Agenda, decisions 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

Councillor Lancaster declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10, Well-Being (Revenue) Fund – Project Proposals due to applications for funding from Meanwood Elderly Neighbourhood Action (MENA) and Karate for Inner City Kids (KICK) for which she is respectively Joint Chair and a Trustee. She withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on these applications.  Minute No. 19 refers.

Councillor Harker declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Beckhill Feasibility Study, due to his position as Executive Member for Learning.  Minute No. 17 refers.

Councillor Lancaster declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10, Well-Being (Revenue) Fund – Project Proposals due to applications for funding from Meanwood Elderly Neighbourhood Action (MENA) and Karate for Inner City Kids (KICK) for which she is respectively Joint Chair and a Trustee. She withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on these applications.  Minute No. 19 refers.

Councillor Harker declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Beckhill Feasibility Study, due to his position as Executive Member for Learning.  Minute No. 17 refers.

Apologies for absence were 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 meetings held on 23 June 2008 and 1 August 2008.

RESOLVED - The minutes of the meetings held on 23 June 2008 and 1 August 2008 were confirmed as correct records.

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

Time – 20 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That a request to Asset Management Group to ring-fence the capital invested in the caretaker’s bungalow by Sure Start and the Area Committee be supported to facilitate the re-provision of services previously provided at the bungalow to Stainbeck Church – subject to a process, robust business plan and clear agreement with the Church on how services will be re-provided and hosted as outlined in section 26 of the report.

The report of the East North East Area Manager delivered the feasibility study into the proposals for a new build, multi-agency service centre on the Beckhill Estate as endorsed by the Area Committee in February 2008.  It also provided an update on the position regarding the future of the caretaker’s bungalow on the site of the former Miles Hill Primary school which had been used to provide Family and Children’s services.

The report recommended that a request be submitted to ring-fence any future capital receipt from the sale of the site to the value that had been invested by Sure Start and the Area Committee in order to fund the relocation of services on the Beckhill Estate.

It was reported that it was not currently required to pursue a newly built centre and that services could be relocated within the Beckhill Estate.  Members attention was drawn to paragraphs 23 onwards in the report.  These described the proposals to move forward which involved the transfer of facilities to Stainbeck Church.  It was reported that funds would be available to upgrade facilities at Stainbeck Church to accommodate services that could not be provided from the new Children’s Centre at Carr Manor Primary School.  In response to a Members questions regarding the possibility of building extensions to current facilities, it was reported that this was not precluded by the proposals contained in this report.

RESOLVED – That a request to Asset Management Group to ring-fence the capital invested in the caretaker’s bungalow by Sure Start and the Area Committee be supported to facilitate the re-provision of services previously provided at the bungalow to Stainbeck Church – subject to a process, robust business plan and clear agreement with the Church on how services will be re-provided and hosted as outlined in section 26 of the report.

(Councillors Rafique and Dowson joined the meeting during the discussion of this item at 4.05 p.m. and 4.10 p.m. respectively).

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the revised Pricing and Lettings Policy to be implemented in the inner north east community centres be endorsed.

(3)  That the indicative implementation date of 1 October 2008 be agreed.  If this date cannot be achieved, the policy to be implemented as soon as operationally possible.

(4)  That the Area Committee review income from Community Centres in the Inner North East Area 6 months after the implementation of the revised Pricing and Lettings Policy.

The report of the East North East Area Manager asked the Area Committee to endorse and implement a revised Pricing and Lettings Policy.  A draft version had been presented to the Committee in February 2008 and a consultation exercise had been undertaken.

In brief summary and in response to Members’ questions, the following issues were discussed:

• Procedural issues at community centres – caretaking arrangements, key holder responsibilities and health and safety matters.
• Charges were based on standard charges agreed by the Executive Board and amended by a scheme of discounts imposed by the Area Committee.
• Potential costs to the Area Committee.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the revised Pricing and Lettings Policy to be implemented in the inner north east community centres be endorsed.

(3)  That the indicative implementation date of 1 October 2008 be agreed.  If this date cannot be achieved, the policy to be implemented as soon as operationally possible.

(4)  That the Area Committee review income from Community Centres in the Inner North East Area 6 months after the implementation of the revised Pricing and Lettings Policy.

(Councillor Wadsworth joined the meeting at 4.40 p.m. during the discussion on this item).

(Councillor Lobley declared a personal interest in this item due to his position as Deputy Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing).

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the following amounts of Wellbeing Revenue funds be released:

(i)  Meanwood Elders Neighbourhood Action – Approved - £1,500

(ii)  REEMAP: Making the Difference Programme – deferred

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

(iv)  Gang – Hoodies or Goodies – Approved - £2,000

The East North East Area presented a report which detailed proposed projects to deliver local actions relating to agreed themes and outcomes of the Area Delivery Plan.  The projects had been discussed with Members of the Well-Being Fund Working Group and their recommendations were detailed in the report.

It was reported that further information had been requested regarding the application for funding for REEMAP: Making the Difference Programme, and it was suggested that this item be deferred to the next meeting of the Area Committee.

