Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the West (Inner) Area Committee.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor McKenna and Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Department of Neighbourhoods and Housing.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

In accordance with her powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair admitted to the agenda Appendix A to Item 13 ‘Leeds Enterprise Growth Initiative for West Leeds’ (Minute No. 89 refers) as the Appendix had been omitted from the report at agenda despatch.

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 declared at this point in the meeting, however Councillor Hanley and Co-opted Members Mr Green and Ms Boutle declared personal interests during Item 10 – Inner West Area Committee Well-being Budget – (Minute No. 86 refers).

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

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.  As there were no members of the public present, no issues were raised.

The minutes of the Armley Community Forum meeting held on 16^th January 2007 were submitted for information and noted.  The Chair brought the meeting’s attention to para 10.1 of the minutes of the Forum meeting which referred to the proposal to change the name of the leisure centre in Armley and requested support from Members for the Forum’s view that the name should remain as Armley Leisure Centre.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th February 2007 be confirmed as a correct record.

Wyther Community Centre (Minute No. 68 refers)

The Area Manager advised Members that Stellarbrook Construction had withdrawn their offer to provide funding for a year for the Twilight Twirler Group and that other sources of funding were being explored by the group.  The Area Manager agreed to note the Committee’s unease about the safety and welfare of the young people using the building without a proper funding agreement with the group and Members’ concern at the Council’s pronouncement to overturn the Council’s previous decision to close the Centre.

To note a report of the West Leeds Area Manager introducing Inspector Steve Thomas from West Yorkshire Police Authority who will give an update on Community Safety Issues in West Leeds.

(Executive Function) -  5 mins

In the absence of Inspector Steve Thomas from West Yorkshire Police, the Chair proposed that the report be noted until such time the Inspector could attend.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider the report of the West Area Manager which seeks approval for supporting the proposed criteria for prioritising requests for closure of footpaths/ginnels in West Leeds.

(Executive Function) -  10 mins

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report outlining the background to requests for the closure and gating of footpaths and ginnels in Leeds.  The report requested Members’ support for the proposed criteria outlined in the report for prioritising requests for the closure of footpaths and ginnels in West Leeds and for the proposed closure of two ginnels in particular that met the criteria, namely Nancroft Mount in Armley and Wellington Mount in Bramley.

Paul Dishman, Area Co-ordinator, presented the report and advised Members that requests for the closure/gating of footpaths/ginnels in West Leeds had risen considerably in the last few months.  It was for this reason that the proposed criteria for prioritising requests had been developed.

Members discussed the issues and were advised that East Leeds Area Committees had funded a specific officer to carry out the closure work in that area, hence the reason for the amount of work being carried out there.  Members questioned the reasons for the selection of the ginnel for potential closure in Bramley Ward in particular and requested that they be consulted in future choices of ginnel closure.

RESOLVED -

(a)  That the proposed criteria for prioritising requests for the closure of footpaths/ginnels in West Leeds be supported.

(b)  That the two priority ginnels identified in para 4.5 of the report, namely Nancroft Mount in Armley and Wellington Mount in Bramley, be agreed and that Bramley Councillors be consulted on other areas of concern for future action.

To consider a report of the West Leeds Area Manager seeking approval for new projects in the Inner West area.

(Executive Function) -  10 mins

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report to update Members on the current amount of capital and revenue funding remaining for Wards in the Inner West area 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 Management Team.

Carole Clark, Area Management Officer, presented the report and, along with the Area Manager and Area Co-ordinator, responded to Members’ queries and comments.  Representatives from the various organisations requesting funding also attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions.

The Chair also welcomed to the meeting Jo Baker from BARCA Leeds who gave Members an update on the achievements of the Youth Bank project.  Members congratulated the group on the success of the project.

Members discussed the various requests for funding, in particular the request from Bramley Elderly Action for a Community Engagement Project.  Members expressed concern about this request, in particular the proposed outcomes and whether this project included any additionality to what the organisation already delivered.

During these discussions, Councillor Hanley declared a personal interest as a Director of Bramley Elderly Action.  Advice was offered from the Governance Services Officer on whether both a personal and prejudicial interest should be declared, however Councillor Hanley decided to remain in the meeting and took part in the discussions and voted on this request for funding.

Members finally agreed to support the request from Bramley Elderly Action, but with payments made in quarterly instalments, provided the project was monitored and quarterly reports were received and approved by the Committee.

Declarations of personal interest were also received from non-voting co-opted members during the discussions on well-being funding – from Mr Peter Green, representative of Bramley Forum, as a Director of Bramley Elderly Action and Ms Hazel Boutle, representative of Armley Forum, as a member of Armley Community Environmentalists (ACE).

All other requests for funding were approved.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current financial status of the Well-Being Budget, capital and revenue, be noted.

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

(i)  Roundabout Sponsorship at Bramley/Henconner Lane Roundabout -  Approved £1,500 (Revenue)

(ii)  Community Engagement Project, Bramley Elderly Action – Approved £10,583 (Revenue) with the proviso that payments be made quarterly and subject to quarterly reports being received and approved by the Committee.

