Agenda and minutes

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 disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors A Carter, M Harland, K Maqsood, K Wakefield and N Walshaw.  Notification was received that Councillor C Dobson was substituting for M Harland; Councillor J Jarosz was substituting for Councillor K Wakefield; and Councillor K Ritchie was substituting for Councillor K Maqsood.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2015.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2015 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report from the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) presenting an update on a range of issues relating to migration, including Leeds’ position in relation to the current Middle East refugee crisis.

Last month, the Board requested information about the current position in Leeds in relation to migration generally, but to also have an informed discussion about the Leeds response to the current Middle East refugee crisis.

The report submitted by the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) provided background information on a range of issues relating to migration in Leeds and how services are addressing the issues and the implications arising.  The report also explained the Leeds response to the current Middle East refugee crisis.  Appended to the report was a copy of the Executive Board report dated 23^rd September 2015 which also included the Council’s response to the Home Office consultation ‘Reforming support for failed asylum seekers and other illegal migrants’.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

-  Councillor Debra Coupar, Executive Board Member for Communities

-  Shaid Mahmood, Acting Chief Officer Communities

-  Lee Hemsworth, Chief Officer Customer Access

-  Steve Carey, Chief Officer Welfare and Benefits

-  Sue Rumbold, Chief Officer Partnership Development and Business Support, Children’s Services

-  Rob McCartney, Head of Housing Support, Housing Leeds

-  Mick Ward, Head of Commissioning, Adult Social Care

-  Pria Bhabra, Commissioning Officer (Migrant Access), Adult Social Care

-  Inspector Nick Berry, West Yorkshire Police

-  David Brown, Migration Yorkshire

Given the complexity of this issue, the Chair explained that he had also extended an invitation to other Scrutiny Board Chairs to attend, or nominate a Board representative to attend, and contribute to the discussion.  The following Members were in attendance in this regard:

·  Councillor Hayden – Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board

·  Councillor Ghulam Hussain – Adult Social Services, Public Health, NHS Scrutiny Board

·  Councillor Catherine Dobson – Children and Families Scrutiny Board

·  Councillor Ritchie – Environment and Housing Scrutiny Board

The key issues raised during the Board’s discussion were as follows:

·  Definition of terms used in relation to migration – a simplified definition of terms used had been appended to the report which Members welcomed.  However, a suggestion was made to make clear within the definition of Asylum Seekers that once granted asylum, those individuals will also have the right to work as well as claiming benefits.

·  Migrant Access Project – the Board welcomed the initiatives linked to this project, particularly in training community people who speak the same language of new arrivals to help inform and empower them to successfully settle and integrate. Particular importance was also placed on delivering more drop-in and outreach services.

·  Syrian refugees – Members were pleased to learn that Leeds has offered to take an additional 200 Syrian refugees over the next two years, equating to approximately 20 families for each of the next two years.

·  Housing for the Syrian refugees – it was highlighted that less than 10 council houses are expected to be used to house the Syrian refugees as the Council is also working closely with the private rented sector and housing associations.

·  Addressing housing misconceptions –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) presenting information on the Poverty Truth Commission run by Together for Peace and supported by the Council.

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) presented information on the Poverty Truth Commission run by Together for Peace and supported by the Council.

The following were in attendance for this item:

-  James Rogers, Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities)

-  Councillor Debra Coupar, Executive Board Member for Communities

-  Steve Carey, Chief Officer Welfare and Benefits

-  Lee Hemsworth, Chief Officer Customer Access

-  Andrew Grinnell, Together for Peace

A report on the activity and conclusions of the Commission, which was produced in the form of postcard packs, was also distributed to Board Members during the meeting for information.  The innovative format of this report was praised by the Board.

The Chair invited Andrew Grinnell to summarise the key outcomes arising from the Commission.  In doing so, it was also noted that Together for Peace, in conjunction with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Scottish Poverty Truth Commission, were exploring opportunities to roll out the Poverty Truth Commission across the country as well as expanding it further in Leeds.  This was welcomed by the Board.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

(Councillor C Campbell left the meeting at 11.40 am during consideration of this item).

To consider the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the municipal year.  The Chair highlighted that the work schedule would be updated to reflect today’s discussions and reminded the Board of forthcoming working group meetings linked to its inquiry on Universal Credit.

RESOLVED – That the work schedule be updated to reflect the Board’s discussions today.

Monday, 9 November 2015 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 am)

Monday, 9 November 2015 at 10.00 am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 am). 

(The meeting concluded at 12.00 pm).