Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everybody to the remote meeting of the Inner East Community Committee. The Chair explained that internet connectivity may be an issue for some participants and suggested it may be appropriate to appoint a Vice Chair who could assume the Chair should the Chair lose connectivity. The Chair proposed that Councillor Salma Arif be nominated as the Vice Chair, the proposal was seconded, and upon being put to the vote the motion was passed.

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.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors P Drinkwater and K Maqsood.

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 order to facilitate the Open Forum item whilst Community Committee meetings are being held remotely, 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 Community Committee’s terms of reference. These will be read out by the Clerk under this agenda item and considered by the Community Committee.

In order to facilitate the Open Forum item whilst Community Committee meetings are being held remotely, 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.

On this occasion, no submissions have been received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday 14^th January 2021.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th January 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

Minute 55, Poole Estate Development – it was noted that discussions had taken place with Strata and Keepmoat in relation to planning application referenced 21/01505/FU. (Full Planning Application for 189 new dwellings with associated works and public open space. Land at Seacroft Hospital York Road Leeds LS16 6UH) It was confirmed thatnatural trim trail and play equipment will be subject to consultation, to the north of the site and also alongside the path on the southern edge. 

Minute 57, Domestic Violence and Abuse – it was confirmed that domestic violence would be taken forward as a priority for the Inner East Local Care Partnerships (LCPs) and that good practice and work of the Seacroft LCP to decrease domestic violence in the Inner East area would be replicated across all LCPs.

To receive a verbal update from three local groups who were recently recognised at the Compassionate City Awards for their work in the Inner East Community Committee.

(Cover report attached)

The Chair introduced the item and requested that this be brought to the Inner East Community Committee, to receive an update from three local community groups (Nowells Community Group, Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers and DAMASQ) who were recently recognised at the Compassionate City Awards, for their good work supporting people in the Inner East Community Committee Area.

Sawsan Zaza (DAMASQ) informed the Community Committee of the initial challenges with digital inclusion. Damasq Ltd collaborated with many partners and funders such as 100% Digital, to provide devices across the local community. Sawsan outlined some of the projects that had moved remotely, in terms of the Health Holidays Scheme and its aim to reduce inactivity and isolation faced by some of the poorest children and families. Damasq Ltd were awarded with the Jo Cox award.

Karen Pearse, Director of PAFRAS, set out the role of volunteers and partners to help deliver projects. Projects included emergency crisis intervention, food/toiletry parcels and mental health support, all of which the organisation delivered those projects outdoors from March 2020. Financial support had been made available to support people into accommodation through Third Sector and Home Office support. As of September 2020, services moved indoors in a COVID-19 safe environment, and provided accessibility for face to face support. PAFRAS were awarded with the community organisation or project of the year award.

The representative from the Nowells Community Group had been experiencing connectivity issues, and was unable to provide an update on behalf of the community group. The Chair requested that on behalf of the Inner East Community Committee, their thanks be passed on to the community group for their hard work across the Inner East area, particularly in relation to the support provided to young people.

RESOLVED – To note the verbal updates provided on behalf of the community groups, and to commend the service provided across the Inner East area.

The report of the Director of City Development brings to members’ attention details of the consultation on the draft Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy.

(Report and Executive Summary attached)

The report of the Director of City Development, was to bring to members’ attention details of the consultation on the draft Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy.

In attendance for this item were:

o  Paul Foster, Transport Planning Manager

o  Finn Campbell, Team Leader (Forward Planning)

The Community Committee were provided with a presentation of slides to inform the consultation process.

Members’ were informed of the following points:

·  The Transport Strategy has the vision that Leeds is to be a city where you don’t need a car;

·  The objectives of the strategy are to: tackle climate change, deliver inclusive growth; and improve health;

·  The 6 big moves identified to focus on the Transport Strategy are:

De-carbonising transport;

Creating healthier streets, spaces and communities;

Transform the City Centre;

New mobility solutions;

Deliver a mass transit network

It was noted that during the Transport Consultation held in 2016, the feedback from the Inner East area highlighted that the cost of public transport is too high, the importance of bus reliability and accessibility and the need to increase cycle parking provision.

Consultation on the Transport Strategy will be open until 26^th March 2021. A copy of the Transport Strategy was appended to the report and can be found on the Leeds City Council web pages. The Committee also heard that the team are doing a number of webinars, links to these could also be found on the Council’s web pages.

