public document pack - leeds

Agenda compiled by: Stuart Robinson Governance Services Unit Civic Hall LEEDS LS1 1UR Tel: 24 74360

Acting West North West Area Manager: Jason Singh Tel: 336 7858

Produced on Recycled Paper

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NORTH WEST (INNER) AREA COMMITTEE

Meeting to be held at Woodsley Road Multicultural Community Centre, 64 Woodsley Road,

Leeds LS3 1DU on Thursday, 28th October, 2010 at 7.00 pm

MEMBERSHIP

Councillors

M Hamilton - Headingley; J Matthews - Headingley; J Monaghan - Headingley;

J Akhtar - Hyde Park and Woodhouse; P Ewens - Hyde Park and Woodhouse; G Harper - Hyde Park and Woodhouse;

B Atha - Kirkstall; J Illingworth - Kirkstall; L Yeadon - Kirkstall;

S Bentley - Weetwood; J Chapman - Weetwood; B Chastney (Chair) - Weetwood;

Public Document Pack

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A BRIEF EXPLANATION OF COUNCIL FUNCTIONS AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS

There are certain functions that are defined by regulations which can only be carried out at a meeting of the Full Council or under a Scheme of Delegation approved by the Full Council. Everything else is an Executive Function and, therefore, is carried out by the Council’s Executive Board or under a Scheme of Delegation agreed by the Executive Board. The Area Committee has some functions which are delegated from full Council and some Functions which are delegated from the Executive Board. Both functions are kept separately in order to make it clear where the authority has come from so that if there are decisions that the Area Committee decides not to make they know which body the decision should be referred back to.

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A G E N D A

Item No

Ward Item Not Open

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PROCEDURAL BUSINESS

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APPEALS AGAINST REFUSAL 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.)

2

EXEMPT INFORMATION - POSSIBLE EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC 1 To highlight reports or appendices which

officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2 To consider whether or not to accept the

officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3 If so, to formally pass the following

resolution:- RESOLVED – That the press and public be

excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

No exempt items or information have

been identified on the agenda

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Ward Item Not Open

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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.)

4

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

5

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 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 OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd September 2010.

1 - 14

EXECUTIVE BUSINESS

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INNER NORTH WEST COMMITTEE WELL-BEING FUND UPDATE (10 MINS) To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing details of additional Well-being revenue funding available for the financial year 2010-2011.

15 - 18

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Ward Item Not Open

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COMMUNITY PLANNER UPDATE (10 MINS) To consider a report of the providing the meeting with details on how the Community Planner resource has been used since 2010, together with an assessment of how the key ongoing themes in the area are progressing and of the future goals of the role.

19 - 24

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KEY MESSAGES FROM AREA COMMITTEE SUB GROUPS AND FORUMS (10 MINS) To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing a summary of ward forums and sub groups that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

25 - 34

COUNCIL BUSINESS

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ANNUAL COMMUNITY SAFETY REPORT 2010 (10 MINS) To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing details of community safety activity during the last 12 months and to highlight crime statistics during the period April 2008 and March 2010.

35 - 54

12

REPORTING HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION SERVICE ACTIVITIES TO THE AREA COMMITTEES (10 MINS) To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing information for Members on the demand for services provided by the Health and Environmental Action Service (HEAS) with particular focus on the enforcement activities undertaken by the Environmental Action Team (EAT) and the Highways and Environmental Enforcement (HEE) team.

55 - 72

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Item No

Ward Item Not Open

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BRIEFING NOTE ON PROPOSED DELEGATION OF ELEMENTS OF THE STREETSCENE SERVICE (10 MINS) To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the potential to increase the delegation for a range of Streetscene services to Area Committees, which would in turn make them more accountable and responsive to the needs of localities and the aspirations of local people and local Elected Members.

73 - 78

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GROUNDS MAINTENANCE UPDATE REPORT (10 MINS) To consider a report of he Chief Environment Officer advising the Members of the progress to date with the procurement of a new grounds maintenance contract.

79 - 86

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DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING Thursday 16th December 2010 at 7.00pm at the Lewis Jones Suite, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, St Michael’s Lane, Headingley, LS6 3BR. MAP OF TODAY’S MEETING Woodsley Road Multicultural Community Centre, 64 Woodsley Road, Leeds LS3 1DU

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NORTH WEST (INNER) AREA COMMITTEE

THURSDAY, 23RD SEPTEMBER, 2010

PRESENT: Councillor B Chastney in the Chair

Councillors B Atha, S Bentley, J Chapman, P Ewens, M Hamilton, G Harper, J Illingworth, J Matthews, J Monaghan, and L Yeadon

OFFICERS: Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management

Kate Sibson, West North West Area Management Derek Pearson, Environment and NeighbourhoodsTim Taylor, Environment and Neighbourhoods

Jane Maxwell, Children’s Services Mike Brown, Children’s Services

Stuart Robinson, Chief Executive’s Department

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:John Dickinson, Weetwood Resident’s Association/Leeds

HMO Lobby Richard Norton, Headingley Development Trust

Amanda Jackson, University of LeedsPaul Gold, Leeds University Union

Jonathan Vernon, Leeds UniversityStephen Whiting, Leeds University Rebecca Doyle, Leeds University John Mc Guiness, Leeds University Bill McKinnon, Friends of Woodhouse Moor Sue Buckle, South Headingley Community

Association/Friends of Woodhouse Moor Scott Blakeway, Unipol Student Homes Jessica Kirk, Becketts Park Residents Association and HMO Lobby Lee Davidson, Turnways and Laurel Bank Residents

Association Martin Oxley, Leeds Futsal Club John Davison, Leeds Futsal Club Amit Roy, Hyde Park Unity Day Ollie, Hyde Park Unity Day Tony Crooks, Local Resident Stuart Hollingworth, Local ResidentPippa Dent, Local Resident Nicola Ford, Local Resident Alex Tyson, Local Resident Gay Bennett, Local Resident Paul Hudson, Local Resident

Draft minutes to be approved at the meetingto be held on Thursday, 28th October, 2010

Agenda Item 7

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Marian Charlton, Local ResidentDavid Salinger, Local Resident

15 Chair's Opening RemarksThe Chair welcomed everyone to the September meeting of the North West (Inner) Area Committee held at St Michael’s Church Parish Hall, St Michael’s Road, Headingley, Leeds 6.

16 Declarations of InterestThere were no personal interests were declared at the meeting.

However, Councillors B Chastney and J Matthews indicated that they wereMembers of Plans Panel (West) and would be considering matters arising from the Leeds Girls High School (Minutes 18, 19 g) and 24 refer) and Headingley Rugby Club (Minute 19 d) refers) at a later date in that capacity. They stated that they would remain in the meeting to listen to these issues, but not to take part in the debate. In order to avoid any perception of pre-determination, Councillors Chastney and Matthews agreed that they would not be bound by any discussion taken at the meeting when these issuescame before Plans Panel (West) for determination, but would consider all representations and viewpoints presented at the planning meeting before reaching a conclusion based on the merits of the case.

17 Apologies for AbsenceAn apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor J Akhtar.

18 Deputation The Committee received a deputation by Sue Buckle on behalf of the local community requesting the Area Committee to do everything in its power to ensure that the level of provision of tennis courts in Headingley and Hyde Park and Woodhouse wards were brought up to the standard of the Lawn Tennis Association.

In her presentation, she made reference to the current tennis courts/facilities available within the two wards; details of LTA funding; accessibility issues and on 170 signatures received to date towards the development of a tennis club facility within Headingley. She also made reference to the health and social benefits of playing tennis and with regards to the extra tennis courts/facilities available at Leeds Girls High School.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the deputation.

Specific reference was made to a recent report of the Chief Planning Officer submitted to Plans Panel (West) relating to Leeds Girls High School and the Area Committee noted that consideration of this report had been deferred until the next Plans Panel (West) meeting in October. General concern was raised over the content of the report which failed to address the PPG17 element and to recognise the special health and equality needs of the local ethnic minority population.


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Following a debate, Councillor J Illingworth put forward the following proposal,which was seconded by Councillor B Atha, for the Area Committee to consider:-

‘That a letter be sent from the Chair of the North West (Inner) Area Committee to the Chair of Plans Panel (West) deploring the lack of attention to equality and health issues in the Chief Planning Officer’s reports on the Leeds Girls High School planning applications, and urges the Plans Panel (West) not to determine these applications until (i) the PPG17 survey data had been published for the local area and the whole of Leeds, and (ii) the special health and equality needs of local ethnic minority populations had been addressed’

The proposal was agreed.

RESOLVED-a) That the deputation be received and noted. b) That this Committee supports the local community’s request that

the level of provision of tennis courts in Headingley and HydePark and Woodhouse wards were brought up to the standard ofthe Lawn Tennis Association.

c) That a letter be sent from the Chair of the North West (Inner) Area Committee to the Chair of Plans Panel (West) deploring the lack of attention to equality and health issues in the ChiefPlanning Officer’s reports on the Leeds Girls High School planning applications, and urges the Plans Panel (West) not to determine these applications until (i) the PPG17 survey data had been published for the local area and the whole of Leeds, and (ii) the special health and equality needs of local ethnic minority populations had been addressed.

19 Open ForumIn 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:-

a) Area Committees : Amendments to Composition – General PurposesCommitteeJohn Dickinson, Weetwood Residents Association referred a report which had been considered at the General Purposes Committee on 8th September 2010 with regards to the proposal to move the Weetwood ward to the North West (Outer) Area Committee in order to improve the alignment of wards with comparable socio-economic profiles. He raised his concerns about this proposal and thanked Elected Members for their efforts in getting it withdrawn.

A detailed debate ensued on this issue and specific concerns were raised over the lack of consultation with Weetwood Ward Members, by either the Leader of Council, Executive Board Member or relevant officer on this proposal.


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Following discussions, Councillor J Matthews put forward the following motion for the Area Committee to consider which was seconded by Councillor M Hamilton:-

‘That this Area Committee recommends to Council that it strongly opposes any changes to the North West (Inner) Area Committee’s current membership’

A vote on the motion was taken and carried.

b) New Laws on Shared Houses (HMOs)(Houses in Multiple Occupation)John Dickinson, Weetwood Residents Association/Leeds HMO Lobby referred to the above issue and reported his concerns that following the last Area Committee meeting, Grant Shapps, Housing Minister had removed two key elements on proposals to change the new laws on Shared Houses (HMOs).

Detailed discussion ensued on this issue and the Area Committee praised the work undertaken to date by Ryan Platten, Community Planner in this area.

It was agreed for the Chair of the Area Committee to write again to Grant Shapps, Housing Minister raising the Committee’s concerns over the removal of these two key elements and to invite him to visit Headingley to see the problems at first hand. In addition, the Area Committee also requested the Acting West North West Area Manager to bring a paper, if appropriate, to the next meeting in October on the implications of these changes and to seek the views of Unipol Student Homes.

c) Hyde Park Unity DayOllie, Hyde Park Unity Day referred to the above issue and wished to place on record his thanks to the Area Committee for their well-being grant. The Committee noted and welcomed that this year’s event had been a success.

Amit Roy, Hyde Park Unity Day raised his concerns over the policing arrangements on the actual day of the event and on the lack of consultation on a proposal to charge for policing next year’s event.

Following a discussion, the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to arrange a meeting between the Divisional Commander, an Elected Member from each ward of Inner North West and representatives from the Hyde Park Unity Day to discuss this issue further.

The Committee also raised their concerns about the lack of a police representative at tonight’s Area Committee meeting and the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to follow up this issue.

d) Headingley Rugby Club – Planning Application regarding the South StandA representative from the Stand Alliance Group referred to the above issue and raised her concerns regarding the limited consultation with local residentsregarding the size and scale of the proposals.


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Councillor J Monaghan, in his capacity as Chair of the Planning Sub Group, updated the meeting on progress and it was noted that a formal meeting would take place between the developer, Community Planner and interested parties in the near future to discuss residents concerns.

e) Headingley and Hyde Park Design StatementRichard Norton, Headingley Development Trust referred to the above issue and informed the meeting that the document was now widely available and would form part of the formal planning process. He conveyed his thanks to the Area Committee and interested parties for their efforts in this area.

f) Royal Park SchoolA local resident referred to the above issue and enquired if the building would be made water tight during the winter.

Jason Singh, Acting West North West Area Manager responded and outlined the current maintenance arrangements. Specific reference was also made to the legal fees and at the request of the Chair, the Acting West North West Area Manager agreed to contact John Ramsden, City Development for a position statement on this issue with a report back at the next meeting in October.

g) Leeds Girls High School – Leeds Futsal ClubMarin Oxley and John Davison, Leeds Futsal Club referred to the above issue and reported on the outcome of a recent meeting with a School Governor at Leeds Girls High School on a proposal for the building and sports facilities being used a Centre of Excellence for Leeds Futsal Club.

Arising from discussions, Members welcomed this proposal, in principle, and emphasised the importance of being involved in the future debate of the schools facilities. It was noted that the revised planning application on Leeds Girls High School would be considered in October 2010.

h) Airport Noise – Weetwood ResidentsCouncillor J Illingworth referred to the above issue and raised his concerns over the continuing problems in relation to airport noise for Weetwood residents.

The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and agreed to raise this issue at the North West (Outer) Area Committee with a report back on progress at a future meeting.

20 Minutes of the Previous MeetingRESOLVED-

a) That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 8th July 2010 be approved as a correct record.

b) That the matters arising update from the 8th July 2010 meeting benoted.


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21 Matters Arising from the Minutesa) West Park Centre (Minute 8 b) refers) Councillor S Bentley referred to the above issue and raised her concerns that the consultation process on the future of the West Park Centre had still not commenced.

Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that following a request by the Leader of Council, the consultation process had been delayed to allow for more information to be obtained by Asset Management.

b) Licensing Act 2003 Policy and Cumulative Impact Policy (Minute 8c) refers)Councillor J Monaghan referred to the above issue and welcomed the positive steps undertaken to date in relation to Cumulative Impact policies covering Headingley/Hyde Park areas.

The Area Committee were also supportive of the proposals to date and the Chair agreed to write to the Chief Legal Officer recommending that other areas within the North West Inner ward be also covered.

c) Key Messages from Area Committee Sub Groups and Forums(Minute 11 refers)

Councillor J Matthews referred to the issue of parking in Headingley and on the possibility of the Headingley Forum establishing a sub group to develop a Parking Strategy.

Discussion ensued on this issue and Members were of the opinion that such issues should be still considered by the Committee’s Transport Sub Group.

