Public Document Pack
NORTH WEST (OUTER) AREA COMMITTEE
Meeting to be held in Green Acre Hall New Road Side, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6AS on Monday, 23rd September, 2013 at 2.00 pm
MEMBERSHIP
Councillors
B Anderson - Adel and Wharfedale; J L Carter - Adel and Wharfedale; C Fox - Adel and Wharfedale;
G Latty - Guiseley and Rawdon; P Latty - Guiseley and Rawdon; P Wadsworth - Guiseley and Rawdon; (Chair)
B Cleasby - Horsforth; C Townsley - Horsforth; D Collins - Horsforth;
S Lay - Otley and Yeadon; C Campbell - Otley and Yeadon; R Downes - Otley and Yeadon;
Agenda compiled by: Phil Garnett W N W Area Leader: Jane Maxwell Governance Services Tel: 0113 336 7858 Civic Hall LEEDS LS1 1UR Telephone: 0113 395 1632
Produced on Recycled Paper A
A G E N D A
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PROCEDURAL BUSINESS
1 APPEALS AGAINST REFU SAL OF INSPECTION OF DOCUMENTS
To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 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 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)
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2 EXEMPT INFORMATION - POSSIBLE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
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:-‘
3 LATE ITEMS
To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.
(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)
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4 DECLARATION OF DISCL OSABLE PECUNIARY AND OTHER INTERESTS
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.
5 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENC E
To receive any apologies for absence.
6 OPEN FORUM
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.
7 MINUTES - 10TH JULY 2013 1 - 6
To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 th June 2013 and 10 th July 2013.
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8 CHILDREN'S SERVICES AREA COMMITTEE 7 - 20 UPDATE REPORT
Director of Children’s Services submitted a report informing Members about local outcomes for children and young people, and support the involvement of area committees in improving these outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements. The progress made against local and national agendas is also highlighted. The report summarises performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance. Key issues for Children’s Services are highlighted, including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city.
9 UPDATE ON WELFARE BE NEFIT CHANGES 21 - 50 To receive a report of the Chief Officer Welfare and Benefits providing an update of the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city-wide and ward-level basis and also providing information on arrangements that have been put in place to support tenants. The report details some of the preparations that are underway for Universal Credit with a focus on locality-based support that can be provided. A key element of the preparations for Universal Credit and a response to the welfare reforms is a programme of work aimed at tackling the issue of payday and high cost lending in the city. The report provides information about this programme and seeks input from Area Committees on how the programme of activity can work at a locality level.
10 WEST NORTH WEST HOME S LEEDS 51 - INVOLVEMENT IN AREA COMMITTEES 62
To receive a report of West North West Homes outlining the purpose of West North West homes Leeds (WNWhL) involvement in Area Committees, and to explore ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.
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11 WELLBEING FUND UPD ATE AND MONITORING 63 - REPORT 78
To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities) providing the Area Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 and includes the quarterly monitoring returns for ongoing wellbeing projects. The report highlights the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting. It also provides an update on the Youth Activity Fund.
12 AREA UPDATE REPORT 79 - 118 To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities) bringing together a range of information relating to Area Committee business into a single report to update Members on recent sub group and forum business since the last Area Committee.
13 AREA CHAIRS FORUM MI NUTES 119 - 138 To receive a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) notify Members that the minutes of Area Chairs Forum meetings will be brought to Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item, and to give a brief overview of the Area Chairs Forum meetings.
14 DATE AND TIME OF NEX T MEETING
2pm, Monday 4 th November 2013.
F Agenda Item 7
NORTH WEST (OUTER) AREA COMMITTEE
WEDNESDAY, 10TH JULY, 2013
PRESENT: Councillor P Wadsworth in the Chair
Councillors B Anderson, C Campbell, B Cleasby, R Downes, G Latty, C Townsley, P Latty and D Collins
18 Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents
There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.
19 Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public
There were no resolutions to exclude the public.
20 Late Items
With the agreement of the Chair, two late items were submitted to the meeting- Agenda Item 9- Wellbeing Fund Update Report and Agenda Item 10- Children and Young People's Sub Group. It was considered that both matters needed to be considered by the Committee prior to the next scheduled meeting.
In addition, information relating to the Open Forum, and a response to this from Adult Social Services, was circulated at the meeting at the request of the participants of the Open Forum and Adult Social Services.
21 Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests
There were no declarations made.
22 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors JL Carter and C Fox.
23 Minutes - 17th June 2013
RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on 17th June 2013 be approved as a correct record.
24 Matters Arising from the Minutes
Minute 7; 17th June 2013 refers
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting to be held on Monday, 23rd September, 2013
Page 1 Members discussed the wording of the minutes for this item. Members stated that the officer from Adult Social Care had given clear assurances that no resident would have to move from Manorfield House Residential Home, Horsforth if they did not want to, and felt that this had been diluted in the minute for this item. Members sought clarification that this assurance still stood.
25 Open Forum
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.
Mrs Holt and Mrs Chapman addressed the Area Committee regarding the proposed closure of Manorfield House Residential Home, Horsforth, updating the Committee on a number of issues which they had previously raised in the Open Forum and Full Council meetings relating to the consultation process and future accommodation provision in the Horsforth area.
In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:
- The impact of moving home on elderly people, many of whom are disabled and therefore particularly vulnerable to stress including that caused by relocating. - The variation in expert opinion on the impact that moving can have on elderly people - Concerns regarding the information which was available regarding the alternative accommodation available in the Horsforth area - Concerns regarding the costs of alternative accommodation, and clarification on Leeds City Council's commitment to meet these costs was sought - The methodology used to classify the alternative accommodation currently available, and to predict future demand in the area for this type of accommodation. - Confirmation was sought regarding the assurances made at the previous North West (Outer) Area Committee meeting by Adult Social Care that no resident would be forced to move if they did not wish to.
26 Adult Social Care Cover
The Deputy Director of Adult Social Care, Dennis Holmes, presented the response from Adult Social Care to the Deputations brought to the previous North West (Outer) Area Committee with regard to the proposed closure of Manorfield House Residential Home, Horsforth.
Discussion ensued on the contents of the response from Adult Social Care, and the information provided by the participants of the Open Forum.
The list of alternative independent care facilities contained within the Adult Social Care response was discussed, with particular emphasis on the
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting to be held on Monday, 23rd September, 2013
Page 2 methodology used to determine the distances quoted within the response, the type of accommodation included in the list and the number of beds available today and in the future.
The bedroom sizes of Manorfield House Residential Home was discussed, with particular focus on the criteria used to determine their suitability now and in the future.
The figure of £384,000 for future maintenance works required at Manorfield House Residential home was discussed. The Area Committee was informed that this was an estimate, and whilst this alone would not decide whether the home was kept open or not, the point was made that Manorfield House Residential home is expensive to maintain, and in the current financial climate it may be better to allow the private care providers to bear the cost of maintaining accommodation rather than Leeds City Council paying to maintain older buildings which may not be fit for purpose under modern care methods.
The methods used to measure future demand for accommodation, together with the boundaries and criteria used were discussed. The Area Committee was informed that the address of the residents’ next of kin was used rather than that of the residents’ support network. Councillors suggested it might be preferable to use the address of the residents’ support network rather than that of their next of kin as this might be more relevant to the individual situation of the residents.
In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:
- The financial pressures faced by Leeds City Council, now and in the future, and the need to make efficiencies where possible to ensure that services could be provided within the financial constraints while facing increased demand for services from Adult Social Care. - The views of the friends of Manorfield House Residential Home, and those of other deputations regarding other residential homes for whom consultation has taken place regarding possible closure, will be added to the consultation responses already received for evaluation prior to recommendations being prepared for consideration at the Council’s Executive Board on 4 th September 2013. - That Leeds City Council could not start approaching private care providers regarding the purchase of beds for residents of Manorfield House Residential Home or other homes for which consultation on closure had been carried out until a decision on their future had been made i.e. if they would be closed Leeds City Council would then approach alternative care providers to secure alternative accommodation for the residents of the homes affected. - Leeds City Council is a major purchaser of accommodation, therefore if alternative accommodation was required, the amount that Leeds City Council would be able to buy the accommodation for would be less than that quoted by the providers to individuals. The Deputy Director of Adult Social Care confirmed than Leeds City Council would fund the
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting to be held on Monday, 23rd September, 2013
Page 3 cost of the care for the residents affected by any Residential Home closures for life. - The Deputy Director of Adult Social Care reiterated that Adult Social Care was committed to ensuring that any residents affected by a Residential Home closure would not be forced to move to accommodation they did not wish to go to providing they were acting reasonably in considering other accommodation available. - Adult Social Care have successfully managed home closures in the past with residents being moved to alternative accommodation that was acceptable to them. The one case of court proceedings being used against a resident who did not wish to move was done with the support of the resident’s family, and was necessary to ensure the safety of the individual due to the nature of the building works at the Residential Home that they were resident of. The Deputy Director of Adult Social Care informed the Area Committee that the individual concerned was now happy and settled in new accommodation. The Deputy Director of Adult Social Care stated that Adult Social Care / Leeds City Council is a social care organisation with a duty of care towards it’s service users, and that it is not in the business of evicting residents of Residential Homes to places that they and their families do not want. If a resident was so frail that it was considered unsafe to move them then they wouldn’t be moved. - The Deputy Director of Adult Social Care gave an undertaking that Adult Social Care would seek to minimise the chances of residents having to move again in the future however this could not be guaranteed. - Specific information relating to the consultation process would be available as part of the report to be considered by the Executive Board on 4 th September 2013.
RESOLVED- a). That Adult Social Care would provide the Area Committee with a weekly list of beds available in the Horsforth Area. b). That Councillors requiring specific information in respect of this matter inform the Area Support Team in order to enable a list to be collated for Adult Social Care for response. c). That the contents of the presentation be noted.
27 Wellbeing Fund Update Report
The Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report updating Members on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14, and highlighting the position of the Small Grants and skip pots, and those Small Grants and skip pots that have been approved since the last meeting.
Gerry Burnham, West North West Area Support Team, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and queries.
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting to be held on Monday, 23rd September, 2013
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RESOLVED-
a). That the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 be noted; b). That the current position of the Small Grants and Skips pots and those Small Grants and Skips that have been approved since the last meeting be noted; c). That the following be agreed in respect of those expressions of interest received for Wellbeing funding, as detailed within Section 4 of the submitted report:
Project Adel & Guiseley & Horsforth Otley & Decision Wharfedale Rawdon Yeadon National £533 £533 £533 £533 Approved Citizens Service Project for Young People
d). That Youth Service report back to Area Committee on the national Citizens Panel Project, including where the young people have attended from within each Ward. 28 Children and Young Peoples' Sub Group
The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report updating on work done by the Outer North West Children and Young Peoples’ Sub Group since the Outer North West Area Committee on 17 th June where it was agreed that the Children and Young Peoples’ Sub Group consider potential activities for young people over the summer period.
Jane Pattison, West North West Area Support Team, presented the report and responded to Members’ comments and questions.
The Area Committee were informed that the Children and Young Peoples’ Sub Group had made the recommendation of :
- One Mini Breeze to be held at Yeadon Tarn at a cost of £3,750 - Six Back Yard Breeze at locations to be determined at a cost of £3,816.
RESOLVED- That the proposals for 1 Mini Breeze at Yeadon Tarn and 6 Back Yard Breeze, with 1 per ward at locations to be confirmed, be approved.
Draft minutes to be approved at the meeting to be held on Monday, 23rd September, 2013
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Page 6 Agenda Item 8
Report author: Peter Storrie Tel: 22 43956
Report of Director of Children’s Services
Report to Outer North West Area Committee
Date: 23 September 2013
Subject: Children’s Services area committee update report
Are specific electoral wards affected? Yes No
Adel and Wharfedale, Guiseley and Rawdon, If relevant, name(s) of ward(s): Horsforth, Otley and Yeadon
Are there implications for equality and diversity and cohesion and Yes No integration?
Is the decision eligible for call-in? Yes No
Does the report contain confidential or exempt information? Yes No
If relevant, Access to Information Procedure Rule number: Appendix number:
Summary of main issues
1. This report summarises performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance.
2. The rising child population in Leeds is a key challenge with regards places at schools. This is already a known issue in primary schools, and is becoming increasingly evident in secondary schools.
3. Twenty-eight per cent fewer children and young people from the Outer North West area committee area are looked after in June 2013 than in June 2012. Fifteen per cent more referrals were received from the Outer North West area committee area in the first three months of 2012/13 than the first three months of 2011/12. Attendance, while remaining better than historic levels, has declined in 2012/13 compared to 2011/12. This is due to the exceptional low levels of sickness seen both in Leeds and nationally in 2011/12. Eighty-two per cent of primary schools and sixth per cent of secondary schools are now rated as good or better by Ofsted.
Recommendations
4. Area committees are requested to note the content of this report.
5. Area committees are asked for feedback on the report.
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1 Purpose of this report
1.1 Children’s Services directorate provides six-monthly area committee reports, in March and September. These reports inform members about local outcomes for children and young people, and support the involvement of area committees in improving these outcomes by providing an update on the work of the directorate and of the Leeds Children’s Trust, including local children’s cluster arrangements. The progress made against local and national agendas is also highlighted.
1.2 The report summarises performance at area committee level, with a broader acknowledgement of city level performance. Key issues for Children’s Services are highlighted, including Ofsted inspection, basic need, and child friendly city.
2 Background information
2.3 As part of the ambition for Leeds to become the best city in the UK we are aiming to become the best city to grow up in - a child friendly city. This ambition will be realised by improving outcomes against the three ‘obsessions’, five outcomes, and 12 priorities in the children and young people’s plan, which is overseen by the multi-agency Children’s Trust Board and implemented locally by the 25 local cluster partnerships of schools and other key local services.
2.4 To improve outcomes for all children and young people, but especially the most vulnerable, Leeds has a clear strategy for ongoing service improvement. This is centred on providing better early intervention, using initiatives such as: Families First (the Leeds approach to the national troubled families initiative) ‘Early Start’ - which integrates local early years and health services; and restorative practices such as family group conferencing, to empower families with the support, skills, tools and confidence to address the challenges they face. By doing this successfully we can reduce the need for more significant service intervention, reducing the social and financial cost of children being taken into care.
2.5 Overall, progress against this strategy is continuing positively. The number of children and young people who are looked after in Leeds is safely and appropriately reducing. This has already delivered significant savings when mapped against projected numbers had they continued to rise at their past rate. Feedback from the inspection activity that has taken place so far this year reflects positively on Leeds’ progress, specifically a thematic inspection of the Independent Reviewing Officer Service, and a pilot visit to examine elements of the Ofsted inspection of services for looked after children and care leavers. Ofsted has not inspected safeguarding arrangements in Leeds since 2011, indicating that Leeds is regarded much more positively than in the past. A growing number of requests from other authorities and partners to visit and view our services suggest that Leeds is gaining a national reputation for innovation and improvement.
2.6 However, preparation for a forthcoming inspection remains a high priority. Ofsted is introducing a new framework, the inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after and care leavers in November 2013. This significantly raises standards and expectations of local authorities, in conjunction with the earlier change in Ofsted judgements from ‘adequate’ to ‘requires improvement’. Preparations aim to ensure that Leeds demonstrates the 2
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progress that has been made, and the continuing improvement journey that Children’s Services are on. Ofsted has also introduced a targeted inspection of local authority school improvement services. Again, thorough preparations are underway for this.
2.7 Strong partnerships continue to be the key to effective strategic and service delivery. On a citywide level, this is being developed positively through the ongoing development of the child friendly Leeds initiative. A number of significant businesses and organisations are now actively involved in supporting child friendly initiatives; this includes BT, Marks and Spencer, and First Direct. In total, 131 organisations have made pledges of support. This is complemented by the 146 child friendly Leeds ambassadors, including the Olympian Nicola Adams, and Leeds Rhinos player Danny McGuire. A strong partnership with the BBC has been established, which led to a successful CBBC Live in Leeds event at the start of the summer holiday. This attracted over 38,000 visitors to the city centre and provided a significant boost to the profile of the city.
2.8 At a local level, this partnership approach is developing through the continuing evolution of the cluster model. The recent review of area working identified the need to more clearly understand the relative roles and responsibilities of area committees and other partnership bodies, including clusters used in Children’s Services. The relationship between area committees and clusters is central to this. Elected member representatives to Children’s Services clusters are to be appointed by area committees, formalising the link between the two.
2.9 Leeds has also reached the final stages in our ‘integration pioneer’ bid, which, if successful, would see the city become a national pioneer in developing the way we integrate health and social care services. If successful, through our children and young people’s plan, and our health and wellbeing strategy, Leeds will be better placed to make joined-up decisions about spending money and planning services, and increase the pace of implementation for the early start initiative, including services for children with complex needs.
2.10 Partnership with schools will continue to be crucial as we move into a new academic year. Drawing on the closer working that has been fostered through the strong relationship with the seconded head teachers, Leeds will continue to put schools at the heart of work to improve outcomes. This will be particularly critical as we move forward with the basic need agenda. The rising child population in Leeds is a key challenge in ensuring there are sufficient places at schools. This is already a known issue in primary schools, and is becoming increasingly evident in secondary schools. Leeds has been awarded a £13.8m share of £820m made available by the DfE for new school places, as part of the targeted basic need programme. The places must be delivered by September 2015. Further information will be brought to area committees as appropriate.
3 Main issues
Performance update
3.1 Appendix one (page nine) provides data and commentary on current performance for the area committee, which is summarised below. Data from the same period 12 months ago is used where possible for direction of travel/progress analysis. Figures may be rounded up/down in the following commentary. 3
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3.1 Further, more detailed information is available via the following websites:
• The cluster profile ( https://www.leedsinitiative.org/ClusterDataProfile.aspx). • The West Yorkshire observatory ( http://www.westyorkshireobservatory.org/ ). • The Department for Education’s ‘in your area’ website (http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/inyourarea/areasearch.pl?search=Leeds ).
Outer North West area committee commentary
Children and young people are safe from harm - obsession: number of children in care
3.2 Twenty-eight per cent fewer children and young people (37 vs 51) from the Outer North West area committee area are looked after in June 2013 than in June 2012; this is the largest reduction of all area committees. Three per cent of the children looked after cohort come from the Outer North West area committee area, the second lowest proportion of all area committees. The number of children and young people entering care remains below five when comparing the first three months of 2012/13 against 2011/12.
3.3 Four fewer children and young people (24, a 14 per cent reduction) in the Outer North West area committee area are subject to a child protection plan in June 2013 than in June 2012. This is counter to the slight rise of 0.3 per cent seen in the citywide figure.
3.4 Twenty-two per cent more CAFs (22 vs 18) were initiated in the Outer North West area committee area in the first three months of 2012/13 than the same period a year ago. This is almost in line with the citywide rise of 27 per cent.
3.5 Nineteen per cent fewer requests for service (425 vs 522) were received from the Outer North West area committee area in the first three months of 2012/13 than the first three months of 2011/12. The number of referrals rose in the same periods, from 125 in 2011/12 to 144 in 2012/13, a fifteen per cent rise. In spite of this rise, ‘contact’ from the Outer North West area committee area remains lower than most other area committees. The conversion rate (percentage of requests for service that become a referral) has risen from 24 per cent in April to June 2012 to 34 per cent in April to June 2013. This is the highest increase across all area committees, counter to the citywide trends seen in the last 12 months since improvements were made to our front door practice on how child protection inquiries are best handled.
Children and young people do well at all levels of learning and have the skills for life - obsession: young people in education employment or training - obsession: attendance
3.6 The percentage of ‘not known’ young people in the Outer North West area committee area has reduced from four per cent in June 2012 to 2.5 per cent in June 2013. The percentage of young people identified as NEET has remained stable, at around 2.5 per cent.
3.7 There is a correlation between a reduction in not known rates, and a rise in NEET levels; the status of more young people is known after sweeps and telephone
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calls. Targeted support offers mean that the NEET cohort is better informed and supported in trying to find/access education, employment, or training.
3.8 Paragraph 3.21 outlines that 2012/13 was the second best year for attendance levels in the city but slightly down on 2011/12 largely due to autumn term sickness. Attendance levels in Outer North West area committee area primary schools reduced to 96.2 per cent in 2012/13, just under one per cent lower than the 2011/12 figure. This is a marginally larger reduction than affected citywide attendance, but remains the highest attendance rate of all area committees. Secondary school attendance reduced by almost half a percentage point, to 94.5 per cent, which is the second highest attendance rate of all area committees.
3.9 Persistent absence in the Outer North West area committee area rose in both primary (70 to 83, an 18.5 per cent rise) and secondary (299 to 357; a 19.5 per cent rise) schools. The rise in persistent absence in secondary schools is counter to the citywide reduction of 0.5 per cent; the primary persistent absence rise is higher than the 13 per cent rise seen across the city.
Children and young people choose healthy lifestyles, and voice and influence
3.10 The number of children and young people committing an offence reduced from 49 in 2011-12 to 32 in 2012-13, a 35 per cent drop. This is better than the citywide reduction of 30 per cent.
Local Ofsted inspections
3.11 Two fewer primary schools in the Outer North West area committee area are rated as outstanding (they are now rated as good). No primary schools in the area are rated as inadequate, and overall, 93 per cent of primaries in the area are rated good or better. There is no change in the overall ratings of secondary schools in the area (67 per cent are rated good or better).
3.12 There is one children’s homes in the Outer North West area committee area, currently rated as good by Ofsted. This home is due to close in August.
City commentary
3.13 The following paragraphs summarise partnership progress against the CYPP indicators, including the three obsessions. Appendix two (page 13) contains CYPP obsession indicator graphs and charts by area committee.
Children and young people are safe from harm
3.14 Children looked after numbers (1,358) are at their lowest point since November 2009, with June’s figure five per cent lower than the same point 12 months ago. More children and young people entered care between April 2013 and June 2013 than the same period 12 months ago, but the numbers leaving continue to rise.
3.15 The number of children and young people subject to a child protection plan is virtually unchanged from a year ago at 897 (894 in June 2012). It is, however, six per cent lower than the December 2012 figure of 956.
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3.16 Four per cent (311) fewer requests for service (contact received by the Duty and Advice Team), and three per cent (89) fewer referrals (those requests for service that were deemed to require Children’s Social Work Service involvement), were received between April and June 2013 compared to the same period a year ago.
3.17 Twenty-seven per cent more CAFs (65) were initiated in the first three months of 2012/13 compared to the same period a year ago; this is equivalent to 22 additional CAFs per month.
3.18 There are five per cent more Council-employed foster carers (an increase of 28, to 578) in June 2013 than in December 2012. This should rise further in the coming months, as fourteen independent fostering agency foster carers may become Council-employed. The number of family placement foster carers is four higher in June 2013 (108) than December 2012 (104).
Children and young people do well at all levels of learning and have the skills for life
3.19 Across Leeds primary schools, attendance declined by half a percentage point to 95.3 per cent between half-terms one to four in 2011/12 and half-terms one to four in 2012/13. There were 207 more primary age pupils being persistently absent in the first two terms of 2012/13 compared to same period in 2011/12.
3.20 Attendance at Leeds secondary schools was 93.8% in the first two terms of 2011/12, and this has fallen only very slightly to 93.7% in the first two terms of 2012/13. Sixteen fewer secondary school age pupils were persistently absent in the first two terms of 2012/13.
3.21 Although attendance at both phases has declined slightly, the most recent figures are the second best attendance rates ever recorded in Leeds. Much of the difference in attendance rates is accounted for by higher levels of absence due to sickness in the autumn term of 2012/13, compared to the autumn term of the previous year. Rates of absence due to sickness levels were at an exceptionally low level across the country in the autumn term of 2011/12, and attendance in Leeds mirrored this trend. Absence levels in autumn term 2012 remain lower than in autumn term 2010 and previous years.
3.22 NEET and ‘not known’ levels have significantly reduced across the city; NEET sweeps and the use of Welfare Call have contributed to this. Young people identified as NEET are offered targeted support to help them with pathways to EET. The graphs in appendix two show the changes in the last 12 months for each area committee, especially the reduction in the not known cohort.
3.23 Complementing the core devolved youth contract support programme in Leeds, local clusters and/or partnerships of clusters are being funded to deliver local innovation projects (eg providing provision of targeted mental health, counselling, and bespoke motivational programmes). The aim is to contribute to the reduction of 16 to 17 year-old NEETs in localities by increasing young people’s experience and qualifications, so they have the opportunity to continue in education and successfully find work.
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Children and young people choose healthy lifestyles
3.24 Survey work and analysis on free school meal data are still underway. An update will be provided to area committees in a later report.
Children and young people are active citizens who feel they have a voice and influence
3.25 The number of young people committing an offence between April 2012 and March 2013 was almost a third lower than the same period in 2011/12, reflecting the national trend.
Ofsted inspections
3.26 Eighty-three per cent of primary schools (180) are rated as good or better in July 2013, seven percentage points higher (15 more schools) than in December 2012. Four fewer primary schools are rated as outstanding across the same period, and three more primary schools are rated as inadequate.
3.27 The percentage of secondary schools rated as good or better has reduced by three percentage points to 58 per cent in July 2013, from 61 per cent in July 2012 (one less school). One more secondary school is rated as inadequate.
3.28 There have been no inspections of children’s centres in Leeds since the last update report. A new inspection framework begins in September; an update to area committees will be provided later.
3.29 73 per cent (eight) of the eleven directly managed local authority children’s homes in Leeds are currently rated good or outstanding, a significant improvement from 36 per cent (four) that were good or outstanding at 31 December 2012. The other three children’s homes are currently rated adequate/satisfactory.
4 Corporate considerations
4.1 Consultation and engagement
4.1.1 This report is for area committee meetings, which involve a wide range of partners and stakeholders. Consultation and engagement is integral to the work of Children’s Services and the Children’s Trust, as evidenced in child friendly city work.
4.2 Equality and diversity/cohesion and integration
4.2.1 Equality issues are implicit in the information provided. The differences shown illustrate that there are different levels of need and of outcomes across the city. Additional equality analysis of the information provided is undertaken, and the detailed information already provided to clusters is powerful intelligence that can be used to help focus priorities and narrow the gap.
4.3 Council policies and city priorities
4.3.1 A significant proportion of the information included in this report relates to the city priorities for children and young people and the outcomes contained in the CYPP.
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4.4 Resources and value for money
4.4.1 There are no resource implications in this report.
4.5 Legal implications, access to information, and call-in
4.5.1 This report is not eligible for call in, due to being a Council function.
4.6 Risk management
4.6.1 There are no risk management implications in this report. The priorities reflected in this report are monitored through Leeds City Council performance and, where appropriate, risk management processes.
5 Conclusions
5.1 Not applicable, as this report is information based.
6 Recommendations
6.1 The Outer North West area committee is requested to note the content of this report.
6.2 The Outer North West area committee is asked for feedback on the report.
7 Background documents 1
7.1 There are no background documents to accompany this report.
1 The background documents listed in this section are available to download from the Council’s website, unless they contain confidential or exempt information. The list of background documents does not include published works. 8
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Appendix one: performance data for Outer North West area committee
Autumn 2013 Children’s Services performance update Current Measure Leeds Outer NW Highest Average Lowest data period Number of children and young January 1. 173,462 18,329 24,510 17,289 11,609 people 0-19 2013 Percentage of children and January 2. n/a 10.6% 14.1% 10.0% 6.7% young people 2013 3. Number of primary schools 218 28 Current 28 22 15 4. Number of secondary schools 36 6 Current 6 4 2 4a. Number of through schools 2 0 Current 2 0 0
5. Number of children’s centres 58 4 Current 11 6 3 Commentary Page 15 The Outer North West area committee has 10.6 per cent of the city’s 0-19 population, (18,329 children and young people). There are 28 primary schools, six secondary schools, and four children's centres located within the area committee boundary. Outer NW Current Previous Current data Keeping children safe from harm Leeds Direction of Highest Average Lowest reporting reporting period travel period period 6. Number of children looked after 1,358 37 51 30 June 2013 389 131 22 Number of children entering 7. 106 … … Apr-Jun 2013 32 14 5 care Number of children subject to a 8. 897 24 28 30 June 2013 217 88 15 child protection plan 9. Number of CAFs initiated 308 22 18 æææ Apr-Jun 2013 55 30.2 17 10. Number of requests for service 8,695 425 522 Apr-Jun 2013 1,701 794 347 Number of requests for service 11. 2,964 144 125 æææ Apr-Jun 2013 635 282 83 leading to a referral Number of LCC-employed foster 12. 578 52 47 æææ 30 June 2013 83 50 23 carers Number of family placement 12a. 108 11 11 30 June 2013 16 11 6 foster carers
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Commentary 28 per cent fewer children and young people (37 vs 51) from the Outer North West area committee area are looked after in June 2013 than in June 2012; this is the largest reduction of all area committees. Three per cent of the children looked after cohort come from the Outer North West area committee area, the second lowest proportion of all area committees. The number of children and young people entering care remains below five when comparing the first three months of 2012/13 against 2011/12.