(iii)  West Leeds Neighbourhood Wardens – Approved £2,000 (Revenue)

(iv)  Town Street Tales – Approved £9,490 (Revenue)

(v)  West Leeds Holiday Sports Programme (Inner West) – Approved £5,000 (Revenue). 

(vi)   Improving the bin yards in the Cedars to provide a safer, cleaner area – Approved - £9,500 (Revenue)

(vii)  Pudsey Weetwood Off Road Bike Scheme – Approved £2,080 (Capital)

(viii)  Installation of a physical barrier top back road of Stanningley Road   Shops and Houghley Lane – Approved £2,000 (Capital)

(ix)  Nancroft Mount Gates – Approved £3,775 (Capital)

 (c)  That the requests for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing which sets out the background to the establishment of the Affordable Housing Task Force and the subsequent production of the Affordable Housing Delivery Plan.

(Executive Function) -  10 mins

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report setting out the background to the establishment of the affordable Housing Task Force and the subsequent production of the Affordable Housing Delivery Plan ‘Making the Housing Ladder Work’.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting John Statham, Strategic Landlord Manager, and Laura Kripp, Asset and Development Manager, both from Neighbourhoods and Housing, who presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Officers tabled and referred to a report on delivering affordable housing that had been submitted to and approved by the Executive Board on 14^th March 2007.

Lengthy discussion ensued on the contents of the reports.  In brief the following concerns were raised:

·  The number of affordable units that were proposed to be built over the next six years.

·  That more land needed to be made available for affordable housing.

·  That affordable housing was not affordable by a great number of people.

·  Proposals to demolish affordable housing stock and replace with homes at higher rents.

·  Adequate infrastructure being provided along with the new homes.

Members also requested that more information be provided on the city wide availability of sites offering potential for the building of affordable homes and in particular how many affordable homes were proposed to be built in the Inner West area of Leeds.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report be noted.

(b)  That city wide information relating to available sites offering potential for the building of affordable homes be provided to Members, with particular reference to the Armley, Bramley and Stanningley areas.

(Councillors Lowe and Hanley left the meeting at 11.20am and 11.27am respectively, during the consideration of this item.) 

To consider a report of the West Area Manager which informs Members of progress on Crime and Grime Tasking, Project Champions, Northern Challenge Housing proposals, Worklessness in West Leeds, Local Enterprise Growth Initiative and the West Leeds District Partnership programme.

(Executive Function) -  5 mins

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report which updated Members on the progress of Crime and Grime Tasking, Project Champion, Northern Challenge Housing proposals, Worklessness in West Leeds, Local Enterprise Growth Initiative and the West Leeds District Partnership programme.

Steve Crocker, West Leeds Area Manager, presented the report.  He was  praised by the Chair for the work carried out, however concern was expressed regarding the proposed amalgamation of wedges in Leeds and that the West Leeds Area Manager would in future have to cover a greater area.

RESOLVED – That the report be received and noted.

To consider a report of the West Leeds Area Manager which briefs Members on the first 16 months of the Wyther Improvement Group (WIG).

Executive Function  -  5 mins

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report to brief and update Members on the first 16 months of the Wyther Improvement Group (WIG).

Carole Clark, Area Management Officer and Paul Dishman, Area Co-ordinator, presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That commitment be gained from both Leeds PCT and LWH  that they were able to continue to provide leadership and co-ordination to the WIG.

(b)  That funding opportunities for the WIG be explored as there was currently no additional funding to administer this work.

(c)  That the maintenance and housekeeping of the Wythers Community House be supported by the partnership.

(d)  To continue building the partnership to contribute towards the main objectives of the WIG, in partnership with the tenants and residents of Wythers.

To consider a report of the Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing which informs Members of the action taken in West Leeds following the successful allocation of funds.  The Inner West Area Committee is asked to note the contents of the report and to support the proposed action plan for LEGI West.

(Executive Function) -  10 mins

The Director of Neighbourhoods and Housing submitted a report informing Members of the action taken in West following the successful allocation of funds to Leeds.

Steve Crocker, West Leeds Area Manager, presented the report and advised Members that key to the programme in West Leeds was the setting up of the Catalyst Centre which it was hoped could be based at the West Leeds Family Learning Centre.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services which asks the Committee for their support and input into the ongoing review of the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP).

(Council Function)  -  10 mins

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report requesting Members’ support and input into the ongoing review of the Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan.

John Maynard, Performance Manager, Chief Executives Department, was in attendance to present the report, however as there were so few Members now present at the meeting, it was agreed to receive a briefing on these issues at a later date.

RESOLVED – That Members be briefed on the issues at a later date.

To consider the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer which requests Members to agree the dates, times and venues for meetings of the West Inner Area Committee during the 2007/08 Municipal Year.

(Council Function)  -  5 mins

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report requesting Members give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meeting for the 2007/08 municipal year.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the following dates be approved in respect of meetings of the Area Committee in the 2007/08 municipal year:-

  28^th June 2007, 20^th September 2007, 25^th October 2007, 6th December 2007, 7^th February 2008 and 3^rd April 2008.

(b)  That the times alternate between 5pm and 9am, with the first meeting in June taking place at 5pm.

(c)  That the venues for the above meetings alternate between each Ward.

The meeting concluded at 11.50am.