Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – To elect Cllr Ali as Chair for the duration of the meeting.

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 were no exempt 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)

There were no formal late items. However, supplementary information had been received and was published on the Council’s website in relation to Agenda Item 11 – Finance Report. Minute No. 56 refers.

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

No interests were raised.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor A Hussain.

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 remit of Community Committee.

In making a representation, a resident explained his involvement in coaching football teams and working with young people aged 7 – 20 years of age. He explained he supports the community and works with vulnerable young children and is forever expanding on his football teams. Members were informed that he holds football and training sessions in Harehills and Gipton. Committee Members suggested that the Localities Officer take the persons details and provide support and guidance on how he can be supported by the local authority.

Inspector Nicholls and Sargent Attree from Leeds East Neighbourhood Policing Team attended the meeting and provided an overview of the work that has taken place in the Inner East Community Committee area, as well as a snapshot of some local statistics. The following information was provided:

·  Members were informed of comparative figures in terms of January – February 2023 to January – February 2024, for the Inner East Community Committee area. Things to note included:

o  A spike in figures in terms of theft from motor vehicles in the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward.

o  An increase in robberies focusing on the Harehills Lane area.

o  A spike in residential burglaries in the Killingbeck and Seacroft ward. Crime prevention officers are working with people to provide guidance on trembler alarms and window catchers. Hotspot locations are also being considered in terms of carrying out patrols.

o  There doesn’t seem to be a real change in anti-social behaviour related statistics, it either remains the same or has dropped slightly.

o  Nuisance vehicles has increased slightly, with no trends or spikes. This changes the priority for Inner East Leeds and moves away from vehicle crime and ‘Operation Diesel Crest’.

·  In total, 300 individuals have been arrested, 60 of which have been issued warrants, which in total, have generated 40 years of sustainable sentences.

·  There has been an operation with letting agents where police are targeting a reduction of cannabis through the landlord. 3 people in Leeds in the last day have been arrested with a conspiracy to product cannabis and money laundering.

·  The priority for Inner East Leeds will now be serious organised crime and risks posed by urban street gangs. All of which are issues affecting all the people who live in East Leeds. The police will look at gangs dealing with drugs. Targeted work should see a reduction. The police have already done work around gang crime and are looking at getting closure orders and injunctions. A specific gang has been targeted, and 4 people have been charged so far, with 6 more of them going to court.

·  It is acknowledged that there is preventative work to be done around educational work in building colleges and the military. There is also an education officer being recruited for to work across East Leeds delivering education sessions to young people. It is understood that some people feel as though they have no other option, and it is an easy way to make money without fully understanding that lifestyle.

Members thanked the officers in attendance for all their work in the local area and acknowledged the difficulty of their job.

In responding to a question regarding the officers’ place of work, it was confirmed they will continue to be based at Killingbeck Fire Station.

The police commented on the effective partnership working with organisations and elected members to be able to target and address issues.

Councillors Khan and Tudor left at 18:15, during discussion of this item.

The police also confirmed that there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 7^th December 2023.

RESOLVED – To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 7^th December 2023.

Matters Arising

Minute No. 39 – visit from East Street Arts. In response to an update on this, it was confirmed that no response has been received on this yet.

Minute No. 39 – parking on pavements. Members wanted this item to remain on the agenda for consideration, particularly in terms of planters on pavements for road blockages or double yellow lines. It was acknowledged that every ward will have a different solution. Members also commented on the wider issue of mass transit and a park and ride solution for the East Leeds. The Chair requested that an update be received at the next Committee meeting regarding a park and ride solution.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Public Health regarding an update on the Marmot City – Fairer Leeds programme.

The report of the Director of Public Health provided an update to Elected Members on the Marmot City – Fairer Leeds Programme. The report provides an update at the end of Year one and presents early reflections on early findings/progress and to how the recommendations and interim findings from the IHE can support action at a local neighbourhood level.

The Head of Public Health (Leeds City Council) attended the meeting and provided members with the following information:

·  The things that can cause health inequalities such as education, job status, family, and community support. As well as things that also cause a reduction in life expectancy.

·  Background information on Michael Marmot and the work he has done around researching building blocks of health, and where further work is needed to address health inequalities.

·  The Council have come up with 8 policy areas to focus on, as per the Marmot principles, to give every child, the best possible start in life.