Four fewer children and young people (24, a 14 per cent reduction) in the Outer North West area committee area are subject to a child protection plan in June 2013 than in June 2012. This is counter to the slight rise of 0.3 per cent seen in the citywide figure. 22 per cent more CAFs (22 vs 18) were initiated in the Outer North West area committee area in the first three months of 2012/13 than the same period a year ago. This is almost in line with the citywide rise of 27 per cent.
19 per cent fewer requests for service (425 vs 522) were received from the Outer North West area committee area in the first three months of 2012/13 than the first three months of 2011/12. The number of referrals rose in the same periods, from 125 in 2011/12 to 144 in 2012/13, a fifteen per cent rise. In spite of this rise, ‘contact’ from the Outer North West area committee area remains lower than most other area committees. The conversion rate (percentage of requests for service that become a referral) has risen from 24 per cent in April to June 2012 to 34 per cent in April to June 2013. This is the highest (best) increase across all area committees. Outer NW Do well in learning and have the Current Previous Current data Leeds Direction of Highest Average Lowest skills for life reporting reporting period travel
Page 16 period period Primary school attendance 2012-13 HT 13. 95.3% 96.2% 97.0% 96.2% 95.3% 93.9% levels 1-4 Secondary school attendance 2012-13 HT 14. 93.7% 94.5% 94.9% 94.6% 93.3% 91.1% levels 1-4 Number of pupils persistently 2012-13 HT 15. 1,839 83 70 æææ 417 184 83 absent at primary 1-4 Number of pupils persistently 2012-13 HT 16. 3,067 357 299 æææ 474 307 162 absent at secondary 1-4 17. Number of NEET i 1,501 67 63 æææ 30 June 2013 330 149 47 17a. Percentage of NEET i 6.7% 2.6% 2.4% æææ 30 June 2013 10.5% 6.2% 2.6% 18. Number of 'not knowns' 1,283 64 109 30 June 2013 408 116 41 18a. Percentage of 'not knowns' 5.5% 2.5% 4.2% 30 June 2013 14.5% 4.7% 2.2% Commentary Attendance levels in Outer North West area committee area primary schools reduced to 96.2 per cent in 2012/13, just under one per cent lower than the 2011/12 figure. This is a marginally larger reduction than affected citywide attendance, but remains the highest attendance rate of all area committees. Secondary school attendance reduced by almost half a percentage point, to 94.5 per cent, which is the second highest attendance rate of all area committees. Persistent absence in the Outer North West area committee area rose in both primary (70 to 83, an 18.5 per cent rise) and secondary (299 to 357; a 19.5 per cent rise) schools. The rise
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in persistent absence in secondary schools is counter to the citywide reduction of 0.5 per cent; the primary persistent absence rise is higher than the 13 per cent rise seen across the city.
The percentage of ‘not known’ young people in the Outer North West area committee area has reduced from four per cent in June 2012 to 2.5 per cent in June 2013. The percentage of young people identified as NEET has remained stable, at around 2.5 per cent. Outer NW Current Previous Current data Voice and influence Leeds Direction of Highest Average Lowest reporting reporting period travel period period 10-17 year olds committing an Apr 12 - Mar 19. 672 32 49 167 67 18 offence 13 Outer NW Current Previous Current data Ofsted inspections Leeds Direction of Highest Average Lowest reporting reporting period travel period period Percentage of primary schools 20. 83% 93% 93% 31 July 2013 93% 82% 68% good or better
Page 17 Percentage of secondary 21. 58% 67% 67% 31 July 2013 75% 56% 25% schools good or better Percentage of children’s centres 22. 81% 100% 100% 31 July 2013 100% 88% 60% good or better Percentage of children's homes 23. 73% 31 July 2013 100% 58% 0% good or better
Ofsted judgement - Outer North Current period: 31 July 2013 Previous period: 31 Dec 2012 West Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate Outstanding Good Satisfactory Inadequate
24. Primary schools 4 22 2 0 6 20 2 0 25. Secondary schools 0 4 2 0 0 4 2 0 26. SILCs (citywide) 27. Pupil referral units (citywide) 28. Children's centres 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 29. Children's homes 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 Commentary Two fewer primary schools in the Outer North West area committee area are rated as outstanding (they are now rated as good). No primary schools in the area are rated as inadequate, and overall, 93 per cent of primaries in the area are rated good or better. There is no change in the overall ratings of secondary schools in 11
the area (67 per cent are rated good or better).
There is one children’s homes in the Outer North West area committee area, currently rated as good by Ofsted.
Current period Previous period Direction of travel Secondary schools Ofsted Attendance Ofsted Attendance Ofsted Attendance Benton Park School 3 94.0% 3 94.7% Guiseley School 2 94.8% 2 94.7% æææ Horsforth Academy 2 95.1% 2 95.0% æææ Otley Prince Henry's Academy 2 95.0% 2 95.5% Ralph Thoresby High School 3 92.5% 3 93.2% St Mary's Catholic Comprehensive 2 95.5% 2 94.7% æææ Key: AY - academic year FY - financial year HT - half term … data below five (suppressed for confidentiality) Ofsted grades: 1 = Outstanding, 2 =Good, 3 = Satisfactory/Requires Improvement, 4 = Inadequate Page 18 i The citywide figure reports 'adjusted NEET' (see data definitions), the area committee figures do not take account of 'adjusted NEET'
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Appendix two: CYPP obsessions - graphs and charts
13
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Agenda Item 9
Report author: S Carey/D Roberts, A Szustakowski Tel:
Report of Chief Officer, Welfare and Benefits
Report to Outer North West Area Committee
Date: 23rd September 2013
Subject: Update on Welfare Benefit changes
Are specific electoral Wards affected? Yes No If relevant, name(s) of Ward(s):
Are there implications for equality and diversity and cohesion and Yes No integration?
Is the decision eligible for Call-In? Yes No
Does the report contain confidential or exempt information? Yes No If relevant, Access to Information Procedure Rule number: Appendix number:
1. The report provides an update on the citywide and local aspects of the significant welfare changes which were introduced in April 2013. These changes have seen more tenants falling into arrears with their rent and their Council Tax. Steps have been taken to mitigate the impact of the changes, including changes to recovery processes, and support is being provided to those tenants who engage with the council about their arrears.
2. The Discretionary Housing Payments scheme, which provides support to tenants affected by the welfare changes, is on track to spend the full £1.9m budget with the bulk of this spend going on those deemed to be priority cases within the Council’s policy. Further funding may be available this year from DWP but this is subject to a bidding process and details of the process have yet to be announced.
3. The Local Welfare Support scheme, which has replaced the Social Fund scheme in Leeds, provides goods and services rather than cash to those in need. The spend in the 1 st quarter clearly shows that there will be an underspend against this fund and, as a consequence, proposals will be developed and taken to Executive Board for alternative uses of this funding. Proposals will also be developed on potential Local Welfare Support schemes for 2014/15. It is intended to discuss these proposals for the 14/15 scheme with Area Committees ahead of an Executive Board recommendation.
4. The roll out of Universal Credit has started with a further 6 small areas announced as Universal Credit sites. The main roll out of Universal Credit is now not expected until late 2014 or even later. Nevertheless, preparations continue and one of the key aspects of the preparations relates to tackling high cost lenders in the city. A plan of
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action has been developed that includes city-wide and locality-based events and the report seeks input from Area Committees for the programme.
Recommendations
5. The Committee is asked to:
5.1. Note the information about the impact of the welfare reforms;
5.2. Note the information about the campaign against high cost lenders and contribute to options for locality-based events and initiatives to support the campaign.
5.3. Champion the following priorities:
o High interest money lending and debt
o Better connecting local people to Leeds job opportunities and training through the planning process, sector based work academies and apprenticeships
o Continuing to support local communities through localised employability, learning and advice provision
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Purpose of this report
1.1 The report provides an update of the impact of the welfare reforms at both a city- wide and ward-level basis and also provides information on arrangements that have been put in place to support tenants.
1.2 The report details some of the preparations that are underway for Universal Credit with a focus on locality-based support that can be provided. A key element of the preparations for Universal Credit and a response to the welfare reforms is a programme of work aimed at tackling the issue of payday and high cost lending in the city. The report provides information about this programme and seeks input from Area Committees on how the programme of activity can work at a locality level.
2 Background information
2.1 As part of the Government’s programme of welfare reforms, changes to Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and the Social Fund came into effect from April 2013. These changes mean that:
• Working age social sector tenants deemed to have one or more spare bedrooms see their Housing Benefit reduced;
• The majority of working age households see their Council Tax Support reduced by 19%; and
• Funding allocated to the Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants elements of the Social Fund is devolved to local councils.
2.2 In recognition of the difficulties these changes may cause for some families, the Government increased funding to local Councils for Discretionary Housing Payments schemes. Funding for Leeds increased from £800k in 12/13 to £1.9m in 13/14.
2.3 The policy for the allocation of DHPs was agreed at Executive Board and prioritises spend on the following groups: • Disabled tenants in significantly adapted properties • Tenants with child access arrangements • Tenants approaching Pension Credit age • Foster carers and kinship care • Pregnant women allocated an additional room for the baby.
2.4 Further welfare changes came into effect later in the year.
• Personal Independence Payments (PIP), which replaces Disability Living Allowance, came into effect from June 2013 for new claims only. The main programme of reviewing DLA cases to see whether they will transfer to PIP, starts in October 2015 although DLA claims that are due to be reviewed before then will be considered for PIP earlier;
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• The Benefit Cap comes into effect in Leeds from 12 th August 2013 and will see around 424 families lose some or all of their Housing Benefit.
2.5 A number of analyses have been carried out on the total impact in Leeds of the programme of welfare changes. Sheffield Hallam University estimates that the changes see a loss of benefit of £232m a year in Leeds, while the LGA’s analyses estimates the loss in Leeds at £171m a year.
2.6 The welfare changes come at a time when there is significant concern about the growing use of payday and high interest rate lending which is a growing sector of the unsecured lending market.
High Cost Lenders (HCL)
2.7 Within the context of these reforms, coupled with the fall in general earnings over the last two years, the council has seen the rise in the use of high cost lenders as a major cause for concern.
2.8 It is estimated that 5 million people in the UK access high cost credit of which 2 million use payday lenders. If this national picture is equated to the Leeds population it means that up to 60,000 people in Leeds may use high interest lenders including approximately 22,500 people who may take out Payday loans. Whilst the traditional high cost lenders, eg. doorstep lenders, pawn brokers and cash shops, tend to target more deprived communities, Payday lenders also target more affluent communities.
2.9 There is also evidence that financial exclusion is a growing problem in more affluent communities. In 2010, the council undertook research to evaluate the extent of the problem for communities who may not have access to the more affordable forms of banking services. In addition to surveying Leeds deprived communities, a number of more affluent areas were surveyed. One such area was in Yeadon, where households in an area regarded as economically average were surveyed.
2.10 This study showed that the problem of financial exclusion had grown worse over a period of 6 years but also that its impact was being felt in parts of the city where it was not previously thought to be a problem. A lot of data was collected as part of this study but just two examples illustrate the problem. In the economically average communities almost 40% of households had no savings at all and 16% were behind with one or more bills, primarily utility bills, council tax and credit cards.
2.11 In response to these concerns the council is launching a campaign to tackle high cost lenders and information about this campaign is contained in the main issues part of this report. The Council also agreed a white paper motion at its meeting on Wednesday 11 September which called on a number of initiatives including a request to Government to:
§ Look again at introducing a cap on interest rates charged by high cost, short-term lenders.
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§ Introduce restrictions around the practice of ‘rolling over’ loans given the OFT’s recent findings regarding the proportion of revenue generated through charges associated with this practice.
§ Re-designate such lenders within the Town and Country Planning Act so as to require planning permission to be granted before certain establishments can be converted into pay day or high interest loan shops.
3 Main issues
3.1 Appendix 1 provides data on the city-wide impact of the welfare changes as at the end of July 2013. The table below shows the extent of the impact of the welfare changes in the Outer North West area
Ward No of Wkly HB No of Wkly HB No of case cases Loss cases Loss Under-occupancy Benefit Cap Council Tax Support Adel and 48 £602 2 £169 348 Wharfedale Otley and Yeadon 103 £1,216 4 £138 493 Guiseley and 55 £666 1 £59 309 Rawdon Horsforth 112 £1,397 4 £99 331 Totals 318 £3,881 11 £465 1,481
3.2 Across Leeds the number of tenancies affected has reduced since the start of April but continues to remain high at 7,834. In the Outer North West area there has been a reduction from 344 to 318 in the number of tenancies affected by the under-occupancy changes.
3.3 There is a mixed picture in the Outer North West area in relation to changes in rent arrears for Local Authority tenants. Across the 4 wards, rent arrears have increased from £18,232 to £23,145 for tenants affected by the under-occupancy changes – this is a 26.9% increase. However, in Guiseley and Rawdon rent arrears for those affected by under-occupancy reduced 16%.
3.4 In April 2013, Executive Board agreed a revised rent arrears recovery approach that recognises those who can’t pay. The approach focuses on maximising income and signposting to support for issues around debt and budgeting for those tenants who engage with ALMOs about their rent arrears.
Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) 3.5 At the end of July 2013, £864k of the £1.9m spend has been committed and, with Benefit Cap coming into effect from 19 th August 2013, it is estimated that the full £1.9m allocation will be spent.
Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme 3.6 The Outer North West area has 1,481 of the 32,000 cases affected by the changes in the local Council Tax Support. It is not possible to break down
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collection rates by ward at this stage but overall Council Tax collection is down at the end of June 2013 compared to the same point last year by 0.46% which equates to £1.3m less cash collected. . 3.7 A report is to be presented to the Executive Board setting out options for the Council Tax Support scheme for 2014/15 . Local Welfare Support Scheme 3.8 Leeds received £2.8m scheme funding for a Local Welfare Support scheme. A Local Welfare Support Scheme, approved by Executive Board, was put in place with effect from April 2013. The scheme is designed to provide emergency support and to provide help to people and families who need support to remain in the community. Unlike the Social Fund scheme delivered by Jobcentre Plus, the Council’s scheme is largely non-cash based. Residents who need help are provided with the goods and services they require. This is in line with most other councils. The approved scheme also agreed to set aside up to £500k to support initiatives which promoted Leeds City Credit Union and increased provision of debt and benefit advice.
3.9 As at the end of July 2013, £361k had been spent on providing support to residents and a further £375k allocated to support Leeds City Credit Union and a range of debt and benefit advice initiatives. The scheme has also been adjusted to provide help during the summer to families who would be entitled to Free School Meals during school terms but who are struggling to feed their children during the school holidays. More detailed analysis, including spend by area, will be undertaken later in the year.
3.10 Work has now started on developing a scheme for 2014/15 and it is intended to bring a consultation paper to the next round of Area Committees in order to inform proposals to Executive Board later in the year.
Benefit Cap 3.11 The Benefit Cap, which limits to £500 a week the amount of benefit a non-working family can receive, was launched nationally from 15 th July 2013 with cases in Leeds starting to be capped from 19 th August 2013. DWP data suggest around 424 families affected by the Cap and work has been ongoing to ensure that families are prepared for the Cap. 11 families in the Outer North West area are expected to be affected by the Benefit Cap and visits have been undertaken to all families where the cap results in a reduction of more than £50 a week.
Preparations for Universal Credit 3.12 Following the Pathfinder phase of Universal Credit in Tameside, the DWP has rolled out Universal Credit to 6 more areas from October 2013. The areas are: Hammersmith, Rugby, Inverness, Harrogate, Bath and Shotton and this constitutes the start of the national roll out. A further announcement is expected in the autumn on future roll outs but it is unlikely that we will see any significant roll out of Universal Credit in Leeds until nearer the end of 2014 or even later.
3.13 Preparations are continuing for Universal Credit with the main focus being on preparing tenants for a digital claims process, developing a Local Support
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Services Framework, tackling high cost lenders and putting in place arrangements for dealing with direct payments of the housing element of Universal Credit to tenants.
3.14 Preparations are continuing for Universal Credit with the main focus being on preparing tenants for a digital claims process, developing a Local Support Services Framework, tackling high cost lenders and putting in place arrangements for dealing with direct payments of the housing element of Universal Credit to tenants.
3.15 Information about the WNWhL response to the welfare changes is attached at appendix 2
Debt Prevention and High Interest Lenders
3.16 In June 2013, Executive Board approved a campaign to tackle high cost lenders in the city. The key elements of the campaign are: • Coordinate activity across public, private and the third Sector to deal with high cost lending • City Wide High Profile campaign • Local Neighbourhood promotion and education Campaign • Build Capacity for alternative affordable credit • Reduce dependency on and use of HCLs • Provide direct support for those caught up in HCL
3.17 Appendix 3 provides an update on the campaign and welcomes contributions from the Area Committee on locality-based events that would support the campaign.
Leeds City Credit Union 3.18 A key partner in the battle to tackle high cost lenders is Leeds City Credit Union (LCCU). LCCU is working closely with the Council and other partners to develop support for residents who do not have access to affordable banking services. As part of the Local Welfare Support Scheme adopted by the Council, the Executive Board approved a recommendation that an element of the scheme funding should be used to support, among other things, promotion and development of Leeds City Credit Union services and increased provision of advice and support. Work is taking place to ensure Bramley Credit Union is well placed in these discussions.
Headrow Money Line 3.19 The Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) operating as Headrow Money Line, is a sister organisation to LCCU and started lending in November 2012. In the initial months of trading, Headrow Money Line (HML) is taking a deliberately cautious approach to lending in order to embed systems and to protect against risk. HML is providing affordable credit to many of the residents who have been turned down currently for credit union loans. In so doing it will enable these residents to have access to the broader network of support either provided directly through HML or through partner agencies.
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3.20 HML offers a source of credit which is significantly lower in cost and therefore much more affordable than payday loan companies, doorstep and similar lenders. CDFI’s operating around the country charge interest in the region of 40% to 70%. HML is currently operating at the higher end of this range in order to ensure security of the business and give time to assess the impact of bad debt provision. Although this seems high, it is significantly lower than the typical rate charged by doorstep lenders (300% and above) or of some "payday” lenders (up to 4000% plus).
Leeds Advice Partners 3.21 A partnership of advice agencies provide debt and welfare rights advice, along with the Councils own Welfare Rights Unit. This service is becoming increasingly important given the many changes to the benefits system highlighted in this report. The City Council is currently undertaking a review of advice provision with the intension of ensuring a more comprehensive coverage of support in all the areas of the city where there is a need and delivering advice in a more integrated way. The new service is planned to be introduced during 2014.
The Local Perspective : Welfare Benefit Changes 3.22 The Area Support Team has led the development of an Employability and Welfare Reform working group was established in July 2012. Partners include WNWHL, JobCentre Plus (JCP), Work Programme providers Interserve and Ingeus, Employment and Skills, Libraries, Children’s Service, Clusters, Children Centres, Public Health, IGEN, Leeds City College and Third sector partners. The working group focuses on the impact of the welfare benefit changes and employability within our localities.
3.23 Early programmes of work included frontline worker workshops, which both raised awareness around the welfare benefit changes and engaged frontline workers to identify early challenges and concerns. Over 60 people attended the event, and feedback was very positive. This network is now being used to disseminate new information quickly to local leaders and practitioners from across a range of sectors.
3.24 The Clusters have been organising a series of OBA events to look at the impact of the Welfare Reform, an Outer North West OBA event was held in February and partners are working to deliver the actions identified through this session. These include;
• Increasing the dissemination of information about changes to parents and partner organisations. • Increasing access and availability to low-cost and ethical lending schemes and to raise awareness to supports such as local food banks and housing support agencies. • To increase opportunities for volunteers. • To promote the availability of internet access through libraries and possibly schools out of school time for the purpose of job hunting and application.
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Debt Prevention and High Interest Lenders 3.25 Public Health are developing a money management/ budgeting course toolkit to enable practitioners to deliver sessions in community centres across the WNW.
3.26 Frontline worker training sessions are being organised by Public Health and Trading Standards to raise awareness around illegal money lending, high interest loans and debt prevention.
3.27 PC’s, PCSO’S and NPT’s are also to be trained in dealing with loan sharks by Trading Standards; this will include what is defined as harassment.
3.28 WNWhL is continuing work through the Illegal Money Lending Team to look at tackle loan sharks and scams. Staff briefings have been undertaken on loan sharks and scams, particularly focusing on the elderly and vulnerable. Further campaigns are planned, including a week of action in October. The last campaign led to the arrest of two people from west Leeds in connection with illegal money lending.
3.29 The WNWhL Financial Inclusion officer has been promoting free school meals, budgeting skills and reducing utility bills to all customers, targeted towards those on a low income. In addition to facilitating a free financial advice surgery trialled in Ralph Thoresby School, Holt Park, LS16 7RX. The team also supported the provision of free employment advice offered in Otley Core Resource Centre by initially sending posters to the local Neighbourhood Housing Offices and posting information in the e-bulletin. WNWhL’s officers promoted the service to residents / customers. 277 text messages were sent to residents in Otley to inform them of the free service and 110 letters, with posters, were also sent.
3.30 WNW Works staff consulted with customers who had indicated they wanted to either increase their working hours or find work to help address under-occupancy issues. The consultation was based on direct calls to customers to complete a questionnaire about how WNW Works could best support them back into work or increase their skills by providing training, volunteering or work experience opportunities in addition to Sector based Work Academy information.
3.31 The Employability and Welfare Reform Working Group has been delivering a range of initiatives to better co-ordinate local activity, identify gaps in provision and use the local community facilities to deliver learning opportunities and employment.
3.32 In response to local need partners, including Job Centre Plus, Connexions, WNWhL and the Libraries Services have been involved in establishing an advice session in Otley on a Wednesday. Those people targeted primarily have been those affected by the welfare benefit changes who have stated they are looking for work or wish to increase their working hours. Residents are being informed of this provision through a series of promotional activities, including posters, direct mail and texting. Officers from the Guiseley Job Centre who cover the sessions report that they have been fully booked with 100% attendance and really appreciated by local residents.
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3.33 The Outreach Workers are proactively seeking out tenants who are in need of employment support and also responding to referrals from other WNWHL staff who are conducting Welfare Reform and general tenancy visits. In addition there is an on-going campaign to contact customers affected by the welfare reforms who responded to last year’s survey saying that they wished to secure employment.
4 Corporate Considerations
4.34 Consultation and Engagement
4.34.1 The report provides information on progress in implementing the welfare changes and the impacts of the changes and is not a report which requires public consultation.
4.35 Equality and Diversity / Cohesion and Integration
4.35.1 The Government’s welfare changes have implications for equality and diversity and have been subject to equality impact assessments. Similarly, the development of Discretionary Housing Payments and Local Welfare Support schemes have also been subject to equality impact assessments.
4.36 Council policies and City Priorities
4.36.1 The on-going development of responses to the welfare changes and preparations for changes still to come is aimed at supporting City Priorities around health and wellbeing and poverty. Cross-sector working, particularly with the advice sector and 3 rd sector organisations such as the Credit Union, is aimed at ensuring tenants and residents receive support to manage the changes.
4.37 Resources and value for money
4.37.1 The report is for information only and does not have any resource implications directly. The on-going development of initiatives to tackle high cost lenders and put in place support for vulnerable tenants has resource implications. These are expected to be met from funding streams for local welfare scheme and local support services framework, once announced.
4.38 Legal Implications, Access to Information and Call In
4.38.1 There are no legal implications relating to this report.
4.39 Risk Management
4.39.1 The programme of welfare changes increases the risk of rent arrears and Council Tax arrears. Changes to the recovery process along with the application of the Discretionary Housing Payment scheme are aimed at mitigating the risks.
5 Conclusions
5.1 Many tenants are struggling to cope with the welfare changes that came into effect from April 2013; there have been increases in rent arrears and Council Tax
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arrears which it can only be assumed are as a result of the changes. On-going preparations for Universal Credit recognise the impact of the changes to date and focus on tackling high cost lending, increasing financial inclusion and supporting tenants to get online to manage benefit claims.
5.2 Potential reductions to Discretionary Housing Payments funding in FY14/15 mean that further work is required to move tenants away from dependency on DHPs and into more sustainable and affordable renting solutions.
5.3 Partners are coming together in localities to better use the community infrastructure to support people affected by the welfare changes. This provides a good platform for further collaboration with a range of city-wide partners.
6 Recommendations
The Committee is asked to:
6.1 Note the information about the impact of the welfare reforms;
6.2 Note the information about the campaign against high cost lenders and contribute to options for locality-based events and initiatives to support the campaign;
6.3 Champion the following priorities:
• High interest money lending and debt
• Better connecting local people to Leeds job opportunities and training through the planning process, sector based work academies and apprenticeships
• Continuing to support local communities through localised employability, learning and advice provision
7 Background documents 1
Appendix 1 Monthly update
Appendix 2 WNWhL response to welfare reforms
Appendix 3 High cost lending update
Appendix 4 Social Sector Size Criteria – Update on contacts / visits to date
Appendix 5: Arrear of all under occupiers - All arrears cases
1 The background documents listed in this section are available to download from the Council’s website, unless they contain confidential or exempt information. The list of background documents does not include published works.