In the interim period, the Acting West North West Area Manager agreedto follow up the Parking Strategy issue with a report back on progress at the next meeting in October 2010.

d) Local Authority Appointments to Outside Bodies (Minute 12 refers)Councillor L Yeadon informed the meeting that she had recently replaced Councillor J Chapman on the Area Health and Social Care Partnership and as a result there was now a vacancy on the Area Employment, Enterprise and Training Partnership.

The Chair responded and invited Members to fill this vacancy through the Acting West North West Area Manager.

22 Wellbeing Fund Update ReportReferring to Minute 9 of the meeting held on 8th July 2010, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report updating the Area Committee on the current Well-being Fund budget position.


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The purpose of the report was to update the Area Committee on the current Well-being Fund budget position taking account of recent developments in relation to both the capital and revenue budgets. It included proposals to decommission funding for projects that were not likely to achieve spend by the year end and recommended that Members consider an urgent proposal for funding to support community activities in Little London.

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

In presenting her report, specific reference was made to an additional requestfor £499.85 to be allocated from the Small Grants budget to Leeds University Union to deliver a waste and recycling education scheme.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report.

RESOLVED-a) That the contents of the report be noted. b) That approval be given to an allocation of £2,805 from the central

capital Wellbeing budget to the Headingley capital budget to cover the cost of funding shortfalls as outlined in Section 2.1 of the report.

c) That this Committee notes the projected year-end revenue overspend of £11,139 as outlined in Section 2.2 of the report and agrees to decommission the following projects and re-allocate the funding to the 20010/11 Area Committee budget:-

a. Small Grants budget £7,000 b. Neighbourhood Design Statement budget: £5,400

d) That approval be given to the request for £2,500 of revenue funding to be allocated to support community activities Little London as outlined in Section 2.4 of the report.

e) That approval be given to the request for a change of use for £7,500revenue granted to the Woodhouse Ridge Action Group as outlined in Section 2 of the report.

f) That approval be given to the request for £499.85 to be allocated from the Small Grants budget to Leeds University Union to deliver a wasteand recycling education scheme.

g) That this Committee notes the charges relating to Headingley Town and District Centre fees and Hyde Park CCTV monitoring as outlined in Section 2.4 of the report.

23 CCTV Report for Leeds City Council Community Safety CCTV Service in North West (Inner) Area CommitteeThe Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report on CCTV monitoring within the Inner North West area.

Derek Pearson, Deputy Operations Manager, Leeds Community Safety, Environment and Neighbourhoods presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.

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


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the concerns of private hire vehicles applying for hire outside The Box and whether CCTV could be used to tackle the problem (The Deputy Operations Manager responded and outlined the current protocol. He agreed to discuss this further with the Council’s Legal section)

to welcome the monthly CCTV reports sent to Elected Members which was viewed as a valuable source of information

the concerns raised of taxis/private hire vehicles parking on double yellow lines at the junction of Kirkstall lights

the need for portable hanging CCTV cameras to be erected to buildings at ‘hotspots’ in Leeds

clarification of how the CCTV operations were monitored by other departments i.e. fly tipping; truancy; travellers etc (The Acting West North West Area Manager responded and informedthe meeting that a review had been recently undertaken in this area between Leeds Watch/ALMOs)

the need for Members to identify ‘hot spots’ for additional CCTV cameras in their respective wards and to channel them through the appropriate agencies

RESOLVED –a) That the contents of the report and appendices be noted. b) That this Committee notes that Elected Members can influence the

installation of additional CCTV cameras in appropriate identified areas, subject to funds being available.

c) That this Area Committee endorses the recommendation that appropriate reporting mechanisms be put in place to highlight areas of concern within the community to local Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

24 Key Messages from Area Committee Sub Groups and ForumsThe Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing Members with an update and summary on progress made at the Area Committee sub groups and ward forums that that have taken place since the last Area Committee.

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


the legality concerns relating to the planning permissions surrounding the A65 bus scheme

the need for a report on the Footpath Strategy to be submitted to a future Area Committee meeting

the concerns expressed that the actual discussions made at the Planning Sub Group were not reflected within the Key Messages report and for a request for the Area Committee to receive, in future, copies ofall of the Sub Group minutes with their agenda papers


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(Chris Dickinson, West North West Area Management responded and informed the meeting that it would be impractical for the Area Committee to receive copies of the Sub Group minutes in view of the amount of paper that would be generated. Following discussions, West North West Area Management agreed to provide Members of the Committee with copies of the Sub Group minutes/or appropriate links via e mail)

RESOLVED-a) That the contents of the report be noted. b) That Members of the Area Committee be requested to meet with the

Chief Planning Officer to discuss Planning’s response to the new Government proposed changes to HMO legislation.

c) That this Committee notes that the Planning Sub-Group had a number of significant concerns regarding the planning application for the proposed development at Leeds Girls High School.

d) That this Committee notes that the proposal to move Weetwood Ward to the Outer North West Area Committee would result in a loss of community planner resource for Weetwood which ward members see as being key to co-ordinating local planning issues which were common across the four existing wards.

e) That a report on the Footpath Strategy be submitted to a future meeting of the Area Committee meeting for consideration.

f) That the Acting West North West Area Manager be requested to seek clarification on the legality issues relating to the planning permissionssurrounding the A65 bus scheme with a report back on progress at the next meeting in October 2010.

25 Children's Services Performance ReportThe Interim Director of Children’s Services submitted a report on children’s performance data issues.

Jane Maxwell, Director of Children’s Services Unit and Mike Brown, Interim Head of Service, Children’s Social Care, Children’s Services presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.


to welcome the detail contained within the report, but to request that future reports to the Area Committee should focus more on children’sissues/priorities within the North West Inner area (The Director of Children’s Services Unit responded and agreed to take these comments on board)

to note the positive progress and improvements in performance whichcontinue to be scrutinised closely and would be subject of further inspection from OFSTED

the need for safeguarding children’s welfare and the important role played by Elected Members in this regard via casework/home visits etc


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the need to recognise the important ‘link’ between Children’s Services and Adult Social Care

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report and appendices be noted and welcomed.

26 Introduction to Health and Wellbeing Improvement ManagerThe Health and Improvement Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing background information about health and wellbeing partnerships and how initial priorities had been developed.

Appended to the report was a copy of the West North West Partnership Planfor the information/comment of the meeting.

Tim Taylor, Health and Improvement Manager presented the report and responded to Members’ queries and comments.


the importance of engaging with the police and recognising theexcellent work undertaken by PCSOs in delivering the get well messages within the wards e.g. the successful pilot around alcoholtreatments within Inner North West

reference to the Peer review and of the fact that every departmentwithin the Council has a responsibility in promoting good health

the need for the Chief Planning Officer to understand the importance of health issues when addressing planning applications

the need to circulate the contact details of the Health and ImprovementManager to everyone on the North West (Inner) Area Committee mailing list(Stuart Robinson, Governance Services responded and agreed to comply with this request)

RESOLVED- That the contents of the report and appendices be noted and welcomed.

27 Community Engagement Programme UpdateThe Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report providing a summary of the progress made in delivering a programme of community engagement in the inner north west area.

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

Specific reference to Sheffield’s Area Committee’s area delivery plan where residents were writing their own targets and the need to look at introducing a similar practice in Leeds which reacted to relevant concerns.


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RESOLVED-a) That the contents of the report be noted. b) That this Committee notes the scope and content of the West North

West Area Management Team’s Community Engagement Programme. c) That this Committee welcomes the use of the Citizens Panel as part of

a wider tool for community engagement.

28 Date and Time of Next MeetingThursday 28th October 2010 at 7.00pm at Woodsley Road Multicultural Community Centre, 64 Woodsley Road, Leeds LS3 1DU

(The meeting concluded at 9.30pm)


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Matters Arising from 23rd September 2010 Meeting The following provides an update on issues from the North West (Inner) Area Committee meeting held on 23rd September that do not appear on the agenda of this meeting. Minute 19b New HMO Legislation The report to Area Committee setting out the impact of the new Houses in Multiple Occupancy legislation has been postponed until the December meeting as the government is expected to provide further information on the legislation over the coming month. A letter has been written to Grant Shapps, Housing Minister raising the Committee’s concerns over proposed changes to laws on HMOs. Minute 19f Position Statement on Royal Park Primary School John Ramsden from LCC Asset Management is planning a briefing for Hyde Park Ward Members in late October or early November after which a position statement will be available for December Area Committee.

Minute 19h Airport Noise and Consultation Concerns raised by Councillor Illingworth regarding public consultation on Leeds Bradford Airport’s Noise Action Plan were shared with the airport’s management. A response has been received outlining the scope of the consultation and the number of respondents (97). There are no plans to re-open the consultation on the Noise Action Plan which was conducted within the regulations and has now been submitted to DEFRA for approval. A 6-monthly report on developments with the airport was heard at a recent West Plans Panel Meeting.

Minute 21c Headingley Parking Strategy Proposals for a new parking strategy have been circulated to Members and will form the basis for discussions at the next Transport Sub Group in November

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Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods Inner North West Area Committee Date: 28th October 2010 Subject: Inner North West Area Committee Well-Being Fund Update

Executive Summary

This report provides details of additional Well-being revenue funding available for the financial year 2010-2011.

1.0 Purpose of This Report 1.1 This report seeks to update Members on the current amount of capital and revenue

funding committed and available via the Area Committee Well-being budget for wards in the Inner North West area.

2.0 Well-Being Revenue Budget 2010/11 2.1 Members are advised that Executive Board has agreed to change the rational for

the allocation of well-being revenue funding from 25:75 (deprivation/population) to 50:50. The current 2010/11 Well-being allocation for Inner North West Area Committee is £219,440. Under the new rationale, the allocation increases by £26,141 to £245,581.

2.2 The Well-Being budget available for projects in 2010/11 has been calculated as

follows:

Specific Implications For:

Equality and Diversity Community Cohesion Narrowing the Gap

Electoral Wards Affected:

All

Originator: Kate Sibson Tel: 336 7871

�

�

�

Delegated Executive Function available for Call In

Council Function

Delegated Executive Function not available for Call In Details set out in the report

�

Ward Members consulted (referred to in report) �

Agenda Item 8

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Updated revenue allocation 2010/11 £245,581 Revenue carry forward from 09/10 £ 26,211 Total Revenue Budget £271,792 Total Committed year to date £248,132 Total remaining for 2010/11 £ 23,660 3.0 Well-Being Capital Funding 2010/11 3.1 The balance of the Well-being capital fund is £36,442 , split as follows:

• Central pot: £9,389

• Kirkstall: £14,832

• Hyde Park & Woodhouse: £12,221

• Headingley: £0

• Weetwood: £0

4.0 Wellbeing Small Grants 4.1 The balance of the Well-being small grants fund is £7,789 4.2 Year of Volunteer

In January 2010 the Inner North West Area Committee rejected a proposal to provide £1000 of Well-being revenue to fund the delivery of the Year of Volunteer programme. Since that time each of the other three areas has confirmed their commitment and has provided £1000 each.

4.3 A shortfall of funding has put the delivery of the remainder of the programme at risk

and the area committee is now requested to consider a contribution of £500 from its Well-being Small Grants fund to pay for a celebration event planned for the 9th of November.

6.0 Implications for Council Policy and Governance 6.1 None

7.0 Legal and Resource Implications. 7.1 The financial resource implications of Well-being projects will be processed via the

Area Committee’s Well-being budget. Staff resources will be provided by Area Management and partner agencies.

8.0 Conclusions 8.1 The new method of splitting Well-being revenue funding between Area Committees

has benefited the Inner North West Well-being budget with immediate effect. 9.0 Recommendations 9.1 The Area Committee is asked to:

a) Note the new balance of the Well-being budget, capital and revenue

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b) Consider the request to provide £500 from the Well-being Small grant budget for Year of the Volunteer activities as highlighted in section 4.3.

Background Papers

• No background papers

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Report of: Inner North West Community Planning Officer Report to: North West (Inner) Area Committee Date: 28th October 2010 Subject: Community Planner Update

Executive Summary The Community Planner resource, since June 2010, has continued to be well used by ward councillors, community groups and residents of the inner north west area. Alongside responding to a large number of general planning related queries the role has looked to progress significant planning issues in the area. These include the progression of community-led local planning documents; responding to significant applications in the area with planning advice and assistance; the lobbying of national government in relation to HMO legislation and student housing; and facilitating greater co-ordination between community groups/ representatives and Council teams. These matters will be progressed over the short and medium terms whilst the Community Planner resource continues to be used to respond to new challenges in the area and changes in planning policy and legislation which affect local communities in the inner north west of Leeds.

1.0 Purpose Of This Report 1.1 This report is intended to advise Ward Councillors on how the Community Planner resource

has been used since June 2010. The report includes an assessment of how the key on-going themes in the area are progressing and of the future goals of the role.

2.0 Background Information


Ethnic minorities Women Disabled people


Headingley Hyde Park and Woodhouse Kirkstall Weetwood

Originator: Ryan Platten

Tel: 24 78027


Council Function


Agenda Item 9

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2.1 Following a short period without a Community Planner in place, the role was filled on the 7th June 2010. Since this time the role has been used to progress a number of pre-existing themes and issues as well as responding to new planning related matters in the inner north west area.

2.2 The Community Planner fulfils a number of roles and responsibilities, many of which have

been in place for considerable time. The nature of the role means that it includes both reactive (responding to planning related queries and providing planning advice) and proactive elements (having an influence in guiding planning related topics and issues in the area).

2.3 In brief, the Community Planner role incorporates a number of overall objectives which are

outlined below:

• To advise and assist Ward Councillors, community groups and individuals on planning related matters;

• To work with the Planning Sub-Group to raise awareness of area specific planning related issues and to support the planning related initiatives of the Area Committee;

• To work alongside Council officers from a wide range of service areas to co-ordinate planning responses in the inner north west area.

2.4 A large part of the day-to-day role is involved with responding to enquiries from ward

councillors, community groups and individuals and the importance of this aspect of the role should not be underestimated. However this report will outline the main planning issues in the inner north west area and how the Community Planner role has provided a planning response to these particular issues.

3.0 Main Issues 3.1 Below are details of the main ongoing planning-related themes in the inner north west area

which the Community Planner role is integral to.

Student Housing and Related Management 3.2 The large student population in the inner north west area of Leeds, an area which

accommodates the two main universities in the city, is a key issue for the area. Student housing and associated issues (such as waste management, antisocial behaviour, crime, parking etc.) have significant implications for the creation of balanced and sustainable communities in the area.

