Agenda and minutes

H. Boutle, E Bowes, J Butler,

S. Harris, S McBarron

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending.

Simon Betts of DWP and Sharon Guy from Housing Leeds were in attendance at the meeting for the themed workshop which was on Universal Credit.

The Chair introduced the topic informing the meeting that this particular topic had been selected as Universal Credit is due to be rolled out in Leeds from 10^th October 2018.

Simon Betts provided an overview of what and how the changes will affect people in Leeds.

It was noted that this was the biggest welfare change for 60 years with Universal Credit replacing 6 welfare benefits:

·  Income based Employment and Support Allowance

·  Working Credits

·  Income Support

·  Child TAX Credits

·  Income based job seekers allowance

·  Housing benefit

It will be one simple payment paid monthly.

One major change is that all claims need to be completed online it was suggested that this would take 20 minutes for a single person and 45 minutes for a couple. It was highlighted that the claim only starts when the submit button has been pressed.

Members were informed that there was a booklet which provided information where and how to access the system. It was noted that there are 80 centres across the city where access has been made available for online claims. However, the Committee were advised that claimants required an email address as the system runs on an internal browser. There is no app available.

The Committee was advised of the following points:

·  No 16 hour rule enabling people to work part time hours

·  Payments could be split if made aware of a vulnerable family

·  People will be assigned a caseworker

·  A triage approach to be adopted

·  Support through local hubs using DWP outreach facilities and staff visits

·  Visits to all tenants every 12 months

·  Housing and DWP will be working in partnership

·  Those in supported housing will continue to be paid by the local authority

The Chair thanked Simon and Sharon for attending and for their informative presentation.

Cllr. Lowe joined the meeting at 18:45 during this item.

The formal meeting of the Community Committee start at 7.30pm.

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 Chief Democratic Services Officer 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 within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, 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 the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those 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 disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from co-optees John Barber and Dave Gilbert.

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.

On this occasion no members of the public in attendance at the meeting wished to speak in the open forum.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th June 2018.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th June 2018 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the report of the Chief Officer Access and Care Delivery, Adult Social Care, to update the Community Committee on the progress with Strengths Based Social Care across the city, to draw attention to local features of the new approach to service delivery.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer Access & Care Delivery, Adult Social Care updated the Community Committee on the progress with Strengths Based Social Care across the city and focused on the local features of this new approach to service delivery.

Members were shown a short film and papers were tabled at the meeting.

In attendance at the meeting were:

Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director, Social Work and Adult Social Care Service

James Turner, Project Leader, Service Transformation

Fiona Martin, Learning Disability Service Delivery Manager

Sarah Hearn, Social Worker, Armley Neighbourhood Care Management Team

Members were informed that the new strengths based model establishes a way of delivering adult social work practice that is:

·  Values driven

·  Community focused in achieving outcomes

·  Empowering of staff

·  A partnership with local people

·  Builds on the asset based approached already in place in Leeds

The model moves away from eligibility and assessment towards a strengths based and person centred approach. Looking at what someone can do rather than what they can’t do.

Philip Hawley a regular attendee at the Community Committee, also a People’s Parliament Representative had appeared in the short film and offered to assist in presenting the item.

Philip explained to the Committee how the strengths based approach had helped him. He spoke about the strategy ‘Being Me’ which is to be sent to Members. Philip said that he now had more confidence and felt braver through the work that he had done with the services.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  The first talking point centre had been established at the New Wortley Community Centre

·  Talking Points for the Inner West are currently located at New Wortley Community Centre and Headingley Community Hub

·  It was acknowledged that the Inner West area could also use a Talking point in Bramley. However, no suitable venue had been found yet.

·  Venues need to be free not necessarily council owned, have access to WiFi, be easily accessible both in terms of accessing the building and transport links

·  The Social teams work collaboratively with services in the area including those services in the third sector.

·  It was acknowledged that although this is a new approach for the council this type of working has been used previously by the third sector

·  Assessment forms had been reduced from 28 pages to 2 pages

·  Although most of the conversations were held at the Talking Point centres should a home visit be requested this would still take place.

·  During the initial call customers are given more clarity about options open to them and ‘The What’s Out There Guide’ enables call handlers to connect customers to beneficial services in their community

·  A Rapid Response Team is now in place to deal with all crisis situations with the focus on making the person safe, and to look at short term work

·  The average wait for an appointment to meet with a social worker at a Talking Point centre is currently 10 days. This is much reduced timescales

·  Teams meet to ‘peer review’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To receive the report of the West North West Area Leader to update Members on the projects funded through the Inner West Wellbeing, Youth Activities Fund and Capital budgets. It presents projects for approval and outlines funding availability for the 2018/19 financial year. 