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Appendix 1
Under occupancy statistics
The number of tenancies affected by under-occupancy during July were: - ALMOs : 6,296 - HAs : 1,538
8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 ALMOS/BITMO 2000 RSL
Page 32 1000 0
2013/14 Baseline April May June July August Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar WNW 2473 2411 2348 2276 2227 AVH 1633 1605 1539 1469 1449 BIT 241 235 227 225 221 ENE 2777 2733 2614 2465 2399 Not Known 49 53 0 0 0 ALMO TOTAL 7173 7037 6728 6435 6296 HAs 1766 1743 1629 1567 1538 City Total 8939 8780 8357 8002 7834
Under-occupancy statistics
The weekly loss of Housing Benefit is: - £ ALMOs £72.922.01 - £ HAs £ 22,841.63
£90,000.00 £80,000.00 £70,000.00 £60,000.00 £50,000.00 £40,000.00 ALMOS/BITMO £30,000.00 Page 33 RSL £20,000.00 £10,000.00 £-
WEEKLY LOSS IN HB FOR CLAIMS AFFECTEDPATION BY- BY UNDER ALMO OCCU& RSL
Baseline April May June July August SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuaryFebruaryMarch
AVH £ 18,832.92 £ 18,648.48 £ 18,098.36 £ 17,276.29 £ 16,998.67
BIT £ 2,893.22 £ 2,830.73 £ 2,736.83 £ 2,687.28 £ 2,652.50
ENE £ 32,336.11 £ 31,812.13 £ 30,615.62 £ 28,524.64 £ 27,634.07
WNW £ 28,715.03 £ 27,889.65 £ 27,177.72 £ 26,202.42 £ 25,636.77
Not Known £ 562.19 £ 600.76 £ - £ - £ -
ALMO TOTAL£ 83,339.47 £ 81,781.75 £ 78,628.53 £ 74,690.63 £ 72,922.01
HA/RSL £ 26,173.89 £ 26,068.00 £ 24,430.95 £ 23,398.87 £ 22,841.63
CITY TOTAL £ 109,513.36 £ 107,849.75 £ 103,059.48 £ 98,089.50 £ 95,763.64
Page 34 NUMBER OF CLAIMS WITH CHILDREN AFFECTEDCUPATION BY UNDER OC 2013/14 Baseline April May June July August September October November December January February March ALMOS/BITMO - 1735 1651 1571 1517 RSL - 612 580 558 547 CITY TOTAL - 2347 2231 2129 2064
TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN AFFECTED BY UNDERON OCCUPATI 2013/14 Baseline April May June July August SeptemberOctober NovemberDecemberJanuary February March ALMOS/BITMO - 2819 2668 2529 2419 RSL - 1114 1035 1009 987 CITY TOTAL - 3933 3703 3538 3406
NUMBER OF UNDER OCCUPIED CLAIMS WITH YRENT ALMO ARREARS B 2013/14 Baseline April May June July August SeptemberOctober NovemberDecember January February March AVH 450 1067 998 954 882 BITMO 60 144 149 146 139 ENE 663 1801 1668 1565 1406 WNW 746 1600 1555 1484 1394 Not Known 15 40 0 0 0 TOTAL 1934 4652 4370 4149 3821
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Under-occupancy statistics
Ward breakdown
ALMO NUMBERALMO £ RSL NUMBERRSL £ ALMO NUMBERALMO £ RSL NUMBERRSL £
Adel and Wharfedale 33 £ 432.15 15 £ 169.95 Horsforth 105 £ 1,227.11 7 £ 170.60
Alwoodley 125 £ 1,387.52 35 £ 592.83 Hyde Park and Woodhouse 287 £ 3,148.81 133 £ 2,109.14
Ardsley and Robin Hood 61 £ 741.17 34 £ 452.59 Killingbeck and Seacroft 590 £ 7,102.39 67 £ 886.27
Armley 403 £ 4,306.47 99 £ 1,501.42 Kippax and Methley 84 £ 1,179.38 16 £ 242.46
Beeston and Holbeck 304 £ 3,297.04 37 £ 497.42 Kirkstall 337 £ 4,071.92 24 £ 333.74
Bramley and Stanningley 309 £ 3,732.27 30 £ 421.91 Middleton Park 483 £ 5,671.49 91 £ 1,269.29
Burmantofts and Richmond Hill614 £ 6,420.96 115 £ 1,692.63 Moortown 43 £ 489.73 82 £ 1,317.19
Calverley and Farsley 59 £ 744.92 7 £ 132.97 Morley North 75 £ 842.70 18 £ 262.12
Page 36 Chapel Allerton 277 £ 3,265.02 153 £ 2,448.51 Morley South 134 £ 1,471.47 19 £ 296.48
City and Hunslet 187 £ 2,170.55 120 £ 1,863.72 Otley and Yeadon 84 £ 937.13 19 £ 279.50
Cross Gates and Whinmoor 135 £ 1,626.24 30 £ 432.70 Pudsey 127 £ 1,551.41 25 £ 389.51
Farnley and Wortley 281 £ 3,188.82 16 £ 143.63 Rothwell 141 £ 1,810.84 46 £ 639.69
Garforth and Swillington 62 £ 754.88 3 £ 46.98 Roundhay 66 £ 712.51 42 £ 693.42
Gipton and Harehills 357 £ 4,081.02 149 £ 1,968.40 Temple Newsam 259 £ 3,262.03 46 £ 706.34
Guiseley and Rawdon 47 £ 558.56 8 £ 108.85 Weetwood 138 £ 1,569.59 16 £ 245.39
Harewood 25 £ 350.16 0 £ - Wetherby 50 £ 623.43 9 £ 132.49
Headingley 14 £ 192.32 27 £ 393.49
Discretionary Housing Payments as at 31.07.13 Priority Group Total requests Awardsrd % of awards% where no award No awa Ave Weekly awardds Total cost of awar made
Sig adapted 498 309 62% 189 £ 13.64 38% £ 38.24 195,5 Child access 322 246 76% 76 £ 11.80 24% £ 73.77 137,7 Approach PC age 60 54 90% 6 £ 15.77 10% £ 353.42 26, Housing & birth 21 19 90% 2 £ 11.02 10% £121.07 2, Exceptional circs 547 341 62% 206 £ 13.78 38% £ 05.04 188,3 Foster Carers 23 23 100% 0 £ 15.48 0% £ 011.53 17, Not in priority group 550 10 2% 540 £ 19.68 98% £077.27 5,
Page 37 Number of UO cases 2021 1002 1019 £ 72,180.34 15.45 £ 5 338 240 98 £ ,021.71 30.61 £ 164 LHA cases affected by welfare changes Benefit cap cases None None None None None 590 235 355 £ 8,222.47 26.41 £ 12 Cases not in above categories Total of DHP claims 2949 1477 1472 £ 864,424.52
Total spend to date £ 402,912.94 DHP Budget £ 1,924,162.00
Local Welfare Scheme statistics as at 31.07.13 Calls offered Abandoned To CSO's Eligible Date Offered768 ApplicationsAwards 711 Apr-13 1896 1128 366 283 600 May-13 1866 1155 454 395
Jun-13 1737 1137 428 377 2882 Jul-13 2151 803 1348 526 462
Total 7650 4768 1774 1517
Decisions Value of awards Breakdown Of Goods Outcome Totals Item Value NumberGoods Total
Awarded 1517 Store Cards £ 7,010.00 232Dryer 8
Not awarded 257 ASDA baskets £ 38,456.10 659Cooker 393
Total 1774 Fuel (cash) £ 10,602.30 527Fridge 322 Page 38 White / Brown Goods £ 234,009.81 608 Bed 235 Flooring £ 67,183.19 193Bedding 32 Travel£ 1,138.004 Curtains 11
Removal £ 2,773.0910 Washer 91
Total £ 361,172.49 2233 Sofa 34 Microwave 14
Breakdown Of Non Awards
Reason Total
Referred to DWP 34
Single – not met emergency criteria 126 No response to our phone calls 50 Previous Claims 2
Living with family – not met emergency criteria 21 Cancelled / withdrawn by customer 24 Total 257
Local Council Tax Support
NUMBER OF CLAIMS AFFECTED BY 19% LCTS scheme 2013/14 April May June July August September October November December January February March ALL CLAIMS 34042 33535 32995 32500
Weekly Value of Loss of Benefit for claims affected by 19% LCTS Scheme 2013/14 April May June July All Claims £ 85,364.44 £83,811.83 £82,003.06 £80649.93
The average weekly reduction in May is equivalent to an additional £4,193,796 per annum that needs to be paid by customers on Page 39 Council Tax Support.
Council Tax Group Comments Elderly 30186 National prescribed scheme: no change to entitlement War Pensioners 33 Protected: no change to entitlement Severe Disability 2371 Protected: no change to entitlement Enhanced Disability 5004 Protected: no change to entitlement Carer 1524 Protected: no change to entitlement Lone Parent Child Under 5 6600 Protected: no change to entitlement Other 32512 No protection: entitlement reduced by 19% Total 78230
Local Council Tax Support: breakdown by ward of numbers with additional 19% to pay
Number Of Number Of WARD Claims WARD Claims Adel and Wharfedale 348 Horsforth 331 Alwoodley 690 Hyde Park and Woodhouse 1504 Ardsley and Robin Hood 498 Killingbeck and Seacroft 1804 Armley 2003 Kippax and Methley 438 Beeston and Holbeck 1784 Kirkstall 1160 Bramley and Stanningley 1292 Middleton Park 1877 Burmantofts and Richmond Hill 2788 Moortown 543 Calverley and Farsley 440 Morley North 531
Page 40 Chapel Allerton 1596 Morley South 733 City and Hunslet 1981 Otley and Yeadon 493 Cross Gates and Whinmoor 809 Pudsey 675 Farnley and Wortley 1142 Rothwell 506 Garforth and Swillington 294 Roundhay 593 Gipton and Harehills 2987 Temple Newsam 905 Guiseley and Rawdon 309 Weetwood 664 Harewood 146 Wetherby 219 Headingley 417
Affect Of Council Tax Support On Council Tax Collection Rate
Council Tax Liability Of Claims Previouslypt Of 100% In CouncilRecei Tax Benefit
2013/14 April May June July August SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary FebruaryMarch
£ 4,056,000.00 £ 4,039,000.00 £ 3,998,000.00 £ 3,971,000.00
Number Of Reminders Issued To Customers The 19%Affected Reduction By In Benefit 2013/14 April May June July August SeptemberOctober NovemberDecemberJanuary February March 1453 15386 28785 30045
Comparison Of Overall Council Tax CollectionBoth CTS andRate Non ( CTS Cases) April May June July August SeptemberOctober NovemberDecemberJanuary February March VARIANCE 2013/14 to 2012/13 -0.11% -0.22% -0.32% -0.46%
Council Tax Liability Of All CTS Claims The Affected 19% Reduction By In Benefit
Page 41 2013/14 April May June July August SeptemberOctober NovemberDecemberJanuary February March £ 7,399,000.00 £ 7,431,000.00 £ 7,441,000.00 £ 7,447,000.00
Council Tax Liability Of Claims Previouslypt Of Partial In Recei Council Tax Benefit 2013/14 April May June July August SeptemberOctober NovemberDecemberJanuary February March £ 3,343,000.00 £ 3,392,000.00 £ 3,443,000.00 £ 3,476,000.00
Council Tax Collection Rate For CTSims and Non CTS Cla Collection Rate April May June July August SeptemberOctoberNovemberDecemberJanuary FebruaryMarch Overall 10.1% 19.3% 28.20% 37.19% CTS Claims (Prev On 100% Benefit)6.9% 12.4% 17.6% 22.6% All CTS Claims 7.9% 14.2% 20.0% 25.6%
Appendix 2
West North West Homes Leeds Response and Activities
Social sector size criteria (under-occupancy)
1. Between September 2012 and March 2013 WNWhL undertook visits to all 2,828 of their tenants affected by the under occupancy changes. The same exercise was completed by Housing Associations in the area (Unity, Connect and Leeds Federated). The visits highlighted how the changes would affect the customer and the likely shortfall in rent that tenants would face.
2. The following options were discussed in detail with the customer: • Ensuring all eligible benefits are being claimed: • Ascertaining income details and prioritising expenditure; • Identifying eligibility for DHP and supporting referral; • Supporting tenants to register a housing application; • Promoting mutual exchange; • Supporting tenants to set up a bank account or direct debit; • Budgeting and debt advice; and • Referring vulnerable tenants for specialist support through the Independent Living Teams, Adult Social Care or Children’s Services.
3. In addition to the above WNWhL have employed an additional member of staff to assist customers looking to downsize their home. As well as helping individuals to find a move they are promoting mutual exchanges, by helping customers register their properties for exchange, promoting a swap shop event and putting estate agent style Mutual Exchange boards outside of available properties. This has led to an increase in the number of customers seeking to exchange properties.
4. A more detailed review of how tenants are dealing with the under-occupancy changes will be undertaken in the autumn. This will look at tenants who have moved to more affordable accommodation, tenants who are managing to pay the extra rent and tenants who are struggling to cope with the extra costs.
Benefit Cap 5. During July, all customers affected by the Benefit Cap were contacted by Debt and Benefit Advisors to check benefit entitlement and offer advice and assistance in dealing with the effects of the Benefit Cap. Contact has also been made by Jobcentre Plus to advise tenants about the help they can get with moving into work, as families working more than 16hrs (lone parents) or 24hrs (couples) are exempt from the Benefit Cap.
West North West Homes Leeds (WNWHL) Arrears Process
6. The arrears process has been revised to ensure that more support is given to customers who are struggling to pay their rent. This is ensuring that rent collection is being maximised but customers are not facing losing their home if another alternative solution can be agreed. This can be evidenced by looking at the number
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of letters sent in April compared to how many Notices of Intent to Seek Possession (NISP) have been served. For example at week 2, 157 automatic stage one letters were issued. This increased to 847 at week 3, when the under occupation arrears cases were introduced.
The number of cases progressing to letter two stage at week 5 reduced significantly to 297. At week 13, week commencing 25 th June only 81 of these cases had a NISP served. Appendix 5 shows the arrears rate by ward for WNWhL. As can be seen there was an initial increase in arrears, but the amount owed has not been increasing since April, partly because the number of affected customers has been reducing.
It can be clearly seen that the number of cases progressing through the arrears process is reducing and the majority of customers are being supported in making payments or pursuing other options such as downsizing, either via CBL or mutual exchange.
Preparations for Universal Credit
7. Work has commenced in relation to the introduction of Universal Credit. Lead Officers are attending seminars and researching best practice and working with other ALMO’s and Local Authorities
8. The WNWhl annual tenancy visit is being revised to capture the additional data needed in preparation for Universal Credit.
9. The WNWhL Financial Inclusion Officer is looking at a range of ways to promote digital access to tenants including the use of mobile provision, mentoring and volunteering schemes and on-going involvement with the BT / Citizens Online ‘Get IT Together’ project that aims to get more people online. They are also planning four digital inclusion events.
Through WNW Works four Estate Caretaker Apprenticeships, a new Work Experience Mentor and two Employment Outreach Workers have been appointed, the latter in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, to work with their unemployed customers and bring them closer to the job market.
Since staff started in their outreach roles, around 300 tenants have been supported through telephone/ written, and face to face contact with regards to job search. A much larger number, of around 2000, have been contacted by text inviting them to attend job focused events.
In August an information session was delivered to support the Childcare Assistant vacancies that have arisen in the Children’s Centres around the city.
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Appendix 3 – High cost lenders action plan
Priority area Actions Involvement/Partners Action Progress Develop 1. Financial profiling at SOA level FI Team, Regional Discussions with Salford University on feasibility of understanding of Policy Team mapping Leeds research data against nationally available the scale of the data. issue in Leeds 2. Mapping of provision of HCL through mapping of local Area Management Baseline data set out in Executive Board Report, financial services September 2012, to be supplemented by local knowledge.
3. Utilise data analysed during the Advice Sector Review to FI Team, map current resources and activity to tackle debt issues Environment and across Leeds Housing Commissioning Team Coordinate 4. Presentation to Financial Inclusion Steering Group on HCL FI Team Presented to Steering Group on 3 July 2013 activity across Page 44 campaign public, private rd and 3 Sector to 5. Coordinate activity across ALMO’s to ensure that best LCC Housing ENE and AV both employ a dedicated CU staff member to deal with HCL practice is delivered uniformly across city. Management Service work closely with tenants. Area Management 6. Encourage all social housing providers to engage with best LCC Housing practice examples Management Service Area Management 7. Area Management Locality working to coordinate partners at Area Management a community level
Develop 8. Develop an overarching communication plan for producing a FI Team Communications Plan developed and currently seeking Communication comprehensive promotion and marketing plan warning of the Corp. Comms. marketing agency to deliver the plan via a tender exercise. Plan in two problems of HCL’s and promoting alternatives ie. LCCU. Interviews to take place on 3 September. parts. 9. Engage major sports organisations in campaign against FI Team Met with Leeds Rugby, LUFC and YCCC. 1. City Wide HCLs and promoting alternatives particularly LCCU; Leeds Rugby and YCCC keen to be involved. High Profile Further letter sent out to LUFC following their management campaign changes. 10. Engage with major public and private sector employers and FI Team Discussions held with Chamber of Commerce. LCC Chief
the banking sector to support the campaign LCCU Exec article circulated in Chamber of Commerce bulletin. Area Management
11. Engage with Leeds’s Universities and NUS to support the FI Team Met with University of Leeds, Student Advice. Letter to 2 campaign Leeds universities seeking action on payday lending
12. Engage with local media to seek their involvement in the FI Team Contact made with YP reporter campaign Corp. Comms.
13. High profile public meeting/media event to launch campaign FI Team Conference to take place on 25 October
14. Investigate the use of “void space” on advertising hoardings, FI Team Meetings have taken place with relevant officers and
Corp. Comms. possibilities being explored both public and private sector
15. Investigate prominent banner adverts on public buildings FI Team See 13 Corp. Comms. Area Management 16. Ban websites carrying adverts for HCLs; FI Team List of 190 payday lenders compiled and forwarded to LCC Corp. Comms. IT. Also sent to all other WY authorities and York who have agreed to block websites. Date agreed – 2 September. Internet redirect pages prepared and press release ready Page 45 2. Local Neighbourhood for issue. promotion and 17. Discourage contractors promoting HCLs; Corp. Procurement education Campaign 18. Develop campaign website to support HCL campaign with FI Team Met with IT services and temporary web pages have now advice and information about partner services Corp. IT Services been set up until new campaign branding in place.
19. Develop a social media campaign through Facebook, Twitter FI Team etc Corp. Comms.
20. Develop promotional and educational material to support Corp. Comms. local campaigning activity against HCL and promoting LCCU Area Management
21. Provide comparisons between HCLs and more affordable FI Team Case studies prepared with LCCU options; LCCU
22. Provide guidance on dealing with money issues that avoid Advice Agencies using HCLs; LCCU Area Management 23. Create programme of events to keep issue fresh, raise FI Team awareness of issues and to raise awareness of frontline role; Area Management
24. Provide briefing and training to frontline staff; All Directorates Public Health Area Management 25. Develop HCL toolkit for frontline staff; Advice Leeds All Directorates Area Management 26. Link with illegal lending team campaigns where appropriate; Illegal Money IMLT are members of the FI Steering Group and work Lending Team regularly with partners across the city Area Management 27. Investigate advertising on side of council vehicles LCC Transport Corp. Comms. Area Management 28. Work with Secondary Schools to develop media for Children’s Services education on HCL’s possibly utilising such as “Shontal” Area Management theatre group
29. Investigate possibility to produce video production of the FI Team “Shontal” play for use by community groups and schools Corp. Comms. Page 46 Build Capacity 30. Develop a programme of initiatives to support the delivery of FI Team See 8 above. A package of support initiatives agreed and for alternative expanded credit facilities through LCCU and Headrow Corp. Comms. funding provided to LCCU to implement. affordable credit Money Line (CDFI) Area Management
31. Engage with the banking sector to seek their support for FI Team Meeting set up with some banking partners and LCCU working closely with LCCU to enhance provision LCCU preparing for a larger meeting in the Autumn
Reduce 32. Set costs reduction targets for ALMO tenants; ALMO’s dependency on LCC Housing and use of HCLs Services 33. Promote alternative options including CDFI, LCCU Payday Corp. Comms. See 8 above Loans and LCCU Budgeting Accounts; Area Management
34. Use control zones in worst affected areas to discourage ALMO’s doorstep lenders visiting homes in the area; Area Management
35. Support social enterprise models for furniture re-use; FI Team Citizens and Communities Directorate
36. Investigate possibility of developing a “Brighthouse” social FI Team model for white goods and furniture Citizens and Communities Directorate 37. Link in with fuel poverty activity, including Wrap-up-Leeds, Fuel Poverty Officer Regular dialogue takes place with the Fuel Poverty Officer Warm Front and Community Energy Together (switching Area Management scheme)
38. Work with employers to educate and support staff about FI Team Payday Loans and alternative arrangements Area Management
39. Work with Public health to tackle lifestyle issues LCC Public Health Area Management 40. Discourage HCL as a way of paying council/utility bills LCC Revenue Division 41. Work with Food Banks and other anti-poverty initiatives FI Team Citizens and Communities Page 47 Directorate Area Management Provide direct 42. Increase money, debt and benefits advice FI Team support for those Env. And Housing caught up in Commissioning HCL Team 43. Include debt review in rent/Ctax arrears cases; LCC Revenue Division, Corporate Debt Team ALMO’s 44. Ensure a unified approach to debt collection by utilising the FI Team Next meeting of the Corporate Debt Liaison Group taking Corporate Debt Team and coordination through the LCC Revenue place on 4 October Corporate Debt Liaison Group Division, Corporate Debt Team Measure the 45. Agree indicative KPIs FI Team impact of the approach 46. Review and refresh approach as required FI Team
Appendix 4 Social Sector Size Criteria - Update on Contacts/Visits Undertake to Date WNWHL %
Number of Tenants Affected May 2013 List 2277 Completed Visits / Contacts 2160 95% No response to contacts and newly affected 117 5% awaiting contact Family Size Dispute 91 4% Property Size Dispute 42 1.8% Transfer Requested * see below 222 10% Cover Shortfall from Income / Benefits 1238 54% Seek Employment/Increase hours 317 14% Plan to move to other tenure 108 5% Seek Lodger 54 2.4% Foster Carers 8 0.4% In adapted Properties 86 4% Access to Children or Applying 21 0.9% Tenants considered High Risk 84 4% * Bedroom Requirements of those requesting a transfer 1 Bedroom 153 69% 2 Bedrooms 61 27% 3 Bedrooms 8 4% 4 Bedrooms 0 0% 5 Bedrooms 0 0%
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Appendix 5 Arrears of All Under Occupiers All Arrears Cases
Ward March April May June Change (£s) red = increase green=decrease
WNWhL Total £234,722 £280,250 £284,523 £ 281,904 £ 47,182 Adel and Wharfedale £ 1,862 £2,000 £2,081 £2,289 £ 428 Armley £33,753 £43,182 £42,727 £ 41,987 £8,234 Bramley and Stanningle y £30,333 £36,892 £35,791 £36,325 £5,992 Calverley and Farsley £3,891 £5,454 £4,918 £5,297 £1,406 Chapel Allerton £32 £32 £32 £78 £46 City and Hunslet £2,542 £1,096 £555 £726 -£1,815 Farnley and Wortley £34,761 £42,071 £42,058 £ 42,251 £7,489 Guiseley and Rawdon £ 5,508 £5,301 £5,018 £ 4,602 -£905 Headingley £927 £1,298 £1,521 £ 1,834 £907 Horsforth £7,954 £9,493 £9,257 £ 9,475 £1,521 Hyde Park and Woodhouse £29,461 £35,528 £38,565 £ 36,428 £6,967 Kirkstall £49,380 £58,628 £59,593 £ 60,023 £10,644 Moortown £ - £30 £16 £ 97 £ 97 Otley and Yeadon £2,908 £5,695 £7,134 £ 6,779 £3,871 Pudsey £16,531 £16,973 £18,568 £ 17,198 £668 Weetwood £14,880 £16,577 £16,690 £ 16,514 £1,633
Please note that these are ALL arrears cases and therefore arrears may have been accrued previous to the introduction of the size criteria benefit changes in April 2013. Also any arrears accumulated since April 2013 can only be assumed to be directly related to the decrease in benefit.
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Page 50 Agenda Item 10
Report author: Wyn Davies Tel: 3782529
Report of West North West Homes
Report to Outer North West Area Committee
Date: 23 rd September 2013
Subject: West North West homes Leeds involvement in Area Committees
Are specific electoral Wards affected? X Yes No If relevant, name(s) of Ward(s): Horsforth, Adel & Wharfedale, Otley
& Yeadon & Guisley & Rawdon
Are there implications for equality and diversity and cohesion and Yes X No integration?
Is the decision eligible for Call-In? Yes X No
Does the report contain confidential or exempt information? Yes X No If relevant, Access to Information Procedure Rule number: Appendix number:
Summary of main issues
1. WNWhL provide a range of housing management services in the West and North West of Leeds. The Outer North West Area Committee area is coterminous with the ‘Outer North West’ housing management area comprising 3900 properties in the Adel and Wharfedale, Otley and Yeadon, Horsforth and the Guisley and Rawdon Wards. Tenancy and Estate Management services are delivered locally from our office located in Horsforth. 2. Support services such as rent accounting, lettings and property repairs are delivered through a centralised structure, however all customer enquiries can be made locally at the Horsforth Neighbourhood Office and at the Otley and Aireborough One Stop Centres; or via the Council Contact Centre. 3. This report seeks to advise the Area Committee of activities undertaken by WNWhL which impact on local communities and areas where opportunities exist to work collaboratively to improve conditions for local people. 4. It was agreed by Area Committee in June 2011, that WNWhL would provide an update of activities and services undertaken by them twice yearly.
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Recommendations
Members of the Outer North West Area Committee are invited to note the content of this report; this is the final report from WNWhL.
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1. Purpose of this Report
1.1 To outline the purpose of West North West homes Leeds (WNWhL) involvement in Area Committees, and to explore ways of making that involvement as meaningful and productive as possible.
2 Background information
2.1 An introductory report was submitted to the Outer North West Area Committee in June 2011, outlining areas of mutual interest and opportunities to promote collaborative working for the benefit of communities in Outer North West Leeds. The report recommended that WNWhL should provide further, more detailed, reports on a twice yearly basis.
2.2 WNWhL delivers services to customers through a combination of centralised and decentralised structures. Generally speaking, estate and tenancy management functions are delivered locally by the Neighbourhood Housing Team based at the Neighbourhood Housing Office on The Green, Horsforth. Support services such as Lettings, Rent and Repairs are delivered through a decentralised structure; however enquiries for the range of services we provide can be handled at the aforementioned office. The bulk of customer enquiries are processed through the Council Contact Centre, with whom WNWhL has a Service Delivery Agreement.
2.3 A consultation exercise with customers and a survey of our tenants’ opinion on the two options has been undertaken.
1. Move to a single company model (e.g. a single ALMO) with a retained locality delivery structure and strengthened governance arrangements; or 2. Move to all services being integrated within direct council management with a retained locality delivery structure and strengthened governance arrangements to include tenants and independent members.
The outcome of the consultation with tenants was that 61% were in favour of option 2. Therefore at the executive board on the 16 th July 2013 option 2 was approved.
Implementing this option involves the creating of a new Housing Management Advisory Board, chaired by the Executive Member with responsibility for housing, which will retain a mix of elected members, tenants and independents of ALMO boards. Also that local delivery arrangement in the current three areas should be retained. The best practice across the range of housing management services should be identified and applied across all areas of the city. The Area Panel functions are to be retained and strengthened to make sure tenants remain fully involved and engaged in the work of the new service, and in turn allow the service to be responsive to local needs.
The new Environment and Housing Service to be built around 3 elements
1. Statutory housing 2. Council housing tenancy management 3. Property and contracts
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The transfer of staff from the 3 ALMOs to Leeds City Council under TUPE regulations is planned to take place on the 1 st October 2013
2.4 This report focuses on examples of joint working, and activities which promote community involvement and well being.
3. Main issues
3.1 Environmental Management
3.1.1 Partnership Working
3.1.2 Crime and Grime Multi Tasking Groups were set up in 2004. Their aim is to provide a clear framework for the positive management of the Outer North West area, whilst delivering a multi agency approach, when dealing with issues relating to crime and grime. To share local information and intelligence, to agree local priorities and deliver joint actions for delivering service improvements.
3.1.3 Agreed priorities of the Crime and Grime Group are to improve environmental conditions within the Outer North West area, to provide a joined up approach when dealing with issues in relation to crime, anti social behaviour.
3.1.4 The Outer North West, Crime and Grime Tasking Group has delivered 9 local action days in 2013 in the following areas; Weston Estate Otley, in the St James/King Georges area of Horsforth, the Westfield Estate in Yeadon, the King Edwards area of Horsforth, the Hawthorn Estate in Yeadon, the Bradford Road area in Otley and the Shakespeare’s in Guiseley.
3.1.5 In addition in January 2013 we have carried out a successful post-Christmas and New Year Spring-clean Week on the Holtdales and a second Clean Up Week in August in conjunction with the local tenants & residents association. We have received the following thanks from the Holt Park Tenants and Residents association chair. ” I would like to convey on behalf of the residents of Holt Park our sincere gratitude for the hard work that the Estate Caretaking Team put in today ensuring the clean-up on the Holtdales was a success.”
3.1.6 WNWhL has an active role in delivery of local action days, including provision and delivery of promotional information, providing staffing resources, through our Neighbourhood Management Officers and Neighbourhood Caretakers. WNWhL also contributes financially with the provision of skips, where environmental improvements are required.
3.1.7 Common problems identified during action days are increasing number of incidents of fly tipping and graffiti.
3.1.8 Health & Environmental Action Services have issued fixed penalty notices to residents who have been identified as having fly tipped. In an attempt to be pro active WNWhL provide skips for tenants to remove surplus rubbish. WNWhL Neighbourhood Caretaking Team also deal with problems of graffiti on our estates.
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3.1.9 The noticeable outcome of these action days have been improved environmental conditions, where local residents have provided positive feedback about improved conditions.
3.1.10 There are further action days planned for September 2013 in Holt Park, October 2013 in Guiseley ( area to be confirmed) and in December 2013 on the Weston Estate in Otley.
3.2 Caretaking and Cleaning
3.2.1 Our Neighbourhood Caretaking Team provide a front line environmental service, patrolling estates and communal buildings including daily visits to multi storey flats, ensuring a high visible presence to deter illegal dumping, illegal entry, vandalism and other acts of anti social behaviour.
3.2.2 The Caretakers act as the eyes and ears on the estate, reporting and recording any illegal activity and breaches of tenancy. They provide a patrol service of estates on a planned basis, assessing and dealing with environmental issues in communal areas, such as ginnels, walkways and communal land where grot spots exist.
3.2.3 The Caretaking team also undertake regular work in a number of areas which are identified as hotspot areas for litter and fly-tipping. They also undertake larger environmental projects tidying up areas of land not included in the Continental contract.
3.2.4 The monitoring of the grounds maintenance contract currently held by Continental which was undertaken by West North West homes Leeds has since April 2013 been transferred to Parks and Countryside who now undertake the monitoring of grounds maintenance across the whole of Leeds.
3.2.5 Also from April 2013 the responsibility for managing trees on Environment & Housing service land has been transferred to the Forestry section of Parks and Countryside.
3.3 Estate Grading and Inspections.
In line with our published service standards WNWhL arranges regular Estate Inspections which take place on a monthly basis for each area; and a four times a year Estate Grading for each area.
