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 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 to the agenda by the Chair for consideration (The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

There were no formal late items.

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

There were no interests raised at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor G Latty and J Shemilt submitted their apologies for the meeting.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2021, to approve as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 12^th July 2021, be approved as an accurate record.

Matters Arising

Minute 8 – Community Committee Appointments 2021/22. Members of the Outer North West Community Committee were asked to consider the appointment to the Corporate Parenting Board and the Children’s Services Champion. Members agreed to appoint Councillor B Flynn to both roles for the duration of the 2021/22 municipal year.

Minute 10 – Finance Report. A member requested that information be sought from the Director of Finance to clarify the amount of Council Tax that is being generated in each ward and to identify where those monies have been generated.

Minute 12 – Any Other Business. A member relayed his concerns regarding the way in which the Equality Act 2010 is recorded in reports and more broadly, an officer’s understanding of protected characteristics.

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.

On this occasion no submissions had been received from members of the public.

The report of the Chief Officer Community Hubs, Welfare and Business Support 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 our Service Recovery Strategy.

(Report attached)

The Chief Officer (Community Hubs) submitted a report that provided an overview of the activity of Leeds Libraries during the past 18 months and outlined the key priorities for the service as part of our Service Recovery Strategy.

The following were in attendance:

o  Andrea Ellison, Chief Librarian

o  Kate Midwood, Senior Librarian

The Chief Librarian introduced the report, providing a brief overview of the key messages within the report, including the changes to the structure of the service and innovative projects and schemes that have taken place throughout and beyond the pandemic, as well as the priorities for the service over the coming year. Members were also advised that it is intended for each of the Community Committees to receive a future report with more detail of activity in each ward.

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

·  There are no existing plans for the ballroom at Horsforth Hall Library. Although, it was acknowledged that significant work has been undertaken to improve the infrastructure and Community Hub colleagues are in the process of ensuring all spaces are bookable to hire out to private groups.

·  In relation to the Leeds Story Busses, a suggestion was made for a bus to attend the Horsforth Gala. It was confirmed that efforts will be made to ensure events across the city are well attended.

·  There has been a significant number of new service users at Guiseley Library following the move into the Leisure Centre. However, it was noted that many regulars have since moved to Yeadon Library primarily for accessibility reasons.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships is to provide the Outer North West Community Committee with a verbal update on the development of a City Plan for Leeds and to gather input from elected members and residents to feed into the Plan.

(Report attached)

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

Mike Eakins, Intelligence & Policy Manager gave a brief introduction to the context behind the development of a new City Plan, highlighting the significant changes since the last City Plan was launched ten years ago – locally, nationally, and globally.

The Policy Intelligence & Policy Manager set out some of the key ambitions and drivers that will shape the new plan, and then sought feedback from Members on their priorities for the Outer North West Community Committee area.

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 West 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?

Members emphasised the importance of ensuring Leeds implement strategic measurable outcomes to further understand the difference with life expectancy and improving child poverty. It was acknowledged that the main factors for child poverty in Leeds are diets, incomes, and expectations. Additionally, it was felt that poverty is a deterrent for young people not being able to achieve their goals; a member referred to London overcoming their problems with education attainment for inner city areas and suggested that Leeds use this as a model, to understand the areas where other core cities are doing well.

Members felt that the levels of deprivation have shown no improvement over the years, raising particular concern to the priority estates in outer areas. The Committee acknowledged that resources have reduced over the years and clarity was sought on resourcing implications and confirmation of where central monies are being spent. Additionally, it was acknowledged that there are various groups in the community that are able to put forward schemes to benefit people and would benefit from support from the council.

A member referred to the Children’s Centre in Horsforth and explained this now has responsibility for other areas and has added pressure on resources and the abilities of staff; Members highlighted the need for additional Children’s Centres to be developed to better support families and children.

Another big issue Members raised, is the need to address health inequalities by improving accessibility to services and ensuring homes in the public and private rented sector are up to standard, to mitigate health implications faced by children and adults due to housing disrepair.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and presentation, along with Member’s comments, be noted.

(Councillor B Flynn and Councillor S Lay arrived during discussion of this item)

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provides 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.

(Report attached)

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report that provided 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 (CIL) Budget for 2021/22.

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

Members additionally agreed to reduce the approved allocation for the Horsforth Boules project. It was agreed that the allocation would now be £4,000 with £1,000 being returned to the Horsforth wellbeing balance.

Members received the following information:

·  An update on the Wellbeing Fund. A full breakdown of projects was provided at Table 1 of the submitted report. The total revenue funding available to the Community Committee for 2021/22 is £149,789.60, with a remaining balance of £123,086.23;

·  Delegated decisions since the last Community Committee. These were set out at paragraph 23 of the submitted report;

·  An update of the Youth Activities Fund. The remaining balance for 2021/22 is £46,071.19;

·  An update on the Small Grants and Skips 2021/22 budget. The remaining balance is £4,738;

·  The Capital Budget for 2021/22 and an update on the remaining balance being £48,773;

·  The CIL Budget 2021/22 and the remaining balance being £166,899.13;

·  It was confirmed that moving forward, an appendix will be attached to the finance report with a breakdown of balances for parish and town councils;

·  Clarity was provided on the 5-year guidance rule for CIL receipts and the importance of documenting receipts.

Members queried the status of 2 projects not listed for consideration in the submitted report, projects in relation to a ‘Fun Run’ at Horsforth Hall Park and a Unity Day. It was noted that an update relating to those projects will be provided outside of the meeting.

Members relayed their concerns regarding the commitment for the council to release (COVID-19) emergency funding and it was requested that an update be provided on the financial position. In responding to a query regarding allocation, it was noted that Horsforth allocated 10k of their monies to Children’s Centres.

RESOLVED – To note / consider:

a)  The projects as set out in the table above

b)  Details of the Wellbeing Budget (Table 1)

c)  Details of projects approved via Delegated Decision

d)  Monitoring information of its funded projects

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

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

g)  Details of the Community Skills Budget (Table 4)

h)  Details of the Capital Budget (Table 5)

i)  Details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (Table 6)

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships brings to members’ attention an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships brought to members’ attention an update of work which the Communities Team is 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 report provided regular updates on some key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

Members highlighted key activities undertaken in terms of their role as Community Committee Champions, for their respective areas.

Members discussed the following key matters:

·  Clarity on the role of Champions and receiving regular service updates. It was noted that the Executive Member for Communities is working on setting up regular Champion meetings.

·  Clarity on a questionnaire circulated on behalf of the Chief Officer (Communities) regarding the future working arrangements of Community Committees and relevant sub-groups. Members shared a general view that the Outer North West Community Committee should be held in-person and requested that a meeting be set up to discuss future arrangements of the Community Committee to gage views from all members.

·  To receive additional information from Employment and Skills, particularly in relation to the support offered by DWP and clarity on the reduction of supporting people back into work. It was confirmed that an update relating to this information will be circulated to the respective Champion prior to the next Outer North West Community Committee.

RESOLVED – To note the contents of the report and to action the information contained during discussion of this item.

.

During discussions regarding the next formal Outer North West Community Committee meeting, members requested that a representative from parking services be in attendance to provide a localised update.

The next meeting of the Outer North West Community Committee is scheduled for Monday 15^th November 2021, at 1:30pm.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 15^th November 2021, at 1.30 pm.

(The meeting concluded at 1.30 pm)