Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 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 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 which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration (The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no formal late items, however, there was supplementary information submitted in relation to item 10 – Inner South Community Committee Finance Report, which had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting, with agreement from the Chair.

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

The following declarations of interest were made at the meeting:

Councillor E Carlisle declared a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) in relation to Agenda Item 10, Inner South Community Committee Finance Report, Rise & Shine Youth Provision, as his spouse was employed by St Luke’s Cares and the organisation had applied for Wellbeing funds. Details of this application can be found in the supplementary information pack. In declaring his DPI, Councillor Carlisle took no part in the discussion or decision making of this specific funding application.

Councillor Paul Wray declared an ‘Other Registerable Interest’ in relation to Agenda Item 10, Inner South Community Committee Finance Report, Involve Leeds Refurbishment Project, as he was a trustee for the Involve Centre who had submitted a CIL funding bid.

Further details for these funding applications are available below at minute 35.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 6^th of September 2023 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the following amendments:

• Minute 21, the Inner South Community Committee Update Report - The hours for the dedicated phone line for issues relating to sex workers was to be checked and followed up for calls outside of 0:700am – 23:00pm and not 11:00am – 19:00pm.
• Minute 22, the Inner South Community Committee Finance Report – To include a point of discussion for the Middleton Park Juniors FC funding bid regarding that the data and cost breakdown for winter provision was to be provided back to Members and that the decision could then be made via a delegated decision process prior to the start of the club’s winter training sessions at the end of September.

In accordance with Paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 of the Community 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 Community Committee. This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair. No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.

In accordance with the Community Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions within the terms of reference of the Community Committee.

The following three topics were raised as submissions for the Open Forum.

Refuse at Aldi and Poundland on Tunstall Road

The litter surrounding the site was an increasing issue and when cleaned up, it seemed to reappear the next day. This posed concerns in regard to attracting vermin, public health and was not aesthetic for the community. Member responded that the bin store for the shops had been moved which had caused capacity issues, and new bin store planning proposals had been rejected on the grounds of Highways concerns. The Cleaner Neighbourhoods department and Environmental Enforcement were working to resolve the issues; however, enforcement was noted to be a long process. The yucca bin provided to the rear of Poundland was not fit for purpose or capacity and a message of thanks to the community effort to proactively clear the site was extended. Aldi were responsible for about 95% of the site but the litter and refuse to the rear of Poundland was thought to be the most significant. Local enforcement was to be contacted the day following the Committee meeting, but a legal process argument was ongoing.

Council Budget Constraints and Asset Transfer Plans

The responsibilities and powers of the Council to potentially transfer assets back to community ownership was queried as a possible option to address budget issues and ongoing cuts to Local Authority funding. Members responded, noting, as a public body the Council was unable to hide assets, an asset review was ongoing and although keen on community asset transfer for certain Council owned buildings, standards had to be met in regard to the state, safety and energy efficiency of the building. It was a possible option with Holbeck Community Centre being transferred to Holbeck Together, and if groups or organisations had assets for transfer in mind, they should get in contact. The practical reality was that the Government was above Local Authority power and transparency remained a challenge.

Stourton Park and Ride Bus Provision

As there had been reduced services, particularly on weekends, it had affected the publics ability to access the city centre and had increased traffic and was in opposition to the Council’s encouragement for the public to utilise public transport and reduce overall carbon output. Members responded, noting, this was an issue they were aware of and frustrated by as the bus services were run as private businesses, receiving contracts from the Government and it should not be the case that if a route is not highly profitable it is removed. A South Leeds Live report had recently covered this issue. The best process to address this was through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) consultation, with events planned at Leeds Museum on the 4^th of December at 2pm and 5pm to promote public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships providing an overall update on the work that the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities to request further information on a particular issue.

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

The following point were highlighted:

• The Children’s and Families Champion provided an update, noting that, recent Sub-Group meetings had been cancelled due to illness, the most recent meeting had been on the 12^th of September 2023. The Youth Summit had been confirmed for the 26^th of February 2024 and relevant schools and partners had been invited. The meeting date for the next Sub-Group was to be confirmed and circulated. 
• The Environment and Community Safety Sub-Group meeting was scheduled for the 15^th of January 2024.
• The Health and Wellbeing Champion provided an update, outlining that there had been some attendance at recent Sub-Group meetings, but more volunteers were needed, with further meeting dates to be circulated. Provision for the Mental Health First Aid courses were ongoing, with one planned for each Ward, expected to be held in January, and if demand increased, more could be scheduled, but they required at least 10 attendees per session. Services were available for younger people to support positive mental health and it was proposed that the Localities Officer could be the point of contact for bookings, with courses for level 1 to 3 qualifications available. The Vitamin D campaign was to be re-established and a Wellbeing funding ringfence was proposed as part of the finance report for the Sub-Group.
• A CCTV update was available from point 20 to 27 of the report, with input from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) and Leeds Watch.
• An update from Public Health was detailed from point 28 to 63 of the report.
• A Community Engagement update was available from point 64 to 71 of the report, detailing recent Beeston Hill Community Association and Inner South Youth Partnership meetings.
• The Social Media report was appended to the report, Beeston Market was the most engaged with topic on Facebook.

WYP Officer, Inspector Mark Lund, attended the meeting and provided the Committee with an update, outlining the following information:

• There had been a slight increase in staff for the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).
• Sergeant Devlin had replaced Sergeant Spencer as the Lead for Beeston and Holbeck Ward and was noted to have good knowledge of the Inner South area and will manage the policing approach.
• The data outlined a decrease in overall crime. There had been an increase in theft from motor vehicles however, this was expected to fall again following an arrest. Hate crime figures had increased but this was suspected to be due to increased tension with the ongoing conflict in the middle east.

