Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the December meeting of the South (Outer) Area Committee and invited those present to introduce themselves.

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 8 – ‘Leeds Colleges Merger – Consultation’ (Minute No. 43 refers)

Councillor Finnigan declared a personal interest in this item, due to being a Governor at Joseph Priestley College.

Agenda Item 9 – ‘The Children and Young People’s Plan (2009-2014) and the development of local priorities for action’ (Minute No. 45 refers)

Councillor Mulherin declared a personal interest in this item, due to being a Member of Children Leeds Partnership and Chair of Rothwell Cluster of Extended Services.

Agenda Item 10 – ‘Revised Children’s Services arrangements for more effective locality working with families’ (Minute No. 46 refers)

Councillor Mulherin declared a personal interest in this item, due to being a Member of Children Leeds Partnership and Chair of Rothwell Cluster of Extended Services.

Agenda Item 14 – ‘Area Manager’s Report’ (Minute No. 49 refers)

Councillor Finnigan declared a personal interest in this item (3.0 of the report), due to being a Member of Gildersome Action Group.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Leadley and Smith.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2008.

Subject to an amendment in relation to Minute No. 36, Area Manager’s Report, to delete reference to Councillor Leadley having declared a personal interest as Member of Gildersome Action Group, it was

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 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.

A representative of Drighlington Parish Council reported that confirmation was still being sought that their CCTV scheme met DPA requirements.  It was hoped that any issues would be resolved shortly. 

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the future delivery of post 16 and adult learning by the new merged College.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The East North East Area Manager submitted a report, which informed Members of the Executive Board’s endorsement of the proposed merger of the City’s 3 largest colleges, namely Leeds Thomas Danby, Leeds College of Technology and Park Lane College, which would result in the creation of a new single institution to be known as Leeds City College.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

·  Christine George – Learning Skills Council; and

·  Paul Forbes – Learning Skills Council.

The Committee was provided with information in relation to the proposed merger.  The Area Committee was informed that following a review of college provision in Leeds it had been concluded that some of the current college accommodation in Leeds was no longer fit for purpose and there was a duplication of provision.  There was also a need to raise post 16 educational achievement and increase numbers of students progressing to higher education.

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:-

·  The need to provide opportunities for all young people, especially in areas of deprivation.

·  Establishing partnership arrangements and links with schools.

·  The evolving 14-19 agenda.

·  The need for investment and maintenance of college sites, particularly at Morley and Rothwell.

·  Improving transport links and accessibility.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the Area Committee submit its views on the future delivery of post 16 and adult learning by the new merged College on a ward basis; and 

(c)  That the Area Committee receive a further report on the outcome of the accommodation/estates review of the new College once completed in 2009.

(Councillor Renshaw joined the meeting at 4.11 pm and Councillor Golton at 4.25 pm, during the consideration of this item).

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which outlines the community engagement plan for the outer south area of Leeds.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the Community Engagement Plan approach for 2008/09, be approved, as outlined in the report; and

(c)  That the Area Committee receive a detailed plan based on the outcome of further discussions with Ward Members.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which outlined a community engagement plan for the outer south area of Leeds.

Dave Richmond, Area Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The main areas of discussion were:-

·  Current methods of community engagement, especially through the work of Neighbourhood Improvement Plans.  The Area Committee also welcomed to the meeting, Nicky Greening, who had recently started work as the Outer South Priority Neighbourhood Development Worker.

·  Members discussed the Participatory Budgeting Pilot held in Drighlington, earlier in the year.  It was acknowledged that the event had been a success and it was hoped that more organisations would be involved in the future.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted;

(b)  That the Community Engagement Plan approach for 2008/09, as outlined in the report, be approved; and

(c)  That the Area Committee receive a detailed plan based on the outcome of further discussions with Ward Members.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services, which outlines the draft city-wide Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) framework and priorities.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 5 mins discussion)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report, which outlined the draft city-wide Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP) framework and priorities and sought the Committee’s involvement in identifying local priorities for children and young people to drive the work of Children’s Services in Leeds.

Ken Morton, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

·  Members supported the draft CYPP priorities, although it was generally felt that some of the priorities were more relevant to the inner south area of Leeds.

·  Members agreed that there was still a need for Leeds to improve all of the draft outcomes. 

·  Ken Morton, Locality Enabler, reported that work was being undertaken by extended services clusters to develop local priorities.

