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 Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

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. However, there was supplementary information in relation to Agenda Item 11 – Finance Update Report. This have been circulated to Members prior to the meeting.

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

No Members declared any pecuniary or other interests at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillors Hussain and Khan. It was noted that Councillors Arif and Dye were delayed.

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 order to facilitate the Open Forum, the process has been adapted slightly, so that members of the public are invited to make written submissions in advance of the meeting on any matter which falls within the Committee’s terms of reference. These will be read out under the agenda item and considered by the Community Committee.

On this occasion no written submissions had been received from members of the public and there were no members of public in attendance at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Wednesday 28^th July 2021.

RECOMMENDED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th July 2021 be approved as a correct record.

It was noted that Cllr Grahame made reference to Anti-Social Behaviour Legislation in relation to Alternative Dispute Resolution, and the need for someone to look at the process.

Minute 8 - Matters Arising

Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy – The Flexi Bus will be operational from 27^th September 2021. There will be 6 flexi buses in total operating Monday to Saturday.

Leeds GATE – An invite to be extended to Housing to attend the next meeting to update on work in relation to Gypsy and Traveller sites.

Minute 10 – Update Report – Green Garden Scheme – Housing and Social Care to take matters of assistance with those who require the scheme. The Chair said that if any issues arise and gardens are not tidied then it can be dealt with through the Community Committee.

Cllr Arif joined the meeting at 17:10

Cllr Dye joined the meeting at 17:12

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships is to provide the Inner East Community Committee with a verbal update on the development of a City Plan for Leeds and to gather input from elected members and residents to feed into the Plan.

(Report attached)

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report that introduced a verbal update on the development of a City Plan for Leeds in the Inner East Community Committee Area and an opportunity for input from elected members and residents to feed into the Plan.

The following were in attendance:

·  Councillor J Dowson, Deputy Executive Member for the Leader’s Portfolio

·  Mike Eakins, Policy Officer

Councillor Dowson gave a brief introduction to the context behind the development of a new City Plan, highlighting the significant changes since the last Best Council Plan was launched ten years ago – locally, nationally, and globally. The Policy Officer set out some of the key ambitions and drivers that will shape the new plan, and then sought feedback from Members on their priorities for Leeds particularly in the Inner East area over the next ten years.

Members’ discussions included:

·  The need for Members to be kept updated on strategies and current partnerships

·  Standard of housing, it was noted that housing in Inner East required improvements and there was a need for more affordable housing.

·  Inner East is a densely populated area, Covid had highlighted that this area needed more green space facilities.

·  The Plan needs to set clear priorities for the city and not become an unwieldy document

·  School examinations need to be focused, so that young people leave with the skills they require for life including literacy.

·  The Plan needs to address those Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET’s).

·  Improved transport in the Inner East area.

·  Resources and funding are required in the inner-city areas to narrow the gap in relation to inequalities, poor health and poor attainment.

·  Jobs and skills shortage need to be addressed.

·  The City Plan needs to be a partnership with businesses, third sector and voluntary sector.

The Community Committee suggested that Cllr Dowson and the Officer may wish to attend resident community groups to hear the views of residents from the Inner East area.

Cllr Dowson said that she would be happy to attend any groups to discuss the plan and listen to residents.

The Chair thanked Cllr Dowson and Mike for their attendance at the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and presentation, along with Member’s comments, be noted.

The report of the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support provides an overview of the activity in Leeds Libraries during the past 18 months and outlines the key priorities for the service as part of our Service Recovery Strategy.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support provided the Inner East Community Committee with an overview of the activity of Leeds Libraries during the past 18 months and outlined key priorities for the service as part of the Service Recovery Strategy.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Andrea Ellison, Chief Librarian

·  Mark Kirkby, Senior Librarian

The Chief Librarian informed members that the report provided a city-wide overview on changes to the structure of the service and schemes / projects that have taken place during the pandemic such as digital services, as well as an update on the services key priorities over the coming months. Members were informed that a service update on a more local basis will be provided at the Inner East Community Committee next year.

The Community Committee were informed of the following points:

·  Education involvement. The Library Service is looking at revitalising the offer to schools, and the school programme will take shape over the next term with the focus being reading.

