Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rules 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 were no exempt items.

To identify items which have been admitted ti the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(the special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no formal late items. However, supplementary information in relation to Agenda Item 8 – Finance Report was published prior to the meeting and circulated to members. Minute No. 52 refers.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

No interests were raised at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

No apologies of absence were received.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meetings held on 25^th January 2023 and 10^th March 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meetings held Wednesday, 25^th January 2023 and Friday, 10^th March 2023, be approved as an accurate record.

To receive the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships regarding the Finance Update for the Inner North West Community Committee, including budget positions for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund, Capital Budget, and the 2022/23 Community Infrastructure Levy Budget.

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 2022/23.

Following publication of the agenda, supplementary information was published and distributed to members. The information related to some applications for consideration by the Committee.

The Committee noted the following:

·  The Wellbeing Budget Position 2022/23. The balance stood at £1,290.

·  Covid Funding 2021/22. A breakdown per ward was provided and a suggestion was noted to re-name ‘Covid Funding’ to ‘Ward Pot Funding’ as this was more relevant.

·  Youth Activities Fund Position 2022/23. The balance stood at £1,270.72.

·  Small Grants & Skips Budget 2022/23. It was noted the balance stood at £-176.36. It was acknowledged the figure is currently negative, but efforts will be made to rectify this.

·  Capital Budget 2022/23. The balance stood at £12,314.28.

·  Community Infrastructure Levy Budget 2022/23. The balance stood at £96,726.

The Committee discussed and agreed the following projects:

RESOLVED – To:

a)  Note details of the Wellbeing Budget position (as detailed in Table 1 of the submitted report)

b)  Review the minimum conditions

c)  Note the monitoring information of its funded projects

d)  Note details of the Youth Activities Fund position (as detailed in Table 2 of the submitted report)

e)  Note details of the Small Grants and Skips Budget (as detailed in Table 3 of the submitted report)

f)  Note details of the Capital Budget (as detailed in Table 4 of the submitted report) 

g)  Note details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (as detailed in Table 5 of the submitted report)

h)  Consider the applications as listed above.

To consider the report of the Localities Officer which invites the Inner North West Community Committee to discuss the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The report of the Localities Officer introduced a discussion on the ‘Cost of Living Crisis’, to provide the Inner North West Community Committee with an understanding of the cost of living crisis across the 3 wards.

The Chair opened up the item, by explaining the Committee are keen to hear from groups and organisations on their contributions in the community, and any issues regarding additional support required or challenges faced, and to identify any gaps.

Residents of the community and local organisations provided an update on the following:

·  LS16 Community Uniform Exchange. Parents are struggling with buying food for their families, and the Uniform Exchange seeks to provide uniform to alleviate financial pressures on families.

·  Cardigan Community Centre. There is an after school club aimed at 5-11 year olds, providing a range of children’s activities as well as providing warm drinks and snacks. The Centre keeps a box of clothes to provide people with warm options and caters for refugees and the elderly. It was also acknowledged that there is a number of students struggling with isolation issues and the Centre has established a breakfast group.

·  Saint Augustine's Wrangthorn. A warm space community session is run on a Wednesday, and it was confirmed a mixture of people attend and the space is open for all, as well as a lunch club on Sunday tailored at students. Further to comments about isolation, it was acknowledged that students may often struggle financially and with receiving support from people. Concerns were raised regarding longer term stability of financial support.

·  Left Bank Leeds. A lot of local people are taking advantage of the warm space and free WI-FI.

·  Rainbow Junction. There is a community café which runs on a Monday and Thursday. The community café offers local people with the opportunity to pay for food as ‘they feel’ with no set amount. There is also a food share set up on a Friday that people do not need referring to.

·  St Pauls. Offers a warm space for the community and on a Monday evening there is a ‘tea time meal together’ and sports activities run by Your Backyard. A mixture of people attends and has developed into a good sense of community. Concerns were raised regarding volunteer funding and how best to communicate with the community.

·  Caring Together in Woodhouse and Little London. Provides individual advice for those aged 55+ for people seeking support on benefits, debt advice and health issues. They also offer hot meals on Wednesday evening and various excursions and activities.

·  Woodhouse Community Centre. There is a breakfast and lunch club twice a week that is volunteer led, with approximately 50 people attending. There are many activities that are free of charge and the lunch club is extending to beyond the capacity of the centre. Concerns were raised regarding there not being enough staff to cover household support fund advice and a recent funding bid only allowed for 1 extra colleague to help one day per week.

·  Little London Food  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided an opportunity for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report further provided regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

It was noted that background work is taking place to tailor the information inputted into the Update Report, and more information around updates from local groups and organisations to be included.

The following information was highlighted:

·  The Youth Summit took place on 12^th January 2023 and attended by 30 young people from across 6 schools from across the Inner North West 3 wards. This highlighted a stronger working relationship with schools.

·  An update from Burley, Little London, and Quarrymount Children’s Centres. The information highlights a particular demand on Family Work caseload.

·  Environmental Sub-Group. A decision is awaited from the universities about this year’s course of action regarding Changeover. Further to a question regarding the universities undertaking consultation with local communities, it was noted the question has been asked and a response is awaited.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report.

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.

The following issues were raised:

·  Social housing and clarity on the Council’s position on buying back properties to increase stability and diversity across communities. It was noted that the Council have a programme regarding buying back properties but are limited financially and the restricted on the number able to buy back. It was suggested that HMOs in the area be reduced through Licensing conditions.

·  Cardigan Community Centre is looking for 3 additional Trustees. The Inner North West Community committee will make an appointment for fill the vacancy left by Cllr N Walshaw at the Cardigan Community Centre. This process will take place as soon as possible. Cllr Kayleigh Brooks has expressed an interest in the position.  in Community Centre website: https://cardigancommunitycentre.org/ will be promoting the vacancies and criteria.

·  Concerns regarding the operation of the way some Housing Associations are operated and liaison with the community regarding particular issues. Members asked that such issues be directed to them to look into.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor which invites the Inner North West Community Committee to consider the proposed dates and times for the 2023-2024 Municipal year.

The report of the City Solicitor presented members with the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

The proposed meeting schedule proposes to hold the meetings on a Wednesday at 6pm, which reflect the current pattern.

The proposed dates are as follows:

·  5^th July 2023

·  27^th September 2023

·  13^th December 2023

·  6^th March 2023

Residents raised concern regarding lack of publication of meetings and explained that they have found it difficult to locate details on the location and date of meetings.

RESOLVED ­– To provisionally agree the dates and times as listed above and to note that the next meeting will be held on Wednesday, 5^th July 2023 at 6pm. Venue TBC.

(The meeting concluded at 19:20)