Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the March meeting of the South (Inner) Area Committee and invited everyone present to introduce themselves.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items added to the agenda.

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 Gabriel declared a personal interest in the agenda item entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’, due to being a member of Health for All, a member of Holbeck Gala, a member of Beeston Festival and a member of Friends of Cross Flatts Park (Minute No. 87 refers).

Councillor Blake declared a personal interest in the agenda item entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’, due to being a member of Health for All (Minute No. 87 refers).

Councillor Ogilvie declared a personal interest in the agenda item entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’, due to being a member of Holbeck Gala, a member of Beeston Festival and a member of Friends of Cross Flatts Park (Minute No. 87 refers).

Councillor Iqbal declared a personal interest in the agenda item entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’, due to being a member of Hunslet Festival/Gala (Minute No. 87 refers).

Councillor Groves declared a personal interest in the agenda item entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’, due to being a member of Friends of Middleton Park (Minute No. 87 refers).

Councillor Driver declared a personal interest in the agenda item entitled, ‘Wellbeing Report’, due to being a member of Friends of Middleton Park and due to being a Trustee of Groundwork (Minute No. 87 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 8^th February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on  8^th February 2012 be approved as a correct record.

 Minute No. 65 – Open Forum

The Area Officer confirmed that action had been taken on the following matters:

• motorists parked in the bus lane on Dewsbury Road;
• litter outside various shop premises in Holbeck; and
• litter on St. Mathews Street, Holbeck.

Minute 66. – South East Health and Wellbeing Partnership Progress Update

The Committee were informed by the Area Improvement Manager that further profiling work will be undertaken, with such profiles being considered by the Health and Wellbeing Partnership, prior to being submitted to Ward briefings.

Regarding the Children and Young People’s element of this initiative, the Area Leader advised that a meeting had taken place with the Leader and the Executive Member for Children’s Services, and that a follow up meeting was to be arranged. It was reported that other areas across the city wanted to replicate the approach taken by the Inner South area.

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.

(10 mins discussion)

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 by members of the public in attendance at the meeting.

To receive and consider a report from Metro (Development Team) providing an update on the development of a new pedestrian entrance to the South of Leeds railway station, known as Leeds Station Southern Entrance (LSSE).

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

Tom Gifford of Metro presented a report of the Metro (Development Team), the report provided Members with an update on the development of a new pedestrian entrance to the South of Leeds Railway Station, known as Leeds Station Southern entrance.

Joanne Blignaut of Metro was also in attendance to answer Member questions.

Members discussed the report and raised the following issues:

• the potential for users of the entrance being able to see into the windows of the flats which are nearby and what would be done by Metro to mitigate this;
• whether full consideration had been given to the number of people using the new entrance and whether it could cope with large volumes of people;
• the practicalities of people accessing the south of the city from this new entrance and whether the surrounding pedestrian infrastructure would be improved;
• regarding the parking and drop off facilities at the new entrance, the Committee noted that the Southern entrance was a pedestrian facility and that parking and drop off provision would be addressed by separate initiatives.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note the contents of this report.

To receive and consider a report from the Deputy Principal Students and South Leeds updating the Area Committee on the merger transition to date and future plans.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Deputy Principal (Students and South Leeds) presented her report. The report updated and informed Members on the merger transition  of Joseph Priestley with Leeds City College to date and provided details of the future plans that the college has.

Members of the Committee discussed the report in detail highlighting the following points:

• the difficulties faced by students in gaining an apprenticeship and what procedures are in place when unsuccessful;
• the need for educational establishments to have earlier access to data regarding NEETs (not in education, employment or training), the desire for Leeds to be a ‘NEET’ free city and for Leeds to keep track of young people who were classed as NEET or ‘not known’ by agencies sharing data more effectively and via the work of the Children’s Trust Board. Members highlighted how such matters could be considered by the Children and Young People’s Sub Group;
• that attempts should be made to get non standard achievers involved in learning experiences and to engage all young people, via broader curriculums and curriculums which were moulded more towards local need.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report.

To receive and consider a joint report from the Directors of City Development and Environment and Neighbourhoods on the proposal to submit a Stage 2 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the creation of the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Regeneration Manager (Programmes and Programmes) presented a report of the Director of City Development and Environment and Neighbourhoods. The report detailed the proposal to submit a Stage 2 bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the creation of the Lower Kirkgate Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Members welcomed the initiative and discussed the report in detail, asking officers present about the engagement that has taken place with neighbouring communities, specifically Richmond Hill. Members also highlighted the need for Lower Kirkgate to be developed in order for it to compliment the rest of the city centre and emphasised the need for local residents to have access to any training and employment opportunities which were created as a result.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Adult Social Services providing details of ongoing work in Leeds to improve the effectiveness of health and social care services.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Chief Officer (Access and Inclusion) presented a report of the Director of Adult Social Services. The report presented the Committee with details of the work being undertaken in Leeds to improve the effectiveness of health and social care services. The report also described the approach of using demonstrator sites to test out and develop aspects of the model of service.