Members discussed the following matters:

·  The importance of communities being able to access all parts of the city, to ensure accessibility for economic opportunities, shops and leisure facilities. Members also discussed the need to ensure transport is made ‘friendlier’, and a suggestion was made that bus shelters be made from plastic and not glass;

·  The mechanisms in place to tackle anti-social behaviour relating to motor/quad bikes;

·  Adding to the healthier streets initiative by tackling on-street parking;

·  Ensuring that all communities are involved in the consultation stages, and the measures in place to tackle language barriers;

·  Encouraging take up of bicycles, and ensuring this is possible for the most deprived communities;

·  Fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour issues related with subways;

·  Incorporating CCTV to Park and Ride schemes, to provide assurances to the community around safety;

·  The role of private hire had been acknowledged, although the importance of ensuring competitive prices across public transport had been expressed.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  There are plans to pilot a ‘flexi bus’ in the Outer East area to tackle connectivity issues, and there will be a possibility for this to be rolled out further. It was confirmed that West Yorkshire Combined Authority have further details in relation to this;

·  Plans for mass transit;

·  Liaison is ongoing with West Yorkshire Police to reduce illegal road activity/behaviour and speeding;

·  It was reported that most cars are only being used less than 5% of the overall time, and the strategy presented that there would be less of a need for private cars;

·  An update was provided on the bike library  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities brings to members’ attention an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities updated Members on the work which the Communities Team are 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 report also provided updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

Members discussed the following matters:

·  The “Green Guardians” scheme in Seacroft;

·  Seacroft Wombles;

·  A suggestion was made to invite the new CEO at Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (GATE) to provide an update on their work;

·  Priority areas for Local Care Partnerships (LCPs) – Members acknowledged that health inequalities and domestic violence and abuse remained the biggest priority for the Inner East area. It was identified that further work would be required with take up of the COVID-19 vaccination, particularly in relation to overcoming barriers with ethnic minority and deprived communities.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report, along with Members comments.

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities provides 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 2020/21.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities 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 2020/21.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  Wellbeing Fund – full breakdown and projects were provided at Table 1. The total revenue funding available to the Community Committee for 2020/21 is £233,634.69, with a remaining balance of £25,010.93;

·  Tribe Youth Group “I Am Me” project;

·  Youth Activities Fund – Balances and projects were set out at Table 2. The remaining balance is £9,911.09;

·  Small Grants and Skips 2020/21 set out in Table 3;

·  Covid-19 ward allocation 2020/21 as set out in Table 4, with a remaining balance of £13,270.11;

·  Covid-19 Government Grant allocation 2020/21 as set out in Table 5, with a remaining balance of £2,962;

·  The Capital Budget 2020/21 and an update on projects to date as outlined in Table 6. The remaining balance is £79,822;

·  The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) balance was £84,051.06 with the CIL allocation outlined in Table 7.

Members were asked to consider the following applications:

RESOLVED – To note details of the following:

a)  Wellbeing Budget position (Table 1)

b)  Youth Activities Fund (YAF) position (Table 2)

c)  Small Grants & Skips Budget (Table 3)

d)  Covid-19 ward based Budget (Table 4)

e)  Covid-19 government grant Budget (Table 5)

f)  Capital Budget (Table 6)

g)  Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (Table 7)

The Community Committee approved the following applications as outlined above.

The report of the City Solicitor requests Members to give consideration to agreeing the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2021/22 municipal year.

(Report attached)

The report of the City Solicitor requested Members to give consideration to agreeing the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2021/22 municipal year.

Members were advised that the Procedure Rules state that there shall be at least four ordinary or ‘business’ meetings of each Community Committee in each municipal year and that a schedule of meetings will be approved by each Community Committee. The report seeks to schedule 4 Community Committee business meetings for 2021/22, in line with previous practice. The proposed schedule has been compiled with a view to ensuring an even spread of Committee meetings throughout the forthcoming municipal year.

The proposed date were presented at paragraph 8 of the report as:

·  Wednesday 16 June 2021 at 6 pm

·  Wednesday 8 September 2021 at 6 pm

·  Wednesday 15 December 2021 at 6 pm

·  Wednesday 16 March 2022 at 6 pm

RESOLVED – To approve the following dates for the next municipal year:

·  Wednesday 16 June 2021 at 6 pm

·  Wednesday 8 September 2021 at 6 pm

·  Wednesday 15 December 2021 at 6 pm

·  Wednesday 16 March 2022 at 6 pm

(The meeting concluded at 19:35)