Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone present to the meeting of the Outer East Community Committee.  All in attendance were asked to complete the feedback forms that were available.

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.  Supplementary Information was submitted for Agenda Item 10 – Outer East Community Committee Update 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 S Field, J Gibson,  M Harland, H Hayden and S McCormack.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2023

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 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.

Concern was expressed regarding the development of artificial sports pitches and the impact on the environment.  There was also concern that green space had not been provided to offset the development of these pitches.  It was reported that this issue had previously been considered at the Community Committee and that all applications for artificial sports pitches had been through the planning process.  Attention was also brough to the opportunity for greenspace development following the ELOR development.

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 and Rosie Armitage, Intelligence and Policy Manager were 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 East Leeds - Population growth and density was below the average across the city; 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:

·  Upcoming changes in the Outer East – there would be the development of 5,000 new homes over the next ten years.

·  Team Leeds – the role of the third sector in Outer East Leeds was important.

·  How the community can contribute.

·  Key challenges in the area – tackling anti-social behaviour and an ageing population was highlighted.

·  The need to gather intelligence at a local level and how this can be used for future planning, decision making and investment.  Community Engagement and Elected Member involvement was crucial to this.

·  Engagement with other organisations across the area – sports groups, neighbourhood watch and how to get other members of the public involved.  There would be further public consultation.

RESOLVED – That the report and presentation be noted.

PC Ian Campbell attended the meeting.

The Committee was given an update on crime statistics across the Outer East Area and informed of successful operations which had resulted in the seizure of drugs and vehicles.  Operation Dieselcrest had been successful in tackling problems with off-road bikes and Operation Bunkhill was ongoing and had involved work in schools and tackling gang related violence.

Members expressed their thanks for the work carried out in Outer East Leeds.

Andrew Crates, Principal Planner was in attendance to provide an update on planning applications on land within the East Leeds Orbital Road site.

The following was highlighted:

·  Far northern quadrant – There was a full planning application for 356 homes.  Negotiations were ongoing with the developer and pre-application details and position statements had been presented at Plans Panel.

·  Northern quadrant – There was outline consent for 2,000 homes, a 2 form entry primary school and a local centre for retail/health uses.

·  Middle quadrant – Outline consent had recently been approved for 875 homes.

·  Southern quadrant – an application for 925 home was still undetermined.  There were also proposals for a 2 form entry school and a local centre for retail/health purposes.  There had been an objection from the Environment Agency with regards to development on this part of the site.

·  All applications would comply with policy relating to housing mix and there would be a focus on providing more 2/3 bedroom houses and larger houses within the affordable housing provision.

·  It was hoped that highways works would start to the middle quadrant as soon as possible with further construction work to commence in the new year.

·  The planning permission for a public house on the land owned by Samuel Smith’s Brewery had now lapsed.

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.

Charlotte Fletcher,  Localities Officer presented the report.

The following was discussed:

·  There was £51,863.51 remaining in the Wellbeing Revenue budget.  A ward by ward breakdown was given.

·  Wellbeing projects for consideration. With regard to the application from Leeds United Foundation for the Premier League KICKS project in Temple Newsam, it was noted that this would be for the continuation of the existing project.

·  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 noted.

(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 be approved:

o  Holiday Activity Fund, Igbo Union Yorkshire - £210.00

o  Outer East Crime Reduction, West Yorkshire Police - £2,557.00

o  Premier League KICKS, Leeds United Foundation - £6,997.75

o  Halton Moor Community Football Sessions, United Football Sporting Academy - £4,500

o  Outer East Christmas Trees, Lights & Events 2023, Safer and Stronger Communities - £19,864.00 (Wellbeing Budget) and £16,096.00 (CIL Budget)

(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:

·  Children and Families – Engagement for Youth Activity Funding.  Over 500 young people had completed the survey.

·  Community Safety – The Outer East Bonfire Partnership was due to meet on 4^th October.  Funding had been made available for diversionary youth activities.

·  Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team – An update in the report highlighted key issues and statistical information.

·  Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team – Chris Pierpoint, Area Manager gave the Committee an update of work in Outer East Leeds.  This included bulky collections, enforcement work and clearing overgrowing vegetation.  Members thanked Chris and the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team for their work.

·  Housing – Tom O’Connell, Area Manager gave the Committee an update.  Void levels remained low in the area whilst demand for housing remained high.  There had been some delays with adapted properties.  Income collection had increased and support was available for those who had problems due to the cost of living crisis. Members thanked Tom and housing colleagues for their work.

·  Good Neighbours Schemes:

o  Peter Gruen of Swarcliffe Good Neighbours addressed the Committee.  Details of regular events held were noted and the forthcoming 30^th anniversary of the scheme.  Thanks were expressed for the support the scheme had received from the Council and to the volunteers involved in supporting the organisation.

o  Claire Wall of Cross Gates & District Good Neighbours addressed the Committee.  A new part-time IT Support Worker had recently started and was supporting people with online and IT services.  Thanks were expressed for the Community Committee funding support towards this.  Preparation was being made for winter support.

o  Members thanked Peter and Claire and all the neighbourhood networks across Outer East Leeds for their work.

·  Youth Service – Deeta Tren-Humphries gave the Committee on Youth Work provision.  This included activity days, Youth Matters groups, Drama Workshops, Leeds United KICKS sessions and detached Youth Work sessions.  Activities had included first aid and CPR training and the Safe project.  Diversionary work was planned for the Halloween and bonfire period.  An update was also given on the work of the Tribe Youth Group who had been nominated for awards in the Leeds Compassionate City and Yorkshire in Bloom.  Members expressed their thanks to all involved in Youth work across the area.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 4.00 p.m.

Tuesday, 12 December 2023 at 4.00 p.m.