Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for the 2007/2008 municipal year

(Council Function)

(2.5 mins presentation/2.5 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Chief Democratic Service Officer which outlined the arrangements for the annual election of Chairperson of the South (Outer) Area Committee. It was reported that one nomination for the position of Chairperson had been received on behalf of Councillor Grayshon.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That following an overall majority of votes cast by those Elected Members present at the meeting, Councillor Grayshon be elected as Chairman of the South (Outer) Area Committee for the 2007/08 municipal year.

(Councillor Grayshon took the Chair)

The Chairman welcomed all in attendance to the first South (Outer) Area Committee meeting of the new municipal year, and extended his thanks to Councillor Finnigan, the previous Chairman of the Area Committee, for all the work he had undertaken whilst in this role.

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

The following declarations of interest were made at this point in the meeting:-

Agenda Item 9  - Affordable Housing Update - (Minute No. 7 refers)

Councillor Elliott - Personal Interest - Due to being a member of Leeds South South East Homes ALMO Board.

Councillor Leadley - Personal Interest - Due to being a member of Leeds City Council’s Development Plan Panel, Plans Panel (West) and Plans Panel (City Centre).

Agenda Item 10 – Parks and Countryside Area Committee Update Report – (Minute No. 8 refers)

Councillor Grayshon - Personal Interest - Due to being an Elected Member of Morley Town Council and Treasurer of the ‘Morley in Bloom’ group.

Agenda Item 11 – Site Based Gardeners in Community Parks – (Minute No. 9 refers)

Councillors Grayshon, Elliott, Leadley and Gettings - Personal Interests - Due to being Elected Members of Morley Town Council.

Councillor Grayshon - Personal Interest - Due to being Treasurer of the ‘Morley in Bloom’ group.

Councillors Elliott - Personal Interest - Due to being Chair of the ‘Morley in Bloom’ group and a member of the Lewisham Park Gala Committee.

Councillor Beverley - Personal Interest - Due to a member of his family being an Elected Member of Morley Town Council.

Agenda Item 12 – Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker – (Minute No. 10 refers)

Councillor Gettings - Personal Interest - Due to being Chair of the Oakwell and Fairfaxes Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP) Working Group.

Agenda Item 13 – Wellbeing Budget – West Yorkshire Police Community Safety Proposals – (Minute No. 11 refers)

Councillors Grayshon, Wilson and Dunn - Personal Interests - Due to being respective Members of Leeds City Council’s Licensing Committee and Licensing and Regulatory Panel.

Councillors Elliott and Leadley - Personal Interests - Due to being Elected Members of Morley Town Council.

Agenda Item 14 – Outer South Area Committee Wellbeing Budget Report – (Minute No. 12 refers)

Councillor Leadley - Personal Interest - Due to being an Elected Member of Morley Town Council and a member of Lewisham Park Centre Management Committee.

Agenda Item 15 – Update on Outer South Community Centres – (Minute No. 13 refers)

Councillor Renshaw - Personal Interest - Due to her involvement in St. Michael’s Parish Church.

Councillor Grayshon - Personal Interest - Due to being a member of Lewisham Park Centre Management Committee.

Agenda Item 16 – South Leeds Pricing and Lettings Policy for Community Centres – (Minute No. 14 refers)

Councillor Renshaw - Personal Interest - Due to her involvement in St. Michael’s Parish Church.

Councillors Grayshon and Leadley - Personal Interests - Due to being members of Lewisham Park Centre Management Committee.

Agenda Item 17 – Area Manager’s Report – (Minute No. 15 refers)

Councillor Elliott - Personal Interest - Due to her respective positions on the Morley Literature Festival Management Committee and the Morley and Rothwell Town Centre Management Board.

Councillor Gettings - Personal Interest - Due to his position on the Morley Literature Festival Management Committee.

Further declarations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting

Apologies for absence from the meeting were received on behalf of Councillor R Finnigan and Councillor L Mulherin (maternity).

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2^nd April, 2007

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2^nd April, 2007 be approved as a correct record subject to Minute No. 77, entitled ‘Open Forum’ being amended to read, ‘A Member of Morley Town Council raised concerns over the volume of traffic and the displacement of dust which had been experienced in the quarry’s vicinity’.

