Agenda, decisions and minutes

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 2a - Mobile Youth Bus Evaluation Report, to be considered under agenda item 14, Inner West Area Committee Wellbeing Fund Update.

The information was unavailable at the time of agenda despatch (Minute No. 94 refers).

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.

Councillor McKenna and Mr M Pugh declared a personal interest in relation to agenda item 13, entitled, Update on Community Centre Issues in Inner West Leeds, due to their respective positions with Armley Helping Hands, which it was noted had hired facilities at Strawberry Lane / St Bartholomew’s Community Centre.

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 referred to the provision contained in the Area Committee Procedure rules for an Open Forum Session at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee to enable 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, there were no matters raised under this item by members of the public.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th February, 2008.

Members noted an amendment to Minute No. 76 to delete reference to ‘only’ to read as follows, ‘It was reported that 45% of persistent absence was due to illness and it was felt that this issue needed further investigation’.

RESOLVED – Subject to this amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th February, 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Manager.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the update from West Yorkshire Police be noted; and

(2)  a letter be written to the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to seek clarification relating to a specific housing issue that was considered by Members, and that the response be forwarded to them for their information.

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report, which updated the Committee on Community Safety Issues in Inner West Leeds since the last meeting and provided an update on the recent Operation Champion in Fairfield.

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Inspector Anwar Mohammed attended the meeting and the following points were discussed:

• It was reported that ‘Operation Champion’ had been a success, and as a result would be extended to include evening and some weekend work.  The Committee was informed that the work had been undertaken in conjunction with the Youth Service and had involved tackling a number of issues.
• In relation to crime figures, it was reported that there had been a slight increase in burglaries and violent crime, although there had been a reduction in theft from motor vehicles.
• Members were advised that ‘Operation Abbreviate’ had been set-up to tackle prostitution and to date there had been 25 arrests. 
• Members discussed a specific housing issue and it was suggested that a letter be written to Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods, to seek clarification on this matter.  It was also suggested that the response be forwarded to Members for their information.

(Councillor Taggart and Councillor Harper joined the meeting at 9.12 am and 9.17 am respectively, during the consideration of this item).

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the update from West Yorkshire Police be noted; and

(2)  a letter be written to the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to seek clarification relating to a specific housing issue that was considered by Members, and that the response be forwarded to them for their information.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Manager.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  a further report be brought back to the Area Committee outlining the options available in relation to the creation of a 0.5 post for a Town Centre Manager.

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report, which updated Members on the Armley Business Event 2008, held on 22^nd January, 2008.

Alison Shaffner, Area Manager for Leeds Ahead attended the meeting and the key areas of discussion were:

• The Committee was informed that the event was well attended by local businesses, partners and police representatives.
• Further to feedback received from the event, it was proposed that a Town Centre Manager post be created to assist with delivering improvements and assistance in Armley.
• Members discussed whether it would be possible to create a post for Armley and Bramley.  The Area Manager confirmed that a similar position was already operating in the Bramley area.
• The Committee expressed their support to create a post for a Town Centre Manager. 
• Members considered funding arrangements for the post and suggested that a further report be brought back to the Committee to consider the options available.

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  a further report be brought back to the Area Committee outlining the options available in relation to the creation of a 0.5 post for a Town Centre Manager.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which highlighted the changes to Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) in Leeds and its impact on the delivery of schemes in Inner West Leeds.

The Area Assistant, Gavin Forster reported that in 2007-08, Leeds had received £15 million of NRF from the government.  The Committee was informed that Leeds was not eligible for further funding via the Working Communities Fund, which will replace NRF as it had not been classified as being in enough need for this funding and would only be eligible for a small amount of transition funding to enable the completion of some schemes.

Members considered the level of transition funding that had been made available and the specific schemes in Inner West Leeds that would be most affected as a result of the changes in funding.

In addition, the following points were discussed:

·  The Committee considered the obvious impact on all parts of the city as a result of the changes in funding.  It was felt that the least well off would be most badly affected.

·  One Member advised that the margin for Leeds not being eligible for funding was very small.

·  Another Member stated that Leeds had been punished for boundary changes and the inclusion of more affluent areas. 

·  Amanda Jackson, Locality Enabler reported on future funding proposals for Children’s Services, including £150,000 for innovative and creative activities. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Manager.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the Area Committee notes the progress made so far and requests the final Inner West Area Delivery Plan 2008-2011 to be considered at the Area Committee meeting in June 2008; and

(2)  The Area Committee appoints the following lead Members from each ward to work on the themes within the Inner West Area Delivery Plan 2008-2011:-

• Culture and Environment – Councillor Taggart
• Enterprise and Economy – Councillor Hanley
• Learning and Children – Councillor Lowe
• Regeneration and Transport – Councillors Harper and Lowe
• Health and Well-being and Older People – Councillor Harper
• Thriving Communities – Councillor McKenna
• Stronger Communities – Councillor Atkinson.

The Committee considered a report, which updated Members on the Inner West Area Delivery Plan for 2008-2011.  Appended to the report was the proposed template of what the Area Delivery Plan (ADP) action table would look like.

Rebecca Boon, Area Management Projects Officer, reported that Members had been supplied with a questionnaire to complete, which asked them to choose a theme that they would like to champion with the support of an officer or agency group.  Members then noted the various roles that had been allocated.  In relation to the vacancy for a Member to champion the Regeneration and Transport theme, it was agreed that Councillors Harper and Lowe would share the role and duties involved.  It was also suggested that there should be sufficient time for Members to develop the themes. 

