Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all to the Inner West Community Committee.

He spoke about the sad loss of Jo Cox MP for Batley and Spen. He said that although he had not known her personally he praised her commitment to helping others and that her death had touched everyone.

The Committee held a minute silence in her memory.

The Chair introduced the themed workshop as ‘Young People and Drug Crime’

The workshop was to understand the impact that drugs had on young people and the barriers they face in reporting crime.

The workshop was to look at ways to support young people to feel more confident to report crime and view the police more positively.

Cllr. Gruen informed the Committee that the workshop had come about from a children’s consultation event where children and young people had been asked what they liked and disliked about the area that they lived in.

 Children and young people from across the community listed one of the main issues of concern as drugs.

They said that they were able to identify dealers, dealer’s cars and homes within the areas that they lived. Some had witnessed parents and peers under the influence of drugs.

When asked if they would report the crime to the police their response was no as they did not want to be labelled as a ‘grass’ or ‘snitch’ and were frightened of the repercussion should they be found to have reported anything to the police.

They were of the view that these criminal activities did not make them feel positive about themselves or the area that they lived in.

The outcomes of the consultation had been for the Children’s sub group to address the issues raised and to look at actions that practically and proactively made a difference and provided young people with a voice.

A presentation was shown on the feedback from the young people’s consultation.

A question and answer session was held with panel members:

Tom Donohoe – Head of Police Contact Centre

PC Dave Burrow – West Yorkshire Police

Shaun Wong – Forward Leeds

Kevin Donelley – Youth Service, Leeds City Council

Small groups of two to four people discussed the following:

What are the barriers to young people reporting crime?

Two projects ideas that will make a difference

A group of young people from Angels of Youth and the King’s Project attended the session and provided valuable contributions to the question and answer session and the discussion workshop.

The Inner West Community Committee gave a round of applause to express their gratitude to the young people for their attendance.

All the information from the workshop will be collated into a report and the findings brought to a future meeting for discussion.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Fiona Venner and Alice Smart, and co-optees Sam Meadley and Eric Bowes.

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 Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, 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 the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those 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 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 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

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.

On this occasion nobody wished to speak at the Open Forum.

The Chair and Members of the Committee requested that this part of the meeting be more widely promoted.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th March 2016.

The minutes of the Outer West Community Committee meeting held on 9^th March 2016, were approved as a correct record.

Cllr. Yeadon informed the Committee that the Thank You event organised for those who had assisted and helped with the clean-up of Kirkstall after the Boxing Day floods, had taken place. The event had been a success with free beer provided by The Bridge pub.  

The purpose of this report is to formally notify Members of the appointment of Councillor K Ritchie to the position of Inner West Community Committee Chair for the duration of the 2016/2017 municipal year, which was made at the Annual Council Meeting

The report of the City Solicitor gave formal notification that Cllr. Kevin Ritchie had been appointed to Chair of the Inner West Community Committee by full Council at the Annual Meeting held on 19^th May 2016.

RESOLVED – The Community Committee noted that Cllr. Kevin Ritchie was elected Chair of the Inner West Community Committee for the duration of 2016/17 municipal year at the Annual Council Meeting on 19^th May 2016.

The report of the City Solicitor invites the Committee to make appointments to the following, as appropriate:-

•  Those Outside Bodies as detailed in the report;

•  One representative to the Corporate Parenting Board;

•  Community Committee Champions, as listed; and

•  Those Children’s Services Cluster Partnerships, also as listed.

(Report attached)

The report of the City Solicitor invited the committee to make appointments to the following:

·  Outside Bodies as detailed at Appendix 1

·  One representative to the Corporate Parenting Board

·  Community Committee Champions as listed at Appendix 1

·  And Children’s Services Cluster Partnerships also as listed in submitted report.

The Committee noted that the Inner West Community Committee had no vacancies on the Outside Bodies this municipal year 2016/17.

Members discussed the appointments requesting that dates for the Cluster meetings be checked against the Council Diary. Members said that they had found difficulty attending Cluster meetings as they had clashed with Council commitments, it was agreed that the area team would circulate the dates for the year ahead.

Members noted that the Inner North West Committee have a planning sub group which meets monthly. The sub group have historically covered Kirkstall when it was part of the Inner North West Committee area and still continued to do so. As such the Inner West Community Committee were invited to appoint a Kirkstall Elected Member to attend the sub group.