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 Chairman allowed a period of up to ten minutes for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

Opening of a Multi Use Games Area in Drighlington

The Committee was advised by a Member of Drighlington Parish Council that a new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) was currently being erected in Drighlington, and that all in attendance at today’s meeting were welcome to attend the opening ceremony for the new facility.

Oakwells and Fairfaxes Neighbourhood Improvement Plan

A Member of Drighlington Parish Council welcomed the work which was to be undertaken as part of the Oakwells and Fairfaxes Neighbourhood Improvement Plan (NIP), and advised the Committee of the Parish Council’s desire to take an active role in the development of the initiative.

To consider a report which outlines the establishment of the Strategic Affordable Housing Partnership, the approach that has been taken in terms of bidding for social housing grant from the Housing Corporation and finally the impact of affordable housing policy on the Outer South area

(Executive function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which updated Members on several issues associated with the provision of affordable housing in Outer South Leeds.

Having received a brief summary of the key issues within the report from Laura Kripp, Asset and Development Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  The level of demand for affordable housing in Outer South Leeds, when compared to the corresponding targets set for the provision of such accommodation in the area;

·  The need to ensure that there was sufficient provision of affordable housing in Outer South Leeds which had the capacity to accommodate families;

·  The number of void properties currently in the area;

·  Members made enquiries into the proportion of the local authority’s revenue generated from Council owned dwellings which was being allocated to Central Government, and whether Leeds South South East Homes ALMO had made any representations to Central Government on this issue;

·  The Committee sought further information on the types of affordable housing proposed to be built in Outer South Leeds, together with the areas of land which had been earmarked for the development of affordable housing.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider a report from the Chief Recreation Officer which updates Members on the work of the Parks and Countryside Service in the area

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Chief Recreation Officer which updated Members on the work of the Parks and Countryside Service in Outer South Leeds.

Kevin Barker, Principal Parks Manager for South Leeds, and Vicky Nunns, Business Development Manager, both of Parks and Countryside, were in attendance to present the report and answer Members’ questions.

Having received a brief presentation of the key issues within the report, a discussion ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  Members discussed the level of resources which were being allocated to fund the maintenance of several parks in the area;

·  The Committee emphasised the need to ensure that all those who frequented recreational facilities throughout the city felt secure whilst doing so, and enquired whether a partnership could be established between West Yorkshire Police and Parks and Countryside in order to achieve this;

·  Members highlighted the need to encourage public involvement in the maintenance of parks in the area via the various ‘Friends of’ groups, and discussed how greater levels of public involvement could be achieved;

·  The Committee sought further information on the ‘Green Flag’ standards procedure which a selected number of parks were undertaking in Leeds;

·  Members made enquiries into the progress which had been made in relation to identifying an appropriate location for a motorcycle track.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.

(Councillor Golton joined the meeting at 4.30 p.m. during the consideration of this item)

(Councillor Golton declared a personal interest in relation to this item, due to being an allotment plot holder and also due to his involvement in the Allotments Working Committee, Councillor Dunn declared a personal interest in relation to this item due to being an allotment plot holder and Councillor Beverley declared a personal interest in relation to this item, as a close family member was involved in a local Allotments Association)

To receive a report from the Chief Recreation Officer which presents a summary of the work carried out by the site based gardeners commissioned by the Area Committee in September 2006 and invites Members to consider extending the project for a further year at a cost of £45,000.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Chief Recreation Officer which presented Members with a summary of the work undertaken by site based gardeners in the area. The report also invited the Committee to consider commissioning the project for a further year (with effect from 1^st October 2007) at a cost of £45,000.00.

Kevin Barker, Principal Parks Manager for South Leeds, and Vicky Nunns, Business Development Manager, both of Parks and Countryside, were in attendance to answer Members’ questions.

Having received an overview of the key issues detailed within the report, Members discussed the actions being taken to prevent dog fouling within certain parks, enquired about the ways in which the work undertaken by site based gardeners was prioritised and calculated, and sought clarification on how the additional £10,000.00 required to fund the initiative would be found.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That the provision of site based gardeners in designated community parks in Outer South Leeds be commissioned for a further year (with effect from 1^st October 2007), and that £45,000.00 Wellbeing funding be allocated by the Area Committee towards the cost of the scheme.