·  The Marmot approach is a framework for action and shows that we are trying to ensure we are doing things for everyone, but on a scale that is dependent on people’s needs. For example, when decisions are made about housing, education and where trees are planted, considerations must include fairness and health.

·  An overview of Fairer, Healthier: Leeds as a Marmot City. Year One Action Plan and how this translates into local areas, and what decisions are to be taken. There are 15 recommendations that will be considered at the next Health and Wellbeing Board and there is a focus on housing and health and 0–5-year-olds.

·  It is acknowledged that the everybody in the city has a role to play, and partnerships will need to be expanded on, and how the council will engage with businesses and the private sector. There is a lot of pilots in Leeds currently, and learnings from that need to be understood on what works well.

·  Public Health have done an evaluation on the impact of selective licensing and interviews have been carried out around mental health improvements and fly-tipping and how progress can be improved. This will also inform work on how another selective licensing scheme can move forward. Housing officers and health officers are aligning different contracts to have shared outcomes.

·  There are inequalities associated with children from diverse communities, and them lacking early years development. There is a need for better connections and partnerships with GPs and there is a need for helping parents better understand services.

·  It was noted that the Marmot approach seeks to understand how things are operationalised at a local level and how recommendations set on a city level are made to work on a local level. Officers requested that future development on such recommendations are brought back to a future Community Committee meeting to update members.

Committee Members thanked Public Health for the work done so far on Leeds being a Marmot City, and for the results of recent selective licensing work targeting the Harehills ward.

The Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

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

The report also provides regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update on the work which the Community 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.

The report also provided regular updates on some key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The Advanced Health Improvement Specialist and Health Improvement Principal Officer attended the meeting and provided the Community Committee with the following information:

·  The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Chris Whitty visited Harehills on 17^th January 2024 to understand the work that is being done in the area. The aim of the visit being to inform the annual health report on the topic of health in cities. The visit included a session at CATCH and the work they do there, with a discussion with NHS staff. He also met with third sector partners and discussed public health priorities and the cost of living. Positive feedback from this visit was received and Mr Whitty was impressed of the work being done in Leeds, with partnerships and community working. A chapter will be included in his national report on Public Health in Leeds.

·  The Oral Health Project promoted oral health and dentistry for children and families. In terms of data, children under 5 years of age have significantly higher levels of tooth decay and filled teeth. Local partners are informing the service that it is a big issue for children to get access to dentists. Families are unable to buy toothbrushes and toothpaste, and sessions were delivered with community organisations on key messages.

·  There were also two different events promoting oral health with community organisations, and Senegalese families to provide key information to young people. There are a lot of young people missing oral health.

·  It was noted that dental commissioning is done on a Yorkshire and Humber footprint, and this has now moved to a West Yorkshire footprint. This change can be seen as a positive step and a way to make sure more dental services are more appropriate for the area and people are receiving more effective dental services. There is a national issue associated with oral health.

·  As part of the ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ initiative, West Yorkshire Police and LCC have been a big part in that and there have been 12 licence reviews in Harehills. Entertainment Licensing, Elected Members and West Yorkshire Trading Standards have also been involved. Of those 12, 8 licences have been revoked, where premises have been selling non-duty paid products and/or illicit goods. This shows an effective partnership and successful outcomes for the area.

·  The Seacroft Blood Pressure Awareness Project is a new project happening in the area and working in partnership with the Seacroft Primary Care Network. The idea is to raise awareness around blood pressure and 2 cohorts have been looked at. 1) primary care to identify  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of Public Health regarding an insight into vaping across all contexts both locally and nationally. Key focus will be on youth vaping, current evidence on health risks and responsible vape use as a harm reduction tool and enforcement and legislation.

The Director of Public Health presented a report to offer an insight into vaping across all contexts both locally and nationally, with a focus on youth vaping, current evidence on health risks and responsible vape use as a harm reduction tool and enforcement and legislation. The report seeks to provide a balance overview of vaping which is currently vapidly changing landscape and can support certain populations to improve their health in relation to quitting smoking whilst putting other populations risk of future health implications and addiction.

The Advanced Health Improvement Specialist (tobacco control and vaping) attended the meeting and highlighted the following information:

·  History of vaping alongside national and local data.

