Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting and thanked former Cllr Amanda Carter for her work on the Committee, and as her time as Chair of the Outer West Community Committee.

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’.

No interests were raised.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies of absence were received on behalf of Cllr A Carter.

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.

Mr Houseman, a local resident, attended the meeting and raised concerns regarding the proposed Moss Bridge housing development. He raised specific concerns in relation to the Moss Swing Bridge which was installed and paid for by the developer of the Airedale Mills housing scheme to provide vehicle and pedestrian access to the housing development.

The resident commented that the bridge is inadequate, and often stops working, leaving the bridge inaccessible for sometimes an hour to a couple of hours. He explained that when the bridge is open to allow barges to pass through, the sites on the other side of the bridge are inaccessible. The resident also explained that the bridge only allows for 1 way traffic.

The resident also commented that there are limited options for disabled people using the bridge and it is wheelchair unfriendly. The resident reiterated that the bridge isn’t fit for purpose. He also commented on the increasing amount of traffic nearby and he commented on the quality of life for existing residents regarding the limited availability in terms of car parking.

The resident summarised by commenting on the implications of the bridge if a housing development is placed there, particularly if the bridge still isn’t working properly.

Committee members responded to the resident by also highlighting their concerns regarding the proposed scheme, and their concerns with the bridge. They acknowledged limitations in terms of options regarding the planning application that has passed at planning application stage, and commented on the issue with planning permission conditions being applied to a developer when there isn’t currently a developer in situ. Members confirmed that they are aware of issues with the functionality of the bridge and suggested to liaise with the planning department, as well as Yorkshire Water and the Canal and River Trust on options moving forward.

RESOLVED – To recommend that Councillors Smith and Carlill draft a letter, on behalf of the Outer West Community Committee to Leeds City Councils Planning Department, Yorkshire Water and the Canal and River Trust, on issues as set out above.

To receive and consider the attached minutes of the previous meeting held Wednesday, 14^th Feburary 2024.

RESOLVED – That further to an amendment to minute no. 43, to read Cllr Carlill is the Chair of Farsley in Bloom, the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as an accurate record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Strategy and Resources which introduces that a verbal update will be provided to the Outer West Community Committee on the implementation of Social Values.

The Chair informed the Committee that the Procurement and Strategy Officer due to be in attendance, had a family emergency, and was unable to attend the meeting. The Chair then suggested that this item be deferred for a future meeting.

RESOLVED – To defer the item for a later Community Committee date.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor which requests Members to note the appointment of the Chair for the 2024/2025 municipal year, as well as the consideration of appointments to those detailed at paragraph 6 of the submitted report.

The report of the City Solicitor requested the Community Committee to note the appointment of Cllr M Sewards as Chair of the Outer West Community Committee for 2024/25 as agreed at the recent Annual Council Meeting and invited the Committee to make appointments to those positions detailed in section 6 of the submitted report.

The Chair nominated that Cllr McCluskey be appointed as Vice Chair for the duration of the 2024/25 municipal year. The Committee agreed to appoint Cllr McCluskey as Vice Chair.

RESOLVED – To note the appointment of Cllr M Sewards as Chair of the Outer West Community Committee for 2024/25, as well as noting the appointment of Cllr A McCluskey as Vice Chair and to appoint to the positions set out in the submitted report as follows:

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which invites Members to make nominations to each of the Outer West Community Committee Sub Groups for 2024/25.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships presented a report which invited Community Committee Members to make nominations to each of the Outer West Community Committee Sub Groups for 2024/25.

RESOLVED – To appoint the following:

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 2024/25.

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:

The following was highlighted:

·  An overview of the proposed Minimum Conditions. Members were asked if they wished to keep the minimum conditions the same or consider amending these to split funding per ward. This conversation will be picked up again at the next committee meetings when members have had time to contemplate this

·  The Wellbeing Budget position 2024/25. The balance remaining for 2024/25 stands at £13,648.40.

·  Since the last Community Committee meeting on 14^th February 24, 0 project applications have been declined.

·  Youth Activities Fund position 2024/25. The balance remaining for 2024/24 stands at £8,250.19.

·  Small Grants & Skips position 2024/25. The balance remaining for 2024/25 stands at £3,534.83.

The following was discussed:

·  Outer West Targeted Deployment Operations 2024/25. Members highlighted the importance of this project, and explained it is a good run project which targets problematic areas.

·  Public Space CCTV Cameras Outer West. There was a general feeling between Members that a report needed to be brought back on value for money, and further information regarding monitoring of the cameras as it appeared that some information was missing for some of the cameras. A suggestion was put forward that a representative from LeedsWatch attend a future meeting.

·  Clarity on the process of applying for a skip for an individual and/or community was provided.

RESOLVED – To note/consider:

a)  Minimum Conditions.

b)  Projects for consideration as outlined above.

c)  Details of the Wellbeing Budget position.

d)  Details of the Youth Activities Fund position.

e)  Details of the Small Grants and Skips Budget.

f)  To invite a representative from LeedsWatch to attend a future meeting and/or receiving a more detailed report on the cameras across the Outer West Community Committee area.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which 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 presented a report which provided an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided opportunities for questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provided regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

A member requested to see a more detailed report on crime figures, particularly in relation to anti-social behaviour related statistics and a breakdown per ward to try and understand certain spikes and trends in localities.

RESOLVED – To note the report and request raised during discussion.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which provides an update on the Community Committee Youth Summit and the Youth Activity Fund Consultation.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with an update on the Community Committee Youth Summit, as well as the Youth Activity Fund Consultation.

The Localities Officer presented the report and highlighted the following:

·  The Youth Activity Fund was made available for children and young people aged 8-17 years. Children attended from across 7 different schools and organisations in the Outer West Community Committee area.

·  Consultation reaches youth service groups and harder to reach children and young people.

·  Feedback from young children evidenced that they would like longer days and sessions.

·  Popular activities children want in the area is sports activities, mixed activity fund days and dance/music.

The Committee discussed the most recent Youth Sumit and its success. Members commented on how engaged the young people were with the activities and commented on how useful the sessions were with the young people. A member also commented on the possibility of having a longer session in the Council Chamber, as the young people seemed to enjoy this part of the session.

RESOLVED – To note:

a)  Reflections from the last 12 months.

b)  Details of the Youth Activity Fund consultation survey and that the Youth Activity Fund survey informs the Community Committee’s Youth Activity Fund for 2024/25.

c)  That any projects funded by the Community Committee from the Youth Activity Fund focus on the themes and activity priorities identified in the Youth Activity Fund Consultation Survey in 2024/25.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday, 2^nd September 2024 at 1pm. Venue TBC.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday, 2^nd September 2024 at 1pm. Venue TBC.

The meeting concluded at 18:55.