To receive a report which advises Members of the progress made by the Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker and invites Members to consider future funding arrangements for the post

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which outlined the progress made by the Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker (PNDW) in areas where Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs) were being conducted. The report also invited Members to consider commissioning the PNDW post to the end of the current financial year at a cost of £13,062.50

Following a brief summary of the information detailed within the report, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  Members paid tribute to the work which had been undertaken by the PNDW to date, and requested that such comments were relayed to the PNDW on behalf of the Area Committee;

·  The Committee emphasised the need to ensure that the progress achieved to date through the NIPs and the PNDW was maintained and developed further;

·  Members discussed the funding and contractual arrangements in place for the PNDW;

·  The Committee highlighted the need to ensure that the work of the PNDW was not spread too thinly across a wide geographical area, and emphasised the importance of focussing upon those areas where there was greatest demand;

·  Members highlighted the role which needed to be played by senior officers in conjunction with the PNDW when delivering NIPs in the area. In response, the Committee was assured that when appropriate, senior officers would be involved in the delivery of such initiatives.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That the post of the Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker be commissioned for a further six months until the end of the financial year, and that £13,062.50 Wellbeing funding be allocated by the Area Committee towards the cost of the post.

(Councillors Smith and Grayshon both declared personal interests in relation to this item, due to their respective involvement in the John O’Gaunts NIP Working Group and the Newlands and Denshaws NIP Working Group)

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which provides the overview of five proposals put forward by West Yorkshire Police for Community Safety Schemes which seek Area Committee Well being funding support

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which provided Members with an overview of the five proposals submitted by West Yorkshire Police for Community Safety Schemes which sought Area Committee Wellbeing funding support.

Members made enquiries into the geographical areas which would benefit from the proposed schemes and welcomed the more cohesive and proactive approach being taken by the Police in undertaking such initiatives.

Following Members’ enquiries into the charges which were being made for the policing of community events held in the Outer South area, it was

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That all five community safety proposals submitted by West Yorkshire Police, as detailed within the report, be approved and that £29,226.44 Wellbeing funding be allocated to cover the costs of the proposals, subject to the Area Manager receiving confirmation that no charges would be made in relation to the policing of future community events held in the Outer South area.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which updates Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget, advises Members of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invites Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals as detailed within the report

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which updated Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget, gave a progress report on the revenue and capital projects commissioned to date, summarised the Small Grant proposals received since the last meeting and invited Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals which had been submitted to the meeting for consideration.

Members noted the additional allocation of £50,000.00 which had been made available to each Area Committee and was to be invested in conservation areas and car parking provision.

The Committee was also advised that as previously agreed, work was currently being undertaken on projects relating to the provision of litterbins and the development of ‘In Bloom’ groups in the area.

RESOLVED –

(a). That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the current position statement of the Area Committee’s Wellbeing budget (including the additional £50,000.00 allocation), an update on the Small Grants proposals approved since the last meeting and details of both the revenue and capital projects agreed to date, be noted;

(b). That the following decisions be made in relation to the Wellbeing funding proposals which have been submitted for determination to this meeting (funding will be allocated from the Area Committee’s 2007/08 Wellbeing budget):-

(i). Community Safety Proposals – West Yorkshire Police – £29,226.44 – proposal considered earlier in the meeting;

(ii). Summer Activities for Young People – Various organisations - £9,423.00  – Approved;

(iii). Outer South Dance Programme – Dance Action Zone Leeds (DAZL) - £9,120.00 – Approved;

(iv). Site Based Gardeners – Parks & Countryside, Leeds City Council – £45,000.00 – proposal considered earlier in the meeting;

(v). Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker – Area Management Team  - £13,062.50 – proposal considered earlier in the meeting.

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which updates the Committee on the current position of several community facilities within the Outer South Leeds area

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods advising Members of the progress made in relation to those community facilities within Outer South Leeds which had been delegated, or were scheduled to be delegated to the Area Committee.

