Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Atkinson and McKenna, and from Steven McBarron.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair informed the Area Committee that Councillor Atkinson had been released from hospital and was now at home and in good spirits. She sent her good wishes to the Area Committee.

RESOLVED- That flowers be sent to Councillor Atkinson on behalf of the Area Committee.

The Chair introduced the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council, Mr Tom Riordan who was attending the Area Committee meeting. Mr Riordan spoke on various issues including:-

• The importance of partnership working with Neighbourhood Policing, this had been shown in particular in relation to prevention of burglary. Councillor provided PCSOs played a large part in this work.
• The importance of locality working.
• That there were finite amounts of money and other resources, making it more important to identify priorities for resources.
• That the Area Committee covered a rich and diverse area of the city, which has a lot to offer Leeds.

The Chair thanked Mr Riordan for attending the Area Committee meeting.

Chief Superintendent Dave Oldroyd, Divisional Commander, North West Policing Division attended the Area Committee and informed Members that he had recently taken over the role from the previous post holder.

Chief Superintendent Oldroyd updated the Area Committee on issues including inquisitive crime across the city and the new predictive analysis technology, and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

The Chair thanked the Chief Superintendent for attending the meeting.

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 for 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 15^th February 2012.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th February 2012 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing information about services that are to be added to the Locality Team’s portfolio and therefore included in the Service Level Agreement (SLA) for 2012 / 13, and consulting on updated priorities the Area Committee would like to see addressed in the new SLA.

(Report attached)

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing information about services that are to be added to the Locality Team’s portfolio and therefore included in the Service Level Agreement for 2012 / 13, and consulting on updated priorities the Area Committee would like to see addressed in the new SLA.

Jason Singh, Locality Manager WNW Leeds, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• The proposal to hold two dedicated environmental subgroups before the June 2012 Area Committee meeting.
• The particular challenges of this year which include the Olympics and the Royal Visits / Jubilee events.
• The importance of being able to identify which organisation is responsible for what work in terms of recycling / street cleaning such as on private land or bus stops.
• The importance of ensuring that sufficient information is available to the public.

The Chair thanked Mr Singh for his attendance and report to the Area Committee.

RESOLVED –

-  That the addition of further services to the delegation (section 26) and the required amendment to the Street Cleansing & Environmental Enforcement Services section of the Area Committee Function Schedule as approved by Executive Board on 10^th February 2012 be noted.

-  That the development of the new SLA for 2012 / 13 to be brought to the June meeting for approval based on:

i).  the inclusion of the additional services (section 26)

ii).  the inclusion of the specific service commitments on issues that improved capacity achieved through more efficient working and a flexible local management of resources / budget now allows (section 20)

iii).  the inclusion of local service responses to challenges presented by the hosting of Olympic teams, visits to the city by the Olympic torch (and other local Olympic related events) and local events associated with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations (e.g. street parties)

iv).  the WNW Locality Team’s responses to addressing the Area Committee Members’ local priorities (section 22)

v).  the WNW Locality Team’s responses to expectations for further improvements raised by Elected Members across the city as presented through Executive Board in February 2012 (section 23)

vi).  the refreshed service principles (section 25)

To consider the report of the Director of City Development informing of the City Council’s Local Development Framework and the public consultation period for this.

(Report attached).

The Director of City Development submitted a report informing of the City Council’s Local Development Framework and the public consultation framework for this.

Lois Pickering , Team Leader Planning and Lyla Peter Team Leader Data, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• The Core Strategy provides the overall spatial vision for Leeds, setting the scene for future documents to be produced. Consultation on the Core Strategy is currently ongoing.
• The Core Strategy tries to estimate the size of Leeds by 2028, and estimates continued growth using demographic information such as household sizes / population age etc. Leeds has grown significantly in the last few years.
• The current consultation is about determining whether the Core Strategy is sound. Following the current consultation, it will be submitted to the Secretary of State for consideration prior to approval by Full Council. If the Secretary of State requires changes to be made, further consultation will be required.

The Chair thanked Ms Pickering and Ms Peter for attending the meeting and for their report.

RESOLVED-

-  That the contents of the report be noted

-  That the request for comments as part of the consultation be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services updating on key developments within the area of Children’s Services.

(Report attached).

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report updating on key developments within Children’s Services.

Sarah Sinclair, Deputy Director of Children’s Services, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• The importance of ensuring performance improved in areas including the number of Looked After children; attainment and attendance; promoting engagement of young people; ensuring Leeds is a child friendly city so that Leeds has high levels of performance in all matters relating to Children’s Services.
• Ensuring that statistics fully reflected the information required such as by recording % of children gaining particular exams results both by the ward in which their school is and by the ward in which they live.
• The importance of working to reduce the gap between affluent and deprived wards.

RESOLVED- That the content of the report be noted.

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive, Planning, Policy and Improvement updating on crime statistics, acquisitive crime and current ongoing partnership action for Members’ information.

(Report attached).

The Assistant Chief Executive, Planning, Policy and Improvement submitted a report updating on crime statistics, acquisitive crime and current ongoing partnership action for Members’ information.

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment and Neighbourhoods, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries. Inspector Mark Wheeler attended the meeting and updated the Area Committee on policing matters within the area.