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the Area Committee notes the progress made so far and requests the final Inner West Area Delivery Plan 2008-2011 to be considered at the Area Committee meeting in June 2008; and

(2)  The Area Committee appoints the following lead Members from each ward to work on the themes within the Inner West Area Delivery Plan 2008-2011:-

• Culture and Environment – Councillor Taggart
• Enterprise and Economy – Councillor Hanley
• Learning and Children – Councillor Lowe
• Regeneration and Transport – Councillors Harper and Lowe
• Health and Well-being and Older People – Councillor Harper
• Thriving Communities – Councillor McKenna
• Stronger Communities – Councillor Atkinson.

To receive and consider a report from the West North West Area Manager.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted; and

(2)  The Area Committee approves the allocation of finance raised by the new development at New Wortley Community Centre to assist with the payment of running costs to ensure the sustainability of the centre and local services.

Members considered a report of the North West Area Manager, which updated Members on the operation of the Jobs and Skills service from Strawberry Lane.

It was reported that the Youth Service was no longer operating from Strawberry Lane Community Centre and had now taken up premises at Bramley Community Centre.  Members noted that staff at Jobs and Skills would occupy some of the space at Strawberry Lane following the closure of the West Leeds Family Learning Centre. 

The meeting was reminded that the Committee had agreed to refer the issue of the Wyther Community Centre to the Scrutiny Board following the completion of the closure and demolition of the centre, which it was reported was imminent.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted; and

(2)  The Area Committee approves the allocation of finance raised by the new development at New Wortley Community Centre to assist with the payment of running costs to ensure the sustainability of the centre and local services.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the financial status of the Well-Being Budget, capital and revenue be noted;

(2)  the requests for funding for small grants, skips, community engagement and consultation events, and a budget for the neighbourhood wardens be noted and approved; and 

(3)  the following decisions be made in respect of applications for Well-Being Funding:

(i)  Neighbourhood Wardens for Wyther and New Wortley Neighbourhoods – Approved - £35,873

(ii)  Mobile Youth Bus – Approved - £12,000

(iii)  Armley Tea Dance – Approved - £3,500

The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided details of the amount of well-being capital and revenue funding available for the remainder of the 2007/08 financial year and requested Members to note this information and determine the proposals for well-being funding, together with funding for small grants, skips, community engagement and consultation events that were detailed in the report and appendices.

In relation to the Mobile Youth Bus, it was reported that some elderly members had expressed concern regarding some of the young people that used Bramley Community Centre.  It was felt that greater consideration was needed towards other groups that used the Community Centre.  A representative of the Youth Service agreed to report back this concern. 

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the financial status of the Well-Being Budget, capital and revenue be noted;

(2)  the requests for funding for small grants, skips, community engagement and consultation events, and a budget for the neighbourhood wardens be noted and approved; and 

(3)  the following decisions be made in respect of applications for Well-Being Funding:

(i)  Neighbourhood Wardens for Wyther and New Wortley Neighbourhoods – Approved - £35,873

(ii)  Mobile Youth Bus – Approved - £12,000

(iii)  Armley Tea Dance – Approved - £3,500

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report, which updated Members in relation to actions on a number of Inner West Area Committee priorities.

Following a brief summary of the key points detailed within the report, including an update on Regeneration of West Leeds Gateway and Regeneration Restructuring, a presentation was provided by the Area Manager, Steve Crocker, which focussed on reports of the Leeds Annual Resident Survey 2007 and Indices of Deprivation 2007.

The 2007 Leeds Residents Survey showed overall a positive picture in West Leeds reflecting the improved level of service provision to tackle crime, community safety, road and neighbourhood improvement.

In relation to the 2007 Indices of Deprivation, it was reported that 12 neighbourhoods had improved markedly in Inner West Leeds and only four areas had declined over the period 2004-2007.  One Member referred to those neighbourhoods that had declined and particular reference was made to Moorside in Bramley, which it was noted had declined by 819 places.  The Area Manager acknowledged that the level of decline was a concern, although it was advised that the data would need to be examined in greater detail before a full assessment could be made. 

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the minutes of the meeting of the Bramley and Stanningley Forum held on 31^st January, 2008 and the Armley Forum held on 19^th February, 2008.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting of the Bramley and Stanningley Forum held on 31^st January, 2008 and the Armley Forum held on 19^th February, 2008 be noted.

Minutes of the Bramley and Stanningley Forum held on 31^st January, 2008 and the Armley Forum held on 19^th February, 2008 were submitted with the agenda.

RESOLVED - That the minutes be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Democratic Services Officer.

(Council Function)

The Chief Democratic Services Officer submitted a report, which requested Members to give consideration to agreeing the dates, times and venues of their meetings for the 2008/09 municipal year, which commences in May 2008.

RESOLVED – That the meeting dates and times for the West (Inner) Area Committee for the 2008/09 municipal year are as follows:

• 26^th June 2008, 5.00 pm, venue t.b.c.
• 18^th September 2008, 9.00 am, venue t.b.c.
• 23^rd October 2008, 5.00 pm, venue t.b.c.
• 11^th December 2008, 9.00 am, venue t.b.c.
• 12^th February 2009, 5.00 pm, venue t.b.c.
• 9^th April 2009, 9.00 am, venue t.b.c.

The Chair informed the Area Committee that this was Peter Green’s last meeting of the West (Inner) Area Committee as he was moving to Horsforth.  The Committee was also informed that Jean Bedford had moved away from the area.  The Committee expressed their gratitude to Peter and Jean for their hardwork and contribution to the Committee and wished them all the best for the future.

(The meeting concluded at 11.10 am).