Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

As the meeting was being held remotely as a consultative meeting, any recommendations made would be ratified via delegated decision or at a future meeting.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals.

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:-

There was no exempt information.

To identify items have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations.

To receive apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor A Garthwaite.

In order to facilitate the Open Forum whilst certain restrictions relating to the pandemic remain in place, the process has been adapted slightly, so that members of the public are invited to make written submissions in advance of the meeting on any matter which falls within the Committee’s terms of reference.  These will be read out under the agenda item and considered by the Community Committee.

In order to facilitate the Open Forum while the Community Committee was meeting remotely, the process had been adapted so that members of the public were able to submit written representations in advance of the meeting.

The following submissions had been made.

From Love in a Box:

Love in a Box is a foodbank/clothes bank that operates from the Leeds Grand Mosque.  They normally operated with Oblong and Rainbow Junction and open every week on a Sunday morning.  Customers that normally visit both Oblong and Rainbow Junction will be now referred to Love in a Box.  This would be for July and August and Love in a Box would have to open on an extra day through the week.  More food would have to be obtained during this period and also as products were partly bought in, more money would have to be spent.

The organisation was asking the Committee for support in goods or money so support could continue to be given to the Community in Hyde Park.

Members were in support of the organisation and praised their work during the pandemic.  It was recognised that support was needed and Members would consider what could be done following further budget discussions. A formal application for funding had not been submitted by the organisation.

From Leeds Residents Anti-Social Behaviour Support Group:

Over the last 15 years Headingley & Hyde Park residents have suffered due to anti-social behaviour in the area.  It has made residents, families, children’s and also students lives a misery and affected mental health and wellbeing.  People have suffered sleep deprivation and families have moved out of the area due to student anti-social behaviour and all night music parties.

The Council receives hundreds of complaints each year from residents regarding this major issue in the community.  Can I ask why Leeds Council and its enforcement team do not treat Leeds university and Becketts University as they would any other business in Leeds and issue formal warning legal notices leading to court action against the universities.  Students are legally contracted to the Universities and are therefore an extension of the Universities.

The Universities of Leeds need to be held more accountable for the behaviour of their students and a threat of legal action would focus minds on this major local issue.

It was reported that there had been a meeting earlier in the day which involved MPs, Elected Members, West Yorkshire Police and representatives of the Universities and the Council.  A summary of the meeting had been posted on the Headingley and Hyde Park Councillors Facebook page.

Issues focussed on at the meeting included noise disturbance, anti-social behaviour and environmental issues.

Although the universities provided extra resources to deal with these issues it was felt that these should be increased and re-directed.  It was also felt that there was a need for the Universities to increase engagement with the community. There would be another meeting next month and would be extended to Members in the other Inner North West wards.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2021

RECOMMENDED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor

The report of the City Solicitor asked the Committee to note the appointment of Councillor Javaid Akhtar as Chair of the Inner North West Community Committee for the 2021/22 Municipal Year and also invited Members to make nominations for Outside Bodies, Cluster Partnerships, Housing Advisory Panels and Local Care Partnerships.  Nominations were also sought for Community Champions and the Corporate Parenting Board.

Andy Booth, Governance Services presented the report.

It was agreed to follow up Member’s queries with regards to invites for Local Care Partnerships.

RECOMMENDED –

(1)  That the appointment of Councillor J Akhtar as Chair of the Community Committee for 2021/22 be noted.

(2)  That the following appointments be made for the 2021/22 Municipal Year

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund, Capital Budget as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2021/22.

Carl Hinchliffe, Community Committee Team Manager presented the report.

Members attention was brought to the ‘minimum conditions’ as outlined in paragraph 13.  These conditions referred to the taking of delegated decisions.  Members were invited to review the conditions and consider whether any amendments were required.

