Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships presenting an update of the work undertaken by the Communities Team, based upon the priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides Members with opportunity to discuss or request more detailed information on a particular issue.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships updated the Committee on work undertaken by the Communities Team on the behalf of the Community Committee and provided an opportunity for Members to provide feedback. This report provided updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees including Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

POLICING

Inspector Alistair Nicholls and Police Community Support Officers attended the meeting (West Yorkshire Police). Further details to crime and policing were provided and Inspector Nicholls updated the Committee on the work the police are undertaking to tackle the issue of motorcycle thefts in the Inner East area. This work has included working with partners such as the Integrated Offender Management team, as there is a small number of perpetrators of these crimes who commit the majority of the crimes. There is continuous data analysis to identify hotspots, and PCSO’s have been deployed to those areas for neighbourhood engagement work.

Motorcycle crime in the Inner East area has been targeted by Police under ‘Operation Dieselcrest’, and aims to disrupt the activities of perpetrators, such as by restricting their behaviour through civil enforcement measures including community protection notices, tenancy adjustments and civil adjustments. Civil adjustments operate by either mandating certain behaviour or restricting types of behaviour.

The Committee and Police discussed how to continue to maintain and develop their communication links with one another, including details of engagement work and police attendance at ward meetings.

One recent success was a reduction in antisocial behaviour during the fireworks period due to early intervention measures, in addition to work carried out by partner organisations such as street level spontaneous workshops for young people on topics such as toxic masculinity. WYP endeavour to build relationships with community organisations to improve communication and intelligence gathering. The Committee were informed how WYP presence at community events recently has been well received on social media.

There was discussion of training and recruitment within the police force, with a previous recruitment drive now coming to fruition with fully trained officers ready to be deployed. There is currently no Sergeant for the Burmantofts area.

Police encouraged members of the public to aid them in ‘Operation Dieselcrest’ by providing intelligence, such as by contacting Crimestoppers (0800 555 111).

PUBLIC HEALTH

In attendance were:

• Jess Dewhurst – Advanced Health Improvement Specialist

• Nicola Kelly Johnson – Advanced Health Improvement Specialist

Officers in attendance updated the Committee on cost-of-living events in the Inner East area. The events have been held in schools with numerous partner organisations attending to provide support, signposting, and resources. There has been vaccination and vaccine information available, as well as several attendees being referred to their GP for blood pressure monitoring. Partner organisations include Yorkshire Water, Feel Good Factor (recipe cards, household products and food) and Money Buddies.

Communities across the Inner East ward have been identified as having lower vaccination rates as well as being particularly vulnerable to the impact of the cost of living crisis. In response, there has been a community engagement drive which has included door knocking with on-the-door signposting available. This work has been supplemented through work such as the slow cooker programme, pay as you feel hot meals and food packs.

The Committee were informed of the expansion of the Home Plus contract from supporting elderly people who have experienced falls, to including support for those with asthma and COPD.

The Committee discussed the limits on localised approaches to public health checks as their direction is mandated at a national level. Suggestions from members included whether drop-ins can be made available for residents across pharmacies to ease pressure of GP surgeries, and to reduce waiting times.

COMMUNITY HUBS & LIBRARIES

In attendance was Adele Wilson, Customer Service Manager

The Customer Service Manager updated the Committee on the work to appoint a coordinator to manage the various partner organisations working to support communities during the cost-of-living crisis.

Community Hubs and Libraries in the Inner East area have worked with Zero Waste Leeds to distribute winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves, with future plans to include jumpers. Other funding options are being considered. The Hubs have been developed as ‘Warm Spaces’ during the cost-of-living crisis, with a return to pre pandemic type use of people remaining in the space all day. Hot meals and drinks have also been provided to people

Moses’ baskets have been distributed through the community hubs, and attempts are being made to secure more to distribute. The issue was noted to be of particular importance due to the Children’s Advisory Board informing the Customer Service Manager of four infant mortalities in the area recently. The Committee formally decided to fund this application when the application is made, for £500 per ward for Moses’ baskets through the Safer Sleeping programme.

Councillor Farley updated the Committee on recent visits made to Nowell Youth Club and Richmond Hill Youth Club. The children who use the service needed art supplies which has now been funded, as well as a dance mat. Involving young people in the process of applying for grants for projects was discussed.

Members discussed the Youth Summit and thanked the Localities Officer for their hard work in arranging and pulling together the event. The Youth Summit will be on 8th February 2023 at Leeds Civic Hall. The Committee noted that there are plans to work with smaller community groups being developed, including by YAF funding.

RESOLVED:

a)  That the contents of the report be noted.

b)  That Customer Services shall be funded £500 from each ward for the Safer Sleeping project providing Moses’ baskets.