·  Digital exclusions and the offer for residents. A telephone service and communications channel were set up during the pandemic, to aid those requiring digital support and the focus moving forward looks at managing mental health, and how to keep children safe online. Members were also informed of an iPad lending scheme that will be rolled out centrally to enable the public to use for group learning, educational purposes and reading. It was noted that the library offered a variety of digital resources in the form of E Books, E Magazines and E newspapers. Members were also advised of the Niche Academy – a range of free online tutorials from setting up an email account or getting started with social media to help build skills using online resources.

·  The impact on the use of services as a result of the pandemic. It was confirmed that nationally the use of library services has been low. It was recognised that although libraries can offer many forms of digital access it does exclude those in the poorest areas of the city. Members were informed that the service aims to build confidence across communities for people to return to libraries and to re-introduce events over time, such as conversation tables and social activity groups.

The Community Committee recognised that the library service provided a valuable service to the Inner East providing a great space to meet people and to gain advice and knowledge in relation to digital information. It was also recognised that in an area where data poverty is a big issue it is a support service to residents.

It was noted that the library service can provide a variety of information for residents with staff who are knowledgeable and welcoming.

The Committee were advised that the library service also hold a number of antiquities which the library service wish to show. It is the proposal that these treasures be shown at events and venues so that residents can see  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships that provides an update of the work which 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 report provides regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with an update of the work in which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.

Cllr Jenkins highlighted paragraph 13 relating to Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership Workshop. He informed the Community Committee that he had attended the workshop at which there were about 60 people in attendance. It had been a useful workshop and a Domestic Violence Board has now been set up. He suggested that Domestic Violence and Abuse Partnership be invited to a future meeting to provide an update.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report.

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships that provides 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 2021/2022.

(Report attached)

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 (CIL) Budget for 2021/22.

Members were advised that the following projects had been considered and approved since the Inner East Community Committee held on 28^th July 2021:

·  BSA Welcome Back Party, Burmantofts & Richmond Hill - £3,000

·  Seacroft Men’s Group, Killingbeck & Seacroft - £8,063

·  Leeds Urban Arts Project, Killingbeck & Seacroft - £3,872.50

·  Youth Radio Café, Killingbeck & Seacroft - £3,450

Members were invited to consider the following projects:

Members received the following information:

·  The current remaining balance of the Wellbeing Budget is £145,996.40. Table 1 provided a list of the projects.

·  Three projects had been declined since the last Community Committee on the 28^th July:

o  Streetworks Soccer – Boggart Hill Outreach

o  Junior Sports Hub – Sunday Youth Club

o  LCC Youth Services – Summer Activities

·  Monitoring information had been provided by The Youth Association who had delivered the project ‘Life in Leeds’.

·  The remaining balance of the Youth Activity Fund is £76,001.14. The projects which had been supported were listed at Table 2.

·  Table 3 listed the Small Grants and skips which have been requested. The remaining balance is £12,682.01 with a ward breakdown as follows; Burmantofts and Richmond Hill £2,753.17, Gipton and Harehills £4,261.17 and Killingbeck and Seacroft £5,666.67.

·  Table 6 detailed the Capital projects with a remaining budget available of £79,718.80 with a ward breakdown as; Burmantofts and Richmond Hill - £29,127.34, Gipton and Harehils -£33,380.80, and Killingbeck and Seacroft - £17,210.66.

·  Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was detailed in Table 7. A remaining balance of £75,598.07 was available to spend with the ward breakdown as follows; Burmantofts and Richmond Hill - £19,145.71, Gipton and Harehills - £33,436.65, and Killingbeck and Seacroft - £23,015.71.

Members suggested that photographs should be taken to evidence what the wards are spending funding on.

RESOLVED - . To note:

a. details of the Wellbeing Budget position (Table 1- paragraph 21)

b. To consider and determine Wellbeing proposals (paragraphs 32-34)

c. To note details of the Youth Activities Fund (YAF) position (Table 2- paragraph 44)

d. To note details of the Capital Budget (Table 6- paragraph 48)

e. To note details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (Table 7- paragraph 50)

The Chair informed the Community Committee that it would be the last meeting for Ruth Tiernan, the Localities Officer for Inner East. She thanks Ruth for all her hard work especially over the last eighteen months.  She wished Ruth well in her new position.

The Community Committee showed their appreciation with a round of applause.

The next meeting of the Inner East Community Committee is scheduled for Wednesday 15^th December 2021, at 6 pm.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday 15^th December 2021, at 6pm.

The meeting concluded at 18:30