Members discussed the report in detail the key points raised were:

• the alarming demographic change in terms of the age of the population and the need for such changes in service provision to address all the associated  problems of an ageing population and failing to provide a good quality of life;
• Members received assurances regarding the quality of data possessed by GPs;
• with public health returning to the local authority the difficulties that might be faced by GPs tailoring services for the community and the need for GPs to understand the wider issues in the community;
• the need for adequate funding to fund the services being taken on by the local authority;
• Members emphasised the need for all aspects of the children and young people agenda, together with the promotion of healthy lifestyles via the leisure agenda, to be fully integrated into the work being undertaken to develop integrated Health and Social Care teams.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  note the contents of the report; and

request a progress report to be heard in six months time.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing information about services that are to be added to the Locality Team’s portfolio and therefore included in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2012/13. The report consults on updated priorities the Area Committee would like to see addressed in the new SLA, which will be presented for approval at the June meeting cycle.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Locality Manager (South and Outer East Leeds) presented a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods. The report provided Members with an update on services previously managed at a city wide level that are delegated to the Area Committee to oversee and managed through the Locality Team. The report also confirmed the proposed local priorities, operational principles and service improvements to be included in the 2012/13 Service Level Agreement to be consulted on with Ward Councillors and agreed between the new service and the South Inner Area Committee at the June meeting.

The report was welcomed by Members during the period of the first SLA who also agreed that the service has improved.

RESOLVED  - The Committee Resolved to:

·  note the addition of further services to the delegation (outlined section 3.6.1 of the report ) and the required amendment to the Street Cleansing & Environmental Enforcement Services section of the Area Committee Function Schedule as approved by Executive Board on 10^th February 2012 (outlined at Appendix A to the report).

·  Agree the development of the new SLA for 2012/13 to be brought to the June meeting for approval based on:

a.  the inclusion of the additional services (outlined at section 3.6 to the report)

b.  the inclusion of the specific service commitments on issues that improved capacity achieved through more efficient working and a flexible local management of resources/budget now allows (outlined at section 3.7 to the report)

c.  the inclusion of local service responses to challenges presented by the hosting of Olympic teams, visits to the city by the Olympic torch (and other local Olympic related events) and local events associated with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations (e.g. street parties) (outlined at section 3.8 to the report)

d.  the SSE Locality Team’s responses to addressing the Area Committee Member’s local priorities (outlined at  section 3.9 to the report)

e.  the SSE Locality Team’s responses to expectations for further improvements raised by Elected Members across the city as presented through Executive Board in February (outlined at section 3.10 to the report)

f.   the refreshed service principles (outlined at 3.11 to the report).

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing an update on the key developments taking place in Children’s Services to keep the Area Committee informed of the current issues facing the Directorate and partnership as well as the progress that is being made against local and national agendas.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Deputy Director, Safeguarding, Specialist and Targeted Services,  presented a report of the Director of Children’s Services. The report provided the Committee with an update on Children’s Services’ developments including progress against the priorities of the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan. The report built on previous reports presented to the Area Committee in 2010 and 2011.

The key points discussed by Members were as follows:

• the importance of initiating and completing more Common Assessment Framework’s (CAFs) in the future and the possibility of them being simplified in order to complete more;
• the need for the figures as featured within the report to improve, especially in light of the differences between inner city schools and schools in outer areas and the need for resource allocation to be targeted in those areas which required it most. In response, the Deputy Director advised that further details could be provided regarding the criteria associated with resource allocation; and
• Members suggested that in future reports and statistics should be included to show standards in high schools in neighbouring wards and authorities that adjoin South Leeds, as many Inner South Leeds young people attend such schools;
• Members requested that a report be submitted to a future meeting regarding educational standards for those schools in Inner South Leeds.
• Members highlighted the number of young people classed as ‘not known’ specifically in the City and Hunslet Ward and sought further information on this matter.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  to note the contents of the report; and

(b)  receive information focusing upon the educational standards obtained by those schools within Inner South Leeds as detailed above.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development providing an update on the LDF Core Strategy – Publication Document.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Head of Planning and Economic Policy presented a report of the Director of City Development. The Team Leader (Local Plans East) was also in attendance to answer any questions Members had. The report informed the Committee of the public consultation which is currently taking place for the Core Strategy. The report also informed the Committee that after this consultation period representations made will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Members considered the report, informing officers that the Core Strategy document was useful, but highlighted the difficulties in accessing such a comprehensive document. In response, Members were assured that hard copies would be made available to Members of the Area Committee.

Members discussed the report raising the following points:

• Concerns were raised about houses being converted in to flats, where the house isn’t large enough to complete this change satisfactorily and it was requested that this concern was formally submitted as part of the Core Strategy consultation exercise with Members agreeing that no property of less than 120sq metres of ground space be divided into flats;
• Members highlighted the increased birth rates that the city was experiencing, and the need for housing and schools provision, together with other infrastructure and highlighted the need for Members to be fully engaged on the proposals to address such matters. In response, Members’ concerns were acknowledged, and were advised that the Committee would be provided with hard copies of the infrastructure plan;
• The Committee was provided with an overview of Elected Member involvement in the remainder of the Core Strategy process;
• Members highlighted the importance of brown field sites within Inner South Leeds; and
• That £20,000 had been allocated to the Holbeck Neighbourhood Planning Pilot. Officers undertook to provide the Committee with an update in due course, as to how This project is to be progressed.

