Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Reginald Centre, Chapeltown Rd, Leeds, LS7 3EX

Contact: Helen Gray 0113 3788657 

Note: At 6.00pm - a workshop with local Councillors, residents and partner organisations will be held on the theme of Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 

Items
No. Item

Approximately 30 representatives of the local community, organisations and stakeholders attended the meeting.

 

17.

Chairs Opening Remarks

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed all present and thanked all those who had stayed after the workshop for the formal business meeting. Brief introductions were made.

 

18.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

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).

Minutes:

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

 

19.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

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:-

Minutes:

There were no exempt items.

 

20.

Late 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)

Minutes:

No late items of business were added to the agenda.

 

21.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

Minutes:

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made.

 

22.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dowson and Sobel.

 

23.

Open Forum

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.

Minutes:

No matters were raised by attendees under the provisions of paragraphs 4.16 and 4.17 Community Committee Procedure Rules (Open Forum), however Neil Pentelow (Area Officer) briefly reported the contents of a representation received from Meanwood Village Association, seeking support for the provision of outdoor gym equipment in Meanwood Park. It was noted that this was being progressed with Moortown ward Members.

 

24.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 27 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held 26th June 2017

 

(Copy attached)

Minutes:

RESOLVED – To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held 26th June 2017 as a correct record.

 

25.

Matters Arising

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

Minutes:

There were no matters arising.

 

26.

Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy pdf icon PDF 292 KB

To consider the report of the LCC Economic Policy, Innovation and Sector Development Team on the current consultation around the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2017 – 2023. A copy of the ‘Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy – Consultation Draft Executive Summary’ is attached to the report as appendix 1.  This report also supports discussions to be held during the informal workshop on some of the key ideas in the strategy and how they relate to local priorities.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Gilda Smith-Leigh, Senior Economic Development Officer, LCC City Development, presented a report on Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy 2017-2033, which included ‘12 Big Ideas’ to promote inclusive growth in the city.  The report had formed the basis for discussion during the informal workshop session prior to the formal meeting and a copy of the executive summary was included as an appendix to the report.

 

In presenting the report, Gilda highlighted the following key issues:

-  The expansion of the city centre; and projected growth of the city in terms of jobs and the economy

-  The focus on supporting local people to secure employment in the expanding Leeds jobs market, ensuring that Leeds residents have the right skills and qualifications to be job ready; and seeking to ensure that employment pays well

-  The need to continue the discussions with local communities to ensure they can contribute to and take up the opportunities the growing city offers

 

The workshop had been attended by approximately 30 representatives from local residents, organisations and stakeholders and the themes discussed included:

·  Putting young people at the centre of the Strategy – encourage business links with schools to mentor students and provide examples of what can be achieved, raise aspirations, support parents’ learning and understanding of what is available and provide a breadth of information of what is available post-statutory education (apprenticeships, college, internships as well as University)

·  Social prescribing has an important role to play, acknowledging that poor mental health can prevent access to opportunity

·  Asset mapping of venues available in each locality which could be made available to support small & medium business start-ups or provide learning environments

·  Development of a communication strategy setting out engagement methods which will encourage responses from all the city’s communities

·  Recognition for the role of culture/arts/music in local economies and consideration of how to strengthen these as economic opportunities

·  An opportunity to re-focus our approach

-   although language can be a barrier to employment; it can also be a skill to tap into

-  Instead of focussing barriers, look to the community strengths

-  Create jobs and opportunities in the community, not just the city centre;  and to match job opportunities to existing skills

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and the discussions

b)  To note that the detail of the workshop discussions will be collated and considered further by Councillor G Hussain, Employment & Skills Champion and Gilda-Smith Leigh

 

27.

Employment and Skills Update pdf icon PDF 297 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, LCC Employment & Skills presenting key unemployment data for the area and providing an update on Employment & Skills Service activity in the locality.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor G Hussain, Community Champion for Employment, Jobs and Skills introduced the report of the Chief Officer, Employment & Skills Service. He emphasised the role of the East North East Employment and Skills Board in promoting the local employment agenda and reviewing the progress made through monitoring of vacancies; skills; training and job take-up rates across the ENE area. 

 

Keri Evans, Communities & Partnerships Senior Manager, presented information on Employment & Skills Service activity within the Inner North East area along with key unemployment data for the area. The report provided a breakdown by ward of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance (JSA) and Employment Support Allowance (ESA); and a comparison of 2016 against 2017 figures.

 

Keri highlighted the support available to encourage people into employment and the new programmes of delivery available with support from European Structural Investment Funding (ESIF). A new adult learning website had been recently launched to support people seeking employment & skills support and advice at home, rather than in libraries and jobshops: https://www.leedsadultlearning.co.uk/. She reported that 1200 courses were available city-wide and these were constantly monitored to ensure they remained relevant to the jobs market and were offered where the need was greatest.

 

The ENE Employment & Skills Board was considering new approaches, including:

·  digital capacity,  specifically in relation to internet access and the skills needed to utilise all the on-line forms and application forms associated with benefits/job application processes.