The Estate Grading which now takes place quarterly has taken the place of the twice yearly Estate Walkabout. WNWhL reports on the grading of its estates four times a year and it was important to give customers and other stake holders the opportunity to have an input into this process.
Estate Gradings are promoted on our website and WNWhL welcomes the opportunity for customers, partners and other representatives to attend the inspections and estate grading with us. Often the issues identified may be the responsibility of other Council Departments e.g. Highways, Parks & Countryside and the Walkabouts provide an opportunity for other agencies to contribute to improving environmental conditions and quality of life for local people.
The Estate Grading for the second Quarter of 2013/2014 in the Outer North West area showed that there are now sixteen areas graded excellent and eight areas graded good.
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With no areas graded either acceptable or poor. The positive work undertaken by the Neighbourhood Management Officers and the Neighbourhood Caretakers has seen a marked improvement in the Estate Grading with the Tenant Inspectors/Residents
The table below gives the Estate/Area, the current grading in June 2013 and the date of the next estate grading for your information.
Otley & Yeadon Guisley & Rawdon
Estate Area December NMO Next Grading Meeting 2012 Date Point Grading Otley Area 1 Weston Estate Good Lynne Tuesday 10 th entrance Hellas Sept 2013 Bennett Court 11.00am
Otley Area 2 Lea Croft, Myers Excellent Lynne Tuesday 10 th entrance Lea Croft, Wellcroft Hellas Sept 2013 Croft 2pm
Otley Area 3 Pool in Wharfedale Excellent Lynne Thursday 12 th entrance Hellas Sept 2013 Churchill Flats 11.00am
Otley Area 4 The Green, The Good Lynne Tuesday 17 th The Green Oval, Croft Hellas Sept. 2013 11.00am Avenue, Newall Ave, Newall Carr Road, Turner Crescent, Chippendale Rise, Athelstan Lane
Otley Area 5 Nunroyd Ave, Excellent Richard Tuesday 3 rd Start car Nunroyd Cottages, Fleetwood Sept. parking area Shakespeare 2013 near 2 Road/Close, Shakespeare Ruskin Crescent , Close at Elliot Grove, 10.00am Spenser Road, Shaw Close, Masefield Street, Bacon Street, Tennyson Street, Black Crescent
Otley Area 6 Westbourne Drive, Excellent Richard Thursday 5 th Start Park Road, Fleetwood Sept. 2013 Moorland Hawkhill Ave, Crescent
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Netherfield Court, bungalows Kelcliffe Ave, 10.00am Moorland Crescent, Stanley Grove, Moor Lane, Moorland Ave, Moorland Drive and Road Otley Area 7 Howson Close, Excellent Richard Wednesday 11 th Start 2 Coppice wood Ave, Fleetwood Sept. 2013 Howson Coppice Wood Close at Close, Coppice 10.00am Wood Grove
Otley Area 8 Shaw Leys, Shaw Excellent Richard Tuesday 10 th Start 2 Shaw Royd, Raywood Fleetwood Sept. 2013 Leys at Close, Swincar 10.00am Avenue, Newlands Ave, Netherfield Close, Manor Close
Otley Area 9 Albert Square & Good Bob Monday 23 rd Albert Henshaws Estate Meskouri Sept 2013 square properties off High Yeadon Ls19 Street 7SS Car Park at 11.00am Otley Area Rawdon Estate: Excellent Bob Thursday 26 th 60 Harrogate 10 Aire View, Windmill Meskouri Sept. 2013 Road Lane, Canadas, Rawdon Markhams, LS19 6LP at Larkfields 11.00am
Otley Area Hawthorn Estate Excellent Bob Wednesday 27th 34 Hawthorn 11 Yeadon Meskouri March 2013 Road. Yeadon LS19 7UT at 11.00am Otley Area Westfield Estate, Good Bob Tuesday 19th Woodlea 12 Meskouri March 2013 Mount Yeadon at 11.00am
Otley Area Fairfax Flats, Excellent Richard Wednesday 4 th Start at 16 Adams Croft, Fleetwood Sept 2013 Whiteley Prestwick Close, Croft West Busk Lane, 10.00am Whiteley Croft, Union Court,
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Linfoot Court, Westgate, West View, St Clair Terrace, Bridge Ave, Bridge Street
Horsforth / Adel & Wharfedale
Estate Area December NMO Next Grading Meeting 2012 Date Point Grading Horsforth King Edward Avenue, Excellent Gill Little Tuesday 3rd Roundabout Area 1 King Edward Crescent December end of Drury Avenue , Bank 2013 Drury Gardens & Hall Lane Avenue at 10.30am
Horsforth Alexandra Road,, Excellent Gill Little Tuesday 10 th Outside Area 2 Broadgate Crescent, December Broadfields Broadgate Walk, 2013 at 10.30am Broadway(even no’s), Salmon Crescent, Stanhope Drive & Wood Lane ( even no’s) Horsforth Horsforth 3 Albert Excellent Gill Little Tuesday 17 th Outside Area 3 Mount, Broadgate December Broadfields Avenue, Broadgate 2013 10.30am Drive, Broadgate Lane, Broadfields, Melrose Grove, Melrose Walk
Horsforth King George Avenue Excellent Angela Tuesday 12 th Outside Area 4 and Road Jackson October Broadfield 2013 at 10.00am
Horsforth St James Good Angela Tuesday 15 th Outside 23 Area 5 Jackson Sept 2013 St James Drive at 10.00am
Horsforth Lickless and Good Angel a Tuesday 10 th Top of Area 6 Springfield Jackson December Springfield 2013 Mount at 10.00am
Horsforth Holtdale Close, Drive, Good Chris Tuesday 15 th Holtdale Area 7 Fold, Green, way, Tollick Sept. 2013 Drive/Close
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Garth, Avenue, Croft, Entrance Grove Across from the Eyrie Pub at 10.00am Horsforth Holtdale Place, Good Chris Wednesday At the Area 8 Gardens, Tollick 25 th Sept. entrance of Road, View, Lawn 2013 Holtdale Farrar Lane Place at 10.00am Horsforth Adel wood and Excellent Chris Thursday Meet At the Area 9 Waylands, Rosemont Tollick 26 th Sept. Shops on flats, Breary Lane, 2013 Wayland Moorland Road Croft at 10.00am Horsforth Block 70 New Side Excellent Karen Thursday outside Area 10 Road, Regent Close, Emmerson 19 th Sept. Block 70 Regent Court, Regent 2013 new Road Crescent, Broadway Side, Flats, Broadway (odd starting @ no’s) Cragg Ave, 11.00am Cragg Road, Featherbank Lane, Fink Hill, Stanhope Drive (180 up), Wood Lane Horsforth Billing View, Excellent Karen Thursday meeting @ Area 11 Billingwood Drive, Emmerson 12 th Sept Billing View Larkfield Crescent, 2013 community Larkfield Mount & Centre Queensway ,starting @ 11.00am
Members of Area Committee, and colleagues within Area Management, will receive invitations from the relevant Neighbourhood Management Officers to attend Estate Gradings in their wards which are spread across the 3 months of each quarter i.e. January February March, April May June, July August September and October November December 2013
Area Panels
3.4.1 WNWhL has four Area Panels, which have the same boundaries as Leeds City Council’s Inner and Outer West and Inner and Outer North West Area Committees.
3.4.2 The Area Panels have an active role in setting and agreeing local priorities using local Community Partnership Agreements. They have a delegated budget and are able to approve bid submissions for issues such as:
• Environmental schemes
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• Community safety schemes • Tenant involvement schemes
3.4.3 Twenty Two submissions have been made to the Outer North West Area Panel for consideration since in 2013 all of which have been approved.
3.4.4 These bids have included joint funding initiatives including CASAC target hardening. The outcome of this project has been improved security measures for vulnerable tenants living in the Outer North West area which has also served to reduce the fear of crime.
3.4.5 Other joint funding initiatives have been funding of a youth diversion scheme in the Yeadon and Guisley areas building upon the Revizit model successfully used elsewhere in the city. It involves young people who have been identified by police, workers and other local agencies as at risk. These young people have a local reputation for antisocial behaviour and are aged 11-16.The idea is to provide an interesting and educational programme where attendance is encouraged by refreshments and social activities, providing young people take part in the group work. Full programme attendance is rewarded with a trip at the end.
3.4.6 The provision of benches and tables has been approved at The Willows Sheltered Housing Horsforth, Farrar Lane Sheltered Housing Holt Park and Churchill Flats Pool in Wharfedale and Haworth Court Yeadon to encourage the use of the external garden areas by residents in good weather.
3.4.7 Raised Flower Beds and other types of landscaping have been approved for Wharfedale Court Pool in Wharfedale, Farrar Lane Sheltered Housing Holt Park and the Holtdale estate (various locations) Holt Park. Crowtrees Trees Court Rawdon
3.4.8 Bollards and fencing have been approved for Wells Court/Saxton House Yeadon, Farrar Lane Sheltered Housing Holt Park, Holt Lane historic hedge Holt Park Billing View Sheltered Housing Rawdon and Wood Lane Sheltered Housing Horsforth.. Crowtrees Court Rawdon and various locations on the Holtdale Estate Holt Park.
3.4.11. New steps have been funded on St James Walk Horsforth and a footpath re-constructed on the Westfields estate in Yeadon.
3.5 Community Engagement
WNWhL has a successful track record in community engagement. In 2012 we were again awarded the Tenant Participation Advisory Service Quality Accreditation for Resident Involvement (previously the first ALMO in the country to achieve this in 2008). WNWhL also gained the “Excellent” standard of the Social Housing Equality Framework (SHEF), as awarded by the Local Government Association (LGA).
We have an established Tenant Scrutiny Executive, a method of involving customers which offers us independent challenge and suggests proposals for change to the way we deliver our services. This has been done in consultation with customers. Earlier this year, 20 recommendations were agreed by the WNWhL Board of Directors based on Gas & Electrical Safety Testing processes and property security. The group are currently testing
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the success of these recommendations and working with the Tenant Inspectors to ensure these are firmly embedded within the organisation.
There are more than 15 different involvement methods that customers can access to become involved with WNWhL. These range from traditional Tenant & Residents Associations, of which there are 7 in the Outer North West area, to innovative forums such as the Sheltered Housing Forum and Rainbow Roofs, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Group. Some other examples of community engagement have included:
• In partnership with the Safer project, we arranged for a theatre company to give a play for older tenants and residents to raise awareness of bogus callers and doorstep crime. Over 40 residents enjoyed the event at Yeadon Town Hall as part of Community Involvement Week. • We have worked closely with active Tenants & Residents Associations and Area Representatives and regularly attended their meetings. • We have held regular local housing surgeries and attend coffee mornings at sheltered housing schemes. For example Billing View and Fink Hill. • We have attended several local events including the Adel Cragg community day and the Otley Feeling the Pinch event • We have provided skills training for active involved residents in working with partners to ‘Tackle Community Issues’ • Our Diverse Community Fund has funded activity which brings communities together.
In preparation for the forthcoming organisational changes we are working with other ALMO’s to review best practice in resident involvement and are consulting with key customer groups regarding preferred opportunities for customer involvement and influence.
We are working with partner agencies and Leeds City Council to establish a Holt Park Community forum looking at a range of services provided by WNWhL Leeds City Council and other partners in the area such as the Police and Sanctuary Housing Association.
In the future we expect to see increased customer involvement at a city wide level. We aim to achieve this by continued good relationships with our partner agencies and our Neighbourhood Housing Team focusing on excellence in tenancy management.
4 Corporate Considerations
The joint work and development of shared services between WNWhL and the Outer North West Area Committee, provides an efficient and cost effective way of working, to drive improvement and efficiency, within the Outer North West area.
4.1 Consultation and Engagement
4.1.1 Detailed consultation is undertaken for each Area Panel bid submission. Post evaluation of schemes is also undertaken.
4.2 Equality and Diversity / Cohesion and Integration
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4.2.1 There are no specific equality considerations arising from this report. The services and functions described in this report are consistent with the Council’s and WNWhL’s approach to Equality Diversity and Cohesion.
4.3 Council Policies and City Priorities
4.3.1 The content of this report is consistent with the WNWhL strategic objectives, and the strategic aims of the Council encompassed by the Vision for Leeds; Leeds Children & Young Person Plan; Strategic Health & Wellbeing Plan.
4.4 Resources and Value for Money
4.4.1 No additional resources are needed to deliver the approach outlined in this report which will be delivered within existing resources.
4.4.2 During 2013/14 each Area Panel has £37,500 Capital and £25,000 Revenue for bids which meet set criteria.
4.5 Legal Implications, Access to Information and Call In
4.5.1 There are no legal implications arising from this report.
4.6 Risk Management
4.6.1 There are no risk implications arising from this report.
5 Conclusions
5.1.1 It is concluded that there are clear benefits and opportunities for WNWhL working closely with Area Committees as outlined in this report. Developing this approach provides the opportunity to further develop services and join up working to the benefit of residents, which ensures that all agencies in the area target resources in a joined up and effective way.
6 Recommendations
6.1 Members are invited to note this report, and reminded this is the last report from WNWhL following the otcome of the ALMO Review
7 Background documents
7.1 None
Page 62 Agenda Item 11 Report author: Gerry Burnham/ Rachel Marshall Tel: 0113 33 67870
Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities)
Report to North West (Outer) Area Committee
Date: 23 rd September 2013
Subject: Wellbeing Fund Update and Monitoring Report
Are specific electoral Wards affected? Yes No If relevant, name(s) of Ward(s): Adel & Wharfedale, Guiseley &
Rawdon, Horsforth, Otley & Yeadon
Are there implications for equality and diversity and cohesion and Yes No integration?
Is the decision eligible for Call-In? Yes No
Does the report contain confidential or exempt information? Yes No If relevant, Access to Information Procedure Rule number: Appendix number:
Summary of main issues
1. This report provides the North West (Outer) Area Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14. 2. It also highlights the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting. • 3. The report also provides an update on the Youth Activity Fund.
Recommendations
• The North West (Outer) Area Committee is asked to: • Note the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 (Appendix 1). • Note the content of the quarterly monitoring returns for ongoing projects funded through the Wellbeing fund. (Appendix 2). • Note the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting (Table 1 and Table 2 ). • Note the current position of the Youth Activity Fund.
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1 Purpose of this report
1.1 This report provides members with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 and includes the quarterly monitoring returns for ongoing wellbeing projects. The report highlights the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting. It also provides an update on the Youth Activity Fund.
2 Background information
2.1 Area Committees have a delegated responsibility for the allocation of Area Wellbeing Funding. The amount of Wellbeing funding provided to each committee is calculated using a formula agreed by Council taking into consideration both population and deprivation of an area.
2.2 The North West (Outer) Area Committee seeks to ensure that Wellbeing funding is allocated in a fair and transparent way. Once the annual Wellbeing budgets are set by Executive Board and ratified by Full Council, the Area Committee meets to agree which projects will be supported in the year ahead. These projects are then monitored and assessed by the Area Committee throughout the year to ensure they are fully meeting their objectives.
2.3 In 2013/14, the North West (Outer) Area Committee received a sum of £160,940 of Wellbeing revenue. The Area Committee have previously agreed that this allocation is split equally by the 4 wards (£40,235 each). After deducting any existing commitments and taking account of the 2012/13 carry forward position, the Area Committee has £195,901 of funding available for allocation.
2.4 Currently the North West (Outer) Area Committee operate a pre-sift process for well-being fund applications. This involves discussions with appropriate ward members for that particular project, in the context of the current areas priorities. Where projects do not have support from all three ward members, they are not progressed. All applicants are offered further discussions and feedback if helpful. In order to provide further assurance and transparency to all applicants, where schemes do not garner support these will be reported to a subsequent area committee meeting for noting.
2.5 In 2013/14, the North West (Outer) Area Committee received a sum of £28,237 Youth Activity Fund. This fund is to commission sports and cultural activity for young people age 8-17. This should be allocated with the involvement and participation of children and young people in the decision making process.
3 Main issues
3.1 Wellbeing Budget Statement 2013/14 and Quarterly Monitoring
3.2 The latest Wellbeing Budget Statement for 2013/14 is included as Appendix 1 to this report. This sets out the current budget position for Wellbeing projects showing the amount approved by the Area Committee and the value of funds spent to date. The Wellbeing Budget statement also outlines the current budget position of those projects funded in previous years which still have funding left to spend.
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3.3 Details of quarterly monitoring returns provided by ongoing Wellbeing projects are set out in Appendix 2. It shows what progress has been made by projects to deliver the activity as agreed through the application process, which projects are now complete and which are still live. All projects are currently meeting the outputs as agreed in the project delivery statements. Members are asked to note the content of the Wellbeing monitoring returns.
3.4 Wellbeing Budget 2012/13 – Large Projects
3.4.1 Horsforth Festive Lights Delivery organisation: Horsforth Town Council Amount requested: £2,200 (Horsforth)
Horsforth Town Council is providing 54 Christmas Lights in four areas of Horsforth, Christmas Tree Lights on the Green and an electrician to assist with the technical requirements. During the festive period there is a Light Switch On ceremony held on the first Saturday in December for the local community. The wellbeing funding will be used to pay for 12 of the 54 Christmas Lights. The festive lights will be a focal point for the whole community and will bring footfall in to Horsforth to help local businesses.
3.4.2 Yeadon Festive Lights Delivery organisation: Leeds Lights (LCC) Amount requested: £4,155 (Otley & Yeadon)
The wellbeing funds will be used to provide installation, removal and maintenance of the display in Yeadon for the festive period. The cost covers the hire of four column motifs, eight span displays, one Merry Christmas sign and four wrap around column motifs. The cost of three operatives to switch the lights on at the Festive Lights switch on is also included.
The lights will increase footfall to the area benefiting local businesses, the display will also be a focal point for the community and the lights switch on will be an event for the whole community to enjoy.
3.4.3 Yeadon and Otley CCTV Delivery organisation: Leedswatch (LCC) Amount requested: £18,305 (Otley & Yeadon)
The cost of the CCTV in Otley for 2013 is £11,863 and the cost of the CCTV in Yeadon for 2013 is £6,442.
The £11,863 Otley costs cover part of the monitoring and maintenance for the CCTV cameras in Otley for 2013/14. These cameras are on Kirkgate, Manor Square, Boroughgate, Cross Green and Market Street in Otley.
The £6,442 Yeadon costs cover part of the monitoring and maintenance for the CCTV cameras in Yeadon for 2013/14. There are three cameras all located on Yeadon High Street.
3.4.4 The following project is not recommended for support at this time.
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Safe Haven at Paradise Delivery organisation: Safe Haven at Paradise Amount requested: £39,000 (£19,500 Otley & Yeadon, £19,500 Guiseley & Rawdon)
Safe Haven at Paradise requested £39,000 to purchase two new vans and have funds towards the employment of two drivers. The vehicles and drivers will assist the group to expand the delivery of free recycled furniture to those in need.
3.5 Wellbeing Budget – Small Grants & Skips
3.5.1 Table 1. below outlines those Small Grant applications that have been approved since the last Area Committee meeting. Table 2. outlines those skips that have been approved since the last meeting. Taking these into account, there is £16,695 still available for allocation for Small Grants and £5,283 still available for Skip Hire in the 2013/14 budget. The Area Committee are asked to note the current position of the budget and those grants and skips that have recently been approved.
Table 1: Small Grant Approvals (02/07/13 – 09/09/13) Project Name Organisation Amount Amount /Department Requested Approved Coaching Scholarships LCC, Sport and Active lifestyles Service £1,000 £1,000 Mind and Body Rawdon Over 55 Maintenance for Older Exercise Group Adults £500 £500 Family Wildlife Fund Aireborough Anglers Association £1,000 £1,000 G&R Community Aireborough Consultation - Site Neighbourhood Allocations Forum Questionnaire £1,000 £1,000 O&Y Community Aireborough Consultation - Site Neighbourhood Allocations Forum Questionnaire £485 £485
Table 2: Skip Approvals (02/07/13 – 09/09/13) Location Ward Number of Amount Skips Approved Permit for Henshaw skip Otley & reported at last AC Yeadon Permit £25 Adel & 68 Holtdale Place (Holt Park) Wharfedale 1 £130
3.6 Youth Activity Fund
3.6.1 In 2013/14, the North West (Outer) Area Committee received a sum of £28,237 Youth Activity Fund. After deducting any existing commitments the Area
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Committee has £20,671 of funding available for allocation. This fund is to commission sports and cultural activity for young people age 8-17.
3.7 Wellbeing Budget – Capital Receipts Programme
The establishment of a Capital Receipts Incentive Scheme (CRIS) was approved by Executive Board in October 2011. The key feature of the scheme is that 20% of each receipt generated will be retained locally for re-investment, subject to maximum per receipt of £100k, with 15% retained by the respective Ward – via the existing Ward Based Initiative Scheme - and 5% pooled across the Council and distributed to Wards on the basis of need.
3.7.1 Some receipts are excluded from the scheme and these are largely receipts that are already assumed to fund the Council’s budget or are earmarked in some other way to previous or future spend.
3.7.2 Consideration has been given as to how to distribute the 5% element on the basis of need and options have been appraised. It was proposed to allocate the 5% element to Area Committees using the already established methodology that exists for allocation of funding (based on need) between Area Committees. This option results in larger sums being available within Areas to enable larger capital schemes to progress and as the Area Wellbeing capital fund is now largely exhausted, this funding stream would provide Area Committees with an on-going, albeit relatively small, source of capital funding.
3.7.3 Future allocations will take place on a quarterly basis following regular update reports to Executive Board.
3.7.4 At its meeting on 17 th July 2013, the council’s Executive Board approved that the existing 5% allocation from 2012/13 (£112.6k) and future CRIS receipts available for allocation across wards, be allocated to the Area Committees based on the existing Area Wellbeing needs based formula. The distribution of the 5% element to Area Committees using the Area Wellbeing methodology has resulted in the shares set out in table below:
2012/13 allocation
Area Committee Percentage Area Allocation Allocation
Inner South 12.50% £14,070.76 Outer South 10.23% £11,518.19 Outer East 10.31% £11,607.81 Subtotal South & East £37,196.76 Inner West 7.61% £8,567.67 Inner North West 12.00% £13,510.48 Outer West 8.59% £9,666.28 Outer North West 8.96% £10,086.17 Subtotal West/ North West £41,830.61
Inner North East 9.00% £10,140.70 Inner East 14.57% £16,404.60
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Outer North East 6.23% £7,019.09 Subtotal East/ North East £33,564.39 Total – All Areas 100.00% £112,591.76
4 Corporate Considerations
4.7 Consultation and Engagement
4.7.1 The Area Committee has previously been consulted on the projects detailed within the report. Local priorities are set through the Area Business Plan process and the commissioning round began with a communication to all Area Committee contacts.
4.2 Equality and Diversity / Cohesion and Integration
4.2.1 All Wellbeing funded projects are assessed in relation to Equality, Diversity, Cohesion and Integration. In addition, the Area Committee Wellbeing process is currently being reviewed citywide, which will include undertaking a new Equality Impact Assessment to ensure the Wellbeing process continues to comply with all relevant policies and legislation.
4.3 Council policies and City Priorities
4.3.1 Projects submitted to the Area Committee for Wellbeing funding are assessed to ensure that they are in line with Council and City priorities as set out in the following documents:
• Vision for Leeds • Leeds Strategic Plan • Health and Wellbeing City Priorities Plan • Children and Young People’s Plan • Safer and Stronger Communities Plan • Regeneration City Priority Plan
4.4 Resources and value for money
4.4.1 Aligning the distribution of Area Committee Wellbeing funding to local priorities will help to ensure that the maximum benefit can be provided.
4.4.2 In order to meet the Area Committee’s functions (see Council’s Constitution Part 3, section 3C), funding is available via Well Being budgets.
4.5 Legal Implications, Access to Information and Call In
4.5.1 There are no legal implications or access to information issues. This report is not subject to call in.
4.6 Risk Management
4.6.1 Risk implications and mitigation are considered on all well-being applications. Projects are assessed to ensure that applicants are able to deliver the intended benefits.
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5 Conclusions
5.1 The North West (Outer) Area Committee Wellbeing Fund provides an important opportunity to support local organisations and drive forward improvements to services. This report provides members with an update on the Wellbeing programme for 2013-14.
6 Recommendations
• 6.1 The North West (Outer) Area Committee is asked to: • Note the current budget position for the Wellbeing Fund for 2013/14 (Appendix 1). • • Note the content of the quarterly monitoring returns for ongoing Wellbeing projects (Appendix). • • Note the current position of the Small Grants and skips pots and those Small Grants and skips that have been approved since the last meeting (Table 1 and Table 2). • Note the current position of the Youth Activity Fund. •
7 Background documents 1 - None
1 The background documents listed in this section are available for inspection on request for a period of four years following the date of the relevant meeting. Accordingly this list does not include documents containing exempt or confidential information, or any published works. Requests to inspect any background documents should be submitted to the report author.
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Page 70 OUTER NORTH WEST AREA COMMITTEE Appendix 1 2013-14 Wellbeing Statement 12 September 2013
1.0 Revenue 1.1 Revenue Budget Calculation The table below describes the revenue budget calculation for the 2013-14 financial year. It shows the amount allocated to each ward of the Outer North West Area Committee, details of the carry forward from 2012-13 and any existing commitments.
2013/14 ONW Revenue Budget ONW Area Committee A&W G&R H O&Y Balance Brought Forward from 12/13 £243,934 £103,274 £35,140 £47,256 £58,265 ONW Revenue Allocation for 2013/14 £160,940 £40,235 £40,235 £40,235 £40,235 Refund from project underspend £0 £0 £0 £0 £0 Total £404,874 £143,509 £75,375 £87,491 £98,500 Schemes Approved from 2012-13 budget to be paid in 2013-14 £124,261 £68,194 £27,943 £5,352 £22,772 Projects approved in 13/14 £84,216 £13,986 £22,240 £27,453 £20,537 Total Commitments £208,477 £82,180 £50,183 £32,805 £43,309 Remaining to Allocate (Wellbeing) £196,397 £61,329 £25,191 £54,686 £55,191 Youth Activity Fund 13/14 Remaining £20,671 - - - -
1.2 Revenue Project Statement The table below provides a current revenue project statement; most grants are paid retrospectively, so grants shown as unpaid at this point in the year do not necessarily reflect any potential underspend.
Project Name Lead Organisation Total Project Adel & Wharfedale Guiseley & Rawdon Horsforth Otley & Yeadon Earmarked Paid Remaining Earmarked Paid Remaining Earmarked Paid Remaining Earmarked Paid Remaining Small Grants WNW Area Support £26,736 £5,107 £500 £4,607 £6,836 £760 £6,076 £8,235 £0 £8,235 £6,558 £500 £6,058 Skips WNW Area Support £6,431 £1,486 £0 £1,486 £1,672 £0 £1,672 £1,883 £0 £1,883 £1,390 £124 £1,266 Summer of Play Guiseley, Rawdon, Extended Services £6,668 £3,334 £0 £3,334 £3,334 £0 £3,334
Page 71 Yeadon Year of Play Otley, Bramhope, Pool Extended Services £5,582 £1,860 £0 £1,860 £3,722 £0 £3,722 Horsforth PCSOs Horsforth Town Council £8,100 £8,100 £0 £8,100 CASAC 2013 CASAC £20,000 £5,000 £0 £5,000 £5,000 £0 £5,000 £5,000 £0 £5,000 £5,000 £0 £5,000
Guiseley in Bloom Watering Guiseley in Bloom £1,600 £1,600 £0 £1,600
Guiseley Festive Lights Leeds Lights £3,265 £3,265 £0 £3,265
Horsforth CCTV Leedswatch £3,702 £3,702 £798 £2,904
NCS Youth Service £2,132 £533 £0 £533 £533 £0 £533 £533 £0 £533 £533 £0 £533
Total £84,216 £13,986 £500 £13,486 £22,240 £760 £21,480 £27,453 £798 £26,655 £20,537 £624 £19,913
1.3 Revenue Projects Live from Previous Years The table below provides a revenue project statement of grants funded in previous years that are still live.
