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:

• As part of the discussion regarding Outer North East Community Committee public engagement and venues where meetings were held, the following statistics outlining engagement with webcasts of recent meetings were provided:

• It was noted that the more recent figures displayed substantially more people watch the webcast that had historically attended meetings at community venues within the Outer North East.

The following points were discussed:

• During the meeting, a message of thanks had been submitted by a resident within Wetherby to Councillor A Lamb for his recent campaign against the introduction of parking charges at public green spaces. It was noted the resident was watching the webcast live.
• Previously the Outer North East Community Committee had been held at venues within the Outer North East Wards, as opposed to the Civic Hall. It was noted that these venues were unable to support the technology and security to webcast from and turnout from members of the public had been low. The webcast was an easy access point for the public.
• The Community Committee review was ongoing, with a workshop scheduled for the 17^th of January 2024 which would cover community engagement best practice. The Chair encouraged Members to attend.
• The webcast allowed people to engage with the meeting after it had taken place, view only specific items of interest to the individual and was a helpful record for accountability for Members.
• The cause behind the increase in viewership for the webcast of more recent meetings was queried. The specific items for consideration at these meetings may have had an effect on the uptake.
• The effect of people logging in and out of the webcast as well as the number of Council officers viewing had on the figures was queried.
• It was thought the impact of officers viewing the webcast was likely fairly minimal as those involved in the proceedings will generally be attending to present an item. It was expected that the uptake in views was due to social media promotion and evidence suggests the webcast was the best method for community engagement.
• The Outer North East area was substantial in terms of geographical size and given inadequate public transport provision it may be difficult for residents to travel between towns and villages to attend meetings that were held moving through the Wards.
• It was noted that other forums such as Parish and Town Council meetings and workshops serve the community well and were also a good space for residents to raise issues.
• Running Councillor Surgeries sessions via online methods had been successful and well engaged with.
• Some items, such as standard governance procedures, may not be relevant or interesting to residents, so the webcast allows them to tune into specific items of interest. Further consultation could be conducted with residents to discuss relevant topics they think should be considered by the Committee.
• A suggestion was proposed for a dial in method for the public to make submissions as part of the Open Forum. This was agreed to be looked into to work out the feasibility and logistics.
• The webcast was a good method for engagement, given the context of living in a digital age and when the technology for webcasting from community venues was available this would be the preferred method. Members noted the appropriate technology should be lobbied for.
• Recent discussion at the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board had covered potential options to provide facilities to webcast from community venues.
• Establishing the objectives of the Committee and developing agendas which cover issues that are important to the community was being discussed as part of the Community Committee review and workshops.
• It was noted that holding the Committee within the Outer North East Wards with the late evening start time will impact officers.
• A message of thanks was extended to Andrew Birkbeck, Localities Programme Manager, for all of his work over the years for the Localities service, benefiting the communities of Leeds. 

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