Agenda and minutes

Approximately 6 local residents attended the meeting, as well as the Chair for the Outer West Housing Advisory Panel and the press.

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 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’.

Although Members did not declare any pecuniary interests, in relation to Agenda Item 8 – Finance Report, Councillor T Smith made the Committee aware that she had a discussion with Badminton Buddies for one of the Small Grants projects (Badminton) prior to submission of the application.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies were received.

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 the Community Committee Procedure Rules, the Chair allowed a period of up to 10 minutes for members of the public to make representations or ask questions within the terms of reference of the Community Committee.

A local resident raised a number of issues affecting the Farnley and Wortley area regarding:

·  The limitation of warm spaces

·  Litter

·  Blocked gullies

·  Overgrown trees

·  Lack of funding for the Youth Service

Farnley and Wortley members responded by acknowledging the importance of warm spaces being provided in the area and issues in terms of organisations providing match funding. It was also noted that there is work on-going regarding litter and working with residents to clear gardens. It was also confirmed that members are working on maximising the youth service by supporting projects in the area, and the importance of young people participating in projects is acknowledged.

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held Monday, 7^th November 2022.

RESOLVED – That the minutes from the previous meeting held Monday, 7^th November 2022 be approved as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

Minute No. 38 – Update Report. Feedback has not been received from the Environmental Sub-Group. A member suggested that an additional meeting be held in the current municipal year to discuss matters relating to finance and to receive feedback from Champions.

RESOLVED – To request that an additional meeting be scheduled in liaison with the Localities Officer and Governance Officer, following the next meeting of Council.

To receive and consider the attached 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 for 2022/23.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the 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 2022/23.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  Since the last Community Committee meeting on 7^th November 2022, 1 project (Friday Night Youth Project) has been approved by DDN and 0 projects have been cancelled.

·  The Wellbeing Balance 2022/23 stands at £8,428.82.

·  The Youth Activities Fund (YAF) Balance 2022/23 stands at £13,992.01.

·  The remaining balance for the Small Grants & Skips 2022/23 stands at £1,448.58.

·  The Capital Budget 2022/23 Budget stands at £17,463.69 and a breakdown per ward was outlined as per Table 4.

Projects were discussed and agreed as follows:

Members discussed the following matters:

·  Members requested that a number of applications be considered as part of a special / additional meeting of the Outer West Community Committee, following the next meeting of Council, to determine funding.

·  A number of the applications may benefit from Leeds 2023 funding, in particular, the West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra – Spring Concert at The Old Woollen.

·  It was requested that the project for Environmental Improvements at Owlcotes Road will benefit from a site visit from all Outer West Community Committee members and requested that further information is received regarding maintenance and HAP funding.

·  It was acknowledged that alternative funding streams to CIL monies need to be considered regarding playground repairs. in addition to this, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To receive and consider the attached 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 also provides regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The following points were highlighted:

·  Leeds 2023 – an overview of Neighbourhood Hosts and ‘Waking the Artist’ exhibition of art by people of Leeds.

·  Universal Credit (UC) Outer West Community Committee area statistics. It was noted there has been an increase in claimants in October 2022.

·  Employment and Skills Services update in terms of the Employment Hub and Mobile bus.

·  Swinnow Community Centre update.

Members raised the following matters:

·  The schedule for the Community Hub Mobile bus at Farnley has changed to a location where there is a foodbank.

·  To receive additional information on projects relating to healthy families / cooking as it was acknowledged there are a number of families in affluent areas being missed / not receiving support due to feeling isolated.

·  Number of gullies not operating as they should.

·  Concerns regarding an increase in cases of damp and mould, exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, particularly across the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and housing associations; recent changes in national law provides local authorities with powers relating to inspections of the PRS and housing associations.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Director of City Development that introduces a verbal update on information regarding speeding and dangerous driving in the outer west area.

The report of the Director of City Development introduced a verbal update on information regarding speeding and dangerous driving in the outer west area.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Paul Jeffrey, Casualty Prevention Partnership

·  Andrew Richardson, LCC Highways

The Chair introduced the item, explaining the Committee requested the update due to the increasing number of incidents and fatalities in the Outer West Community Committee area, as well as problematic high powered vehicles on roads such as the A647.

Paul Jeffrey provided an overview of the West Yorkshire Casualty Prevention Partnership, explaining that approximately 200,000 speed offence detections were issued in 2022; highlighting a significant speeding issue in West Yorkshire and numerous issues associated with non-compliance on roads.

Members were informed that The Department for Transport (DfT) precludes cameras being deployed ‘anywhere’ and is subject to national guidance. There are restricted criteria where traffic lights and speeding cameras can be placed. The West Yorkshire Casualty Prevention Partnership lobbied DfT to update and refresh guidance. However, to no avail. The Partnership has created guidance for West Yorkshire and the revised Deployment Strategy will be launched from Monday, 20^th February 23. The Strategy aims to extend the reach of safety cameras and to look at preventable collision measures, as well as exploring new technologies.

Furthermore, it was explained that the mechanism in getting safety cameras is not the first point of resource for speeding issues and alternatives should be considered such as NPTs. Monies for speed cameras are generated from drivers eligible for speed awareness courses. Another issue identified is the inability to identify the driver in high powered vehicles, primarily due to cars being loaned; speed cameras do not address the issue and drivers are usually repeat offenders. Albeit there is an opportunity to expand on mechanisms to directly tackle fatalities.

The following matters were discussed:

·  The re-configuration of the A647 and increased speeding issues, particularly with high powered vehicles. It was confirmed that the determination of sites for cameras is not a police operation as part of the partnership arrangement. However, the new operation for technology will enable local authorities and enforcement to deal with the issues highlighted.

·  Upgrading Gatso speed cameras. Members were informed that there is cost limitations with upgrading all of the cameras at once, there is a programme in its third phase upgrading cameras which will replace 25 cameras. A traffic survey using traffic flow sensors will be undertaken to identify priority areas for the upgrades.

·  Elected members will be briefed on the revised Deployment Strategy on Monday, 20^th February 2023.

·  Speed awareness courses offered to eligible drivers incorporate an interactive learning opportunity and will touch upon victim perspectives.

·  Parking infringements are a matter for the local authority. However, dangerous obstructions can be a police matter depending on each individual matter. Members were informed of ‘Operation Snap’, photographic evidence showing driving offences that can be submitted to West Yorkshire Police (WYP) online. Further to a specific parking issue raised by a member,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor that requests Members to consider agreeing the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

The report of the City Solicitor requested Members to consider agreeing the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

The report seeks to schedule 4 Community Committee business meetings for 2023/24, in line with previous practice. The proposed meeting schedule for 2023/24 is as follows:

•  Wednesday, 14^thJune 2023 1pm

•  Monday, 4^thSeptember 2023 1pm

•  Monday, 6^thNovember 2023 1pm

•  Wednesday, 14^thFebruary 2024 1pm

The proposed dates reflect the Committees pattern with meeting twice on a Monday and twice on a Wednesday.

A suggestion was made that one of the formal meetings be held at 6 p.m. to enable people who are busy throughout the day, the opportunity to attend.

RESOLVED – To agree the dates as listed above, with the caveat of holding one of the meetings at 6 p.m.

The proposed date for the next formal Outer West Community Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 14^th June 2023 at 1 p.m.

RESOLVED – That the next formal meeting take place following the next meeting of Council, and a date and time will be circulated to Committee Members once scheduled with the Localities Officer and Governance Officer.

The meeting concluded at 15:15.