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 Hea 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.  Supplementary information was submitted for Agenda Item 11, Outer South Community Committee Finance Report.

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 Councillors J Elliott and A Hutchison.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2021

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2021 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 33 – Open Forum

Members were reminded of concerns that had been raised due to the increased costs in hiring Community Centres.  There were also concerns with regard to  the lettings policy being vague and loss of delegation to Community Committees.  Further issues of concern included charges for stewards at events, charges for charitable organisations, cleaning costs and difficulties with the booking system.

Liz Jarmin, Head of Locality Partnerships was in attendance to respond to the concerns. It was reported that the Pricing and Lettings Policy had been amended over a number of years and there was a need for it to be reviewed.  There was very little discretion which could be applied by officers to offer discounted lettings.  Charitable and community organisations did qualify for subsidised rates but commercial rates were charged where income was generated.  The engagement of Elected Members would be essential  in any review of the policy.

With regard to concerns for charges for stewards, it was reported that this was mandatory dependent on the number of participants and when alcohol was on sale.  This is to ensure that the Council complies with it’s Health and Safety obligations for example in the event that a fire evacuation needs to take place.  

In conclusion, Members felt that a local approach to lettings was needed and it was unfair that charitable organisations were being charged.  It was also felt that there needed to be more local input from the Community Committee.

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.

In accordance with the Community Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions within the terms of reference of the Community Committee.

On this occasion no members of the public present wished to speak.

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 opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Kimberly Frangos, Localities Officer presented the report.

The following was discussed:

·  It was proposed that the next Youth Summit would be held in the new municipal year.

·  The Chair welcomed Inspector Tom Perry to the meeting.  Inspector Perry had recently taken responsibility for the Outer South Neighbourhood Policing Team.  He informed the Community Committee of policing priorities for the area and answered Members questions.  Issues discussed including the review of the off-road motorcycle team, problems with young people in Morley Town Centre, distribution of Police Community Support Officers and staffing.

·  Housing – issues highlighted included the role of Green Guardians and thanks were expressed to Housing for enforcement work that had been carried out.  The development of Estate Plans was also discussed to tackle issues such as parking and improvements to public amenity spaces.

·  Youth Service – Members praised the excellent work in the area and the impact on reducing anti-social behaviour and also addressing the other challenges young people faced during the pandemic.

·  Enforcement staff had been invited and attended estate walkabouts.  Problems with private tenancies had been referred to the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team.

RESOLVED – That the report 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 Committee with an update on the Queens Platinum Jubilee.

The report contained links to sources of funding and provided advice for holding events in celebration of the Jubilee.

RESOLVED – That the report 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

Kimberly Frangos, Localities Officer presented the report.

Members’ attention was brought to the following:

·  Remaining balance in the 2021/22 Wellbeing Revenue fund – Members were giving a ward by ward breakdown.

·  Projects for consideration:

o  Outer South Garden Scheme – Morley Elderly Action.  Members were asked to consider three options.  The first option would be to fund at the same rate as the previous year which was £29,816.00.  Option 2 was for £38,316.00 which included a £2 increase per garden and would be funded by the Community Committee. Option 3 was for £34,066 which included the £2 increase per garden and would be equally funded by the Community Committee and the customer at £1 each per garden.  Members were informed that there had not been a pay increase for the gardeners over the past 4 years.  A representative of Morley Elder Action attended the meeting.  In response to questions a breakdown of activity across the Outer South Wards was given.  Any spare capacity would be utilised in Ardsley & Robin Hood and Rothwell as the majority of the work was currently carried out in the Morley Wards.  Following a vote, Members proposed that Option 2 be supported.

o  FDM Chatter Bus Project – FDM: For Disability Mobility.  £8,041.00 was proposed.  A representative of FDM was in attendance and informed the Committee of the activities provided.  A request was made for postcode information of users of the service.  Members were supportive of the application.

o  Members were supportive of the following capital projects:

-  Litter bins for Rothwell - £398.42 (Rothwell)

-  The Crescent A-Frames  -£1,600.00 (Ardsley & Robin Hood)

-  Morley South Public Access Defibrillator Project - £1,530 (Morley South)

-  Litter bins for Springhead Park, Rothwell - £450.00 (Rothwell)

-  Litter bins for Morley North - £996.05 (Morley North)

·  Members were asked to consider allocating another £250 per ward to the Skips budget.

·  Remaining funds in the Outer South Youth Activity Funds, Small Grants, Community Skips, Capital and Community Infrastructure Levy budgets.

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That the following projects be approved:

o  Outer South Gardening Scheme – Morley Elderly Action - £38,316.00

o  FDM Chatter Bus Project – FDM: For Disability Mobility - £8,041.00

o  2 Litter bins for Rothwell - £398.42

o  The Crescent A Frames - £1,600.00

o  Morley South Public Access Defibrillator Fund £1,530.00

o  Litter bins for Springhead Park, Rothwell - £450.00

o  Litter bins for Morley North £996.05

(3)  That £250.00 per ward be allocated to the skips budget.

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

(5)  That information of funded projects be noted.

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

(7)  That details of the Small Grants Budget be noted.

(8)  That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality

The report of the Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality informed Members of a presentation that provided an update on the climate energy strategy and progress.

Chad Newton, Senior Communication and Marketing, Sustainable Energy and Air Quality gave the Committee a presentation.

Key issues highlighted included the following:

·  Schemes that were being undertaken in the Outer South Area at Churwell Primary School, Knowle Manor and Rothwell Leisure Centre .  These included the use of ground source heat pumps, solar panels and switching to LED lighting.

·  Development of the White Rose Forest

·  Electric Vehicle Trial Scheme.

·  Improving the efficiency of housing and the support available to help achieve this.

·  Carbon emissions across the City.

·  Air quality – Leeds was compliant with national and European standards and was predicted to remain so.

·  How Elected Members could support and promote the work being done on climate change.

·  The ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 and reducing the carbon footprint and how this can be achieved.

·  Links to improving Health and Wellbeing and economic growth of the City.

·  Sustainable transport – including the use of electric vehicles, promotion of cycling and walking.

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

·  Provision of geothermal heating from old mineworks – there was some ongoing research with the University of Leeds.

·  There were currently no proposals for energy from anaerobic digestion but this would be raised with the Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality.

·  There had been a spike in the demand for information on Solar Panels and anyone interested who had not received a response should contact the Sustainable Energy team.

That Chair thanked Chad for his attendance and presentation.

RECOMMENDED – That the report and discussion be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor

The report of the City Solicitor asked Members to consider the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2022/23 Municipal Year.

The following dates were proposed:

·  Monday, 20 June 2022

·  Monday, 26 September 2022

·  Monday, 12 December 2022

·  Monday, 13 March 2023

All meetings to commence at 4.00 p.m.

Members were also asked to consider whether they wished to consider any revisions to the meeting schedule and venue arrangements.

RESOLVED – That the Outer South Community Committee meets at 4.00 p.m. on the following dates in the 2022/23 Municipal Year:

·  Monday, 20 June 2022

·  Monday, 26 September 2022

·  Monday, 12 December 2022

·  Monday, 13 March 2023

Meeting venues to continue to be arranged on a meeting by meeting basis.