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 refusal.

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 late items.

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

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillors: S Hamilton and J Dowson.

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.

Members of the public addressed the meeting under the provisions of Paragraphs 4:16 and 4:17 of the Community Committee Procedure Rules (Open Forum):

Freedom4Girls- Victoria Abrahams (Operations Manager) attended the meeting and provided information on the work on-going around campaigning with projects, to reduce period poverty in the UK. The Committee heard that voluntary work is set up across schools and hubs, to provide support to both sexes, to break down silence through workshops. The Committee further heard that donations of sanitary products were accepted in a number of donation stations set up across Leeds. The overall aim Victoria intended for their charity to provide, is to remove the stigma around this issue and help individuals build up their confidence. The Committee were asked to support the Campaign and provide further help and suggestions.

Members offered to provide help, in supporting the initiative of the Freedom4Girls charity’.

RESOLVED- To:

A.  Note the discussions.

B.  Request that an e-mail be sent to all Councillors providing information on where contributions can be made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held 3^rd September 2018.

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held 3^rd September 2018 as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Relationship Manager, Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which provides an update on Universal Credit from the DWP.

(Report attached)

Simon Betts, Relationship Manager, Department for Work & Pensions provided the Committee with an update on Universal Credit.

The report had formed the basis for discussions during the informal workshop session held prior to the formal meeting. The key issues highlighted were:

Universal Credit will replace 6 existing benefits including:

-  Income based Employment and Support Allowance

-  Working Credits

-  Income Support

-  Child TAX Credits

-  Income based job seekers allowance

-  Housing benefit

·  Payments will be one single transaction, paid monthly, to one individual per household.

·  Universal Credit is based upon the amount of money an individual earns per month as opposed to how many hours worked.

·  The process for making the claim online and the measures in place for assisting individuals in need of additional support.

·  Alternative payment arrangements in place; advanced payments.

·  Emphasised the role of advocates, to provide assistance for claimants.

In response to questions, the following was discussed:

·  Approximately 60,000 (15%) Leeds residents’, currently claim benefits and 8,000 are on Universal Credit.

·  Partnerships with the Housing Team are in place, to provide support with making claims and liaising with Landlords.

·  Piloting work in 3 GP surgeries, to provide additional advice and support.

·  Digital support would be available across the city and staff in job centres would be able to assist with making claims.

·  The measures in place to assist issues around safeguarding included:

-  Splitting payments in the household could be arranged

-  The Social Justice Team can carry out visits to support the individual’s needs.

·  Staff in place to overcome communication barriers and interpreters were available.

The Chair requested that an update in 12 months, with progress on the roll out of Universal Credit, would be useful.

RESOLVED – To:

A.  Note the presentation and report

B.  Note the intention to receive an update in 12 months, on the progress of the Universal Credit roll out.

To consider the report of the Head of Commissioning, Children and Families which provides the Committee with an update on the findings of the Youth Work Review and the recommended option for future commissioning arrangements.

(Report attached)

The Head of Commissioning, Children and Families, submitted a report presenting the findings of the Youth Work review and the recommended option for future commissioning arrangements.

The following were in attendance:

Kate Sibson – Commissioning Manager

Vicky Fuggles – Youth Offer Quality Assurance Lead

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Inner North East Outline youth work budget

-  Inner North East Community Committee Profile data

The recommended commissioning model was set out at point 12 of the submitted report and incorporated the following features:

-  Geographically Targeted Youth Service

-  Transitional Youth Inclusion Service

-  NEET Prevention Project

The table provided Members with a description of the future service area and the proposed budget for the service.

Members’ attention had been drawn to the need of providing youth service provision to groups aged 9-12 years and the importance of external partnership work was noted.

Members were informed that more detailed information could be provided at ward Member briefing.

Members raised concern that the Inner North East data contained in the report, measuring the population of young people, wasn’t a true reflection for each ward those of which were in the most deprived areas and already struggling with school places. Members were advised by officers, the ward data would be provided for them, at ward briefings.

RESOLVED-

A.  That Members respond to the ward briefings invitation.

B.  That the request of individual ward data would be provided during the upcoming ward briefings.

C.  That the contents of the report and the recommended future commissioning arrangements be noted.

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader which provides details of the Inner North East Community Committee Wellbeing budget, including the Wellbeing/Youth Activity Funding 2018/19

(Report attached)

The report of the Area Leader provided Members of the Inner North East Community Committee with details of its Wellbeing Budget, along with the Wellbeing/Youth Activities Funding available for the 2018/19 year and details of projects approved since the previous meeting under the delegated authority of the Director of Communities and Environment.

A Member of the Inner North East Community Committee, queried the recalculation of the Wellbeing allocation for 2018/19 and requested the revised formula is supplied.

RESOLVED-

A.  To note the current balances for 2018/19 and the spend to date against these budgets as set out in this report and Appendix 1 and Appendix 2.

B.  Note the CIL guidelines, attached in Appendix 3.

C.  To note the delegated decisions made since the last meeting of the Inner North East Community Committee (3^rd September 2018) as outlined in the table at paragraph 27.

D.  That the request of the revised Wellbeing allocation formula is provided to the Member.

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

(Report attached)

The Area Leader submitted a report providing an update on the work programme of Inner North East Community Committee including the Committee’s sub groups, local partnerships and events held in the locality since the last meeting.

Preet Matharu, Localities Officer, presented the report. Highlighting the success of the activities and events in the locality. Members noted the upcoming Youth Summit meeting will be held 29^th January 2019.

Members were pleased to hear that the community parks in the Inner North East Area, all passed the Leeds Quality Park assessments.

Members were advised of the growth within the Inner North East Communities Team with their use of social media to promote their work and events. It was noted that their Facebook page currently receives a following of 707 people.

RESOLVED- To note the contents of the report.

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.

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 the written response would be provided within 14 days. No comments were raised.

To note the date and time of the next formal meeting as 4^th March 2019 at 7.00pm

Please note: At 6.00 pm there will be an informal workshop with Councillors, residents and partners on the theme of Universal Credit – Learn the Facts.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 4^th March 2019 at 7.00pm.