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 against the refusal of the inspection of Documents.

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:

 No exempt items or information have been identified on the agenda

There were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude

the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the

business to be considered.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

Although there were no late items of business Members did agree to the submission of supplementary information in respect of Agenda Item No. 13 (Outer North East Community Committee – Finance Report) and the inclusion of additional Wellbeing applications and Youth Activity Fund applications (Minute No. 24 referred)

To receive any apologies for absence (If any)

There were no apologies for absence.

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

There were no declarations of any interests made at the meeting.

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 order to facilitate the Open Forum whilst certain restrictions relating to the pandemic remain in place, the process has been adapted slightly, so that members of the public are invited to make written submissions in advance of the meeting on any matter which falls within the Committee’s terms of reference. These will be read out under the agenda item and considered by the Community Committee.

The Governance Services Officer reported that no submissions had been

received with respect to “Open Forum”

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th July 2021.

(Copy attached)

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th July 2021 were considered for comment and approval.

With reference to Minute No.10 – Community Committee Appointments 2021/22 it was confirmed that the Community Committee Champions for this Committee be appointed as follows:

·  Environment & Community Safety – Councillor M Robinson

·  Children’s Services – Councillor D Cohen

·  Employment, Skills and Welfare - Councillor M Robinson

·  Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care – Councillor N Harrington

RESOLVED – That, with the inclusion of the above, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th July 2021were confirmed as a true and correct record

To consider any matters arising from the minutes (If any)

With reference to Minute No. 12 – Outer North East Community Committee – Update Report and the request to draw to the attention of LASBT the concerns raised by Members about the lack of visit.

The Localities Officer confirmed that discussions had taken place with LASBT and face to face meetings were now being undertaken.

To consider a report by the Head of Locality Partnerships which provides an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund, Capital Budget, as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2020/21.

(Report attached)

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report which provided an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund, Capital Budget, as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2020/21.

Included within the report were:

·  Details of the Wellbeing Budget position

·  Wellbeing proposals for consideration and approval

·  Details of projects approved via Delegated Decision

·  You Activities Fund proposals for consideration and approval

·  Details of the Capital Budget

·  Details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (CIL)

The Localities Officer presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the appendices which included:

·  Available funding for the current financial year.

·  Clarification around some of the projects seeking financial assistance.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the Wellbeing Budget Position 2021/22.

(ii)  That the following Wellbeing Projects be determined as follows:

(iii)  To note that since the last meeting on 5^th July 2021, the following project had been considered and approved by DDN:

Wetherby Arts Festival 2021

(iv)  That the following Youth Activity Projects be determined as follows:

(v)  To note the details of the Capital Budget as set out in table 3 of the submitted report

(vi)  To note the details of the Community Infrastructure Levy, as referred to in paragraph 29 of the submitted report

To receive a presentation by the Intelligence and Policy Manager which provides an update on the development of a City Plan for Leeds and to seek input from Elected Members and residents to feed into the Plan.

The Chair introduced and welcomed Councillor Jane Dowson, Deputy Executive Member (Strategy & Policy) together with Mike Eakins, Intelligence and Policy Manager.

Addressing the Committee, Councillor Dowson said it had been 10 years since the last City Plan had been undertaken. During that period a lot of significant events had taken place: Brexit, Devolution, the Climate Emergency and most recently the Covid-19 Pandemic. It was suggested that Local Authorities could  no longer do everything for themselves, Councillor Dowson said we require the support of the private sector who need to step up and become more involved at a local level.

Members were informed that the new City Plan would draw upon the many on-going consultations: The Strategic Needs Assessment, Planning Consultation and the Highways and Transportation Consultation, but we need to hear from local people. Councillor Dowson said Leeds had a population of 800,000, what happens in Leeds effects the whole of the north of England in terms of: employment, financial services, digital infrastructure, Leeds also has a large student population. Issues such as climate change and the pandemic had taught us that we need to communicate with each other (external parties) to share the vision in order to move ideas forward.

The Intelligence and Policy Manager spoke further about “A new City Plan for Leeds” and explained: why now for a City Plan, what will the City Plan aim to do and how will the City Plan be developed.