·  A ban on disposable vapes and restrictions have been announced but a date is yet to be confirmed.

·  Vapes in different contexts can be beneficial but harmful in the context of young people and children.

·  There is not enough evidence to confirm whether vaping is harmful, and the long-term risks of vaping are not known. Short-term effects include headaches, dizziness, and sore throat. Some evidence indicates to harm part of the brain in children and young people.

·  There has been a survey done for 11–17-year-olds to try and understand a national and local picture. 20% of young people nationally have used a vape, and 23% in Leeds. A survey has been undertaken on experimental vs regular vaping and there has been a huge spike in national data on experimental vaping.

·  There is a similar pattern in schools across Leeds in terms of year 5 students to year 11 students. There has been an upshot in children experimenting when they move to secondary school. The top answer for where children get their vapes from is ‘other’, it is believed that children do not want people to know where they get them from, but also it was reported that children are getting somebody to go into the shop for them, or somebody older is giving them vapes.

·  There is no hard-hitting health messages associated with vaping as we cannot compare this against tobacco. There are messages to say that it is illegal for an adult to buy children tobacco products as well as them being age restricted.

·  Vapes cannot contain more than 2ml of liquid, no more nicotine content higher than 20mg and vape packaging must contain a health warning of it being a highly addictive substance. Also, refills cannot contain more than 10ml. There is a huge market of unregistered vapes.

·  How to report illicit vapes being sold, or to under 18s – contain Citizens Advice via telephone: 0808 2231133 or via their website/webchat.

·  Liaison work has been undertaken with West Yorkshire Trading Standards and a 6-month pilot has been commissioned. 35 retailers were visited, with 75% of them not being compliant. Vapes are not a licenced product, and anybody can sell them. In a recent visit to a premises, 16,000 vapes were seized in the city centre.

·  Campaigns have been done on social media to remind people about the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships regarding 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, Capital Budget, as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2023/24.

Supplementary information was published in respect of an additional project to be considered in respect of Gipton Together Holiday Club for Gipton Community. Details of the project and decision are outlined below.

The following information was highlighted:

·  A new paragraph will be included in the report moving forward, including details on subsidy control. This is additional stage with each application to monitor how much funding each organisation is getting.

·  Wellbeing Budget Position 2023/24. The remaining available balance as per Table 1 of the submitted report, is £34,650.49 overall. A breakdown per ward was provided.

·  Youth Activities Fund Position 2023/24. The remaining available balance is £6,306.97 as per Table 2 of the submitted report. A breakdown per ward was provided.

·  Small Grants 2023/2024. A summary was provided in Table of the submitted report, an allocation broken down by wards.

·  Capital Budget 2023/24. The remaining available balance is £37,942.78. a breakdown was provided as per Table 4 of the submitted report.

·  Community Infrastructure Levy Budget 2023/24. The remaining available balance stands at £75,852.78 and a breakdown per ward was provided as per Table 6 of the submitted report.

·  Since the last Community Committee meeting held on 7^th December 2023,’The Welcome’ project has been considered and approved by DDN.

Projects were considered and presented as follows:

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor which sets out the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2024/2025 municipal year. Members are asked to consider the dates and times for the forthcoming municipal year.

The report of the City Solicitor set out the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2024/2025 municipal year.

Members were informed that the report seeks 4 Community Committee business meetings for 2024/2025, which follows a similar pattern to the previous year with holding meetings on Thursdays and at 6pm.

The proposed dates are as follows:

·  Thursday, 20^th June 2024 at 6pm.

·  Thursday, 19^th September 2024 at 6pm.

·  Thursday, 28^th November 2024 at 6pm.

·  Thursday, 20^th February 2025 at 6pm.

Committee Members came to a consensus that the above dates and times be provisionally agreed.

RESOLVED – To agree the Committee’s meeting schedule for the 2024/2025 municipal year, as detailed above.

The date and time of the next meeting is proposed as Thursday, 20^th June at 6pm. Venue TBC.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 24^th June 2024 at 6pm.

Any Other Business

Further to acknowledgement that the Inner East Community Committee is not engaging with as many residents as members would like, the Committee discussed the Community Committee Review that is underway and asked for an updated position on this. Officers confirmed that proposals are yet to be confirmed, and members will be kept up to date on any movement on the Review.

The meeting concluded at 20:20.