Total Project Adel & Wharfedale Guiseley & Rawdon Horsforth Otley & Yeadon Project Name Lead Organisation Earmarked Paid Remaining Earmarked Paid Remaining Earmarked Paid Remaining Earmarked Paid Remaining CASAC 2012 CASAC £4,163 £1,041 £1,041 £0 £1,041 £1,041 £0 £1,041 £1,041 £0 £1,041 £1,041 £0 Chevin Forest Car Park/Surprise View Friends of Chevin Forest £1,148 £574 £574 £0 £574 £574 £0
George Martin Drive Highways £6,000 £6,000 £0 £6,000
Opal in the Community OPAL £1,427 £1,426 £840 £586 Perennial Gardeners Royal Laybys in Church Lane Adel £5,500 £5,500 £0 £5,500 Benevolent Society
Locality Team Environmental Projects Locality Team £5,941 £5,941 £0 £5,941
CASAC Additional Funding CASAC £15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £0 Holt Lane Play Area P&C £5,500 £5,500 £0 £5,500 Public Bridleway No1 Improvements P&C £5,056 £5,060 £5,056 £4 SIDS Highways £4,000 £4,000 £0 £4,000 New grit bins Highways £3,195 £3,195 £0 £3,195 Pool Social Club Refurbishment Pool Sports & Social Club £5,000 £5,000 £0 £5,000 Bramhope & Carlton Parish Puritan Chapel Refurbishment £7,500 £7,500 £0 £7,500 Council Additional Staff Resources at LCC Parks & Countryside £3,028 £3,028 £0 £3,028 Wharfemeadows Park Aireborough Summer Aireborough Summer Activities £21,060 £2,860 £1,316 £1,544 £7,800 £5,265 £2,535 £3,640 £5,265 -£1,625 £6,760 £0 £6,760 Activities Association Site-based gardeners LCC Parks & Countryside £20,113 £11,415 £0 £11,415 £8,698 £0 £8,698 Guiseley in bloom Guiseley in bloom £3,442 £3,442 £3,442 £0 Off-Road Bikes West Yorkshire Police £2,684 £671 £0 £671 £671 £0 £671 £671 £0 £671 £671 £0 £671 Lighting Otley Parish Churchyard Otley Town Partnership £2,000 £2,000 £0 £2,000 Guiseley Neighbourhood Guiseley Cold Calling Zone £3,000 £3,000 £0 £3,000 Watch Association
Total £124,757 £68,694 £23,253 £45,441 £27,943 £10,322 £17,621 £5,352 £6,306 -£954 £22,772 £1,615 £21,157
1.4 Youth Activity Fund The table below lists those Youth Activity projects supported in 2013-14 and provides a current balance
Page 72 of funding remaining to allocate. Most grants are paid retrospectively so grants shown as unpaid do not necessarily reflect any potential underspend. Wards Amount Amount Project Name Lead Organisation Benefiting Earmarked Paid Otley & Mini Breeze at Yeadon Tarn Youth Services £ 3,750.00 £ - Yeadon 6 Back Yard Breezes Youth Services All £ 3,816.00 £ - Total £ 7,566.00 £ - Budget for Year £ 28,237.00 Available to Allocate £ 20,671.00
2 Capital The is no additional capital funding allocated to Area Committees for 2013-14. Any new Capital projects will use monies taken from Revenue and will feature at 1.2 and 1.3. However, due to the first installment of the Yeadon Cricket Club loan repayment being recevied, there is £1,250 available for allocation in the Otley & Yeadon ward.
2.1 Yeadon Cricket Club In September 2011, the Area Committee approved a £5,000 revenue payment and a £5,000 loan to Yeadon Cricket Club from the Otley & Yeadon ward. Yeadon Cricket Club are repaying the grant in equal parts for 4 years with 0% interest. The first installment was paid in 12/13 and the next installment is due in February 2014. O&Y Remaining Yeadon Cricket Club Amount loaned £5,000 February 2013 1st Repayment paid £1,250 £3,750 February 2014 2nd Installment due 3 Small Grants At its May 2013 meeting, the Area Committee agreed to carry forward the remaining budget from the 12/13 small grants pot to the 13/14 small grants pot and these figures are reflected below. At the June 2013 meeting, a further £20,000 was approved for allocation.
Project Name Lead Organisation A&W G&R H O&Y Paid Formation of Rawdon Parish Council Rawdon Parish Council £0 £576 £0 £0 £576 Litter/Dog Fouling Bins LCC WNW Locality Team £0 £0 £0 £990 £0 Childrens Gala Friends of Parkinson's Park £500 £0 £0 £500 IT Update Adel Pre-school £500 £0 £0 £0 £500 Grit Refills for Adel & Wharfedale Ward WNW Area Support Team £1,000 £0 £0 £0 £0 Otley Carnival 2013 Otley Carnival Committee £0 £0 £0 £500 £500 Coaching Scholarships LCC, Sport and Active £250 £250 £250 £250 £1,000 Bands in the Park Leeds International Season £0 £0 £0 £600 £600 Guiseley Clock WNW Area Support Team £0 £500 £0 £0 £276 Covert Surveillance Cameras LCC WNW Locality Team £123 £123 £123 £123 £490 The Leeds Gathering 2013 Irish Arts Foundation £0 £0 £0 £200 £200 Holt Park Outing Holt Park over 60's Club £200 £0 £0 £0 £200 Mind and Body Maintenance for Older Rawdon Over 55 Exercise £0 £0 £500 £0 £500 Adults Group Aireborough Anglers Family Wildlife Fund £0 £0 £0 £1,000 £0 Association ANF - G&R Community Consultation - Aireborough Neighbourhood £0 £1,000 £0 £0 £1,000 Site Allocations Dev Questionnaire Forum
ANF - O&Y Community Consultation - Aireborough Neighbourhood £0 £0 £0 £485 £485 Site Allocations Dev Questionnaire Forum
Total £2,073 £2,949 £873 £4,148 £6,827 Page 73 Carry forward from 12/13 £107 £1,836 £3,235 £1,558 13/14 budget £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 £5,000 Available to Allocate £3,035 £3,888 £7,363 £2,410
4 Skips At its May 2013 meeting, the Area Committee agreed to carry forward the remaining budget from the 12/13 skips pot to the 13/14 skips pot and these figures are reflected below. At the June 2013 meeting, a further £4,000 was approved for allocation.
Skips Delivery Date A&W G&R H O&Y Paid Arthington Village Hall 12/13th April 2013 £124 £0 £0 £0 £124 Otley Carnival 14th June 2013 £0 £0 £0 £372 £372 Ings Lane Allotments, Otley 11 March 2013 £0 £0 £0 £124 £124 Kirk Lane Allotments 24th May 2013 £0 £124 £0 £0 £150 Broadgate Lane Allotments 8th June 2013 £0 £0 £124 £0 £124 Henshaw Yeadon 27 June 2013 £0 £0 £0 £150 £150 68 Holtdale Place (Holt Park) 21 August 2013 £130 £0 £0 £0 £0
Total £254 £124 £124 £646 £1,043 Carry forward from 12/13 £486 £672 £883 £390 13/14 budget £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 £1,000 Available to Allocate £1,232 £1,548 £1,759 £744 This page is intentionally left blank
Page 74 OUTER NORTH WEST AREA COMMITTEE Appendix 2 Wellbeing Monitoring 13 September 2013
1.0 Revenue Projects Live from Previous Years Project Name Lead Organisation Amount Paid Project Description Project Update CASAC 2012 CASAC £ 4,163.00 £ 4,163 The project to fund CASAC to provide target hardening through CASAC continuing to work with the West Yorkshire Police in order to a 50% grant scheme (max £75) throughout the whole of the generate referrals for this funding in burglary hotspot areas identified by the outer north west area. This equates to £5,000 for each ward. local NPT Inspectors. Regular door knocking has been taking place. The The Neighbourhood Policing Team identifies properties which free service is dedicated to those who are in need of security improvements are vulnerable to burglary and door knock the area with due to their vulnerability and who genuinely cannot afford to pay for security CASAC. WNW Homes have contributed £5,000 to meet the measures themselves. full cost of ALMO properties identified within the initiative.
Chevin Forest Car Friends of Chevin Forest £ 1,148.00 £ 1,148 The project to enable Friends of Chevin Park to use Well-being Third party contribution has been forwaded to Caird Bardon to support the Park/Surprise View funding as a third party contribution in getting the £11,900 large bid of £11,900. The items funded by the Well Being allocation have released from Caired Bairdon for the completion of the project been fulfilled. of improving the parking bays, paths and dry stone wall at Surprise View car park George Martin Drive Highways £ 6,000.00 -£ 6,000 To provide a footway on the east side of Sir George Martin All the agreed project outputs have been achieved and the footway now Drive, between East Causeway and East Moor Lane, where an provides a safer facility for pedestrians including young school children and existing uncontrolled crossing is located to enable pedestrians their parent(s)/carers to cross the road away from the series of tight bends to cross Sir George Martin Drive away from the bends, at a at the junction of East Causeway and Sir George Martin Drive
Page 75 location with better sightlines. Project to also includes relocation of 2 lighting columns and the trimming of trees and bushes. Opal in the Community OPAL £ 1,427.42 £ 840 To support OPAL in running several community projects Three volunteers have been trained to do home Fire Safety checks and are namley Fire Safety project, Intergenerational Project and Out now confident to go out own their own and have completed 15 Home Fire and About Group - OPAL has direct contact with 700 older Safety Checks. The intergenerational work continues to develop, a group people in the Leeds 16 area. Funding to be used to hire of Ralph Thoresby Students carried out a music workshop at the Ireland transport to take people on local trips. Wood Coffee afternoon, Lawnswood High School invited the Carers Group for an afternoon of tea, cakes and entertainment. Out and About Group has started and so far 3 coach trips have ben organised.
Horsforth Live at Home Horsforth Live at Home £ - £ - To continue the subsidised gardening scheme maintaining the The project has enabled 57 gardens and 66 members to benefit from the gardens of older people living in Horsforth. Currently 7 local scheme. The scheme is promoted through a newsletters. Recent good gardeners are employed. Each garden is subsidised for 2 weather has proved to be advantageous for project delivery. hours per month per garden for the 8 month long growing season. Laybys in Church Lane Adel Perennial Gardeners £ 5,000.00 £ - To improve parking provision by upgrading the existing lay-bys The forestry have removed the tree, now waiting for a start date to be Royal Benevolent opposite Adel St John the Baptist Church. The work to onvolve agreed by the contractor and the Church. Society laying of concrete kerb stones and resurfacing the area with tarmac. Locality Team Environmental Locality Team £ 5,941.00 £ - To provide 5 additional litter bins in Adel and Wharfedale on All five additional bins have now been installed on locations agreed with Projects locations recommended by Ward members and local residents. ward members in Adel and Wharfeldale. 26 hours of dog fouling and litter Additional bins may help to reduce litter and dog fouling patrols undertaken in Adel and Wharfedale. No FPN’s issued in relation to problems in the area. To provide benefit to all residents in the dog fouling. Uniformed and non uniformed patrols undertaken and vicinity of the litter bins. engaged with dog walkers in relation to Dog Control Orders. Positive response from local residents and responsible dog owners. CASAC Additional Funding CASAC £ 15,000.00 £ 15,000 To continue the target hardening project in the area to providing CASAC continuing to work with the West Yorkshire Police in order to target hardening service to vulnerable properties in the area, generate referrals for this funding in burglary hotspot areas identified by the reduce risk of burglary/repeat burglary to properties which have local NPT Inspectors. Regular door knocking has been taking place. The been target hardened and reduce fear of burglary for owners of free service is dedicated to those who are in need of security improvements target hardened properties. due to their vulnerability and who genuinely cannot afford to pay for security measures themselves. Holt Lane Play Area P&C £ 5,500.00 -£ 5,500 To pay towards the purchase of 1.2m high perimeter fencing, Project ompleted as agreed. The ongoing routine maintenance of this metal bench, metal bin, pedestrian entrance gate and vehicle facility will be carried by Parks and Countryside. entrance gate for installation at Holt Lane Play Area.
Public Bridleway No1 P&C £ 5,056.00 £ 5,056 To improve muddy bridleway with crushed stone to achieve a Project completed as agreed. Improvements well drained 3 metre wide path for walkers, cyclists, horse- riders and potentially wheel chair users. SIDS Highways £ 4,000.00 £ - To provide one Speed Indicator Device (SID) and 3 lighting The SIDs have been ordered and work to alter the lighting columns will column fixtures to allow the movement of the single device to commence when they arrive. different locations to maximise impact. The locations identified for the SID to be located are Adel Lane, St George Martin Drive and Long Causeway, Church Lane. New grit bins Highways £ 3,195.00 £ - To provide an additional ten grit bins and two fills of salt for 1 bin has been placed at Oaklea Gardens, Highway Services are waiting for each bin. Sites are to be advised by Ward Members in the locations for the placement of the rest of the bins from Cllr Anderson. agreement with Highways Services with the bins in place for Winter 2013/14. Pool Social Club Pool Sports & Social £ 5,000.00 £ - The project to help Pool Sports and Social Club carry out The work is scheduled to start on 16th September 2013. Refurbishment Club improvements to the club, enabling the venue to be more Page 76 attractive to the village community. Works will include the modernisation of the seating, kitchen and bar areas, fitting of new carpets, refurbishment of the wooden floor area and updating of the general decorations and lighting units. Puritan Chapel Refurbishment Bramhope & Carlton £ 7,500.00 £ - Contribution to phase 2 of the refurbishment works at the A report on the monuments and wall finishes within the chapel has been Parish Council Puritan Chapel in the Adel & Wharfedale ward, including commissioned. Inspection of the bell tower has been undertaken and commissioning a report on the pews with a view to removing recommendations received. An application for Listed Building Consent to the modern finish, commissioning a report on the feasibility and reinstate internal plaster and construct a new drain has been submitted. cost of restoring the bell; reviewing the need for additional fallpipes, analysis of limewash deposits on the walls.
Additional Staff Resources at LCC Parks & £ 3,028.00 £ - To contribute to two members of staff working weekends from Project completed as agreed. Wharfemeadows Park Countryside 29th June to 1st September 2013 plus the August bank holiday for three hours each day Aireborough Summer Activities Aireborough Summer £ 21,060.00 £ 5,265 To run a holiday play scheme for children aged 4 – 19 years old Easter play scheme was held from Tuesday 2nd to Friday 5th April at Activities Association with moderate to severe learning and/or physical disabilities Green Meadows School, Guiseley, 56 children and young people attended. who live in Outer North West and Inner North West areas. seperate trips and activities for under eights, 9 - 12 age group and 13+ group were organised including trips out to the donkey sanctuary, Farmer James play barn, Sensory Leeds, obstacle course, water play, go-karts; trip to the cinema in Leeds, swimming at Aireborough leisure centre followed by a lunch at McDonalds, as well as baking, trampolining and swimming in the centre. Site-based gardeners LCC Parks & £ 20,113.00 £ - The site-based Gardener scheme has changed this year from The site based Gardeners have been in position since the 3rd June 2013 Countryside previous years to employ 2 site-based Gardeners to work five undertaking the general gardening duties as agreed. days, 37 hours a week across various sites in the Outer North West area over a 5 month period. Guiseley in bloom Guiseley in bloom £ 3,442.00 £ 3,442 To maintain the longevity of the floral displays arranged and The planters have been purchased and installed. The planters having a planted by Guiseley in Bloom throughout the spring and water reservoir has significantly reduced the need for daily watering which summer months by regular watering of the displays. Purchase has been a great benefit to the group, its watering contractor and has of 5 x new Amberol planters to replace the decaying/damaged helped sustain the plants over the very hot summer. planters around Guiseley (1x near the bus stop on the gyratory and 4x at the memorial gardens). Off-Road Bikes West Yorkshire Police £ 2,684.00 £ - To cover the leasing and running costs of two off-road This quarter there have been 36 calls relating to nuisance motorcycles and motorcycles. The costs for this project are shared across the quads opposed to 18 in 2012. calls remained at 12 in Apr 2013, while Inner West, Outer West and Outer North West Area Committee increased to 8 in May 2013 compared to 5 in May 2012. Figures for June (the Inner North West Area Committee are not entering into this 2013 increased to 16 compared to just 1 in Jun 2012. Holtdale estate have agreement) each of the three Area Committee will contribute been the hot spot area for most calls recieved. High Visibility patrols have £2,683 to cover the ongoing leasing and running costs of the been undertaken since day one. Feel good factor created by visible bikes in the 13/14 financial year. The off-road motorcycle team presence of police cannot be quantified as they raise no figures, but there will work closely with the Council’s Parkswatch Service to is absolutely no doubt that it raises customer satisfaction for both the Police ensure information sharing and joint working. and Leeds City Council.
Lighting Otley Parish Otley Town Partnership £ 2,000.00 £ - Tto upgrade the footpath running through Otley Parish Church The target for completion of the work remains 30th September 2013. Churchyard Yard to a street lighting standard and the conservation and re- use of the cast iron lighting columns manufactured in Otley. In addition lighting columns that have a local heritage value will be brought back into use in an appropriate area which will benefit the local population. Guiseley Cold Calling Zone Guiseley Neighbourhood £ 3,000.00 £ - To eliminate, or at least severely restrict the practice of ‘Cold Currently the efforts are being focussing on publicising the Scheme and Watch Association Calling’. Initially the scheme will be rolled out in households encouraging residents to get involved. The pilot Control Zone funded by Page 77 currently in Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in Guiseley. Guiseley Neighbourhood Watch is now fully operative and covers 53 Funding would pay for the initial leaflet production and houses. Two lamp post signs for this Zone have been placed at the distribution and the provision of window stickers and lamp post junction of Silverdale Road and Silverdale Avenue and the junction of signs. Residents can be expected to feel less vulnerable to Silverdale Road and Coach Road. Cold Calling have been greatly reduced unwanted callers therefore feel safer in their homes. since the Zone “went live”.
2.0 Revenue Projects - 2013/14
Project Name Lead Organisation Amount Paid Project Description Project Update Small Grants WNW Area Support £ 26,736.43 £ 6,827 So far 14 small grants application have been approved and a total of £ The Outer North West Area Committee established a small Team 8,056 been spent in 2013/14. grant budget in 2004. Originally it was agreed that this resource would be for grant applications up to £500 for a single organisation this amount was increased to £1,000 at the June 2010 meeting. Groups and organisations that apply or enquire about small grants are supported and given guidance on their application by the Area Support Team. In line with City Council financial regulations the small grants are monitored to ensure that expenditure is in line with grant approval. Skips WNW Area Support £ 6,430.50 £ 1,043 The skips budget is to assist local groups who want to conduct 7 skips totaling £1,173.28 have been approved. Team community clean-ups in their area. A notional skips allocation of £4,000 has been incorporated into the well-being budget each year since April 2004. Summer of Play Guiseley, Extended Services £ 6,668.00 £ - The project to continue development of community cohesion 4 Fun Day afternoon sessions were deliverd from 31st July to 21st August Rawdon, Yeadon events that brings together and support families from across a 2013. A total of 88 adulta and 195 children attended these sessions. large geographical cluster during the summer holidays through Mobile play sessions were delivered from Queensway, Henshaw Oval, Family Fun Days, Mobile Play Sessions and Subsidised Hawthorn, Micklefield Park, Springfield Park, Nunroyd and Parkinsons Summer Playscheme. Field attended by 159 parents and 421 childen. Year of Play Otley, Bramhope, Extended Services £ 5,582.00 £ - This funding is to continue development of community cohesion 4 Fun Day afternoon sessions were deliverd from 26th July to 16th August Pool events that bring together and support families from across a 2013. A total of 66 parents and 139 children attended these sessions. large geographical cluster during the summer holidays through running number of family fun days within the Otley cluster and mobile play sessions in key locations .
Horsforth PCSOs Horsforth Town Council £ 8,100.00 £ - To form part of the funding for the Horsforth PCSO’s project in First monitoring is due at the end of September 2013. An update of this 2013/14. The two additional PCSO’s will carry out project will be provided at the next Area Committee approximately 40 hours patrolling per week and hold weekly surgeries in Horsforth. They also participate in other community safety activities in the area. CASAC 2013 CASAC £ 20,000.00 £ - To continue the target hardening programme in the ONW First monitoring is due at the end of September 2013. An update of this wards of Adel & Wharfedale, Guiseley & Rawdon, Horsforth project will be provided at the next Area Committee. and Otley & Yeadon Guiseley in Bloom Watering Guiseley in Bloom £ 1,600.00 £ - To maintain the longevity of the floral displays arranged and First monitoring is due at the end of September 2013. An update of this planted by Guiseley in Bloom throughout the spring and project will be provided at the next Area Committee. summer months of 2013, by regular watering of displays.
Guiseley Festive Lights Leeds Lights £ 3,265.00 £ - To provide festive lights in Guiseley & Rawdon in the following Final monitoring due in January 2014. Page 78 locations over the Christmas period: Larkfield Mount; Rawdon Green; Micklefield Park; Guiseley Gyratory and Memorial Garden. Horsforth CCTV Leedswatch £ 3,702.00 £ 3,192 To cover part of the revenue costs of the monitoring and Going to monitor with the CCTV reports and a final report at the end. This maintenance of 2 CCTV cameras in Horsforth in 2013/14. The project will also be monitored through the community safety sub group two cameras are located at the Old Ball roundabout and New Road Side. NCS Youth Service £ 2,132.00 £ - To recruit young people to the National Citizens Service (NCS). First monitoring is due at the end of September 2013. An update of this The NCS programme is national and promoted by the project will be provided at the next Area Committee. government (young people who complete receive a certificate signed by the Prime Minister). It is aimed at 16 and 17 year olds. The ethos is to develop a more cohesive society by mixing participants of different backgrounds.
3.0 Youth Activities Fund - Projects 2013/14 Project Name Lead Organisation Amount Paid Project Description Project Update Mini Breeze at Yeadon Tarn Youth Services £ 3,750.00 £ - 1 mini Breeze at Yeadon Tarn Mini Breeze took place in August 2013 6 Back Yard Breezes Youth Services £ 3,816.00 £ - 6 backyard Breeze sessions across the 4 wards Completed Agenda Item 12 Report author: Gerry Burnham / Rachel Marshall Tel: 0113 3367870
Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities)
Report to North West (Outer) Area Committee
Date: 23 rd September 2013
Subject: Area Update Report
Are specific electoral Wards affected? Yes No If relevant, name(s) of Ward(s): Adel & Wharfedale, Guiseley &
Rawdon, Horsforth and Otley & Yeadon
Are there implications for equality and diversity and cohesion and Yes No integration?
Is the decision eligible for Call-In? Yes No
Does the report contain confidential or exempt information? Yes No If relevant, Access to Information Procedure Rule number: Appendix number:
Summary of main issues
This report provides Members with a summary of sub groups business since the May Area Committee and provides information on project and service activity in the outer north west area.
Recommendations
Members are requested to note the contents of this report and comment on any of the matters raised.
1 Purpose of this report
1.1 The purpose of the area update report is to bring together a range of information relating to Area Committee business into a single report to update Members on recent sub group and forum business since the last Area Committee.
2. Background information
2.1 The Area Committee currently has six groups looking at service provision within the functions of Community Safety, Children & Young People, Environmental Services, Health & Well-being and Transport as well as a Policy Group.
2.2 There are currently three ward forums in the area for Guiseley & Rawdon, Holt Park and Yeadon. The forums meet on a regular basis throughout the year.
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3 Main issues
3.1 Environmental Services Sub Group
The environmental sub group last met on 17 th June 2013 Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting are attached at appendix 1
3.2 Health & Well-being Sub Group
The next meeting of the Health & Well-being sub group is scheduled to take place on the 17 th September 2013 and will include a tour of the Corporate Contact Centre. It will be reported on at the November meeting.
3.3 Community Safety Sub Group
The Community Safety sub group last met on the 26 th June 2013. Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting are attached at appendix 2.
3.4 Children & Young People’s Sub Group
There have been two meetings of the sub group since the last Area Committee.. Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting on 1 st July 2013 are attached at appendix 3.Details of the 2 nd meeting which took place on 6 th July 2013 will be included at the November meeting.
3.5 Transport Sub Group
There have been two meetings of the joint inner and outer Transport sub group since the last Area Committee on the 10 th July. Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting on 9 th August are attached at appendix 4, notes of the meeting on 13 th September will be forwarded to members separately.
3.6 Policy Sub Group
There has been one meeting of the Policy sub group since the last Area Committee on the 10 th July. Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting are attached at appendix 5.
3.7 Guiseley & Rawdon Forum
There has been one meeting of the Guiseley & Rawdon Forum since the last Area Committee on the 10th July. Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting are attached at appendix 6.
3.8 Yeadon Forum There has been one meeting of the Yeadon Forum since the last Area Committee on the 10 th July. Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting are attached at appendix 7.
3.9 Holt Park Forum The Holt Park Forum last met on the 10 th June 2013. Details of items discussed and actions from the meeting are attached at appendix 8.
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3.10 Project and Service Update
3.10.1 Action Day (Henshaws Yeadon)
A joint action day was carried out with officers from WNW homes, West Yorkshire Fire Service, Police, Environmental Health and the Anti- Social Behaviour Team working together to deal with issues on the estate. The Area Support Team provided a skip for the day. In total 30 Garden letters were hand delivered, 2 ASB home visits carried out and 3 perpetrators of ASB visited, 1 abandoned property identified and 7 untidy gardens were identified as requiring action. WYFS also carried out 14 Home Fire Safety Checks, and also leafleted the whole of Henshaw Avenue, Oval and Crescent
3.10.2 Sport in Horsforth
The first Brownlee Stone Family Sports Day saw a day of sport take place in Horsforth Hall Park on Saturday 17 th August with over 200 children attending. Local sports clubs provided staff and equipment to allow young people to try out sporting activities available in their area. Children participating in a fun run and cycling were rewarded with a free swim at the new Holt Park Active centre opening in October 2013. Other activities included cricket, rounders, tennis, gymnastics and the provision of specially adapted equipment for children with disabilities.
3.10.3 Neighbourhood Planning
Officers continue to meet with the local Neighbourhood Forums to offer support when requested and obtain information and statistics to support the work being carried out by these groups to formulate a Neighbourhood Plan. The Area Support Team also have regular update meetings with officers from Planning to discuss any matters arising and progress on Neighbourhood Plans in Outer North West
3.10.4 Derelict & Nuisance Sites
The Area Support Team is in regular attendance as a member at the derelict and nuisance sites working group. Progress is reported on those priority sites in the area that appear on the priority list and action is taking in the main by planning, building and planning enforcement. Updates are given to members through reports via the environment sub group. For those sites not included in tranche 1 and tranche 2, the Area Support Team has been tasked with finding alternative actions to address other problems associated with the sites.
3.10.5 Well-being Spend
The Area Support Team continues to work with members on the development of well -being projects in the area.
3.10.6 Holt Park Regeneration
On the 17th July the Council’s Executive Board gave approval for consultation to commence on the draft Informal Planning Statement (IPS). Consultation with stakeholders and the public will commence in early October 2013. The Area
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Support Team continues to receive updates from the project manager and will be involved in the consultation process.
3.10.7 Appointment of Corporate Carer / Lead Children’s Services
At the 17 th June Area Committee meeting the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) submitted a report inviting Area Committees to make appointments to Area Lead Member roles, Clusters and Corporate Carers Group for the next municipal year 2013-14. Councillor Pat Latty was appointed as the North West Outer Member for Children’s Services and also the Area Committees representative on the Corporate Carer Group. Unfortunately this appointment was omitted from the minutes of the 17 th June meeting.
3.11 Asset Review
Since May 2013, the West North West Area Support Team (AST) has been supporting the city wide Asset Review an element of the Budget Plus Programme and led by Paul Broughton. The review aims to see a reduced asset base that is more efficient and effective in delivering integrated services to our customers and achieves significant savings for the council.
The AST has supported the Asset Review project team to work with local elected members in the production of a comprehensive list of assets for each Area Committee area. This has included supporting ward briefings with elected member and adding local context on usage, sensitivities, and leasing and management arrangements. This work is on-going and it is anticipated that all ward briefings will have been completed by September. Fortnightly meetings are being held to progress asset review work in the localities and are led by a member of the central Asset Review project team.
Inner West Area Committee area is the pilot area for the west north west, although the asset review is being undertaken across the whole of the west north west. A workshop was held at Armley Lazer Centre with service managers to explore their needs and the needs of the community and to look at the potential for a change and improvement in the delivery of those services from the available asset base This work will be on-going as the Asset Review group explore some of the ideas and issues that have come forward.
4 Corporate Considerations
4.1 Consultation and Engagement
4.1.1 Community Forums are held in the Guiseley & Rawdon ward, Yeadon and Holt Park. In addition, ward members are consulted on projects and initiatives within their ward.
4.2 Equality and Diversity / Cohesion and Integration
4.2.1 A key principle of locality working is a focus on delivering the best outcome for residents across the area. This principle underpins equality and community cohesion, seeking to engage with local communities through forum meetings, and improve service provision through regular sub group meetings.