3.21 The Community Planner role has been utilised to work alongside community groups and

Council officers in order to co-ordinate a response to the aforementioned issues. Examples of working groups in which the Community Planner participates are the Private Rented Sector Strategic Working Group and the Waste Management Group, both of which address issues surrounding student housing. These groups consist of representatives from private landlord groups, the universities, UNIPOL, alongside Council Officers from the related Council teams. The Community Planner is able to represent the Inner North West Area Committee in these groups and provide feedback on relevant issues.

3.22 The post also fulfils a wider strategic role by working to progress local policy and legislative

issues which support the aims of the Inner North West Area Committee. In the past the Community Planner role has been heavily involved with the lobbying of national government alongside local MP’s, ward councillors, community groups and residents to address the problems surrounding the growth of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

3.23 Since the introduction of changes to the national HMO legislation on the 6th April 2010 the

Community Planner has continued this role by working with Council officers, community groups and residents to enforce against breaches of planning control in order to use planning ‘tools’ manage the spread of HMOs in problem areas. The Community Planner role

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has also worked with Council officers to provide clear and coherent guidance to landlords, community groups and residents.

3.24 Following the new national government’s proposed changes to the existing HMO legislation

of the 17th June 2010 (which have been widely unsupported by local community groups and residents) the Community Planner has worked to lobby national government on behalf of the Inner North West Area Committee and the Council. At the time of writing this report these changes look set to be implemented.

Conservation and Design

3.3 The inner north west area contains unique character areas which are important to provide a sense of identity to local places and people.

3.31 The Community Planner resource has been used to assist the steering groups of the

‘Headingley and Hyde Park Neighbourhood Design Statement’ and the ‘Little Woodhouse Neighbourhood Design Statement’. These documents, both of which will have Supplementary Planning Document status, allow local communities to place importance on the character and features of local areas which they wish to see protected as part of future planning decisions. These documents also act to provide a steer on the type of development local communities wish to see in particular areas. The Community Planner role is facilitative in this instance, in that it provides assistance to steering groups by offering planning advice and representing the groups at council meetings. At the time of writing this report the Headingley and Hyde Park NDS has now been formally adopted with the Little Woodhouse NDS due to begin its public consultation period.

3.32 The Community Planner role has also been used in the past to work alongside the steering

group of the Kirkstall Vision document which has now been officially launched. 3.32 The Community Planner role also involves working with community groups and

representatives to report potential breaches of planning control which can have wider implications for the character and appearance of local areas. As well as this, the Community Planner works alongside Conservation officers and Landscape officers to provide planning advice to community groups and individuals on wider conservation issues such as the protection of trees in the area.

3.33 A further role of the Community Planner is to work with Council officers to ensure that the

Regulation 7 Direction in relation to ‘To Let’ boards is being enforced in the area. This is an ongoing issue.

Joined up working

3.4 The nature of the Community Planner role means that a joined-up approach is required in order to co-ordinate Council responses to local issues specific to the inner north west area. Within the Council the Community Planner is responsible for working with colleagues from Highways, Housing, Environmental Health, Design, Conservation, Landscape, Planning Policy, Planning Enforcement, and Development Management (formerly Development Control). The Community Planner role has looked to build good working relationships with officers from these Council teams in order to ensure there is the regular communication required in order to facilitate a co-ordinated approach.

3.41 The Community Planner role also involves acting as a representative for the Inner North

West Area Committee, particularly through the Planning Sub-Group, on planning issues. This often involves working closely with community groups and representatives.

3.42 The Community Planner resource allows Ward Councillors, community groups and

individuals to be kept abreast of changes in planning policy and legislation as and when these issues arise. Of particular note in 2010 are changes to the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order and changes to national Planning Policy Statement 3 Housing including the new government stance on ‘garden grabbing’.

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Significant Planning Applications

3.5 A number of significant planning sites have been discussed within the Planning Sub-Group since the 7th June. These include (amongst others):

•••• Leeds Girls High School

•••• The Former Glassworks

•••• Cookridge Hospital

•••• Kirkstall Forge

•••• Woodside Quarry

•••• St. Michaels College 3.51 These applications have significant implications for the inner north west area. The

Community Planner role ensures that Ward Councillors are briefed on major schemes and given regular updates where appropriate. The Community Planner role also ensures strong local representation is well informed and is able to make constructive contributions to the planning process.

3.52 The Planning Sub-Group acts as an appropriate forum for much of these discussions and

sets a planning agenda which is both responsive and proactive in relation to local issues.

4.0 Implications For Council Policy And Governance 4.1 The Community Planner works to advise Ward Councillors, community groups and

community representatives on Council policy and assist the Inner North West Area Committee in making representations in relation to proposed changes in Council and national government policy where relevant.

5.0 Legal And Resource Implications 5.1 The Community Planner is funded from the Wellbeing Fund and works alongside existing

Council resources.

6.0 Conclusions 6.1 The Community Planner resource is continuing to be a well-used resource with positive

feedback gained from Ward Councillors, community groups, and local residents. In the 4 months following the 7th June 2010 the Community Planner received around 200 individual queries from Ward Councillors, community groups, residents and Council officers.

6.2 The Community Planner role has several aims moving forward in the short and medium term. The continuation of existing work in relation to local ‘community-led’ planning documents, significant applications in the district, and wider issues such as student housing and conservation will be a key part of the Community Planner role in the coming months.

6.3 Of particular note are several upcoming projects and themes which the Community Planner

role will be central to. These include the proposed changes to national HMO legislation, the rolling out of the national governments localism agenda where this has implications for planning policy, and the progression of significant planning applications and planning appeals.

6.4 In conclusion the Community Planning role will continue to meet the main overall objectives

outlined in paragraph 2.3 above, alongside other related tasks and roles.

7.0 Recommendations 7.1 Members are asked to note the contents of the report and comment as they feel

appropriate. It is recommended that the Community Planner resource be continued to be

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used to meet the objectives outlined in paragraph 2.3 above, whilst also looking to respond to the new challenges discussed in paragraphs 6.2 and 6.3 above.

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1

Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods Inner North West Area Committee Date:28th October 2010 Subject: Key Messages from Area Committee Sub Groups and Forums

1.0 Background

1.1 Since the last Area Committee, the Planning and Environmental sub groups have met.

1.2 Since the last Area Committee the Little London, Headingley and Hyde Park & Woodhouse forum have been held.

2.0 Planning Sub Group


ALL

Ward Members consulted (Referred to in report)



Originator: Zoe Tyler

Tel: 3367876


Council Function


üüüü

Executive Summary This report provides Members with a summary of ward forums and sub groups that have taken place since the last Area Committee. It also provides information on future meeting dates for the Committee’s forums and sub groups.

üüüü

Agenda Item 10

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2

2.1 The Planning Sub Group, chaired by Cllr Bentley, has met once since the last Area Committee - 13th October 2010. Updates on a variety of planning applications and developments were provided at the meetings including:

• HMO Legislation The governments proposals to amend the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 came into effect on the 1st October. These changes mean that a change of use from a C3 dwelling house to a C4 HMO does not require planning permission. However, Milton Keynes Council, supported by other Councils, applied for an Interim Injunction in late September (to prevent the new legislation coming into effect on the 1st October 2010). The Judge presiding over this case found there was sufficient merit in Milton Keynes Council's claim but has stated that he was not prepared to suspend or quash the legislation without giving the government the opportunity to respond in full.

• Salvos Restaurant Application has been deferred until next plans panel

• The Lounge Cinema The drop in session in September was well attend. The application was approved at plans panel on 7th October.

2.2 The key massage from the October meeting is as follows:

Planning Group requests that Area Committee support the proposal that the option of an Article 4 Direction (to restrict permitted development rights which allow a change from a C3 dwelling house to C4 HMO without planning permission) for inner north west Leeds be pursued through discussions with council officers if the current legal challenge by Milton Keynes Council against the Department for Communities and Local Government fails.

3.0 Environment Sub Group

3.1 The Environment Sub Group met on 23rd September and received updates from Parks & Countryside, Streetscene and the Environmental Action Team. Current initiatives include the progress made on the Dobby Row BMX trail, the new playground opening at Craggside Recreation Ground, a proposal to develop an orchard in Headingley and confirmation of an enforcement project to tackle bins on streets, starting with the Haddons area of Kirkstall Ward.

3.2 Frieda Haley, the new Streetscene officer for the area reported on the possibility of securing new litter bins. Members are requested to put forward suggested locations for new bins.

3.3 Kate Sibson from the Area Management Team and Isobel Swift from Leeds University Union presented the student changeover evaluation report, attached at Appendix 1. A number of recommendations have been made to improve the changeover action plan next year, including targeting bag slashing patrols at early mornings, improving communications and engaging better with landlords.

3.4 The sub group meeting was held during Freshers Week, and Members asked that more attention be given to managing its environmental impact next year.

4.0 Little London forum

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4.1 The Little London forum held their first meeting on 22nd September 2010, which was chaired by Cllr Harper. The meeting received updates on the following:

• Leeds Arena - Chris Coulson (Asset Management) updated the group on the construction timetable, discussed the employment opportunities the Arena will bring to the area and also answered concerns residents had regarding Little London being used as an over flow car park to the Arena.

• PFI Updates - Val Smith (City Projects) updated the forum on the current position with the PFI bidding process. Both bidders have submitted their final tenders, and a preferred bidder is expected to be announced around December.

• Neighbourhood Improvement Plan - Zoe Tyler (Area Management) discussed the priorities that had been outlined by Partners at the Little London Conference and ask for residents comments and their involvement to take the action plan forward.

5.0 Headingley Forum 5.1 The forum was held as a CIP (Cumulative Impact Policy) consultation on the 20th

September. The Entertainment licensing team consulted on their policy on licensing bars, pubs, clubs, nightclubs and takeaways for the sale of alcohol, regulated entertainment and late night refreshment. Officers from Streetscene and the Police were also in attendance. The CIP consultation has run from 12th July until the 1st October. The results will be reported back at a future meeting.

6.0 Hyde Park & Woodhouse forum 6.1 The Hyde Park and Woodhouse Forum was held on 28th September at Woodsley

Road Community Centre. The main agenda item was bus services, and Neil Holt from Metro attended. The main issue is the lack of bus services along Belle Vue Road. Metro do not regulate bus services and have no influence over bus routes. A meeting is planned with First, Metro, Ward Members and members of the forum to see if existing services can be diverted to better serve the area.

6.2 Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team attended to update the forum on crime

and anti-social behaviour in the ward. The high number of robberies is a cause for concern, and joint initiatives between the police and universities are underway to better educate students about personal safety, particularly after dark.

6.3 Members of the forum asked the Chair to write to all members of the Plans Panel West

to read PPG17 and UDP N3 prior to considering the application to re-develop the former Leeds Girls High School site.

6.4 Members are asked to note that the key messages that were agreed at the June

forum were not added to the September key messages report, as listed below:

• The forum welcomes the increased enforcement presence on Woodhouse Moor, and asks that the proposed barbeque trial be suspended.

• The forum supports the new resident parking zones and asks that the impact on neighboring streets be assessed promptly.

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• The forum asks that a Hyde Park & Woodhouse Member be nominated to sit on the City Centre Plans panel.

• The forum asks the Council to give more time and financial assistance to RPCC to develop their bid to take over Royal Park School.

7.0 Recommendations 7.1 The Area Committee is asked to note the contents of this report. Background documents: Appendix 1 – Student Changeover Evaluation Report

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Report to: Inner North West Environment Sub Group Date: 23rd September

Subject: Student Changeover Evaluation 2010

Executive Summary: 1 This report seeks to provide feedback on student changeover period in June and

July 2010, and make recommendations for improvements to next year’s changeover action plan.

Background: 2 Student Changeover refers to the period between late May and middle of July when

student tenancies end. A huge amount of waste is generated as students empty their properties, concentrated around 30th June.

3 Each year, the changeover steering group develops an action plan to manage and

co-ordinate services over the changeover period. This year’s action plan was agreed in April 2010.

Resources: 4 Streetscene

One additional refuse collection vehicle Monday to Friday for three weeks funded by Area Committee at £9,800.

Two Sunday collections funded through core budget, est £3,700 Landfill costs for 670 tonnes collected Recycling costs for 13 tonnes (including rejections) Extra street cleansing and bulky waste collections using resources diverted from other areas.

5 Environmental Action Team

Two officers in the area Monday to Friday for how many weeks? Overtime patrols 30th June to 2nd July 5am–8am & 7pm – 10.30pm, funded by Area Committee £1,900.

5 Police

Twelve PCSOs patrolling in the area spread between 8am and midnight each day.

Originator: Kate Sibson Tel: 3367871

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Four PCSOs were deployed in partnership with the Environmental Action Team for evening bag slashing patrols.

6 Leeds University Union Three complementary strands co-ordinated by Leeds University Union

- Communications strategy - Neighbourhoods project - Ten changeover wardens patrolled the area with advice and information - Green Streets project collected and distributed 20.8 tonnes of reusable items through free shops and charities £15,922.29 funded by Area Committee £2,198 generated income £11,343 (estimated) in-kind resources from Leeds University Union 1261 volunteer hours (worth £8196 at job link temp rates)

7 Recycling

Bottle banks installed in three additional locations were in Headingley; Batcliffe Mount, Headingley Mount and Canterbury Drive. Two additional bottle banks installed on Hyde Park Road. These five new bottle banks are now permanent glass recycling sites. The cost of these additional sites was funded through the existing recycling bring site budget.

8 Environmental Services Communication Team Wraparound for student newspaper, £2,000.

9 Residents

Seven residents provided photos Nine questionnaires completed

10 Total contributions:

Area Committee: £27,622 Environmental Services: £50,580 Leeds University Union: £19,539 (in kind) £2,198 income

Planning: 11 Action Plan agreed in April with one further steering group meeting held in May.

Funding for Streetscene, Green Streets and EAT was agreed by the Area Committee in February. A separate meeting was held to plan the bag slashing patrols, although it was not reported through the steering group that the police were not able to support an early morning operation.

Communication: 12 Leave Leeds Tidy leafleted 10000 homes in the changeover area during May and

set up a Leave Leeds Tidy website with information for students, residents and landlords. Leeds University, Leeds Met University and Leeds Trinity issued high level messages on their main portal. Emails, social networking and articles in community newsletters were also used to give information, recruit volunteers and encourage donations to Green Streets.

