Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer Economy and Culture.

Cllr Bromley left the meeting at 2:50pm at the start of Item on Leeds 2023.

 The Chief Officer Culture and Economy submitted a report to provide the Outer North West Community Committee with an update on LEEDS 2023 and to gather input and support from elected members and residents.

Members were shown a presentation as an introduction to the LEEDS 2023 year of culture with a brief background which included the setting up of the Leeds Culture Trust with an independent chair, funding, scrutiny, partnership working and promotion of the year of culture.

Members were informed of the following points:

• It is the aim of LEEDS 2023 for 75% of Leeds residents to be involved in the events. Some of the events will be free and held in all 33 wards with schools being invited to get involved. The aim is to show the diverse heritage of the city.
• Economic research has suggested that holding this type of event will attract investment to the city particularly through retail and hospitality.
• My LEEDS 2023 aims to empower the local communities through partnership and community working. There will be 33 Neighbourhood Hosts with one host recruited from each ward, this will be a paid role as a member of the LEEDS 2023 Team. The role will be as a connector to local residents to access and make the most of the Year of Culture. They will also play a key role in an event called the Weekender.
• The Weekender will take place for two days in August 2023 animating every ward with neighbourhood events. The aim is to bring together the communities through events such as street parties, cook outs and mini carnivals.
• Currently the team are holding events in wards to promote the LEEDS 2023 Year of Culture.

Member’s discussions included:

• Need to address all areas within wards such Pool, Arthington and Bramhope.
• Members suggested that the Team should invite the Parish and Town Councils to get involved.
• The Team should start communication with the Heads of schools to involve all children to get involved and participate in events.
• It was noted that the Guiseley Carnival had taken place the weekend prior to the meeting, and no-one had attended from the Leeds 2023 Team. Members were of the view that this was a missed opportunity to engage with people in the area. The Team were advised that Yeadon will hold its carnival on 2^nd July and it would be a good opportunity to engage with the community.
• Members noted that 25-30 people had attended the Guiseley and Rawdon Roadshow to promote the Leeds 2023 Year of Culture.
• Members were of the view that work was required in older people’s network groups and with the third sector groups.
• Members acknowledged that the Team wished to communicate with all ward members to access their knowledge and expertise in relation to contacts and groups in the area.
• Members noted that the position for Neighbourhood Host would be advertised from July with the closing date for applications in August. It was also noted that this would be a paid role and the post holder would be required to work 3-6 hours per week, they would receive training for the role. Members suggested that the Neighbourhood Host once appointed be invited to a future meeting of Community Committee.
• Members were advised that the Community Grant Fund would be split equally across all 33 wards. The Committee noted that further details in relation to this and the programme of events would be released on 23^rd September 2022.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report.