Members were requested to provide feedback on the following discussion questions:

·  What are the big issues for Leeds now, and over the next ten years?

·  What are the big issues for the Outer North East now, and over the next ten years?

·  How can local communities play their part? What strengths can they draw upon?

·  Does “Best City” still resonate? If not, what could it be replaced with?

In responding Members said:

HS2, the expansion of Leeds/Bradford airport, flood alleviation and a mass transport system were all important issues for the City which required progressing.

At a local level public transport, in the outer areas was a major concern, also there was a vast amount of housing development taking place in Wetherby, in the near future would there be sufficient school places, GP practices and could the local road network cope with increased traffic generation. The local refuse collection service in the Outer North East area was unreliable and inefficient. In education the key stage 2 results for the area were very poor, many parents choosing to send their children to schools in North Yorkshire as a consequence.

Responding to the question, how could local Communities play their part – Members said that the Outer North East area had a large number of Parish and Town Councils and it was important to engage and hear from these organisations if you wanted to understand what was the need at a local level. On the issue of local strengths, it was reported that the Boston Spa Academy had been identified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

To consider a report by the Chief Librarian which provides an overview of the activity of Leeds Libraries during the past 18 months and outlines the key priorities for the service as part of the Service Recovery Strategy.

(Report attached)

The Chair introduced and welcomed Andrea Ellison, Chief Librarian and Mark Kirkby, Senior Librarian from Library Services.

The Chief Librarian provided an overview of the activity of Leeds libraries during the past 18 months which included:

·  Customer support

·  Customer support for developing digital skills

·  Developing the digital library offer – Resources and online events/ activities

Members were also informed of the key priorities for the service as part of the Service Recovery Strategy:

·  Economic recovery, with help and training for job seekers and entrepreneurs

·  Education support for children and SEND (special education needs) students who struggled to learn at home

·  Isolation mitigation for vulnerable groups and to help people reconnect locally

·  Digital inclusion for residents who lack IT skills or who have no access to the Internet

·  Cultural partnership to help local artists and arts organisations to continue their work

Members acknowledged the vast majority of the service was based centrally, but what were the plans for outer areas and in particular the older population in those areas.

Members were informed that the Library Service did have a fleet of buses which were used as mobile libraries, currently these buses were being used as vaccination buses but as the services returned to more normal working, the mobile library services would resume. It was also reported that a library services was operational in the various Community hubs.

Members queried how audio books were accessed through the Library Service and also how newspapers could be accessed.

In responding the Chief Librarian said some newspapers, including the YEP could be accessed by downloading the Libraries App on the Council Website (Via press reader). There was also a well-established database of audio books and again this could be accessed by downloading the Libraries App.

Members suggested that the older population need to be encouraged to use local libraries and be offered training on computers/ digital devices, the possible use of family history/ Leodis as a way of creating interest.

Councillor Robinson said there was a proposal to run a pilot programme for digital skills in the Scholes Library to raise awareness of the Library Service. If the pilot is successful the scheme could be tried in other areas, creating digital health clubs.

Members asked if there was much work undertaken with schools.

The Chief Librarian said the Library Service operated a Schools Library Service. Members were informed that during the pandemic the service operated on- line, but as more normal working resumes children will be reacquainted with libraries, getting them into Libraries as “real members”

Councillor Lamb requested if the experience of the Library Service could be sought in promoting/ advertising the 200^th Anniversary of the sale of Wetherby. Councillor Lamb said it was intended to deliver a project that would showcase the history of Wetherby over the past 200 years through the use of historic photographs, archive material and maps, progressing through to more modern times and the use of drone footage and virtual tours.  Once completed the project would deliver an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To consider a Joint Report by the Chief Officer Highways & Transportation and the Chief Planning Officer which provides an overview of the relevant policies of UK Government and Leeds City Council with regard to the environmental effects of transport with specific focus on the air quality and noise impacts related to the Motorway network.

(Report attached)

The Chair introduced and welcomed Richard Crowther, Team Leader, Environmental Advisory Team, City Development.

