Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the February Area Committee meeting.

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following late item:

·  Agenda item 14 – West North West Area Leadership Team Meeting (Minute No. 87 refers)

This document was made available to the public on the Council’s website prior to the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other interests.

An apology for absence was submitted by Councillor J Harper.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th December 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th December 2012 be approved as a correct record.

To receive further information in relation to Minute No. 61: Corporate Parenting.

Minute No. 67 – Inner West Neighbourhood Improvement Board

Mark Law, Chief Executive Officer, BARCA Leeds, updated Members on the Community Organiser Programme in Leeds.

The key points were:

-  The Community Organiser Programme involved a different approach to community work.

-  A partnership of host voluntary organisations across Leeds had been formed. 

-  The focus across the inner west area was on the super output areas. 

-  10 Trainee Community Organisers had been appointed. 

-  A Trainee Community Organiser for the inner west area was being invited to attend a future Area Committee meeting to provide an update on the role.

Minute No. 61 – Open Forum – Corporate Parenting

Members briefly discussed the role of being a Corporate Parent.  It was agreed to arrange a training session for Members on this.

To receive the minutes of the Armley Community Forum and PACT meeting held on 15^th January 2013 and the Bramley Community Forum and PACT meeting held on 29^th November 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the following Community Forum meetings

be received and noted:

·  Armley Community Forum and PACT meeting – 15^th January 2013

·  Bramley and Stanningley Community Forum and PACT meeting – 29^th November 2012

Minute No. 4 – Gotts Park Golf Course

Members were advised that Gotts Park Golf Course had been given a temporary reprieve.  The Area Committee considered opportunities to develop partnership working, enhance provision and publicise use of the refreshment area.

To receive the minutes of the ALMO Inner West Area Panel meeting held on 10th December 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the ALMO Inner West Area Panel meeting

held on 10^th December 2012, be received and noted.

Minute No. 4.3 – Community Engagement and Inclusion Update

One Member requested an update on the work of Tenant Scrutiny.  Area Management agreed to report back with this information.

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum held on 2^nd November 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on

2^nd November 2012, be received and noted.

Minute No. 45 – Neighbourhood Planning

Members agreed to receive a report on Neighbourhood Planning at the March Area Committee.

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 questions or representations from members of the public present at the meeting.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an annual update from the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and the Neighbourhood Police Inspector on activity in the  Inner West to deliver the key outcomes agreed for both Safer and Stronger communities.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided an annual update from the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator and Neighbourhood Police Inspector on activity in the inner west area of Leeds to deliver the key outcomes agreed for both Safer and Stronger Communities.

The following officers and representatives attended the meeting:

-  Gill Hunter, Area Community Safety Co-ordinator

-  Inspector Mark Wheeler, West Yorkshire Police

-  Acting Inspector Nathan Franklin, West Yorkshire Police.

There was a brief discussion about nuisance motorcycles.  Inspector Mark Wheeler emphasised the importance of the local community coming forward with information.  Members were advised that there was a dedicated phone line to report instances of nuisance motorcycles.  The Area Committee requested that the contact details be publicised to the local community.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

(Councillor C Gruen joined the meeting at 5.58pm during the consideration of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside providing an overview of the service and setting out some of the challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives.

The Chief Officer of Parks and Countryside submitted a report which provided an overview of the service and set out some of the challenges faced along with key performance initiatives.

Joanne Clough, Parks and Countryside, attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions and comments.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Clarification about the allocation of resources across inner west Wards.  Parks and Countryside agreed to report back with a breakdown of this information.

·  Further drainage improvements required at Rodley Park Recreation Ground.

·  Concerns about the cost of replacement play area equipment and exploring the possibility of developing alternative provision.  Parks and Countryside agreed to report back with information from other local authorities.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Chief Executive East North East Homes Leeds updating the Area Committee on welfare reform changes that impact on council tenants and are due to be implemented in April 2013.

The Chief Executive of East North East Homes submitted a report which updated the Area Committee on welfare reform changes that impacted on council tenants.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

Report to follow.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which provided the Area Committee with an update on the work of the West North West Area Leadership Team.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.

To receive and consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access & Performance) providing Members with an update on the budget position for the Well-being Fund for 2012-13.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Customer Access and Performance) submitted a report which provided Members with an update on the budget position for the well-being fund for 2012-13.

RESOLVED –

(a) That the budget position for the well-being fund for 2012/13 be noted

(b) That an additional £850 be provided towards the Aston Drive Ginnel closure project

(c) That the Inner West Events Budget be closed and £1,034 be returned to the Armley revenue pot.

To receive and consider a report from the Deputy Chief Executive updating Members on progress against the Area Support Team’s work programme and local priorities.

This item was deferred to the March Area Committee.

Wednesday, 20 March 2013 at 5.00pm

(Fairfield Community Centre, Fairfield Terrace, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 3DQ)

Wednesday, 20^th March 2013 at 5.00pm

(The meeting concluded at 7.18pm.)