Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the first West (Inner) Area Committee meeting of the new municipal year and thanked Cllr Harper for her contribution as Chair to the Area Committee over the last twelve months.

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.

Cllr Lowe declared a personal interest in relation to Agenda Item 19- Future Working Between West North West Homes and Area Committees as she is a Director of West North West  Homes ALMO.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Taggart.

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.

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.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th April 2011 and the special meeting held on 17^th May 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 5^th April 2011 and 17^th May 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the minutes

To receive for information purposes the minutes of the following Community Forum meetings:

Armley Community Forum – 15^th March, 19^th April and17^th May 2011.

Bramley and Stanningley  Community Forum – 14^th April and 31^st  May 2011.

A copy of the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meetings held on 15^th March 2011, 19^th April 2011 and 17^th May 2011, together with the minutes of the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meetings held on 14^th April 2011 and 31^st May 2011 were attached for Members’ information.

Members enquired how many people had been fined for on street drinking within the Designated Public Places Order (DPPO) area on Armley Town Street.  In response, Gill Hunter, Community Safety Co-ordinator and Nigel Conder, Town Centre Manager undertook to follow this matter up with the Police.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meetings held on 15^th March 2011, 19^th April 2011 and 17^th May 2011, together with the minutes of the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meetings held on 14^th April 2011 and 31^st May 2011 be received and noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) formally notifying Members of the appointment of Councillor D Atkinson as Chair of  West (Inner) Area Committee, and advising on revisions in respect of the Area Committee Procedure Rules.

(Council Function)

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted  a report on the appointment of Area Committee Chair for 2011/2012 and revisions to Area Committee Procedure Rules.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Extract from the Area Committee Procedure Rules (Appendix 1 refers)
• Agenda Items (Appendix 2 refers)

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted;

b)  That the Area Committee notes the following specific issues identified within the report:-

·  that Councillor D Atkinson was elected as Chair of the West (Inner) Area Committee for the duration of the 2011/2012 municipal year by Council at its Annual Meeting on 26^th May 2011;

·  the revised arrangements for the annual election of Area Committee Chairs, as approved by Council on the 26^th May 2011 and as reflected within the amended Area Committee Procedure Rules; and

·  the revision to Area Committee Procedure Rule 6.7, as approved by Council on the 26^th May 2011, which now requires the minutes from the Area Chairs’ meetings to be formally considered by Area Committees

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services informing and updating on performance and action taken towards the reduction of teenage conceptions in the Inner West Area of the City.

(Council Function)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report informing and updating the meeting on performance and action taken towards the reduction of teenage conceptions in the Inner West Area of the City.

Lisa Banton, Children’s Services presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• Bramley has twice the teenage pregnancy rate of Leeds overall. Tailored support measures are being put into place to address this.
• Multiagency working has been shown to be successful in reducing teenage pregnancy rates elsewhere.
• The importance of supporting young people in the transition time whilst they are leaving care as this is a vulnerable time for them in terms of teenage pregnancy.
• That officers circulate a larger version of appendix 1 to the submitted report, so that it was more legible.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the content of the report be noted.

b)  That  the proposed initiatives outlined be endorsed in accordance with the report now submitted.

c)  That this Committee requests partners receiving funding from the Area Committee to be required to support and evidence their engagement with vulnerable groups such as Looked After Children and offer a no cost provision where possible.

d)  That approval be given to a structured, regular reporting system for teenage pregnancy updates via cluster partnerships, west leadership team meetings and annual reports to Inner and OT

e)  That Members be requested to attend cluster partnership meetings to increase strategic support for teenage pregnancy.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update on progress towards the delegation of certain environmental services to Area Committees, as well as information relating to the current review of street cleansing services.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED- That the contents of the submitted report be noted, and to note that a full Service Level Agreement will be submitted to the September meeting of the Area Committee for approval.

Referring to Minute 82 of the meeting held on 14^th March 2011, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on an update on progress towards the establishment of a new locality based Environmental Service and its delegation to Area Committees, including relevant information relevant information relating to the current review of street cleansing services.

Jason Singh, Environmental Locality Manager for West  North West presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The importance of communication with the public so that they are aware of services available to them, and how to make contact regarding those services.
• That the Inner West Area Committee co-optees should be invited to the member workshop on 15^th July.
• That provision should be made within the Environmental Services budget for publicity and communications around service provision.
• That an Environment Sub Group had been established for Inner West, consisting of Cllr Hanley and Cllr Harper, to consider the detail of this work.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the submitted report be noted, and to note that a full Service Level Agreement will be submitted to the September meeting of the Area Committee for approval.

To receive for information purposes the attached minutes of the ALMO West Inner Area Panel meeting held on 11^th April 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the ALMO West Inner Area Panel meeting held on 11^th April 2011 be received and noted.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Leader seeking Members’ approval to appoint co-optees onto the West (Inner) Area Committee.

(Council Function)

The West North West Area Leader submitted a report which sought approval for the annual appointment of Co-opted Members to the West (Inner) Area Committee, in accordance with Article 10 of the Constitution, which states that there was provision for the Area Committee to appoint up to five non-voting co-opted members to support the Area Committee.

RESOLVED - That Hazel Boutle and Eric Bowes (Armley Forum) and Stephen McBarron (Bramley & Stanningley Forum) be appointed as non-voting co-opted members on the West (Inner) Area Committee for the 2011/2012 municipal year. Members noted that the election for the second Bramley & Stanningley Forum co-optee would take place at the July Forum.

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) on Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies.

(Council Function)

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report which outlined the procedure relating to local authority appointments to outside bodies and invited Members to consider making appointments to those outside bodies detailed within the report.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Appointment to Outside Bodies Procedure Rules (Appendix 1 refers)
• Appointments Schedule (Appendix 2 refers)

Members noted that Bramley Surestart no longer existed and Councillor Hanley requested an update on the Area Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnerships, as he had not received any requests for involvement with this group.

