Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence from the meeting were submitted on behalf of Councillors D Atkinson and J McKenna and Mr Roland Cross, Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum.

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

Reference was made to the supplementary agenda, which contained a revised version of the Area Manager’s Report (Agenda Item 11 refers), plus an additional appendix relating to the ‘Leeds Spending Challenge’.

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.

No declarations of interest were made.

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.

Reference was made to the provisions contained in the Area Committee Procedure Rules for an Open Forum session to take place at each ordinary meeting of an Area Committee, whereby members of the public could ask questions or make representations on any matter which fell within the remit of the Area Committee.  On this occasion, no such matters were raised.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2010.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

a)  Children’s Services – Invitations for Headteachers to attend Area Committee (Minute No.41(b) refers)

Further to Minute Numbers 7(b), 22nd June, 25(b), 8^th September and 41(b), 20^th October 2010, it was reported that the latest Children’s Services report would be submitted to the next meeting on 16^th February 2011, and it was hoped that the Heads of the two local High Schools would attend the meeting, as previously  invited at the suggestion of the Chief Executive of Education Leeds in June 2010.

b)  Community Centres Consortium (Minute No. 42 refers)

It was reported that, as requested, the costs of establishing the local Community Centres Consortium had been circulated to Members following the last meeting.  The composition of the Community Centres Management Committees had also been circulated (Minute No. 44 refers).

c)  Broadleas Roundabout CCTV (Minute No. 42 refers)

It was reported that, following the last meeting, a site visit had been arranged, attended by Councillor Hanley, and it was hoped that the new CCTV camera would be in place in February or March.

d)  HEAS Update Report (Minute No. 45 refers)

It was reported that, as requested, details of fixed penalty notices served in the Committee’s area had been circulated following the last meeting.

e)  Proposed Delegation of Elements of Streetscene  Services (Minute No. 47 refers)

Further to Minute No. 47, 20^th October 2010, it was reported that further work was taking place regarding the proposed delegation of elements of Streetscene Services to Area Committees, therefore a meeting of the Environmental Working Group, established at the last meeting, had necessarily been delayed.

To receive for information purposes the attached minutes of the Armley  Community Forum meetings held on 21^st September, 19^th October and 16^th November 2010 and the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meetings held on 30^th September and 25^th November 2010.

Inspector Mark Bownass undertook to circulate a map indicating the areas from where certain individuals were banned.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meetings held on 21^st September, 19^th October and 16^th November 2010, and the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meetings held on 30^th September and 25^th November 2010, be received and noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

RESOLVED – (a) That the report be noted, including the revenue and capital wellbeing budget balances, the Small Grants and Community Skips budget balances and the monitoring/appraisal reports contained at Appendices 4 and 5;

(b) That the following decisions be taken in respect of the applications for funding before the Committee today for determination :-

REVENUE

(i)  Summer band concerts 2011 - £1,200 – Approved, but alternative arrangements to be made, via the Town Centre Manager;

(ii)  Town Centre Manager’s post - £25,000 – Approved.

CAPITAL

Grit bins - £1,657 – Approved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Committee regarding its revenue and capital wellbeing budget balances for 2010/11, the Small Grants and Community Skips Funds, several new applications for funding and an update on the ‘I love West Leeds’ Arts Festival 2010.

In brief summary, the main issues discussed were:-

·  Russell Martin, Highways Department, attended the meeting in relation to the proposed purchase of 8 grit bins for Bramley and Stanningley Ward, and explained that unfortunately, due to financial constraints, the Highways Department would currently be unable to top up the grit bins from central funds once the initial fill had been used.

Members discussed this situation, the costs of treating injured pedestrians, and whether greater priority should perhaps be given to issues such as grit bins when budget decisions were made centrally.  Reference was also made to the precedent of some residents agreeing to fund top-ups themselves, collectively.

·  The proposed summer band concerts in local parks was discussed, and whether or not these should be arranged centrally or locally.

·  The continuation of the post of Town Centre Manager, and the possible options involved, was discussed.

