Agenda and draft minutes

The Committee received an update from Sergeant Lee Nicholson on police issues across the Outer East Area.

There had been a reduction in serious and acquisitive crime across all four wards in comparison to the previous year.  There had also been a reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents.

The Committee was also informed about Operation Dieselcrest which was tackling the anti-social use of motorcycles, vehicular nuisance and associated criminality.  This area of work had been identified as a local priority.

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 confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 7 Mach 2023

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2023 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.

A written submission had been made on behalf of Allerton Bywater Parish Council with regards to highways concerns.  These included a request for the installation of Speed Indicator Signs, the loss of the School Crossing Patrol and a need to replace the belisha beacons on the zebra crossing.  Ward Members were aware of these concerns and officers in Highways had been informed.

The Committee received a presentation from Julia Almond of Incredible Edible Leeds.

The following was highlighted:

·  Incredible Edible Leeds was part of an exciting project and had recently been featured on television and had received lottery funding.

·  The organisation aimed to create kind, confident and connected communities through the power of food and planted food in public places for people to take for free.

·  Incredible Edible Leeds started in Garforth and Kippax in early 2020 and had now spread to other areas of the city.

·  The project was run by volunteers and benefits included the encouragement of healthy eating, community development and a positive impact on communities and the public realm.

·  The Edible Stations project.  This was being done in partnership with Northern Rail which involved the provision of planters at local railway stations.

·  Further information on the project was available through social media.

Members thanked Julia for her work and presentation.  It was reported that there was some ongoing work with highways for some provision in Colton and thanks were also expressed to Dan Robinson for his work on the project in Garforth.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor

The report of the City Solicitor asked Members to note the appointment of Councillor P Grahame as Chair of the Outer East Community Committee for the 2023/24 Municipal year and also invited nominations to appointments for Outside Bodies, Housing Advisory Panels, Local Care Partnerships and Cluster Partnerships. Nominations were also sought for the Corporate Parenting Board and for the themed Community Committee Champion roles.

Andy Booth, Governance Services presented the report.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the appointment of Councillor Pauleen Grahame as Chair of the Outer East Community Committee for the 2023/24 Municipal Year be noted.

(2)  That the following appointments be made for the 2023/24 Municipal Year:

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update on the Community Committee Youth Summit and the Youth Activity Fund Consultation.  The Committee was asked that the consultation with young people conducted via the Youth Summit and Youth Activity Fund Survey, informs the Youth Activity Fund spend for the 2023/24 financial year.

Charlotte Fletcher, Localities Officer presented the report.

Members were informed of the success of the last Youth Summit and the event held at Civic Hall for Young People with Special Educational Needs and disabilities. 

Priorities identified by Young People included sports (mainly football and rugby), youth club provision and cooking.

RESOLVED – That the following be noted:

(1)  Reflections from the last 12 months.

(2)  Details of the Youth Activity Fund consultation survey.

(3)  That the Youth Activity Fund Survey informs the Community Committee’s Youth Activity Fund for 2023/24.

(4)  That any projects funded by the Community Committee from the Youth Activity Fund focus on the themes and activity priorities identified in the Youth Activity Fund Consultation Survey in 2023/24.

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 2022/23.

Charlotte Fletcher,  Localities Officer presented the report.

The following was discussed:

·  The Committee was informed that Ledston Parish Council had been decommissioned and would no longer be responsible for administering any Community Infrastructure Levy payments.

·  Members were asked to approve the minimum conditions for making delegated decisions.  These conditions were outlined in paragraph 14 of the report.

·  There had been an increase in the approval threshold for Small Grants to £1,000.

·  There was £92,397.51 remaining in the Wellbeing Revenue budget.  A ward by ward breakdown was given.

·  Wellbeing projects for consideration.  Members were supportive of the applications outlined in the report with the exception of the request for Micklefield Christmas Trees with Festive Lights.  It was proposed that this be deferred for consideration with other Christmas light applications.

·  Monitoring information of applications funded by the Committee

·  Delegated Decisions taken since the last meeting.

·  Remaining balances in the Youth Activities Fund; Small Grants, Skips, Tasking, Capital, and Community Infrastructure Levy budgets.

·  Community Infrastructure Levy funds would be available for Christmas lights and switch on events.`

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the minimum conditions for delegated decisions as outlined in the report be approved.

(2)  That details of the change regarding the administration of Small Grants be noted.

(3)  That details of the Wellbeing budget position be noted.

(4)  That the following projects/ringfences be approved:

o  Community Engagement Pot - £2,000

o  Grit Bin Refills - £3,200 – Gross Gates & Whinmoor (£500), Garforth & Swillington (£500), Kippax & Methley (£1,500) and Temple Newsam (£700)

o  Public Space CCTV Cameras - £12,000 Gross Gates & Whinmoor (£3,000), Garforth & Swillington (£4,000), Kippax & Methley (£2,000) and Temple Newsam (£3,000)

o  Wider Community Provision – Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours Scheme - £9,680 – Cross Gates & Whinmoor (£9,000) and Temple Newsam (£688)

o  Wellbeing Groups and Youth Programmes – Connecting Crossgates - ££6,237.00 – Cross Gates & Whinmoor (£4,989.60) and Temple Newsam (£1,247,40)

o  Bowling Pavilion Floor Refurbishment – Parks & Countryside - £3964.42

(5)  That monitoring information be noted.

(6)  That details of projects approved via delegated decision be noted.

(7)  That details of the Youth Activities Fund position 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 Member’s attention to work which the Communities Team was involved in based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.  It also provided opportunities for questioning or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Charlotte Fletcher, Localities Officer presented the report.

The following was discussed:

·  Appointments to Community Committee Sub-Groups.

·  Georgia Lee of the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team gave the Committee an update regarding casework across the Outer East area.  Work was ongoing with Elected Members and the team had also been attending meetings of resident forums.

·  Leedswatch – a breakdown of incidents was highlighted in the report.

·  An update had been received from West Yorkshire Police earlier in the meeting and a copy of the Neighbourhood Policing Team newsletter was appended to the report.

·  Housing – It was reported that there was still a high demand for family homes.  Further information was giving on the level of void properties, income collection and estate walkabouts.  Members were pleased to see the reduction in the number of void properties.

·  Youth Service – Denise Kemton and Deeta Tren-Humphries gave an update on youth provision. The Garforth Kicks project had started successfully and it was hoped would move to Garforth Academy in September.  The Kicks programme remained popular across Outer East Leeds.  There had also been water safety work and support for those who were about to transfer to high school.  Further issues highlighted included the summer programmes, CPR training, and the new Youth Matters Group at Temple Learning Academy.  There had been some work to tackle anti-social behaviour and it was hoped to recommence mobile provision.  Members thanked Youth Service staff for their work in the area and support provided to young people.

·  Community Engagement – scheduled forum meetings and social media update

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the report be noted.

(2)  That the following Sub Group appointments be made for 2023/24:

Tuesday, 26 September 2023 at 4.00 p.m.

Tuesday, 26 September 2023 at 4.00 p.m.  Meeting to be held at Swarcliffe Community Centre, 65 Stanks Gardens, Leeds, LS14 5LS