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13 A letter was sent to all accredited landlords in May reminding them of their responsibilities and the Household Waste Sorting Site amnesty for accreditation scheme members.

Service Delivery: 14 Streetscene used their own staff rather than agency workers for the additional

vehicle, and their local knowledge and expertise improved the speed of collections. Main roads were kept relatively clear over the changeover period, with accumulations in back streets cleared by early in the following week. The teams did not have any issues relating to highways works or the street lighting replacement programme, but did report delays due to skips, especially the week after changeover.

15 There were very high levels of contamination of green bins, although all were sent

for sorting. Following changeover, a lot of black and green bins were filled with garden waste from landlords tidying their properties.

16 The Leave Leeds Tidy changeover wardens distributed publicity in advance and

dealt with 664 enquiries from residents and students. They were a visible presence on the streets giving information and advice to residents and students and making a practical contribution through litter picking and bagging. They told people about Green Streets scheme and provided information on other services.

17 The Green Streets project collected 20.8 tonnes of re–usable items from

student halls and residential properties. These were re-distributed to students and local residents through 8 free shops held in 7 community venues and the Leeds University Union. Donations of bedding, kitchenware and clothing were also given to 18 local charities.

18 The Environmental Action Team worked before and during changeover, dealing

with waste in gardens, bins on streets, littering and noise nuisance. Dedicated bag slashing patrols were carried out early morning and late evening over four days. 35 people were spoken to for interfering with waste left for collection, and of those, the majority were believed to be opportunists rather than criminals. PCSOs provided twenty additional statements in relation to bag slashing that have been passed to the Environmental Action Team. The early morning patrols were more successful in terms of stopping people going through rubbish, but the Neighbourhood Policing Team were unable to provide PCSO support due to the requirement for overtime to be paid.

19 There were 164 noise complaints in the inner North West area during June, an

increase of 54 on the previous month. Noise complaints during changeover week itself were lower than the monthly average. The good weather in early June many have contributed to the higher number of complaints.

Evaluation: 20 Questionnaires were sent to all residents’ associations, members of the Hyde Park

and Woodhouse forum and the ‘Headingley Activists’ mailing list. Nine responses were received.

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21 Overall, the responses were positive about how changeover had been managed

this year. Seven of the nine felt that the appearance of their neighbourhood during changeover was better than last year. Five felt that rubbish left on the streets was collected more quickly, with three saying it was about the same.

22 Half of respondents had heard of the Green Streets project, with two thirds reporting

seeing red bags used in their neighbourhood. Awareness of the Leave Leeds Tidy communications strand was better, with two thirds saying they knew what this was. It should be noted however, that all respondents were permanent residents rather than students.

23 Almost half of respondents highlighted landlord waste as an issue, although service

providers felt that it was less of a problem this year. Communication with landlords and students throughout the year was requested by three respondents.

24 An independent evaluation of the Leave Leeds Tidy project was commissioned by

Leeds University Union. A survey was carried out as part of the evaluation, using street interviews and an online questionnaire to get the views of students, residents, landlords and workers. This showed that two thirds of the respondents thought that the appearance of the streets had improved from last year and only 9% thought that it was worse. The survey also showed that student awareness of Leave Leeds Tidy activities is high. The leaflet had been seen by 77% of the students who participated in the survey and 96% said that they were aware of the campaign.

25 Noise from parties was highlighted as an issue by resident members of the

changeover steering group. There were no additional noise patrols in the changeover plan, as they had little impact last year. The Environmental Action Team was asked to prioritise bag slashing patrols, which has less of an impact on normal service delivery than taking officers out of the rota onto night time and weekend working. As noise complaints during this time are unlikely to lead to formal enforcement, the police will be asked to respond to noise nuisance calls instead of referring them to the Council service.

26 Streetscene operatives reported that the Green Streets red bags attracted bag

slashers, creating mess to clean up and sending the contents to landfill. Streetscene operatives did not have the contact details of Environmental Action Team officers and have asked that an EAT officer travel on the vehicle next year as they witnessed high levels of bag slashing and fly tipping.

27 Police officers would be required on any future early morning bag slashing patrols,

and additional funding from the Area Committee would be required.

Recommendations: 28 The steering group recommends that the 2010 action plan be followed next year

with the following amendments and additions:

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Planning: 1. Apply for Area Committee funding in December 2. Ensure all key personnel attend planning meetings or send a substitute 3. Develop a coordinated communications strategy for changeover which

clearly identifies the different messages, audiences, and methods, and sets a timetable for year round promotion. Ensure that all the universities are fully involved in delivering this strategy

4. Engage with landlords through existing forums to better understand how they communicate with tenants and seek their recommendations for service improvements

5. Streetscene to review the impact collection day had on the speed refuse was cleared

Delivery: 6. Concentrate on early morning bag slashing operations, and apply for funding

for police overtime. 7. More frequent emptying of bottle banks and more involvement of officers in

the planning process. 8. Agree protocols and identify opportunities for joint working and

communication between front line staff 9. Organise Green Streets free shops in accessible community venues as

well as university campuses. Hold the shops over several days and make sure that there is intensive publicity immediately before and during free shops event

10. Make it easier for people to donate goods to Green Streets by making red bags available to collect in community venues, local shops, the University Unions and faculties

11. Investigate ways of working in partnership with charities 12. Agree with police and out of hours noise service a way of informally dealing

with noise complaints during changeover 13. Schedule skip enforcement for the week after changeover 14. Trial a day of yard sales in a particular location and provide publicity

materials Communication: 15. Create a dedicated message for Leeds Met students who leave early 16. Support residents who want to create their own street specific publicity 17. Write to skip companies before changeover 18. Publicise changeover through social networking sites like the LS6 Facebook

page 19. Send out a dedicated noise nuisance message

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Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods North West (Inner) Area Committee Date: 28th October 2010 Subject: Annual Community Safety Report 2010

Executive Summary This report provides details of community safety activity during the last 12 months and looks at crime statistics during the period April 2005 and March 2010.

1.0 Purpose of this Report .1 This report is the annual community safety update report, providing details about

Community Safety activity during the last 12 months and looking at crime trends between April 2005 and March 2010.

2.0 Background Information 2.1 It should be noted that a number of factors have a bearing on crime; these can be placed in 3 broad categories.

• A suitable target or opportunity with high value items which can be removed relatively easily, vulnerable premises or people, unlocked doors or windows, etc

• A motivated offender, someone whose values or beliefs make stealing / violence acceptable, drug dependency, someone motivated by greed, etc

• A low likelihood of getting caught with no police or security patrols, a neighbourhood with a culture of low reporting of crime, no natural street surveillance, properties obscured by overgrown bushes, etc




All

Originator: Zahid Butt Tel: 3367869


Council Function


ü

Ward Members consulted (referred to in report)

Agenda Item 11

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2

2.2 Traditional problem solving techniques aim to reduce crime by impacting on these 3 categories;

• working to educate the victim (leaflets, crime reduction advice, etc)

• tackle the offender (known as offender management - Cautions, Criminal Sanctions, tenancy enforcement, disruption visits, etc)

• undertake environmental works (cut back hedges, fit additional locks, alleygates, etc)

2.3 However, it should be acknowledged that other factors also have a bearing on crime:

• Season

• Weather

• Release of offenders

• Location

• Population 2.4 It is also important to note that one offender can commit many offences in a short

period of time and this can lead to significant increases in the figures. For example, where cars are damaged along a whole street there maybe 6 cars damaged and this would lead to 6 reports of criminal damage.

3.0 Summary of Key Actions

Community Safety work across the Division, to tackle Crime and anti social behaviour, is managed through the Divisional Community Safety Partnership chaired by the Police and Area Management and includes partners from West North West Homes, Safer Leeds, Fire Service, Extended Service, Youth Service, the University and lead Community Safety Members from each of the four Area Committees in West North West Leeds. The group meets four times a year and sets the strategic direction for the Division examining performance and agreeing priorities. The following key actions have been delivered through the Divisional Community Safety Partnership during the last 12 months to tackle crime and anti social behaviour.

3.1 Multi Agency Tasking

This group meets monthly and it’s membership includes; Area Management (Co-chair), Police (Co-chair), Safer Leeds, West North West Homes, Fire Service, Youth service, Attendance Management, Environmental Action Team, both Universities and the ASB Unit. The group aims to direct agency resources to tackle the priorities set by the Divisional Partnership and from local agency intelligence. Examples of the work undertaken by the Multi Agency Tasking group during the period September 2009 – August 2010 includes:

• Six Trojan bus operations on the Headingley route which sees Officers from the Police, Council and First Bus in civilian clothes on the bus to tackle criminal damage or anti social behaviour.

• Planning and delivering Operation Champions and action days to tackle specific problems.

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• Tackling anti social behaviour problems at Haddon Public House with late parties, nuisance fires in the Autumns in Hyde Park, rowdy behaviour on Queens Road, Ivesons / Tinshills, Speeding taxis on Beckett Campus to name a few.

• Early demolition of Carlton Towers agreed by West North West Homes following increase in anti social behaviour and criminal damage

• training of Council staff on spotting cannabis farms

• planning and contributing to 12 months of community engagements events held in across Inner North West. Partners used these events to engage with residents about crime, grime and anti social behaviour priorities and work being undertaken in communities.

3.2 Operation Champion

This is a multi agency operation aimed at tackling crime, anti social behaviour and environmental issues within an agreed area. A number of agencies come together to focus their activity in a geographical area, joining together to have a greater impact. During the last 12 months, 4 Operation Champions have been held in the Inner area focusing on Hyde Park, Burley, Hawksworth Wood and Woodhouse. The combined results for the year include:

• Over 500 ASB leaflets distributed

• Over 64 vehicles stopped 26 fixed penalty notices issued and 6 vehicles seized, 2 DVLA tickets issued

• 63 ASB complainant visits

• Over 500 tenancy visits by West North West Homes

• Over 500 leaflets promoting home fire safety checks from Fire Service and over 100 smoke detectors installed

• 5 locations cleared of rubbish

• 12 locations cleared of graffiti

• 7 arrests A further 4 Operation Champions are scheduled during the next 12 months. These operations will be supplemented by action days as required. During this period action days were held in Hyde Park & Woodhouse, Tinshill, Holborns and Little London. Action days are usually focused to tackle specific problems such as youth nuisance, litter, graffiti or criminal damage.

3.3 Environmental Visual Audits During the last 12 months three environmental audits were held in the Harolds and Thornvilles in Hyde Park along with two community engagement events. Two additional Environmental Visual Audits were held in Burley and Headingley. This initiative included partner agencies taking to the streets to identify things which will impact on crime, this can include reporting broken street lights, getting rubbish and masonry removed from the streets, speaking to residents about items in gardens which maybe used to commit crime (masonry, ladders, unsecured bins, etc) and checking the security of homes and vehicles through observation of open windows / doors or trying doors. Where a house or vehicle is found to be insecure then Officers will speak to the occupants / owners and provide advice on ways to reduce crime.

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Each Operation Champion and action day is preceded by an environmental visual audit.

3.4 Woodhouse Burglary Reduction

This is a multi agency operation focusing on Woodhouse, The aim is to reduce crime and asb in the area, paying particular attention to reducing burglary. The work of this initiative will be driven by a 12 month multi agency action plan, to be delivered through a neighbourhood community safety plan. The initiative was kick started with a week of intense agency action during the week of 22nd February 2010. Further work has included: target hardening of properties in the area, working with landlords to identify and correct vulnerabilities in properties, improvement to Woodhouse Ridge, property marking of high value easily removable items (laptops, mobile phones, ipods, etc) home visits undertaken by Police Crime Reduction Officers from across the force and working with residents to establish a residents group and neighbourhood watches.

3.5 Cumberland Road ASB

Residents living on and near Cumberland Road have been working with Councillors and agencies to reduce asb in the area, particularly noise nuisance from parties and revellers coming into or leaving the area. Intense work has been undertaken by the University to address any problems relating to students including extra patrols in student residences, improvements to the security system in halls of residences, encouraging residents to use the Neighbourhood Helpline and referring students for disciplinary action, where appropriate. This has resulted in a reduction in levels of asb in the area since December 2009. However, there is a concern that this problem will return to the previous levels. Residents agreed to work with Officers and Councillors to develop proposals for a “quiet zone” to be created in Cumberland Road and surrounding streets. The scheme would be voluntary but signage would help people coming into the area to be aware that they should keep noise down whilst coming into or leaving the area. The signage for the area went up on 18th September 2010. The impact of this project will be monitored over the next 12 months.

3.6 Operation Walksafe

This is a joint operation between the Police and University security staff and sees joint patrols targeted to the robbery hotspot areas. There are plans to increase the frequency of Operation Walksafe patrols, which will include more joint patrols with the Universities to help reduce robberies and engage with members of the public in providing personal safety advice.

3.7 Off Road Motor Cycles The deployment and cost of these vehicles is shared equally amongst the four West North West Area Committees (£4,500 per Area Committee over 3 years). The off-road motor cycles are deployed across the division to green spaces or to target specific problems with off-road motorbikes. The vehicles are effective in reducing asb and low level crime particularly on green spaces and providing reassurance to those using parks and green spaces. The vehicles have also been used during specific initiatives such as Operation Champion or more focused initiatives in conjunction with the Council’s Park Ranger Service. A single point of contact (0113 2395092) was

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created for calls about nuisance bikes and this “hotline” is publicised in community newsletters and on the NPT website. The service was established in 2006 and since this time 323 vehicles have been seized the off road team and 367 Section 59 warnings have been issued for asb caused by motorbikes. During the last 12 months, the off road team has, arrested 16 offenders, seized 66 vehicles, issued 69 Section 59 warnings and issued 72 verbal warnings. Patrol time for the bikes is distributed evenly across each ward area and this is based on calls received and any intelligence gleaned from the calls will direct where this time is spent. Specific work in Inner North West has included joint patrols with the Councils Park Ranger service to patrols Woodhouse Moor and Woodhouse Ridge, patrols of Kirkstall Abbey, Burley Park and Clayton Quarry. Officers have worked with the owners of Quarry Mount and the Quarry owners have carried out extensive work to try to prevent access by motorcycles and quad bikes.

