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 Head of Governance Services 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, 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 so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following 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.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration (The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no late items submitted for consideration.

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.

No declarations were made.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th December 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8^th December 2014 were approved as a correct record.

Minute No. 29 Open Forum

It was confirmed to Members that the letters requested to be written at the last meeting on behalf of Otley CAB had been sent.

Members were informed that as yet no formal response had been received from the relevant Executive Board Member or the Chair of the Scrutiny Board (Resources and Council Services).

RESOLVED - The Committee resolved to request the Chair write to the relevant Executive Board Member and Chair of the Scrutiny Board (Resources and Council Services) asking for a response to the letters previously sent.

Minute No. 32 Should Leeds Bid for European Capital of Culture 2023

It was confirmed to Members that to date the potential Leeds bid for European Capital of Culture had not been discussed at all Sub Groups.

In accordance with Paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community 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 Community 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 the Community 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 Community Committee.

On this occasion no members of public were present.

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader providing an update on the budget position for the Committee’s Wellbeing fund for 2014/15. In addition, the report also presents the current position of the Small Grants and Skips funding allocation and provides an update on the Youth Activity Fund. 

The report of the West North West Area Leader provided the Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing fund for 2014/15.  It also highlighted the current position of the small grants and skips pots and provided an update on the Youth Activity Fund.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved:

(a)  That the current budget position for the revenue Wellbeing fund for 2014/15 be noted.

(b)  That the following be agreed with regards to the large grant applications received:

(c)  That the Wellbeing small grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting be noted; and

(d)  That the current budget position for the Capital Wellbeing Fund for 2014/15 be noted; and

(e) That Horsforth Ward’s small grant money be transferred into the large grant fund.

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader which sets out the progress made by the Committee’s Children’s Services and Family Health sub group in arranging an engagement event for the children and young people of Outer North West Leeds. In addition, the report seeks to inform the Community Committee of the arrangements for the event and provide some background information.

The Chair of the Childrens Services and Family Health Sub Group presented a report of the West North West Area Leader. The report set out the progress of the Children’s Services and Family Health Sub Group in arranging an engagement event for the children and young people of the outer north-west. The report sought to inform the Committee of the event and provided background information.

Members discussed the decision making process surrounding the allocation of funding to projects that the children attending the engagement event, might wish to spend money on. It was confirmed that an application form for funding would have to be completed by  an organisation wishing to seek funding which would then be considered by the Sub Group.

Members considered this a good opportunity to engage with the young people of the outer north west area and for them to be able to express their opinions on the provision for youth services.

Members felt that following approval of any funding for youth projects it would be a good idea to have some form of outcome measurement so Members could see any progress made.

Clusters were also discussed by the Committee. Specifically, the staffing allocation to each cluster and how this operated. It was agreed that a briefing would be arranged for Cllr Flynn outlining how the four clusters in the outer north west area operate.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved:

(a)  To note the contents of the topic report and the engagement event with children and young people from the outer north-west on 30^th January 2015 at Trinity University; and

(b)  To provide Cllr Flynn with a briefing on how the four clusters in the outer north west area operate.

To consider the report of the West North West Area Leader seeking to provide an update on the ongoing work undertaken by five of the Community Committee’s sub groups. 

The West North West Area Leader submitted a report which updated the Community Committee on the work of five of the Community Committee sub groups.

Members discussed the following:

Environment and Community Safety

Members discussed dog fouling signs which had been purchased but as yet had not been placed. Members were informed a contractor had been found to put these signs up and would be doing so in the near future. Members requested information from the Locality Manager (Environment and Housing) with regards to when the signs would be placed and who was funding the contractor to put them up.

Members also discussed Council run tips and were advised  of a proposal for  Leeds residents to be issued permits, attached to council tax bill correspondence, so that they can access tips run by Leeds City Council.

Members noted that crime levels are decreasing but that this would not mean that the Police would have more resources due to budget cuts. Members agreed that there would be a reduction in time wastage when PCSO’s currently based in Otley, who then travel to Horsforth, are actually based in Horsforth.

Member discussed CCTV provision and the associated costs. It was confirmed that a report on CCTV will be taken to the Sub Group.

Members discussed how best to use the wellbeing budget in relation to granting money to the Police. Consideration was also given to the creation of a service level agreement with the Police and it was requested that the Committee receive a report looking into  all community safety activity.

Policy

The Committee noted that engagement with local Parish and Town Councils would be taking place with a meeting scheduled to take place in Horsforth on 2^nd February.

The closure of Holt Park surgery was discussed,  It was noted that some wards are split between two Clinical Commissioning Groups which can often cause difficulty in communication. The West North West Area Leader agreed to contact Fiona Day to  discuss communication and engagement with residents and elected members from both Clinical Commissioning Groups.

RESOLVED – the Committee resolved to:

(a)  Note the contents of the report;

(b)  Request that Area Support write to the Locality Manager (Environment and Housing) to ask when the signs would be placed and who was funding the contractor to put them up;

(c)  Agree that a report on CCTV be taken to the Environment and Community Safety Sub Group;

(d)  Request a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on Community Safety and

(e)  Request that the West North West Area Leader contact Fiona Day  to discuss communication and engagement with residents and elected members from both Clinical Commissioning Groups.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Parks and Countryside) which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Board review on the Council’s Grounds Maintenance Contract.  Furthermore, the report seeks to inform the Community Committee of the latest position in respect of the contract arrangements.

The Business Development Manager (Environment and Housing) presented a report of the Chief Officer Parks and Countryside. The report set out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Board review on the Council’s Ground Maintenance Contract. The report also sought to inform the Committee of the latest position with regards to the contract arrangements.

Members discussed the report and noted the difficulties encountered in training staff at the start of the grass cutting season, however agreed that this is something that should not impact upon the service received by residents.

Members asked the officer present if there was a list of all shrubbery beds within the outer north west area. It was confirmed that there was and that this would be circulated to all Members.

Members discussed the contract in place for grass cutting and what options there were to vary the contract specifically in relation to Town and Parish Councils.

The issue of rural verges was considered by Members and they were informed that these verges were now being cut by the Parks and Countryside Service. Members were also informed that grass verges on Council owned car parks were the responsibility of Parking Services.

The weed killing contract was discussed by Members who were informed there was a new contract starting this Spring.

RESOLVED – The Committee resolved to:

(a)  Request that the list of all shrubbery beds within the outer north west area be circulate to Members;

(b)  Note the contents of the report and the update provided to the Safer and Stronger and Stronger Communities Board on the management of the Streetscene Grounds Maintenance contract.

(Councillor Downes arrived at 3:50pm during the discussion of this item)  

Monday, 9^th March 2015 at 1.30 p.m. 

After discussion Members agreed to continue to meet at St Margret’s Parish Centre, Church Lane, Horsforth for the foreseeable future.

Monday, 9^th March 20135 at 1:30pm in St Margaret’s Parish Centre, Church Lane, Horsforth, LS18 5LA.