Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the February meeting of the East (Outer) Area Committee.

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 Armitage declared a personal interest in agenda item 9, Wellbeing Budget (Revenue) 2010/11, in her capacity as Chair of Swarcliffe Good Neighbours. (Minute No. 64 refers)

Councillor W Hyde declared a personal interest in agenda item 9, Wellbeing Budget (Revenue) 2010/11, in his capacity as Chair of Cross Gates Good Neighbours. (Minute No. 64 refers)

Councillor P Grahame declared a personal interest in agenda item 9, Wellbeing Budget (Revenue) 2010/11, in her capacity as a Member of Cross Gates Good Neighbours Scheme. (Minute No. 64 refers)

Further declarations of interest were made at later points in the meeting.  (Minute No. 65 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th December 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th December 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 44 – Community Centres Report

Martin Hackett, Area Management Officer, reported that the Community Centres Sub-Committee met on 28^th January 2011.  The Area Committee was informed that there was no longer a maintenance budget for each community centre – there was now a centrally held budget of £1m for council owned buildings.

Minute No. 52 – Annual Report – for Parks and Countryside Service in East Outer Area Committee

Clarification was provided about arrangements for the transfer of St Aidan’s site – it was pointed out that the timescale for transfer was likely to be in excess of one year.

Minute No. 53 – Wellbeing Budget (Revenue) 2010/11

Members were informed that the Methley ‘switch on’ was cancelled due to severe weather conditions.  It was reported that the Cross Gates ‘switch on’ did take place and was a great success.

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.

In accordance with paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee. 

On this occasion, there were no matters raised under this item by members of the public.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Manager updating Members on actions and achievements around the Area Delivery Plan since the Area Committee meeting in December 2010.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That Councillors Pauleen Grahame and Tom Murray be appointed to serve on the outer east environmental sub-group to progress the delegation and service level agreement with environmental services.

The South East Area Manager submitted a report which updated Members on the actions and achievements of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Minutes of East Children Leadership Team held on 14^th October 2010

-  Draft City Health and Wellbeing Priority Plan 2011-15

-  Minutes of East North East Divisional Community Safety Partnership Meeting held on 16^th December 2010

-  Minutes of Cross Gates Consultative Forum held on 20^th October 2010

-  Minutes of Halton Moor Forum held on 26^th October 2010

-  Minutes of Halton Fourm held on 28^th October 2010

-  Minutes of Garforth and Swillington Forum held on 6^th December 2010.

Martin Hackett, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:

• Community Centres Sub Committee – various issues associated with the pricings and lettings policy, e.g. greater consistency needed in terms of lettings charges with a view to developing market and subsidy rates.  The Area Management Officer agreed to report back to the Area Committee on progress with the review on pricings and lettings.
• The Area Committee considered appointments to the outer east environmental sub-group.  Councillors Pauleen Grahame and Tom Murray volunteered to serve on this group.  It was reported that if any Member from Temple Newsam or Kippax and Methley Wards wished to join this sub-group then they should contact Area Management.
• The Chair welcomed to the meeting Graham Ambler, Station Commander, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, to provide an update on restructuring of the service. 

Key areas were discussed as follows:

-  the current financial climate and the impact of cuts on the service – Members were advised that there would be no changes to fire cover, although there would be some changes to crew arrangements, e.g. some fire-fighters would be expected to work longer hours.

-  acknowledgement and positive contribution of fire prevention work.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That Councillors Pauleen Grahame and Tom Murray be appointed to serve on the outer east environmental sub-group to progress the delegation and service level agreement with environmental services.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Manager updating the Area Committee on project work funded through the Well Being Budget for 2010/11.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That the following decision be made in relation to an application for

2010/11 revenue wellbeing funding:

• Garforth Arts Festival  – £5,000 approved.

(c)  That a decision on Swarcliffe Good Neighbours providing a gardening /

decorating scheme in 2011/12, be deferred to the March 2011 Area Committee.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which contained details of proposed projects and activities to deliver local actions relating to the agreed themes and outcomes of the Area Delivery Plan (ADP).

Martin Hackett, Area Management Officer, presented the report.

Members supported the work of previous gardening schemes, particularly in terms of the benefits to local communities.  Some Members felt there was less demand for the decorating aspect of the scheme.

Members discussed increasing the charge of cricket coaching in 2011 from 50p to £1.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That the following decision be made in relation to an application for 2010/11 revenue wellbeing funding:

• Garforth Arts Festival – £5,000 approved.

(c)  That a decision on Swarcliffe Good Neighbours providing a

gardening / decorating scheme in 2011/12, be deferred to the March 2011 Area Committee.

