Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chair for the 2006/2007 municipal year.

(Time – 5 mins (Council Function))

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report explaining the arrangements for the annual election of the Chair of the Area Committee.

In accordance with the agreed procedure, the Chief Democratic Services Officer  reported that a nomination for the Chair had been received on behalf of Councillor Janet Harper and Members were asked to take a formal vote.

RESOLVED –

That following an overall majority of votes cast by those Elected Members present at  the meeting eligible to vote, Councillor Janet Harper be elected Chair of the West  (Inner) Area Committee for the 2006/07 Municipal Year.

(Councillor Harper in the Chair)

To receive a deputation from the Prospects Residents Association.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting Heather Foote, spokesperson and Chairman of Prospects Residents Association, together with her colleagues Adrian Gaskin, Judith and Barry Watson, who presented a deputation regarding Planning Application No. P/06/01725/FU/W.  A copy of the presentation together with aerial maps of the site in question were tabled at the meeting.

The residents of Prospect View are in favour of a doctor’s surgery in the area and welcome a car park to the surgery with access via Town Street, which would relieve some of the existing traffic and parking problems.  The residents felt disappointed to learn that the applicants had been advised by planners to change the access to the surgery to via Prospect View.  Residents emphasised that traffic in this vicinity is already hazardous and increased traffic volume could only make a poor situation worse.

Members suggested that other locations such as the Bramley Shopping Centre should be considered as a location for a doctors surgery. 

The Area Committee was informed that Primary Care Trusts would cease to exist on the 1^st October 2006 and  they were aware that gaps for doctors surgeries have been identified in the Bramley, Armley and New Wortley areas, especially as the PCT were having difficulty in recruiting Doctors for those areas.  A report had been requested to go back to the PCT Board in September 2006.

Councillors Atkinson and Lowe informed the residents that they supported their objections to the proposed planning application.

The Chair thanked the residents for a first class presentation.

RESOLVED - 

(a)  That the deputation and the contents of the speech be noted.

(b)  That Members comments/suggestions be referred to the Primary Care Trust and that a report be submitted to the next Area Committee meeting.

(Note:  Councillors Hanley, Harper and Taggart indicated that in their capacity as Members of the Plans Panel (West) and in order to avoid any perception of predetermination until such time as this matter may be considered by the Plans Panel (West), they intended to remain in the room and listen to the deputation, but would take no part in the discussion or voting thereon.  Councillors Harper and McKenna also declared a personal interest as Non-Executive Directors of the Primary Care Trust (PCT). 

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 13 of the Members Code of Conduct

There were no declarations of interest reported at this point in the meeting.  (See also Minute No. 2).

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 30^th March 2006.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

RESOLVED -  That the minute of the previous meeting held   on 30^th March

2006 be approved as a correct record.

The West Inner Area Committee will be introduced to Sergeant Peter Oram.

Inspector Peter Oram introduced himself to the West Inner Area Committee.  He informed the Area Committee that there were now two Inspectors in the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Inspector Granville Ward for the West Outer area and himself for the West Inner area.

Inspector Oram informed the meeting that the Police Authority would like to relocate the Neighbourhood Policing Teams from  Pudsey Police Station and have them based in Bramley and Armley but this was unlikely to happen due to financial constraints.  As far as the location of the PCSO’s were concerned it would be ideal for them to be based locally instead of having to report to Pudsey Police Station before commencing their duties on the Bramley and Armley patches. 

In conclusion Members agreed that ideally suitable premises needed to be found locally and a suggestion was made to look into the possibility of the Bramley based Police Officers and PCSO’s being based in premises above the Bramley Shopping Centre.  Steve Crocker, West Area Manager agreed to investigate.

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.

It is also intended to submit under this item for information/discussion purposes the minutes of the local community forum meetings.  The following sets of minutes are enclosed:

(a)  Armley Community Forum meetings held on 21^st March and 25^th April

  2006.

(b)  Bramley Community Forum meeting held on 23^rd March 2006.

The agenda made reference to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure rules for an Open Forum Session at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, for members of the public to ask questions or to make representations on  matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.  On this occasion,  no matters were raised under this item by those members of the public who were in attendance.

RESOLVED  -  That the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meetings held on 21^st March and  25^th April 2006 and the Bramley & Stanningley Community Forum meeting held on 23^rd March 2006 be noted.

To consider the attached report by the Chief Democratic Services Officer and to agree the nominations to those organisations which fall into the remit of this

Area Committee. 

(Council Function)

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report and appendices outlining the Committee’s role in relation to its Elected Member appointments to community and local engagement category appointments to outside bodies which had been delegated to the Area Committee to decide.

RESOLVED –

(a)   To confirm the following nominees to work with the outside   bodies identified below having regard to the appointments   procedure outlined in the report

  Outside Body  Nomination

  The Bramley Poors’ Allotment Trust  Mr M Law

    Councillor Taggart

    Bramley Sure Start  Councillor Harper

    West Leeds Family Services Unit  Councillor Atkinson

  West Homes ALMO  Councillor Lowe    Councillor Hanley

To receive a report which is to be considered by Executive Board on 14^th June 2006 from the Directors of Neighbourhoods and Housing and Corporate Services which covers updated Area Function Schedules and details the budgets available for delegated services for 2006/2007, which also includes an initial Area Function Schedule for Community Centres. 

