Agenda item

To consider a report by the Deputy Chief Executive which provides a summary of the Sub Groups business since the Area Committee meeting in July 2011.

(Report attached)

(Executive Function 10 Minutes)

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note and action as appropriate the Key Messages from the Committees Sub Groups as set out in Section 3.6 of the submitted report

(ii)  To note the current financial position for the Area Committee Well-Being Fund as set out in Appendix 1

(iii)  To note the current position of the former Royal Park School project, as set out in Section 3.9 of the submitted report

(iv)  To convey to the Executive Board that the option to transfer the Royal Park School building to RPCC, who would use volunteer labour to refurbish it, was the option preferred by the North West (Inner) Area Committee.

(v)  That the Chair write to the Chair of Plans Panel (West) requesting that the Bridge Road planning application be deferred for one cycle to allow Ward Members to carry out further consultation and negotiations.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report which provided a summary of the Sub Groups business since the Area Committee meeting held in July 2011, including the current position relating to the area Committee Well-Being Funding and other project activity.

Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management, presented the report and responded to Members queries and comments.

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

• The Key messages arising from the Planning Group and Environment Sub Group since the last meeting of the Area Committee
• Royal Park School Update
• Bridge Road Planning Application

Commenting on the Royal Park School update Councillor Matthews suggested that the report was some what inaccurate, the reference to fees remain unpaid was not correct, the outstanding fees now having been paid.

Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community Association said that the options presented to the RPCC (Royal Park Community Consortium) did not provide the whole picture. The intention of RPCC was to preserve the building but having been boarded up for 7 years, the building was deteriorating and in a state of distress. It had recently been suggested that a new school should be built on the site.

On the issue of raising of funds Sue said that £750,000 was never going to be raised through “bucket collections alone”. It was hoped that lottery funding would be available, but such funds were not forthcoming as the site was not seen as being within a “poverty area”. £800,000 had been offered through Community Builders Fund, but this was subject to the applicants raising £1.8m which was unlikely to be achieved without lottery funding.

Commenting on the options put forward within the submitted report, it was the view of all Members that the preferred option for the Area Committee was that the building be transferred to RPCC, who would use volunteer labour to refurbish it. It was agreed that these views be conveyed to the Executive Board.

On a separate issue, Councillor Illingworth referred to the Bridge Road Planning Application (Planning Application No. 11/03274/FU) – Demolition of existing retail store (BHS site) at 2 Bridge Road, Kirkstall and the creation of a retail development site. Councillor Illingworth sought the support of Members to defer determination of the application for one cycle to allow Ward Members to carry out further consultation and negotiations.

Councillors: Akhtar, Chastney and Matthews declared personnel interests on this issue as Members of Plans Panel (West) and did not participate in the discussion.

It was the view of the Area Committee that a request be made to delay determination of the application for one cycle and the Chair of Plans Panel (West) and the Chief Planning Officer be informed accordingly.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note and action as appropriate the Key Messages from the Committees Sub Groups as set out in Section 3.6 of the submitted report.

(ii)  To note the current financial position for the Area Committee Well-Being Fund as set out in Appendix 1.

(iii)  To note the current position of the former Royal Park School project, as set out in Section 3.9 of the submitted report.

(iv)  To convey to the Executive Board that the option to transfer the Royal Park School building to RPCC, who would use volunteer labour to refurbish it, was the option preferred by the North West (Inner) Area Committee.

(v)  That the Chair write to the Chair of Plans Panel (West) and the Chief Planning Officer requesting that the Bridge Road planning application be deferred for one cycle to allow Ward Members the opportunity to carry out further consultation and negotiations.