Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all in attendance to the November meeting of the South (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

CouncillorsMulherin and Finnigan both declared personal interests in relation to agenda item 10 entitled, ‘Outer South Community Centre Issues’, due to their   respective positions as governors of Joseph Priestley College (Minute No. 45 refers).

CouncillorRenshaw declared a personal interest in relation to agenda item 10 entitled, ‘Outer South Community Centre Issues’, due to her position on the management committee of St Gabriel‘s Community Centre (Minute No. 45 refers).

CouncillorsGrayshon and Leadley both declared personal interests in relation to agenda item 10 entitled, ‘Outer South Community Centre Issues’, due to their   respective positions on the management committee of the Lewisham Park Youth Centre (Minute No. 45 refers).

Councillor Dunn declared a personal interest in relation to agenda item 10 entitled, ‘Outer South Community Centre Issues’, due to his position on the Community Centres Sub Committee, and also due to several of the issues detailed within the report which could potentially relate to the venues he used for Ward Surgeries (Minute No. 45 refers).

Further declarations of interest were made at later points in the meeting (Minute Nos. 47 and 48 refer).

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting

An apology for absence from the meeting was received on behalf of Councillor S Golton.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 10^th September 2007

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the previous South (Outer) Area Committee meeting held on 10^th September 2007 be approved as a correct record.

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.

St Gabriel’s Community Centre

A trustee of St Gabriel’s Community Centre raised concerns relating to several issues detailed within a report entitled, ‘Outer South Community Centre Issues’, which was to be considered by the Committee later in the meeting.

In response, it was proposed that a meeting was arranged between representatives of the community centre’s trustees and the Area Management Team, in order to ensure that all related concerns were addressed, prior to a proposed consultation exercise regarding the levels of community and youth provision in the area being undertaken.

To receive a report from the Assistant Chief Executive of Planning, Policy and Improvement which invites the Area Committee to consider the draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities which will shape the content of the Leeds Strategic Plan

(Council Function)

(10 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report which introduced to the Committee the Leeds Strategic Plan 2008-2011. The report also invited Members to consider and comment upon the plan’s draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities which had been appended to the report.

Having received a brief summary of the background to the plan from the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) and the Senior Project Manager (Performance and Improvement), the Committee viewed a promotional video which outlined the plan’s draft strategic outcomes and improvement priorities. Members’ observations on the plan were then invited, and the main points discussed were as follows:-

·  Members underlined that the plan needed to prioritise the issues of employment, education provision and the creation of affordable housing;

·  The Committee highlighted the need for the plan to make greater reference to more localised issues. In response, the Committee learned that greater emphasis would be placed upon the localised agenda at a later stage in the plan’s development;

·  Members enquired about the powers that the local authority had to ensure that a genuine partnership was established between the Primary Care Trust and the local authority, and emphasised the need for health authorities to liaise more effectively with local communities;

·  Members highlighted the need for specific reference to be made to ‘Looked After Children’ under the plan’s ‘learning’ theme, underlined the need for the plan to place greater emphasis upon youth provision in the area, with particular reference being made to play facilities, as it was stated that such facilities were integral to both the mental and physical wellbeing of children and young people. In response, Members’ comments were acknowledged, and the Committee learned that potentially, an additional theme could be added to the plan which specifically related to children and young people;

·  As part of the plan’s ‘Modern Transport’ theme, Members concurred that the city required a modern transport system, highlighted that the issue of reliability needed to be added to the plan’s priorities, discussed the need to strengthen the regulation of the bus services in Leeds, and acknowledged that whilst many powers relating to the regulation of the city’s public transport system fell outside of the authority’s jurisdiction, it was emphasised that the Council did have the authority to introduce quality bus contracts. Members then discussed several possible options for developing the rail service in the area;

·  As part of the plan’s ‘Harmonious Communities’ theme, the Committee highlighted the need to reinforce the issues faced by the older and more vulnerable groups within the community;

·  Members made enquiries into the ways in which the views of the local communities within the area would be sought on the plan’s draft priorities and objectives;

·  Having acknowledged the draft priority which aimed to reduce emissions from public sector buildings, operations and service delivery, Members highlighted the need for the plan to encourage the private sector to also reduce such emission levels.

In conclusion, the Committee was encouraged to complete and return the questionnaire appended to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

To consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services Unit which seeks to describe the Joint Area Review (JAR) process, and outline the timetable of activities in Leeds so that Members are informed of developments. The report also offers an opportunity to consider the JAR at Area Committee

(Council Function)

(10 mins presentation/10 mins discussion)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report which advised the Committee of the Joint Area Review (JAR) process, and provided Members with an opportunity to discuss any related issues.