·  links to businesses to encourage their support, such as the proposed laptop re-use scheme being discussed with Keepmoat developments

·  ensuring Wi-Fi provision was integral to new-build homes

·  constantly reviewing the communication strategies to ensure people are aware of what is available to them, and where the provision is located – the new adult learning website will help with this as it incorporates routes, public transport links

RESOLVED

a)  That the contents of the report and subsequent discussions be noted

b)  To note the intention to receive a further Employment & Skills Update in 2018

 

28.

Changes to Clusters and Appointments 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 299 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families on the changes that have occurred within the Cluster structures affecting the Inner North East CC area and seeking appointments to the Cluster Partnerships.

 

Minutes:

Further to minute 9 of the meeting held 26th June 2017, Mary Armitage,  Area Head, Targeted Services (West North West Leeds), presented the report of the Director of Children and Families on the recent changes to the Cluster Partnerships structure within the Inner North East area. The report sought consideration of appointments to the following Clusters:

2gether Cluster – 1 Member from either the Chapel Allerton or Moortown ward

ARM (Alwoodley, Roundhay & Moortown) – 2 Members from each of the Roundhay and Moortown wards.

 

Members commented on the recent challenge of receiving information on the Cluster meetings and their ability to attend. It was hoped that now that that  partnership working was embedded in the Cluster structure, meeting arrangements would be negotiated to ensure the best  attendance. with external partners,  arrangements in respect of

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the information contained within the report

b)  To confirm the following Member appointments to the Childrens Services Cluster Partnerships:

i)  2gether – Councillor M Rafique (supported by Councillor R Charlwood)

ii)  ARM – Councillors R Charlwood and C Macniven

 

29.

Wellbeing Report pdf icon PDF 262 KB

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader setting out the Inner North East Community Committee Wellbeing budget, including details of any new projects for consideration.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Neil Pentelow, Area Officer, presented a report on the current budget position and setting out the Wellbeing and Youth Activity budget arrangements for the Committee. Additionally, the report outlined decisions taken under delegated authority for the area since the last CC meeting.

 

No new wellbeing applications had been submitted for consideration at this meeting although the Wellbeing advisory sub group would meet later in September to consider applications currently being processed by the Communities Team. Members noted comments supporting the work of the Wellbeing advisory sub group and the positive impact the variety of projects funded had on the locality. Additionally, Members discussed the impact of the reduced 2017/18 Wellbeing allocation on the ability of the CC to support applications in full and officers agreed to provide information reviewing the usefulness of match-funding provided by the CC as a means to making projects viable directly to Members.

RESOLVED

a)  To note the current balances for 2017/18 and the spend to date against those budgets as set out in the submitted report and Appendix 1

b)  To note the delegated decisions made since the past meeting of the Inner North East Community Committee as outlined in paragraphs 22 -23 of the submitted report

 

30.

Community Committee Update report pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader which provides an update on the work programme of Inner North East Community Committee, its recent successes and current challenges.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Neil Pentelow, Area Officer, presented an update on the work programme of the Inner North East CC, its recent successes and challenges. The report also provided an outline of the main issues discussed by the Member advisory sub groups; work undertaken with the Community Champions and the progress of the Chapeltown and Meanwood local partnerships.

 

Additionally, the report focussed on some of the Community Events successfully held in the Inner North East CC area since the last meeting; including the 50th year celebration of the Leeds West Indian Carnival and Leeds Black Music Festival held during August Bank Holiday weekend. Neil took the opportunity to highlight forthcoming October events:

·  “Thank You Event” - to celebrate the work done by volunteers and community groups in the locality - to be held on 28th October 2017 at Sheepscar Working Men’s Club.

·  Public Health workshop to be held jointly with the Inner East CC with a report back on the discussions and findings to be presented to the December CC meeting

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and the comments made during discussions be noted

 

31.

Community Comment

To receive any feedback or comments from members of the public on the reports presented to this Community Committee meeting.

 

A time limit for this session has been set at 10 minutes.

 

Due to the number and nature of queries it will not be possible to provide responses immediately at the meeting. However, members of the public shall receive a formal response within 14 working days.

 

Minutes:

The Chair noted the opportunity for members of the public to give feedback and/or queries on the reports presented during the formal part of the Community Committee meeting, the intention being that written responses would be provided within 14 days. The following comments were raised and discussed:

Internet – Access to/costs of the internet and Wi-Fi speed were identified as a possible barrier to unemployed people being able to access information on education, training & skills and complete on-line application forms. A concern was also noted over having to input personal data on shared computers in internet cafes/jobshops/libraries

The Committee received information on measures being pursued by the Council to support internet access which included free Wi-Fi along Chapeltown Road, a pilot for tablet lending for members of Leeds Libraries and work with Keepmoat developers to encourage donation of ICT equipment. The development of the new LCC learning website https://www.leedsadultlearning.co.uk/ had been in direct response to job-seekers wanting access at home to support, advice and information on-line .

Theft of Yorkshire Stone –

Recent thefts of Yorkshire Stone paving slabs in the locality were discussed, Sgt Micklethwaite responded with an update on current police action to tackle the issue.

 

32.

Closing comment and date and time of next meeting

Minutes:

The Chair thanked all those who attended the workshop and the meeting and noted the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 4th December 2017 at 7.00 pm (with an informal workshop at 6.00pm).