Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Harper.

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 for the Area Committee.

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

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th September 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th September 2011 be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Hanley, referring to Minute 26, informed the Area Committee that he had visited the Middleton CCTV control centre, and had been very impressed with its layout and design.

Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator, Environment and Neighbourhoods, and Mick Parker, West North West Leeds homes, referring to Minute 29, updated the Area Committee regarding the Gassy Field Site in Armley. A joint meeting had been requested with the GAT Service to look at the site with regard to target hardening. The New Wortley Residents’ Meeting had discussed possible landscaping of the land to make it uneven. Mick Parker informed the meeting that some funding had been identified, and it was hoped British Gas might co-fund. A further update would be provided at a future meeting. There was a discussion regarding provision for Travellers in Leeds.

Councillor Atkinson joined the meeting during consideration of this item.

Referring to Minute 32, Alison Szustakowski, North West Area Management, informed the Area Committee that an agreement was in place regarding the New Wortley Liberal Club Site, and that further information would be provided at a future meeting.

Inspector Mark Bonass, West Yorkshire Police, informed the Area Committee that he was leaving his current post, and would be replaced by Mark Wheeler. Inspector Bonass thanked all present for their support during the three years he had been in this post. The Chair thanked Inspector Bonass.

RESOLVED- That a letter of congratulations be sent from the Area Committee to Rachel Reeves MP as the first woman to get into Cabinet from West Leeds.

To receive for information purposes the minutes of the following Community Forum meetings:

Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum Meeting – 29^th September 2011

Armley Community Forum Meeting – 20^th September 2011

Councillor Atkinson assumed the Chair

A copy of the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meeting held on 20^th September 2011, together with the minutes of the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meeting held on 29^th September 2011 were submitted for Members’ information.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meeting held on 20th September 2011, together with the minutes of the Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum meeting held on 29th September 2011 be received and noted.

To receive for information purposes the minutes of the ALMO Inner West Area Panel meeting held on the 8^th August 2011.

A copy of the minutes of the ALMO Inner West Area Panel meeting held on 8^th August 2011 was submitted for Members’ information.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the ALMO Inner West Area Panel held on 8^th August 2011 be received and noted

To consider the report of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service introducing the Station Commander from Stanningley Fire Station, and informing of opportunities for West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services (WYFRS) to work with partner organisations to serve the needs of local communities.

(Council Function)

David Smith, Station Commander, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service presented a report to the Area Committee to introduce himself as the new Station Commander, and to provide an update on the work done by the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as informing of a new scheme “Firefly” which is designed to help vulnerable people.

In summary, reference was made to the following issues:-

·  the history of the Firefly Product, and it’s availability to purchase

·  the need to identify vulnerable groups to promote and install the Firefly Product

·  ensuring that all members of the community could access Firefly, and other services from the Fire Service

·  the possibility of linking Fire Safety visits to peoples’ homes with Community Safety visits

Councillors were asked to inform Mr Smith of any vulnerable people they were aware of who might benefit from the scheme.

RESOLVED-  That the report be noted

To consider the report of the Head of Parks and Countryside seeking to inform and update Members regarding the Parks and Countryside provision within the West (Inner) Area Committee area, and seeking information regarding priorities for the area for investment.

(Council Function)

The Head of Parks and Countryside submitted a report seeking to inform and update Members regarding the Parks and Countryside provision within the West (Inner) Area Committee area, and seeking information regarding priorities for investment.

Joanne Clough, Parks and Countryside, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  The number of visitors to Bramley Park, and how this information was gathered and calculated

·  The importance of working to increase local involvement with parks with local groups and volunteers

·  The availability of s106 monies for local parks

·  The importance of working with other agencies, such as the health service to ensure parks meet the needs of the public and contribute to their well being

·  That the Parks and Countryside Service should attend Community Forums to ascertain local priorities for the local parks

Councillors McKenna, Hanley and Atkinson left the meeting during consideration of this item. Councillor Lowe assumed the Chair.

RESOLVED-  To recommend that the content of the report be received and noted.

The Area Committee was in-quorate, therefore this decision will need to be confirmed at the next meeting.

To consider the report of West North West homes Leeds seeking to advise the Area Committee of activities undertaken by WNWhL which impact on local communities, and areas where opportunities exist to work collaboratively to improve conditions for local people.

(Council Function)

West North West homes Leeds submitted a report seeking to advise the Area Committee of activities undertaken by WNWhL which impact on local communities, and areas where opportunities exist to work collaboratively to improve conditions for local people.

Mick Parker, West North West homes Leeds, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  the importance of regular walkabouts in local estates and areas, and the possibility of PCSOs and Area Management staff joining in with them

·  a Halloween themed community event being held on the Broadleas on 25^th October at 12.30 p.m.

Councillor Hanley joined the meeting during consideration of this item.

RESOLVED-  That the report be received and noted

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services informing of key performance information at a local level and updating on key developments within Children’s Services.

(Council Function)

Councillor Hanley assumed the Chair

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report informing of key performance information at a local level and updating on key developments within Children’s Services.

Paul Brennan, Joedy Greenhaugh and Alison Larkin, Children’s Services, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  Children’s Services has  been rated as adequate with good capacity to improve

·  Children’s Services is currently undergoing restructure

·  the importance of being able to gather information from Academies as well as LEA schools in order to work together to meet objectives

·  the variation in the numbers of looked after children between wards, and that Bramley is a Pathfinder area for the West North West cluster due to the high number of looked after children in Bramley

·  the importance of carrying out Common Assessment Frameworks

The Chair congratulated Children’s Services on the results of their recent inspection.

RESOLVED- That the report be received and noted

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive seeking to update Members on the capital and revenue funding committed via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for wards in the Inner West area in financial year 2011/12.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED- 

-  That the report be noted.

-  That £1,000.00 be allocated to the burglary reduction initiative from the remaining small grants fund.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report seeking to update Members on capital and revenue funding committed via the Area Committee Well-Being Budget for wards in the Inner West area in financial year 2011/12.

 Alison Szustakowski, North West Area Management, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

  In summary, specific reference was made to the following issue:-

·  that Members could choose to use monies from the Small Grant fund for Burglary Reduction Initiative

RESOLVED-

-  That the report be noted

-  That £1000 be allocated to the Burglary Reduction Initiative  from the remaining Small Grants Fund

-  That one small grant has been approved since the last Area Committee

To consider the report of the Area Leader- West North West seeking to introduce the Inner West Area Committee Business Plan 2011 / 15.

(Executive Function)

RESOLVED-

-  That the content of the report be noted.

-  That the draft Business Plan (Appendix 1) and draft Action Plan (Appendix 2) be noted

-  That the Area Management Team continue to develop a Business Plan

-  That updates be brought to future meetings of the West (Inner) Area Committee, and that a four year plan be brought to the March 2012 meeting for approval.

The Area Leader, West North West, submitted a report seeking to introduce  the Inner West Area Committee Business Plan 2011 / 15.

Alison Szustakowski, North West Area management, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issue:- 

- that workshops for Members would be held in November to discuss the Business Plan further

RESOLVED –

- That the content of the report be noted

- That the draft Business Plan (Appendix 1) and draft Action Plan (Appendix 2) be noted

- That the Area Management Team continue to develop a Business    Plan

- That updates be brought to future meetings of the West (Inner) Area Committee, and that a four year plan be brought to the March 2012 meeting for approval

Wednesday 14^th December 2011 at 5.00 p.m.

(Venue to be confirmed)

Wednesday 14^th December 2011 at 5.00 p.m. Venue to be confirmed

  (The meeting concluded at 7.55 p.m.)