Members were informed that there had been a total of £123,709 available for the 2021/22 Wellbeing Budget.  There was £7,812.33 remaining and details of allocated funds were listed in paragraphs 19 to 24.  This also included spending from the Capital Budget, Small Grants & Skips Budget, Youth Activity Fund and CIL Budget.

Members were asked to consider the following applications for funding:

·  Eatwell Café - £9484.75 requested

·  Hyde Park Unity Day - £5,000 requested

It was reported that there were not sufficient funds remaining in the Wellbeing Revenue Budget for these applications and it was suggested that some of the £15,000 ringfenced  for Covid 19 funds be used.  Concern was expressed that the ringfenced amounts for Covid should not be used as it was not yet known what may be required in the winter months and it was agreed that the £15,000 should remain ringfenced for Covid 19.

Members were informed of the remaining budget for Youth Activities Funds (YAF).  Members were asked to consider the following two applications for funding from Youth Activities Funds:

·  Super Summer Art Camp @ Shire Oak - £3,600 requested

·  Jungle Kids June Holiday Camp - £4,000 requested

It was reported that there was a slight shortfall in the remaining YAF budget.  It was suggested that these be given on a pro-rata basis.  It was anticipated that there would be further funds available through the year due to underspend on other projects and it was agreed to fund both applications.

Members were also informed of remaining funds in the Small Grants & Skips; Capital; and Community Infrastructure Levy budgets.

RECOMMENDED –

(1)  That details of the Wellbeing Budget position be noted.

(2)  That the minimum conditions as outlined in paragraph 13 be agreed.

(3)  That monitoring information of funded projects be noted.

(4)  That details of the Youth Activities Fund position be noted.

(5)  That details of the Small Grants & Skips budget be noted.

(6)  That details of the Capital Budget be noted.

(7)  That details of the Community Infrastructure Levy budget be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships brought Members’ attention to an update of the work which the Communities Team was engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.  It also provided opportunity for further questioning or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Carl Hinchliffe, Community Committee Team Manager presented the report.

Members were asked for nominations to Sub-Groups for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

RECOMMENDED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the following Sub-Group appointments be made:

Environment Sub-Group

Councillor A Garthwaite (Chair)

Councillor E Flint

Councillor K Brooks

Children & Families Sub-Group

Councillor J Pryor (Chair)

Councillor C Howley

Councillor A Marshall Katung

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with background and context to the decision not to hold a Youth Summit in 2020/21.

It also provided an update on Youth Activity Fund (YAF) consultation and how this aimed to inform the YAF spend for 2021/22.

Carl Hinchliffe, Community Committee Team Manager presented the report.

Members’ attention was brought to how youth providers had adapted to provide services during the pandemic.  Further issues highlighted included the following:

·  Revised criteria for Youth Activity Funds

·  Digital Inclusion

·  YAF Consultation Survey – there had been 70 responses which showed priorities for locations and activities to be provided.

RECOMMENDED –

(1)  That reflections from the last 12 months during the pandemic (paragraphs 12-22) be noted.

(2)  That details of the Youth Activity Fund consultation survey be noted.

(3)  That it be noted that the Youth Activity Fund survey informs the Youth Activity Fund for 2021/22.

(4)  That it be noted that any projects funded from the Youth Activity Fund focus on the themes and activity priorities idientified in the Youth Activity Fund survey.

(5)  That the Communities Team arrange a physical Youth Summit with young people this financial year, 2021/22 and that this informs the Youth Activity Fund spend for 2022/23.

Proposed dates for remainder of 2021/22 Municipal Year:

Wednesday, 29 September 2021 at 6.00 p.m.

Wednesday, 6 January 2022 at 6.00 p.m.

Wednesday, 30 March 2022 at 6.00 p.m.

RECOMMENDED – That the the Inner North West Community Committee meets on the following dates:

Wednesday, 29 September 2021 at 6.00 p.m.

Wednesday, 6 January 2022 at 6.00 p.m.

Wednesday, 30 March 2022 at 6.00 p.m.