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.

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. However, supplementary information was published on the council’s website in respect of Agenda Item 10 – Finance Report. Minute No. 49 refers.

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

The following members raised that they are:

·  Councillor T Smith – Chairman of Pudsey Scarecrow Festival and Trustee of Pudsey Wellbeing Charity.

·  Councillor Carlill – Chair of Farsley in Bloom.

·  Councillor S Seary – Chair of Pudsey Christmas Lights and Pudsey Carnival.

·  Councillor D Seary – Member of Pudsey Carnival Committee and Pudsey Christmas Lights Committee.

·  Councillor Andrew Carter – Member of Calverley and Bloom and Chair of Farsley Business Forum.

·  Councillor Amanda Carter – Member of Farsley Business Forum.

All of whom confirm they do not benefit financially and there is no financial interest and will proceed to take part in the relevant decision-making procedure.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor D Blackburn.

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.

No matters were raised.

To confirm as an accurate record, the minutes of the previous meeting held 6^th November 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday, 6^th November 2023, be approved as an accurate record.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor seeking agreement to the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2024/2025 municipal year.

The report of the City Solicitor requested Members to consider agreeing the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2024/2025 municipal year.

The following dates and times were proposed to the Community Committee:

·  Wed, 12 Jun 24, 1pm

·  Mon, 2 Sept 24, 1pm

·  Mon, 4 Nov 24, 1pm

·  Wed, 19 Feb 25, 1pm

Members agreed those listed above, with the caveat that one of the start times (tbc) start later.

Members also discussed the availability of venues and ensuring that more electronic systems are available to be able to webcast in more venues across the Outer West Community Committee area.

RESOLVED – To agree the above.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer, Culture and Economy on the proposal to close Pudsey Civic Hall.

The report of the Chief Officer (Culture and Economy) presented a report that introduced information on the budget proposals for the next Financial Year (FY24/25), which include the proposals to close Pudsey Civic Hall.

The Chief Officer (Culture and Economy) and the Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education attended the meeting and provided the Community Committee with the following information:

·  The venue is not meeting the income targets and the loss of income as per the car park is detailed in the submitted report.

·  The site needs investment, short-term and long-term and it is estimated that £328,000 will be needed for things such as upgrading the windows and addressing the issues with heating to be able to bring the building up to the required standard.

·  government regulations require all potential rental properties to have an EPC rating of E or higher before being let to tenants and so investment would be needed to lease the building. There is a number of investments required to be put into the building to get it up to this standard. Figures are estimated and set out in the submitted report.

·  A formal decision has not yet been taken on the closure of the building, and a formal report will outline the decision taken.

The following matters were discussed:

·  Clarity on the EPC rating. It was confirmed that the EPC rating is still required for commercial buildings. It was requested that further clarity be provided on whether this is a requirement for commercially leased buildings. Officers confirmed this will be looked at.

·  Members acknowledged that the car park figures as per the submitted report appeared to be the biggest issue and suggested that alternative functions be looked at in terms of this space and whether any alternatives can be done to make money on the site.

·  Members commented that the marketing strategy for the use of the building and rooms in the Civic Hall have not been well used as residents did not know it was available. Members suggested that better methods of marketing need to be looked at to better utilise Pudsey Civic Hall. It was also suggested that better use of nearby libraries and community venues be used to promote the spaces available. Officers confirmed that the council pay for adverts on social media for all events. Leaflets were stopped.

·  It was confirmed that a ‘spend to save’ case will be considered alongside the considerations for the proposal. It was noted that a final decision has not yet been made and the preferred decision would be to keep it open, subject to further considerations that need to be made.

·  The building is situated in a convenient place for people travelling to the building and people can use any mode of transport to get to the building.

·  The Executive Member explained that the council are being forced into making difficult financial decisions, and assets are being sold. It is un-known how the improvements will be funded.

·  Officers confirmed that the condition report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which 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 2023/24.

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, Capital Budget, as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2023/24.

Projects as outlined in the submitted report were discussed and agreed as

follows:

Wellbeing Ringfences:

Pudsey Xmas Lights Leeds Lights £9,549.00

Rodley Xmas Lights Leeds Lights £1,840.00

Farsley Xmas Lights Leeds Lights £7,899.99

Calverley Xmas Lights Leeds Lights £2,704.00

CCTV Leeds Watch £10,000.00

Small Grants/Skips Communities £5,000.00

Summer bands in the park Leeds International Concert Season £3,300.00

Outer West ASB and Road Safety WYP £5,000

Community Engagement Communities £500.00

Farsley Festival Farsley Festival £4,000.00

YAF Ringfences:

Youth Summit Communities £1,000.00

Outer West Easter Holiday and Summer Activity Days 2025 Youth services £3,500.00

The following was highlighted:

·  There have been no declined projects since the last Community Committee meeting held on 6^th November 2023.

