Agenda and minutes

At the commencement of the meeting, the Chair noted that the meeting was inquorate (Council Procedure Rules 28.3 refer) and Members were advised that no formal decision could be made until the meeting became quorate. As a way forward, the Chair amended the running order of the agenda so that any agenda items requiring decision were considered when the meeting became quorate.

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:

 No exempt items or information have been identified on the agenda

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.)

Late Item of Business - Gullies Update

With the agreement of the Chair, a late item of business was admitted to the agenda entitled, ‘Gullies Update’. This item was not available when the agenda was published on the 3^rd March 2023 and it was deemed that it was appropriate for the matters detailed in the report to be brought to the Committee’s attention at the earliest opportunity. (Minute No. 49 refers).

Late Item of Business - Outer North East Community Committee - Finance Report

With the agreement of the Chair, a late item of business was admitted to the agenda entitled, ‘Outer North East Community Committee - Finance Report’. This item was not available when the agenda was published on the 3^rd March 2023 and it was deemed that it was appropriate for the matters detailed in the report to be brought to the Committee’s attention at the earliest opportunity. (Minute No. 54 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for the meeting had been received from Councillors P Harrand and A Lamb.

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

No declarations of interest were made during 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 Area 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.

The Governance Services Officer reported that no submissions had been received with respect to “Open Forum”.

To receive the report of the Highways Maintenance Manager, providing the Outer North East Community Committee with an update on the work the Gullies Service provides in the servicing the drainage in the three wards.

Note: Report to follow

The Community Committee were provided with an update on the work the Gullies Service provides in servicing the drainage across the three wards.

The Operational Supervisor and Highway Service Area Officer (Drainage) attended the meeting and provided Committee Members with information relating to processes within the Gullies Team and challenges faced by the service as an engagement opportunity for Members to outline issues noted in their wards and establish pathways for additional support or information that will help the Team with their daily operations, for both gullies and drainage.

The Community Committee were provided with the following points:

• The service consists of 20 people who primarily work outdoors in the community and, in line with Human Recourses guidance, are still required to remain at home if they contract Covid-19. There was one vacancy noted with a driver on long term sick, with the position to likely remaining open for their return, so the service operates at 90% capacity.
• In 2016 the service was given a target of inspecting and cleaning all gullies in Leeds. The 4^th stage of this process began in May 2022 and was about halfway through this cycle with the three Outer North East wards yet to have their 4^th clean at the time of the Committee meeting. The figures referenced at the meeting was from data gathered during the 3^rd cycle of the clean.
• The service had been using electronic records since 2016, an ongoing IT project was underway to locate one software system to streamline data management, replacing four separate softwares that had been deemed non-compatible. The Asset Management eXpert (AMX) was expected to be adopted by Highways and Transportation by May 2023.
• The schedule for servicing gullies, as part of the 4^th cycle, in the Outer North East was outlined as May 2023 for Harewood and July or August 2023 for Alwoodley and Wetherby. During this period, it will be helpful for Ward Members to assist with contacting residents to limit obstructions to the tankers and cleaners conducting works.
• There are 4,737 gullies in Alwoodley of which 97.41% were operational, 53 gullies are non-runners and 1.5% were inaccessible. There are 4,382 gullies in Harewood of which 95.14% were operational, 173 were non-runners and 1.1% were inaccessible. There are 4,857 gullies in Wetherby, of which 96.54% were operational, 88 were non-runners and 1.21% were inaccessible.
• The difference between blinded and blocked gullies was outlined as, blinded will show water blockage over the grate with litter, leaves and silt deposits common; blocked will be from silt underneath the grate. For blinded grates, Environmental Services should be notified as a sweeping issue, for blocked, this is an issue for Highways Maintenance. The majority of surcharging gullies or manholes will be the responsibility of Yorkshire Water.
• Making requests to the correct department will allow processes for maintenance work to be more efficient. It was noted the Council holds no jurisdiction for combined or foul sewers, these are maintained by Yorkshire Water who hold a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To recevie the report of the Team Leader, Safe and Sustainable Travel, providing the Outer North East Community Committee with an understanding of the recently adopted Vision Zero Strategy and its action plan and to gather input from elected members and residents.

The Community Committee were provided with an overview of the adopted Vision Zero Strategy and its action plan and to gather input from elected members and residents.

The Team Leader Safe & Sustainable Travel and Transport Planner (Road Safety) introduced the report and provided Members with a presentation to highlight the current road safety situation within the three wards, the new approach to road safety, building on past offers by the service and to open a dialogue as to what the road safety team can do to mitigate road accidents.

