Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* 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 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

There were no appeals against refusals 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:

No exempt items have been identified.

There were no items excluded from the public domain.

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 interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received from Cllrs A Maloney and P Grahame.

Apologies were also received from James Rogers (Director, Communities, Housing and Environment).

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the ordinary Scrutiny Board meeting held on 12 October 2023 and the Call In meeting held on 6 November 2023.

The minutes of the ordinary meeting on 12 October 2023 were approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Call-In meeting on 6 November 2023 were approved as a correct record.

The following issues were noted under matters arising:

Minute 44: The Chair has received an initial update from Alison Lowe (Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime) following the Scrutiny Board’s discussion about the Mayor’s Safer Communities Fund, which is funded through the proceeds of crime. It has been confirmed that in principle community committees would be able to apply to the Fund.  However, the funding would need to be for a specific project which the committee themselves were delivering or delivering in partnership with a local group. No group or organisation can apply for funding for which they then have a separate decision-making process and which requires funding to be passported to another group.

Cllr Akhtar asked that it be noted that he welcomed this update.

Minute 45: The Scrutiny Board’s conclusions and recommendations about future plans for community parks have been submitted to the Executive Board in the form of a Scrutiny statement and a response is expected in the new year.

Minute 46: The Principal Scrutiny Advisor provided an update on a response from the Head of Homelessness in relation to the number of veterans presenting as homeless. 

To receive an update from the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support in relation to work to reduce poverty and improve financial inclusion in Leeds.

The Chair introduced the item noting that the Scrutiny Board had requested an annual update on work to reduce poverty and improve financial inclusion in Leeds.

Those in attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr M Harland (Executive Member)

·  Lee Hemsworth (Chief Officer, Community Hubs, Welfare & Business Support)

·  Jo Rowlands (Financial Inclusion Manager)

·  Dianne Lyon (Citizens Advice Leeds)

·  Hannah Bailey (Voluntary Action Leeds)

·  Rifhat Malik (Give a Gift)

·  Chris Joyce (Department for Work and Pensions)

·  Gemma Sharratt (Department for Work and Pensions)

Lee Hemsworth introduced the report, noting that poverty and financial exclusion have been deep-rooted challenges for many years. However, key factors affecting the financial climate since 2022 that have further escalated the situation, leading to a ‘cost-of-living crisis’.

Members were advised that the Executive Board Report ‘Understanding & addressing the Cost-of-Living Crisis’ was appended to the Scrutiny Board report by way of contextual information.

Lee reiterated the importance of a partnership approach to the challenges of poverty and financial exclusion. He set out the focus of activity over the last 12 months, which has included communication, information, funding and advice. In addition, initiatives such as ‘Welcome Spaces’, the Zero Waste Winter Coats Appeal and Emergency Warm Packs have delivered practical support.

An update was provided in relation to themed strategic meetings which have taken place since June 2023. Topics have included housing, children’s services, health, crime and community safety, third sector and crisis support.

The short term, often annualised, nature of funding streams in this area of work creates a risk for services, and the reality for all partners is that available resources cannot meet the demand for support.

Dianne Lyons described the “grim” situation for many people in Leeds and offered thanks to the staff and volunteers working at Citizens Advice Leeds.  She raised concern about the behaviour of some energy firms in dealing with vulnerable customers and outlined the way in which her organisation can advocate for those individuals. Similarly, she provided examples of recovering unclaimed entitlements to a range of benefits, which can significantly improve the financial circumstances of some people.

Dianne highlighted escalating demand for services and confirmed funding has been sourced to increase capacity. Funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority for the Leeds Advice Service has been used to increase staffing in the telephone team and recruit caseworkers to provide specialist advice in housing, benefits, employment and debt. Work is ongoing with Leeds MIND and Trussell Trust on one of six pilot projects in the country, to improve support for people experiencing mental health issues and financial difficulties.

Hannah Bailey welcomed the continuation of strong partnership arrangements in Leeds including via the Leeds Community Anchors Network. She noted that many third sector partners are in receipt of an allocation of the Household Support Fund in recognition of their trusted role and reach into communities, particularly for those less likely to engage with statutory services. Hannah also provided an overview of the Welcome Spaces network that has been developed for the winter period of 2023/24.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To receive an update from the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment on the progress of the Local Welfare Support Scheme.

The Chair noted that the Scrutiny Board has previously requested an annual update on the Local Welfare Support Scheme in the context of concerns about the impact of the rising cost of living on citizens in Leeds.