(Report attached)

The report of the West North West Area Leader updated Members on the projects funded through the Inner West Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activities Fund and Capital Budgets. The report also presented projects for approval and outlined funding availability for the 2018/19 financial year.

Members acknowledged the small grants and skips that had been approved since the last meeting outlined at point 3 of the submitted report and the remaining balance of £8, 982 on the small grants and skips budget.

Members were advised that two delegated decisions had been taken since the last Committee to fund the following:

1.  LGBTQ+ Sports in Summer £2000, Armley, Bramley and Stanningley and kirkstall Ward

2.  Money Buddies, £9053, Armley and Kirkstall Ward

Members noted the current Wellbeing and Youth Activity balances presented at point 9 of the report.

It was noted that following discussions with Kirkstall Ward Members it had been agreed that the remaining balance in the pot of funding for post flooding related work should be returned to the budget. This amount was £9,957.

An application had been received from Gilbert & Sandford Residents Association for Kirkstall Festive Lights to fund additional festive lighting motifs around the central junction in Kirkstall. The amount applied for was £6,588.

It was noted that the local residents were also planning a lights switch on event to take place in November. The Kirkstall Ward Members informed the Committee that the switch on was to take place on the 21^st November which is the date of the next Community Committee meeting. It was suggested that the next meeting be held in Kirkstall so as to allow the Kirkstall Members to be able to attend both the meeting and the lights switch on.

An application had also been received from Broadlea Teatime Club, Barca for £5,004.

Members discussed the additional Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) of £43,000 which it is proposed will be spent jointly across all the wards of the inner west area. The money was from the development of Kirkstall Forge.

Members were asked for suggestions of schemes for the CIL money to be allocated to. Members were advised that there was not a time limit to spending the CIL money.

RESOLVED - To:

a)  Note the balance of the small grants budget for 2018/19 at point 4 of the submitted report

b)  Approve the minimum conditions set out for delegated decisions at point 5 of the submitted report

c)  Not the delegated decisions taken at point 6 and 7 of the submitted report

d)  Note the revised Wellbeing and Youth Activities Fund balances at point 9 and on Appendix 1 of the submitted report

e)  Consider the new Wellbeing applications at 12-13 of the submitted report

·  Kirkstall Festive Lights, Gilbert & Sandford Residents Association - £6,588 APPROVED

·  Broadlea Teatime Club, Barca - £5,004 - APPROVED

f)  Note the balance of the Capital Fund at 16 of the submitted report

g)  Note the balance of the Youth Activities Fund at point 19 of the submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The report of the West North West Area Leader (Citizens and Communities) updates the Community Committee on the work of the sub groups of the Committee: Children and Young People and Environment. This report updates the Committee on community events, local projects and partnership working that has taken place in the area since the last meeting.

(Report attached)

The report of the West North West Area Leader updated the Community Committee on the work of the sub groups of the Committee: Children and Young People and Environment. This report also updated the Committee on community events, local projects and partnership working that had taken place since the last meeting.

Members were advised that invitations would be sent out for Children and Young People sub groups. It was noted that the dates are 23^rd October and 12^th February.

Member were informed that following the success of the Inner West Youth Summit it is proposed that there will be another and discussions will take place with the Communities Team and the Children’s Champion to agree details.

The success of events at Hawksworth Wood Fun Day, Armley Festival and Bramley Festival were noted with the Committee thanking all those involved.

Cllr. Ritchie provided a brief update on the Bramley Forum which had taken place on 26^th July, he also thanked Steve McBarron the Bramley Co-optee for organising the Bramley Festival which had been a successful day.

Members acknowledged the peer inspections as part of the monitoring of Youth Activities Funded projects which had included: Food Frenzy; Bushcraft sessions at West Leeds Activity Centre & Get Fit, get fed, get active.

Members were advised of the dates for the Community Led Local Development events which were taking place in West Leeds.

Members were reminded to make nominations for the Compassionate City Awards.

RESOLVED – To note the report and the key outcomes from the sub groups.

The next meeting of the Inner West Community Committee will be on 21^st November 2018 at 6:00pm. Venue to be confirmed.

The next Inner West Community Committee to be held on 21^st November 2018 at 6pm.