·  One Member queried whether there were any statistics for the draft priorities.  It was reported that statistics were available and through the work of extended services clusters, this had been extended to include local data and information. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted; and

(b)  That Councillor Gettings be nominated to work with the Locality Enabler and the Area Manager on behalf of the Area Committee to develop the local context for these priorities and develop local actions for the Area Delivery Plan 2009/10.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services, which provides the Area Committee with an overview of the evolution of locality children’s trust arrangements.

(Council Function)

(5 mins presentation / 10 mins discussion)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report, which provided an overview of locality children’s trust arrangements.

Ken Morton, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services, presented the report and provided a brief background to some of the main issues highlighted in the report.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That Councillor Gettings be nominated to work with the Locality Enabler and the Area Manager on behalf of the Area Committee to take these developments forward; and

(c)  Represent the Area Committee on the South Children Leeds Partnership, subject to Member Management approval.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, which provides an update on the recent Outer South Operation Champion.

(Executive Function)

(5 mins presentation /  5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which provided an update on the recent Operation Champion in the Outer South area of Leeds during October 2008.

Tom O’Donovan, Area Management Officer, presented the report and provided a brief background to some of the key points highlighted in the report.

In response to a query regarding future operations, the Area Management Officer reported that the next Operation Champion in Rothwell was scheduled to take place in 2010.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider 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 / 5mins 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 – Outer South Communications Budget – £5,000 (£5,000 revenue already approved) (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Youth Service – Youth Bus – £6,960 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
•  Morley Elderly Action – Morley Elderly Action Building Extension – £40,000 (Morley North and Morley South 2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved, subject to full project costs being secured and confirmation of the area boundaries; and
• Area Management – Participatory Budgeting – £40,000 (2008/09 Capital 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 – Outer South Communications Budget – £5,000 (£5,000 revenue already approved) (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
• Youth Service – Youth Bus – £6,960 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved;
•  Morley Elderly Action – Morley Elderly Action Building Extension – £40,000 (Morley North and Morley South 2008/09 Capital Budget) – Approved, subject to full project costs being secured and confirmation of the area boundaries; and
• Area Management – Participatory Budgeting – £40,000 (2008/09 Revenue Budget) – Approved.

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 / 5 mins discussion)

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That arrangements for the Rothwell Conservation Appraisal be supported and Councillor Wilson be appointed as the Area Committee’s representative on the Rothwell Advisory Panel;

(c)  That the Area Committee allocates a proportion of Capital Well-being funding for developments at Smithy Lane Recreation Ground; and

(d)  That the Operation Champion schedule for 2009 be approved.

The Committee received 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:-

• Minutes of the Outer South Community Centres Sub Committee held on 13^th August 2008;
• Minutes of the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Sub-Group held on 4^th November 2008;
• Outer South Cleaner Neighbourhoods Sub-Group Action Plan;
• 2009 Operation Champion Schedule;
• Youth Service programme of activities for Ardsley and Robin Hood;
• Youth Service programme of activities for Rothwell; and
• Youth Service programme of activities for Morley.

Dave Richmond, Area Manager, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the main highlighted points were:-

·  It was reported that Sarah Henderson had been appointed to a permanent role within South Leeds Area Management.  In addition, a further appointment within the team was expected, subject to references.

·  One Member requested that West Yorkshire Police provided further information on the operation of enhanced CCTV images.

·  Members’ were informed that work was due to begin on the Rothwell Conservation Area Appraisal.  It was reported that an advisory panel would be established to guide the production of the appraisal.

·  In relation to works at Smithy Lane Recreation ground, it was reported that options were still being costed for a phased development.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That arrangements for the Rothwell Conservation Appraisal be supported and Councillor Wilson be appointed as the Area Committee’s representative on the Rothwell Advisory Panel;

(c)  That the Area Committee allocates a proportion of Capital Well-being funding for developments at Smithy Lane Recreation Ground; and

(d)  That the Operation Champion schedule for 2009 be approved.

Monday 9^th February, 2009 at 4.00 pm

(Venue – Blackburn Hall, Commercial Street, Rothwell, LS26 0AW)

Monday 30^th March, 2009 at 4.00 pm

(Venue – East Ardsley Community Centre, Main Street, East Ardsley,

WF3 2AP)

Monday 9^th February, 2009 at 4.00 pm

(Venue – Blackburn Hall, Commercial Street, Rothwell, LS26 0AW)

Monday 30^th March, 2009 at 4.00 pm

(Venue – East Ardsley Community Centre, Main Street, East Ardsley,

WF3 2AP)

(The meeting concluded at 5.40 pm).