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 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 late items.

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

No declarations of interests were made at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

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 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.

On this occasion Mr Brian Woolley attended the meeting to speak in relation to Agenda Item 10 - Sunnybank BD3 Postcode Request Report.

Mr Woolley informed the Community Committee that, having lived on the estate for 55 years, he was representing the residents of the Sunnybank Estate who have applied to the Royal Mail to change the postcode from a BD3 postcode to an LS28 postcode.

He said that he had lived on the estate for 55 years and had personally experienced mix ups by departments with health and other issues. He was aware that these issues also affected other residents on the estate.

Mr Woolley said that he was well aware of the Royal Mail’s stock answer to the matter. He highlighted a number of specific issues that residents had experienced as a result, which included mix ups by health services and other agencies, difficulty in getting insurance for vehicles and houses, problems with trade deliveries.

Mr Woolley advised Members that Leeds City Council had moved the Leeds boundary sign a few years ago and this had put the Sunnybank Estate into the Bradford side of the boundary sign. Residents had complained and the boundary sign was relocated to its previous position.

The Committee were informed that the distance between the Royal Mail boundary and the Leeds boundary is less than 100 metres, the Sunnybank estate is in the middle.

Mr Woolley said that there were 63 dwellings on the estate and over the weekend 107 residents had been asked if they wished to change the postcode to LS28. Mr Wooley informed the Committee that 100% of the residents he had spoken to were in favour of the change.

Mr Woolley was of the view that Royal Mail would not lose anything by changing the postcode. However, the residents would gain better services and recognition as Leeds residents. Mr Woolley said that the residents would appreciate the support of the Outer West Community Committee on this matter.

The Chair thanked Mr Woolley for his attendance at the meeting, and for explaining to the Committee the issues that the residents of the Sunnybank Estate were facing due to having a BD3 postcode. It was noted that a report on this issue was due to be discussed as part of the agenda.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September 2021, for approval as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September 2021, be approved as a correct record.

Minute 20 – Outer West Community Committee Finance Report

·  Members were advised that information in relation to further sessions by DAZL had not been received. It was noted that this would be looked into.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships 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 for 2021/22.

(Report attached)

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report that provided the Community Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund (YAF), Capital Budget, as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2021/22.

The Committee were informed that since the last meeting on 6^th September 2021, the project for the Farsley Cenotaph had been approved from the capital budget by DDN. Cllr Andrew Carter informed the Committee that the railings round the cenotaph had been painted in time for Remembrance Sunday. However, further work would not be done until January.

The Committee were asked to note that the following two projects had been cancelled with funding being put back into the Youth Activity Fund (YAF). The Committee were advised that the organisers of Farsley Festival were hoping for a bigger event next year by combining with events for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Members were requested to give consideration for the following wellbeing projects:

·  Summer Bands in Leeds Parks 2022 organised by Leeds International Concert Season for £3,250.00. Members were advised that the concerts would be part of a series with:

o  2 in Farnley Park

o  3 in Pudsey Park

o  2 in Victoria Park, Calverley

o  2 in Western Flatts Cliff Park, Wortley; and

o  1 in Westroyd Park, Farsley

Cllr Simon Seary informed the Committee that the Pudsey Arts Planning Team would be funding 4 more on top those already listed. Members approved £3,250.00 from the Wellbeing Fund.

·  West Yorkshire Police requested £5,920.00 for Outer West ASB and Speeding resources. This was to work with Roads Policing Unit to address the increased issues of speeding, dangerous driving, anti-social driving and anti-social behaviour.  The start date of this project would be November 2021 through to March 2022.

Members of the Community Committee requested that councillors be involved in this project so that they could advise on where the deployment of officers should be. Members approved £5,920.00 from the Wellbeing Fund.

·  West Yorkshire Police also requested £1,460.00 of Wellbeing Fund from the three wards in Outer West for a Cycle Security project. This would fund the purchase of 1,000 Selectamark products to be fitted to cycles at events and the code registered on National Cycle Database. It was believed that this would reduce offences of bike theft.The Committee was advised that that the application was for a joint bid with Inner West, with total costs of £2,920.00. Members requested that they were involved in this project, and approved £1,460.00 from Wellbeing Fund.

