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 the 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 formal late items.

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

There were no interests raised at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors J Goddard and E Taylor.

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 whilst certain restrictions relating to the pandemic remain in place, 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.

No matters were raised on this occasion.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Monday, 19^th July, 2021.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 19^th July 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Community Hubs, Welfare & Business Support) that provides an an overview of the activity of 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 North 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:

o  Andrea Ellison, Chief Librarian

o  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 North East Community Committee next year.

In response to Member’s questions, the following information was highlighted:

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

·  Activities across local hubs and libraries. Members emphasised the need to encourage the use of libraries, and to receive prior information of activities taking place in the local area. It was requested that an update be brought to the next Community Committee meeting on localised activity. Additionally, it was requested that the Localities Officer circulate information and newsletters provided by the Library Service, to members of the Community Committee.

·  Linking with early years development. It was confirmed that conversations have taken place with the Council’s Children and Families sector on locations for activities to take place, with Children Centres being a main focus.

·  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, learning how to bank safely 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.

·  The impact on the use of services as a result of the pandemic. It was reported that use of library services nationally has been low. Members were informed that the service aims to build confidence across communities for people to return, and to re-introduce events over time.

(Councillor M Rafique arrived at 18.25)

The Chair thanked officers for their attendance and requested that an update be provided on the location of the Leeds Story Busses and localised activity at the upcoming Community Committee meeting.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and verbal update, along with members comments.

b)  To note the intention to receive an update on services within the Inner North East Committee area, at the meeting to be held in November 2021.

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

The following were in attendance for this item:

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

o  Mike Eakins, Intelligence and Policy Manager

Councillor Dowson provided some context behind the development of a new City Plan, replacing the Best Council Plan that was launched ten years ago. It was noted that there have been significant changes since the last Plan locally, nationally, and globally. The next steps of the plan were highlighted, in terms focused work with organisations and the consultation process.

The Intelligence and Policy Manager provided members with a presentation that set out key ambitions and drivers which will help shape the new plan, and then sought feedback from Members on their priorities for Leeds and in particular, the Inner North East Community Committee area for the next ten years.

Members discussed priority themes in terms of the biggest issues for the Inner North East Community Committee area. They were relayed as follows:

·  Educational attainment, skills, and good employment. Members acknowledged that poverty is a deterrent for young people not being able to achieve their goals. Members discussed disparities across the city, and it was felt there was a role to play with key partners such as the universities and public sector organisations to ensure good quality, high paid jobs. Members recognised that training and educating young people in the most deprived areas of the city, are a key issue for Leeds and it was important to ensure children are attending school and are receiving the relevant support by working with partners on training and career options.

·  Transport options, cost effectiveness and reliability. Members commented that the plan required measures for people to walk, cycle and use public transport by ensuring fares are cost effective and reliable. Members were of the opinion that Leeds would benefit from a publicly controlled transport system and as a starting point, members emphasised that the focus of the plan in terms of transport should be to address increasing routes to ensure residents can access places of work, education, and health facilities by working on existing infrastructure instead of expanding the system.

·  Addressing health inequalities. Members relayed concerns in terms of statistics regarding the life expectancy gap across wards and emphasised the need to reduce the gap considerably for deprived areas. Members commented on the importance of ensuring homes in the public and private rented sector are up to standard, in order to mitigate health implications faced by children and adults due to housing disrepair.

The Chair suggested that the Localities Officer schedule a session with members, various organisations, the third sector and the public to discuss the plan in more detail, and to understand the inequalities faced by residents of the Inner North East  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

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 Committee Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2021/22.

(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.

The projects set out in the report were discussed, and agreed as follows:

Members received the following information:

·  An update on the Wellbeing Fund. A full breakdown and projects were provided at Table 1 of the submitted report. The total revenue funding available to the Community Committee for 2021/22 is £165,530.17, with a remaining balance of £45,139.20;

·  Delegated decisions since the last Community Committee. These were set out at paragraph 22 of the submitted report;

·  Declined projects since the last Community Committee. Money Buddies was declined due to the additional information requested not meeting the requirements;

·  An update on the Youth Activities Fund. The remaining balance for 2021/22 is £46,368.01;

·  A breakdown of the Ward Pots 2021/22 as outlined in Table 3 of the submitted report;

·  The Capital Budget for 2021/22 and an update on the remaining balance being £20,348.00;

·  The Community Infrastructure Levy Budget 2021/22 allocation broken down by ward and as summarised in Table 5 of the submitted report. Members were informed an injection figure was expected and will increase the overall figure for this budget.

Members discussed the following matters:

·  Clarity on the spending requirements for the Community Infrastructure Levy. It was agreed that the Localities Officer will circulate guidance to members.

·  Revised deadlines for Youth Activity Fund applications and the cut off point for receiving applications will now be January / February, with projects starting in April.

RESOLVED – To note and approve:

a)  The project as outlined above

b)  Details of the Wellbeing Budget position (Table 1)

c)  Details of projects approved via Delegated Decision

d)  Details of the Youth Activities Fund (Table 2)

e)  Details of Skips & Ward Pots (Table 3)

f)  Details of the Capital Budget (Table 4)

g)  Details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (Table 5)

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.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with an update of the work which the Communities Team was engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided an opportunity for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Members highlighted key activities undertaken in terms of their role as Community Committee Champions, for their respective areas as set out in the submitted report.

Members’ attention was also drawn to the following points in the submitted report:

·  The focus of the Leeds vaccination programme;

·  The Mandela Centre remaining a Covid-19 testing site, with an alternative site being considered;

·  The INE HAP budget as set out at paragraph 57 of the submitted report;

·  The work on the extension at the BAME Health and Wellbeing Hub and the refurbishment of the Hill Top Playground off Beckhill Grove.

Members requested and it was agreed that an update on the following information be provided to members:

·  The total number of Universal Credit claimants in employment;

·  Whether there are any plans for Leeds Teaching Hospitals to recruit local people in the Inner North East Community Committee area.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and to receive the information as outlined above.

To note the date and time of the next formal meeting as Monday 29^th November 2021 at 6 pm.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 29^th November 2021, at 6 pm.

(The meeting concluded at 20:15)