Agenda and minutes

Councillor Hamilton welcomed all present to the Community Committee (CC) meeting, particularly members of the local community and representatives of partner organisations

Residents, partners, and stakeholders are invited to attend a workshop session to discuss priorities for the Inner North East Community Committee for 2015/16. The attached report of the East North East Area Leader provides the basis for discussions concentrating on each of the wards within the Community Committee and outlining suggested priorities for consideration

Councillor Hamilton introduced the workshop session on the report featured at item 11 of the agenda in respect of Priority Setting for the Inner North East CC for the 2015/16 Municipal Year (Minute 50 refers).

RESOLVED – That the comments made during the discussions on Priority Setting for 2015/16 be noted and be referred to during consideration of the Priority Setting report in the formal part of the meeting, and be referred to the Wellbeing Working Group which acts as an advisory group to the CC

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 against the refusal of inspection of documents

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 resolutions to exclude the public

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda

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

No declarations of disclosable interests were made

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Charlwood and Dowson

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.

The following members of the public addressed the meeting under the provisions of Paragraphs 4:16 and 4:17 of the Community Committee Procedure Rules (Open Forum)

Friends of Allerton Grange (Mr B Dev) – seeking support for the development of a “Gledhow Lane cycle route” which could link with the existing City Cycle and Wykebeck Valley routes to improve access to the area and stimulate development.

Councillor Hamilton confirmed that this matter would be referred to the Executive Member for Transport and the Economy for consideration

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held 19^th January 2015

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 19^th January 2015 be agreed as a correct record

To note any matters arising from the minutes

No matters were raised.

Following on from the earlier workshop session, the Community Committee is asked to consider the report of the ENE Area Leader seeking ratification for priority setting for the 2015/16 Municipal Year

Mr L Griffiths, Area Officer, presented a report which provided an overview of the key issues currently facing the communities within the Inner North East CC area and outlined a draft list of area-wide priorities to guide the future spend of Wellbeing Revenue and Wellbeing Capital monies.

The priorities suggested in paragraph 11 of the report had been the topic of discussions held during the informal session with Community Committee members, local residents, partners and stakeholders prior to the start of the formal meeting. The CC noted that any additional issues raised during the workshop would be reported to the CC’s advisory Wellbeing Working Group

RESOLVED –

a)  Having regard to the comments made during the informal workshop session, the Community Committee agreed the area-wide priorities (as set out in paragraph 11 of the submitted report) in order to guide Wellbeing spend and key local programmes

b)  To note that any additional issues identified by local residents, partners and stakeholders during the workshop would be reported to the CC’s advisory Wellbeing Working Group

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing information on the Inner North East Community Committee budget and seeking consideration of applications made to the Wellbeing Fund

Mr L Griffiths, Area Officer, presented a report on the Inner North East CC budget, particularly funds still available to spend; and sought consideration of applications made to the Wellbeing Fund. The recommendations of the advisory Wellbeing Member Working Group (WBWG) on the applications received were contained in the report for formal consideration by the CC.

In considering the applications, discussions covered the following issues:

·  Funding and remit of the Neighbourhood Support Officer post past 2015/16

·  CCTV Chapeltown and future negotiations and funding of the initiative

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the current position of the capital and revenue budget for the Inner North East Community Committee, the spend to date and current balances for the 2014/15 financial year;

b)  To note the proposed Wellbeing budget allocation for 2015/16, as approved by full Council.

c)  To note the decision made in the Priority Setting Report 2015/16 (minute 50 refers)

d)  That having considered the applications as set out in paragraphs 24 to 29 and the comments of the Wellbeing Working Group in respect of the Wellbeing Revenue Fund 2014/15, the following be agreed:

i)  Area Support Project Officer (with

a priority neighbourhood focus)   - £26,700

ii)  Summer Holiday Activities   - £30,000

iii)  Festive lights   - £14,106

iv)  Community Engagement   - £2000

v)  Chapel Allerton Ward Pot  - £10,000

vi)  Moortown Ward Pot   - £10,000

vii)  Roundhay ward pot   - £10,000

viii)  CCTV Chapeltown   - £7500

To consider a report providing an update on the East North East Employment and Skills Plan

The CC considered a report on the East North East (ENE) Employment and Skills Plan which set out priorities for the ENE area as a whole and for the three specific Community Committee areas. Additionally the report explained the purpose and structure of the ENE Employment and Skills Board.

Councillor G Hussain, INE Community Champion for Employment, Skills and Welfare introduced the issue and Ms M Anderson presented the report. A copy of the Plan was included at Appendix 1 of the report, highlighting those initiatives ready to deliver within the next 12 months, subject to funding.

In considering the report, the following matters were discussed:

·  ENE Poverty Group. The need to ensure the priorities contained within the Employment and Skills Plan were aligned to those of the Poverty Group. Members requested further information on the Group

·  Job Centre Plus Social Justice Team. The CC noted that some INE CC residents were in receipt of intensive 1-2-1 support from the Social Justice Team although this was not recorded as a key priority for the INE CC area. It was agreed that this information would be noted for action

·  Pathways. The funding challenges ahead were noted and the impact of the changes would be monitored throughout 2015/16.

·  Community learning provision in the Brackenwood and Queenshill areas. The CC noted that support for new community learning provision in those areas could require Wellbeing funding to cover the costs of venue hire at the Brackenwood Community Centre. Members agreed to support the initiative in principle, pending further investigations by officers.  

Councillor Hussain in conclusion highlighted National Apprenticeship Week, 9^th to 13^th March 2015 and extended an open invitation for Members and local residents to attend the Apprenticeships Fairs, and specifically one scheduled for Thursday 12^th March 2015 at the Hope Mega Centre, Leeds 9.

