Agenda item

To consider a report of the West Leeds Area Manager seeking approval for new projects in the Inner West area.

(Executive Function) -  10 mins

The West Leeds Area Manager submitted a report to update Members on the current amount of capital and revenue funding remaining for Wards in the Inner West area for the financial year 2006/07 and the commitments already approved.  The report and appendices also sought approval for new projects commissioned by the Area Management Team.

Carole Clark, Area Management Officer, presented the report and, along with the Area Manager and Area Co-ordinator, responded to Members’ queries and comments.  Representatives from the various organisations requesting funding also attended the meeting and responded to Members’ questions.

The Chair also welcomed to the meeting Jo Baker from BARCA Leeds who gave Members an update on the achievements of the Youth Bank project.  Members congratulated the group on the success of the project.

Members discussed the various requests for funding, in particular the request from Bramley Elderly Action for a Community Engagement Project.  Members expressed concern about this request, in particular the proposed outcomes and whether this project included any additionality to what the organisation already delivered.

During these discussions, Councillor Hanley declared a personal interest as a Director of Bramley Elderly Action.  Advice was offered from the Governance Services Officer on whether both a personal and prejudicial interest should be declared, however Councillor Hanley decided to remain in the meeting and took part in the discussions and voted on this request for funding.

Members finally agreed to support the request from Bramley Elderly Action, but with payments made in quarterly instalments, provided the project was monitored and quarterly reports were received and approved by the Committee.

Declarations of personal interest were also received from non-voting co-opted members during the discussions on well-being funding – from Mr Peter Green, representative of Bramley Forum, as a Director of Bramley Elderly Action and Ms Hazel Boutle, representative of Armley Forum, as a member of Armley Community Environmentalists (ACE).

All other requests for funding were approved.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current financial status of the Well-Being Budget, capital and revenue, be noted.

(b)  That the following decisions be taken in respect of new projects and requests for funding from the Well-Being Budget contained in appendices attached to the submitted report:

(i)  Roundabout Sponsorship at Bramley/Henconner Lane Roundabout -  Approved £1,500 (Revenue)

(ii)  Community Engagement Project, Bramley Elderly Action – Approved £10,583 (Revenue) with the proviso that payments be made quarterly and subject to quarterly reports being received and approved by the Committee.

(iii)  West Leeds Neighbourhood Wardens – Approved £2,000 (Revenue)

(iv)  Town Street Tales – Approved £9,490 (Revenue)

(v)  West Leeds Holiday Sports Programme (Inner West) – Approved £5,000 (Revenue). 

(vi)   Improving the bin yards in the Cedars to provide a safer, cleaner area – Approved - £9,500 (Revenue)

(vii)  Pudsey Weetwood Off Road Bike Scheme – Approved £2,080 (Capital)

(viii)  Installation of a physical barrier top back road of Stanningley Road   Shops and Houghley Lane – Approved £2,000 (Capital)

(ix)  Nancroft Mount Gates – Approved £3,775 (Capital)

 (c)  That the requests for funding of a total of £2,500 for small grants and £658 for skips be approved.

(Councillor Taggart joined the meeting at 9.35am during the consideration of this item.)