Members were informed that since the last meeting on 6^th September, there was 1 outstanding YAF application from the 2021/22 YAF budget to consider. Members had raised concerns at the previous meeting about the amount left in the YAF budget and that the organisation had shown that they were unfamiliar with the Outer West area. Members had, therefore deferred the project for further information.  Members were provided with the information requested and discussed at length the benefits of such  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships brings to members’ attention 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 are engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.

Members acknowledged the updates provided which included updates from:

·  Cleaner Neighbourhood Teams

·  Street Cleansing

·  Gully Cleansing

·  Health and Wellbeing and Adult Social Care

·  Leeds Big Chat in Pudsey

·  Housing Teams in Outer West area

The Community Committee were advised of:

·  Covid and Influenza vaccination pop centres in the Outer West area.

·  Andrew Sheader is the new Housing Manager for Farnley and Wortley

The Chair thanked Joanne Taylor for her work as Housing Manager in the Outer West area.

RESOLVED -  That the contents of the report be noted.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report to update the Outer West Community Committee on a report that has been prepared by officers in Planning & Sustainable Development in response to a request by Stuart Andrew MP and the Sunnybank Residents group to investigate options for moving forward longstanding issues for residents who have a BD (Bradford) postcode but live within the Leeds City Council boundary.

The report is brought for members to note and for discussion and questions.

(Reports attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer updated the Outer West Community Committee on a report (Appendix 1 of the submitted report) that has been prepared by officers in Planning & Sustainable Development in response to a request by Stuart Andrew MP and the Sunnybank Recreation Group to investigate options for moving forward longstanding issues for residents who have a BD (Bradford) postcode but live within the Leeds City Council boundary.

The report was brought for members to note and for discussion and questions. Following the committee meeting the report was to be released to residents who responded to the consultation and other involved parties. It was noted that the final decision in relation to a postcode change request lies solely with Royal Mail and is not a decision that can be taken by Leeds City Council. Therefore, members of the Outer West Community Committee were not requested to make a decision on the postcode change itself.

Members were advised of the following points:

·  Consultation had been taken with residents of the Sunnybank Estate between September and December 2020.

·  The Sunnybank Estate have suffered confusion in relation to a number of services including midwifery, health centres and hospitals.

·  The report at Appendix 1 included responses from services such as Police, Ambulance, health centres and hospitals it also provided a response from Royal Mail.

·  It was noted that the report highlighted that a postcode change would resolve some of the difficulties experienced.

·  In noting Royal Mail’s response that they would be unlikely to change the postcode for non-operational reasons, the report recommended further liaison with relevant agencies, in order to raise further awareness of the problems and seek improvements.

·  It was noted that within the report the residents group name had been given incorrectly. It should be Sunnybank Recreational Group.

Member’s discussions included:

·  Members acknowledged that whilst other areas experienced similar difficulties, it had hoped that this process would have seen a change in the postcode as requested, which could then be used as an example for other communities moving forward.

·  Acknowledging the considerable work which had already be undertaken by the residents of the Sunnybank Estate in communication with the Royal Mail to change the postcode to an LS28 postcode to enable them to receive the correct services and avoid confusion.

·  Members highlighted residents’ disappointment that press coverage had reported that the change of postcode was to increase house prices, emphasising that this was not the case, with the aim being address issues of confusion for the residents in relation to where and how they receive services.

·  Members were disappointed that this report had not been submitted to the Executive Board for consideration.

The Chair said that the Community Committee were disappointed that the Royal Mail had not addressed this issue before now, and in acknowledging the recommendations within the report. It was the view that a change of postcode would not affect or be an issue for the Royal Mail but would improve services for the residents.

The Chair thanked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

The report of the Executive Manager is to provide the Outer West Community Committee with an update on the Highways Service, and to gather input from elected members and residents. The report focusses specifically on the winter service fulfilled by Highways, including snow clearance and road gritting.