(Executive Function)

The Directors of Neighbourhoods & Housing and Corporate Services submitted a report on the Area Function Schedules 2006/07.  The report gave details on the updated Area Function Schedules and detailed the budgets available for delegated services for 2006/07.

Steve Crocker, West Area Manager, presented the report and pointed out that there were two major differences in this year’s schedule, the Neighbourhood Wardens now report directly under Area Management and the devolvement of Community Centres.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To note a report by the West Leeds Area Manager which provides a short update for the Area Committee on the activities of Area Management in Inner West Leeds over the last two months April/May 2006, recent progress on delivering the Area Delivery Plan for 2006/2007 and to inform the Area Committee of plans and activities of the West Leeds District Partnership and other partnerships within West Leeds.

(Executive Function)

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report providing a short update for the Area Committee on the activities of Area Management in Inner West Leeds over the period April/May 2006, recent progress on delivering the Area Delivery Plan 2006/07 and informing the Area Committee of plans and activities of the West Leeds District Partnership and other partnerships within West Leeds.

A pamphlet ‘I love West Leeds’, relating to a new arts festival from 8-15 July 2006, which detailed over 26 events, was tabled at the meeting.  Jane Earnshaw gave a summary of the events taking place. 

Steve Crocker, Area Manager presented the report in detail and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

A detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

RESOLVED - To note the actions of the West Area Management Team in delivering the actions agreed in the Inner West Area Delivery Plan 2006/7.

To consider a report of the West Leeds Area Manager on proposals to transform the former Bramley Fire Station into a Community Safety Headquarters and a state of the art visitors centre which would be used to teach fire safety to young people. 

(Executive Function)

The Area Committee considered a report by the West Leeds Area Manager on proposals to transform the former Bramley Fire Station into a Community Safety Headquarters and a state of the art visitors centre which would be used to teach fire and safety to young people.

Sarah Laidlow-Moore, Robert Davison and Peter McCneesh of the  West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service gave a short presentation on the proposals.

Members expressed their concern about the condition that both the Bramley and Pudsey Fire Stations had been left in since their closure, especially Bramley Fire Station which is situated on a major gateway into Leeds City Centre.

In response, Members were informed that there had been planning issues with the Pudsey Fire Station and it was envisaged that development of the site would take place within the next twelve months.  The Bramley Fire Station was at first being dispensed with, but now this initiative has been put forward to return the Fire Station to community use on a greater scale which, it was hoped, would be a West Yorkshire wide facility that has capacity to become a national beacon project.

Further concerns were expressed by Members relating to:-

·  The capital and revenue expenditure for the proposed project –

  Mr Davison confirmed that £3m had been agreed within the Fire   Authority capital programme budget.

·  The access and egress to the site especially as it is on a busy major road leading to a flyover.

·  That assurance be given that West Yorkshire Fire Authority are to

  carry out immediate improvement works to the frontage of Bramley Fire   Station.

·  That local residents be informed of proposals for the Bramley Fire

  Station either by a local survey or by making representation at the   Armley and Bramley & Stanningley Community Forums.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To support, in principle, the proposal to redevelop Bramley Fire Station site into a fire safety training centre and community  safety headquarters, subject to local consultation.

(b)  That approval be given to a phased contribution of £12,500 per year over a two year period from the Well-being budget for this project.

(c )  That  the concerns of the Area Committee be conveyed to West   Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service over the dilapidated state of    Bramley Fire Station and its surroundings which is on one of the   busiest Leeds gateways.

To consider a report from the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing outlining the community centres function which is being delegated to Area Committees in stages.

(Executive Function)

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a detailed report to outline the Community Centres function which is being delegated to the Area Committee in stages from 1^st July 2006.

Steve Crocker, West Leeds Area Manager presented the report and, together with Paul Dishman, West Area Co-ordinator responded to Members questions and comments.

In summary, the main points raised were:-

·  The need for assurances that the Community Centres are compliant with health and safety regulations.

·  Clarification on whether an audit has been carried out on each building to establish what needs spending in terms of capital costs in order to bring the buildings up to standard. 

·  That any capital budget established in respect of community centres needs to meet demands established by proper audits.

Members were informed that a further report is to be submitted later in the year with details of the remaining centres being delegated to this Area Committee.

RESOLVED –

(a)   To note the arrangements for the delegation of the community   centres to the Area Committee.

(b)  That a further report be submitted to a future meeting of this   Area   Committee giving assurances that all the buildings being delegated are legally compliant with health and safety   regulations.

(c)   To note that a further report will be submitted later in the year with   details of the remaining centres being delegated.

To consider a report from the West Leeds Area Manager updating Members on the current amount of capital and revenue funding committed and available via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for wards in the Inner West area. The report also seeks approval for new projects commissioned by the West Leeds Area Management Team.