The following information was highlighted:

• The Vision Zero strategy was adopted by the Council in October 2022, putting in place, measures to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, whilst increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all by 2040.
• Between 2017 and 2021 there were 7,106 traffic collisions, 93 fatalities, 2,017 serious injuries and 7,034 slight injuries recorded on highways in Leeds.
• Road traffic accident figures were decreasing until around 2013, however since then, and even more so during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, road incident figures had risen.
• The strategy and action plan were developed to stop the trend of increasing road traffic incidents and imbedding the notion that no loss of life on is acceptable.
• Figures specific to the Outer North East area from 2017 to 2021 were outlined as 500 collisions, 13 fatalities, 134 serious injuries and 572 slight injuries.
• The vision will reject traditional road safety data and targets and change the language surrounding the topic to understand difficulties in compelling people to behave properly when using roads to reduce harm and fatalities for vehicle passengers and pedestrians.
• The safe systems approach aims to prevent mistakes but also mitigate the potential for disastrous events when driver error occurs as reducing mistakes on the road to zero was noted to be unrealistic, so measures strive to improve overall road safety.
• Everyone can take responsibility in delivering the vision by following the Highway Code. The Council models for delivery were noted as, road design, traffic management and strategy, public health, education and leading by example through the fleet services and taxi and private hire licensing.
• The Council had engaged with West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Services, National Highways, Ambulance Services, and road safety charities as Safe Road Partners.
• Council and Police operations working to deliver the strategy were noted as, SPARC (Supporting Partnership Action to Reduce Road Casualties), SNAP (Safer Roads Digital Submissions Portal) and Safety Camera Partnership. Behaviour change campaigns, targeted communications, education, funding bids and data reported were outlined as direct, positive, public facing activity.
• Safe system pillars of action were noted as, safe speeds, safe roads, safe vehicles, safe behaviours and people and post-collision learning and care, which feed into overarching strategic objectives and then a tangible delivery plan.
• The ‘fatal five’ are the leading causes for collisions on the road which are, speeding, distractions, the influence of drink or drugs, seatbelt non-compliance and careless driving.
• The changes in language surrounding collisions on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 12th December, 2022

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 12^th December 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

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

There were no issues raised under Matters Arising.

To receive and consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships providing an overall update on the work that the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.

The Committee received a report which provided an update on the key activities being undertaken by the Communities Team based upon the priorities identified by the Community Committee. In presenting the report, it provided the Committee with an opportunity to discuss or seek further information on the range of actions currently being undertaken.

The Localities Officer highlighted the following information:

• Positive and productive work from Environmental Sub-Group meetings was noted, with good meeting content and practise involving various officers and services.
• The benches, as part of the Millennium Green Wellbeing Project, funded by Harewood Wellbeing allocation money in 2021, are scheduled to be unveiled on the 25^th of March 2023 at 12 noon.
• A meeting had been scheduled for the Leeds Festival Working Group to open conversations regarding arrangements for safety at Leeds Festival 2023, with further meetings scheduled prior the event.
• A Town and Parish Council Forum had been scheduled to discuss the Leeds Local Plan Update 2040 which covers proposals for changes to planning policy in Leeds.

The Committee discussed the following:

• The officers attending Environmental Sub-Group meetings had been helpful with Members outlining they felt listened to with services responding to meeting topics positively.
• A message of thanks was extended to Sam Ouassine, the Commercial & Arium Manager and all the accommodating staff at the Arium for their hospitality and providing an open and honest space for discussion that benefits the wider community.
• The Millennium Green benches will be accessible and are extendable to accommodate for wheelchairs and prams. The design had been well received by the public and may be a model for accessible seating in other wards.

RESOLVED - That the content of the report, along with Members comments be noted.

To receive and consider the report of 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 2022/23.

Note: Report to follow.

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report to update the Community Committee on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund (YAF), Capital Budget as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (CIL) for 2022/23.

Projects set out in the report were discussed, and agreed as follows:

RESOLVED –

1.) That the Wellbeing & Youth Activities Fund (YAF) applications be determined as set out above.

2.) To note;

a. Details of the Wellbeing Budget position (Table 1)

b. Wellbeing proposal for consideration and approval (paragraph 20)

c. Details of the Youth Activities Fund (YAF) position (Table 2)

d. Youth Activity Funding proposal for consideration and approval (paragraph 27)

e. Details of the Capital Budget (Table 3)

f. Details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (paragraph 32)

To receive the report of the City Solicitor requesting Members to give consideration to agreeing the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

The report of the City Solicitor requested Members to consider agreeing the proposed Community Committee meeting schedule for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

The report seeks to schedule 4 Community Committee business meetings for 2023/24, in line with previous practice. The proposed meeting schedule for 2023/24 is as follows:

·  Monday, 3rd July 2023 at 5:30pm

·  Monday, 18th September 2023 at 5:30pm

·  Monday, 11th December 2023 at 5:30pm

·  Thursday, 21st March 2024 at 5:30pm

All Committee meetings were proposed to be held in meeting room 6 & 7 of the Civic Hall. The March 2024 meeting was proposed on a Thursday due to a venue clash.

The Community Committee discussed the following points:

·  It was noted that the venue proposed holds the best technology and practises for live streaming the meeting for the public to view remotely while also with the option to physically attend available.

·  The viewership engagement statistics for the Outer North East Community Committee would be of use for Members. It was agreed by the Governance Officer to compile this data and feed it back to the Committee.

·  Various schools within the three wards may be appropriate venues if the Community Committee was to be held outside of the Civic Hall.

·  The Civic Hall, room 6 & 7 was agreed in principle as the venue for the next municipal year, but Members will consider holding meetings out in the community and may alter venues in due course.

RESOLVED - To agree the dates and times, as listed above.