Agenda and minutes

  The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and due to the number of people attending the meeting, asked Members and Officers to introduce themselves

  Although there were no formal late items, Members were in receipt of further information regarding targeted services for Inner South, Outer South and Outer East which was circulated by the Integrated Processes Head of Service, Children’s Services (minute 26 refers)

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.   Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

  There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests however in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members Code of Conduct, the following declarations were made by Members who felt it was in the public interest to do so:

  Councillors McKenna and Harland – significant other interests -  Thorpe Park presentation – through being members of Plans Panel East which may determine the formal application (minute 23 refers)

  A further declaration was made later in the meeting, minute 23 refers

To receive any apologies for absence.

  Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Armitage and Lewis.  Several Members indicated that they needed to leave the meeting early for another appointment

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd July 2012.

  RESOLVED -  To approve the minutes of the East Outer Area Committee meeting held on 3^rd July 2012

  Minute 8 - Summary of key work

The South East Area Leader referred to the success of the Open Space event held in July at Garforth Academy and that proposals were being worked on in conjunction with Councillor Ogilvie, to hold similar events around the city

Minute 10 – Local Authority appointments to Outside Bodies

Councillor Lyons raised the matter relating to Cross Gates Good Neighbours Scheme and the possibility of securing a place on this Outside Body for an Elected Member of the Temple Newsam Ward

The Area Improvement Manager stated that the matter had been raised with the organisation but that the response had been that whilst vacancies did exist, a wide membership was required and that a further political nomination was not sought.  However, a report would be taken to the Cross Gates Good Neighbours Board to consider increasing the membership number to 14, which if approved would provide two additional places these being for a Councillor from both the Killingbeck and Seacroft and Temple Newsam Wards

Concerns continued to be raised on this matter, particularly in view of the funding provided to the organisation by the Council and it was agreed that a further letter be sent on behalf of the Area Committee which reflected Members’ concerns

Minute 11 (e) – Well Being Budget (Revenue) 2012/13

In respect of the proposal to establish two Neighbourhood Development/Improvement Officers in the South East of the City, work was continuing on this, particularly around defining the exact nature of the role

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

To consider the report of the South East Area Leader, which provides the latest position in respect of the Area Committee’s Wellbeing budget for 2012/13, details how Area Committee has agreed to allocate the funds against specific work streams and also outlines further expressions of interest received regarding funding for specific projects in the Outer East area.

(report attached)

  Members considered a report of the South East Leeds Area Leader providing an update on the Well Being budget for Outer East in 2012/13, the allocation of funds against specific work streams and seeking approval of funding for several projects

  RESOLVED -  

a)  To note the position of the Well Being budget

b)  To note the small grants approved to date

c)  To confirm approval of the following projects:

·  Swillington Skate Park - £12,000

·  Cross Gates Christmas lights - £2,975

·  Cross Gates lights (sited in Temple Newsam Ward) - £350

·  Cross Gates and Whinmoor ‘switch on’ event - £4,750

·  Garforth Christmas lights - £4,075

·  Garforth ‘switch on’ event - £5,230

·  Kippax Christmas lights and ‘switch on’ - £3,000

·  East Leeds Fun Day - £540

·  Barley Hill flood prevention - £10,000

·  Older persons events week – additional £500

·  Street name plates in Cross Gates - £1,223

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer, which accompanied by a presentation, provides Members with an opportunity to understand and comment upon a proposal which will have major implications for their area.