RESOLVED – That the Committee appointed to the following:

Corporate Parenting Board

·  Cllr. C Gruen

·  Cllr. A Smart

Community Committee Champion Roles

·  Environment

o  Cllr. J Illingworth

·  Community Safety

o  Cllr. K Ritchie

·  Children’s Services

o  Cllr. C Gruen

o  Cllr. A Smart

·  Employment, Skills and Welfare

o  Cllr. J McKenna

o  Cllr. J Heselwood

·  Health and Wellbeing

o  Cllr. A Lowe

·  Adult Social Care

o  Cllr. F Venner

Inner North West Committee Planning Sub Group

·  Cllr. J Illingworth

Clusters

Bramley - Cllr. C Gruen

ACES – Cllr. A Lowe

Inner North West Hub – Cllr. L Yeadon

The report of the Chief Officer Housing Management seeks Ward Councillor nominations from the Community Committee to the Inner West and Inner North West Housing Advisory Panels (HAPs)

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer Housing Management sought nominations from the Community Committee to the Inner West and Inner North West Housing Advisory Panels (HAP’s)

The Committee were requested to nominate up to 1 Ward Member from each of the Bramley and Stanningley and Armley Wards to the Inner West HAP.

The Committee was also asked to nominate up to 1 Ward Member from the Kirkstall Ward to the Inner North West HAP, reflecting that the Kirkstall Ward is within the Inner North West HAP boundary.

RESOLVED – That the Committee appointed as follows:

·  Inner West HAP

o  Bramley and Stanningley – Cllr. K Ritchie

o  Armley – Cllr. J McKenna

·  Inner North West HAP

o  Kirkstall – Cllr. J Illingworth

The report of the City Solicitor invites Members to give consideration to appointing co-optees to the Community Committee for the duration of the 2016/2017 municipal year.

(Report attached)

The report of the City Solicitor invited Members to consider appointment of co-optees to the Community Committee for the duration of the 2016/2017 municipal year.

The Inner West Community Committee had previously nominated 9 co-optees, 3 for each ward.

The nominations for the appointments were as follows:

Armley Ward:

·  Hazel Boutle

·  Eric Bowes

·  Kim Frangos

Bramley Ward:

·  Annabel Gaskin

·  Stephen McBarron

·  Marvina Newton

Kirkstall Ward:

·  Sam Meadley

·  Erica Savage (nee Mitchell)

·  Mick Park

RESOLVED – That the Inner West Community Committee appointed the following co-optees to the Committee for the duration of 2016/2017 municipal year:

Armley Ward:

•  Hazel Boutle

•  Eric Bowes

•  Kim Frangos

Bramley Ward:

•  Annabel Gaskin

•  Stephen McBarron

•  Marvina Newton

Kirkstall Ward:

•  Sam Meadley

•  Erica Savage (nee Mitchell)

•  Mick Park

The report of Chief Officer Access & Care Delivery, Adult Social Care highlights steps taken to provide an integrated service for District Nursing, Community Matrons, Intermediate Care Services and area-based Social Work which formerly operated to geographical populations with therapy services spread across intermediate care and domiciliary physiotherapy.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer Access and Care Delivery, Adult Social Care highlights steps taken to provide an integrated service for District Nursing, Community Matrons, Intermediate Care Services and area-based Social Work which formerly operated to geographical populations with therapy services spread across intermediate care and domiciliary physiotherapy.

In attendance for this report was an officer from Adult Social Care and the NHS Service Manager.

Members were informed that the 13 new Neighbourhood Teams lead by a Community Matron joins together G.P.’s, Adult Social Care, District Nurses, Intermediate Care Services, Social workers and other agencies such as mental health organisations and third sector organisations. The newly formed local teams meet regularly to discuss cases and the best support for the patient, family, friends and carers.

Armley Ward Members were concerned at the closure of Middle Cross Care Home. They said that they had not received any information or been consulted in relation to the closure. The NHS Service Manager in attendance said that she would clarify the position and respond to Cllr. McKenna and the Communities Team.

The Members asked for clarification as to how the Neighbourhood Teams would align with the GP Practices across the Inner West area. A map is to be provided to the Members to show the areas covered by the 13 Neighbourhood Teams

Members were informed that training and support is ongoing to ensure that there was enough staff available across all the services.

The reported had highlighted that the new Neighbourhood Teams would provide more links to Community Committees and the Community Committee Champions for Adult Social Care.

RESOLVED – That:-

• Members noted the update of the submitted report.
• Members noted the desire to return to the Community Committee Chairs Forum in July with a summary of this round of updates and also a proposal to open discussions about the possibility of holding Integration Workshops involving Members, citizens, health and adult social care professionals, volunteers and third sector representatives and other partners.
• At the request of the Chair, officers agreed to support with the co-ordination of a themed workshop focusing on older people in line with Leeds City Council’s breakthrough project, Leeds the best city for people to grow old in.

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing provides an update on progress with the consultation to date, and some feedback on the key themes to emerge so far.

(Report attached)

The report of the Director of Environment and Housing provided an update for the Committee on the consultation for the lettings policy review.

Housing Manager, Lettings and Tenancy Management attended the meeting.

Members were reminded that in February 2016, Executive Board agreed to commence consultation on proposed changes to Housing Leeds’ current lettings framework with a view to approving a revised policy in September/ October 2016.

The consultation commenced with two Elected Member sessions in early March 2016. This had been followed up by further consultation with local tenant and resident groups, statutory and voluntary sector partners and individual tenants and residents.

