Minutes for North West (Outer) Area Committee meeting, Dec 15 2008, 2.00PM official page

The Chair welcomed everyone to the December meeting of the North West (Outer) Area Committee held in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair consented to the submission of a late item of business relating to traffic concerns on Brownberrie Lane/Bayton Lane/West End Lane/Layton Road (Agenda Item 3) (Minute 54 refers). The report was  late due to the short timescales involved in producing the report and obtaining information on any recent actions and updates regarding the matter.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

The following personal interest were declared:-

·        Councillor J Bale in view of him living near Bayton Lane – Traffic Concerns on Brownberrie Lane/Bayton Lane/West End Lane/Layton Road (Agenda Item 3 (Minute 54 refers)

·        Councillor C Townsley in his capacity as a Governor at Horsforth High School and of the fact that his daughter was employed as a teacher at Ralph Thoreseby High School – Revised Children’s Services arrangements for more effectively locality working with families (Agenda Item 8) (Minute 55 refers)

·        Councillor R Downes in his capacity as a member, senior steward and caretaker of Otley Methodist Church sister church in Pool – Well-being budget report (Agenda Item 11) (Minute 56 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies  for absence were received on behalf of Councillor S Andrew, Councillor A Barker, Councillor B Cleasby, Councillor G Kirkland and Councillor G Latty.

In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area 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 Area 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 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.

There were no members of the public present for this item and therefore no issues were raised.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3^rd November 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3^rd November 2008 be approved as a correct record.

(a)       Emptying of Bins on Old Pool Bank (Minute 38(a) refers)

            Jane Pattison, North West Area Management informed the meeting that following the receipt of information from Streetscene Services, Old Pool Bank was now on the collection route and that the brown bins were being collected.

(b)       The Newly Formed WNW Environmental Action Team (Minute 38(c) refers)

            Jane Pattison, North West Area Management circulated a copy of a document entitled ‘Leeds City Council’s Flyposting on Street Furniture Policy – Terms for Signage Erected in Accordance with the Community Benefit Aspect’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

            Discussion ensued on the content of the document and, in particular, on those areas where the policy had changed.

            In concluding, the Committee requested the West North West Area Manager to write to the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods opposing the new policy and to raise their concerns that the consultation was inadequate.

(c)        Area Committee Roles for 2008/09 (Minute 38(d) refers)

            Jane Pattison, North West Area Management informed the meeting that the CAST team were adhering to their current work schedule, with no slippage, within the Outer North West Area.

(d)       Leeds Colleges Merger – Consultation (Minute 40 refers)

            Councillor J L Carter referred to the above issue and raised his concerns in relation to those colleges who were causing damage to the Outer North West area resulting from their failure to provide parking for their staff.

            The West North West Area Manager acknowledged this point and agreed to feed this comment through the consultation process.

(e)       Area Manager’s Report (Minute 42 refers)

            Jane Pattison, North West Area Management informed the meeting that five tenders were currently being assessed in relation to Yeadon Town Street. 

This report was admitted as a Late Item. The report provides an opportunity for discussion at the meeting for members concerns in relation to the above mentioned roads and junction.

RESOLVED-

(a)               That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)               That this issue be considered at a future meeting and that the Chair be requested, on behalf of the Area Committee, to discuss with the Chief Highways Officer regarding those roads and junctions to be identified for a progress report back to Members.

(c)               That in relation to having a mechanism at Area Committee meetings for reporting Members concerns within their respective wards, the West North West Area Manager be requested to look into this issue with a report back to a future meeting.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which provided an opportunity for discussion at the meeting for Members in relation to traffic concerns on Brownberrie Lane/Bayton Lane/West End Lane and Layton Road.

Nicholas Hunt, Principal Traffic Engineer, City Development department presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and the individual comments/ concerns made by Members on the above mentioned roads and junctions were duly noted by the Principal Traffic Engineer.

RESOLVED-

(a)               That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)               That this issue be considered at a future meeting and that the Chair be requested, on behalf of the Area Committee, to discuss with the Chief Highways Officer regarding those roads and junctions to be identified for a progress report back to Members.

(c)               That in relation to having a mechanism at Area Committee meetings for reporting Members concerns within their respective wards, the West North West Area Manager be requested to look into this issue with a report back to a future meeting.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services on revised children’s services arrangements for more effective locality working with families.

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on an overview of the evolution of locality children’s trust arrangements with the aim of informing the Committee of developments in recent months, together with confirming the direction of travel for revised arrangements and seeking Member involvement in ensuring that priorities and actions were relevant and delivered by the Leadership Teams.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

(a)       Leeds Children’s Trust Arrangements (Appendix 1 refers)

(b)       What the revised arrangements would look like (Appendix 2 refers)

In addition to the report, the Committee received a presentation from Jane Maxwell, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services and she responded to Members’ queries and comments.