To receive and consider a report from the Deputy Director of Adult Social Care (Strategic Commissioning) presenting information relating to future options for long term residential and day care services for older people.

The Deputy Director (Strategic Commissioning) of Adult Social Care submitted a report which presented the Area Committee with information in relation to future options for long term residential and day care services for older people.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting the following officers to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments:

-  Anna Clifford, Programme Manager, Adult Social Care

-  Kim Maslyn, Head of Service – Support and Enablement, Adult Social Care.

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• The role of Neighbourhood Networks and the range of services provided.
• Concerns about the lack of consultation with Elected Members.
• The need for more detailed information in the report about the following key areas:

-  greater social policy and budget context

-  how do we move forward?

-  The role of neighbourhood networks, particularly in terms of supporting people living in their own homes.

• Concerns about the impact of proposed changes on dementia sufferers.
• Ongoing work with the Intermediate Care Team and other joined up working.

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report be noted.

(Councillor W Hyde declared a personal interest in this item in his capacity as Chair of the Federation of East Leeds Neighbourhood Networks.)

(Councillor Armitage declared a personal interest in this item in her capacity as a Member of the Federation of East Leeds Neighbourhood Networks.)

To receive and consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) informing Area Committees on the progress of recent work on locality working through a Locality Working Pathfinder in the South East wedge of the city.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report which informed the Area Committee on the progress of recent work on locality working through a Locality Working Pathfinder in the South East wedge of the city.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Locality Working Draft Design Principles.

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, presented the report.

Members welcomed the design principles, although it was felt that greater focus was needed in relation to delivering tangible outcomes.

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods updating the Area Committee on progress towards achieving delegation of certain environmental services from the 2011/12 municipal year.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with an update on progress towards achieving delegation of certain environmental services from the 2011/12 municipal year.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Diagram showing how the proposed delegation will work

-  Proposed programme of member involvement.

Keith Lander, Deputy Area Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• Clarification about ownership and responsibility of ginnels and whether they formed part of the delegation.  The Area Committee also requested a map of ginnels in the outer east area.
• Greater focus needed on outcomes, e.g. specifying the frequency of litterbins being emptied, etc.
• Concern about current reporting arrangements and the need to develop a more co-ordinated approach.
• Members requested further information about the level of litter pickers in the outer east area.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That a further progress report be submitted to the next Area Committee in March 2011.

(Councillor Wakefield left the meeting at 3.50 pm and Councillor Dobson at 3.55 pm, during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the South East Health and Improvement Wellbeing Manager outlining the significant changes taking place locally following publication of the recent government white paper and highlighting implications for the work of the local area partnerships.

The South East Health and Improvement Wellbeing Manager submitted a report which outlined the significant changes taking place locally following publication of the recent government white paper and highlighted implications for the work of the local area partnerships.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Bash Uppal, Health and Improvement Wellbeing Manager, and Councillor James Lewis (outer east health and wellbeing champion), to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments. 

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:

• Local context – emphasis of work focussed on the inner south area

-  Mapping of local facilities taking place

-  Developing the role of the Citizen’s Panel and First Contact Scheme.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing Area Committees with an update against key data relating to education for the academic year 2009-10; and November 2010 NEET and Not Known data.  The report also provides details of recent key inspections that have taken place across Children’s Services and provides an update on the development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2011-2015.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which provided Area Committees with an update against key data in relation to education for the academic year 2009-10; and November 2010 NEET and Not Known data.  The report also provided details of recent key inspections that had taken place across Children’s Services and provided an update on the development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) 2011-2015.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Ofsted inspection judgements; attainment; absence / attendance and exclusions data

-  National Indicator 108 – Key Stage 4 attainment for black and minority ethnic groups

-  NEET and Not Known data

-  Draft Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) for 2011-15

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Ken Morton, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

There was concern about the level of absenteeism at primary schools and the reasons behind this, e.g. illness and other family reasons.  One Member raised the issue of parents taking their children on holiday during term time when the cost of going on holiday was less expensive.  It was also queried whether any work had been undertaken with holiday operators to try and restrict this practice.  The Locality Enabler agreed to report back.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

(Councillor Gruen left the meeting at 4.15 pm during the consideration of this item.)

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Tuesday, 22^nd March 2011 at 2.00 pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

To note the remaining meeting date and time for the 2010/11 municipal year:

• Tuesday, 22^nd March, 2011 at 3.00 pm

(Meeting to take place at Leeds Civic Hall, Committee Rooms 6 and 7)

(The meeting concluded at 4.25 pm.)