Members attention was drawn to point 13 of the submitted report which set out the drivers for change identified by Housing Leeds:

• The majority of the LLPs had been in place for many years and whilst they had been periodically reviewed, there had been little or in some cases, no change.
• They do not comply with equalities legislation leaving the council open to legal challenge based on discrimination.
• They often rely on the judgement that tenancy behaviour is linked to age, rather than evidence.
• There is inconsistent application of the policies with evidence that they restrict housing opportunities to younger people in some communities and result in concentrations in other areas.

Members informed that the lettings policy would still include:

• Giving preference to tenants with a good tenancy record.
• Conducting home visits to prospective applicants prior to making an offer.
• Introducing pre tenancy training for 146 and 17 year olds, and applicants who are unable to demonstrate a good tenancy record.
• Using our good neighbour criteria in areas with significant issues of anti-social and criminal behaviour.

Members were informed that home visits were proving to be helpful in gathering information about tenants and prospective tenants.

The Officer was asked to inform the Committee of the Ealing Verdict which may relate to the Leeds Letting Policy.

Members raised their concerns and discussed issues in relation to the following:

·  The bedroom tax needed to be a driver for the lettings policy

·  The policy needed to be clear for those employed, or in low paid work and those unemployed.

·  Anti-Social Behaviour need to be addressed

·  The unemployed, homeless and care leavers needed more support

·  Age restricted properties

·  Local connection criteria

In response Members were informed that a list would be circulated to show the criteria of all properties on a ward base.

They were also informed that pre tenancy training was given to those who were taking a tenancy for the first time with the offer of how to access support and assistance which included budgeting. The officer said that home visits for first time tenants were proving to be helpful.

The Committee was informed that the new Housing and Planning Act would have an impact on young people in respect of benefits and tenancies.

Members said that Leeds need to have a Lettings Policy which set out strict criteria and was used in a consistent approach.

RESOLVED - Members of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

The report of Area Leader, West North provides an update for Members on the projects funded through the Inner West Wellbeing Fund and Youth Activities Fund budgets. Members are asked to consider projects deferred from the March meeting and two new Wellbeing fund applications.

The report also requests that the Community Committee review the minimum conditions as set out in paragraph 24 of the submitted report.

(Report attached)

The report of the Area Leader, West North West updated Members on the projects funded through the Inner West Wellbeing Fund and Youth Activities Fund budgets.

Since the last Committee, two projects had been approved by delegated decision notice:

a)  All together Armley - £1,000

b)  Targeted Summer Provision, Leeds Youth Service - £3,080

Members were informed of the remaining Wellbeing balances available per ward for 2016/17 as set out at point 8 of the submitted report. Members were asked to note that meetings with Ward Members were to be arranged between now and September to look at spending and future projects.

Members were asked to consider projects deferred from the March meeting:

Members were also asked to consider the following new applications:

Members requested that the Basketball Sport and Active Lifestyle Project be open for all young people to be involved to promote cohesion with young people in Armley.

Members were requested to consider the following applications for the Youth Activities Fund:

The Manager of the West Leeds Activity Centre was present at the meeting to answer Members questions on the project for West Leeds Activity Centre.

Members discussed this application and requested that monitoring should take place in relation to the project and also asked that a contract be drawn up by officers for funding as per ‘book and turn up’ sessions outlined in the submitted report.

Cllr. J McKenna declared an interest in the last project for consideration as he is a Governor at Swallow Hill Community College. He took no part in the consideration of this project.

Members briefly discussed funding and spending and asked to be kept informed of start dates for the projects and when the money had been spent to enable them to ensure that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The report of the West North West Area Leader (Citizens and Communities)

provides an update to the Community Committee on the work of the three sub groups of the Committee: General Purposes, Children and Young People and Environment.

This report also updates the Committee on community events, local projects and partnership working that has taken place in the area since the last meeting.

The report of the Area Leader West North West updated the Community Committee on the work of the three sub groups of the Committee: General Purposes, Children and Young People and Environment.

Members were asked to consider a Highways focus for the October meeting themed workshop. Members requested the Chief Highways Officer to attend.

The Committee was informed that the World War 1 Commemoration would take place at the Bramley Memorial on the 1^st July with a bugler at 7.30am with a service at 10.45am.

The shops located close to the memorial have been supportive of the event with display boards in their windows linked to World War 1. The display boards which were paid for by the Committee will be used at other venues after the event.

The Chair and the Committee thanked co-optee Annabel Gaskin for all her hard work in support of the event.

The Committee was informed of free boat trips through the locks of the Leeds Liverpool Canal on 1^st and 3^rd July.

Members were also informed that Armley Helping Hands had been nominated by Provident Life and if successful could win money towards the new mini bus. The nominations are online and the Committee was asked to show their support.

The next Inner West Community Committee will be on Wednesday 12^th October 2016 at 6:00pm.

The next meeting of the Inner West Community Committee will be on Wednesday 12^th October 2016 at 6pm.