Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rules 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 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:-

There were no exempt items.

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

(the special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no formal late items. However, some supplementary information (Minute No.11 refers) in the form of additional Wellbeing applications, was circulated to members prior to the meeting.

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

No interests were raised at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor A Marshall-Katung and Councillor J Bentley.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 11 March 2021 and to note the minutes of the consultative meeting held on 15 July 2021

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held 11 March 2021 and the consultative notes from the meeting held 15 July 2021, be approved as accurate records.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor

The report of the City Solicitor sought the Committee’s consideration of an appointment to an Outside Body for the Leeds Bradford Airport Consultative Committee (LBACC). This matter was previously discussed at the Inner North West Community Committee in March 2019 following a request for representation made by the North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association.

LBACC felt that an additional Councillor from the Inner North West Community Committee would be appropriate, and a Community and Local Engagement appointment will be beneficial in terms of leading, engaging and supporting the community from a ward perspective.

The Community Committee unanimously supported and confirmed the nomination of Councillor N Walshaw to the LBACC.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the recommendation made by Member Management Committee on 16^th July 2021 in respect of appointments to LBACC.

b)  To appoint Councillor N Walshaw to the LBACC.

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

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report that introduced a verbal update on the development of a City Plan for Leeds in the Inner North West Community Committee Area and an opportunity for input from elected members and residents to feed into the Plan.

The following were in attendance for this item:

o  Councillor J Dowson, Deputy Executive Member for the Leader’s Portfolio

o  Amy Beswick, Policy Officer

Councillor Dowson provided some context behind the development of a new City Plan, replacing the Best Council Plan that was launched ten years ago. It was noted that there have been significant changes since the last Plan locally, nationally, and globally. The next steps of the plan were highlighted, in terms focused work with organisations and the consultation process.

The Policy Officer in attendance provided members with a presentation that set out key ambitions and drivers which will help shape the new plan, and then sought feedback from Members on their priorities for Leeds and in particular, the Inner North West Community Committee area for the next ten years.

Members discussed priority themes in terms of the biggest issues for the Inner North West Community Committee area. They were relayed as follows:

• Addressing health inequalities. Members commented that the pandemic exacerbated inequalities in the most deprived areas and emphasised the need to reduce the life expectancy gap, as well as ensuring homes in the public and private rented sector are up to standard. It was suggested that the Council work with the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission on their findings and to collaboratively work with groups in the community that are able to put forward schemes to benefit residents. Concerns were also relayed in terms of addressing mental health, and the funding limitations to provide support to parents and youth work provision.
• Educational attainment, skills, and good employment. Members discussed disparities across the city and recognised that training and educating young people in the most deprived areas of the city, are a key issue for Leeds and commented that the plan should aim to work with key partners such as the universities and public sector organisations to ensure good quality, high paid jobs.
• Transport options and reliability. Whilst it was acknowledged that trends with transport use have changed due to increased home working, members commented that accessing transport remains an issue and the focus of the plan should aim to address increasing routes to ensure residents are able to access places of work, education, and health facilities across the city.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report, together with members comments.

(Councillor A Garthwaite and Councillor J Pryor arrived during discussion of this item)

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 Community Committees were being held remotely, the process had been adapted so that members of the public were able to submit written representations in advance of the meeting on any matter which fell within the Committee’s terms of reference. Now that meetings resume in person, approximately 12 local residents attended the meeting and were invited to make representations.

Councillor N Walshaw commented on the rise in anti-social behaviour issues affecting the Headingley and Hyde Park area and proposed that a forum be arranged that will include Community Committee Members, residents’ groups, Universities of Leeds, relevant responsible authorities, West Yorkshire Police, landlords and Faith Leader. The Chair requested that a Terms of Reference for the forum be established. Community Committee Members unanimously agreed to this approach and it was noted that details regarding confirmed representatives, the venue and dates will be confirmed in due course.

The Community Committee noted a deferred representation from the meeting held 15^th July 2021, the submission was received from Leeds Residents Anti-Social Behaviour Group and read:

The Headingley and Hyde Park area have over 10,000 HMO, Student properties.Due to students been exempt from paying Council tax rates, the Council receives a subsidy from the government to cover the loss of Council tax rates on these 10,000 HMO Properties. Can this subsidy be ring fenced for Headingley and Hyde Park area to help go towards the cost of providing enhanced council services in the area e.g., Extra ASB Teams, street cleaning and refuse collections, removing graffiti etc to help to try and improve the area that council rate payers have to live in.