·  2  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which 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.

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 opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provided 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 was discussed:

·  There is a pilot scheme through West Yorkshire Police called ‘Walk and Talk’. It is an application and on the police website, where women can share their experiences and raise any concerns they may have.

·  To include any drainage issues other parks may be experiencing in the report.

·  To receive additional information from LeedsWatch regarding the cameras and how useful they are. Evidence must be produced to show effectiveness of the cameras.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and comments during discussion of the item.

To receive the attached report of the Targeted Service Lead, Children and Families, as an introduction to the presentation which is intended to provide the Committee with information about the Clusters in the Outer West Area.

The report of the Targeted Services Lead (Children and Families) presented a report that introduced a verbal update with information about Clusters in the Outer West Community Committee area.

The Targeted Services Lead attended the meeting, and provided the Community Committee with the following information:

·  A lot of work takes place in the clusters where work isn’t always recognised.

·  Clusters are made up of funding from NHS, Leeds City Council, and some schools.

·  Clusters sit within the support network of children’s services and escalation starts within the early stages of a children’s life. Intensive services can be provided if needed.

·  Additional support work is also available with domestic abuse and other associated issues.

·  In 2023, it was reported that there were 1,111 interventions in the Outer West Community Committee area. 101 of those were referred to specialist services such as Leeds Mind, Victim Support and Youth Justice Service.

·  Clusters received referrals through services and schools account for 50% of the referrals received.

·  There is a rise in children with autism and ADHD, and the service has expanded to provide support to families. The demand is constantly going up.

·  Complexities in cases are increasing, and the number of referrals has increased since 2018. The cases witnessed are seeing individuals with extreme anxiety, self-harm, and aggressiveness in the home.

·  There are tasking meetings in the Pudsey area.

·  Clusters have a successful partnership with West Yorkshire Police and there has been successful targeted work, specifically in Pudsey bus station to provide support to young people and their parents. There has been a reduction in youth crime in that location.

Further to questions from Sub-Committee Members, the following was confirmed:

·  There is somebody who delivers autism awareness training across all schools. This may include a teaching assistant, classroom teacher and senior leadership who receive the training. The uptake for this specific training has increased across schools.

·  In relation to issues associated with Pudsey bus station, a meeting was established in December 2022 to look at the issues, and perpetrators involved in the youth crime. A plan was put in place for each individual and some of those in the last 12 months have escalated to higher levels than the service is able to deal with. Work is on-going with schools and 121 support has been provided. A full evaluation of the work put into targeted that area would be welcomed.

The Chair thanked Steve for his attendance.

RESOLVED – To note the verbal update provided at the meeting, and comments raised during discussion of the item.

A verbal update will be provided to the Community Committee to promote both the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) and the King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE) schemes.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships introduced a report that provided information regarding the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (KAVS) and the King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE) schemes.

The report asks members to identify groups/organisations who might qualify for the schemes and exploring whether there are any ways the Lieutenancy can help the committee in the work they do with the local community.

The Deputy Lieutenant for West Yorkshire attended the meeting and explained that the cost of applying for the award is free, and the lieutenancy are looking at liaising with local community groups and organisations. Members were asked to provide any local group names, and/or contact details to the lieutenancy so that they can get in contact with them and provide them with some information regarding the award, as well as the criteria.

The award is not easily obtained and provides organisations and businesses the use of the logo on all correspondence and use for their own benefit. The award is seen as a ‘prestige’ and will potentially help organisations and groups obtain additional funding from other sources.

Organisations such as DAZL Dance and Friends of Roundhay Park have previously won the award.

Members were asked to get in contact with Ms Baker if they had any organisations and groups in mind for the lieutenancy to contact, to recognise the work of organisations and groups across Leeds.

Ms Baker can be contacted on the following email: susan.baker@ntlworld.com and/or at the following address: West Yorkshire Lieutenancy Office, Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham, Wetherby, LS23 6LP.

The scheme is open June until September 2024.

RESOLVED – To note the verbal update and comments during discussion of this item.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday 12^th June 2024 at 1.00 pm. (Venue to be confirmed)

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday, 12^th June 2024 at 1pm.

The meeting ended at 14:50.