3.8 CASAC Target Hardening

This initiative is delivered across all of Leeds and provides free security assessments for properties leading to possible recommendations for additional door locks, window locks, spy holes, chains and general crime prevention advice to householders. The Police help target this service to areas where burglary is an issue. CASAC have been successful at gaining funds from the Home Office Safer Homes Fund to direct this service into the areas of high burglary, targeting specific streets. Members of the Public can also directly refer to CASAC and pay for any work required. During the last 12 months (August 2009 – September 2010) 465 jobs were delivered in Inner North West Leeds

• 127 of these jobs were part of the burglary reduction plan for Woodhouse

• 26 sanctuary installations allowed victims of domestic violence to stay in their homes, funded through Leeds City Council’s Strategic Landlord

• The majority of the remaining 300 or so jobs were for the standard target hardening package funded by neighbourhood renewal fund, Home Office Safer Homes Fund and single sources of temporary funding such as Victim Support.

• 89 jobs were paid for by the resident 3.9 CCTV

The area committee funded the permanent citing of two CCTV cameras in Hyde Park, monitored by Leedswatch based within Safer Leeds. There are additional cameras in Hawksworth Wood, Headingley town centre and Hyde Park Corner.

3.10 Police and Community Together (PACT) The Police have set up a number of Police and Community Together meetings to work with the community to address key concerns and issues. These meetings are held on a monthly basis within local communities. There are 9 meetings held across the Inner North West Area. Further details are available at the NPT website: http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/npt/.

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3.11 Knowledge Campaign The University has successfully bid for funds from the Home Office Safer Homes Fund and the Home Office Neighbourhood Watch Fund. The funds have been used to support and enhance the Knowledge Website and the Student Neighbourhood Watch Project.

The Knowledge campaign is a valuable tool in providing advice about personal safety and arriving home safely (http://www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/knowledge/).The web based resource provides information on crime campaigns running in Inner North West, crime news feedback, real life stories, key contacts for advice and assistance and general crime prevention information. The site is run by Leeds University, with contributions from the Police and other partner agencies.

3.12 Student Neighbourhood Watch The University Union successfully recruited 12 Student Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators who in turn recruited 41 student neighbourhood watch volunteers. The volunteers have been heavily involved in the balloon initiative and have delivered 6 of these in the Inner North West Area during the last 12 months. The Balloon initiative is run through the Knowledge website and involves leaving balloons at properties, the balloon has a tag with the knowledge website on it, which then provides crime prevention advice. The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators have been involved in a student questionnaire which aims to raise issues about safety and security with the follow up peer to peer home security advice. A recent crime analysis coupled with the work undertaken by the Student Neighbourhood Watch project under the burglary reduction plan for Woodhouse, shows that crime in the Woodhouse area fell significantly after the work of the Co-ordinators. The biggest challenge to reducing burglary is the number of doors and windows left unlocked / open, which can account for upto 60% of burglary. The crime analysis has shown this decline to 19% in Woodhouse as a result the work of the Student Neighbourhood Watch.

3.13 Safe as Houses and Neighbourhood Watch

The Cardigan centre, with support from Area Management and the Police have been successful in securing funds to provide additional security to residents in the Hyde Park area funded through the Home Office Safer Homes Fund and to increase the number of Neighbourhood Watches, funded through the Home Office Neighbourhood Watch Fund.

3.14 Revizit Programmes

The Revizit programme is a 10 week initiative targeted at young people aged 12-18, involved in or at risk of being involved in crime or anti social behaviour. The program is lead by Youth Service, with input from partners such as the Police, Youth Offending Service and Extended Services. The program was delivered in Woodhouse as part of the burglary reduction initiative,

The program content can vary depending on the group. This program challenged young peoples attitudes and behaviour towards anti social behaviour with

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discussions, presentations meeting ex offenders and group work sessions focusing on image & perceptions, risks of certain behaviour, the potential consequences, positive opportunities including taking part in a local sports event focusing on fair play and participation, local police priorities and why and how to keep safe. Group work sessions are mixed with fun usually physical activities that appeal to the group. Young people have to attend sessions to take part in the latter element. Throughout this process staff deliver from a youth work perspective and challenge unacceptable behaviour and attitudes.

Crime and anti social behaviour analysis has shown a significant reduction in crime and anti social behaviour following this work. Youth Service is currently seeking funding to expand this project to include intensive 1:1 work to compliment the group activities.

3.15 Capture Initiative

This project has been funded by the Area Committee and included a capture car and house, which use high tech equipment to track and trace stolen property. The project also includes bicycles funded by Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University to address the theft of cycles of their grounds. The capture initiative has had success leading to offenders pleading quilty earlier because of the weight of evidence against them and valuable intelligence gained about where stolen goods are taken. The project has lead to the arrest of 22 individuals to date, and a recent success has been the sentencing of a burglary nominal to 876 days imprisonment.

The team continues to appraise new technology with a view to ensuring that the Division makes the best use of technology to assist in reducing crime and anti social behaviour. Other Divisions in Leeds and across the West Yorkshire Force are now looking at this work and seeking to emulate the work done.

3.16 Little London Crime and Grime Group

This group continues to coordinate community safety partnership activity in Little London and during the last 12 months has organised 2 action days aimed at addressing crime and anti social behaviour. A recent partnership event will feed into a refresh of the priorities and action plan for Little London.

3.17 Neighbourhood Community Safety Plans

Two neighbourhood community safety plans have been developed in Inner North West, focusing on the areas of Woodhouse and Hawksworth Wood. The plans help co-ordinate the work of the Council, Police and other partners to reduce and prevent crime and anti social behaviour through work with offenders, educating and advising victims and making improvements to the built environment. The plans will be monitored via the Multi Agency tasking Group. The Woodhouse plan intends to progress the work started under the woodhouse burglary reduction plan. The plans will run until August 2011.

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4.0 Overview of Crime Figures 4.1 Appendix 1 provides an overview of crime figures for all 4 wards which make up Inner

North West Leeds (Headingley, Hyde Park & Woodhouse, Kirkstall and Weetwood). The table The crimes presented in these figures cover the period April 2005 – March 2010 and relate to all crimes including; fraud & Forgery, handling stolen goods, sexual offences and other thefts. .

4.2 During this period crime in Hyde Park & Woodhouse and Kirkstall wards increased by

7% and 6%, respectively. Crime in Headingley ward decreased by a modest 1% and Weetwood ward experienced a 12% decrease. The Following paragraphs will explore these outcomes in more detail. It is important to note that these figures include all crime as mentioned above.

5.0 Overview of Crime Types 5.1 The subsequent tables will focus specifically on the following crime types: burglary,

robbery, theft of and theft from vehicles, criminal damage and violent crime. 5.2 Appendix 2 shows burglary, theft from motor vehicle and criminal damage rose during

this period (16%, 15% and 20%, respectively), however, this is following significant decreases over a longer period of time. The subsequent paragraphs will examine these trends in more detail.

5.3 Burglary and Robbery

Leeds experienced a significant increase in burglary in 2008/9. A Burglary Task Group chaired by Safer Leeds was set up to tackle the problem, and this has lead to burglary levels subsiding across Leeds due to the work of this group. Burglary is a particular issue of concern in inner North West Leeds, which saw a 16% increase in burglary during 2008/09 when compared to the previous year. Recent operations and initiatives in burglary hotspots in Hyde Park and Woodhouse have lead to a recent downward trend for burglary. Current analysis shows that burglary is reducing due to the aforementioned work to tackle burglary hotspots through Initiatives such as the capture car, Revizit, student neighbourhood watch and other new initiatives in the area such as Signpost supporting and working with families to reduce offending. During this period robbery increased slightly by 3%, which was an increase of 10 crimes.

5.4 The greatest challenge in relation to burglary is people leaving windows and doors

unlocked and in some cases open whilst they are out. Over 40% of burglaries are committed because a door or window has been left unlocked or open. In some areas this figure rises to 60%. Whilst it might be tempting to assume that this is a student phenomenon, statistics show that it is not. It might be more prevalent in the student community, but this type of method of entry for burglaries has a significant presence in all communities and all parts of Leeds. Quite simply, burglary would reduce by 40% or more across Leeds if people locked doors and windows both whilst they were in the house and when they went out. Considerable effort goes in to delivering this key message, through discussions, leaflets and PCSOs trying doors and walking into properties to advise on crime prevention. Similarly, The greatest challenge in relation to robbery is people openly carrying laptops, mobile phones or other expensive small

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gadgets in plain sight and having no regard for personal safety and their surroundings. The student neighbourhood watch initiative has shown significant success in encouraging students to be more aware of what they can do to reduce their risk of being a victims of both burglary and robbery. Analysis undertaken as part of the Woodhouse Burglary Reduction Initiative has shown that insecure burglaries reduced to 19% after the student neighbourhood watch had been running in the area for 3 months.

5.5 Theft of and Theft from Motor Vehicles

Appendix 4 shows that Theft From increased by 15% whilst Theft Of motor vehicle reduced by 23%.

5.6 Theft from motor vehicle continues to present a significant challenge in reminding

vehicle users not to leave valuables on display and to secure doors and windows when vehicles are left unattended. Various tactics are used to help get the message about not leaving valuables on display across, examples include: If a PCSO comes across a vehicles where an item is on show they will note the details and arrange for the DVLA to write to the owner and provide some basic crime prevention advice. Temporary notices are also used in the form of the A4 poster frames purchased through well being in 2005/06. The Capture Car continues to be deployed across the North West Area, targeting vehicle crime hotspots as identified through crime analysis and intelligence.

5.7 Criminal Damage and Violent Crime

During the period of this report recorded criminal damage increased by 20% (Appendix 5). Violent crime, however, decreased by 38%.

5.8 Criminal damage remains a challenging area, particularly as many crimes are

perpetrated overnight. Officers are briefed daily and deployed to hotspot areas based on intelligence. Work is underway to develop a technological camera product which can be temporally deployed to hotspot areas to assist in detecting perpetrators.

6.0 Ward Summary 6.1 Headingley

Appendix 6 shows that during this period there has been a mixture of robbery, burglary, theft from motor vehicle and criminal damage increased. Theft from motor vehicle and violent crime reduced. Over crime increased by 1% with 8 more crimes.

6.2 Hyde park & Woodhouse

During this period burglary and theft from motor vehicle increased substantially (Appendix 7). As mentioned previously in the report work undertaken through the burglary task group has seen this trend reversed. Robbery and Violent crime reduced by 22% and 33%, respectively.

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6.3 Kirkstall

In a similar trend to other wards burglary, robbery and criminal damage have all increased (Appendix 8). Theft from motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle and violent crime have reduced during this period. The newly developed neighbourhood community safety plan will help to focus multi agency work in the area to tackle the underlying issues connected with these figures.

6.4 Weetwood

Appendix 9 shows that robbery, theft from motor vehicle and criminal damage increased. However, Theft of motor and violent crime decreased. Burglary also achieved a small reduction of 11 offences (4%). Overall crime in Weetwood ward decreased by 8%.

7.0 Conclusion 7.1 Leeds has seen a sharp rise in burglary during the last 4 months of 2009 (September

– December). Whilst this has subsided due to the additional work undertaken across the city, including Hyde Park and Woodhouse, additional work is required to sustain these decreases and continue the downward trend. The neighbourhood community safety plans offer an excellent opportunity to co-ordinate multi agency activity to achieve these aims. It is also important to remember that whilst some crimes have experienced an increase during this period, crime reduced significantly during the last reporting period.

8.0 Recommendations

8.1 Members are asked to note this report and offer comments.

9.0 Background Papers 9.1 None

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Appendix 1

Ward Overview Years Variation

Ward 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Difference Reduction

Headingley Ward 2597 2499 2373 2118 2095 -23 -1% Hyde Park & Woodhouse Ward 4160 4238 3436 3048 3280 232 7%

Kirkstall Ward 3078 2895 2935 2351 2490 139 6%

Weetwood Ward 2097 2133 2235 1772 1588 -184 -12%

Total Crime 2005 - 2010

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

Headingley Ward Hyde Park & Woodhouse Ward Kirkstall Ward Weetwood Ward

Wards

Number of Crimes

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

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Appendix 2

Crime Overview Years Variation

Crime Types 2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 Difference Reduction

Burglary 1753 1732 1681 1692 2017 325 16%

Robbery 313 296 247 276 286 10 3%

Theft Fm Vehicle 1191 1259 1167 845 991 146 15%

Theft of Vehicle 521 483 390 302 245 -57 -23%

Criminal Damage 2346 2398 2116 1322 1660 338 20%

Violent Crime 1961 1739 1576 1708 1242 -466 -38%

Crime Types 2005 - 2010

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Burglary Robbery Theft Fm Vehicle Theft of Vehicle Criminal Damage Violent Crime

Crime Types

Number of Crimes

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

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13

Appendix 3

Burglary & Robbery 2005-10

150

350

550

750

950

1150

1350

1550

1750

1950

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Years

Number of Crimes

Burglary

RobberyPage 4

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14

Appendix 4

Vehicle Crime 2005-10

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Years

Number of Crimes

Theft Fm Vehicle

Theft of Vehicle

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15

Appendix 5

Criminal Damage & Violent Crime 2005-10

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

2200

2400

2005/06 2006/07 2007/08 2008/09 2009/10

Years

Number of Crimes

Criminal Damage

Violent Crime

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16

Appendix 6

Headingley Ward Years Variation


Burglary 568 524 541 522 544 22 4%

Robbery 49 55 25 43 62 19 31%

Theft Fm Vehicle 341 322 318 247 263 16 6%

Theft of Vehicle 108 93 86 69 57 -12 -21%

Criminal Damage 420 410 376 229 310 81 26%

Violent Crime 291 257 276 319 201 -118 -59%

Headingley Ward 2005-10

0

100

200

300

400

500

600


Crime Types

Number of Crimes

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

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Appendix 7

Hyde Park & Woodhouse Ward Years Variation


Burglary 620 626 445 484 697 213 31%

Robbery 185 172 142 179 147 -32 -22%

Theft Fm Vehicle 314 364 241 165 312 147 47%

Theft of Vehicle 190 168 121 86 84 -2 -2%

Criminal Damage 741 853 719 519 607 88 14%

Violent crime 788 656 570 623 470 -153 -33%

Hyde Park & Woodhouse Ward 2005-10

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

Burglary Robbery Theft Fm Vehicle Theft of Vehicle Criminal Damage Violent crime

Crime Types

Number of Crimes

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

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Appendix 8

Kirkstall Ward Years Variation


Burglary 345 279 386 377 478 101 21%

Robbery 51 30 40 29 44 15 34%

Theft Fm Vehicle 253 235 293 237 211 -26 -12%

Theft of Vehicle 155 138 103 105 76 -29 -38%

Criminal Damage 706 692 590 324 462 138 30%

Violent Crime 548 486 412 433 351 -82 -23%

Kirkstall Ward 2005-10

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800


Crime Types

Number of Crimes

2004/05

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

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19

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20

Appendix 9

Weetwood Ward Years Variation


Burglary 220 303 309 309 298 -11 -4%

Robbery 28 39 40 25 33 8 24%

Theft of Vehicle 283 338 315 196 205 9 4%

Theft Fm Vehicle 68 84 80 42 28 -14 -50%

Criminal Damage 479 443 431 250 281 31 11%

Violent Crime 334 340 318 333 220 -113 -51%

Weetwood Ward 2005-10

0

100

200

300

400

500

600


Crime Types

Number of Crimes

2005/06

2006/07

2007/08

2008/09

2009/10

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Report of the Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods Inner North West Area Committee Date: 28th October 2010 Subject: Reporting Health & Environmental Action Service activities to the area committees.