A written response will be provided to the Leeds Residents Anti-Social Behaviour Group, as well as a briefing note provided by Central Finance that will also be shared with members regarding compensation given to Leeds City Council in relation to student exemptions for Council Tax.

Residents from the Headingley and Hyde Park area, raised a number of issues relating to ASB and highlighted the following matters:

·  The limitation of resources to tackle issues with students in the locality, mainly relating to noise and broader issues regarding the ‘Otley Run’. Residents felt that the issues they’re facing, are having a detrimental impact on their mental health;

·  The ownership of Leeds Universities for their students, and clarity on additional funding provided by Universities for additional security measures;

·  Concerns were relayed regarding the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) in Headingley, and Hyde Park not being enforced, and residents queried whether there are any patrols in the area;

·  Issues surrounding Headingley Cricket Ground in relation to urination, drugs, and coaches parking across residents’ drives. Additionally, it was commented that there are a lack of marshals patrolling the area and increased noise issues when the stadium is hosting events such as boxing. Further to this, Councillor A Garthwaite explained that following conversations with the Cricket Ground, it was confirmed that additional marshalling will be provided, and anti-urination paint  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Officer, Community Hubs, Welfare & Business Support

The report of the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support provided the Inner North West Community Committee with an overview of the activity of Leeds Libraries during the past 18 months and outlined key priorities for the service as part of the Service Recovery Strategy.

The following were in attendance for this item:

o  Andrea Ellison, Chief Librarian

o  Kate Midwood, Senior Librarian

The Chief Librarian informed members that the report provided a city-wide overview on changes to the structure of the service and schemes / projects that have taken place during the pandemic such as digital services, as well as an update on the services key priorities over the coming months. Members were informed that a service update on a more local basis will be provided at the Inner North West Community Committee next year.

In response to Member’s questions, the following information was highlighted:

·  The importance of ensuring children are engaging in activities over school breaks. Members heard the Library Service are keen to increase the number of children participating and are introducing a ‘Reception Leading Stars project’.

·  To ensure residents and elected members are informed of the services offered and whether advertisements in relation to digital support can be put on bin lorries across the city. Councillor J Pryor confirmed that he will seek further clarity on how the service can seek funding. The Chief Librarian also confirmed that information can be provided to members via briefings, and information can be passed onto the Localities Team to publish info on the Community Committee FB pages.

·  Digital support sessions will be provided online from the 18^th October 2021, and there are plans for weekly sessions at Central Libraries.

·  Clarity sought on information relating to business start-up grants will be provided to Councillor K Brooks following the meeting.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and verbal update, along with members comments.

b)  To note the intention to receive a regular update on services within the Inner North West Committee area, at future meetings.

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

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships presented 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 2021/22.

Details of additional Wellbeing applications for consideration, had been circulated to members and published prior to the meeting.

The projects set out in the submitted report, and supplementary information were discussed, and agreed as follows:

Members received the following information:

·  An update on the Wellbeing Fund. A full breakdown and projects were provided at Table 1 of the submitted report. The remaining balance is £5,665.41.

·  Covid Funding 2021/22 remaining balances per ward.

·  An update on the Youth Activities Fund.

·  A breakdown of the Small Grants & Skips budget 2021/22.

·  The Capital budget for 2021/22 and an update on the remaining balance being £21,142.47.

·  The Community Infrastructure Levy budget for 2021/22 and as summarised in Table 5 of the submitted report. The remaining balance is £121,867.78.

RESOLVED – To note and approve:

a)  The projects as outlined above

b)  Details of the Wellbeing Budget position (Table 1)

c)  Review the minimum conditions

d)  Monitoring information of its funded projects

e)  Details of the Youth Activities Fund (Table 2)

f)  Details of the Small Grants and Skips Budget (Table 3)

g)  Details of the Capital Budget (Table 4)

h)  Details of Community infrastructure Levy (Table 5)

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 work which the Communities Team was engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided an opportunity for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The Localities Officer presented the report and briefly provided an update in terms of the Environmental Sub-groups focus on graffiti in Hyde Park and the intention to deliver workshops across schools to receive wider engagement from children across the Inner North West Community Committee area.

It was noted that the report detailed projects that had been delivered over the summer period.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report.

The Chair thanked all for their attendance, particularly the local residents for addressing their concerns and assurance was provided that issues raised will be addressed by working with partners.

Wednesday, 6 January 2022 at 6.00 p.m.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 6^th January 2022 at 6 pm.

(The meeting concluded at 20.25)