Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships providing an overall update on the work that 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 Committee received a report which provided an update on the key activities being undertaken by the Localities Team based upon the priorities identified by the Community Committee. In presenting the report, it provided the Committee with an opportunity to discuss or seek further information on the range of actions currently being undertaken. 

The Localities Officer in attendance introduced the report, outlining the following information:

• An update was provided by the Environment and Community Safety Champion in relation to the EPOSS Cluster (Wetherby, Boston Spa and Villages West and South), noting, the meetings required re-invigorating to improve the content and outcomes. Methods for this were to extend the invite to the Neighbourhood Police Team, Youth Service and primary care providers, which had been done at the last cluster meeting with positive results and being well received by local schools.
• Although there had not been an Environment and Community Safety sub-group meeting since the last Committee, a message of thanks was extended to the Localities Officer for their focus and efforts in prioritising essential work. Work to set up an accessibility working group in Boston Spa was ongoing.
• The Children’s and Families Champion provided an update, outlining that the funds for the second Jubilee Games had been secured, an event which had been successful two years previously. It was hoped that the model was to be applied across the Outer North East and then the city as it was a great opportunity for young people and provided diverse sport options. The event was scheduled for July 2024 and the proceedings were to be reported back to the Committee after the event.
• It was noted by the Employment, Skills and Welfare Champion that no sub-group meeting had taken place since the last Committee meeting.
• The Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care Champion outlined that a sub-group meeting had taken place since the last time the Committee met but had not been able to attend due to a diary clash. The notes of the meeting were to be provided by the relevant Executive Member and then shared with Committee Members.
• Point 40 on page 25 of the report referred to the meeting of the Housing Advisory Panel (HAP) held on the 14^th of March 2024, which was the last HAP meeting for the Outer North East.
• The most recent Town and Parish Council Forum had been held on the 19^th of February 2024 and the next was scheduled for June 2024, which was to focus on transport and the exact date and location was to be confirmed.

The following points were discussed:

• It was queried whether the Covid-19 update, contained at point 25 on page 22 of the report, could be removed in future iterations of the update report as the pandemic and vaccination programme had ended and it was felt that it was time to move forward.
• Communication issues for Members had been raised at the recent HAP meeting, however, it was outlined that the HAP’s were to be dissolved and remaining funds were to be allocated by remaining Officers within Housing for each area.
• Councillors and residents were thanked for their attendance and work at the HAP meetings over the years as a lot of investment had been made into the process. It was hoped that there will be some consultation with Housing Officers as to what the next steps were, and it was noted that tenants could attend future Committee meetings with the potential to discuss community projects and funding bids.
• Information regarding which fundings bids had been agreed or refused at the last HAP meeting was sought and agreed to be shared back with Members.
• The process for accountability as to what the remaining HAP funds were to be spent on was queried. A request was to be made to the Housing Manager for clarification, however, it was thought that only a small amount of funds remained.
• It was reported that Officer attendance at Ward Member Meetings had been low, and many times had sent their apologies. As the Council was comprised of Councillors, through which Officers are gifted decision-making powers, it was reasonable that requests for attendance, within good time, be prioritised. If this issue continued Members intended to invite relevant Directors to the Committee to seek a resolution.
• With the WYCA mayoral announcement that buses in Leeds were to be re-franchised, it was noted that information from the Transport Development consultation that had been discussed at a past Town and Parish Council Forum was to be brought back for consideration.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.