Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which 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 of the head of Locality Partnerships updated Members with the work the Communities Team have been engaged in based on the priorities of the Community Committee.

Appended to the submitted report included a copy of the Facebook page highlights.

The submitted report requested Member’s nominations to the sub-group of the committee for 2022/23. It was decided that consideration of such appointments will be made prior to the next meeting.

The Localities Officer introduced the report, and summarised key points in the submitted report.

A member raised concern regarding Gipton and Harehills and Burmantofts and Richmond Hill being two of the wards with the highest number of domestic violence cases. Sergeant Macdonald (West Yorkshire Police (WYP), Inner East ward) was in attendance and discussed the difficulties around reporting with domestic violence cases. The Committee were informed that WYP are looking into safe places in the community for people to be able to feel safe reporting issues.

The Senior Localities Officer in attendance explained that the Seacroft Local Care Partnership undertook a workshop in relation to domestic violence, in partnership with the Third Sector and local GPs and as a result of that, has an action plan. It was confirmed that the officer will collate feedback, and report back to members on the outcome of the workshop.

Sergeant Macdonald provided the Committee with an overview of Anti-Social Behaviour related statistics (January – May 22) for the Inner East area. It was reported that there has been a highest increase in non-alcohol related and youth related anti-social behaviour. Members raised concern regarding the accuracy of statistics provided and residents losing faith and confidence in the area due to drug/alcohol and robbery related crime.

Whilst it was acknowledged that the WYP online reporting system worked well, members explained that due to the diverse and deprived nature of the Inner East Community Committee area, most residents are unable to access online services.

Members explored options to overcome community fear and confidence and agreed that an informal meeting be arranged with ward members, reps from West Yorkshire Police including the Chief Inspector and Safer Communities colleagues to agree a way forward.

Members discussed the extension of the Cumulative Impact Area policy to include Burmantofts and Richmond Hill including York Road.

The Head of the Private Rented Sector was in attendance and provided an update on Selective Licensing. The following points were highlighted:

·  The standards of residents homes are worse than the service could have expected, with around 80% of homes requiring significant investment.

·  Sharing intelligence with West Yorkshire Police has enabled a successful partnership.

·  The service can share testimonies of working with partners to improve job skills for residents and help people into employment.

·  There are 11 specific job posts in Harehills, and it was confirmed there are approximately 5k licences, with 2 years left to carry out works.

In response to questions from Members, the Head of the Private Rented Sector confirmed the following:

·  The only mechanism to extend the 2-year period to carry out works, is to create another business case.

·  It was noted that 107 people in Harehills failed their duty to have their licence, and as a result, were issued with a penalty. It was confirmed that 32 of those have paid and overall, 825 people have been fined for not having a licence.

·  It was reported that a piece of work on overcrowding found that 4 properties were overcrowded.

·  All officers have training in human trafficking and how to identify domestic violence.

·  Landlords cannot be taken responsible for anti-social behaviour if they are not breaching their licence. Resolving drug related issues have been successful due to the partnership working with the police and there are a number of on-going operations targeting agents.

·  Members raised concern regarding the condition of housing, particularly in areas such as the Bellbrooke’s, Brownhill’s and Clifton’s.

Peter Wajdner (Area Manager Housing, LCC) was in attendance and was invited by the Chair to attend the next Community Committee meeting in September to provide a report and update.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report

b)  To note that appointments to sub-groups will be made prior to the next formal Community Committee meeting in liaison with the Localities Officer

c)  To request that an update on housing be received at the upcoming formal Community Committee meeting in September 22