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4.3 Council Policies and City Priorities
4.3.1 The Area Committee Functions and Priority Advisory Functions were approved by the Executive Board in June 2009. This approval was rolled forward to 2010/11 and is also being rolled forward to 2011/12 with amendments to the environmental delegation. The Area Functions are included in the Council’s Constitution (Part 3, section 3c).
4.3.2 The Area Support Team’s work programme contributes at a local level to the themes contained in the: Vision for Leeds 2011- 2013;City Priority Plan 2011-2015; Joint Health and Well-being Strategy and the Children and Young People’s Plan.
4.4 Resources and Value for Money
4.4.1 Programmes of work outlined in this report are resourced in the main by Area Support Team and their partners which in turn, provide value for money.
4.4.2 In order to meet the Area Committee’s roles, funding is in the main supplied by other Leeds City Council department’s mainstream budgets, and external partner agencies e.g. the Police and NHS Leeds, which is in turn reflected in the fact that the Area Committee’s role here is to influence, develop and consult. However, on occasion, well-being funding has resourced some projects related to its roles e.g. area based regeneration schemes and conservation reviews.
4.5 Legal Implications, Access to Information and Call In
4.5.1 This is the report of the Area Leader for West North West Leeds who has delegated responsibility to action decisions in accordance with Area Support Team’s work programme in accordance with part 3 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to Area Committee Functions.
4.5.2 This report is not confidential, neither is it, or part of it exempt.
4.6 Risk Management
4.6.1 There are no risks associated with this report.
5 Conclusions
5.1 This report provides Members with an update on recent sub group and forum activity undertaken by the Area Support Team.
6 Recommendations
6.1 Outer North West Area Committee Members are requested to note the contents of the report and comment on any aspect of the matters raised.
7 Background documents
7.1 None
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The background documents listed in this section are available for inspection on request for a period of four years following the date of the relevant meeting. Accordingly this list does not include documents containing exempt or confidential information, or any published works. Requests to inspect any background documents should be submitted to the report author.
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Outer North West Area Committee
Environmental Services Sub Group Appendix 1
Note of 17th June 2013 Meeting 12.00 St Margarets Parish Centre
Present Cllr Anderson (Chair) – Adel & Wharfedale Member Cllr A Cllr Cleasby – Horsforth Member Cllr Cl Cllr Campbell – Otley & Yeadon Member Cllr Ca Cllr Wadsworth – Guiseley & Rawdon Member Cllr W Guy Smithson – Parks & Countryside GS Wyn Davis – WNW Homes WD Jason Singh - Locality Manager Environment & Neighbourhoods JS Rachel Marshall – Area Support Team RM
Apologies
1. Introduction and Apologies
Andrew Molyneux apologies on leave.
2. Minutes and matters arising
Highways have written to ONW members regarding the inventory for seating. Cllr Cl has taken the list to Horsforth Town Council for them to do the inventory Cllr Ca has not got an inventory as yet. Charlotte Richardson is the named contact to be confirmed with Ben Grabham Covert surveillance cameras have been approved
3. Parks & Countryside update
GS gave an overview of activity. Summer bedding has been done and hanging baskets are next. Additional staff were employed in Wharfemeadows for Otley Carnival on 15 th June. Cllr Ca asked for it to be noted that Wharfemeadows Park looked very good on Saturday. Preparations for the Football pitches are in hand Cllr A raised a complaint from a resident over the standard of the pitches at Bedquilts. It isn’t known if pitches are being played on unofficially. The University are moving down to the Weetwood end, where they have all weather pitches. Parks and Countryside are only responsible for 4 pitches with the rest coming under the University. It was noted that the recent wet weather will have adversely affected the pitches. Tinshill recreation area should have no more than 2 games played on it per week if they are to remain in good order. It was reported a grassed area on Windmill Lane opposite Grange Avenue near sheltered accommodation that has been missed on the grass cutting contract. This has been reported before but the grass cutters have been unable to locate it. Springwell Mount has a number of overgrown bushes to the rear It was confirmed that there would be a financial penalty for poor grass cutting performance in the King George area. GS confirmed that it took time to catch up with the grass cutting with the other work that was taking place at this time of year i.e. planting of bedding plants etc. There has been a reduction in some areas of the number of grass cuts carried out by Highways per year i.e. some areas have been reduced from 13-7. However WNW Homes continue to cut the same amount at present.
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4. West North West homes Leeds
There have been no graffiti jobs since the last meeting 81fly tipping jobs were completed within 24 hrs of reporting A total of 271 caretaking jobs took place in May 1 member of the team has been moved from the team due to medical reasons A meeting has taken place regarding the setting up of the locality team
5. Environmental Services Update
JS gave an overview of the report coming to Area Committee on 17 th June. This consists of a performance summary with areas identified for improvement and SLA agreement. A number of changes are due to take place including the alternative week collection for green and black bins. This will have implications in term of enforcement and consideration needs to be given as to how this service will be rolled out and what will happen to areas that currently have a bag collection. JS advised in real terms there had been a budget reduction as there has been no cash increase to the budget this year.
Conversations were taking place with the Unions over staff transfer relating to the shift patterns and rates of pay in terms of the Environmental Services integration. ALMO caretakers are graded differently to Environmental Services workers creating a 2 tier staff structure. TUPE transfer will be with pay and conditions.
Parks & Countryside met with Unions this week over loss of shift patterns and allowances. Seasonal working with longer working hours in summer as opposed to winter is seen as offering better value for money and providing a better more effective service. It equates to a £200k reduction in seasonal staff salaries with the additional saving of 1 tractor and 2 ride on mowers.
Cllr Cl expressed concerns over agreeing the Service Level Agreement and as an example mentioned problems on Carr Lane, Rawdon, which had not been cleaned for some time. Road erosion was causing problems with detritus. JS advised he was confident he could improve on the service with existing resources and noted the issue for further attention.
A question was raised in terms of the cost implications for missed waste management collections and staff being diverted to support this. It was noted that this was less common since January when the routes were optimised. However it was felt that there was still an issue in particular with brown bin collections and occasional green bin collections. JS acknowledged that whilst improvements had been made there was further work to be done. It was noted that services need to be more accountable to Environmental Sub Group. Also those agencies needed to work more closely in conjunction with each other i.e. Highways, Environmental Services etc.
With regards to 3GS a question was asked as to why there had been no dog fouling fines issued in A & W. It was acknowledged that the firm would prefer to work in the city centre where there is a higher foot fall as opposed to the out lying areas thereby increasing their chances of catching offenders. This position would need to be looked at and consideration given to the deterrent factor i.e. would it be useful to advertise this initiative through the media. It was agreed that the problem appeared less prevalent in the summer months when there were regular grass cuts as an added benefit was the dispersal of the dog fouling issue. It was also acknowledged that it was difficult to catch dogs ‘in the act’. Yeadon Tarn appears to be worst area for dog fouling problems. Members asked for details of a dog warden representative to attend Yeadon Forum.
Members asked for more details of the 3 Enforcement Officers working in WNW. JS explained that these officers were responsible for information sharing and dealt with more complex enforcement issues that could take some time to complete i.e. drainage issues, overgrown shrubbery. There was an issue in the Holtdales with trees not being dealt with despite various referrals from Cllr A. Where trees overhang a public footpath theses can be dealt with under a S38 from Highways. However overly high hedges can be more difficult to resolve and can cost residents to resolve so they then approach the local Councillors for help rather than paying costs. Forestry deal with all Council trees. It
Page 86 was also noted that a TPO can be overturned by Planning if there is a need for maintenance on a particular tree.
6. Issues to raise with Councillor Dobson on the 23 rd September
• It was agreed resources are required to deal with base services i.e. blocked gulleys and there is not enough equipment to deal with the issue. • Hard to clean streets. A policy is required for streets that are consistently filled with cars. There must be a way to have the cars come off the street at least once a year to allow the gulleys to be cleared out properly and the street to be properly cleaned. • Alternative week collection vehicles need tracking equipment • Litter bins – how many are done in a day. There seems to be a lot of effort spent on doing this. An additional litterbin costs £300 but then there are add on costs for this being emptied too. Could an alternative method of emptying them be looked at through the locality team. It was acknowledged that the location of the bins needs to be considered i.e. no point having them directly outside take-aways as people tend to take the food away from the shop to eat it and then dispose of the litter elsewhere. • Failure of collections and the impact on services and resources • Lack of information not clear what can be recycled • Tracking of not only the vehicles but where work is required • Sponsored litterbins • The problem of urban foxes becoming more confident and causing problems with bins • Appears that some areas in certain Wards are always the ones that are missed – why is that? • What would be the knock on effect if INW discontinued the additional funding it provides for waste management, on other areas in WNW • Is consideration being given for the 1 bin collection Headingley model in other areas of Leeds.
7. Any Other Business
None
Actions
• Members to confirm inventory of seating for Highways
• Waste Management Confirmation required from Ben Grabham for named contact RM
• Dog Warden to be identified to attend the Yeadon forum RM
Next Meeting
Monday 23 rd September Greenacre Hall, Rawdon
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Appendix 2
Neighbourhoods & Housing
21 Outer Community Safety Sub Group 18 th June 2013
Present : Cllr Fox (Chair), Cllr Latty , Cllr Collins , Cllr Lay, Zahid Butt (Safer Leeds ), Insp Richard Coldwell, Neil Goldup (CASAC), Angela Mawdsley (LASBT)
Apologies:
Action 1.0 Matters Arising
None
2.0 Simple2Start RC / ZB
Due to low numbers of burglaries in ONW, Op Optimal does not work as well as it does in high crime areas. Insp Coldwell has discussed other options with criminologists and they have suggested implementing simple2start. The project overlays 3 years of crime data for the ONW area and has come up with some target areas based on postcodes (some streets are too long – like Bradford rd for eg). The top 10 hotspot areas account for 90% of crime (7,000) and the top 3 areas account for 50% of those 7,000. So if Insp Coldwell concentrates on the top 3 and convinces partners to do the same this could have a massive impact on crime in ONW. All other areas would continue to get attention but the default and extra would go into the top 3 areas (LS19 7 Yeadon, LS18 4 Horsforth and Ls16 7 Holt Park). The research has now been mapped and also shows the key timeline for deployment of resources. The next steps are to talk to Councillors and other partners provide them with a bundle of the maps / research, and then set up talks to staff on the ground and local people about the research and answer some of the why questions – why is this happening here at this time, in this area and then come up with solutions to the problems.
• Members suggested the following: • Caretakers from schools be invited to the discussions • Kids – maybe a webchat or through schools • Invite local shop keepers
1 Page 89 2.0 Area Committee Funded Projects – update
Target Hardening Project has delivered on it’s targets for the £20,000 of funding for last year, the Noted out-turns for June 2012 to May 2013 were:
628 jobs delivered in total across all ONW wards 514 subsidised jobs across all ONW wards
Adel & Wharfedale put in an extra £15,000 of funding and this additional work is Noted included in the above figures.
CASAC provided the meeting with details about a new product which is a PIR sensor connected to a plug in the house. The sensor is installed outside and when the sensor is triggered the plug in the house is activated and this could be connected to a light / tv / radio. The PIR sensor will be offered as an optional extra to target hardening jobs.
Safer Leeds has funded 615 PIR sensors for the NW Division. Noted
It has been confirmed that all wards will fund CASAC for another year at £5,000 Noted per ward.
Off Road Bikes Inner North West Area Committee did not fund the Off-Road bikes and therefore, this project does not undertake pro-active patrols in Inner North West Leeds.
The team is currently dealing with nuisance bikes in Adel & Wharfedale ward and has issued a number of Section 59 notices in the Holt Park area.
Members were asked to feed in any areas of concern to be added to the regular patrols and help promote the dedicated telephone number: 0113 2395092. This is an answer machine, with messages picked up the off-road bike team. Where details are left members of the public will be contacted.
3.0 Police Update A Review of public counters has been undertaken and Otley public counter is Noted due to close because of low numbers. The Force has looked levels of use and the majority of contact is via tel. Otley Councillors have been informed. Pudsey public counter is also due to close. Weetwood will open longer and will be the main public counter for the Division. Local appointments will still be available at Otley. The telephone on the wall will allow contact with the Comms team at Weetwood. Changes to be implemented from 19 th July.
Review of policing in Leeds also underway with proposal to go down to 1 Division managed by a Chief Superintendent. This is at the proposal / option examination stage at the moment. The aim is to make saving higher up the structure which will reduce the impact of cuts on the frontline.
2 Page 90 4.0 Leeds ASB Team
Leeds ASB Team provided information on the performance of the West North West ASB Team. The % of almo cases dealt with by the team has decreased, Noted from 80% almo to 50% almo, due to the number of private tenancy noise cases coming into the team Almo officers deal with noise cases in the first instance so they do not appear in the figures, whereas private noise cases come straight through the ASB Team.
The breakdown also included information on case outcomes of note in each ward and Members asked questions relating to this information:
So far this year 306 enquiries have been received in relation to anti-social behaviour (this includes complaints relating to domestic noise nuisance). 100% of the enquiries were responded to within the service standard of 1 or 2 working days. 50% of the enquiries related to ALMO properties; this has decreased following the integration of the domestic noise service which deals with a large amount of cases in the private sector especially in areas where there is a high student population).
91% of customers were satisfied/very satisfied with the service provided by LASBT and with the case officer’s investigation and 82% were satisfied with the case outcome (survey results now incorporate domestic noise cases).
On average 50% of enquiries result in cases Cases take about 90 days to resolve 1 case = 1 perpetrator (cases can be connected).
Some good work delivered in Outer North West over recent months:
Adel – Holt park notice served on a burglar’s son committing offences in the locality (tenants responsible for behaviour of household and visitor). Possession is difficult and a last resort – LASBT has to show other things have been tried and failed Horsforth – work planned with Horsforth housing office planned to improve the referral and joint working process Otley / Yeadon – Weston estate – possession proceedings started on a new tenant
How this work is publicised is currently being looked at.
ASB changed by planned by Government – New Injunction Powers and ASBOs to be replaced by new legislation.
5.0 AOB
None
6.0 Date of Next Meeting
17 th September 2013, 1pm Otley Police Stn
14 th January 2014, 22 nd April 2014, 15 th July 2014,
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Outer North West Area Committee
Children & Young People Sub Group Appendix 3a
1st July 2013 Meeting 10.30 am Civic Hall Meeting rm 5
Present: Cllr P Latty (Chair), Cllr Fox, Cllr Collins, Cllr Downes, Neil Bowden Youth Services, Chris Gott Sports Development, Jane Maxwell AST, Rachel Marshall AST
Apologies: Inspector Coldwell – WYP
Key Issues discussed:
1. Introduction and Apologies Cllr Latty welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained this meeting had been brought forward and replaced the one scheduled for the 5 th of July.
2. Matters arising Due to the nature of this meeting being to discuss the Youth Offer universal activity provision matters arising and the last meeting minutes were not discussed.
3. Sports Coaching Qualification –Chris Gott CG gave some background to the scheme whereby he approached local sports clubs to ask for them to recommend young people in their club who would benefit from a coaching qualification. CG deals with approx. 300 clubs across West North West and has been running a similar scheme for 3 years in other areas. The young people are aged between 17-25 and through the scheme can attain a professional qualification in a number of different sports. The aim is to identify young people who are interested in a future in sport and also wish to work within their local community and clubs. The qualification can assist them in finding employment within their chosen field of sport but the course also provides a professional advice in terms of a personal development plan PDP. This will be developed through regular meeting with their mentor where volunteering and mentoring opportunities can be discussed. The hope is that these qualified young coaches will continue to be involved in their local club, in turn coaching and mentoring other young people. The cost is between £300 - £600 per person and to encourage participation and commitment match funding is required from the club or young person together with funding through the Scholarship scheme. Cllr Collins asked about popularity of the scheme and if there were further funding available whether more young people could participate in the scheme. CG advised that the scheme was very popular and oversubscribed for the available funding but it would be up to his senior management whether or not there was capacity within the team to deliver more places. NB advised he would like to be able to signpost young people towards the scheme. CG is requesting a small Wellbeing grant of £1,000 split equally over the 4 wards in Outer North West. Members were supportive of the scheme and a small grant application will be circulated to Members for consideration.
4. Youth Offer RM provided Members with some information relating to the current provision being organised through the Clusters and through Breeze as well as some additional information relating to
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activity providers, authorised by Breeze, who could be contacted to buy in additional activities. Jane Maxwell Area Leader outlined the position following the Area Committee on 17 th June where it was decided that the Children & Young Peoples Sub Group should consider proposals for summer holiday activities. A delegated decision for an approval process by officers was also agreed in view of the short time constraints to approve any spend for the July/August school holidays. However as this meeting had been brought forward and there was now an additional meeting of the ONW Area Committee the delegated officer decision would not be necessary and any recommendations from the sub group could now go forward to the Area Committee on the 10 th July. In Financial year 2013/14 a total for all 4 wards of £28,327 is available to spend and It was agreed at Area Committee that this would remain in one pot rather than be split according to ward. A discussion then took place with Members of the children & Young Peoples Sub Group to look at what might be the best option and it was agreed that; A mini Breeze accessible to all ONW young people should be held at Yeadon Tarn at a cost of £3750.00 NOTED This should be followed by 6 Back Yard Breeze events, to include 1 per week to be held in each of the 4 wards. At a total cost of up to £3816. NOTED The locations for the Back Yard Breeze events are to be agreed with Sally Coe from the Out of School Team and the locally Elected Member following suitability discussions. What would be included in the Breeze events would be subject to Sally sourcing local providers but would be around arts based and sporting activities aimed at the 8 – 17 year old age groups with some limited provision for the under 8’s. Colleagues from Breeze will consult with the young people attending the event to gather information on their views and opinions on the activities on offer and what they would like to see at future events. Breeze staff will also work with local providers to signpost young people into existing local activities and youth work. A suggestion was made that all the youth activities on offer should be published in one place rather than the Clusters advertising their own as well as the Breeze produced booklet. This might be something that could be funded through the Youth offer funds next year if Members wanted to support it. It was agreed that conversations would need to take place with the Elected Members as well as Clusters regarding the funding and garner suggestions from them as to the shaping of provision over the rest of the year.
5. National Citizens Award – Neil Bowden NB gave some background to the scheme which is a nationwide project brought in by Government.At a local level it will target young people aged 16-17 from a variety of backgrounds across Leeds to come together in a group of 15. They will go on 2 residential weeks away from home, 1 on the East coast and 1 at lineham or Herd Farm in Leeds and learn to work together as a team to design and deliver a social action project in their local community. There will be a graduation ceremony at Civic Hall at the end of the project to celebrate their achievements. It is expected that the scheme will benefit young people by building self confidence, self esteem and aptitudes to help them in the future. There will an emphasis on likely or actual NEETS to take part but not exclusively limit the project to these young people. Feedback from past participants has been popular with 90% of those recommending the scheme to others. So far 30 young people in ONW have shown an interest with 20 being signed up to it. At present these young people predominantly come from Otley & Yeadon ward, some from Horsforth and a couple from Adel & Wharfedale and Guiseley & Rawdon. NB advised that he is encouraging take up in the lower represented wards to even this out. Thjs is the first group with other groups to follow on. It is expected that 330 young people across Leeds would have access to the scheme this year with the figures doubling next year.
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The scheme is heavily subsidised with only £50.00 to pay by the participant however it is recognised that some families will have difficult in raising this sum and therefore the Youth Service are subsidising this contribution in certain cases to leave just a £10.00 contribution. A submission has been made for a large Wellbeing grant of £2,130 to contribute towards the scheme Members felt that the £10.00 contribution was too low especially when considered the young people would be living away from home for 2 weeks. NB asked for some flexibility to be agreed in terms of Youth Service assessing individuals as to what would be an appropriate contribution and that the Wellbeing application would go towards that subsidy but would also go towards the scheme as a whole. NB advised he would welcome Members involvement and ideas for the scheme going forward. It was agreed the Wellbeing application could go forward to the Area Committee for consideration with an even split of funding across all four wards. NOTED
6. Date of Next Meeting RM to confirm details of the next meeting
Actions:
1. Small grant application for the Sports Coaching Qualification to be circulated to Members RM
2. A report to go forward to Area Committee on 10 th July 2013 with recommendations for;
• 1 Mini Breeze at a cost of £3750 • 6 Back Yard Breezes at a cost of up to £3816 RM
3. A large grant application of £2,130 for the National Citizens Award to go forward to the Area Committee on 10 th July 2013 RM
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Page 96 Outer North West Area Committee
Joint Inner & Outer Transport Sub Group Appendix 4a
Note of 9th August 2013 Meeting 10.30 am Civic Hall Committee Rm2
Item Present Actions Cllr Cleasby (Chair) - Horsforth Ward (Ch) Cllr Wadsworth – Guiseley & Rawdon (CW) Cllr Anderson – Adel & Wharfedale (CA) Cllr Rik Downes Otley & Yeadon (CD) Cllr Illingworth – Kirkstall (CI) Andrew Hall – Highways and Transportation (AH) Lois Pickering – Planning (LP) Tim Draper – Road Safety (TD) Rachel Marshall – Area Support Team (RM) Apologies Cllr Walshaw – Headingley (CW) Andrew Wheeler – NGT (AW) David Feeney – Planning (DF) Cllr Christine Towler - Hyde Park & Woodhouse
1.0 Welcome and introductions
2.0 Minutes & Matters arising
2.1 Agreed and nothing further
3.0 Site Allocations Consultation Update
3.1 LP talked through the Planning consultation strategy advising the group that there had been an extended consultation period from 3 rd June to 29 th July. Adverts regarding the consultation and events had been placed on local radio, buses, libraries and One Stops, Yorkshire Evening Post and to all email contacts through the LDF. With all ward Members and MPs informed. Online consultation through the website which had included comments from Highways 3.2 Posters and flyers had been placed in schools, One Stops, care homes, housing offices, nurseries etc. 3.3 A total of 16 information events had been held across Leeds during the period of consultation. Planning had worked with local Parish Councils and Neighbourhood Planning organisations in terms of providing information or attending events. Display boards and information had been provided to any local community groups requesting them. 3.4 Feedback is currently being assessed and there are no confirmed numbers of responses as yet. LP gave a rough estimate of; 1900 online through the website 1500 paper responses 1500 emails received Page 97 All of which will be entered into a database for analysis over the next few weeks. So far it seems by some margin the most responses have been about housing which was expected. 3.5 CA and CI asked for it to be noted that there had been considerable NOTED issues with completing the online forms which were reported to be slow and inefficient, particularly in going back a page. It was stated that electronic consultation should be reviewed. 3.6 It was also reported that the site itself was hard to navigate and not easy to understand where things were and hard to distinguish smaller areas. LP advised large scale plans had been given to groups who requested them and that it was possible to zoom in online to look at areas in more detail. 3.7 LP informed the group that an initial report would be going to Plans Panel to report back on the drop-ins and no. of attendees with a further report on the context and content of responses once they had been assessed. This will include considering representations from Developers and Consultants in the same way as public responses. Publication of a draft plan on property allocations, which would not be colour coded, would follow. Consultation with Members to be followed by a public consultation on the plan late 2014 which might lead to some further alterations. Then it will go to the Secretary of State for examination before the plan being adopted in 2015. 3.8 It was noted however that the Core Strategy would need to be adopted first even though concerns were raised that the process was too slow and would lead to problems with the site allocation plan. LP advised that a great deal of work had been done in a short timescale and that the Core Strategy is due for examination in October 2013 3.9 CA asked about sites currently under discussion now – how will decisions be made when a developer is ready to submit an application and there are objections. Concerns were that developers would have free rein on sites if the 5 year land supply agreement was not in place. 3.10 LP advised that anyone can apply for any site currently under consideration. Planning has the Executive Board (EB) report to judge each application alone. Under this report there are agreed criteria on PAS sites and there is a presumption against building on greenbelt sites. 3.6 LP to respond to an issue CA raised as to whether or not those that have LP commented previously can appeal in regards to the Core Strategy. 3.7 LP advised that the duty to co-operate with other local authorities had been fulfilled. Concerns were raised on whether the cumulative impact will be considered in terms of transport and education. LP told Members that Planning may insist on a junction being installed as part of a development or after a site has been built rarely before. 3.8 CA agreed that there was insufficient capacity or funding to carry out traffic assessments for each site but in view of that could not developments be phased in. AH responded that once the sites had potential agreements more information could be available. CD left 11.45 am
4.0 Travel Behaviour Team 4.1 TD provided the group with a briefing note on the Influencing Travel Behaviour Team’s work (see attached). Their role being to engage with the public on sustainable travel. Traffic plans are monitored to ensure they are kept up to date. Limited staff and resources mean they need to
Page 98 consider the areas most in need. APP1 Meeting was extended to 13.00 due to extended discussion on the site allocation consultation 4.2 They work closely with schools as statistics confirm that 12 & 13 yr olds constitute the highest numbers of pedestrian casualties. This involves working with Yr 6 pupils to look at how they will be getting from home to high school. This could mean looking at bus routes and taking pupils on a public bus to show them the stops and where it is safe to cross the road. 4.3 If cycling is an option, it was recognised in some areas it would not be, how they can support the pupil to cycle and if so what is the best route. Funding has provided bike officers from Sustans to work in Horsforth and Rawdon. Their role is to encourage safe cycling 4.4 CW asked about a specific travel plan for a company in Rawdon that is rated as very good but appears to allow greater expansion of the workforce which in turn means no significant improvement in the parking issues around the firm. 4.5 TD replies that firms can employ flexible working practices that mean a greater number of employees, with some working from home etc but still means there is a significant number of people driving to an office. Members felt the cost of public travel was prohibitive and costs should be reduced. TD advised a corporate bus pass was available to buy and could encourage use of public transport. It was suggested travel costs be considered for a future agenda item, with Metro to be invited. NOTED
5.0 /6.0 Traffic Con trol Report and Traffic Assessments
5.1 Due to time constraints AH had little time to go through the two agenda items assigned to him. 5.2 A question was raised as to why double yellow lines had been removed near the Kirkstall, Morrisons site at the Bridge Road junction. AH to investigate. NOTED 5.3 AH discussed a site visit to Poynton and gave a hand out which visually demonstrated the use of shared space between pedestrians and APP2 vehicles. This is a fairly controversial site costing £4.6m where traffic and pedestrians have equal priority, no pedestrian crossings or traffic lights at a multi entry junction. AH advised there were no plans to consider any sites in Leeds at this time and there were many criteria to be considered, visually impaired pedestrians for example. 7.0 Potential Dates of Future Meetings
7.1 Not discussed
8.0 Any Other Business and Future Agenda Items
8.1 CW asked that the NGT response due to go to Area Committee in September be discussed at the Transport Sub Group instead. This was agreed with Chair. A date will be fixed for the 2 nd week in September to bring NGT to a special meeting; this will allow responses to be fed into the ONW Area Committee on the 23 rd September and from there to full Council. 8.2 The Chair asked that the group email RM with any items to be considered. These can be fed through to NGT team for consideration
Page 99 prior to the meeting. So far these have been; • Design flaws • Fares are too high • Issues with the route • Lack of consultation • Headingley would like to consider road charging • Differing viewpoints between Inner & Outer N.W • Need to have a cohesive argument
Meeting closed 1 3.00 pm
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Policy Sub Group Appendix 5
Note of 28 th June 2013 Meeting 1.00pm Civic Hall Committee Room
Item Present Actions Cllr P Wadsworth (Chair) G&R Cllr B Anderson A&W, Cllr C Cleasby H Cllr G Latty, G&R Cllr P Latty, G&R Cllr C Campbell, O&Y Officers: J Maxwell, J Pattison and G Burnham Area Support Team Insp Coldwell and Cat Sanderson West Yorkshire Police (part) Sue Holden and Nicola Raper – Entertainment & Licensing (part) Zahid Butt – Community Safety Officer (part)
1. Apologies Cllr Fox
2. Minutes of previous meeting 2.1 The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
3.0 Matters arising 3.1 From 3.1 – Cllr Anderson asked for clarification on the amount of JP support Planning are giving to Neighbourhood Forums. JP to look into this and advise.
4.0 Parish and Town Council’s Scrutiny Report 4.1 GB presented details of the Strengthening Links between Area Committee and Parish and Town Council’s Scrutiny report. The report recognises that both Area Committees and local councils have a key role in providing strong local leadership. Several examples were given of how Town and Parish Council’s are already working together.
4.2 The Policy Sub Group was asked to note and comment on the report. Members were also asked to agree to the establishment of a working group of Area Committee Members and Parish and Town Councils to discuss and agree options for strengthening links and report back to the Area Committee.