The presentation covered the following specific issues:-

·        Locality Children’s Trust Arrangements including core elements

·        Working with local clusters – representation on the North West Leadership Team

·        Working with Area Committees

·        Local Children’s Services Developments

·        Explanation of clusters – three in Outer North West i.e.

-  Otley, Pool and Bramhope

-  Aireborough

- Horsforth

- 4^th cluster which straddled the boundary around Ralph Thoresby High School

·        Range of local activities/projects

·        Working closely with community safety

·        Opportunities for play development in Outer North West

In addition to the above presentation, at the request of the Chair, Inspector R Coldwell, West Yorkshire Police outlined the Safer Schools Partnership arrangements with specific reference to the funding criteria.

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

·        the concerns expressed as to why Horsforth and Ralph Thoresby’s resource was to be shared in view of the ongoing problems within this area

·        the need to focus on those children who were at risk from adults

·        the views expressed that the clusters were working well to date

·        clarification of the number of children who were at risk on the Child Protection Register and whether PCSOs were aware of those houses where there was a potential risk to children

·        clarification of the current funding arrangements and whether it was based on the population of children

RESOLVED –

(a)       That the contents of the report, appendices and presentation be noted and welcomed

(b)       That Councillor J Bale be nominated to:-

·        work with the Locality Enabler and the Area Manager (on behalf of the Area Committee) to take these developments forward and

·        represent the Area Committee on the North West Children Leeds Partnership, subject to Member Management Committee approval.

To consider a report of the Director of Children’s Services setting out a proposed structure for the new Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP).

The Director of Children’s Services submitted a report outlining the draft city-wide CYPP framework and priorities and seeking the involvement of the Area Committee in identifying local priorities for children and young people to drive the work of Children’s Services in this Area Committee area.

In addition to the report, the Committee received a presentation from Jane Maxwell, Locality Enabler, Children’s Services and she responded to Members’ queries and comments.

The presentation covered the following specific issues:-

·        Foundation Stage Profile /Key Stage 2

·        Reducing teenage conception rates

·        Alcohol and drug related problems

·        Pockets of Anti Social Behaviour

·        Obesity

Discussion ensued on the contents of the report and key points of the presentation.

RESOLVED –

(a)       That the contents of the report and presentation be noted and welcomed.

(b)       That Councillor J Bale be nominated to work with the Locality Enabler and the Area Manager on behalf of the Area Committee to develop the local context for these priorities and develop local actions for the Area Delivery Plan 2009/10.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on progress in relation to community safety issues.

RESOLVED-

(a)       That the contents of the report, together with the update from West Yorkshire Police be noted.

(b)       That this Committee notes that a progress report on CCTV from Leeds Watch would be presented to the February 2009 meeting for consideration.

Referring to Minute 41 of the meeting held on 3^rd November 2008, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on progress in relation to community safety issues in Outer North West Leeds.

At the request of the Chair, Inspector Richard Coldwell, West Yorkshire Police presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

During the presentation of crime figures up to the 8^th November 2008 period, the Committee noted and welcomed that a number of crimes had decreased within the Outer North West area around priority offences, burglary and theft.

Members also noted that by logging on to the website www.beatcrime.info, they would be able to access the latest figures applicable to their ward.

Following his presentation, Inspector Coldwell agreed to supply a copy of the latest crime figures for distribution to the Committee via the West North West Area Manager.

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

·        clarification of the support from PCSOs to Neighbourhood  Watch Co-ordinators

·        clarification of the type of crime associated with a recession

·        the need for West Yorkshire Police to review PCSOs surgeries

·        clarification if CCTV cameras were value for money and the need for the Committee to have a full report on this issue

(The West North West Area Manager responded and informed the meeting that a progress report on CCTV from Leeds Watch would be presented to the February 2009 meeting for consideration)

·        clarification of the current prosecution procedure in relation to shops selling alcohol to under age children

RESOLVED-

(a)       That the contents of the report, together with the update from West Yorkshire Police be noted.

(b)       That this Committee notes that a progress report on CCTV from Leeds Watch would be presented to the February 2009 meeting for consideration.

(Councillor R Downes left the meeting at 3.30 pm at the conclusion of the above item)

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing the Area Committee with a current position statement on the well-being budget, details of proposed projects and small grant applications received to date.

RESOLVED-

a)     That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)     That this Committee notes the current position of the Well-being budget as detailed in Sections 1.0 and 2.0 of the report now submitted.

c)      That the following projects outlined in Section 3.0 of the report be dealt with as follows:-

Name of Project

Name of Delivery Organisation

Decision

Site–based gardener

Parks and Countryside Service

Agreed

£10,500 revenue

Otley Methodist Church

Otley Methodist Church Community Development Project

Agreed

£2,000 capital

Holtdale Garage Sites

Highway Services

Deferred to enable further discussions to take place with West North West Homes

Horsforth Library Scheme

North West Area Management

Agreed

£30,000  (£25,164 capital and £4,836 revenue)

Ridgeside Play Area Refurbishment

Parks and Countryside Service

Agreed

£10,000 capital

Outdoor Activities in North West

Sport and Active Recreation (Leeds City Council)

Agreed

£6,476 revenue

(£1,619 per ward)

and for a progress report on this scheme to be submitted to a future meeting

d)     That approval be given to £1,297.27 being transferred from the Horsforth Library alteration project to cover the additional cost of re-siting the Information Board as outlined in Section 3.8 of the report.

e)     That in relation to the Ward Based Initiatives issue raised at the meeting, the West North West Area Manager be requested to forward details on the initiative to Members.

f)        That the small grants as detailed in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of the report be noted.

