Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the meeting, with particular reference to Councillors A Hannan and J Heselwood who were attending the meeting as Committee Members for the first time. This followed their recent appointment to the Committee as Councillors for Headingley & Hyde Park Ward and Weetwood Ward respectively. 

The Chair also provided those in attendance with a brief overview of the Committee’s role across the communities it covers, and invited Members and officers to introduce themselves.

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).

It was confirmed that there were no appeals received ahead of the meeting for consideration.

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 information contained within the agenda which was designated as being exempt from publication.

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 of business, however, with the agreement of the Chair, supplementary information had been circulated to Members ahead of the meeting in the form of further funding applications for determination as part of agenda item 10 (Finance Report). Minute No. 11 refers.

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

There were no interests declared at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

No apologies for absence from the meeting had been submitted.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on the 29^th March 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29^th March 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the City Solicitor which invites Community Committee Members to note the appointment of Councillor I Wilson as Chair of the Community Committee for 2023/24 as agreed at the recent Council Meeting, and also invites the Committee to make appointments to those positions detailed in section 6 of the submitted report.

The City Solicitor submitted a report that invited the Committee to note the appointment of Councillor Wilson as Chair of the Inner North West Community Committee for 2023/24 as agreed at the recent Annual Council Meeting, and which also invited the Committee to make appointments to Outside Bodies and a range of other positions, as detailed within the report.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the appointment of Councillor Wilson as Chair of the Community Committee for the duration of 2023/24, as agreed at the recent Annual Meeting of Council, be noted;

(b)  That the Committee’s schedule of appointments be agreed as follows:

To receive the report of the Team Leader, Safe and Sustainable Travel, which invites Members and local residents to provide reflections on the recently implemented Vision Zero Strategy. Additionally the report invites participants to engage in a wider discussion regarding road safety and Active Travel in the Inner North West area.

The Team Leader for Safe and Sustainable Travel submitted a report which aimed to introduce and provide a wider understanding of the recently adopted Vision Zero strategy including its aims, its action plan and an overview of the range of ongoing workstreams that fed into its development. In setting out its aims, the Committee noted the strategy’s ambition that by 2040 no one is killed or seriously injured on roads in Leeds.

Rosie Revell, Team Leader for Safer and Sustainable Travel together with Chris Kirby, Assistant Transport Planner, were in attendance to introduce the report and also provide further detail on the introduction of the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ e-bike hire service, which it was noted was due to launch in Leeds in September 2023.

As part of the consideration of this report, the Chair facilitated a wider discussion on this topic with members of the public in attendance at the meeting.

Following an introduction from attending officers on both the Vision Zero strategy and the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ scheme, the Chair opened the discussion up to both Committee Members and also members of the public to provide comments and raise any questions. In summary, the key points from those discussions included the following:

·  The relationship and interaction between pedal bikes and e-bikes on the highway, and how cyclists generally interacted with both pedestrians and other road users. The issues arising both in the city centre and wider communities were highlighted. In response, the comments and concerns were acknowledged, with the Committee being provided with an overview of the range of actions ongoing in this area;

·  The meeting discussed the aims of the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ iniative, the scheme’s delivery timeframe and the intended participants and the potential impact it would have on travel habits. Also, responding to an enquiry about the provision of family-friendly e-bikes, it was acknowledged that although the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ scheme would not provide for that at present, the comments raised were noted for further consideration and the potential alternatives for family friendly e-bike provision discussed;

·  The need to ensure that there was adequate provision for secure bike parking and storage in the city centre was highlighted and discussed;

·  Noting the comments made about what support there was for those who were reliant on car use, such as those with a disability, further information was provided on the actions being taken in this area across the range of ongoing initiatives;

·  Reference was made to the effective use of the actions that can be taken to improve behaviour of cyclists, including education and also enforcement, via initiatives such as ‘Operation Snap’;

·  The importance of a proactive and preventative approach towards road safety, including enforcement around the illegal use of e-scooters and the dangerous use of e-bikes, was highlighted. In response it was undertaken that such matters would be highlighted with West Yorkshire Police; 

·  Concerns were raised about a number of specific highways and junctions including Headingley Mount, and the need to ensure that those areas became more  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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

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.

