Agenda and minutes

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 was no exempt information.

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 interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor D Coupar.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 27 July 2021

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

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 process has been adapted slightly so that members of the public are invited to make written submissions in advance of the meeting on any matters which fall within the Committee’s term of reference.  These will be read out under the agenda item and considered by the Community Committee.

In order to facilitate the Open Forum whilst certain restrictions relating to the pandemic remained in place, the process had been adapted so that members of the public were invited to make written submissions in advance of the meeting on any matters which fell within the Community Committee’s terms of reference.

On this occasion there had been no submissions and no issues were raised by any members of the public in attendance.

Mark Freer, Housing Manager, gave the Committee an update on housing issues across the Outer East area.  The following was highlighted:

·  Void levels and work of the lettings team– a pre-allocation system had been used in Swarcliffe and Halton Moor.  Demand still remained high across the area.

·  Work of LASBAT in dealing with incidences of fly tipping.

·  Rates of income collection had risen since last year.  Reference was made to financial assistance given to residents which had included the Money Buddies service and referrals to credit union.  There were some challenges ahead with the end of the furlough scheme and end of the Universal Credit uplift.

·  Annual home visits were being replaced.  There would be more targeted work with tenants who needed more support.  There would be telephone and online contact with tenants.

·  Work of the Environmental Action Teams including preparations for bonfire night and estate walkabouts.

The Chair thanked Mark for his attendance and update.

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships informed the Committee of the development of a City Plan for Leeds and referred to the opportunity for Members and residents to feed into the plan.

Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Member and Mike Eakins, Intelligence & Policy Manager were in attendance for this item.

It was reported that the current City Plan was over 10 years old and there had been major changes effecting the City in that time.  It was hoped to develop a new plan with shared goals that would improve the lives of all citizens in Leeds and Community Committees would be an important part of the consultation. 

The following was highlighted:

·  Leeds was the second largest city outside London.

·  Leeds was the economic powerhouse of the region.

·  There were low unemployment rates.

·  There were significant challenges to reduce poverty and improve education attainment.

·  Climate change challenges.

·  The need to address inequalities across the city.

·  Impact of the pandemic.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  There were strong Neighbourhood Networks schemes and support groups in Outer East Leeds.

·  Challenges surrounding mental health issues.

·  Impact on changes to Universal Credits.

·  The need to tackle climate change through planning policies.

·  The need to improve partnership working with the third sector.

·  Improving the attainment of children – indirect influences such as improved housing and digiatal access.

·  Ensuring that all aspects of society are accessible available to disabled people.

·  The need for a skilled workforce to attract investment to the city.

The Chair thanked Councillor Dowson and mike for their attendance.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare & Business Support

The report of the Chief Officer (Community Hubs) provided an overview of the activity of Leeds Libraries during the previous 18 months and outlined the key priorities of the service as part of the Service Recovery Strategy.

The following were in attendance:

·  Andrea Ellison, Chief Librarian

·  Kirsten Pendlebury, Senior Librarian

The Committee was given an overview of the key messages in the report which included the following:

·  Purchase of new digital resources to help people develop digital skills and provision of online activities.

·  The Keeping in Touch project which made over 9,000 calls to contact people to keep them updated on services.

·  The Library Services Recovery Strategy which focussed on issues including economic recovery, supporting children & young people, health & wellbeing and digital inclusion.

Further issues highlighted included the following:

·  Support for business start ups.

·  Focus on education – libraries had a pivotal role to play.  Reference was made to the summer reading challenge and the Early Literacy Program.

·  Supporting the digital inclusion agenda.

·  Resources to support health and wellbeing.

·  Books and reading.

In response to questions and comments, Members were informed of library provision across the city including the use of mobile libraries and story buses.

Members thanked Andrea and Kirsten for their attendance and presentation and for the work carried out by the Libraries Service during the pandemic.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

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

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 2021/22.

Bali Birdi, Senior Localities Officer presented the report.

The following was highlighted:

·  There was £88,053.58 remaining in the Wellbeing Revenue budget.  Members were given a ward by ward breakdown of funds available.

·  Projects for consideration – Members were informed of n application for the Swarcliffe Bumpy Project.  £5,580 was proposed from Cross Gates & Whinmoor Wellbeing Funds.  Members were supportive of this applicationn.

·  Projects approved by delegated decision since the last meeting.

·  There had been no declined projects since the last meeting.

·  Remaining funds in the Small Grants, Community Skips, Youth Activity Funds, Tasking, Capital and CIL Budgets.

(1)  That the following proposals be approved:

o  Swarcliffe Bumpy Project - £5,580

(2)  That details of the Wellbeing Budget position be noted.

(3)  That details of projects approved by Delegated Decision be noted.

(4)  That details of the Youth Activities Fund be noted.

(5)  That details of the Skips budget be noted.

(6)  That details of the Small Grants budget be noted.

(7)  That details of the Tasking budget be noted.

(8)  That details of the Capital Budget be noted.

(9)  That details of the Community Infrastructure Levy budget be noted.

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships brought Members’ attention to an update of the work which the Communities Team was engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.  It also provided opportunity for further questioning or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Bali Birdi, Senior Localities Officer presented the report.

The following was highlighted:

·  Children & Families – A meeting had been arranged to discuss the format for the 2021/22 Youth Summit.

·  Employment, Skills & Welfare – There had been an increase in the uptake of Universal Credits during the pandemic.

·  Health and Wellbeing – The Chair had attending the annual meeting of the CCG.  Leeds had been noted as the best performing service during the pandemic.  The 2021 Winter Grants Scheme had been launched.

·  Deeta Tren-Humphries updated the Committee on work carried out by the Youth Service.  This included the following:

o  Leaflets to shops requesting to refuse the sale of flour and eggs to young people to reduce anti-social behaviour in the run up to mischief night.  There would be a focus on detached work and street work during that period.

o  Trips that had been held in the summer and forthcoming trips that had been arranged.

o  Summer activities – a full summer program had been delivered with some reduced numbers due to covid. 

o  Support for young people transitioning from primary to secondary education.

o  Swarcliffe Youth Club had re-opened in May.

o  Work with NEETs and referrals to the Pathways Team.

o  Mental Health/Health and Wellbeing Support.

o  Work around prevention of knife crime.

·  Social media update.  Outer East remained the highest viewed Community Committee on social media.

·  Jo Horsfall gave the Committee an update on work involving the Crossgates & District Good Neighbours Scheme.  This included the following:

o  Activities were back up and running but not to pre-pandemic levels.

o  There had been a growth in digital services and reference was made to services provided during the pandemic.

o  There had been over 300 contacts a week through the telephone service.

o  A lease had been signed for a Crossgates and Whinmoor hub which would provide a base for all community groups in Crossgates and Whinmoor.

o  Launch of the Crossgates LCP.

·  Queens Platinum Jubilee Beacons – Members were asked to contact Bali Birdi if they wanted to participate.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

Tuesday, 7 December 2021 at 4.00 p.m.

Tuesday, 7^th December 2021 at 4.00 p.m.