(report attached)

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer and received a presentation from Scarborough Developments on their pre-application proposals for undeveloped land at Thorpe Park Business Park, Junction 46 of the M1, in LS15

  Plans, photographs and graphics of the proposals were presented to Members

  With reference to the consented scheme, Members were informed that Thorpe Park was a product of its time and that to attract new occupiers and greater inward investment, the shortfall in amenities on the site had to be addressed.  Whilst it was critical that Thorpe Park remained a business park, the site provided the opportunity to introduce a greater range of jobs and different uses

  Regarding landscaping and public open space (POS), the proposals would deliver double the existing POS; a significant amount of Brown Moor would be retained, a central area of parkland would be created which would connect to the Moor; the adjacent Barrowby Woods would be respected in the scheme and a new public park would be created

  Drainage issues would be dealt with in a positive way to ensure any surface water run-off was at an acceptable and consistent rate

  Extensive consultation had been carried out during the summer in a range of locations which were attended by over 800 people.  Whilst there had been some negative comments to the proposals, particularly around the impact on neighbouring centres, it was clear from the responses received that there was much support for the scheme and the opportunities it would bring, with the proposed sports pitches and new park being especially well received

  The need for the delivery of the long-awaited Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR) was recognised and this formed a key part of the proposals, which could help unlock several housing development sites, currently restricted by inadequate access

  In terms of funding the proposals, the creation of a foodstore on the site along with other retail uses would produce the money required to fund the MLLR and that in terms of timescale, the foodstore would not open until the first phase of the MLLR was in place.  It was hoped that an outline planning application would be submitted to the Council in September 2012, with determination of this being in early 2013.  If approved, work on the MLLR would commence late 2014, with the development phases being in 2015

  Details of agreements in respect of land ownership matters and how these would be dealt with were briefly outlined, for Members’ information

  Members commented on the following matters:

·  the high street impact survey and whether this could be made available.  It was agreed that copies would be sent to Members

·  highways issues, particularly the MLLR and ELOR; that some planning permissions had been granted which were dependent upon the delivery of these roads and the need for Scarborough Developments to be in dialogue with interested parties to ensure the necessary highways improvements came about.  Members were assured that discussions were ongoing with the developers of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To consider the joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) and the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) which provides background to local Member representation upon Leeds Initiative Area Based Partnership Groups and also the Council’s Corporate Carers’ Group, and invites the Committee to determine the Elected Member appointments to those groups.

(report attached)

  Members considered a joint report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) and the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) seeking appointments from East Area Committee to three theme-based Leeds Initiative Partnership groups

  Appended to the report was a copy of the procedure rules in relation to appointments to outside bodies

  RESOLVED -  That the following appointments be made from East Outer Area Committee for the remainder of the 2012/2013 municipal year:

  Corporate Carers’ Group – Councillor K Mitchell

  Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Councillor J Lewis

  Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Councillor M Harland

  At the conclusion of this item, Councillors Grahame, Gruen and Wakefield having given their apologies left the meeting and in line with paragraph 6.12 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, the meeting was no longer quorate

To consider the report of the Acting Chief Asset Management Officer providing an update upon developments with the Community Right to Bid initiative and advising of the implementation timescales. In addition, the report invites the Area Committee and the area support team to consider ways in which they can encourage and help local community organisations to nominate assets.

(report attached)

  East Outer Area Committee considered a report of the Acting Chief Asset Management Officer on the Community Right to Bid (CRtB) which would come into force on 12^th October 2012.  In brief, CRtB will afford communities the right to delay the sale of assets which have been deemed to be assets of community value in order to give a group the opportunity to put a bid together to purchase the asset.  Mr Charlesworth, Community Asset Officer, attended the meeting to present the report and highlighted the following:

·  The type of venue which could be regarded as a community asset and the type of organisation eligible to make a nomination

·  The administrative process involved and the resources available for this new area of work

·  The role of East Outer Area Committee and the area support team in supporting local community organisations through the process

·  The level of compensation set aside by Central Government as part of the scheme and the estimate, based on the scheme running in Scotland, that there was likely in Leeds to be one payout per year, with this being in the region of £5,500

·  That although a nomination implemented a timescale where the asset could not be disposed of, at the end of this, there was no requirement for the landowner to accept any bid which had been submitted

RECOMMENDED -  To note the report and to consider the ways that

East Outer Area Committee and the area support team could encourage and help local community organisations to nominate assets

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services which is the second of two reports in 2012 providing an update on the work being undertaken within Children’s Services.

