Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the April meeting of the West (Inner) Area Committee.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

One Member expressed concern that the Area Committee had not adequately addressed potential funding in relation to Bramley Baths.  The Chair reported that she had received legal advice stating that due to the politically sensitive nature of the issues involved, that it was not appropriate to include the item on today’s agenda.

Members discussed arranging a Special Meeting of the Area Committee to take place after the forthcoming local elections.  The meeting could be used to address the issues identified above and consider applications for wellbeing funding that had been submitted. 

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.

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 of the Area Committee.

On this occasion, there were no matters raised by members of the public.

To confirm as a correct record the attached minutes of the meeting held on 16^th February 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th February 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 65 – Open Forum

The Area Management Officer reported that a proposal had been submitted by a local resident and agreed by Parks and Countryside in relation to improvements required at Rodley Park.  It was agreed to consider the proposal at the Special Meeting of the Area Committee after the Local Elections.

Minute No. 73 – Future Options for Long Term Residential Care and Day Care for Older People

The Area Management Officer reported that a further update report was being submitted to the Area Committee in June 2011.  One Member raised concern that there had been no contact with Touchstone in relation to the needs of the BME population in Leeds.  Area Management agreed to raise this issue with the Department and report back.

Minute No. 74 – Children’s Services – Performance Report

The Area Leader reported that due to other commitments, a representative from Children’s Services was unable to attend today’s meeting.  Members stressed the importance of a representative being available to attend the Area Committee in June 2011.

To receive for information purposes the attached minutes of the ALMO West Inner Area Panel meeting held on 7^th February 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the ALMO West Inner Area Panel held on 7^th February 2011, be noted.

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

(a)  That due to the politically sensitive nature of an issue raised by an elected Member, the wellbeing report (with the exception of one project referred to below), be deferred and considered at a special meeting of the Area Committee to take place after the forthcoming local elections in May 2011, when the period of Purdah had ended. 

(b)  That the Area Committee approve the following application for wellbeing funding:

• Armley Community Fun Day Committee – Armley Fun Day – £1,500 approved.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided details of the amount of wellbeing capital and revenue funding available for 2011/12, and an update on commitments already made.  The report also sought approval for new and continuing projects commissioned by the Area Management Team.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That due to the politically sensitive nature of an issue raised by an elected Member, the wellbeing report (with the exception of one project referred to below), be deferred and considered at a Special Meeting of the Area Committee to take place after the forthcoming local elections in May 2011, when the period of Purdah had ended. 

(b)  That the Area Committee approve the following application for wellbeing funding:

• Armley Community Fun Day Committee – Armley Fun Day – £1,500 approved.

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

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted

(b)  That Councillors Hanley and Harper to appointed to serve on an Environmental sub-group to deal with service delivery matters, as part of the environmental services delegation.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which informed the Area Committee of progress against the Leeds Strategic Plan and the Inner West Area Delivery Plan.

Clare Wiggins, Area Management Officer, presented the report and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the main areas of discussion were:

• The need for improved signage in relation to traffic calming works at Hill Top Road and Greenhill Road.  Councillor Harper reported that a number of local residents had also raised concerns about this issue.
• Confirmation that Jason Singh had been appointed Environment Locality Manager for the inner west area of Leeds.
• Update on the work of the Armley Town Centre Manager – it was agreed to provide a more detailed review to the Area Committee in June 2011.
• Concerns about anti-social behaviour on Armley Town Street and the need for additional resources to tackle this.
• Concerns about high teenage conception rates in the inner west area – it was suggested that the Council’s Teenage Pregnancy

Co-ordinator be invited to attend the Area Committee in June 2011 to discuss the Area Committee’s concerns.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted

(b)  That Councillors Hanley and Harper to appointed to serve on an Environmental sub-group to deal with service delivery matters, as part of the environmental services delegation.

(Councillor J McKenna left the meeting at 6.30 pm during the consideration of this item.)

Copy attached.

The Area Management Officer reported that there were some additional items to be added to the Forward Plan in relation to, school performance, teenage conception and Armley Town Centre Management. 

RESOLVED – That subject to the inclusion of additional items identified above, the Forward Plan of Area Committee Business for June 2011, be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Area Leader.

The West North West Area Leader submitted a report, which updated the Area Committee on Community Safety Issues in Inner West Leeds since the last meeting on 16^th February 2011.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Gill Hunter, Divisional Community Safety Co-ordinator, and Inspector Bownass, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

Inspector Bownass introduced Superintendant Deacon to the Area Committee.  Superintendant Deacon briefly discussed the challenges of the current financial climate and the ongoing commitment to frontline services.  He advised that there were no planned cuts to neighbourhood policing.  He then thanked the Area Committee for funding the work of Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s).  Members highlighted the positive contribution of PCSO’s in the local community.

The following key points were also discussed:

• Concerns about metal theft at railways and the impact on train services.
• Update on Wythers Action Day – Councillor Lowe reported that she had arranged a meeting with Richard Walker, West North West Homes, to discuss support for victims of race hate crime.
• Councillor Atkinson requested a list of PCSO’s in Bramley, which Inspector Bownass undertook to provide.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

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

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report o proposals to introduce further Dog Control Orders in the City.

The Chair welcomed to the meeting, Stacey Campbell, Service Manager, Environmental Services, to present the report and respond to Members’ questions and comments.

In brief summary, the key areas of discussion were:

• Concern about noise nuisance arising from persistent dog barking.
• Empowering members of the public to encourage dog owners to act more responsibly.
• Concern that only 5 Dog Enforcement Officers were employed across Leeds.
• Proposals to restrict the number of dogs on leads and the impact on professional dog walkers.  It was advised that a licence scheme was being established – currently a maximum of 4 dogs on lead permitted, but under new licence arrangements this was being extended to 6.
• Members welcomed proposals under phase 2 to exclude dogs from sports pitches and school grounds / playing fields.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Children’s Services.

This item was deferred to the Area Committee in June 2011.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer.

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 2011/12 municipal year.

Members briefly discussed altering the date of the April 2012 Area Committee meeting to avoid any issues in relation to Purdah.

RESOLVED – That the following meeting dates be approved for 2011/12 to take place on a Wednesday at various venues across the inner west area of Leeds at 5.00 pm.

22^nd June 2011, 7^th September 2011, 19^th October 2011, 14^th December 2011, 15^th February 2012 and 21^st March 2012.

(The meeting concluded at 7.08 pm.)