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

• There has been an impressive start to this calendar year with a 50% reduction in burglaries, with Operation Alice being very successful. Ensuring there are sufficient officers in the area at the right time is vital to continuing this success.
• It was noted that during the latter end of 2011 there was a significant increase in crime in Armley, which could be partly attributed to a number of offenders being released from prison who contributed to the number of offences, and partly attributed to a small number of known individuals who were responsible for many of the offences.  However, it was acknowledged that with the establishment of Operation Alice together with the management of offenders, there had been a significant reduction of offences in Armley since the beginning of 2012.
• The new work being done with predictive mapping which allows for properties close to one which has been burgled to be “super cocooned” within 8 – 10 hours of the burglary to reduce subsequent burglaries in the area.
• The forthcoming “It Only Takes a Minute” campaign which aims to reduce burglaries in the spring /summer by encouraging people to lock their doors and windows.

The Chair thanked Ms Hunter and Inspector Wheeler for attending the meeting and for the report.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted.

To consider the report of West North West homes Leeds updating on current activities and services undertaken by West North West homes Leeds.

(Report attached).

A report was submitted by West North West homes Leeds updating on current activities and services undertaken by West North West homes Leeds.

Mick Parker, West North West homes Leeds, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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

• the financial inclusion strategy which aims to address worklessness; an outreach officer is being appointed to work on this including signposting to other services and tackling benefit dependency. A major future risk is that Housing Benefit will soon be paid direct to the tenant rather than to the landlord.
• repair schemes - a secondary call centre has been opened by the contractors, Morrisons, for customers chasing repairs. Morrisons also now attend a weekly repairs surgery with housing officers.  A new grass cutting contract with Continental has commenced. The Directors of Continental and Morrisons have pledged to attend a future Area Committee meeting to meet Councillors.
• the importance of locality working between the ALMO and Area Management colleagues, this has been successfully trialled in pilot areas.

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report be noted

To receive for information the minutes of the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting of 13^th January 2012.

(Copies attached)

A copy of the minutes of the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting of 13^th January 2012 were submitted for Members’ information.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Area Chairs’ Forum meeting of 13^th January 2012 be noted.

To receive for information the minutes of the Armley Community Forum held on 21^st February 2012 and the minutes of the Bramley Community Forum held on 26^th January 2012.

(Copy attached)

A copy of the minutes of the Armley Community Forum held on 21^st February 2012 and the minutes of the Bramley Community Forum held on 26^th January 2012 were submitted for Members’ information.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Armley Community Forum held on 21^st February 2012 and the minutes of the Bramley Community Forum held on 26^th January 2012 be received and noted.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) seeking approval for proposed meeting dates for the West (Inner) Area Committee for the 2012 / 13 municipal year.

The Chief Officer (Democratic and Central Services) submitted a report seeking approval for proposed meeting dates for the West (inner) Area Committee for the 2012 / 13 municipal year.

Kate Sibson, Area Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

RESOLVED-

-  That the 24^th October 2012 Area Committee meeting date be reviewed, but that the other proposed dates for the 2012 / 13 municipal year be approved.

-  That the Committee’s current meeting venue arrangements be continued in their current form

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive updating on progress against the Area Management Team’s work progress and locality priorities.

(Report attached)

RESOLVED –

-  That the contents of the report be noted

-  That the contents of the Business Plan and Action Plan be approved

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report updating on progress against the Area Management Team’s work progress and locality priorities.

Kate Sibson, Area Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

RESOLVED -

-  That the contents of the report be noted

-  That the contents of the Business Plan and Action Plan be approved

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive updating Members on the year end position of the West Inner Area Committee Wellbeing Budget for the financial year 2011/12 and presenting a number of projects for approval in principle from the 2012 / 13 Wellbeing Budget.

(Report attached)

RESOLVED –

i)  That the position of the Wellbeing Budget and the small grant approvals be noted.

ii)  That the funding for the project proposals be approved as follows:

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report updating Members on the year end position of the West Inner Area Committee Wellbeing Budget for the financial year 2011 / 12 and presenting a number of projects for approval in principle from the 2012 / 13 Wellbeing Budget.

Kate Sibson, Area Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

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

• Requests for funding amounted to £207,000 which exceeded the budget of £136,000.

Mark Law attended and addressed the Area Committee on behalf of BARCA. He informed of the success of the project over the previous two years, and stated that they had skilled staff who they would seek to keep if possible.

Jane Earnshaw attended and addressed the Area Committee on behalf of the I Love West Leeds Festival. The Area Committee was informed that the I Love West Leeds Festival had been running since 2005. The festival organisers were very aware of financial pressures and had designed the forthcoming festival with this in mind. A joint bid with the Holmfirth Festival was being submitted to the Arts’ Council to try to secure funding for next year’s festival.

The Area Committee was informed that officers would try to lever in funding from other sources where possible.

RESOLVED –

i)  That the position of the Wellbeing Budget and the small grant approvals be noted.

ii)  That the funding for the project proposals be approved as follows:

Monday 21^st May at 1.00 p.m. at the Civic Hall, Leeds LS1 1UR

Monday 21^st May at 1.00 p.m. at Civic Hall.

The meeting concluded at 7.30 p.m.