Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2 To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3 If the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-‘

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

Supplementary information was received in relation to Item 14 - West and North West Locality Team – Six month Performance Update. (Minute No. 67 refers)

With agreement from the Chair a late item was admitted to the agenda entitled Annual Report – for the Parks and Countryside Service. (Minute No 68 refers). Prior to the meeting, it had been determined that this update report be submitted to the December meeting, rather than the next scheduled meeting in the new year.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no Disclosable Pecuniary Interests declared at the meeting, however:-

In relation to the item 16 entitled, ‘Wellbeing Fund Report’ Councillor J McKenna drew the Committee’s attention to the fact that he was a Governor at Swallow Hill Community College. Also in relation to the same item, Councillor C Gruen drew the Committee’s attention to the fact that she was a Governor at Leeds West Academy. (Minute No. 69 refers).

No apologies for absence were received.

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 ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee.

On this occasion there were no comments made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th November 2013.

That the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 6^th November 2013 be approved as a correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

Minute No. 48 – Community Forum Minutes

Clarification had been requested on what action the ‘Out of Hours Noise Nuisance Team’ would take if a property had a red flag status.

Outcome

If a property has a red flag it is because one of the following has happened:

•Case Officer / Police Officer reported violence and aggression taking place at the property involving the tenant.

•Officers have witnessed or been involved in an incident of violence and aggression while visiting the property.

•The complainant had informed that the occupant had been violent and aggressive. In which case, it became a Police issue, the procedure for which was to record the details and advise the complainant to contact the Police direct.

When the team received a call on a Red Flagged property, Officers would attend where possible and try and witness noise from a safe distance (ie, slowly drive by a property if on a street with the vehicle window down).

The Red Flag would be removed as and when Case Officers informed the team of a new tenant in the target property / when issues had been resolved.

To receive the minutes of the Inner West Area Panel meeting held on 7^th October 2013.

The Area Committee considered the minutes of the Inner West Area Panel meeting held on 7^th October 2013.

That the minutes of the 7^th October 2013 be noted.

To receive the minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 4^th October 2013.

The minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meeting held on 4^th October 2013 were considered by the Area Committee.

That the minutes of the 4^th October 2013 be noted.

To receive the minutes of the Armley Community Forum meeting held on 19^th November 2013.

(Copy attached)

The minutes of the Armley Community Forum meeting held on 19^th November 2013.

That the minutes of the 19^th November 2013 be noted.

To consider the following three reports relating to housing issues in the Inner West area.

a)  Housing Leeds involvement in Area Committees – To outline how Housing Leeds contributes to the place agenda and to explore ways of making that contribution as meaningful and productive as possible.

b)  Housing Leeds – Housing Service Review Update – To update Members on the progress of the service integration  back into Council control within the Housing and Environment Directorate

c)  Private Rented Sector Service - Summarises the role of the Council’s Private Rented Sector Service, and outlines its current priorities around improving Private Sector housing, reducing the number of empty properties and increasing membership of the Landlord Accreditation Scheme.  

(Copies attached)

Three reports respectively entitled Housing Leeds Involvement in Area Committees, Housing Leeds – Housing Service Review Update and Private Sector Housing Service had been submitted by the Director of Environment and Housing.

The Chair thanked Officers for the comprehensive reports and for attending the meeting.

Housing Leeds involvement in Area Committees

This was the first report produced by the new Housing Leeds Service following the decision to terminate the role of the former Leeds ALMO’s and bring housing management services back into Council control within the Environment and Housing Directorate.

The report noted that Housing Leeds provided a range of housing management services in the West and North West of Leeds. The Inner West Area Committee was coterminous with the Inner West housing management area comprising 5,500 properties in the Armley and Bramley / Stanningley Wards.

The Neighbourhood Performance Manager presented this report and highlighted a number of issues outlined in the report including:

New Council Housing, the Broadleas was one of the 10 shortlisted sites for development under the Council Housing Growth Programme which had been approved by Executive Board.  Developments were at an early stage with consultation ongoing with Ward Members.

Contractor performance has now stabilised with Mears now recognised as contractors for the area, following their take over of Morrisons FM (Facilities Management). Performance continues to be an issue and repair enquiries formed the basis of many Member enquiries and the majority of formal complaints. Indicators were improving and performance in relation to gas repairs continued to be good. Discussions were ongoing with Mears to re-establish the contractor repairs surgeries at local offices which were planned as a response to the STAR survey.

The STAR survey, undertaken in December 2012, was the most comprehensive tenant satisfaction survey undertaken across the city. Citywide, overall tenant satisfaction increased 74% over the preceding period, however it was noted that there were marked variations both across the city and within the former WNWhL area. Three areas in particular produced lower levels of satisfaction, one of which was Armley, satisfaction levels in Bramley were above average.  In West Leeds a correlation was identified linking low levels of satisfaction to areas with high concentrations of multi storey accommodation.

An officer from the High Rise Management Team was in attendance at the meeting and updated the Members on the work being undertaken to increase tenant satisfaction for those living in multi storey blocks.

It was noted that the team worked with customers, the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team and the police, alongside various other agencies such as BARCA. Work taken place included, upgrades to CCTV at the Clydes and Wortley blocks,fob access to a number of blocks, secure communal doors to prevent unauthorised access, cleaning and re-decorating of communal areas.

Property Maintenance Cleaning had been charged with providing an enhanced level cleaning of the outside of and the communal areas within the multi storey blocks.

Housing Leeds – Housing Service Review Update

The Interim Chief Officer, Housing Management, Housing Leeds presented the report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To receive the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to provide Members with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months. The report also provides details of crime data, making comparisons with previous years.