Referring to Minute 44 of the meeting held on 3^rd November 2008, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing the Area Committee with a current position statement on the well-being budget, details of proposed projects and small grant applications received to date.

Jane Pattison, North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

In relation to the Outdoor Activities in North West project, at the request of the Chair, Paul Senior, Community Safety Officer, City Development attended the meeting to provide background information on the project.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report and appendices.

RESOLVED-

(a)       That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)       That this Committee notes the current position of the Well-being budget as detailed in Sections 1.0 and 2.0 of the report now submitted.

(c)        That the following projects outlined in Section 3.0 of the report be dealt with as follows:-

Name of Project

Name of Delivery Organisation

Decision

Site–based gardener

Parks and Countryside Service

Agreed

£10,500 revenue

Otley Methodist Church

Otley Methodist Church Community Development Project

Agreed

£2,000 capital

Holtdale Garage Sites

Highway Services

Deferred to enable further discussions to take place with West North West Homes

Horsforth Library Scheme

North West Area Management

Agreed

£30,000  (£25,164 capital and £4,836 revenue)

Ridgeside Play Area Refurbishment

Parks and Countryside Service

Agreed

£10,000 capital

Outdoor Activities in North West

Sport and Active Recreation (Leeds City Council)

Agreed

£6,476 revenue

(£1,619 per ward)

and for a progress report on this scheme to be submitted to a future meeting

(d)       That approval be given to £1,297.27 being transferred from the Horsforth Library alteration project to cover the additional cost of re-siting the Information Board as outlined in Section 3.8 of the report.

(e)       That in relation to the Ward Based Initiatives issue raised at the meeting, the West North West Area Manager be requested to forward details on the initiative to Members.

(f)         That the small grants as detailed in Sections 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on progress on a number of projects in Outer North West Leeds.

RESOLVED-

a)     That the contents of the report be noted.

b)     That Horsforth ward and Otley and Yeadon ward be identified as potential venues for the first two ward based community engagement events and that further discussions be undertaken between Councillor C Townsley and Councillor C Campbell and the West North West Area Manager on the theme of the events.

c)      That the West North West Area Manager be requested to forward a copy of the relevant legislation in respect of a Government duty on local authorities to inform, consult and involve local people in improving local services and the implications of this for Community Consultation to Members for their information/retention.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with progress on a number of projects and initiatives in Outer North West Leeds as determined by the Area Delivery Plan for 2008‑11.

Steve Crocker, West North West Area Manager  presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report, with specific reference to community engagement.

Following a brief debate, Members requested a copy of the relevant legislation in respect of a Government duty on local authorities to inform, consult and involve local people in improving local services and the implications of this for Community Consultation.

The West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to forward the relevant excerpt from the 2006 Local Government White Paper “Strong and Prosperous Communities” to Members which explained the “duty to consult” in more detail.

RESOLVED-

(a)       That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)       That Horsforth ward and Otley and Yeadon ward be identified as potential venues for the first two ward based community engagement events and that further discussions be undertaken between Councillor C Townsley and Councillor C Campbell and the West North West Area Manager on the theme of the events.

(c)        That the West North West Area Manager be requested to forward a copy of the relevant legislation in respect of a Government duty on local authorities to inform, consult and involve local people in improving local services and the implications of this for Community Consultation to Members for their information/retention.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee meeting.

RESOLVED-

a)     That the contents of the report be noted.

b)     That this Committee notes that a report on Environmental Services would be submitted to the February 2009 meeting for consideration, together with the relevant key officers in attendance.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that have taken place since the last Area Committee meeting.

Jane Pattison, North West Area Management presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

Specific reference was made to the need to invite the Chief Environmental Services Officer to the next meeting in February 2009 to discuss streetscene issues.

The Deputy Area Manager responded and informed the meeting that a report on Environmental Services would be submitted to the next meeting, together with the relevant key officers in attendance.

RESOLVED-

(a)       That the contents of the report be noted.

(b)       That this Committee notes that a report on Environmental Services would be submitted to the February 2009 meeting for consideration, together with the relevant key officers in attendance.

Monday 16^th February 2009 at 2.00pm (venue to be confirmed)

Monday 16^th February 2009 at 2.00 pm (venue to be confirmed).

(The meeting concluded at 4.25 pm)