4.3 It was agreed that the Area Support Team would arrange a meeting GB/JP
Page 101 in September between Town and Parish Council’s and the ONW Area Committee to explore this matter further. Councillor Anderson and Councillor Campbell agreed to be the main Member contacts.
5.0 Area wide policy on Licensing 5.1 Inspector Coldwell, Cat Sanderson, Zahid Butt, Sue Holden and Nicola Raper joined the meeting to discuss this item.
5.2 Councillor Campbell gave details of why he felt an area wide policy on licensing needs considering in the outer north west area and gave the Red Lion in Otley as an example. This public house has recently applied for its license extending to 4.00am. A policy would provide support to the Licensing Committee when making decisions and enable applications to be assessed against a clear set of criteria. Cllr Campbell felt that a Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) would not be suitable as the totality of pubs was reducing.
5.3 A discussion took place on how the opening hours of public houses can be controlled. SH informed the meeting that there had been a recent change in the guidance used which now takes into consideration the usual opening hours of other licensed premises in the area.
5.4 SH advised that Otley has the largest concentration of drinking establishments outside of the city centre however there was only a small level of incidents and crime. In order to have any sort of policy consultation has to be undertaken and there does have to be evidence of disorder.
5.5 Inspector Coldwell offered to obtain an analysis pattern of minor Insp C / disorder / criminal damage in the area, to see if there was sufficient ZB evidence to consult on an area wide policy on licensing. If there was sufficient evidence the meeting agreed that this issue should be referred to the Community Safety Sub Group for further consideration.
5.0 Any Other Business 5.1 Cllr A informed the meeting that he had requested information from the NHS relating to the projected increase in residents in his ward and asked if they had any plans in place for more doctors and facilities. This enquiry had been forwarded to numerous people over a period of nearly 3 months resulting in a freedom of information request being made. This had not been what he intended or wanted.
5.2 Cllr Latty advised the meeting that as Health Lead, a meeting had Cllr L been arranged through the group office for him to meet with the Commissioning Care Group (CCG) and he would raise this issue.
6.0 Date and Time of Next Meeting 6.1 Tuesday 19 th November, 1.00pm Brownlee Stone Centre.
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Guiseley & Rawdon Forum
Appendix 6
Minutes of meeting 7pm-9pm, 17 th July 2013 Guiseley Methodist church
1.0 Introductions Actions 1.1 Cllr Latty welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that as there was considerable interest in the Site Allocation Consultation there would be time allotted under any other business to discuss the issue
2.0 Minutes of the Previous Meeting and Matters Arising 2.1 The previous meeting minutes were approved with an omission that a member NOTED of the public had read the Ministerial fore word to the National Planning Policy Framework and his comment that the proposed development did not meet recommendations in the framework. 2.2 There was a further omission on the subject of the Whitehouse Lane NOTED development it was not noted that foxes, rabbits and ground nesting birds had been destroyed 2.3 App1 regarding road repairs. The appendix was not included with the minutes circulated. This will be done when the next set of minutes are sent out 2.4 A comment was made under Para. 4.8 that it was felt planners are still not considering the knock on effect of housing development on an area. Councillor Latty advised that this will be part of the Leeds Core Strategy and Neighbourhood Plans are being developed through the Rawdon Parish Council and Aireborough Neighbourhood Forum 2.5 Under matters arising Clive Woods gave an update on Green Lane Mills to say that Planning Panel meets tomorrow to consider the development but Planning Officers are not supporting the proposal in its current form and will recommend permission be refused. Objections have been made from the Civic Society and Aireborough Neighbourhood Forum. The developers’ public consultation ended on 10 th May 2013 with plans being submitted only 10 days later so there was some thought that due consideration had not been given to the consultation feedback. Representatives will attend the meeting and feedback will be given at the next forum meeting. Councillor Latty advised he had attended a meeting yesterday with Planning and the site to discuss the issues.
3.0 Neighbourhood Policing Update 3.1 Acting Sgt Sarah Grummitt was in attendance to advise on current policing issues and take questions. 3.2 There has been only 1 burglary of a dwelling in the past 30 days. 3.3 There have been another 5 reported break-ins to sheds and garages. 3.4 There have been 18 calls received regarding anti social behaviour 3.5 Overall there were 33 recorded crimes in the past 30 days. 3.6 Good news is there were no reports of problems at the Westfield Retail Park 3.7 A question was asked whether burglaries where the door had been left unlocked still classed as burglaries. This was confirmed – referred to as ‘sneak-ins’ 3.8 There have been no arrests made for reported crimes 3.9 It was confirmed that notices do not have to be displayed on a dwelling where a Page 105 cctv camera is in operation. 3.10 Sgt Grummitt confirmed there had been an assault on a local shopkeeper on Kirk Lane this morning. Two men had come into the shop and held a knife to the shopkeeper’s throat causing a minor injury but had left without anything being taken. 3.11 Police confirmed that increased housing could cause extra problems for officers but not necessarily so. Sgt Grummit advised there were no current plans to close either Weetwood or Otley Police stations and that although there had been changes at Otley the Response Team were working from the location alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Team. 3.12 Various speeding problems were reported on Netherfield Road, Chevin End and Moor Lane, which would be looked into and speed or SIDS employed as necessary. 3.13 Police will get involved if there is an obstruction on the highway but not in general parking problems causing inconvenience. 3.14 Ward Members had a meeting yesterday with EMIS, Police and Highways regarding the parking problems around the JCT roundabout. Cllr Latty and Cllr Paul Wadsworth advised that the company had a robust travel plan and were working towards alleviating the parking issues. An option was to apply for planning permission to extend the current parking provision at the Fulford Grange site and they are to consider this. Consideration will also be given to yellow lines being put in place at Quakers Lane. However if cars were not allowed in one area there was a risk the problem would merely be dispersed to another local area. It was also commented that pressure couldn’t be put on an employer to employ local people who would walk to work. 3.15 Cllr Latty also advised that there was a proposal that London Lane become a one-way road to improve the situation there. 3.16 A suggestion was made that the Naylor Jennings site be turned into a car park but it was acknowledged the market value might make that unrealistic. The fire station will eventually close but there are no plans as to what might happen to the site.
4.0 Conservation 4.1 Andy Graham (AG) Conservation and Urban Design officer from Leeds City Council was there to talk about the role of conservation officers and what it meant to be part of a conservation area. 4.2 He talked about how any development has a duty to preserve or enhance the local character. Consideration must be given to materials used, the layout of the site, the design of the building etc. 4.3 Demolition within a conservation area is also controlled with a view to how that affected the area. It might be a better option to preserve rather than knock down. Conservation also helps to preserve a sense of place 4.4 Various questions were put as to how Conservation could influence site development surrounding conservation areas and listed dwellings and how a conservation area could be extended. AG advised that any extension to a conservation area would need to be looked at and that the extension would have to be near enough to a designated area. Conservation can look at ways to work with developers to preserve an area whilst still allowing development to take place. 4.3 The site of the proposed wind turbine at High Royds Hall was discussed. It was noted that there had been a lot of objections to this due to its proposed location and Planning permission would seem unlikely to be given. 4.4 It was acknowledged that how a development can look from a distance should be considered and that it should work within the setting if possible. The landscape team do look at these issues and how local materials should be used Page 106 within a certain area. 4.5 It was commented on that not all residents in the Tranmere conservation area had received literature about the designation and what that meant. AG will look into this. 4.6 Mention was made of the Naylor Jennings site as a wildlife haven for over a 100 years and how Conservation could help to protect this. 4.7 A question was asked as to whether or not allotments could be considered as conservation areas. This was thought to be generally unlikely but not impossible if sufficient historical impact. 4.8 AG finally talked about the historical aspect of Little London and how it had originally been a series of cottage industry clusters that had developed into something larger over 2-300 years 4.9 Any issues or for more information regarding Conservation the website has a number of conservation reports that are interesting and informative www.leeds.go.uk/conservation Or email Andy on [email protected]
5.0 METRO Consultation Update and Information 5.1 Clive Hopkinson (CH) from Metro was there to talk about some minor changes to current bus services and an imminent consultation on existing bus services within the area 5.2 From 21/7/13 there will be an early morning bus from Otley to Leeds at 07.55 this was a requested change from local residents that had come through consultation last year. The 23.02 Guiseley to Leeds bus has been withdrawn due to insufficient passengers 5.3 Consultation will be carried out on the 33 and X84 service to gauge local opinion on how it could be better run. Changes to the route, timings etc. will be considered. CH also advised that this was an opportunity for residents to comment on other bus services if they had something they felt should be brought to Metro and Firsts attention. This will end by 16/8/13. The public can comment in person to officers at local consultation drop ins or online at; www.wymetro.com/busreview A number of forms and the dates and venues for the consultations were also available at the forum. 5.4 A complaint was made that the consultation times did not give working people sufficient time to attend as most of them were during the day. 5.5 A question was asked as to whether or not there was a plan to withdraw the bus from the Westfield estate on Greenlea Avenue as a notice that this was being considered had been put up in the bus shelter there. CH advised as far as he knew that was not being proposed but will verify this CH 5.6 It was asked as to whether this review was being carried out with a view to improving services or find savings. CH advised First had been given resources to ensure they could deliver services and this consultation was about making improvements with no reduction in overall bus mileage there would likely be some winners and some losers in terms of individual routes. 5.7 Traffic problems from Rawdon crossroads onwards were discussed and whether bus priority could be arranged to aid traffic flow on the A65 although it was recognised funding would be an issue for major works. 5.8 Dissatisfaction was expressed with the change to timings on the 33 which meant it now left 10mins earlier but still got to the end stop at the same time due to stopping at different points along the way to catch up on timings. CH advised that First now have a large amount of statistical data about the bus routes which allows them to better plan timings and this will be reviewed continuously. There may be some times when the bus has to wait but traffic may be more of a problem on different days and the extra time allowed stops there being delays.
Page 107 5.9 Further dissatisfaction was raised regarding the timing of evening buses with the 97 and 33 leaving close together and then an hour to wait for the next one.
6.0 Any other business Proposal for Guiseley Town Council
6.1 Cllr Latty talked about the proposal for consideration to be given for a Guiseley Town Council. David Bowe was at the meeting and had information for people to have a look at and if they were in favour, a petition for them to complete requesting Leeds City Council look at the possibility of discussing the option. 6.2 David Bowe confirmed expressing interest did not infer commitment at this point and he gave Cllr Latty credit for trying to encourage people to support a Town Council some years ago without success. 6.3 The question of a precept was raised and a resident in Rawdon said they had been unaware that precept would be raised in addition to the Council Tax. David Ingham, Rawdon Parish Councillor advised that the Parish Council had not set the precept in the first year and that Leeds City Council had set the amount whilst the Parish Council was still in the process of being fully formed. Discussions would take place before a decision was made about future precept amounts. 6.4 Details of the local Parish Councillors are on Rawdon Library notice board. Cllr Wadsworth commented that he believed local Parish Councils delivered an excellent local environmental service for their residents. 6.5 It was noted that Aireborough Neighbourhood Forum were on the verge of designation for the Neighbourhood Plan and that through them or Rawdon 6.6 Parish Council would be the best way to have your views listened to in term of development. 6.7 Site allocation consultation There was a great deal of discussion on the on-going site allocation consultation process 6.7.1 There was a general feeling that people were still unaware what was going on and that residents had not received leaflets from the Aireborough Neighbourhood forum in some areas. The Ward Councillors had funded the Neighbourhood forum to print leaflets for each residence in Aireborough ward that was not covered by the Rawdon Parish Council who are doing their own
consultation. The Rawdon boundary was felt to be confusing to residents. 6.7.2 There was also some dissatisfaction about the leaflet – not felt to be strong or give a full enough picture. Also should have gone out separately rather than with
junk mail. 6.7.3 There was a discussion over the population figures being stated by Leeds City Council and how WARD’s figures disputed the numbers. The data has yet to be
formally accepted and agreed. 6.7.4 The National Planning Framework states that development should have the infrastructure in place to support a development before building but this doesn’t happen. 6.7.5 A member of the public expressed their concerns over the green field sites and a proposed development of approx. 300 houses in Little London and the effect on existing dwellings there. Cllr Latty advised this was presently an amber site. However residents are concerned it could be altered to green. 6.7.6 Cllr Latty discussed how the site allocation consultation process was all about residents looking at the proposals and feeding back which sites were absolutely not to be considered for development and which would be considered more favourably accepting that often no development would be the preferred option. 6.77 DI talked about lobbying Yorkshire MPs to raise the issues in Parliament. It was felt that more investigation should be done into the alleged 5000 empty
Page 108 homes in Leeds and why more emphasis was not given to brownfield site being
developed over greenfield. 6.7.8 Cllr Latty talked about the current economic environment not supporting rapid development and sites being built up over a number of years and only after so many plots had been sold.
6.7.9 Cllr Latty also advised that ward members would inform local residents if a proposed site was altered to green from amber so residents could keep abreast of developments. The process of consultation could not be extended now and that any representation would need to be returned by 29/7/13. Local ward members are keeping a log of all concerns raised as they have received a large number of emails on this subject. These will all be passed to Planning for their consideration.
Next meeting 11th September 2013 Rawdon Little Moor Primary School
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Page 110 Outer North West Area Committee
Yeadon Forum Appendix 7
Note of 2nd July 2013 Meeting 7.00pm Yeadon Town Hall
Item Present Actions Councillors: C Campbell (Chair) Otley & Yeadon R Downes Otley & Yeadon S Lay Otley & Yeadon Officers: J Singh Environmental Services Locality Manager W Davies WNW Homes G Burnham Area Support Team Local Residents
1. Apologies Yvonne Palmer, Kenneth Hudson and Richard Garvey.
2. Minutes of previous meeting 2.1 The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.
3.0 Matters arising 3.1 From point 1 Cllr C confirmed that Morrisons Supermarket has agreed to visitors to Yeadon Town Hall (YTH) using their car park on an evening. 4.0 Update on actions 4.1 Bayton Lane/Murgatroyds junction- response from Highways: This junction is very busy, with pressure during the peak periods and variable traffic from/to the airport. The provision of pedestrian facilities has reduced capacity. A complex system controls the queue on the High Street in a different way during peak periods. We believe we have achieved the best balance possible, given the constraints and the variability. A proposal to install additional adaptive technology - a MOVA system (Micro Processor Vehicular Activator) has not been pursued by officers as the cost of duct works required seemed excessive at £40,000 and the benefits are uncertain given how fully saturated the junction often is.
4.2 Carlton Crossroads response from Highways: This junction has the MOVA system installed, so should be quite responsive to different traffic level at different approaches. MOVA is dependant on good vehicle detection in advance of the traffic lights. While we have had faults here in the past as far as we know
Page 111 it is working correctly at the moment.
4.3 Update on Yeadon High Street – work now complete update attached to the minutes.
5.0 Potential Housing Development Sites in Yeadon 5.1 Cllr C provided background information on the Site Allocation Plan. The Council is preparing a Development Plan for the next 15 years for the whole of Leeds. It has to identify potential sites for over 2,000 housing spaces covering Yeadon, Guiseley, Highroyds and Menston.
5.2 Leeds city Council is consulting on the Leeds Site Allocation Plan Issues and Options from 3 rd June to 29 th July 2013. You can take part in the consultation in the following ways: • Using the online comments form at www.leeds.gov.uk/siteallocations • Email [email protected] • Write to Forward Planning & Implementation Leeds City Council 2 Rossington Street Leeds LS2 8HD
5.3 The Otley & Yeadon Councillors encouraged as many people as All possible to get involved in the consultation process and have their say. Although Councillors can put forward the local communities views, a lot more credence is given to individual responses. Therefore it is important that individuals take part in the consultation either online, by email or letter.
5.4 The following comments / discussions took place:
5.4.1 A local resident asked why Planning had not held a consultation event in Yeadon. Local Councillors responded saying they did ask for this however as the request was turned down they decided to bring information on the Site Allocation Plan to the Forum.
5.4.2 A local resident commented that ‘Aireborough’ doesn’t really exist anymore however it has been identified as ‘an area’ within the Site Allocation Plan. As it does not include surrounding areas such as Otley and Horsforth it was felt that the area named ‘Aireborough’ is disadvantaged.
5.4.3 A lengthy discussion took place on the figures used from the All census information and a number of forum members did not agree that 66,000 new homes were required in Leeds over the next 15 years. Otley & Yeadon Members confirmed that they did not agree with the figures and urged Forum Members to express their views using the consultation process.
Page 112 5.4.4 A number of forum members raised concerns that the current infrastructure could not cope with the number of new developments taking place and was not sustainable. There were insufficient schools, medical facilities, roads are at capacity, inadequate sewerage systems etc to cope with current numbers. It was felt that there could also be problems with flooding.
5.4.5 ‘Peppering’ was discussed (putting social and affordable housing into estates). Leeds City Council has a policy of asking developers to provide an element of social housing within new developments. This type of housing is usually bought by Housing Associations.
5.4.6 A number of residents raised concerns that developers are not All taking into account what type of housing the area requires and are building for profit rather than local need. Cllr C advised the meeting that the council cannot direct developers to produce certain types of housing however the new Neighbourhood Plans can identify local need. Christine Schofield a local resident informed the meeting that consultation on a Neighbourhood Plan was also currently taking place. A survey has been produced which is being delivered to local residents who are urged to complete and have their say on what they feel the area needs.
5.4.7 A number of concerns and issues were raised in respect of the Naylor Jennings Mill site and also parking issues on Green Lane. However although it was acknowledged that these have implications for Yeadon both are in the Guiseley & Rawdon Ward.
There is a current planning application in for the Naylor Jennings site which members of the public can comment on.
6. 0 WNW Homes 6.1 Wyn Davies WNW Homes Area Performance Manager handed out flyers advising that as part of the ‘Community Involvement week’ a play is being put on at Yeadon Town Hall on Monday 1st July.
6.2 WD also confirmed that WNW Homes which has been an Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) will be rejoining Leeds City Council.
7.0 Environmental Services 7.1 Jason Singh Environmental Services Locality Manager who has responsibility for mechanical and manual cleansing, litter picking, enforcement and input into waste management issues attended for this item.
7.2 Environmental Services are trialling a private contractor (3GS) to carry out intensive enforcement. There has been some success in the outer north west area with 1 Fixed penalty notice (FPN) for dog fouling and 2 FPNs for littering being issued.
Page 113 7.3 JS invited questions from the floor and the following issues were raised:
7.3.1 From the roundabout to the Library on Yeadon High Street is much JS improved however there is a lot of chewing gum and cigarette butts which require attention. The mechanical sweeper cannot pick up all the debris and the area requires a manual clean with a broom. In addition some of the surrounding ginnels require attention.
7.3.2 The area from the back of YTH to Morrisons (behind the Aviator JS Public House) is looking unkept and requires cleansing.
7.3.3 A request for a fortnightly green bin collection was made. Cllr C advised that there is a programme in South Leeds at the moment trialling alternate black and green bin collections and it is planned to roll this out across the city over the next 18 months. In addition Cllr L advised that Waste Management is hoping to expand the recycling collection to include more plastics.
7.3.4 A question was raised relating to the consultation on ‘Dog Control Orders’ and it was confirmed that Engine Fields is covered under the order.
8.0 Any Other Business
8.1 Yeadon Carnival - Saturday 6 th July all welcome.
8.2 Christine Schofield provided an update on Aireborough All Neighbourhood Forum and asked residents to complete the Neighbourhood Forum questionnaire.
8.3 Cllr C thanked everyone for attending the meeting and again All encouraged everyone to comment on the Site Allocation Plan.
6.0 Date and Time of Next Meeting 6.1 To be confirmed.
Page 114 Outer North West Area Committee
Holt Park Forum
Note of 10th June 2013 Forum Meeting Appendix 8
6.00pm Ralph Thoresby High School
Present Cllr B Anderson (Chair) Councillor for Adel & Wharfedale Tenants and residents from the Holt Park Area Jason Singh – Environmental Services Stacey Rockcliffe – Waste Management Service Mamta Sharda – Area Performance Manager WNW Homes Representation from the Neighbourhood Policing Team Gerry Burnham – WNW Area Support Team
Introduction and matters arising from the previous meeting
1. Councillor Anderson welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made. A brief outline and purpose of the meeting was given.
2. Update from previous Meeting
2.1 An update on the actions from the previous meeting was circulated.
• Work has been completed on the path which runs from the corner of Holtdale Place through the central grassed quadrant to the corner of Holtdale Lawn, which was causing problems. • The garage doors on Holtdale Fold have been repainted by WNW Homes Estate Caretaking Team. • Bins on streets – The Environmental Locality Team have carried out some work and now need to work with refuse collection on solutions. In addition a letter will be issued jointly from WNW Homes and the Environmental Service which will include information on when residents should put bins out and take them in.
Page 115 Key Items discussed:
3. Future Potential Housing Developments in Holt Park
Councillor Anderson presented this item. Main points covered were:
• Leeds City Council is consulting on the Leeds Site Allocation Plan between the 3 rd June and 29 th July 2013. • The consultation documents will be accessible in the following ways: download from the Web – www.leeds.gov.uk/siteallocations To view by visiting the Development Enquiry Centre at The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington St, Leeds, LS2 (Monday to Friday 08:30 - 17:00, except Wednesdays 10:00 - 17:00) To view by visiting all libraries and one-stop centres within Leeds District. As well as viewing and downloading documents, you will be able to view the maps for each area and supporting background information. Please contact (0113) 2478092 or email [email protected] if you have special needs regarding the documents. • Maps outlining proposed and potential developments were displayed and forum Members were asked to comment. • Potential housing sites in Holt Park include Holt Park Leisure Centre, Ralph Thoresby site F, Cookridge Hall Golf Club and Cookridge Hall (further details attached).
3.1 Forum Members were invited to ask questions and comment on the proposals. Discussion included the following points:
• Brownfield sites and why these are not used initially. It was also suggested that an analysis of brownfield sites should be undertaken. • Boddington and Lawnswood DWP building are both classified as brownfield sites. • Concerns were raised about the lack of consideration given to infrastructure when planning permission is granted. It was suggested that developers should have to provide facilities such as dentists, schools etc when building new housing developments. • Questions were asked on whether there was a demand for the type of housing being built.
3.2 Forum members were encouraged to consider getting involved in the consultation.
Page 116 Environmental Services
3. Jason Singh (JS) Environmental Services Locality Manager gave a brief outline of the services he covers. Stacey Rockcliffe (SR) Waste Management was also in attendance to take questions. Residents raised the following issues:
• A rat has been seen outside a rented property on Heathfield Walk. SR from Waste Management offered to follow this up and get back to the resident who raised it. Action SR • Brown bins There is no brown bin collection on the Holtdales – would it be possible to use the communal recycling areas for a garden waste collection once a week? SR offered to look into this. Action SR • Grass cutting service Concerns were raised about the standard of work provided by the grass cutting contractor. It was also felt that more consideration should be given to wildlife in hedgerows. Action JS • Street cleansing There is smashed glass in ginnels on Holtdale Fold, Green and Lawn which has been there for some time. JS to arrange to have this cleared. Action JS • Recycling sites It was felt that some of the recycling bins on the Holtdales are not large enough to cope with the amount of recycled waste, Holtdale Garth and Green in particular were mentioned. There is also broken glass around the bins and an increasing amount of flytipping. JS confirmed that both Environmental Services and WNW Homes monitor these sites regularly. The letter which was mentioned previously, will include information on the correct use of recycling sites. Action JS / SR
Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT )
4. Officers from the NPT Informed the meeting that the number of burglaries in the area had dropped as had incidents of anti social behaviour. No particular community safety issues were raised.
Page 117 Any other Business
5. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of play facilities in the area. Comments included:
• The tennis courts on Farrar Lane are only used for a few months a year could these be used for other activities? • Flood lights are being installed in Ralph Thoresby School which hopefully will allow more out of school activities.
6. New Generation Transport (NGT) A consultation event is being held in the Civic Hall on the 25 th June starting at 9.30am. In addition there is a presentation / drop in session at Ralph Thoresby on the 9th July. A decision on the scheme will be made early July.
Date of next meeting
12. To be confirmed.
Page 118 Agenda Item 13
Report author: Sarn Warbis Tel: 39 50908
Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens & Communities)
Report to North West (Outer) Area Committee
Date: 23 rd September 2013
Subject: Area Chairs Forum Minutes
Are specific electoral Wards affected? Yes No If relevant, name(s) of Ward(s):
Are there implications for equality and diversity and cohesion and Yes No integration?
Is the decision eligible for Call-In? Yes No
Does the report contain confidential or exempt information? Yes No If relevant, Access to Information Procedure Rule number: Appendix number:
Summary of main issues
This report formally notifies members of the decision made by full council that Area Chairs Forum minutes should be considered by Area Committees as a regular agenda item at future Area Committee meetings.
The report also includes background information regarding the Area Chairs Forum meetings.
Recommendations
The North West (Outer) Area Committee is asked to note the contents of the report and to consider the minutes from the Area Chairs Forum meetings at this and future Area Committee Meetings.
Page 119
1 Purpose of this report
1.1 The purpose of this report is to formally notify Members that the minutes of Area Chairs Forum meetings will be brought to Area Committee meetings as a regular agenda item, and to give a brief overview of the Area Chairs Forum meetings.
2 Background information
2.1 Area Chairs Forum meetings take place on a bi-monthly basis and are chaired by the Deputy Leader of Council and Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration.
2.2 Meetings are attended by the ten Chairs of the Area Committees, the Assistant Chief Executive (Customer, Access & Performance), the three Area Leaders and the Neighbourhood Services Co-ordinator in Leeds Initiative.
2.3 Agenda items focus on issues relating to services delegated to Area Committees, future delegations of services, locality working and any other issues that can be influenced by, or have an impact on, Area Committees.
3 Main issues
3.1 Following recommendations by the General Purposes Committee, full council approved on 26 th May 2011 that minutes of the Area Chairs Forum meetings should be considered by Area Committees, and that this should be a regular agenda item for Area Committee meetings.
3.2 Area Chairs Forum minutes will only be available to be considered by Area Committees once they have been agreed as an accurate record by the subsequent Area Chairs Forum meeting.
3.3 The scheduled Area Chairs Forum meeting dates for 2013 / 14 are:
o Friday 28 th June o Friday 6 th September o Friday 11 th October o Monday 25 th November o Monday 20 th January o Friday 7th March o Friday 2nd May
3.4 Attempts will be made to include Area Chairs Forum minutes in papers issued prior to Area Committee meetings, however due to some tight deadlines between meetings, it may be necessary to table the minutes at certain Area Committee meetings.
Page 120
4 Corporate Considerations
4.1 Consultation and Engagement
4.1.1 There has been no need to publicly consult on the inclusion of Area Chairs Forum Minutes on Area Committee agendas, however the matter has been discussed by the General Purposes Committee.
4.2 Equality and Diversity / Cohesion and Integration
4.2.1 There are no equality and diversity issues in relation to this report.
4.3 Council Policies and City Priorities
4.3.1 The inclusion of Area Chairs Forum minutes on Area Committee Agendas is a revision to the Area Committee Procedure Rules within the Constitution agreed by full council on 26 th May 2011.
4.4 Resources and Value for Money
4.4.1 There are no resource implications as a result of this report.
4.5 Legal Implications, Access to Information and Call In
4.5.1 There are no legal implications or access to information issues. This report is not subject to call in.
4.6 Risk Management
4.6.1 There are no risk management issues relating to this report.
5 Conclusions
5.1 Full Council has approved the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee to include the Area Chairs Forum minutes as a regular item at future Area Committee meetings.
6 Recommendations
6.1 The North West (Outer) Area Committee is asked to note the contents of the report and to consider the minutes from the Area Chairs Forum meetings at this and future Area Committee Meetings.
7 Background documents
None.
The background documents listed in this section are available for inspection on request for a period of four years following the date of the relevant meeting. Accordingly this list does not include documents containing exempt or confidential information, or any published works. Requests to inspect any background documents should be submitted to the report author.
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Page 122 Area Chairs Forum Friday 28 th June 2013 Committee Room 4, Civic Hall
Attendance: Councillors: P. Gruen (Chair), A. Khan, S. Hamilton, A. McKenna, A. Gabriel, J. Akhtar, P. Wadsworth, C. Gruen. Officers: J. Rogers, K. Kudelnitzky, R. Barke, S. Mahmood, J. Maxwell
Minutes: S. Warbis
Attending for specific items: K. Morton, M. Long
Item Description Action 1.0 Apologies
1.1 Cllr Josephine Jarosz, Cllr Gerald Wilkinson
2.0 Minutes and Matters Arising
2.1 The minutes of the previous Area Chairs Forum meeting on 3 rd May 2013 were agreed as an accurate record.
2.2 2.6 of previous minutes – Health Sarn It was requested that Cllr Mulherin be invited to the next meeting to look at Warbis links into the Areas and approaches to tackle health inequalities.