(Copy attached)

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing was presented by the Area Community Safety Co-ordinator. Also in attendance was Acting Up Inspector Steve Williamson of West Yorkshire Police.

This report was the annual community safety report which provided Members with details of the community safety activity undertaken during the last 12 months. The report also provided details of crime data.

The strategic assessment for 2013/14 highlighted a number of priorities for Leeds including;

·  Strengthening the partnership approach to support a more focused approach to tackle domestic abuse

·  Continued focus on reducing domestic burglary and its impact across the city

·  Effectively tackle and reduce anti-social behaviour in our communities

·  Improve understanding and the approach to deal with Child Sexual Exploitation

·  Tackling substance misuse

·  Reduction of re-offending

Members were informed of;

·  a new approach working with the clusters to identify children affected by domestic violence.

·  Awareness sessions on Child Sexual Exploitation were taking place for staff and these sessions were being extended to Ward Members. The sessions covered risks with social media, networking sites, raising parents awareness, and where and how to report concerns.

·  Work ongoing at Ley Lane  to address issues of anti-social behaviour

·  Work with BARCA  to address small pockets of anti-social behaviour on the Fairfields.

·  Repeat victims of crime in the Armley area - ways to address this issue were being considered.

Discussion took place around the issues mentioned above including the distrust of the police within the Armley / Wortley area and the work that was currently ongoing to address this.

Members were advised that;

·  Chief Inspector Fran Norton was hoping to attend Area Committee meetings in the New Year.

·  Pudsey Police Station was now to remain open and an invite was extended to officers and Members to take an opportunity to work there as there was plenty office space

·  Community Safety would have a new Chief Officer – Superintendent Sam Miller

RESOLVED – That the content of the submitted report be noted.

To receive the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods this report will provide an update on performance against the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between West Leeds (Inner) Area Committee and the West North-West Environmental Locality Team.

A detailed report will be circulated as a supplementary item before the area committee meeting on 18th December, 2013.

(Cllr. Lowe left the room at 18:40 prior to the start of this item, returning to the room at 18:45 during the item).

(Cllr Hanley left the meeting at 18:30 prior to the start of this item).

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing was presented by the Locality Manager West and North West Leeds.

The report provided the Area Committee with an update on performance against the service level agreement (SLA) between West Leeds (Inner) Area Committee and the West North West Environmental Locality Team. The report covered the period from 1^st July 2013 to 3^rd December 2013.

Members attention was drawn to the introduction of new waste collection arrangements in Armley and Bramley andStanningley which had now moved to alternate week collections.

Members were informed of a number of activities that had been taking place over the past few months including;

·  An increase in fly tipping specifically in the area of the Aviary’s and Cedar’s

·  Assisting in the work with Community Safety

·  Cleaning of gulley’s and pavements

·  Leaf clearing particularly after the recent storms

Discussions took place with Members providing the Locality Manager with issues that were regularly raised by residents in both Wards.

The Director of Environment and Housing also informed the Committee that in future two Officers would be attending the Area Committee meetings on a regular basis to update Members, one for Housing related issues and one for Environmental related issues.

RESOLVED – That Members’ comments on the performance of the West North West Locality Team since July, and guidance provided in respect of direction to service delivery, be noted.

To receive a report of the Director of Environment and Housing providing Members with the annual update for the service.

A detailed report will be circulated as a late item before the area committee meeting on 18th December, 2013.

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing which provided Members with an annual performance for Parks and Countryside Services was presented by the Trading and Operational Support Manager.

The report provided the Area Committee an overview of the service and set out some of the challenges faced along with key performance management initiatives. In particular the report set out at an area level progress made in attaining Leeds Quality Park standard.

Discussion took place in relation to the fact that none of the community parks within the West Inner area met the Quality Parks Standard. Members raised this issue requesting that guidance be provided.

The issue of Section 106 funding was discussed and it was noted that, Area Support were currently liaising with Parks and Countryside Services and other related departments in relation to this and other funding streams.

Members were advised of work starting on Rodley Park

Members asked to be provided with a set of clear guidelines in relation to the issue of trees both on private and council grounds.

Discussion took place around issues that had been raised by residents including litter on recreational areas after local football matches.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report, together with the Area Committee’s priorities for investment in community parks, playing pitches and fixed play facilities, as discussed at the meeting, be noted.

To receive the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) to advise the Area Committee on the current position of the West Inner Area Committee wellbeing revenue and capital budget 2013/14. The report also provides Members with the position statement on small grants and skips budgets and asks the Area Committee to consider proposals for new Wellbeing projects.

(Copy attached)

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) advised the Area Committee of the balance of the Inner West Wellbeing revenue and capital budget 2013 /14 and the position statement on small grants and skips budgets.

The report also asked the Committee to consider the exchange of the Capital receipts Incentive Scheme monies to revenue, detailed proposals for new wellbeing projects and sought approval for the authorised officer to make a delegated decision on the allocated Youth Activities Fund monies, in line with the delegated decision procedures.

The Committee were provided with further information in relation to the Apprenticeship Scheme.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Area Committee noted the balance of the Wellbeing  Revenue and Capital Budget for 2013/14 be noted;

(b)  That the exchange of the Capital Receipt’s Incentive Scheme monies to revenue be approved.

(c)  That approval be given to the top up of the small grant and skips budget by £1,200.

(d)  That the following be agreed in respect of the submitted Wellbeing applications:

(e)  That the decisions required in respect of commissioning projects for the remainder of the Youth Activities Fund budget be delegated to the authorised officer (Chief Officer (Citizens and Communities)), subject to initial consultation with the Area Committee Chair and also the Committee’s Area Lead for Employment.