Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the September 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.

Agenda item 10 – ‘Area Manager’s Report’ (Minute No. 26 refers).

Councillor Renshaw declared a personal interest in relation to item 10, due to being a Member of St Gabriel’s Community Centre Management Committee.

Agenda item 11 – ‘Outer South Area Committee Well-being Budget Report’ (Minute No. 27 refers).

Councillor Grayshon declared an interest in relation to item 11 (4.4.2 to the report), due to being a Member of Lewisham Park Centre Management Committee.  On the basis that the interest was prejudicial, he withdrew from the meeting and did not vote. 

Councillor Leadley declared an interest in relation to item 11 (4.4.2 to the report), due to being Deputy Chairman and Secretary of Lewisham Park Centre and Youth Club Management Committees.  On the basis that the interest was prejudicial, he withdrew from the meeting and did not vote.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor Smith.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7^th July, 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th July, 2008 be confirmed 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 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 Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which outlines the area function schedules and roles for 2008/09.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

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

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a written report, which provided the Area Committee with details of the area function schedules and roles for 2008/09.

The following information was appended to the report:-

• Executive Board report – Area Committee Roles 2008/09;
• Area Committee Roles for 2008/09 – Area Functions; and
• Area Committee Roles for 2008/09 – Other Roles.

Dave Richmond, Area Manager, attended the meeting to update the Committee and respond to Members’ questions and comments.  The Area Manager referred to some of the area roles and functions for 2008/09.  Specific reference was made to Community Centres and it was reported that 72 community centres were currently vested with the Regeneration Service.  Members were advised that Area Committees would have an increased role and would receive regular reports in relation to the extended roles.

The main highlighted points were:-

·  One Member expressed concern in relation to the ongoing revenue costs associated with maintaining community centres.  It was advised that Area Committees had no direct control over income generated by community centres.

·  In relation to street cleansing, there was concern that Area Committees had a limited role.

·  The Area Committee considered management and co-ordination arrangements for Children’s Services.  Ken Morton, Children’s Services, reported on work undertaken to improve partnership working and community engagement.  He also reported that there would be greater focus on the work of extended services. 

·  Members considered the role of the PCT.  The Committee was advised that work was being undertaken at a local level to reduce health inequalities.

·  In relation to Grounds Maintenance, one Member requested details of the procurement timetable for the new Grounds Maintenance Contract from March 2010.  The Area Manager agreed to address this issue.

·  In response to a query regarding advertising on lamp posts, it was advised that an 80% share would be retained centrally for highway improvements, etc.  The remaining 20% share would be allocated for Area Committees to spend on local priorities.

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, which outlines the process for the development and delivery of Neighbourhood Improvement Plans together with a proposal for the Area Committee to support further funding of a Priority Neighbourhood Worker.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Area Committee agrees in principle the NIP programme 2008-11 and agrees to Ward based Member consultation meetings to give final approval to the programme;

(c)  That the Area Committee approves three years of funding for a Priority Neighbourhood Worker to be employed by South Leeds Health for All, subject to annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget; and

(d) That Well-being revenue funding of £5,000 be ring-fenced for each NIP.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which outlined the process for the development and delivery of Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs), together with a proposal for the Area Committee to support further funding of a Priority Neighbourhood Worker.

Appended to the report was a map which illustrated the most and least deprived outer south areas.

The Chair invited Tom O’Donovan, Area Management Officer, to present the report and respond to Members’ queries and comments.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

• The Area Committee acknowledged the excellent work undertaken by the Priority Neighbourhood Worker, Laura Kilfoyle (who has recently left the post), particularly in respect of developing priority neighbourhoods through Neighbourhood Improvement Plans (NIPs).  Members welcomed the proposal to agree a new three year project. 
• Members commented that the SOA maps could have been drawn up better to reflect the boundaries of local communities.  It was advised that the boundaries were drawn up by a central government department.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Area Committee agrees in principle the NIP programme 2008-11 and agrees to Ward based Member consultation meetings to give final approval to the programme;

(c)  That the Area Committee approves three years of funding for a Priority Neighbourhood Worker to be employed by South Leeds Health for All, subject to annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget; and

(d) That Well-being revenue funding of £5,000 be ring-fenced for each NIP.

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

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, including the draft CCTV monitoring form, as outlined in 2.1 of the report be noted;

(b)  That the Area Committee receives an update on CCTV in the Outer South area of Leeds, as outlined in 2.2 of the report;

(c)  That the additional litterbin provision, as outlined in 5.5 of the report be approved;

(d)  That the Area Committee nominates priority areas for dog fouling stickers, as outlined in 5.6 of the report;

(e)  That the Area Committee approves the draft CRT proposal, as outlined in 12.3 of the report; and

(f)  That £5,000 of match funding from the Well-being Budget be approved towards the CRT proposal, as outlined in 12.4 of the report;

The Committee considered a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which updated Members on the work of the Area Management Team since the last meeting.