·  Jane Earnshaw, Festival Director, reported on the success of the 2010 ‘I Love West Leeds’ Arts Festival.  Members were extremely supportive, but discussed the future of the Festival against the backdrop of severe Council spending constraints and other demands on the Committee’s limited funds.  Jane Earnshaw was requested to provide the Committee with a range of costed options for a possibly lower scale event in 2011.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the report be noted, including the revenue and capital wellbeing budget balances, the Small Grants and Community Skips budget balances and the monitoring/appraisal reports contained at Appendices 4 and 5;

b)   That the following decisions be taken in respect of the applications for funding before the Committee today for determination:-

Revenue

(i)  Summer band concerts 2011 - £1,200 – Approved, but alternative arrangements to be made, via the Town Centre Manager;

(ii)  Town Centre Manager’s post - £25,000 – Approved.

Capital

Grit bins - £1,657 – Approved.

(NB:  1.  Councillor A Lowe joined the meeting at 4.12 pm, during the consideration of this item.

2.  Nigel Conder, Town Centre Manager, declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, and left the meeting during the consideration of and voting on the post of Town Centre Manager.)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted, and the ‘Leeds Spending Challenge’ consultation exercise be endorsed.

The Acting Area Manager submitted a report updating the Committee on progress in respect of the implementation of the Committee’s Area Delivery Plan 2008-11.

As part of this item, Members considered:-

·  a situation report by Laura Hobman on the operation of the Friday Night Project at the Armley Lazer Centre, and were delighted to note its success.  The Chair indicated that she would visit to see the project in action.

·  Members endorsed the proposed Community Charter document set out at Appendix 2 to the report.  Any more detailed comments which Members might have on the document to be submitted to the Area Management Officer in the next fortnight.

·  Members endorsed the ‘Leeds Spending Challenge’ public consultation exercise currently being undertaken, and requested that it be referred to the Community Forums for more widespread dissemination.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments, the report be noted, and the ‘Leeds Spending Challenge’ public consultation exercise be endorsed.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Acting West North West Area Manager.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Acting Area Manager submitted a report updating the Committee on progress and achievements in respect of the Area’s three top Priority Neighbourhoods – New Wortley, the Wythers and Fairfields – and also on the Broadleas neighbourhood.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement).

The Assistant Chief Executive (Planning, Policy and Improvement) submitted a report outlining proposals for the development of locality working in Leeds, involving the introduction of three, wedge-based Area Leader posts, to replace the existing senior area management arrangements, and the development of greater levels of integrated working arrangements, both in-Council but also with the Council’s partner organisations, to achieve greater service delegation and better outcomes for residents across the City.

Shaid Mahmood, Locality Working Pathfinder, SE Leeds, attended the meeting and responded to Members’ queries and comments. 

In brief summary, the main discussion points were:-

·  Some scepticism was expressed regarding whether the proposed changes would deliver real results on the ground.  Shaid Mahmood gave some concrete examples based on the pilot project run in SE Leeds.  Reference was also made to the proposals forming a framework for greater co-operation and co-ordination between the Council and its partners.

·  The need for local consultation and for more detailed briefings for Local Members was also raised.

·  Reference was also made to the need for greater levels of information sharing and IT integration, especially between partner organisations.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments, the report be received and noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Parks and Countryside.

The Head of Parks and Countryside Service submitted a report outlining current services and planned improvements to facilities in the Committee’s area.

Phil Staniforth, Parks and Countryside Service, attended the meeting and responded to Members’ queries and comments.  In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

·  The proposed improvements to Bramley and Rodley Parks, utilising Section 106 monies, and the need to consult and involve local people and Local Members in the proposals, including, perhaps, local primary schools.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the above comments, the report be noted.

(NB:  Councillor A Lowe left the meeting at 5.55 pm, at the conclusion of this item.)

To receive and consider the attached report of the Divisional Community Safety Partnership.

Inspector Mark Bownass and Gill Hunter, Divisional Community Safety Co-ordinator, presented the annual report of the NW Divisional Community Safety Parthership, and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted, and the Police and officers be congratulated in respect of their hard work, which is evidenced in the report.

Wednesday 16^th February 2011, 5.00pm, Stanningley Rugby Club

Tuesday 5^th April 2011, 5.30pm, Strawberry Lane Community Centre

Wednesday, 16^th February 2011, 5.00 pm, Stanningley Rugby Club.

Tuesday, 5^th April 2011, 5.30 pm, Strawberry Lane Community Centre.

The meeting concluded at 6.20 pm.