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 were no exempt items.

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 submiited 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 Councillor A Hutchison.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2023

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 June 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

Minute No. 8 – Community Committee Appointments 2023/24

A request had been made for Councillor Golton to replace Councillor Chapman on the Outer South Housing Advisory Panel.

A nomination was sought for a Community Committee representative to join the Corporate Parenting Board.

RESOLVED –

(1)   That Councillor Golton replaces Councillor D Chapman on the Outer South Housing Advisory Panel.

(2)  That a Corporate Parenting Board representative be discussed the next meeting of the Children & Families Sub Group.

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 representation was made regarding anti-social behaviour that had occurred in Drighlington and other incidents that had resulted in 999 calls.  There was some concern that action had not been taken due to the lack of evidence.  It was reported that these matters were being pursued and West Yorkshire Police would investigate further.

Concern regarding the cancellation of bus services and changing of routes which was making it difficult for people to travel.  Members discussed the various mechanisms to follow up these concerns and also the future of bus provision in the district.

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 2023/24.

Kimberly Frangos, Localities Officer presented the report.

It was reported that the application for Morley Town Centre Management as detailed in Paragraph 23 had been withdrawn prior to the meeting.

Members’ attention was brought to the following applications for funding:

·  The Morley Shed - £4,000 requested.  Members were supportive of this application.

·  Drighlington Community Library (Supplementary Item) - £3,250.00 requested (£1,800 Wellbeing funds and £1,450 Capital).  It was reported that this provided an excellent service in partnership with Drighlington Parish Council and was a vibrant community hub which helped people to access services.

Following the postponement of the event in Woodlesford Park due to wet weather, a query was made as to whether the allocated funding would still be available.

RESOLVED –

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

(2)  That the following projects be approved:

o  The Morley Shed - £4,000

·  Drighlington Community Library - £3,250.00 (£1,800 Wellbeing funds and £1,450 Capital)

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

(4)  That monitoring information of funded projects be noted.

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

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

(7)  That details of the Community Skips 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 Chief Officer (Housing)

The report of the Chief Officer (Housing) provided the Community Committee with an update on the role of the Outer South Housing Advisory Panel (HAP) and how it was managed.

Ian Montgomery, Service Manager – Tenant Engagement was in attendance.

Issues highlighted included the following:

·  There were 11 HAPs across the city and these were co-terminus with Community Committee boundaries.

·  The HAPS had two broad roles – budgets for community and environment projects and to include tenants in decision making.

·  The work of the HAPs was guided by their terms of reference and the ‘Plan on a Page’ which gave an overview of the individual HAP area which included a summary of Community Committee and Housing Leeds priorities.

·  There were guidance notes on what could and could not be funded by a HAP.

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

·  Funding – there was a flat rate allocated across the city.  Half of this was divided equally between the 11 HAPs with the remainder based on the number of council properties in a HAP area.

·  It was suggested that there could be plans for each individual estate of housing properties to meet specific requirements and that there was the need for more neighbourhood planning.

·  The HAPs received update reports which provided tracking information on spending.

·  Funds were spent proportionately across the different Wards of a HAP where possible.

·  Applications were received from Youth Services.  Outer South HAP did not currently have representation from young people and the Youth Service had been contacted regarding recruitment of young people.

RESOLVED – That the update and report 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 work in which the Communities Team was engaged in based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.

Kimberly Frangos, Localities Officer presented the report.

Discussion included the following:

·  Children & Families – Planning for the Youth Summit would be discussed at the next sub-group with the Youth Matters Group in attendance. At a recent clusters partnerships meeting schools agreed that February was the best time of year for the Summit.  

There would be a Young People’s Remembrance Service on 10 November and two schools had already signed up.

There would be representatives from Morley at the Children’s Mayor Making meeting.

·  Anti-Social Behaviour – Megan Miller of LASBAT was in attendance.  Issues discussed included the following:

o  Concerns in the Kingsway area of Drighlington.

o  Problems with a group of young people in Ardsley & Robinhood.  There had recently been some injunctions served.

o  The process for escalating cases and penalties.

o  The need for improved communications with Ward Councillors and the publicising of success stories.

o  The process for dealing with cases relating to housing tenants.

·  West Yorkshire Police – Sergeant Mark Lund was in attendance.  Issues discussed included the following:

o  Preventative work – there was work ongoing in schools and tackling issues such as knife crime and sexual health.

o  The need to encourage people to report crimes.

·  Housing – Tom O’Connell, Area Housing Manager was in attendance.  Members were given an update on void properties and concerns regarding the turn in property repairs were discussed.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Policy

The report of the Head of Policy presented the Committee with an update on the Best City Ambition and sought input from Elected Members and residents.

Mike Eakins, Head of Policy was in attendance and gave the Committee a presentation.

Issues highlighted included the following:

·  The Best City Ambition was launched two years ago and this was the first refresh.

·  The Best City Ambition focussed on tackling poverty and inequalities using an evidence based focus.

·  There were three main pillars:

-  Health and Wellbeing

-  Inclusive Growth

-  Zero Carbon

·  Headlines for Outer South Leeds - Population growth was below the average across the city; population density was similar to the city average; there was a higher level of home ownership.

·  Ways of measuring progress – use of Key Performance Indicators and the Leeds Social Progress Index.

In response to comments and questions, discussion included the following:

·  How the Social Progress Index would be used to develop intelligence and help to inform decision makers.

·  Concern that areas of deprivation would remain in that position as these areas tended to attract people on low income and those who improved their lifestyles tended to move away.

·  The Leeds Social Progress Index website gave a full breakdown of the data collected and where it was collected from.

·  The Best City Ambition was informed by other strategies including the Children and Young People Plan.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

Monday, 11 December 2023 at 4.00 p.m.

Monday, 11th December 203 at 4.00 p.m.