Clare Wiggins, North West Area Management, informed the Area Committee that a letter had been received from Cllr J Blake, Executive Member for Children’s Services, seeking a nomination from each Area Committee for the Corporate Carers Group.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That approval be given to the following Outside Body appointments being made for the 2011/2012 municipal year:

ALMO West Inner Area Panel – Councillor J McKenna and Councillor N Taggart

Divisional Community Safety Partnership – Councillor J McKenna

Area Children’s Partnership – Councillor A Lowe

Area Health and Wellbeing Partnership – Councillor J Harper

Area Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership – Councillor T Hanley

BramleyPoors Allotment Trust – Cllr N Taggart

(c)  That Cllr N Taggart be the West (Inner) Area Committee representative for the Corporate Carers Group.

To receive and consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) providing the Area Committee with a summary of the Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED - That  the summary of approved Area Functions and Designated Priority Functions for the 2011/12 municipal year, as appended to the report be noted.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report presenting the meeting with a summary of Area Functions and Priority Advisory Functions for 2011/12.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• A summary of the delegated functions and priority advisory functions for Area Committees for 2011/12 (Appendix 1 refers)
• Details of he delegated functions and priority advisory functions for Area Committees for 2011/12 (Appendix 2 and 3 refers)

Clare Wiggins, West North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED - That  the summary of approved Area Functions and Designated Priority Functions for the 2011/12 municipal year, as appended to the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Leader updating the Area Committee on the amount of wellbeing capital and revenue funding available for the financial year 2011-12 and an update on commitments already made.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Area Committee on the amount of wellbeing capital and revenue funding available for the financial year 2011-12 and an update on commitments already made.

Clare Wiggins, West North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The amount of money that would be appropriate to award as small grants in the current economic climate
• The disappointment of the Area Committee regarding the condition of the Hayleysfield Allotment Toilets, as these were funded by the Area Committee.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That this Committee notes the financial status of the capital and revenue streams of the Inner West Well-Being Budget in accordance with the report now submitted.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Leader updating Members on Community Safety Issues in Inner West Leeds since the Area Committee meeting on 5^th April 2011.

(Council Function)

The West North West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report on Community Safety issues in Inner West Leeds.

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment and Neighbourhoods also gave an update on current issues.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The CCTV system on the Broadleas was now operational. Members were invited to see the new CCTV system control at Middleton.
• An update was provided with regard to current work to reduce problems with metal theft crime which is an ongoing system. Members were informed of the joined up working which is currently being done to address these problems.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report and the update provided by the West Yorkshire Police be noted and welcomed.

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

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

The West North West Area Leader submitted a report detailing work by the Area Management Team and partners on key priorities in the inner west area of Leeds since the last Area Committee meeting.

Clare Wiggins, West North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The I Love West Leeds Festival – the concert at the Bramley Baths had sold out, and another date had been added.
• Members were informed that the Fairfields Action Day was to be held on Friday 24^th June 2011.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Leader providing an update on the work of the Armley Town Centre Manager.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted

The Armley Town Centre Manager submitted a report providing an update on current issues facing Armley town centre and actions that were planned by the Town Centre Manager (TCM) to address these issues and improve the vitality and viability of Armley town centre.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Armley Events 2011 (Appendix 1 refers)
• Armley Budget 2011-2012 (Appendix 2 refers)
• Empty Units – Town Street Armley (Appendix 3 refers)

Nigel Conder, Armley Town Centre Manager presented the report and responded to Member’s queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The number of charity shops in the area, and the effect that these have on the area.
• Due to the success of the Keep Armley Tidy Scheme, it was being rolled out to other schools.
• The possibility of future involvement of Mary Portas, Queen of Shops with the Armley Town Centre.

During consideration of this item, Cllr Atkinson left the meeting. Cllr Hanley assumed the Chair.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report and appendices be noted

To receive and consider a report from West North West homes Leeds  (WNWhL) outlining the purpose of WNWhL involvement in Area Committees, and to explore ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

(Council Function)

The Chief Executive of West North West Homes Leeds (WNWhL) submitted a report outlining the purpose of WNWhL involvement in Area Committees, and to explore ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.

Michael Parker, West North West homes Leeds presented the report and responded to Member’s queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• Possible ways of securing future development of social housing and self build opportunities in the area, particularly the possibility of developers entering into long lease arrangements with Councils.
• Steve McBarron invited the officer from WNWhL to the Housing Forum for Bramley.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the introductory report be noted.

b)  That this Committee notes that West North West homes Leeds would provide a six monthly update to Area Committee of progress with areas of mutual interest.

c)  That a report on future increases of Social Housing to the area be brought to a future meeting of the Area Committee.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Children’s Services providing Area Committees with an update of key data relating to education for the academic year 2009-10; and November 2010 NEET and Not Known data.  The report also provides details of recent key inspections that have taken place across Children’s Services and provides an update on the development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-2015.

(Council Function)

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report providing Area Committees with an update of key data relating to education for the academic year 2009-10; and November 2010 NEET and Not Known data.  The report also provided details of recent key inspections that have taken place across Children’s Services and provided an update on the development of the new Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-2015.

Izabella Atraszkiewicz, Children’s Services presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• The current performance of Swallow Hill High School and Leeds West Academy
• The progress of transformation of Swallow Hill High School into an Academy

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

Wednesday 7^th September 2011 at 5.00 p.m. at Strawberry Lane Community Centre.

Wednesday 7^th September 2011 at 5.00pm Strawberry Lane Community Centre.

(The meeting concluded at  7.32 p.m.)