RESOLVED -

a)  That the contents of the East North East Employment and Skills Plan (attached as Appendix 1 of the submitted report) and the comments made, be noted for action

b)  To note the updates provided in the submitted report and to request regular updates from the Employment and Skills Board.

c)  That officers from the Area Support Team be requested to work with Employment and Skills colleagues and partners to reconsider the recommendations set out in the October 2014 report ‘Inner North East Community Committee – Findings and Recommendations on Employment and Skills in the Queenshill and Brackenwood Estates’.

d)  That “in principle” support be given for new community learning provision within the Brackenwood and Queenshill areas, noting that this may include using Wellbeing funding to cover the costs of venue hire within the Brackenwood Community Centre as set out in paragraph 4.5.

To consider the report of the East North East Locality Manager as a means of introduction to a presentation on how improvements will be made to a range of environmental services that are delivered locally

Councillor B Urry, Inner North East CC Environment Champion, introduced a report on how improvements will be made to a range of environmental services that are delivered locally. Mr J Woolmer, ENE Locality Manager, gave a presentation on the achievements of the Environmental Action Service (EAS) during 2014/15 and looking ahead to the challenges of 2015/16. The presentation also provided an update on the redesign of the operational work of the EAS. Members noted the following matters highlighted in the presentation:

-  The new service responsibilities included in the 2015/16 Service Level Agreement; in particular the additional resources invested in Council housing areas and bulky household waste collection

-  How the service improvements will improve efficiency and productivity  and the new proposed zonal model for operational working which will include a team exclusively covering the three Inner North East wards

Additionally Members discussed the role of voluntary groups in the locality, such as “Friends of” groups, voluntary litter initiatives, the anticipated role of the new EAS team leader and the minimal impact the service changes will have on the bulky household waste service. Members also noted the suggestion to consider the SLA as a future workshop theme

Finally, Members commended the EAS Team for their work throughout 2014/15

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the presentation on the redesign of the operational work of the Environmental Action Service and the comments made on the issues raised be noted.

b)  To note that the draft Service Level Agreement 2015/16 will be discussed at the Environmental Sub Group, with comments and recommendations to be presented to the next meeting of the formal Community Committee for consideration.

To consider a report which presents an update on the implementation of the new structure for the Housing Management Service for Council Housing for the whole city of Leeds which was outlined in a report to Community Committee the September 2014. The report also provides updates on recent initiatives and projects in the area

Further to minute 21 of the CC meeting held 6^th October 2014, the Head of Housing Management, ENE Housing Leeds, submitted an update on the implementation of the new structure for the Housing Management Service for Council Housing for the whole city of Leeds.

Mr D Longthorpe attended the meeting to present the report. The CC received information on the new area housing team, an update on recent initiatives and projects in the area and an outline of priorities for the forthcoming year. A request to supply Members with the direct contact details for the new area housing team was noted

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and the comments made during discussions be noted

To consider a report submitted for discussion in preparation for a local action plan, to be submitted to Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group, in order to inform its commissioning discussions and decisions, particularly around Social Prescribing

Further to minute 27 of the meeting held 19^th January 2015, the CC received an update report relating to information collected during the Community Committee workshop on the theme of social Isolation.

(Councillor Sobel left the meeting at this point)

Liz Bailey, ENE Health and Wellbeing Improvement Manager, attended the meeting to present the report (attached at Appendix A) and highlighted the main themes arising from the discussions which would inform future work to tackle social isolation. It was noted that the report would provide the foundation for a local action plan, in conjunction with Councillor Taylor (Inner North East CC Health and Wellbeing Champion), and the preparation of a consolidated report to be submitted to Leeds North Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in order to inform its commissioning discussions and decisions, particularly around Social Prescribing.

The following matters were discussed –

·  Social prescribing as a valuable tool for GPS to assist people suffering the effects of social isolation

·  The links to be established between the health and wellbeing team and the local employment and skills team, as worklessness had been identified in the workshop as a key contributing factor to social isolation

·  The funding available through the “Time to Shine” programme and the hope that the themes identified during the workshop would be used in support of applications to the fund. Members commented that publicity on the fund should be widely available in order to encourage new groups and individuals to apply. Information on the applications made to the Time to Shine fund to be supplied to Councillor Taylor

In conclusion the Chair commended officers on the work already undertaken since the workshop and requested that, following submission of the report to the Clinical Commissioning Group, an update on the actions of the CCG be provided to Members

RESOLVED – To note the findings of the submitted report and to lend support to future follow on actions by key partners and stakeholders

To receive any feedback or comments from members of the public on the reports presented to this Community Committee meeting.

A time limit for this session has been set at 10 minutes.

Due to the number and nature of queries it will not be possible to provide responses immediately at the meeting. However, Members of the public shall receive a formal response within 14 working days

No matters were raised under “Community Comment”

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on a proposed schedule of meetings for the Inner North East Community Committee for the 2015/16 Municipal Year

Having considered a report seeking consideration of meeting dates, times and venues for the 2015/16 Municipal Year, the CC

RESOLVED

a)  To agree the following schedule of meeting dates and start times in order that they may be included within the Council diary for the 2015/16 Municipal Year (all to be held on Mondays):

29 June 2015 at 6.30pm, 21 September 2015 at 6.30pm, 7 December 2015 at 6.30pm and 14 March 2016 at 6.30pm

b)  To agree to continue existing venue arrangements – to alternate meeting venues between the wards within INE CC area – and to note that venues will be confirmed at a later date