Executive Summary

Following consultation and feedback from Area Committees and sub-groups, Appendix 1 is a revised version of the Health & Environmental Action Services activity report first presented to Members in January of this year. Information is now presented at ward level, and includes some data mapping. The aim of the report is to provide members with information about the scope and activities of our service, with particular focus on enforcement action and the work of the Environmental Action Teams aligned to strategic outcomes. 1.0 Purpose Of This Report 1.1 To provide information for members on the demand for services provided by the

Health & Environmental Action Service (HEAS) with particular focus on the enforcement activities undertaken by the Environmental Action Team (EAT) and Highways & Environmental Enforcement (HEE) team. The report known as the ‘HEAS Activity Report’ (appendix 1) was first introduced to Members in January and the subsequent feedback has been integrated into a revised report which now provides data at ward level. This particular report is a half year report for 2010-2011 as it was agreed that reports would be produced on a 6 monthly basis.




Originator: Mark Dolman Tel: 2476362


Council Function


Ward Members consulted (referred to in report) All

Agenda Item 12

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2.0 Background Information 2.1 HEAS has been operational since May 2008 when it was created out of the former

Enforcement Division and Environmental Health Division. Part of its remit is to consider how best to report on its activities and maintain effective communication with Area Committees particularly in relation to locality working. Mindful of this, Graham Wilson, Head of Environmental Action & Parking produced a pilot report for North West inner Area Committee in February 2009 which was well received. It subsequently created a lot of interest and enquiries from a number of other Area Committees who felt this sort of information would be valuable to them. Consequently the attached report was developed to present information that would be interesting to members and encourage debate about the nature and demand for our services.

3.0 Main Issues 3.1 The report gives a brief description of the work undertaken by teams within HEAS and

outlines the scope and demand for our services in the West North West management area.

3.2 Information has been grouped according to the strategic outcome that a team’s activities most significantly contribute to. Data is provided in relation to service requests, fixed penalty notices, enforcement notices, premises inspections, private sector housing inspections, licenses issued, homes improved and adapted.

3.3 The report must be read with a health warning in that it relies heavily on service

request (SR) volumes to demonstrate the demand for particular services. In reality its not feasible to draw accurate conclusions about the productivity of teams based on SR’s alone because we’re not comparing like with like. The notion of SR’s is a broad one, ranging from requests for telephone advice that take little time to process to complaints that may take months to investigate and resolve. Consequently there is a wide variation between the type of job undertaken by teams and the time taken to complete each job, neither of which are reflected by counting SR’s. Nevertheless SR’s do provide a useful indication of the types of issues that are most commonly dealt with in different areas.

3.4 The report currently provides information not just on teams involved in crime and

grime issues but also on the work of some of our city wide teams such as food, health and safety, housing regulation and regeneration etc. There are a number of ongoing projects that have been instigated to review the council’s provision of services in light of the difficult economic climate that now exists. In particular, these include locality working and the regional provision of regulatory services. The findings from both will shape future provision and could result in significant changes in the orientation of services which will need to be reflected in future issues of this report.

3.5 In the meantime, information in the report as well as feedback received from Members

via Area Committees and/or sub groups will be taken into consideration and used in tasking reviews as well as to shape the drafting of next year’s service plan. Additionally the report will be used to inform locality working and facilitate communication between members, area management and relevant Health and

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Environmental Action Service functions. The latter being particularly important in the times of change that we inevitably face over the coming months.

4.0 Implications For Council Policy and Governance 4.1 None 5.0 Legal and Resource Implications 5.1 None 6.0 Conclusions 6.1 HEAS collects and has access to a wealth of data. Conscious of the need for a

relatively concise report we’ve had to be fairly selective about the information that has been included and how it is presented. The revised format has been developed as a result of feedback from members following presentation of the initial report earlier in the year.

7.0 Recommendations 7.1 Members are asked to note and consider the information provided within the attached

report (Appendix 1) in order to facilitate decisions about work priorities as part of the intensive neighbourhood management process. Of particular interest is likely to be the work of the EAT’s whose staff include the newly appointed Community Environment Officers and Community Environment Support Officers. Consequently a summary of their deployment in Inner North West is included within the activity report.

Background Papers Appendix 1 - Health and Environmental Action Service activity report West North West Management Area April 2010- September 2010

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The Health and Environmental Action Service (HEAS) is part of Environmental Services and is responsible for a diverse range of functions including enforcement of over 100 Acts of Parliament, extensive private sector housing regeneration with programmes, adaptations to private sector homes, food safety and health & safety in commercial premises, pollution control of air, land and water, Houses’ in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing, and regulation of the private rented sector to name but a few. The aim of this report is to give a flavour of the services we offer and the demand for those services as well as the outcomes we achieve which contribute to the local strategic partnerships vision for Leeds. The service is divided into 3 sections with the broad responsibilities listed below.

Pollution Control & Housing ■ Housing regeneration – group repair, empty homes and home assistance loans ■ Housing regulation – HMO and selective licensing, landlord accreditation and the condition of private rented homes ■ Pollution control – noise and air pollution, permitted commercial processes, landfill site monitoring. ■ Aids & adaptations to the homes of people with disabilities

Commercial & Business Support ■ Food Safety - food premises inspections, scores on the doors and healthy eating interventions ■ Infectious disease control ■ Health & safety in the workplace ■ Affordable warmth - home energy efficiency improvements, health through warmth and fuel poverty initiatives ■ Pest control

Parking & Environmental Action ■ Parking ■ Highways & Environmental Enforcement (HEE) – fly tipping, highways issues, waste carrying ■ Environmental Action Team’s (EAT) * 3 – littering, drainage, dog fouling, waste storage, graffiti

Scope of the report To facilitate service delivery each of the above sections are organised into teams. It is the activity of these teams which forms the basis for the presentation of information in this report. However to make the information more user friendly, headings and groupings in the report contain a blend of outputs from different teams and where possible have been aligned to strategic themes rather than the HEAS organisational structure.

Health & Environmental Action Service activity report

West North West Management Area (Inner North West ) April 2010- September 2010 APPENDIX 1

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Its also worth noting that whilst a significant proportion of service requests are in effect ‘complaints’ the definition is much wider than that and includes requests for: advice, registrations, licences, training, planning consultations, scientific surveys, sampling as well as pro-active inspections and stop and search interventions and others.

Deployment of Community Environment Support Officers (CESO’s) and Community Support Officers (CSO’s)

Of particular interest to members is likely to be the work of the CESO’s and CSO’s. One Community Environment Officer and one Community Environment Support Officer work specifically within INW within the WNW Environmental Action Team. They undertake a combination of pro-active patrols, programmed enforcement and reactive complaints. The CEO works in hotspots throughout the Hyde Park and Woodhouse ward, concentrating on the Little London area. The CESO works in Hawksworth Wood, The Haddons and the Beechwoods within the Kirkstall ward. Reactive work received by the EAT’s is allocated to all staff working in the INW area , including appropriate work to the CEO/CESO. Intelligence from members and area management influences the programmed work undertaken by the CEO/CESO , but they also have direct links with local members. The CEO/CESO’s have been involved in issues relating to :

• domestic waste

• flytipping

• overgrown vegetation

• littering enforcement,

• interfering with waste

• illegal advertising

• commercial waste. Both Officers played an active role in changeover and freshers week. They also undertake work with community groups, attend Housing Action Group meetings and MAT’s meetings

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This first table shows the requests for service made to all teams and reflects the level of demand for our services by the public, other departments and external agencies.

Table 1 Inner West Outer West Inner North West Outer North West

TEAM Armley Bram & Stan’ley

Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head- ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon

Hors-forth

Otley Yeadon

Landlord Accreditation

2 0 1 0 1 10 10 5 2 0 1 0 0

Food Safety 8 9 11 5 7 8 4 11 3 1 8 11 12 Highways and Enviromental Enforcement

20 13 44 14 3 9 23 102 12 7 35 17 32

Houses in Multiple Occupation

31 8 2 2 277 230 136 37 0 1 1 0

Health and Safety

7 7 5 2 7 5 3 7 3 5 5 7 10

Air Pollution 0 1 1 11 1 0 1 0 1 16 1 7 4 Commercial noise and Environmental Protection

44 27 42 45 38 44 51 29 33 13 33 50 57

Pest Control 32 32 41 60 37 19 19 48 38 36 29 39 32

Private Rented Sector Housing

56 8 6 8 6 41 53 27 14 0 11 1 4

Rentokil 78 47 64 73 57 27 62 62 60 51 46 71 32

WEST EAT* 705 252 122 550 177 593 584 335 272 142 129 136 146

Totals 983 404 339 770 334 1033 1040 762 475 271 299 340 329

Service requests received by the Health and Environmental Action Service (April 2010-September 2010)

*EAT = Environmental Action Team

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Table 2 Oct 2009 to March 2010 April 2010 to Sept 2010

TEAM Headingley Hyde Park

Woodhouse Kirkstall

Weetwood Headingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weetwood

Landlord Accreditation 1 5 2 10 10 5 2

Food Safety 7 14 10 6 8 4 11 3

Highways and Environmental Enforcement

17 19 89 31 9 23 102 12

Houses in Multiple Occupation

437 312 186 55 277 230 136 37

Health and Safety 4 8 2 4 5 3 7 3

Air Pollution 0 1 2 0 1 0 1

Commercial noise and Environmental Protection

23 51 19 14 44 51 29 33

Pest Control 5 17 16 7 19 19 48 38

Private Rented Sector Housing

46 66 27 20 41 53 27 14

Rentokil 43 62 73 47 27 62 62 60

WEST EAT* 621 433 372 203 593 584 335 272

Totals 1204 988 794 391 1033 1040 762 475

Service requests received by the Health and Environmental Action Service for Inner North West wards -comparison with the previous 6 months data

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Map 1

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J Job type Armley Bram & Stan’ley

Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head- ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon

Hors-forth

Otley Yeadon

Bonfires 6 9 9 9 4 5 8 3 5 3 5 2 4

Chimney smoke 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 3 0 0

Commercial waste

17 8 5 10 9 9 29 8 2 1 6 6 2

Domestic waste 153 34 8 185 17 63 54 33 15 4 7 15 6

Drainage 17 12 12 12 8 14 20 12 10 20 7 12 24

F&V 0 3 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 1 1 0 0

Flyers 0 0 0 0 0 7 3 1 0 0 0 0 0

Flyposting 0 0 1 0 2 9 41 2 0 0 0 1 1

Flytipping 106 14 11 50 11 39 36 27 8 7 7 10 8

Highways 33 14 8 20 10 18 8 16 20 11 21 12 16

Housing 6 4 1 1 3 3 7 7 6 3 5 2 1

Litter 38 16 10 12 6 7 21 15 4 1 6 11 1

Noise 191 116 44 126 75 244 246 178 119 49 57 45 67

Nuisance 26 4 7 9 6 13 14 6 8 8 2 4 4

Odour 0 1 0 3 1 0 1 3 2 0 0 0 3 Overgrown vegetation

69 14 10 15 12 15 36 16 48 35 12 11 8

Rodents 4 2 5 5 4 11 2 3 2 1 2 0 1

Vehicle 4 0 23 0 0 2 5 71 4 2 19 11 21 Waste in gardens

59 15 3 111 9 145 79 34 31 3 3 8 4

Totals 729 266 157 568 178 606 610 435 286 150 163 150 171

Service requests dealt with by the West Environmental Action and Highways & Environmental Enforcement teams (April 2010-September 2010)

The work areas in this section contribute to the strategic objective:

■ Cleaner, greener and more attractive neighbourhoods through effective environmental management and changed behaviours

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Job type Headingley Hyde Park

Woodhouse Kirkstall Weetwood Headingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weetwood

Bonfires 0 3 6 7 5 8 3 5

Chimney Smoke 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

Commercial waste 10 20 23 4 9 29 8 2

Domestic waste 114 48 29 31 63 54 33 15

Drainage 34 17 7 23 14 20 12 10

F&V 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 1

Flyers 5 3 0 1 7 3 1 0

Flyposting 12 38 3 1 9 41 2 0

Flytipping 27 14 27 7 39 36 27 8

Highways 34 32 39 35 18 8 16 20

Housing 4 6 5 3 3 7 7 6

Litter 16 10 12 2 7 21 15 4

Noise 218 215 156 92 244 246 178 119

Nuisance 4 3 2 2 13 14 6 8

Odour 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 2

Overgrown vegetation 16 10 49 10 15 36 16 48

Rodents 6 5 4 4 11 2 3 2

Vehicle offences 0 3 49 1 2 5 71 4

Waste in gardens 140 27 41 11 145 79 34 31

Totals 640 454 452 235 606 610 435 286

Service requests received by the West Environmental Action and Highways & Environmental Enforcement teams for Inner North West wards - comparison with the previous 6 months

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Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head- ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon

Hors-forth

Otley Yeadon

Dog wardens*



Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head- ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon

Hors-forth

Otley Yeadon

Abandoned vehicles removed

9 1 2 3 2 4 2 1 9 2 4 2 5

Service requests dealt with by the dog wardens (April 2010-September 2010)

Abandoned cars removed by the Highways & Environmental Enforcement team (April 2010-September 2010)

*Information not currently available

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Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head- ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon

Hors-forth

Otley Yeadon

Boarding Up’s 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 Commercial waste

10 3 17 3 5 4 10 78 1 4 18 5 19

Domestic waste 85 28 0 160 3 35 18 7 0 0 0 1 1

Drainage 4 4 2 0 1 5 0 2 0 10 0 0 17

Graffiti 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Highways 7 2 0 1 2 4 5 0 1 0 1 0 2