Further discussion focussed on the funding of projects that were of benefit to residents outside the boundaries of the Area Committee and on ways of assisting organisations to become independent of the need for repeat Wellbeing funding.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and the following amounts of Wellbeing Revenue funds be released:

(i)  Meanwood Elders Neighbourhood Action – Approved - £1,500

(ii)  REEMAP: Making the Difference Programme – deferred

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

(iv)  Gang – Hoodies or Goodies – Approved - £2,000

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

Time – 15 Mins (Executive function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the content of the report be noted.  In particular the achievement of completing the first annual cycle of resident engagement culminating, for the first time, in an area budget that has been allocated according to direct resident participation in the prioritisation of resources.

(2)  That the allocation of £700 from Wellbeing funds to support the Volunteer Thank You Event for 2008 be supported.

The report of the East North East Area Manager provided an update on progress implementing the Area Committee’s community strategy, in particular the efforts to ensure the annual cycle of community continued to help inform the development of the Area Delivery Plan and Wellbeing Spending.

The report summarised the ward based community events held during the summer which focused on feed back to residents how their ideas shaped plans and actions.  A recommendation was also made to approve an allocation of £700 from Wellbeing funds to support the Volunteer Thank You Event for 2008.

It was reported that feedback received on the events would be circulated to Ward Members and that although a similar cycle of engagement would be held, different engagement exercises would be used to prevent repetition.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the content of the report be noted.  In particular the achievement of completing the first annual cycle of resident engagement culminating, for the first time, in an area budget that has been allocated according to direct resident participation in the prioritisation of resources.

(2)  That the allocation of £700 from Wellbeing funds to support the Volunteer Thank You Event for 2008 be supported.

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

Time – 10 Mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.

The report of the East North East Area provided Members with an update on actions and achievements of the Area Committee Team since the meeting held in June 2008.

Issues highlighted in the report included the following:

• Oakwood Town & District Centre Scheme
• Townscape Heritage Initiative
• Community Centres
• Open Door
• Community Engagement Events
• Beckhill Implementation Group
• IMPaCT
• Moor Allerton Partnership – it was reported a further update would be provided at the October meeting.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report be noted.

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

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the membership of the Wellbeing Members Working Group be approved as follows:  Councillors Dowson, Kendall and Lancaster.

(2)  That the membership of the Youth Issues Working Group be approved as follows: Councillors Lancaster, Lobley and Taylor.

(3)  That the strengthening of the Youth Issues Working Group role to maximise influence and joint commissioning opportunities through Children’s Services/Trust be agreed.

(4)  That the continuation of Councillor Rafique as a representative on the Divisional Community Safety Partnership for the remainder of the municipal year (subject to corporate approval through the Member Management Committee) be supported.

(5)  That the following representatives be agreed subject to corporate approval through the Member Management Committee:

·  North East Children’s Partnership – Councillor Wadsworth

·  East North East Jobs Enterprise and Training Partnership (JET) – Councillor Harker

(6)  That Councillor Lancaster be approved as the Area Committee’s Children’s Champion.

(7)  That all the aforementioned positions be reviewed at the first meeting of the Area Committee in the following Municipal Year.

The report of the East North East Area Manager sought approval for the membership of the Area Committee’s Working Groups for the 2008/09 Municipal Year and agreement on representatives on the various thematic Area Partnerships (subject to approval through the Member Management Committee).

Members were informed of the current position of the Area Committee’s Working Groups and of the following themed partnerships that nominations had been sought for:

• North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership (DCSP)
• North East Children’s Partnership
• East North East Housing Partnership
• East North East Jobs Enterprise and Training Partnership (JET)

It was also proposed to nominate a Children’s Champion and Members were informed that further partnerships were likely to be developed including a Health/Wellbeing Partnership.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the membership of the Wellbeing Members Working Group be approved as follows:  Councillors Dowson, Kendall and Lancaster.

(2)  That the membership of the Youth Issues Working Group be approved as follows: Councillors Lancaster, Lobley and Taylor.

(3)  That the strengthening of the Youth Issues Working Group role to maximise influence and joint commissioning opportunities through Children’s Services/Trust be agreed.

(4)  That the continuation of Councillor Rafique as a representative on the Divisional Community Safety Partnership for the remainder of the municipal year (subject to corporate approval through the Member Management Committee) be supported.

(5)  That the following representatives be agreed subject to corporate approval through the Member Management Committee:

·  North East Children’s Partnership – Councillor Wadsworth

·  East North East Jobs Enterprise and Training Partnership (JET) – Councillor Harker

(6)  That Councillor Lancaster be approved as the Area Committee’s Children’s Champion.

(7)  That all the aforementioned positions be reviewed at the first meeting of the Area Committee in the following Municipal Year.

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

Time – 15 mins (Executive Function)

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the Area Committee with details of the Area Function schedules and roles in relation to service areas for 2008/09. A report had been submitted to Executive Board on 16 July 2008 which had subsequently approved the Area Functions and endorsed the enhanced roles of Area Committees.

Members attention was brought to the increased and enhanced role of the Area Committee, particularly the increased influence on areas such as Community Engagement, Local Representation and the Children and Young People’s Plan.  Further discussion included budgets for CCTV and advertising on lampposts.

RESOLVED- That the report be noted.

Monday, 20 October 2008.

Monday, 20 October 2008 at 4.00 p.m. at Carr Manor High School.

The meeting concluded at 5.30 p.m.