Having received a brief summary of the key points detailed within the report from the Locality Enabler for South and East Leeds, a question and answer session ensued. The main areas of debate were as follows:-

·  With regard to the self assessment procedure within the Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), Members received clarification as to why the ‘stay safe’ theme within the plan had been classed as ‘adequate’;

·  The Committee raised concerns in relation to the levels of interaction that representatives of Social Services had with local Ward Councillors and the Area Committee, and made enquiries into how greater levels of communication between the two could successfully be achieved;

·  Members highlighted the need for a more co-ordinated and established scheme of work placements for young people to be introduced between local employers and the local authority;

·  With regard to the ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda, the Committee made enquiries into the actions which were being taken to ensure that young people were being actively engaged, and that their views were being sought as part of the local authority’s decision making processes.

RESOLVED -

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

(b). That Members’ comments which relate to the Joint Area Review process be noted.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which provides the Area Committee with an overview of current developments and prevalent issues at various community centres within the Outer South area

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

The Committee received a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which sought to provide Members with an overview of the current issues and developments concerning those community centres which had been, or were due to be delegated to the Area Committee.

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

·  Further to earlier discussions concerning St Gabriel’s Community Centre, Members reiterated the need for a meeting to be arranged between the community centre’s trustees and the Area Management Team, in order to ensure that all concerns relating to the information detailed within the report were addressed prior to a proposed consultation exercise regarding the levels of community and youth provision in the area being undertaken;

·  With regard to West Ardsley Community Centre, Members sought clarification on the nature of the Kaleidescope organisation which was currently leasing the premises, and highlighted the need for the Area Committee to gain access to all relevant financial data prior to considering the rent reduction for Kaleidescope which had been proposed;

·  Members sought clarification as to the current programme of usage at West Ardsley Community Centre, with reference to youth provision;

·  Having made reference to the considerable variations in the running costs of the delegated centres, it was proposed that the respective financial information for each centre could be submitted to the Community Centres Sub Committee for consideration. Members then discussed the level of financial support that the Committee was receiving to assist with the costs which were being incurred from the management of the delegated centres;

·  Members highlighted the respective levels of maintenance work that was required at the various centres which had been, or were in the process of being delegated to the Area Committee;

·  The Committee discussed the location and current usage of the Peel Street Centre;

·  Members commented upon the proposal for the Area Committee to manage four community rooms within Morley Town Hall.

RESOLVED -

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

(b). That a consultation exercise be undertaken in relation to the current levels of community and youth provision in East Ardsley, with the findings of such consultation being initially submitted to a future meeting of the Community Centres Sub Group prior to any final decisions being made by the Area Committee;

(c). That negotiations with user groups of the Peel Street Centre be undertaken, with the results of such negotiations being initially submitted to the Community Centres Sub Group prior to any final decisions being made by the Area Committee;

(d). That a decision relating to a possible reduction in the rent paid by Kaleidescope for the use of West Ardsley Community Centre during 2007/08 be deferred to the December 2007 meeting, pending the Committee receiving the relevant financial data for consideration, and Ward Members being provided with information on the current take up by other user groups at the centre.

To consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which outlines the progress which has been made in relation to the preparations for the ‘Rothwell 600’ celebrations and highlights key areas which require Area Committee input to enable the celebrations to progress  

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

A report was submitted by the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which provided Members with an update on the progress made in relation to the preparations for the series of events which were being organised to mark the 600th anniversary of Rothwell being granted its Royal Charter, and to determine the ways in which the Area Committee could become involved in such celebrations.

Whilst considering a proposal to contribute £15,000.00 Wellbeing funding towards the series of events, it was suggested that the funding was allocated on condition that the areas of Ardsley and Robin Hood Ward which had previously fallen within the boundary of Rothwell were given the opportunity to participate in the proposed events. 

RESOLVED -

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

(b). That subject to the conditions detailed within paragraph 6.1 of the report and subject to those parts of Ardsley and Robin Hood Ward which were previously within the Rothwell boundary being given the opportunity to participate in the events, £15,000.00 Wellbeing revenue funding be allocated by the Area Committee to the Rothwell 600 Celebrations Committee, in order to support the cost of delivering the Rothwell 600 celebrations.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which invites the Area Committee to determine how to spend the remainder of the additional allocation of Wellbeing funding which has been received from Executive Board

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation/5 mins discussion)

Further to Minute No. 30, 10^th September 2007, the Committee considered a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which clarified the recommendations from Executive Board on how the additional £50,000.00 revenue funding allocated to each Area Committee could be spent. With this in mind, Members were invited to consider several proposals for allocating the remainder of the additional funding.

Having discussed several issues arising from the report, Members made reference to car parking facilities at Woodlesford train station.