(Report attached)

The Executive Manager submitted a report to provide the Outer West Community Committee with an update on Highways Winter Service. The report and presentation provided the Outer West 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 presentation included 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.

The Community Committee were advised of the following points:

·  For areas which are difficult to access for gritting, Highways are now using quad bikes to access these areas to ensure gritting takes place and have proved successful. It was noted that the Council currently have 4 quad bikes and are looking to procure more.

·  It was acknowledged that Pudsey is one of the highest points in Leeds and gritting routes were being revised city wide, but specifically in outer areas. It was also noted that some yellow bins may need to be checked as some have been relocated.

·  In responding to concerns raised by Members in relation to how the cycle lane on the A647 was cleared of snow. It was noted that cycle lanes need to be addressed and concerns would be taken back to operations.

·  In relation to concerns raised about assistance during severe weather for Retirement Life it was noted that these would be reviewed and feedback provided to Councillors. Members were of the view that elderly person’s complexes are important and should be a priority.

Members also raised the issue of gritting pathways which link the bus station in Pudsey and the Railway Station.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report and provide comment.

The report of the Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality provides the Outer West Community Committee with a presentation on the council’s updated climate emergency strategy and progress.

(Report attached)

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

A PowerPoint presentation was provided at the specific request of the Chair,

which provided an update 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. Information about what measures had taken place locally were also shared.

Members’ discussions included:

·  The life span of new trees being planted in wards and a tree management policy. It was suggested to include the use of fruit trees and ensure the right species of trees are selected. It was noted that the White Rose Strategy would look to educate and address the areas specified.

·  Impact of solar panels and how they are connected to the system. This would need to be checked on how the extra energy was stored.

·  The requirement of more charging points to cover demand of the increase in electric vehicles.

·  To increase the use of electric ice cream vans. It was the view that the older ice cream vans are causing harm to children as they park up and idle close to children’s playgrounds. It was noted that this type of van is expensive and therefore, there was not much take up by vendors.

·  Ground source heat pumps.

·  To identify areas and small pockets of land to re-wild with signage to explain what the area is and its benefits. It was also suggested that grass verges be replaced with hedges which grow rapidly and help with air quality.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report and provide comment.

The report of the Interim Head of Service – Safer Neighbourhoods and Anti-Social Behaviour provides the Outer West Community Committee with a verbal update on the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team (LASBT) and to gather input from elected members and residents.

(Report attached)

The report of the Interim Head of Service, Safer neighbourhoods and Anti-Social Behaviour provided the Outer West Community Committee with a verbal update on the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team (LASBT).

Members were provided with an outline on the internal process and procedures of the LASBT Team, how casework is logged, and how officer resource is allocated to jobs within LASBT. The report also identified how communication between the LASBT team and elected members of Outer West can best be established moving forward, regarding specific case studies in the area.

Members’ discussions included:

·  Number of case officers per ward.

·  Re-opening of cases where necessary

·  Length of triage process

·  Specific issue of fireworks as an issue for the area and how this can be actioned.

RESOLVED -  To note the content of the report.

The report of the Environmental Health Manager is to provide the Outer West Community Committee with a verbal update on the Environmental Protection team, and to gather input from elected members and residents.

(Report attached)

The report of the Environmental Health Manager provided the Outer West Community Committee with a verbal update on the Environmental Protection team. The verbal update report outlined the internal process and procedures of the Environmental Protection team and provided an opportunity to take on feedback and suggestions from elected members.

Information was provided to members on how casework is logged, and officer resources allocated to jobs, as well as how updates on outstanding issues are communicated to elected members.

Members had no further questions on this occasion.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report.

The next meeting of the Outer West Community Committee will be on Wednesday 16^th February 2021, at 1:00pm. Venue to be confirmed.

RESOLVED – That the next scheduled meeting of the Outer West Community Committee would be on Wednesday 16^th February 2022 at 1pm.

To discuss any other business in relation to the Outer West Community Committee.

The Chair requested a consultative meeting be arranged for January 2022, where the Committee would discuss events for the Queens Platinum Jubilee as well as other issues in relation to the Outer West Community Committee.

The meeting concluded at 15:25