The following information was appended to the report:-

• CCTV draft monitoring form;
• Locations for additional litterbin allocation 2007/08; and
• Rothwell CRT Project – draft proposal.

In brief summary, the following points were discussed:-

• It was reported that work was being undertaken at Marsh Street Car Park to landscape and upgrade the entrance area.  In addition, a separate project to upgrade the recycling facilities (funded by the Area Committee) was also planned.  It was reported that Area Management would report back with an update on the recycling site.
• One Member suggested forwarding the CCTV Monitoring Pro-Forma to local groups such as Drighlington Parish Council and Churwell Action Group.
• Another Member referred to the issue of dog fouling.  There was concern that the proposal to display stickers on bins and lamp posts to inform the public on waste disposal and fines would only have a limited effect.  It was felt that more enforcement action was needed to tackle the problem.  The Area Committee was informed that the matter had been raised with Councillor Steve Smith, Executive Member (Environmental Services), which involved discussing police involvement.  It was reported that no feedback on the issue of police involvement had been received to date.
• One Member commented that the location list for additional litterbin allocation 2007/08, (detailed in appendix 2 to the report) was incomplete.
• With regard to the outer south communications budget, one member felt that improvements to the newsletter were needed.  It was suggested that the budget could be used differently.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, including the draft CCTV monitoring form, as outlined in 2.1 of the report be noted;

(b)  That the Area Committee receives an update on CCTV in the Outer South area of Leeds, as outlined in 2.2 of the report;

(c)  That the additional litterbin provision, as outlined in 5.5 of the report be approved;

(d)  That the Area Committee nominates priority areas for dog fouling stickers, as outlined in 5.6 of the report;

(e)  That the Area Committee approves the draft CRT proposal, as outlined in 12.3 of the report; and

(f)  That £5,000 of match funding from the Well-being Budget be approved towards the CRT proposal, as outlined in 12.4 of the report;

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 Well-being budget, advises Members of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invites Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals detailed within the report.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital Well-being budgets, be noted;

(b)  That the Small Grant proposals approved since the last meeting of the Area Committee, be noted;

(c)  That the following decisions be made in relation to the Well-being funding proposals, which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• * Area Management – Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker – £31,622 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved * (The Area Committee approved three years of funding for a Priority Neighbourhood Worker to be employed by South Leeds Health for All, subject to annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget – Total Project Cost £105,000 revenue);
• Area Management – Lewisham Park Furniture – £384.55 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management – Gildersome Furniture – £981.63 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Groundwork – Bulb Bonanza 2008/09 – £250.00 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved; and
• Area Management – Rothwell Community Enterprise (CRT funding) – £5,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which updated Members on both the capital and revenue elements of the Committee’s Well-being budget, advised the Committee of the Small Grants approved since the last meeting and invited Members to determine the capital and revenue proposals, as detailed within the report.

Following a brief discussion relating to the proposals for Well-being funding which had been submitted to the meeting for determination, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report, which includes the available balance of the Area Committee’s revenue and capital Well-being budgets, be noted;

(b)  That the Small Grant proposals approved since the last meeting of the Area Committee, be noted;

(c)  That the following decisions be made in relation to the Well-being funding proposals, which had been submitted for determination at the meeting:-

• * Area Management – Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker – £31,622 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved * (The Area Committee approved three years of funding for a Priority Neighbourhood Worker to be employed by South Leeds Health for All, subject to annual Executive Board approval of the delegated Well-being budget – Total Project Cost £105,000 revenue);
• Area Management – Lewisham Park Furniture – £384.55 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Area Management – Gildersome Furniture – £981.63 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Groundwork – Bulb Bonanza 2008/09 – £250.00 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved; and
• Area Management – Rothwell Community Enterprise (CRT funding) – £5,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved.

N.B.  In the absence of Councillor Grayshon, who had declared a prejudicial interest and left the room, Councillor Finnigan assumed the Chair for the Lewisham Park Furniture, Well-being Budget proposal.

Monday, 20^th October, 2008 at 4.00 pm – East Ardsley and St Gabriel’s Centre, Fall Lane, East Ardsley, WF3 2BX.

Monday 20^th October, 2008 at 4.00 pm

(Venue – East Ardsley and St Gabriel’s Centre, Fall Lane, East Ardsley, WF3 2BX)

(The meeting concluded at 5.05 pm).