Those in attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr M Harland (Executive Member)

·  Lee Hemsworth (Chief Officer, Community Hubs, Welfare & Business Support)

·  David Fryer (Head of Welfare and Benefits)

David Fryer provided an overview of the most recent changes to the Leeds Welfare Support Scheme (LWSS). He noted that the intention of the scheme is to provide short term support to those experiencing crisis.

Members were advised that the scheme had been relaxed in response to the cost of living crisis to allow more low income families to access support.

However, increased demand meant that this extended model became financially unsustainable, even with additional funding from the Household Support Fund.  During August 2023, the award criteria was therefore changed to reflect the original objective of crisis support. At the same time additional measures were introduced to help prevent fraud, improve consistency in decision making and ensure financial support was offered to those households who needed it the most.

David noted that there is still flexibility in the system and claimants have access to a clear dispute process. Members were reassured that unsuccessful applicants are always signposted to alternative sources of advice and support.

Members welcomed the approach to ensure that crisis support can continue to be provided in a way that is more financially sustainable. Concern was expressed about access to future funding given the importance of the Household Support Fund in enabling more families to be supported.

Members sought clarity about how citizens can apply for support and were updated about the development of an online form as an additional access route.

Further information was provided in relation to the prevalence of fraud. Officers reassured members that there is no evidence of widespread fraud but reiterated the importance of robust systems for governing the use of public money.

Other matters raised by members included:

-  Changes to the Local Housing Allowance.

-  The low uptake of national energy vouchers for people who are not accessing mains gas and electricity. 

-  The improved outcomes achievable via locally delivered schemes as opposed to promoting centralised schemes that do not necessarily reach those people who need support.

-  Securing a partnership arrangement with a domestic appliance manufacturer to provide refurbished white goods to households in need.

RESOLVED:

Members of the Communities, Housing and Environment Scrutiny Board were asked to:

a)  Note the information contained within the report and the approach to delivering a financially sustainable LWSS.

b)  Note the contents of the enclosed eligibility criteria.

c)  Note the Action Plan and Next Steps set out at paragraph 29 of the report.

To receive an update from the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment on the progress of the Community Committee Review.

The Chair reminded colleagues that following the 2023 LGA Peer Review, the Executive Board agreed to carry out a review of Community Committees.

Subsequently, a commitment was made to update The Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing & Communities) on the progress of that review and the feedback received through the associated member working group.

It was noted that Cllrs Golton and Anderson represent the Scrutiny Board on the working group.

Those in attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr M Harland (Executive Member)

·  Paul Money (Chief Officer, Safer, Stronger Communities)

·  Liz Jarmin (Head of Locality Partnerships)

Paul Money outlined the background to the development of Community Committees and the progress with the current review. He highlighted the importance of listening to the views of members and the wider communities they represent. He also noted that the review may identify opportunities to standardise some of the ways in which Community Committees are supported in light of limited staffing resources.

Liz Jarmin provided members with an overview of the initial feedback from two member workshops that have taken place, which have focused on workstreams of the Community Committee Champions and Delegated Budgets. She welcomed the level of engagement from elected members and reflected upon the wide range of issues discussed.

Cllr Harland thanked members for their engagement and noted that there has been engagement with the review from a range of political groups and from members representing different geographies.

It was acknowledged that there are some challenging timescales associated with the first stage of the review. A report setting out the initial recommendations of the review will be presented to the Scrutiny Board in March 2024 ahead of consideration by the Executive Board.

Members raised concern about the potential impact of budget reductions on the work of community committees and on the scope of the review. It was agreed that there would be a need to make effective use of all available sources of funding in future, which may include working in partnership to influence the use of funding streams such as elements of the Community Infrastructure Levy where that is available.

Members expressed concern about a lack of public engagement with community committees in some areas of the city and highlighted a need to improve representation.  It was agreed that different approaches may be needed in different communities.

The Scrutiny Board recommended that members attending the upcoming workshop on community engagement and empowerment should explore examples of successful public engagement with a view to developing a ‘toolbox’ to support the members of the committees in this regard.

Members welcomed the opportunity to share experiences and examples of good practice across different committees. It was recommended that the review explores whether there is an appetite for an annual event for members to encourage the sharing of good practice on an ongoing basis.

Other issues raised by members included:

-  Diversity of practice across different committees.

-  Future scope to consider how community committee boundaries may be redrawn with the aim of being more co-terminus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2023/24 municipal year.

Members noted the draft work schedule for 2023/24.

The next public Scrutiny Board meeting will take place on 25 January 2024 at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meeting for all Board Members at 10.00am.

The next public meeting of the Scrutiny Board will take place on 25 January 2024 at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meeting for all board members at 10.00am.

Members were reminded that there would also be a remote working group taking place on 15 December 2023 at 8.30am.