Agenda and minutes

Approximately 2 local residents attended the meeting.

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.

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 was no exempt information.

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’.

No interests were made at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Charlwood, Goddard, and Hussain.

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.

No matters were raised.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday, 6^th September, 2021.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 6^th September 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

To consider the report of the Executive Manager that introduces an update on the Highways Service and seeks to gather input from elected members and residents.

The Executive Manager submitted a report to provide the Inner North East Community Committee with an update on Highways Winter Service. The report and presentation provided the Inner North East Community Committee with an update of the Highways Service, following a recent winter service review. The report focussed specifically on the winter service fulfilled by Highways, including snow clearance and road gritting.

The Highways Service Delivery Manager was in attendance and informed members of a web link which showed the location of yellow grit bins and will show routes on which gritting is taking place in real time on days when the city is hit by severe weather conditions. It was hoped that this would provide valuable information for residents and ward councillors. The website uses postcodes to locate specific routes.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Members commended the work undertaken on behalf of the Highways Team to ensure primary, secondary and third routes are gritted but raised concern regarding side streets and pavements / events not being prioritised. Members were of the view that smaller estate roads should be included in decisions on gritting routes and were concerned that accidents occur on such roads with elderly residents walking on paths and young people making their way to school.

·  Members highlighted the importance of encouraging users out of cars by gritting cycle routes and the need to consider economy impacts long-term.

·  Resourcing implications and clarity on staffing position. It was confirmed that 4 new vacancies have been made available over the last 3 months and overtime needed to treat roads out of hours is dependent on weather conditions. Additionally, it was confirmed that there are no immediate resourcing implications.

·  Members raised concern regarding the limitation of grit bins provided across the locality, particularly streets with steep hills. Further issues identified by members included grit bins not being filled / partially filled and clarity on ownership of bins not being filled.

·  Members suggested that Community Payback volunteers assist with cleaning snow and gritting of footpaths and roads.

The Chair thanked the Highways Service Delivery Manager for his attendance.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report, together with comments raised by members during discussion of this item.

(Cllr Rafique joined the meeting at approximately 18:43)

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) that introduces a presentation on the council’s updated climate emergency strategy and progress.

The Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality submitted a report to update the Inner North East Community Committee on the Climate Emergency Strategy and progress.

An update was provided to the Inner North East Community Committee on the council’s climate emergency strategy and recent progress to reduce emissions. This included an overview of measures being taken to retrofit homes and buildings, installation of electric vehicle infrastructure and biodiversity measures such as tree planting. A couple of points highlighted were as follows:

·  £25m has been secured for de-carbonisation of the corporate estate and schools and included solar panels and LED lighting. It was noted that this had to be taken without any consultation due to limited timescales for the bidding process.

·  Information about what measures had taken place locally were also shared. It was noted that Moortown Primary School has been fitted with Air Source Heat Pump, but not Solar Panels – it was confirmed an increase in heating bills would not impact on the school.

·  Many sites across Leeds need heating upgrades and the Council were looking to use solar panels and air source heat pumps. Members were advised that savings would be made by not using Capital Money and the team were looking to secure funding from Government through a bidding process.

·  Grant funding is available for homes where owner’s salaries are under £30,000 to be fitted with free solar panels.

·  An electric bike trial scheme was available until March so that cyclists could try electric bikes before making a decision to buy. The team have around 22 electric bikes which can be loaned out from the city centre for use across Leeds. The loan period is one month. It was noted that people who borrow the bikes are asked to get their own insurance whilst loaning the bikes.

·  The team produce a city newsletter and an invite was given to Members to request a copy.

·  Leeds DEC are providing free educational material to raise awareness of climate change to be used in schools which link into the school curriculum.

·  A climate action training pilot was currently being undertaken in Seacroft. This links schools, third sector organisations to see what can be done in local areas to address climate change.

·  The White Rose Strategy is looking to double the tree count across Leeds. This is a national scheme looking to link up with private landowners who might be able to provide land on which trees can be planted. The Council is looking to plant more trees on land it owns such as parks.

Members discussed a number of matters including:

·  Whilst it was acknowledged that the Council do not support on street vehicle charging, members raised concerns regarding the measures in place for residents living in back-to-back properties and the implementation of electric charging points. A suggestion was put forward that priority areas for pilots in relation to electric charging points be considered in Saviles & Mexboroughs estates in Chapeltown.

·  The importance of publicising the newsletter and schemes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

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 Infrastructure Levy Budget 2021/22.

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 as well as the CRIS and Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2021/ 22.

The projects set out in the submitted 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 £39,003.54.

·  Delegated decisions since the last Community Committee meeting. These were set out at paragraph 25 of the submitted report.

·  An update on the Ward Pots Budget and a breakdown for 2021/22 as set out in Table 2 of the submitted report. It was noted there is a remaining balance of £39,789.97.

·  An update on the Youth Activities Fund. The remaining balance for 2021/22 is £43.408.56. Members were also informed that following guidance received from Children’s Services, unfortunately the Youth Summit is unable to take place.

·  The Capital Budget for 2021/22 and an update on the remaining balance being £32,848.

·  The Community Infrastructure Levy Budget 2021/22 allocation broken down by ward and as summarised in Table 5 of the submitted report. The overall remaining balance is £93,112.90.

Members raised concerns regarding the effect of the pandemic on being able to bring schools together in terms of the Youth Summit and forward planning in terms of the Youth Activities funding round.

RESOLVED – To note and approve:

a)  The projects as outlined above

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

c)  Details of projects approved via Delegated Decision

d)  Details of Skips and Ward Pots (Table 2)

e)  Details of the Youth Activities Fund (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.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with an update of the work which the Communities Team is 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.

The report also set out regular 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.

Community Committee 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 Inner North East HAP available balance.

·  An overview of progress on Woodland Creation.

·  Streetscene Grounds Maintenance.

·  Bonfires.

A member commented on the success of the ribbon cutting event for the newly refurbished Hill Top Play area.

Additionally, reference was made to forest conservation initiatives in terms of the Platinum Jubilee Fund and the Queen’s Green Canopy. It was also noted that a partnership bid for 655k co-ordinated by the West Yorkshire Mayor has been successful to improve safety for women and girls across the country.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the submitted report and updates provided at the meeting.

To note the date and time of the next formal meeting as Monday, 28^th February, 2021.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday, 28^th February 2022 at 6 pm.*

(The meeting concluded at 20:05)

*Following the commencement of the meeting, the Chair and Inner North East Community Committee Members agreed that the date and time of the next meeting be re-scheduled to Monday, 28^th March 2022 at 6 pm.