Agenda item

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities brings to members’ attention 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.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Stronger Communities updated Members on the work which the Communities Team are 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.

This report also provided 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.

The following were in attendance for this item:

o  Ruth Tiernan, Localities Officer

o  Ian Kenning, Localities Manager

o  Suzanne Hardy, Service Manager Environmental Services

o  Darren De Souza, Community Health Development Manager, Mentally Healthy Leeds

The Service Manager (Environmental Services) provided a summary of the work undertaken by the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team. It was noted that data set out at point 11 of the submitted report had now been updated, although the trends remained the same. The following information had been highlighted:

·  Fly tipping reporting across all of the Inner East areas had decreased;

·  Bulky collections reporting had increased slightly;

·  Enforcement Officers have been particularly working in Harehills on the waste in gardens;

·  Courts have resumed services, and there has been many prosecutions;

·  Clean up events in the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward;

·  The majority of services are running as usual;

·  Close liaison with Highways on gritting streets, with focus on Covid-19 vaccination centres.

Members had requested the following information:

·  Clear and comparative data showing key areas for reporting and referrals over the last 3 months;

·  The location and overall number of grit bins. It was requested that the Head of Stronger Communities liaise with the Highways Department to receive this information.

The Community Health Development Manager provided members with an update on the Touchstone Loves Food project, and data in relation to food distribution and supply. Members heard that 160,000 meals had been delivered city wide. In relation to the Inner East Committee Area, 50,000 had been delivered to Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, 21,600 to Gipton and Harehills and 2,800 to Killingbeck and Seacroft – 36% of the work had been based in Inner East Leeds. Mental health support has also been provided, with approximately 200 hours of intensive telephone support to residents.

The Chair thanked Darren and his organisation, with particular mention to the support provided to people across the communities who need it the most.

The Localities Manager in attendance, provided an update on a new funding package funding by Government, in relation to the Community Care Volunteering Hubs. It was confirmed that funding will sustain the hubs up until 30 June 2021, and the Inner East Committee Area in particular would receive £30,000 per hub, and additional funding for food. In addition to this, Voluntary Action Leeds are looking at doing a piece of work around coordinating the hubs to provide respite care and food coordination.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and information provided at the meeting;

b)  Requested that information in relation to comparative data showing key areas for reporting and referrals, and the location and number of grit bins be circulated to Committee members.