Mr Crowther explained that this Joint Report by the Chief Officer Highways & Transportation and the Chief Planning Officer had been prepared following representations to this Committee by a Bramham resident, concerned about the environmental impacts associated with the motorway network, particularly noise and air quality within the Outer North East Community area and the policies of Leeds City Council for mitigating the impacts on local residents.

Referring to air quality Mr Crowther said the monitoring data showed pollution levels associated with motorways tend to be a greater concern within urban areas, where the background concentrations were higher due to a greater number of other contributing sources. He said in more rural areas, general background concentrations of NO2 were comparatively low and consequently only those properties which were very close to the road were at risk of exceeding the objective levels.

Members were informed that previous monitoring and assessment reviews had concluded that there were no existing properties close enough to the A1(M) within the Leeds District considered to be at risk of exceeding the objective levels.

On the issue of environmental noise management, Mr Crowther explained that noise arising from transport sources, such as Aircraft, Rail and Road vehicles operating in an “ordinary” and lawful manner was specifically exempt from being classed as a statutory nuisance. In the case of Motorways, Highways England were classed as the relevant highway authority and classed as the “noise maker”, whilst Local Authorities were classed as the “noise receiver”.

The mechanisms available for to manage road traffic noise include:

·  Use of low noise road surfacing

·  Traffic management – such speed limits or vehicle-type restrictions.

·  Congestion Management.

·  Noise barriers / landscaping.

·  Provision of Acoustic glazing

Following the last round of noise mapping published in 2019, Highways England undertook to continue their previous policy of using “low noise” surfacing where there are properties identified as being exposed to the highest noise levels as a result of one of their roads. Members were informed that low noise surfacing also has the benefit of improving the noise exposure for all residents regardless of the noise levels they would otherwise be exposed to. However, low noise surfacing was significantly more expensive than tradition road surfaces and consequently, Highways England had only committed to use it when the existing surfacing requires replacement as part of normal maintenance requirements. As the “noise receiver” Leeds City Council has assessed that the policy as being reasonable and proportionate.

It was reported that in relation to the Outer North East Leeds area, 4 of the 6 lanes of the A1(M) carriageway had now been replaced with low noise surfacing for the majority, if not all, of its route north of the A64

Members asked why had all lanes of the A1(M) carriageway not been replaced with low noise surfacing.

In responding Mr Crowther said there were no properties in close proximity to the motorway at the Bramham  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

To consider a report by 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 and also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

This report 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.

(Report attached)

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report which provided an update on the work of the Communities Team and the work it was engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. The report provided Members with an opportunity to ask questions, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

Members noted the report provided 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.

It was reported that conversations would be taking place shortly with Members regarding Youth Activity Funding for 2022/23.

It was noted that over the summer period two Mini Breeze events had taken place in the Outer North East Area, both being well attended

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted

The following issues were raised under the item of “Any other business”

(i)  Leeds Festival 2021 – Following this year’s Leeds Festival event at Bramham Park, Ward Members agreed to the establishment of a Leeds Festival Working Group who would be consulted on the arrangements for future events.

(ii)  Grace Young – The Chair reported that Grace Young, Localities Officer, would shortly be leaving the Localities Team to take up a new position within another Directorate

It was agreed that the Chair, on behalf of the Committee, be requested to write to Grace, to thank her for her help in supporting the work of the Committee and best wishes for the future

(iii)  Big Leeds Chat - The Chair reported that a “Big Leeds Chat” event was taking place in Wetherby on 20^th October 2021 where similar issues would be discussed, it was therefore very important that “decision makers” should attend.

(iv)  Localities Team – That a Senior Officer from the Localities Team be in attendance at all future meetings of this Committee

(v)  Flood Alleviation Scheme - The Chair announced that proposals for a Flood Alleviation Scheme for the River Wharfe in Wetherby would be discussed at Wetherby Town Hall on Monday 20^th September 2021 between 3.00pm and 7.00pm. This was a drop-in session and everyone was welcome

To note that the next meeting will take place on Monday, 6^th December 2021 at 5.30pm in the Boston Spa Academy, Boston Spa.

RESOLVED - To note that the next meeting will take place on Monday, 6th December 2021 at 5.30pm in the Boston Spa Academy, Boston Spa.