In presenting the report, the Localities Officer provided the Committee with an update on the provision of ‘Play Streets’ in the area, with it being noted that one event had been delivered on Farrar Lane on 31^st May, with a further event scheduled for Johnston Street at the end of July. Should there be any communities interested in a having a ‘Play Street’ event in their area, it was suggested any interested parties contact their local Ward Councillors or the Localities team for further information.

Regarding the CCTV data referenced within the report, regarding the prevalent issue of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in the area, it was noted that the statistics had only captured one incident of ASB between November 2022 and April 2023. In response, it was undertaken that this matter would be investigated further.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the submitted report, be noted.

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

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report that set out the overall delegated budget position for the Community Committee and invited Members to note the latest position, as submitted, and determine the funding applications contained within the report. The report also invited the Committee to review the ‘Minimum Conditions’ which would need to be satisfied prior to

an officer delegated decision being undertaken in between Community

Committee meetings in relation to the determination of funding applications.

Further to Minute No. 4, following the despatch of the agenda, with the agreement of the Chair, supplementary information was circulated to Members ahead of the meeting in the form of further funding applications for determination.

The projects set out in the report were discussed and determined as follows:-

In conclusion, the Chair highlighted that should members of the community require any further information on the projects which have been discussed or should there be any interest in potential support being provided for the delivery of community based projects in the future, then enquiries should be directed to local Ward Councillors or the Localities team for further information.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the details of the Wellbeing Budget position, as set out within the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That having considered the funding applications submitted to the Committee, all applications, as referenced within the submitted report and the supplementary information circulated, be determined as set out in the minute above;

(c)  That the ‘Minimum Conditions’ which would need to be satisfied prior to an officer delegated decision being undertaken in between Community

Committee meetings with regard to the determination of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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.

Provision of Parking Permits – Ash Road

A resident of Ash Road highlighted the ongoing parking related issues being experienced in this area and sought an update regarding the provision of a parking permit scheme. In response, it was noted that a period of consultation had been undertaken and the dialogue was ongoing to determine next steps.

Meanwood Junction / Monk Bridge Road

Responding to comments raised regarding the process undertaken to ensure that effective crossing provision is delivered as part of any proposals, the Committee received an update on the current position, with it being highlighted that the local community, including the local Residents’ Association were encouraged to continue to be involved in any further engagement processes taking place. 

Traffic Measures – Meanwood

Responding to a Meanwood resident’s enquiry about the strategy in place to ensure a correct balance was struck to meet the needs of local residents whilst at the same time acknowledging that the area is significantly used by ‘through traffic’, the Committee received an update on the actions being taken in this area including the use of external funding and the importance of the local community’s involvement in such matters. 

Pedestrians – Issues faced when Crossing Roads

With specific reference to Headingley Mount, given the increasing streams of traffic on the highway, with bike lanes, car traffic and the upcoming introduction of the e-bike scheme, and the fact that all were travelling at different speeds, an enquiry was made about how this made crossing such roads more challenging for pedestrians. In response, information was provided on how such matters were being taken into consideration, such as the use of specific traffic lights for bike users in some circumstances. 

Disabled Parking Provision – Tinshill Top Park

Responding to an enquiry regarding the provision of disabled parking at Tinshill Top Park, it was undertaken that the matter would b looked into further.

‘School Streets’

Regarding the ‘School Streets’ initiative, it was suggested that Ireland Wood Primary School may be an appropriate location for this initiative in the future. In response, it was highlighted that any expressions of interest in the scheme would be welcomed and considered.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as 27^th September at 6pm.

It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the committee was 6.00pm on 27^th September 2023.

In terms of a venue, it was noted that whilst the venue details were still to be confirmed, it would be held in the Little London and Woodhouse Ward, and that once confirmed, the venue details would be publicised, as appropriate.

(The meeting concluded at 7.55 p.m.)