RESOLVED –

(a)  The Committee resolved to note the contents of the report.

(b)  That the comments made by the Area Committee be fed into the formal consultation process on the Core  Strategy.

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Leader presenting the final version of the Area Committee Business Plan 2011/12.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report, together with the Business Plan, especially Section 6 (Priorities and Actions 2012), be noted.

(b)  That updates be received at future meetings and that a three year plan be adopted, which will be subject to a refresh annually.

The Area Project Officer presented a report of the Area Leader  (South East) the report presented the final version of the Area Committee Business Plan 2011/12. The report requested that the Area Committee approve a three year plan which will be refreshed annually.

Members were requested to consider the document attached to the cover report, specifically in terms of the Ward profiles, and submit any comments to  Area to the Area Support team, with a further draft, incorporating such comments being submitted to the June 2012.

RESOLVED –

(a)  that the contents of the submitted report, together with the Business Plan, especially Section 6 (Priorities and Actions 2012), be noted; and

(b)  that updates be received at future meetings and that a three year plan be adopted, which will be subject to a refresh   annually.

To receive and consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) updating Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Area Committee’s wellbeing budget, advising Members of the small grants approved since the last meeting and inviting Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals detailed within the report.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report be noted.

(b)  That the position of the Wellbeing Budget, as set out at paragraph 3.0 of the submitted report, be noted.

(c)  That the ring fencing arrangements, as proposed within paragraph 3.4 of the submitted report, be approved, subject to the ringfencing proposals for Community Safety initiatives, as outlined specifically within paragraphs 3.4.1-3.4.6 being approved upon receipt of information in response to the issues raised by Members during the meeting.

(d)  That the Wellbeing revenue projects, which have previously been agreed by the Area Committee, as listed within Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

(e)  That the following be agreed in respect of Wellbeing funding allocations, as detailed within paragraph 4.0 and appendix 3 of the submitted report:-

The Area Officer presented a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance). The report sought to provide:

1.  Confirmation of the 2010/11 carry forward figure and 2011/12 revenue allocation.

2.  Confirmation of the 2012/13 revenue allocation and the 2011/12 carry forward figure.

3.  An update on both the revenue and capital elements of the Well being budget.

4.  Details of revenue funding for consideration and approval

5.  Details of revenue projects agreed to date (as shown at Appendix 1 to the report)

6.  Members are also asked to note the current position of the Small Grants Budget

Members received an update on, and an overview of the newly established Children and Young People’s Sub Group, and on the criteria which would be used when  allocating the funding which had been ringfenced to initiatives relating to the Children and Young People’s agenda.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the submitted report be noted;

(b)  That the position of the Wellbeing Budget, as set out at paragraph 3.0 of the submitted report, be noted;

(c)  That the ring fencing arrangements, as proposed within paragraph 3.4 of the submitted report, be approved, subject to the ringfencing proposals for Community Safety initiatives, as outlined specifically within paragraphs 3.4.1-3.4.6 being approved upon receipt of information in response to the issues raised by Members during the meeting;

(d)  That the Wellbeing revenue projects, which have previously been agreed by the Area Committee, as listed within Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted;

(e)  That the following be agreed in respect of Wellbeing funding allocations, as detailed within paragraph 4.0 and appendix 3 of the submitted report:-

To receive and consider a report from the South East Area Leader detailing work by the Area Management Team on key priorities in the inner south area of Leeds since the last Area Committee meeting.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the contents of the submitted report be noted.

The Area Leader submitted a report which provided brief details of the range of activities with which the Area Support Team are engaged based on the Area Committee Business Plan priorities, that are not addressed in greater detail elsewhere on this agenda. It provided opportunities for further questioning or the opportunity to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the submitted report be no

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) seeking the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2012/2013 municipal year.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Senior Governance Officer presented a report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services). The report sought the Area Committee’s formal approval of a meeting schedule for the 2012/13 municipal year. Members were also requested to give consideration as to whether they wish to continue with the Committee’s current meeting venue arrangements or whether they would like to request any amendments to such arrangements.

Members requested that the May 2013 meeting be held on a Wednesday instead of a Thursday, so that it was consistent with the rest of the meeting schedule for 2012/13. Officers undertook to ensure that this change was made, should it be possible.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  agree the meeting dates and times as set out in paragraph 3.1.1 to the report, with investigations to be undertaken as to whether the 9^th May 2013 meeting to elect a chair can take place on a  Wednesday; and

(b)  agree to continue with the current meeting venue arrangements.

Wednesday, 16^th May 2012 at 6.30pm at the Civic Hall, Leeds LS1 1UR

Wednesday, 16^th May 2012 at 6.30pm

On behalf of the Committee, the Chair paid tribute to and thanked Councillor Geoff Driver for his service both to the Committee and to the Council, as this marked his final meeting of the South (Inner) Area Committee, before stepping down from his position as a Leeds City Councillor.