2.3 5.11 of previous minutes Ken Morton Cllr J. Akhtar reiterated that he would like to be involved in discussions on Youth Services engagement when they commenced, particularly relating to Muslim communities.
2.4 8.7 – Area Leaders Round Up It was stressed that work needed to be carried out to publicise the work carried out by Area Committees. Credit was not being given for projects funded by Area Committees and it was suggested that a protocol needed to be developed to include publicity in funding agreements.
It was also mentioned that the role of Area Committees needed to be made clear to other organisations.
Area Leaders need to make sure that local councillors are given credit for the work they are progressing.
It was suggested that the name “Area Committee” did not reflect the work that was done and thoughts should be given to renaming / rebranding.
It was agreed that officers would develop ideas and bring back to the next Kathy meeting. Kudelnitzky
3.0 Targeted Youth Work – Area Formula
3.1 Ken Morton, Head of Service Young People and Skills, attended with 2 papers discussing the timeline for developing the Area Committees leadership of the youth work service and recommendations on the area formula for distributing funding for targeted youth work budgets.
3.2 A report will be going to the Executive Board meeting on 17th July to discuss recommendations for the distribution of the targeted youth work resource. This will follow reports to the next round of Area Committee meetings. The recommended formula is based on 50% allocated through population data, and 50% allocated based on indices of multiple deprivation. There is a proposal for a 2 year review period to account for any demographic changes. Page 1 of 6 Page 123
3.3 A baseline of resources will be provided for each Area Committee covering both targeted and universal provision. Discussions need to take place over how to get the best value from the resources available.
3.4 The question was raised as to how the provision would be monitored. It was explained that a quality assurance team would be in place to work with the Area Committees. There would be a similar client / contractor relationship to the one established through the environmental delegation, and key performance indicators would be established.
3.5 The movement of indicators in the Children’s Plan would show performance at a macro level while there would also be monitoring at a micro level, project by project.
3.6 Discussions will need to take place with Area Chairs and appointed Area Lead Members to identify and explain outcomes. A team is being pulled together in Children’s Services to support this role. Resourcing, reporting and finance will be arranged at the Area Committee level and structures and processes need to be put in place to allow this.
3.7 Processes for restructuring the service have been put in place and negotiations are ongoing with union representatives. It was stressed by Area Chairs that staff with local connections needed to be in place in local areas. It was also stressed that the important thing was to have good quality staff working in this field. This could be a combination of LCC and external staff.
3.8 It was also stressed that the review needed to be underpinned by transparency over available budgets and an emphasis on locally made decisions. The aim should be about value for money and meeting local needs.
3.9 It was mentioned that city wide assets such as Herd Farm also needed to be connected into localities, and that there should be an awareness of the city wide resource being put into these assets, and how these are being equitably accessed by different areas.
3.10 It was pointed out that areas with hotspots of ASB / Crime should be taken account of when resources are being allocated.
4.0 Review of ALMOs and Housing Management Arrangements
4.1 Martyn Long, Policy Manager – Corporate Support, attended to discuss the Review of ALMOs and Housing Management Arrangements and to begin discussions around links between Area Committees and local housing management / governance arrangements.
4.2 Following extensive consultation the decision had been taken last week at executive board to bring the housing management provision back to Leeds City Council in a city wide arrangement.
4.3 Two work streams are being developed to look at governance and tenant involvement / influence. It is being established who needs to be involved in discussions to take this forward. There is a need to make sure that there isn’t a dilution of the tenant role and it needs to be established how Area Committees feel that they should be linked in.
4.4 It was pointed out that currently there were 10 Area Panels that included elected members, but that these were not currently directly linked to Area Committees. There is also member representation on ALMO boards but these have no formal links to Area Committees.
4.5 It was suggested that housing management should be a regular item for Area Committee business. It was also pointed out that Area Committee capacity Page 2 of 6 Page 124 needed to be considered, particularly in light of the changes to Area Committee roles being established through the review of area working. There needs to be a channel of influence but a not formal role in managing housing stock.
4.6 It was raised that there was some disquiet amongst current ALMO directors and ALMO staff and that new structures and arrangements need to be put in place quickly.
4.7 It was raised that currently the ALMOs have differing practices and that it needed to be ensured that the merger led to levelling up and not down of standards of provision.
4.8 It was also stressed that there needed to be work to join up area priorities for Area Panels and Area Committees, and that opportunities should be taken for joint commissioning of services and activities to meet the needs of different communities.
4.9 Discussions are taking place between Area Leaders and Environment and Neighbourhoods officers to ensure that approaches to communities and housing are joined up.
5.0 Scrutiny Report – Strengthening the Council’s Relationship with Parish and Town Councils
5.1 Kathy Kudelnitzky tabled the draft response from the Customer Access and Performance directorate to the scrutiny report on Parish and Town Councils for discussion.
5.2 It was pointed out that this only had relevance to those Area Committees that had Parish Councils in their areas.
5.3 There are clear links with some of the recommendations in the report to work streams that had already been established through the review of area working.
5.4 Area Chairs were happy with the draft response that will be taken back to the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Board.
6.0 Workshop on Area Committee Meetings
6.1 A workshop took place, attended by Area Officers from the Area Support Teams, to discuss the current functioning of Area Committee meetings and to investigate what improvements could be made.
6.2 This followed recommendations within the review of area working which were drawn from discussions with the All Party Members Working Group, Area Chairs, Area Committees and officers.
6.3 Notes from the discussions can be found at appendix 1.
6.4 Feedback and recommendations will be brought back to a future meeting.
7.0 Any Other Business
7.1 Community Centres
7.2 Cllr Gruen informed the meeting that the management of community centres will be moving from the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate to Customer Access and Performance.
7.3 This may also involve associated functions moving from other directorates with a view to streamlining the management process for these facilities.
7.4 Area Chairs raised concerns over the progress of the current review of Page 3 of 6 Page 125 community centres, particularly relating to the lettings process, and there was a call for transparency over lettings payments and subsidies that were currently in place.
7.5 It was also mentioned that there was a need for a central team that could manage this work rather than the current confused position with responsibility spread over several directorates.
7.6 West Yorkshire Police
7.7 Cllr Gruen Raised the news that the organisation of policing in Leeds would be moving from 3 divisions to 1 division.
7.8 James Rogers and the Area Leaders were involved in ongoing discussions with senior police officers regarding this, and would be taking opportunities to discuss colocation opportunities and the future of neighbourhood policing teams.
7.9 Initial discussions indicated that the police were committed to making new arrangements continue to work at a community level.
7.10 Community Radio
7.11 Cllr Akhtar highlighted a Ramadan radio station based in Harehills that covers a 7 mile radius, and encouraged Area Chairs to consider small grant contributions to the project. Cllr Gruen suggested that if the scheme made contact with him he would circulate the request to Area Committees for them to consider through their established grant approval process.
8.0 Date of Next Meeting
8.1 Friday 6th September 2013, 14:00 – 16:00, Committee Room 4 - Civic Hall
Page 4 of 6 Page 126 Appendix 1
Area Chairs Forum – 28 th June 2013 Workshop notes
Agenda Setting Process • Scale down the agenda to give more time for discussion • Members need greater involvement in agenda setting directly • Better partnership between Area Officers and Chairs in setting agendas • Restrict city-wide reports. Reject from agendas if not locally focused • Forward agenda for the ACs good idea, members could input to this. However, departments pay no attention to this and often insist their reports go to ACs – more often than not to meet their needs not the needs of the locality • Forward plan to avoid congested / light meeting agendas • Would be good to link the agenda to the AC business plan and monitor progress – quarterly monitoring • Late items from departments upset the themes of meetings • Officers to be open about late reports and not protect services • Work to be done across service areas of the council to help them fully understand the role of ACs in the democratic process – the opportunities this provides to improve services • Departments should work to the ACs forward plan • Improve coordination across the city e.g. P&C reporting together with Environmental services • Give partners their own slots on agendas • Area Improvement Managers could be linked to each major service area to facilitate relationship
Reports • Currently reports are too lengthy – more summary of issues and highlighting of local impact. Less paper • Need clear rules about the length of reports and what should be in summary. No jargon and glossary of terms where necessary. Shorter, sharper, key ideas and options. • Report template should be much more flexible and less archaic (daft numbering system). Too much on background before getting to nub of issues. • Plain English, keep the public in mind, more accessible. Meaningful recommendations required that are localised • Short, to the point and with local impact • Need to communicate to the rest of LCC the value of ACs and what they can bring if utilised in meaningful way • Better use of presentations for reports • Key messages and newsletters about work of ACs is good • Area Committees sponsoring and annual event/conference? • Fed up with reports for noting • Ask services to consider what it is they want from reporting to ACs and from local councillors • Quality Assurance process required and accountability of chief officers for the quality of reports and meeting deadlines and forward plans , etc.
Page 5 of 6 Page 127
Operation of Meetings • Promote meetings to communities / local groups • Try to get beyond attendance of the “usual suspects” • Advertise agendas and invite attendance • Hold meetings in community settings and at appropriate times to promote attendance • Encourage open sessions • Rebrand / revamp meetings. Include “community” in the title • In some outer areas forums are more appropriate for public attendance • Ensure that feedback from forums is taken to Area Committees • Public attendance peaks if there is a specific local issue being discussed • Improve / develop mailing lists to promote meetings and actions taken • Include celebration of local activities / events / achievements at meetings • Extraordinary area committee meetings are a good way of analysing a particularly knotty issue and provides for more in depth discussion time. • Give more time to open forums to encourage local people’s contributions if required but recognise the time limitations of the agenda. • Area Lead Members to speak on their subjects – with officer support
Shaping decisions • Need to see the actions taken from the comments made at ACs – what happens? • The report needs to help discussion e.g. options for members to consider • Ask what do the officers want from members • Structure the debate better – how we come to a decision • Succinctness is really important • Split out the background information and put in the public arena in some other way • All comes back to officers across the council needing to better understand the role and purpose of the ACs in the democratic process and the added value local members can bring • The pace of response and progress of actions within the council is often slow and appears to reflect silo working. • Area Committee wellbeing funding can become tied up in local issues and we need a route to mainstream these local difficulties through core funds in services. • Bespoke innovations such as an older people’s week or the ‘Civic Conversation’ approach can bring relevancy to area committees and help local people understand the part that local councillors can play more broadly. • Ward meetings and neighbourhood forum meetings where they are held tend to pick up and address a lot of local issues and we need to recognise the complimentary roles of ward and area committee meetings and avoid duplication of effort. • We need to improve promotion of area committees on a range of media including radio and social media.
Page 6 of 6 Page 128 Area Chairs Forum Friday 3rd May 2013 Committee Room 4, Civic Hall
Attendance: Councillors: P. Gruen (Chair), G. Hyde, G. Hussain, G. Wilkinson, A. McKenna, A. Gabriel, K. Bruce, J. Akhtar, P. Wadsworth, J. McKenna, J. Jarosz Officers: J. Rogers, K. Kudelnitzky, R. Barke, S. Mahmood, J. Maxwell
Minutes: S. Warbis
Attending for specific items: H. Pinches, I. Mackay, K. Morton, Cllr. J. Blake, P. Broughton
Item Description Action 1.0 Apologies
1.1 None
2.0 Minutes and Matters Arising
2.1 The minutes of the previous Area Chairs Forum meeting on 1 st March 2013 were agreed as an accurate record.
2.2 Cllr Gruen thanked the efforts of the Area Chairs and officers over the previous year with this being the last meeting before the new municipal year. Good progress has been made over the use of and monitoring of Area Committee budgets, and also regarding the review of area working and the development of new and improved delegations.
2.3 3.9 of previous minutes – Financial Inclusion The March round of Area Committee meetings came too quickly after the last Area Chairs Forum meeting for David Roberts to arrange attending meetings with his presentation on Financial inclusion. David Feeney is able to attend future meetings if Area Chairs feel this is appropriate.
2.4 5.9 of previous minutes – Transform Leeds Programme It was agreed that discussions regarding transform Leeds would continue outside of this meeting.
2.5 6.7 of previous minutes – Environmental Enforcement Fines The question had been raised as to whether income from environmental fines could be used in the areas where they had been gathered. The meeting was informed that although this was possible, in practice there is little left over after costs for administering the fines are taken into account.
2.6 7.1 of previous minutes – Health Due to diary commitments it was not possible to arrange appropriate Sarn attendance at this meeting to have a focused agenda on health matters. It was Warbis agreed that this would be arranged for a future meeting.
3.0 Area Lead Member Report
3.1 Heather Pinches attended to provide an update on progress in the development and implementation of the Area Lead Member role.
3.2 A report is being taken to the Executive Board meeting on 9 th May which is asking for Area Committees to appoint to the roles in the new municipal year. Concerns over capacity of Area Committees and the number of roles has been taken into account, and details of the number and scope of the new roles will be considered at the Annual General Council Meeting as necessary amendments to the constitution are made.
3.3 It was felt that a background supporting brief for the role would be more Page 1 of 9 Page 129 appropriate than a prescriptive description, to enable some consistency across Area Committees but to also allow appropriate local variations. A draft supporting brief indicating the potential content was circulated.
3.4 Heather Pinches informed the meeting that a report is being taken to Member Management Committee on 4 th June to give Area Committees the role of appointing elected members to school clusters.
3.5 Concerns were raised over the increased work for Area Committees and resulting pressures on agendas at meetings. It was explained that in areas where the current champion role is working effectively there wouldn’t be an increase in workload. The intention is to build in close links with appropriate executive members and also establish effective support from and links to relevant services. The new roles will be closely monitored and adjustments will be possible as the roles develop.
4.0 Neighbourhood Planning
4.1 Ian Mackay attended to give an update on Neighbourhood Planning.
4.2 There has been progress since his last attendance at the Area Chairs Forum. There have been 14 designations in parished areas with 4 more on the verge of being designated. 18 expressions of interest have been received including 14 from non-parished areas.
4.3 Meetings with Area Chairs to discuss the role of Area Committees in Neighbourhood Planning went well. Although there is no formal role in the process Area Committees have a critical role in influencing and promoting neighbourhood plans.
4.4 There are now better relationships between communities and planning officers in many areas. Links need to be established with Neighbourhood Planning activity and other Area committee work.
4.5 Ian Mackay went through a table identifying the role of Area Committees at various stages in the neighbourhood planning process. This had been drawn up following discussions with elected members. The key roles are seen as being promoting plans and encouraging communities, consultation on plans drawn up, delivery/monitoring of non-planning elements of neighbourhood plans.
4.6 Area Chairs mentioned good work that was being carried out in Inner West and Outer South in encouraging and informing communities about neighbourhood plans and Ian was thanked for his efforts in these areas.
4.7 It was mentioned that there were some practical issues around the capacity of staff in Area teams and planning to manage the amount f interest that had been generated. There were also issues about the level of support that LCC can give to communities while plans are being developed.
5.0 Youth Services Review
5.1 Cllr Judith Blake and Ken Morton attended to provide an update on the review of youth services.
5.2 It is important to link up LCC youth activity funding with other streams. There has been a recent government announcement about additional sports resource going into primary schools. Ken Morton has also been talking to schools about the post 16 agenda and issues around efficiencies regarding small 6ht form provision.
5.3 A briefing note provided an initial estimate of youth Activity budget to be allocated to each Area Committee in 2013/14 and the increased allocation in 2014/15. Budgets should be transferred over to Area Committees during this Page 2 of 9 Page 130 month.
5.4 Vicky Marsden will be co-ordinating the transition of responsibility. Sessions are being organised with members to map existing provision. Area Support Teams will be provided with named links within Children’s Services and City Development to provide support with youth work, sport, arts, music experience and connections.
5.5 Cllr Gruen requested a timeline to be drawn up and brought back to this Ken Morton meeting outlining the stages when provision will be transferred over to Area Committees.
5.6 Some concerns were raised by Area Chairs over the level of funding being transferred for breeze activities in 2013/14. It was questioned what was the total amount in pounds, including staffing costs, that was being delegated. It was raised that members would be more interested in the £2.53m targeted youth budget rather than small activity budgets. It was also raised that that there was a risk of more work being put onto the Area Support Teams. Issues were also raised regarding asset transfers, particularly regarding the South Leeds Hub.
5.7 It was pointed out that this delegation was a positive step forward and included new money for Area Committees to spend to add value to their local areas. More would be delegated next year.
5.8 Cllr Blake pointed out that there was a real attempt to bring more influence to the Area committees here. There will be support from within the service, particularly around commissioning. It was vital that young people could contribute and also feedback on performance.
5.9 Ken Morton added that a team will be pulled together to support the Area Teams, and this will include a role in quality assurance over the commissioned provision. This team will evolve over time.
5.10 Cllr Gruen asked for a paper to be brought back to Area Chairs detailing how Ken Morton commissioning could be carried out more locally, to meet both local needs and central requirements.
5.11 It was also requested that capacity issues needed to be discussed openly Ken Morton between Ken Morton and Area Leaders on how the teams in Children’s Services / Area can link to the Area Teams. Cllr Akhtar offered to be involved in discussions on Leaders capacity and engagement particularly in relation to reaching into Muslim communities.
5.12 Cllr Blake informed the meeting that early intervention grant funding had been removed by government which has affected the capacity for youth work. Much of the resource is tied up with staffing and external providers which needs to be rationalised before handing over to Area Committees. A paper on the targeted youth formula should be going to Executive Board in June. A restructuring of Youth Services is underway, and although the proposals are not firm yet, they are radical. There will be a review of management posts, an intention to increase the number of Youth Support Workers, and a review of 9-5 roles.
5.13 Regarding the South Leeds Hub, there have been issues with the facility not meeting the needs of the whole of South Leeds and there are now options to bring in a partner to improve the facility. Discussions will take place between Cllr Blake and local Members as options are developed.
6.0 Locality Asset Planning
6.1 Paul Broughton attended to provide an update on the asset review and talked through a presentation handout.
Page 3 of 9 Page 131 6.2 The review is about rationalising the LCC asset portfolio in the face of increasing financial pressures. It will attempt to tackle the issues of a backlog in required maintenance and repairs, and the financial burden associated with this, and also will look to realise the capital value of some of our assets.
6.3 Previous attempts to rationalise assets have always had some service perspective; this is the first time that rationale has been based on the needs of localities. There are many buildings in use that could be linked better with other services and that could be used to integrate services more effectively.
6.4 The locality approach to to looking at assets will look at: • The citizens and households in an area • The condition of properties • What services local people need • Where do current visitors come from • Changes in customer demands
6.5 Work is being undertaken with Area Leaders and Area Team staff using Area Committee areas as a starting block. Pilots will be undertaken in each of the three areas to identify issues around stock profiles, customer needs and service requirements. There are some services that clearly need a locality base and others that clearly don’t.
6.6 The asset review will consist of a two stage process focusing on quick wins and medium to longer term approaches. The pilots will inform the approaches taken in other areas.
6.7 Leeds is also taking part in the “one public estate” programme, along with 11 other councils, which is a government approach to looking at assets used by communities.
6.8 It was requested that the presentation should be emailed to Area Chairs. Sarn Warbis
6.9 The question was asked as to what the policy was for the use of any capital receipts. Currently 15% of receipts will remain for use in the locality. It was suggested that there needed to be more pace to the work on asset disposal and that there should be better use of external agencies. Also that there should be better exit strategies across the council, and that asset transfers should be sped up with less time arguing about rents and rebates.
6.10 It was generally agreed that services should be focusse don activities and not buildings. There needs to be better use of assets and this will need a move away from parochial attachments to buildings.
6.11 The next steps will be informed discussions with Members in pilot areas ad establishing approaches for each of the areas.
7.0 Wellbeing Budgets
7.1 A positive story has resulted from a lot of hard work by Area Committees and Area teams. There was a £366k carry forward at the end of 2012/13 apposed to approx. £1m the previous year. Thanks were given to all concerned.
8.0 Area Leaders Annual Roundup
8.1 A report was circulated outlining the key achievements and future challenges for each of the Area Leader’s areas. See appendix 1.
8.2 Positive comments from Area Chairs included: • good work with faith leaders forum, Jobfair and Asian Women’s groups • environmental delegation embedded and working well • anticipation for the Youth Service delegation Page 4 of 9 Page 132 • innovative and fresh approaches from Area Staff • good use of wellbeing money • neighbourhood networks are extending the reach into communities • agendas of meetings becoming more localised • the work of Youth Councils • the work of Planning Officer with parish councils • welfare reform support – partnership approach • themed approach to Area Committee meetings • partners working better together • outcomes improving
8.3 Challenges highlighted included: • tackling fear of crime in certain areas • promoting the use of sub groups • improving engagement with wider communities by Area committees and services • joined up commissioning
8.4 There was general thanks to the Area Leaders and their teams for their efforts and commitment in the current climate for local government.
8.5 It was highlighted that three years ago there had been frustrations within Area Committees and there had been a concerted effort to reinvigorate them. The work carried out on the environmental delegation, and the re-engineering of the service would be used to inform changes to other services.
8.6 It is important that Area Committees don’t allow certain parts of their areas to be neglected, and that initiatives and focus should be spread across the whole area.
8.7 It was mentioned that there should be concerted efforts to raise the profile of Area Committees and to promote the work that is carried out and supported by Area Committees. It was mentioned that at the moment the titles of area committees don’t have much meaning to residents. People could not explain what Inner South or Inner North East meant to them.
9.0 Any Other Business
9.1 It was agreed that the Housing Management review should be brought to the Sarn next meeting. Warbis
9.2 It was requested that future Area Chairs Forum meetings should be scheduled Sarn on Fridays or Mondays where possible. Warbis
10.0 Date of Next Meeting
10.1 Friday 28 th June 2013, 11:00 – 13:00, Committee Room 4 - Civic Hall
Page 5 of 9 Page 133 Appendix 1 Area Committees Achievements and Challenges of Locality Working 2012-2014
Area Chairs Forum 3 May 2013
EAST NORTH EAST
2012/13 Achievements
• Excellent start to the environmental services delegation/SLA to Area Committees. Increased satisfaction reported from Councillors, Parish Councils and the public. New Environmental Improvement Zones working well to improve targeted ‘grot spot’ areas. • Area Leadership Team priorities being successfully addressed to- Work in partnership to reduce numbers of NEETS in ENE Leeds Welfare Reform partnership project team has raised awareness, increasing digital access, targeting vulnerable families, established new projects supporting getting people back into work. Multi-agency locality action agreed to tackle the priorities identified by the ALT consideration of the JSNA data Work begun to embed restorative practices as the ‘way we do business’ across partner agencies involved in the ALT. • Neighbourhood Planning supported with the ENE Parish Councils and now starting across the inner East Area linked to the existing community leadership teams. • Total Crime across North East Police Division reduced by 10.6% (2,290 less crimes) during 2012/13 compared with the previous year, an improvement on the 7% reduction made last year. Overall year to date offences for burglary is down 28.35% on the same period last year (833 less offences). • Collaboration between the Area Support Team, the police, ENEHLtd, and two private sector businesses to support two new apprentices funded by the inner NE and inner East Area Committees. • Generally improving indices of multiple deprivations across the ENE priority neighbourhoods – supported by a ‘team neighbourhood’ approach and community leadership teams overseeing Neighbourhood Improvement Plans. • Partnership support for gang prevention work, community cohesion activities, youth activities (successful diversionary projects linked to key dates such as bonfire night) and the new ‘families first’ initiative.
2013/14 Challenges
• Implementation of the actions from the Review of Area Working. Page 6 of 9 Page 134 • Delivery of the asset rationalisation agenda whilst improving service delivery and making significant savings. • Remaining responsive to the issues arising from Welfare Reform. • Development of neighbourhood planning in the inner urban areas. • Supporting new delegations to Area Committees and the wider locality working agenda. • Improving integrated partnership work to address worklessness.
SOUTH EAST
2012/13 Achievements
• Area Committee chairs delivered a refreshed approach to Area Committee business. Cross ward and cross area committee working improved considerably with sharing of resources increasingly normalised. 90% of wellbeing fund spent, committed, or approved within the financial year • Ginnel priority lists developed and mechanical sweeping routes revised leading to improvements in the cleanliness of the environment and response rates. Crime and grime collaborative arrangements reviewed and revised by Area Champions. • Employment and Skills Board pilot delivered aligning employability and skills, NEET, welfare reform, and the enabling of local economies. ‘Windows of Opportunity’ project delivered. South East NEET Reduction Plan developed and currently being implemented. Frontline staff briefings on welfare reform for 150 staff delivered improving knowledge, awareness and the quality of customer response. • South Leeds Community Life Magazine, South Leeds Life Blog and Middleton and Belle Isle Neighbourhood Improvement Board Facebook page established for a modern ‘sociable’ approach to communication, improving resident engagement levels. • Project to reduce smoking rates initiated, action plan developed and weekly smoking cessation drop-in clinic delivered. Local Alcohol Licensing Policy for South East Leeds developed and being implemented. Obesity review completed and next steps being considered. • Neighbourhood Plans (planning) in rural and urban areas underway supporting local people to shape their area with further planning areas being considered. Neighbourhood Framework developed and delivered in consultation with local residents shaping their places alongside their local elected members. • Derelict land redeveloped through 3 rd Sector social enterprise approaches providing for greater local ownership. Derelict and nuisance properties substantially reduced improving local conditions for residents. Community centres successfully supported towards community led operations providing for greater local ownership. • Neighbourhood Improvement Plans delivered with and alongside residents improving the quality of the environment and access to local services to improve outcomes.
Page 7 of 9 Page 135 • 27 community events supported e.g. Beeston Festival, Morley Literature Festival and Older Peoples Event Week improving the civic life of areas. 2 Area Committee celebration events delivered highlighting the achievements of projects funded by Area Committee and promoting local groups & services. • Excellent programme of out of school activities for children and young people delivered and a further comprehensive programme of children and young people activities commissioned to improve NEET levels, attendance, and transition to high school.
2013/14 Challenges
• Maximising employability and skills • Shaping our local neighbourhood economies • Minimising the impact of poverty • Maximising the efficient and effective use of local council assets and their rationalisation. • Implementing new delegations & the actions of the Area Working Review. • Tackling significant local health and wellbeing issues.
WEST NORTH WEST
2012/13 Achievements:
• Environmental delegation well embedded. Environmental sub-groups working well and leading to member-led improvements and challenge. • Good progress on developing a working relationship with West CCG. Local discussions and priorities have influenced the CCG resource priorities e.g. specific programme of investment in alcohol identified and community well-being around suicide prevention and joint working with the WellBeing Centre developments. • Local partnership infrastructures in place to respond to challenges in disadvantaged communities and support integrated working at locality level. Examples include Neighbourhood Boards and new format for Community Forums increasing community involvement. • Over 50 Community Forums have taken place and new forum events have been developed. Various community events have been supported such as Christmas Lights, community fund days and community days of action. Social media has been piloted as a way of communicating with residents and it is attracting 1,080 followers. • Enabling community asset transfer to local community organisations. Strong support from Area Committees to facilitate the development of locally-led and community responsive asset transfers. • Good progress with the Big Local project – elected Community led-Board in place, community profile complete and a programme for community engagements in place.
Page 8 of 9 Page 136 • Progress with Neighbourhood Planning and engagement with Area Committees. A number of Neighbourhood Forums have been supported. Effective working relationships are in place with the Town Councils. • The Council’s Partnership around Student Changeover and Fresher’s week continues to improve. There has been excellent resident and partner engagement and last year was viewed as very successful. Despite continued environmental challenges there has been an improvement in resident satisfaction with the management of the changeover process. • Good progress through Area Committees and the Area Leadership Team to drive programmes of work focused on: Employability –locally-led programmes for some of the inner city communities and working with partners and clusters on local action to support targeted work with people who need access to training support and job guidance. Welfare Reform – good partnership with the ALMO and Health to promote better understanding of the Welfare Reform changes. Health and Well Being – Locally led programmes of work on Suicide Prevention and Alcohol misuse Communities- Locally led approach to Operation Optimal to reduce burglary.
2013/14 Challenges
• Further work to integrate environmental services locally using the opportunities of the Parks and Countryside delegation and the ALMO Review • Asset Review – managing the change and exploring the new opportunities around the reconfiguration of the asset base • Implementing the Area Review and driving the pace of and shaping new delegations • Driving a local approach to Poverty – focusing on Employability, Welfare and Debt.
Authors Rory Barke – Area Leader ENE Shaid Mahmood – Area Leader SE
Jane Maxwell – Area Leader WNW
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