Intruder alarms 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0

Littering 7 3 0 0 1 10 13 8 3 0 0 0 1

Rodents 3 0 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 Statutory nuisance

12 7 0 1 3 13 11 6 4 0 1 1 2

Totals 130 47 19 167 16 71 58 102 9 15 21 7 43



Woodhouse Kirkstall

Weet wood

Headingley Hyde Park

Woodhouse Kirkstall

Weetwood

Boarding Up’s 1 0 0 0 1 3 2 0


Domestic waste 69 16 12 18 35 18 7 0

Drainage 4 10 10 5 0 2 0

Graffiti 9 1 9 15 0 0 0 0

Highways 5 4 18 6 4 5 0 1

Intruder alarms 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

Littering 15 1 4 1 10 13 8 3

Rodents 4 1 0 0 0 1 1 0

Statutory nuisance 12 6 7 7 13 11 6 4

Totals 120 46 116 59 71 58 102 9

Enforcement notices served by the West Environmental Action and Highways & Environmental Enforcement teams (April 2010-September 2010)

Enforcement notices served by the West Environmental Action and Highways & Environmental Enforcement teams for Inner North West wards - comparison with the previous 6 months

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Woodhouse Kirkstall Weetwood Headingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weetwood


Dog fouling 1 2 3 3 0 0 0 0

Domestic waste 0 2 0 0 1 1 1 0

Littering 15 8 5 0 1 15 10 4

Totals 16 13 14 4 2 16 16 4



Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head- ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon

Hors-forth

Otley Yeadon

Commercial waste

1 2 6 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 3 2 10

Dog fouling 1 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3

Domestic waste 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

Littering 17 7 8 4 4 1 15 10 4 0 4 8 1

Totals 20 9 18 5 5 2 16 16 4 0 7 10 14

Fixed penalty notices issued by the West Environmental Action and Highways & Environmental Enforcement teams (April 2010-September 2010)

Fixed penalty notices served by the West Environmental Action and Highways & Environmental Enforcement teams for Inner North West wards - comparison with the previous 6 months

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T Table 11 Inner West Outer West Inner North West Outer North West

F Function Armley Bram & Stan’ley

Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon

Horsforth Otley Yeadon

Adaptations 17 17 8 15 17 5 6 15 8 7 10 10 16



Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon


Inspections 12 14 28 12 20 16 13 8 12 7 19 24 68

Investigations 1 0 6 2 1 1 4 4 2 2 4 3 5

The work areas in this section contribute to these strategic objectives:

■ Reducing health inequalities through the promotion of healthy life choices and improved access to services ■ Improving the quality of life through maximising the potential of vulnerable people by promoting independence, dignity and respect ■ Enhancing safety and support for vulnerable people through preventative and protective action to minimise risks and maximise wellbeing

Adaptations to homes to support independent living The agency consults with disabled people to identify the housing options, including re-housing and/or adaptations, which are most appropriate for their circumstances. Many of the works provided, such as grab rails, handrails, ramps, showers and lifts make a major contribution to a reduction in falls, especially by older people. A total of 480 adaptations were completed across the City between April and September 2010.

Health & Safety

We protect people's health and safety by ensuring risks in the workplace are properly controlled. This is achieved through a program of risk based inspections, education and investigation of accidents. The aim of the latter is to call to account negligent employers and send out a clear message that they must meet their legislative obligations and make their workplaces safe.

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Food safety & disease control Our aim is to ensure that all food produced, prepared or sold in Leeds is safe to eat and will not cause ill health. This is facilitated by programmed inspections and supplemented by a portfolio of activity to encourage businesses to raise food hygiene standards “scores on the doors” has been particularly effective in this respect. The monitoring and reporting of infectious disease notifications in the city provides essential information to aid disease control, equally important is the work done in investigating particular cases of gastrointestinal illness which may indicate problems with the food or water supply to the City. Detection of other sources of gastrointestinal illness is afforded by the food and water sampling programmes. The Animal Health function concerns itself with enforcement of disease control and welfare provisions of the food animals at farms, livestock markets and during transit.



Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon


Premise inspections

51 38 37 34 45 22 24 23 16 16 29 43 57

Animal health visits

1 1 1 3 3 0 0 1 0 5 4 1 6

The scheme displays a star rating for food businesses based on a food hygiene inspection. Ratings awarded range from 5 stars for excellent to 0 stars for very poor. Businesses selling or producing low risk food are not included in the scheme. Although it is voluntary for food businesses to display the award all ratings can be viewed on the internet at: http://www.scoresonthedoors.org.uk 4,124 premises are currently rated

63

216

365

1139

1259

1082

0 500 1000 1500

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

0 star

Food premises 'scores on the doors' star rating

Premises

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Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon


Single homes inspected

3 1 2 1 2 4 5 0 2 0 1 0 1

HMO ‘s* inspected

21 2 0 0 0 303 156 44 31 0 1 1 0

Accreditation inspections

1 1 0 0 1 3 4 8 1 0 0 0 0



Calverley Farsley

Farnley Wortley

Pudsey Head ingley

Hyde Park Woodhouse

Kirkstall Weet wood

Adel/ Wharf

Guiseley Rawdon


Properties empty for more than 6 months

330 138 171 174 165 270 388 200 225 158 262 183 209

Housing regulation Includes management and promotion of the Leeds Landlords’ Accreditation Scheme, enforcement of Housing Act powers and controls over Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) which can present higher risks to the occupants for example in terms of fire safety. Major changes introduced in the Housing Act include the introduction of licensing of all HMOs, selective licensing in areas of low demand or with severe ASB issues and generally addressing poor housing conditions which are known to have an adverse impact on health. Most of our housing regulation work is to identify and remove category 1 hazards from properties and where possible encourage owners to bring their properties up to the decent homes standard. As such we are more active in areas with high numbers of pre 1919 properties and Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Empty Properties The ward figures below are to the end of July 2010 and show the number of empty properties of all types and tenures that have been empty for longer than 6 months. By way of comparison City & Hunslet has the highest concentration of empty properties with 1,320.The total for the City as a whole is 8,725. If we exclude ALMO, registered social landlord, student accommodation and second homes the figure for the City falls to 5,891 – unfortunately ward by ward figures aren’t available for this narrower definition.

* HMO’s – Houses in multiple occupation

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2

Th

is p

ag

e is

inte

ntio

nally

left b

lank

Report of: The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods Report to: Inner North West Area Committee Date: 28 October 2010 Subject: Briefing Note on Proposed Delegation of Elements of the Streetscene

Service

Executive Summary At the meeting of Area Committee Chairs on 6th August 2010 it was agreed, following discussion, that a further report be prepared looking at the potential to increase the delegation for a range of Streetscene services to Area Committees, which in turn would make them more accountable and responsive to the needs of localities and the aspirations of local people and local Elected Members. Area Committee Chairs were broadly in favour of the move to increase delegation but were keen to point out that this should be via “real” action being taken, and not merely a token delegation based on the increased ability to influence service delivery but without any real ability to change or shape it. A further briefing note was presented to Area Chairs on the 8th October, which they supported. They agreed to the content of the note and asked that further work is undertaken by Officers, to clarify and provide more detail to committees on how the delegation will work in practice. This included the provision of robust intelligence to support the allocation of resources and provide a baseline position at the local level. Area Committees are asked to note the contents of the attached briefing note. A more detailed report will be prepared for Area Committees later in the municipal year.

Electoral Wards Affected: ALL


Equality and Diversity

Community Cohesion

Narrowing the Gap

Originator: Andrew Mason Tel: 3952860

Delegated Executive Function available

for call in

Council Function

Delegated Executive Function not available for Call In Details

set out in the report

� √


Agenda Item 13

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Briefing Note Presented to Area Chairs 8th October 2010 on the Proposed Delegation of Elements of the Streetscene Service to Area Committees

1. Current Position

1.1 Streetscene Services currently form part of Environmental Services and provide a range of environmental services to the City of Leeds. Within Streetscene are the refuse and recycling collection service along with services such as street cleaning, gully cleansing, fly tip removal etc. For the purposes of this note and the proposed delegation refuse and recycling collection services are excluded from the scope, whereas street cleaning and other ancillary services are included within the scope.

1.2 It is also accepted that within Streetscene services (excluding refuse and recycling

collection) a number of activities do not lend themselves sensibly to discussions on greater delegation, and included within this would be those services provided to the city centre and also those provided on a city-wide basis such as the primary network team and gully cleansing activities etc. Even excluding the aforementioned activities, the scale of resource that is the subject of this discussion is still significant. In 2010/11 the annual revenue budget for all services within scope is approximately £6.2m and comprises 138 FTE’s plus relevant machinery and equipment etc.

1.3 Whilst it is suggested that there is a clear argument for excluding some services from any potential delegation, other services within scope clearly have the opportunity to be influenced by local choice and local circumstances. Such services include:

• Mechanical street cleaning • Manual street cleaning • Litter bin emptying • Graffiti removal teams • Fly tip removal teams

2. How Could it Work?

2.1 It was acknowledged at the discussion on the 6th of August that delegation of

responsibility for services to Area Committees would need to be done on a needs-lead basis and that Elected Members/Area Committees would also need significant support to help them with their role and responsibilities in this regard. At this stage, it is proposed that on an annual basis each Area Committee (it is recommended that the Area Committee Environmental Sub-Group is used) negotiates a Service Level Agreement with Streetscene Services in terms of the range and methodology by which services are deployed in their area. In discussing and agreeing the Service Level Agreement it is intended that summary information will be provided to assist in that debate, such information to include:-

• Current service resources and how they are deployed on the ground • Current operating arrangements e.g. cleansing frequencies etc. • Area-based service requests over the preceding year • Complaint data broken down by complaint type

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• Customer perception survey information e.g. residents surveys

It is also proposed that the above information is complemented by empirical, survey based data that robustly records and reports on actual conditions on the ground.

2.2 Moving forward it is recommended that Area Committees be given fuller and more regular data on local environmental quality to assist them in their role, and a number of options have been considered and are proposed for discussion.

i) Enhanced NI 195 Data

The Council currently collects, on a city-wide basis, data on cleanliness levels via national indicator NI195. As outlined, the indicator is collected at a city-wide level only and is statistically unreliable at areas below the city-wide level, even at the wedge or Area Committee level the data cannot be regarded as robust. Nevertheless, there is the potential to increase the annual sample size and as a consequence produce data that is capable of interpretation at a more local level.

ii) DLEQS Surveys

District Local Environmental Quality Surveys (DLEQS) is a district version of a National Environmental Quality Survey, designed by the Keep Britain Tidy group. Leeds has experience of working with this survey over a number of years and it is accepted as a robust and relevant indicator of local environmental quality. The DLEQS methodology is similar to that for NI 195 but covers a wider range of issues than simply cleansing, for example weeds, staining of surfaces, condition of street furniture, fly-tipping, fly-posting and the condition of grassed areas etc. As such, whilst the survey is more intense and intensive from a labour input perspective, it does provide real and robust local environmental quality data that can be better used to assess service effectiveness both from an outcome and also from an input perspective. It is recommended that if the DLEQS route were to be followed this should be pursued on the basis of producing information on a regular basis at the Area Committee footprint level. There is currently some in-house capacity within LCC to produce this, though probably not on the scale that would be required, and there may be some resource implications if this route were to be followed.

iii) An LCC Version of the DLEQS Model

Whilst the DLEQS model is a nationally agreed approach locally derived versions can be produced and monitored locally. It is not clear from our analysis of this option why we would pursue a variant to the DELQS model in terms of the additional benefits it would bring. At the same time producing a DLEQS variant will require additional work both in terms of survey planning and also data interpretation.

2.3 Of the 3 options set out above, option 2 (the DLEQS survey model) is

recommended as the best and most appropriate vehicle to report at an Area Committee level, such that Area Committees can fully understand how services are performing in their area and also how they can be amended to reflect local priorities and deliver outcomes on the ground. The DLEQS model, whilst fundamentally being a data repository, is also capable of producing visual

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representation of survey data and comparing that to accepted benchmarks and norms. Visual representations of the DLEQS approach will be provided to Elected Members as part of the discussion on this issue.

3. Other Issues

3.1 In considering the issues outlined within this report Members also need to be aware of other issues that can potentially impact on any final decision taken, these are set out briefly below:-

• Within Environment and Neighbourhoods, work is currently going on to look at

how a wider range of locality based services including the work done by Environmental Action Teams (EATs) and Environmental Enforcement can be made more accountable to area based structures and reflect the wider locality working agenda. This work is looking at operational and management structures and is likely to see groupings based on the existing wedge based structure that currently operates within area management and the (EATs). A verbal update on this issue will be given at the meeting on the 8th October.

• Street cleaning services are currently being reviewed as part of the Streetscene Change Programme. The programme covers a range of issues agreed at the end of the industrial action in November 2009 and in particular the move to more 7 day a week street cleaning arrangements across the city. This work involves mapping out current levels of service provision and resource deployment and will be an essential ‘building block’ of the enhanced delegation approach envisaged. This work will be completed in the next few months and will be instrumental in helping Members to understand the current service provision in their area and how that can be changed moving forward.

• INM funding has recently been completely removed from a range of street

cleaning services and has resulted in service reductions on the ground. Further decisions on service levels/budgets may also be necessary in response to the Comprehensive Spending Review announcement in late October. Central to the issue is ensuring that resources are deployed on the ground in response to service need and that where it can be demonstrated that it is necessary resources should be moved, if needs be, from one Area Committee area to another.

4. Conclusions

4.1 This note sets out the range of Streetscene services that could potentially be delegated to the Area Committees.

4.2 The note also sets out an approach to data collection and reporting that will allow

Area Committees to set out a clear plan for service delivery in their area and negotiate a Service Level Agreement which can be monitored throughout the year.

4.3 The note also sets out a range of issues that are currently relevant to this work and

that need to be considered in relation to any decision and action plan around changes/implementation.

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5. Recommendations 5.1 The Area Committee is asked to the note the contents of this report and to agree to

the following:-

• That the scope of services to be delegated includes those set out at paragraph 1.3 and excludes refuse and recycling collection services.

• That further information on service and resource levels on an Area Committee

basis is shared with Members once it is compiled.

• That the process of producing DLEQS monitoring data as a tool for assessing service performance be commenced.

