year.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership.

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED -

The report of the East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership provided the Area Committee with an overview of the newly merged North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership and ward based Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Superintendent Simon Atkin
• Sandra Fowler, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator
• Beverley Yearwood, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator

It was reported that figures detailed in the report related to some areas outside the Inner North East Area as parts of Alwoodley were covered by the same Neighbourhood Policing Team as Moortown and Roundhay.  It was also difficult to provide exact figures for each ward as more than one ward may be covered by one Neighbourhood Policing Team.

The following issues were discussed in relation to the Community Safety Annual Report:

• ‘Hanoi’ style car crime – burglary and car crime had been identified as priority concerns.
• Dispersal orders – a dispersal zone in Meanwood had proved successful and had received favourable media attention along with public participation.
• Anti Social Behaviour – it was reported that incidents of anti social behaviour had risen but improved call handling and contact management had enabled responses to be more efficient.  It was recognised that prompt attention to anti social behaviour helped to prevent low level crime.
• Concern regarding an increase in violent crime.
• Statistics not including unreported crimes and residents fear of reporting crime.

The Chair thanked those present for their attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report and Performance Framework/Strategic Plan 2008-11 be noted.

(Councillor Lancaster declared a personal interest during the discussion on this item due to her position on the West Yorkshire Police Authority)

Monday, 1 September at 4.00 p.m.

The next scheduled meeting of the Area Committee was due to be held on Monday, 1 September 2008.  An additional meeting would be held towards the end of July 2008.