Having discussed the proposed maintenance work at Morley Town Hall, Members proposed that a decision on this issue was deferred to the next meeting of the Area Committee, in order to enable further consultation on such proposals to be undertaken.

RESOLVED -

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

(b). That a further report on issues relating to car parking be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee pending the outcome of a report currently being compiled by City Development on this issue;

(c). That further information be sought from the Development Department relating to local design statements, with a view to proposals concerning such statements being submitted to a future meeting of the Committee for consideration;

(d). That £25,000.00 from the Committee’s 2007/08 Wellbeing revenue budget be allocated towards the cost of completing priority Conservation Area Reviews in Outer South Leeds, with a Conservation Area Review being undertaken in Morley, together with an update on the Conservation Audit which has already taken place in Rothwell;

(e). That a decision relating to the allocation of funding towards several projects which relate to the maintenance of Morley Town Hall be deferred to the Committee’s meeting in December 2007, in order to enable further consultation on such proposals to be conducted, with the findings being submitted to the December meeting for consideration.

(Councillors Elliott, Finnigan, Gettings, Grayshon and Leadley all declared personal interests in relation to this item, due to being Elected Members of Morley Town Council, an organisation which rented an office within Morley Town Hall)

(Councillor Beverley declared a personal interest in relation to this item, due to his wife being an Elected Member of Morley Town Council, an organisation which rented an office within Morley Town Hall)

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods which updates Members on both the revenue and capital elements of the Committee’s Wellbeing budget, provides a progress report on the revenue and capital projects agreed to date, advises Members of the Small grants approved since the last meeting and invites the Committee 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 capital and revenue projects which had been commissioned to date, invited Members to determine the proposals for Wellbeing funding which were detailed within the report, and provided an update of the Small Grant applications which had been approved since the last meeting.

RESOLVED -

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

(b). That an additional £5,000.00 from the 2007/08 Wellbeing revenue budget be allocated towards the provision of community skips within Outer South Leeds;

(c). That the following decisions be made in relation to the Wellbeing funding proposals which have been submitted for determination to this meeting:-

(i). ’Morley Bulb Bonanza’ – Groundwork Leeds –2007/08 revenue budget - £500.00 – That due to the meeting becoming inquorate (following all three Ward Councillors from Morley South declaring personal and prejudicial interests in this item and withdrawing from the meeting), this decision be delegated to the relevant Director for determination;

(ii). ‘Rothwell 600’ – Rothwell 600 Celebrations Committee – 2007/08 revenue budget - £10,000.00 – proposal considered earlier in the meeting;

(iii). ‘Drighlington Meeting Hall’ – Learning and Leisure Department – 2004-07 capital budget - £7,500.00 – Approved.

(Councillor Gettings declared a personal interest in relation to this item, due to his position as Chair of the Siegen Circle Association)

(Councillor Smith declared a personal interest in relation to this item, due to his position as Executive Board Member with responsibility for Environmental Services)

(With regard to the consideration of a Wellbeing funding proposal entitled, ‘Morley Bulb Bonanza’ which had been submitted by Groundwork Leeds (Minute No. 48(c)(i) refers), Councillors Grayshon and Elliott both declared personal and prejudicial interests in relation to this item, due to their respective positions on the Committee of the Morley in Bloom organisation. Councillor Beverley also declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to this item, due to being a member of the ‘Clean Morley Campaign’.

Following the declaration of such personal and prejudicial interests and the subsequent withdrawal from the meeting by all three Councillors from the Morley South Ward, the meeting was declared inquorate as the Constitution required at least one Elected Member from each Ward within the area to be present. The remaining Members, who were eligible to participate, then resolved to delegate this decision to the relevant Director for determination)

(Councillor Wilson left the meeting at 6.00 p.m., during the consideration of this item)

To consider 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.

Having considered the financial data detailed within the report which had been submitted to the Area Committee by the Youth Service following previous requests from Members, it was proposed that a representative of the Youth Service was invited to a future meeting of the Area Committee, in order to discuss the budgetary information further.

RESOLVED -

(a). That the report and information appended to the report, which includes an action plan for the Committee’s ‘Cleaner Neighbourhoods’ sub-group, be noted;

(b). That a representative of Youth Service be invited to a future meeting of the Area Committee in order to discuss in more detail the budgetary figures which are submitted to Members as part of the Area Manager’s report.

Monday, 17^th December 2007 at 4.00 p.m.

(Venue – Lofthouse Methodist Church Hall, Leeds Road, Lofthouse, WF3 3NE)

Monday, 17^th December 2007 at 4.00 p.m.

(Venue - Lofthouse Methodist Church Hall, Leeds Road, Lofthouse, WF3 3NE)

(The meeting concluded at 6.12 p.m.)