(Executive Function)

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report to update Members on the current amount of capital and revenue funding available for the financial year 2006/07 and the commitments already approved.  The report and appendices also sought approval for new projects commissioned by the Area Committee.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the amount of Well-Being Budget remaining to be spent by the

  Inner West Area Committee.

(b)  That the following decisions be taken in respect of new projects and   requests for funding from the Wellbeing Budget contained in   appendices to the submitted report:-

CAPITAL

(i)  Bramley Fireplace - £12,500 – Approved, in principle, £12,500 phased   support in 2007/08.

REVENUE

(ii)  CASAC (Burglary Reduction Target Hardening) -  £7,500 -  Approved.

(iii)  CASAC (Burglary Reduction Distraction Packages)  -  £5,000  -    Approved.

(iv)    Leeds Ahead - £2,000 – Approved.

(v)  Urban Fusion - £6,000 - Approved

(vi)  Neighbourhood Warden - £23,000 – Approved.

(vii)  Police Motorbikes - £1,200 – Approved

(viii)  LAMPS - priority neighbourhoods of Wyther and Broadleas -   £10,000 -   Approved.

(c )    That the application from Leeds Improvement Project for a small grant   for £500 as outlined in Appendix 7 of the submitted report   be   approved.

To note a report of the West Leeds Area Manager which provides Members with a summary of the findings from the Annual Council Survey carried out in 2005.

(Executive Function)

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a detailed report summarising the findings from the Annual Council Survey with comparative data for the West wedge and the City as a whole.  The Area Committee was also informed that the survey was carried out in 2005 and is the most comprehensive survey that the Council has undertaken in terms of its sample size, and in terms of respondents accurately reflecting the age, gender, geographical spread and ethnicity of the population.

RESOLVED – That the findings of the Annual Survey be noted.

To note a report from the Head of Communications on the results of the About Leeds evaluation exercise for 2005/06.

(Executive Function)

The Head of Communications submitted a report  providing an update on the Council newspaper, specifically issues surrounding the 2005/06 evaluation exercise and the proposals for 2006/07.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the positive results of the evaluation for the City and   West   Leeds.

(b)  To note that no charges were sought from Area Committees in   2005/06 or 2006/07.

(c )   To note the future proposals relating to advertising space within   the newspaper.

To note a report from the West Leeds Area Manager briefing Members on the first 15 months of the Fairfield Local Area Management Plans (LAMPS).

(Executive Function)

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a reportto brief the Area Committee on the first 15 months of the Fairfield Local Area Management Plan.

Steve Crocker, West Leeds Area Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

RESOLVED -  That the contents of the report be noted.

To note a report of the West Leeds Area Manager updating Members on the progress on the bid to Heritage Lottery for Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)

Funding for Armley.

(Council Function)

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report to update Members on the progress on the bid to Heritage Lottery for Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) funding for Armley.

Steve Crocker, West Leeds Area Manager presented the report and informed Members that should the bid be successful it was intended to repair and reinstate the older original shop fronts along Armley Town Street.  Members were also informed that the results of the bid would be disclosed in September 2006. 

RESOLVED – 

(a)  To note the progress on the Townscape Heritage (THI) bid.

(b)  To note that a bid will be submitted for match funding to the Area   Committee should the Stage 1 application be successful.

To note a report of the West Leeds Area Manager which provides an overview of the Sport PFI Investment Plan with particular reference to Armley Leisure Centre and details of the consultation process.

(Council Function)

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report to provide an overview of the Sport PFI Investment Plan with particular reference to Armley Leisure Centre and details of the consultation process.

A copy of the presentation from the briefing session for Inner West and Outer West Area Committee Members held on 22^nd May 2006 was tabled for those Members who were unable to attend.

A detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report with specific reference to the following issues:-

·  The need to ensure that the new Leisure Centre has links with the

  Armley Moor Health Centre.

·  For the sake of the health of the people from Armley and the children of Armley who use the existing  Leisure Centre for combating obesity,  there should be no break in service.

·  That proper regard be given to the need for a refreshment facility within the new centre.

RESOLVED – 

(a)  To note the content of the presentation at Appendix A tabled at the   meeting.

(b)  To support the need for a building of high quality design, ensuring that   the new Leisure Centre has good links with the Armley Moor Health   Centre.

(c )  That the Area Committee urges that proposals developed ensure that    there is no break in service provision for the community of Armley.

(d)  Whilst supporting the outline application in relation to the project,   further discussion is needed on the actual detail of the scheme.

(Note:  Councillor Lowe left the meeting at approximately 7.35 p.m.   during consideration of the above item.)

To note the following dates and time of future meetings of the West Inner Area Committee (venues to be considered):

14^th September 2006 at 5.00 p.m.

19^th October 2006 at 9.00 a.m.

7^th December 2006 at 9.00 a.m.

8^th February 2007 at 9.00 a.m.

29^th March 2007 at 9.00 a.m.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note that the next West Inner Area Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, 14^th September 2006 at 5.00 p.m. at  Stanningley Rugby   Club.

(b)  That the West Inner Area Committee meetings to be held on   Thursdays, 7^th December 2006 and 29^th March 2007 will both   commence at 5.00 p.m.

(The meeting concluded at approximately 8.00 p.m.)