Background Papers: None

Page 77

Report of: Chief Environment Services Officer Report to: All Area Committees Date: 28th October 2010

Subject: GROUNDS MAINTENANCE UPDATE REPORT

Executive Summary In July 2010 the Council’s Executive Board gave approval for the procurement of a new grounds maintenance contract with a revised start date from 1st March 2011 to 1st January 2012. A draft specification has now been prepared incorporating feedback from ALMO tenants, Highways and Transportation services and the Area Committees. Engaging with the Parish and Town Council’s has also been raised as an issue through Area Committees and the Grounds Maintenance Scrutiny Inquiry carried out between August and December 2009. The revised procurement timetable reflects the process to engage with Parish and Town Council’s. It is recommended that the contents of the report are noted.

1.0 Purpose Of This Report 1.1 To advise members of the progress to date with the procurement of a new grounds

maintenance contract to start 1/1/2012.

1.2 To advise members of the revision to the contract start date from 01/03/2011 to 01/01/2012.

1.3 To advise members of several key issues that have emerged to date that have influenced the approach taken to the procurement and shape of the contract.



Electoral Wards Affected: ALL

Originator: Stephen Smith Tel: 77293


Council Function

Delegated Executive Function not available for Call in Details set out in the report

ü


Agenda Item 14

Page 79

2.0 Background Information 2.1 The Grounds Maintenance procurement strategy is currently being overseen by a

Grounds Maintenance Programme Board chaired by the Chief Environmental Services Officer, and made up of the Chief Executive Officers from the three ALMOs and BITMO, the Highways Asset Manager for Highways and Transportation along with other key stakeholders including Strategic Landlord, Procurement Unit and Parks and Countryside. The Programme Board is supported by a project team made up of representatives from the four clients, procurement, environmental services and parks and countryside.

2.2 Looking forward, the proposals to monitor the performance of the appointed contractor will also seek to engage and actively involve the various clients so that they can feedback to their various stakeholder groups in a positive way and reflect that their interests are being represented and upheld. ALMO tenants and Town and Parish Council representatives will be encouraged to have a far greater role in the monitoring of the grounds maintenance services.

2.3 In overall terms the new contract will deliver the following grounds maintenance functions:

• Amenity grass in residential areas including roadside verges, grass around sheltered areas and other areas some of which are on “In Bloom” judging routes.

• Rough cut grass – this includes grass in urban or rural areas requiring less maintenance than amenity grass.

• “Sight line” grass on highways – this is particularly in rural areas and at road junctions and bends, and is cut to maintain road safety standards.

• Shrub and rose beds at various sites within the city.

• Primary networks – typically grass verges and central reservations surrounding motorway and other key junctions.

• Hedge maintenance 3.0 Main Issues Progress to Date

3.1 The procurement strategy approach adopted to date has sought to engage and incorporate the views of the various clients whilst at the same time promoting a consistent approach to grounds maintenance across the city.

3.2 Below is the summary of the consultation work carried out by the clients which has been used to develop the contract specification and the contract structure

4. Consultation Arrangements and Feedback 4.1 As part of the procurement process the four clients have undertaken a range of

customer consultation activities. These are summarized below with key findings:

4.2 ALMO and BITMO Boards

Consultation has taken place with customers through a variety of methods including

newsletter articles, attendance at Resident and Tenant Group meetings, satisfaction surveys and a number of focus groups.

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The issues that have been raised through the consultation process have been considered by the Project Team and include:

• Clarity on how customers could report problems

• Feedback when complaints are received

• Effective action when complaints are received

• Publish ‘Service Standards’ that are easy to obtain and understand

• Mapping of all sites needs to be up to date

• Monitoring needs to be consistent

• Financial penalties need to be imposed on the contractor

• Modern and suitable equipment needs to be used

• Litter picking needs to be undertaken prior to grass cutting

4.3 Area Committees

A report was presented to all ten Area Committees in September/October 2009 and in summary identified five key issues.

(i) Mapping of Sites

The current Grounds Maintenance mapping database has been developed over the life of this contract and now accurately records the areas of land assigned to the individual ALMOs and Highway and Transportation Services that they have authorised to be serviced. Land will only be varied in or out of the contract with the approval of the appropriate client. Current systems allow the contract monitoring team to determine whether any other identified areas of land are in Council or private ownership and will ensure that the mapping database used for the new contract is up to date.

Where land is in private ownership every effort is made to identify the owner and encourage them to maintain the land. Where ownership is not clear and more work will be done to ensure that the mapping database is as up to date as possible and maintained throughout the life of the next contract.

(ii) Contract Specification

A number of issues were raised including the possibility of collecting grass cuttings, the ability to vary the number of cuts in certain areas, the removal of cuttings from highways and footways after works have been carried out. The soft market testing exercise carried out in 2009 suggested that this option would significantly increase unit rates. Contractors that responded have indicated that grass collection would be approximately 33% more expensive.

(iii) Contract Structure

The report to Area Committees recommended that one city wide integrated contract represents the opportunity to get best value. In the main this was agreed to but some comments were made on the role of Town and Parish Councils. The agree contract structure will provide Parish and Town Councils with an opportunity to tender for the grounds maintenance work in their areas.

(iv) Contract Monitoring

Various comments were made including the need to ensure more consistent monitoring and the deduction of payment for unsatisfactory or uncompleted work. A more robust and consistent contract monitoring procedure is being developed for the new contract.

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(v) Contract Mobilisation

A general desire to ensure a longer lead in period than was allowed for the current contract. The revised procurement timetables allows for a mobilisation period of 17- 20 weeks

4.4 Leeds Citizens’ Panel

1,000 members of Leeds Citizen’s Panel were consulted by Highways and

Transportation to gather views from a range of residents in relation to grounds maintenance and grass cutting across Leeds. Questions were asked about the quality and frequency of services. 542 responses were received. The key areas for consideration from the consultation and the actions taken in preparation for the new contract are as follows:

Summary Response:

i Consider clearing of footpaths after work has been done and/or collecting grass clippings.

The revised contract will test the market capability and the impact on affordability of collecting grass clippings during the mowing operation. The value of this operation will be assessed during contract evaluation.

ii Verges adjacent to rural roads require more attention.

The grass verges of rural roads have been reviewed and remapped. The revised contract will include the trimming of a minimum 1m wide verge on all rural roads

iii Overall respondents disagreed to an increase in Council Tax to provide an enhanced service

This suggests that respondents recognise the financial implications of improving the service and value for money will continue to be a key consideration during the tender process.

The feedback from the consultation process to date has been used to influence the contract specification and contract structure.

5 Environment and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board 5.1 Between August and December 2009 the Environment and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny

Board carried out a review of the procurement process currently being followed and a report outlining the Board’s recommendations along with the response of the Executive Board Member for Environmental was presented to Executive Board on the10/03/2010.

5.2 Although the inquiry raised similar issues to those identified in the client consultation, it also concentrated on the approach that the Council will take to ‘orphan sites’ in the new contract. Orphan sites are those where ownership within or outside the Council can not easily be determined. In the majority of cased these sites impact on the visual amenity of an area and it is in the public interest to maintain them.

5.3 Orphan sites continue to be identified as the grounds maintenance database is improved, however the addition of such sites to the schedule of works within the Grounds Maintenance Contract continues to provide additional financial pressure to

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the clients. As the maintenance of these areas is within the public interest it is proposed that these are corporately funded and added to the database

5.4 In considering the way forward for the service consideration has been given to the options of either a traditional ‘input’ based specification where works and frequencies are clearly specified or an ‘output’ based specification where less prescription is given and more emphasis is placed on desired outcomes – e.g. ‘maintain all grassed areas to a certain standard throughout the growing season’ with no reference to numbers of cuts to be carried out in a given period or frequency. An ‘input’ based specification is the strongly recommended option as this gives far greater certainty as to the works being carried out and when and also enables far greater clarity from a contractor performance management and payment perspective.

6. Contract Duration 6.1 The current contract was originally let as a three year contract with the option to

extend by an additional three years in one year increments. The soft market testing exercise carried out in 2009 suggests a longer term contract with the ability to extend again by one year increments provides the potential to receive lower unit cost quotes and therefore better value in the long term. It is recommended that a five year contract package be advertised with the opportunity to extend for a further five years in 1 year increments.

7. Contract Structure

7.1 As part of the current procurement exercise an option appraisal process was carried out to assess the contract packages available to deliver the grounds maintenance services from01/03/2011. Two option appraisal workshops were held, facilitated by the Corporate Risk Management team; representatives from the four main clients were involved in the workshops along with representatives from Parks and Countryside, the procurement unit and Environmental Services.

7.2 The outcome of the workshops was to recommend the procurement of a city wide contract covering all aspects of grounds maintenance being delivered by one contractor across the city. This was felt to represent not only the most cost effective approach to providing grounds maintenance services but also the one that gives the greatest clarity and accountability in terms of performance from a contractor perspective and ease and ability of monitoring from a client/stakeholder perspective. It is anticipated that there will be strong interest in such a contract. The most recent information regarding interest from the market is the result of the soft market testing done at the end of last year. Fourteen companies returned the documentation, out of which we assessed nine to be capable of delivering a contract of this size.

8. Revised Procurement Timetable 8.1 The current contract ends on 28/02/2011 however concern has been raised about the

risks associated with having a new contract starting on the same day as the start of the grass cutting season.

8.2 In view of this, it is proposed to extend the current contract until 31/12/2011 with the contract award date around August 2011. This will allow a generous mobilisation period and a contractor handover at a point in the horticultural calendar when maintenance activity is reduced. The new contractor will have the opportunity to become established and fully resourced to start the grass cutting season on 01/03/2012.

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8.3 The key dates and stages of the revised procurement timetable can be summarised as follows:

• Sept 2010 - seek confirmation of Parish & Town Council’s involvement

• Oct 2010 - evaluation of returns

• Oct/Nov - report findings to Programme Board

• Dec 2010 - publication of OJEU (Official Journal of the European Union) advert inviting expressions of interest

• Late January 2011 - return of completed PQQs (Pre Qualification Questionnaire) documentation

• February 2011 - PQQ evaluation

• March 2011 - tenders invited

• June 2011 - tenders returned

• June/July 2011 - tender evaluation

• August 2011- contract award

• 1st January 2012 - contract start This approach allows a mobilisation period of 17-20 weeks and for any other contract handover issues (such as T.U.P.E) to be resolved before the start of the grass cutting season.

9. Parish and Town Councils 9.1 Throughout the life of the current contract a small number of Town and Parish

Councils have expressed interest in becoming more closely involved in the delivery of grounds maintenance services within their areas. In response to the report to Area Committees ( September 2009 ) and as part of the Environments and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny review this issue has again been raised as to the practicality of allowing local council areas to be identified as separate areas of land that would then give interested Town and Parish Councils the ability to bid to carry out works within their area.

9.2 Although the initial option appraisal exercise recommended a city wide contract,

subsequent consultation with Parish and Town Councils and Area Committees has suggested that Parish and Town Councils should have the opportunity to bid for grounds maintenance work within their areas.

9.3 At its meeting on 22/07/2010 the Executive Board agreed to the recommendation to

advertise the Grounds Maintenance contract on the basis of a city wide contract with the option to allow Parish and Town Councils to tender for work within their areas.

9.4 To progress this issue all parish and Town Councils were written to on the 02/08/2010

asking them to confirm their expression of interest to be included in the provision of grounds maintenance services. Within the letter two options were offered

(i) Parish and Town Councils to be given the opportunity to be involved in the

competitive process and formally bid for the provision of grounds maintenance services within their areas

(ii) For Local Councils that do not wish to be involved in the competitive process, have the opportunity to be part of the formal monitoring process

The closing date for expressions of interest was 13/08/10 although this has now been extended to 13/09/10 to allow local councils to have the decision approved through their formal processes.

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11 responses have been received from Parish and Town Councils, 10 of which have identified option 2 as the preferred option and two have identified option 1 ( 2 Parish Councils have identified option 1 and 2)

9.5 The next stage of the process is give a formal presentation to those Parish and Town

Councils that have registered and interest. The presentation has been arranged for Wednesday 22/09/10 and will cover options 1 and 2 in more detail covering the tendering process, tender specification and monitoring procedure. It will also provide local council representatives an opportunity to ask questions and fully understand the options.

10. Contract Monitoring and Administration

10.1 Over the life of the current contract, monitoring and administration arrangements have improved through the commitment of the various clients. And it has been agreed that contract monitoring arrangements for the new contract need to build on the good work already done to ensure a consistent approach that holds the successful contractor to account and achieves the standards of service that is required. In response to the consultation exercises mentioned above, there is also a strong desire to look at how key stakeholders such as ALMO/BITMO tenants and representatives from interested Town and Parish Councils can contribute to the contract monitoring and contractor feedback arrangements.

10.2 New contract monitoring arrangements are being developed that will involve a team

approach with all Clients taking part in monitoring to ensure that they can see at first hand the performance levels in their area. Staff carrying out monitoring activities will then take part in regular meetings with the contractor where performance is discussed and payment authorised. Staff from Environmental Services will organise the overall structure of meetings and also undertake the monitoring on behalf of Highways and Transportation. ALMOs and BITMO will also be working with groups in their areas to provide and receive feedback on contractor performance.

11. The Executive Board Report July 2010

11.1 A report was prepared for the Council’s Executive Board seeking approval to progress with the procurement of a new grounds maintenance contract. The report presented on 22/07/2010 made five recommendations all of which were approved,

i. The contract administration and monitoring arrangements as set out in the

report. ii. That the contract be advertised on the basis of one, single city-wide contract

with the option to require a variant bid to allow interested Parish or Town Councils to tender for work within their areas..

iii. That a contract be advertised for five years with the option to extend for up to a further five years.

iv. That Executive Board agree to extending the contract with Glendale and ATM until 31/12/2011 subject to the issue of a transparency notice.

v. That a contingency sum of £60K in year 1 (financial year 2012/2013), £20K year 2 onwards, be allocated to enable any future orphan sites identified to be properly maintained.

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12.0 Implications for Council Policy and Governance The procurement of the new contract is being delivered using the Councils Delivering

Successful Change methodology and is overseen by a Grounds maintenance Programme Board.

13.0 Legal and Resource Implications Resources to progress the procurement of the new contract have been provided by

the four clients with support from Environment and Neighbourhoods and Procurement’.

14.0 Conclusions The progress to date with the procurement of a new grounds maintenance contract is

on schedule with the procurement timetable to have a new contract in place starting on 1st January 2012.

15.0 Recommendations 15.1 Members to note the contents of this report Background Papers: None

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AGENDA ANNEX Woodsley Road Multicultural Community Centre, 64 Woodsley Road, Leeds LS3 1DU

Agenda Item 15

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