(report attached)

  The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on key issues and developments concerning Children’s Services in Leeds and setting out local children’s cluster information relevant to the Outer East area

  Mary Armitage – Integrated Processes Head of Service, Children’s Services presented the report and provided further information on cluster working which provided the basis for providing additional support to children, young people and their families

  Members discussed the report, particularly around school clusters and expressed concern that little information had been provided to Members about the clusters, which needed to be addressed.  Concerns were also raised that there had been little opportunity for Ward Members to become involved in what were important organisations.  The matter of funding for cluster development was also raised in view of the changes from next year whereby funding would be made directly available to schools

  Mary Armitage agreed to take Members’ concerns back to the Director of Children’s Services

  The South East Area Leader suggested facilitating a meeting with Outer East Members and the Executive Member for Children’s Services, Councillor Blake, to discuss this issue in more detail

  RECOMMENDED –

a)  To note the report and the comments made

b)  That the South East Area Leader be asked to arrange and facilitate a meeting for Outer East Members with Councillor Blake and relevant officers, if considered appropriate, to discuss in more detail the subject of Children’s Trust Clusters and the involvement of Members in these

During consideration of this matter, Councillor Dobson left the meeting

To consider the report of the South East Area Leader presenting a draft 2012/2013 Area Committee annual Business Plan, whilst also setting out key priorities and actions supported by Area Committee through its Wellbeing Budget, delegated roles and functions, and partnership arrangements.

(report attached)

  It was agreed to defer this report to the October meeting

To consider the report of the South East Area Leader providing details of key issues and activities which have occurred within the area in recent months, including project work and community engagement. In addition, the report includes the minutes from the recent meetings of community forums, sub groups and partnerships, together with the minutes from the Area Chairs’ Forum.

(report attached)

  Members considered a report of the South East Area Leader outlining priority work carried out in the East Outer area over recent weeks.  Appended to the report were copies of the minutes from Community Forums, Area Chairs meeting, Environmental Sub-Group and Health and Wellbeing Partnership

  The Area Officer presented the report and highlighted several issues for Members’ information, these being:

·  the success of the Civic Conversation in Garforth and that discussions were taking place about holding a similar event in Halton Moor, with the assistance of Councillor Mitchell

·  Whitkirk Primary School traffic, with further work being carried out on the possibility of a turning circle being created within the school gates, with this to be discussed by the School Governors in conjunction with Highways Officers.  In the event that the Governing Body did not wish to proceed with this, it was suggested that a health and safety report be undertaken on the risks of a turning circle not being provided

·  The Neighbourhood Planning Pilot in Kippax which was progressing with several meetings having been held in recent months and the community working closely with Planning

·  The Older Person’s event which would take place in October, with advertising starting to appear for this.  The involvement of local schools in this event was welcomed

·  Community Payback – that all bookings for repeat visits for grass cutting were now being made through the Area Support Team to ensure the service was not used disproportionately across the area

·  Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) funding, with Members being informed that the level per application had been increased back up to £500

·  The success of the cricket coaching scheme and that a permanent girls’ cricket team had now been established at Whitkirk

·  Partnership meetings and the possibility of including the minutes from the Kippax Traders Association meetings as part of the community forum minutes presented to East Outer Area Committee

·  Members’ Ward based initiative funding and the importance of ensuring this money was spent

RECOMMENDED -  To note the report and the comments now made

At 4.00 p.m. on Tuesdays on the following dates:

16^th October 2012

11^th December 2012

12^th February 2013

19^th March 2013

And Monday, 13^th May 2013

(Venues for future meetings to be confirmed)

  Tuesday 16^th October 2012 at 4.00pm at Primrose House, Church Close Swillington

  Tuesday 11^th December 2012 at 4.00pm – venue to be confirmed

  Tuesday 12^th February 2012 at 4.00pm – venue to be confirmed

  Tuesday 19^th March 2012 at 4.00pm – venue to be confirmed

  Monday 13^th May 2012 at 4.00pm – venue to be confirmed