Agenda and draft 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 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 interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors M Dobson, S Field, J Lewis and S McCormack.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2023

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 12 December 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

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.

On this occasion no members of the public wished to speak.

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships presented the Committee with an update on the King’s Award for Voluntary Services (KAVS) and the King’s Award for Enterprise (KAE) schemes.

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

The Deputy Lieutenant’s representative for West Yorkshire attended the meeting and explained that the cost of applying for the award was free, and the lieutenancy were 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 was not easily obtained and provides organisations and businesses the use of the logo on all correspondence and use for their own benefit. The award was seen as prestigious, equivalent to an MBE, and would potentially help organisations and groups obtain additional funding from other sources.

Organisations including DAZL Dance and Friends of Roundhay Park had previously received the award.

Members were given the following contact details to nominate any organisations:

susan.baker@ntlworld.com and/or at the following address: West Yorkshire Lieutenancy Office, Bowcliffe Hall, Bramham, Wetherby, LS23 6LP.

The scheme would be open from 1 June until 15 September 2024.

It was reported that Garforth Neighbourhood Elders Team would be receiving the Kings Award for Voluntary Services.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

The Chair welcomed Sergeant Lee Nicholson to the meeting to give the Committee an update on policing within the Outer East area.

Members attention was brought to the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) statistics that were appended to the Community Committee Update Report.  It was reported that there had been an overall increase in offences across Outer East Leeds during the last reporting period.  Residential burglaries created the largest demand for the NPT and work was ongoing to target problem areas with increased policing visibility and extra resources and there was a need for target hardening.

Anti-social behaviour had also shown a slight increase in Outer East Leeds.  There had been a continuation of nuisance quad bikes and motorcycles and reference was made to Operation Dieselcrest which was ongoing.

Priority work included the following:

·  Tackling serious and organised crime – these linked to all other crimes.

·  Youth violence and Urban Street Gangs.

·  Youth weapons offences.

·  Anti-social vehicle meets – use of the new PSPO to tackle car meet activity.

Members thanked Sergeant Nicholson for all the hard work in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.  Further discussion included the following:

·  Challenges faced in areas of deprivation and due to the cost of living crisis.

·  The need to highlight and raise awareness of target hardening measures.

RESOLVED – That the discussion be noted.

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships aimed to form a discussion around the funding provided by the Outer East Community Committee to groups and organisations undertaking projects across the Outer East locality.

Les Nelson of the United Football Sporting Academy addressed the Committee.  He made reference to the ongoing project in Halton Moor.  In previous years there had not been any football provision in Halton Moor and they were now working with up to 90 young people weekly.  This included young people who were on the periphery of involvement in gangs and crime.  The project had engaged with the NPT and communities across the area and had brought many positives including distracting young people from crime and anti-social behaviour and increasing confidence in young people.  Football teams had been established in the Under 8 and Under 10 age groups and it was hoped to establish teams for the Under 9, Under 12 and Under 13s.  Members were thanked for their support to the project.

Richard Foye of the Leeds United Foundation addressed the Committee.  He gave the Committee an update on the Premier League Kicks programme which was held at various locations in Outer East Leeds.  The programme was aimed young people aged 8 to 18, was inclusive and was not aimed at the best players.  The sessions were free to join, informal and enabled communities to come together.  The programme helped with early intervention and steered young people away from anti-social behaviour.  The work was supported by local schools and West Yorkshire Police.

Members expressed their thanks to Richard and Les for their work and the positive impact it had and how it was helping to shape young people’s lives.

Claire Wall and Jo Horsfall of the Gross Gates & District Good Neighbours Scheme addressed the Committee and gave an update on their work and activities at the cross Gates Community Hub.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  Delivery of Cost of Living Workshops.

·  Over twenty two thousand people had received support since 2021.

·  Healthy eating courses.

·  The Money Buddies project.

·  Dementia Awareness sessions.

·  Support for lonely and isolated people.

Members thanked Claire and Jo for their work and that of the other neighbourhood Networks in Outer East Leeds.

Karen Gray of Connecting Crossgates gave the Committee an update on their work.  This included the Community Fridge project which helped to reduce food waste and the provision of free meals.  There had been an increased demand for support due to the cost of living crisis.  The team relied on the support of volunteers.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

The Chair welcomed Beth Shaw and Charlotte Crispin of Housing and Sam Emmerson of Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team to the meeting.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  Support for the cost of living crisis – provision of fuel vouchers and support to people struggling with rent to keep tenancies sustainable.

·  Partnership work between LASBAT and other agencies including Housing and West Yorkshire Police.

RESOLVED – That the discussion be noted.

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

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.

Charlotte Fletcher, Localities Officer presented the report.

The following was discussed:

• There was £15,779.82 remaining in the Wellbeing Revenue budget.  A ward by ward breakdown was given.
• Wellbeing projects for consideration. 
• Monitoring information of applications funded by the Committee.
• Delegated Decisions taken since the last meeting.
• Remaining balances in the Youth Activities Fund; Small Grants, Skips, Tasking, Capital, and Community Infrastructure Levy budgets.

RESOLVED – 

(1)  That the minimum conditions for delegated decisions as outlined in the report be noted.

(2)  That details of the change regarding the administration of Small Grants be noted.

(3)  That details of the Wellbeing budget position be noted.

(4)  That the following projects be approved:

-  Corpus Christi Catholic Club Defibrillator - £1,500

(5)  That monitoring information be noted.

(6)  That details of projects approved via delegated decision be noted.

(7)  That details of the Youth Activities Fund position be noted.

(8)  That details of the Capital Budget be noted.

(9)  That details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget be noted.

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships presented Members with an update of the work which the Safer and Stronger Communities team was engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.  It also provided an opportunity for further questioning or for Members to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Main issues highlighted in the report included sub group activity and work that Community Champions had been involved in.

Further information appended to the report included a Youth Service Update, Cleaner Neighbourhoods update, Employment Skills & Welfare update, Health & Wellbeing report and Social Media report.  The Committee had heard from West Yorkshire Police, Housing and Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team earlier in the meeting.

Members thanked David Smith of Cross Gates and District Good Neighbours for the recent deputation that was presented to Full Council.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor.

The report of the City Solicitor asked Members to consider the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2024/25 Municipal Year.

The following dates were proposed:

·  Tuesday, 16 July 2024

·  Tuesday, 17 September 2024

·  Tuesday, 10 December 2024

·  Tuesday, 11 March 2025

All meetings to commence at 6.00 p.m.

RESOLVED – That the Outer East Community Committee meets at 6.00 p.m. on the following dates in the 2024/25 Municipal Year:

·  Tuesday, 16 July 2024

·  Tuesday, 17 September 2024

·  Tuesday, 10 December 2024

·  Tuesday, 11 March 2025

Meeting venues to continue to be arranged on a meeting by meeting basis.