In response to questions from Members, the following points were discussed:

• The work of community litter picking was recognised, and a message of thanks was expressed for their voluntary, community beneficial work.
• Further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

To receive the report of the Head of Policy which provides the Inner South Community Committee with an update on the Best City Ambition refresh and to gather input from Elected Members and residents.

The report of the Head of Policy provided the Inner South Community Committee with an update on the Best City Ambition refresh and sought to gather input from Elected Members and residents.

The Head of Policy outlined the following information:

·  The ambition was the overall vision for the City, following on from the previous strategy named the Best Council Plan, which had consulted with Community Committees two years previous.

·  The previous feedback provided by Members had been reflected on and reviewed to be incorporated into the ambition, particularly focused on the comments regarding the importance of monitoring progress and to be more community based.

·   2021 census data had contributed to the refreshed plans and further comments were sought from Members to develop the first update of the document.

·  The Best City Ambition was the overall vision for the future of Leeds and was built upon the three pillars (health and wellbeing, inclusive growth and net zero) alongside promotion of the Team Leeds values.

·  Tackling poverty and inequality was a key strategic element of the ambition and despite the financial context, plans remained ambitious and optimistic.

·  The Best City Ambition had been adopted in February 2022 and had replaced the Best Council Plan. Since its adoption peer reviews had been conducted which had contributed to wide ownership of the ambition across Council Departments, partners and stakeholders.

·   Key focuses for the evolution of the ambition were to fill gaps in the current version, refine the three ambition statements, underpin the fifteen priorities and to develop the Team Leeds approach. The updated version was scheduled for submission to Full Council in February 2024.

·  The plan was ambitious and optimistic despite the Council facing immense budget constraints. The ambition was long term and although barriers to provision were noted, reductions for service delivery were not sought.

·  Models for assessing progress were outlined to be conducted through key performance indicators contained in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy, Inclusive Growth Strategy and Climate Action Plan.

·  Long term analysis will be provided via the Leeds social progress index (SPI) and periodic deeper city analysis will be provided every three years by the Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA).

·  As part of the SPI, an online tool was shown to Members which allowed breakdown of data to a Ward level, identifying a range of indicators. It was noted that this data will change over time and more will be added.

·  The following relevant data for the Inner South Wards was reported;

o  The total population for the Inner South was 83,000. This had grown by 1.2% (or 1,000 people) compared to Leeds average growth rate of 8.1%

o  Population density was higher than the Leeds average. If the city was divided into football pitch sized areas of land, the Inner South had 23 people living on each pitch, compared to 20 as the Leeds average. 

o  Home ownership was lower in Inner South, at 38% compared to the 58% average across Leeds. There were also more people in social rented  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which provides an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund Capital Budget, as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy budget for 2023/24.

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 (YAF), Capital Budget as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2023/24.

The Localities Officer presented the report, outlining the following information:

• The remaining Wellbeing Budget balance was available at point 20 of the report, with the Ward split as Beeston & Holbeck (£18,928.64) Hunslet & Riverside (£5,718.35) and Middleton Park (£35,206.09)
• The following Wellbeing, Capital and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood Fund Ring-fences that were agreed were available from points 21 to 25 of the report:
  •  £10,000 from the Capital budget for improvements to Holbeck Moor (Beeston & Holbeck).
  • £10,000 from the CIL budget for the Hunslet Urban Realm project (Hunslet & Riverside).
  • £3,500 (£1,166.66 per ward) from the Wellbeing budget for this year’s Youth Summit.
  • £1,192.50 (£397.50 per ward) from the Wellbeing budget for the Health & Wellbeing sub-group ringfence

• The funding applications for determination were detailed from point 26 to 39, with additional applications contained within the supplementary information pack.
• The Youth Activities Fund Position was detailed at point 48 to 51 of the report with the remaining balance as Beeston & Holbeck: (£7,615.63), Hunslet & Riverside: (£7,474.16) and Middleton Park: (£13,803.98).
• The Small Grants budget balance was available at Table 3, Community Skips budget at Table 4, Capital budget at Table 5 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) budget at Table 6, with allocations due for Capital and CIL.

During consideration of the funding application, the following was discussed:

• The Inner South – Bumpy application was deferred, in order for more information to be gathered regarding the benefits it provided for young people as the organisation had recently been shown on local news TV. The focus had been on excluded and bullied children and not those engaged with anti-social behaviour, so a request was made for the organisation meet with Members to clarify and discuss.
• Clarification on the breakdown of each Ward’s contribution for the funding requested by the application submitted by Middleton Park Juniors was provided.
• The Middleton Park Juniors application had been deferred at the previous meeting in September as a breakdown of provision costs was requested. The bid had been amended and the amount requested reduced by £2,000.
• As some of the costs had almost doubled and clarification regarding required and presented information was sought, the secretary for Middleton Park Juniors was in attendance and noted that the cost for pitch hire had increased since evenings had become darker and required flood lighting for extended periods.
• It was confirmed the application and associated cost breakdown had been submitted by the Chairman for Middleton Park Juniors.
• The Raylands Way Grassed Area application had been submitted by the Housing Association Panel (HAP) and was proposed to be funded as a 50/50 split, by the Committee and the HAP. This application was to be supported by Middleton Park Members subject to the use of Capital funds only.
• How the Rise & Shine Youth Provision would be run for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

RESOLVED – That the date and time of the next meeting on Wednesday, the 28^th of February 2024 at 1.00pm, be noted.