The report also sought to update Members on the work of the Community Centres Sub Committee and invited Members to approve the nomination of Councillor Gettings on to the Community Centres Sub Committee, as a representative of the Morley North Ward.

Having discussed several issues relating to St. Gabriel’s Community Centre, it was proposed that the issues raised could be considered further by the Community Centres Sub Committee.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That Councillor Gettings be appointed to the Community Centres Sub Committee as representative of the Morley North Ward.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which outlines a revised Pricing and Lettings Policy. The report also invites the Area Committee to endorse a three month consultation period on the policy with centre users and the wider community

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which invited Members to endorse a three month consultation period for a revised Pricing and Lettings Policy for those community facilities which were  directly managed by Leeds City Council.

Having received a brief overview of the key issues within the report, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  Members learned that the consultation exercise would be undertaken and resourced by the Area Management Team;

·  The Committee enquired about the progress which had been made in relation to the completion of repairs at several of the delegated facilities;

·  Members discussed the operational arrangements which would be adopted when the management of several rooms within Morley Town Hall were delegated to the Area Committee;

·  The Committee enquired about the possibility of local Parish Councils such as Gildersome and Drighlington becoming involved in the management of the delegated facilities within their respective areas;

·  The extent to which West Ardsley Community Centre was being utilised, especially in relation to the provision of youth services in the area.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That a three month consultation period on the proposed lettings and pricing schedule to be conducted with centre users and the wider community be approved;

(c). That a report be submitted to the November meeting of the Area Committee outlining the final lettings and pricing policy proposed for those community centres which are directly managed by Leeds City Council.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which provides Members with details of the range of activities currently taking place within the Outer South area of Leeds

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which detailed the range of activities currently taking place throughout the Outer South area of Leeds.

Members received an update on several ongoing issues which included the work being undertaken by the Morley and Rothwell Town Centre Partnerships and the preparations for the Morley Literature Festival. The Committee also noted the results of the latest Operation Champion initiative which was carried out across the Newlands and Denshaws estate earlier in the year.

The Committee noted the work currently being undertaken by the South Leeds District Partnership and suggested that more detailed information on the work of the Partnership could be submitted for consideration to future meetings of the Committee. It was also proposed that an invitation to future Area Committee meetings could be extended to all those who attended the South Leeds District Partnership.

With regard to Neighbourhood Warden provision in the area, the Committee was advised that due to current budgetary constraints, a process of vacancy management was being undertaken during the current financial year, which meant that unless additional funding could be found, a Warden would not be recruited to the John O’Gaunts area. Members learned that the availability of Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) was to be considered by Central Government later in the year as part of comprehensive spending review, and that the outcome of the review could potentially have a significant impact upon Neighbourhood Warden provision in the area.

RESOLVED – That the report and information appended to the report, including the current position which relates to Neighbourhood Warden provision for the John O’Gaunts area be noted.

To consider the attached report from the Chief Democratic Services Officer and to agree the nominations to those organisations which fall into the remit of this Area Committee

(Council Function)

(2.5 mins presentation/2.5 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Chief Democratic Services Officer which outlined the procedure concerned with local authority appointments to outside bodies, and which also invited Members to consider making appointments to those outside bodies detailed within the report.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That in respect of the Morley and Rothwell Town Centre Management Board, as detailed within Appendix 2 of the report, the appointment of Councillors Golton and Elliott for the 2007/2008 municipal year be approved.

To receive a report from the Strategic Landlord which requests the Area Committee to appoint two Ward Members, who are not part of the main ALMO Board, to the Outer South Area Panel

(Council Function)

(2.5 mins presentation/2.5 mins discussion)

Members received a report on behalf of the Strategic Landlord which requested the Committee to nominate two elected members, who were not already Directors on the Leeds South South East Homes ALMO Board, to sit on the Outer South Leeds ALMO Area Panel.

RESOLVED –

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

(b). That in respect of the Outer South Leeds ALMO Area Panel, the appointment of Councillors Gettings and Renshaw for the 2007/2008 municipal year be approved.

Monday, 10^th September 2007 at 4.00 p.m.

(Venue – TBC)

Monday, 10^th September 2007 at 4.00 p.m.

(Venue -  To be confirmed)

(The meeting concluded at 6.15 p.m.)