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.

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 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)

There were no formal late items noted but there was supplementary information submitted in relation to item 10 - Inner South Community Committee Finance Report.

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

In relation to agenda Item 10 (Finance Report) Councillor Truswell drew the Committee’s attention to one of his Other Registerable interests, that being his role as a Trustee for ‘Health for All’, this being because the organisation had submitted a grant application.

In relation to agenda Item 10 (Finance Report) Councillor Iqbal drew the Committee’s attention to one of his Other Registerable interests, that being his role as Chair of the ‘Hamara Healthy Living Centre’, this being because the organisation had submitted a grant application.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies were received for the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on the 30^th November 2022.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 30^th November 2022 be approved as an accurate record.

The Chair welcomed members of the public and the Housing Area Manager, Jamie Martin, in attendance at the Committee 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 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 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 time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair.

Road blockages around Dewsbury Road

A member of the public raised issues regarding the roadblocks installed on side streets off Dewsbury Road, particularly focusing on Trentham Street. These road access closures were outlined to have caused built up traffic and dangerous driving in residential areas, with children often playing out on the streets. Members of the Committee responded stating the blocks had been installed by the Council’s Highway department to resolve issues of serious car accidents caused by speeding and dangerous driving and was meant to act as a permeable drive through, however, it was noted some modifications would be needed to alleviate the reported issues. Attempts had been made to improve traffic flow by using the layby near a bus stop as additional bus parking but as there are utilities beneath the layby it would incur high costs to move them. Data had been gathered by Highways and only 1-2% of cars were noted to violate speed limits on these side streets. There is an ongoing conversation with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for funds to improve public safety on side streets with central reservations proposed to discourage dangerous, reactive turning.

Intimidating beggars outside shops

A member of the public raised concerns regarding aggressive beggars at local shops, with reports of public disturbance, shop lifting, and feelings of vulnerability posed, particularly when using cash machines. Tents had been erected within a local shopping centre which was deemed an inappropriate location. Members responded, outlining the issues complexity with disparity between retailers reporting issues to the Council and Police. The conversation with the Police was noted to be ongoing and a Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPO) was proposed to deal with persistent anti-social behaviour in the local area and once a PSPO is in place it provides the Police with a clearer approach to deal with the matter, responding to the sub-set of aggressive beggars.

Vagrant camping in Cross Flatts park

A member of the public raised issues regarding homeless people camping within a local park in Beeston. Ward Members noted they were aware of the issue and offered to be a point of contact as they are in liaison with the relevant Council departments and the Neighbourhood Police team, with support offered to the unhoused sleepers.

Sex workers and trap houses

A member of the public raised concerns regarding sex workers present on Tempest Road, particularly in the early morning, which was deemed inappropriate for local residents and children. Members responded, noting, a trap house had been shut down in the area, but unfortunately another had opened in close proximity and may boost  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To receive the report of the Chief Officer, Environmental Services which provides the Inner South Community Committee with an update on the development of the revised Leeds Waste Strategy and Recycling Plan, an update on current local refuse performance and an opportunity for Members to feedback on the existing issues/challenges faced in how kerbside collections are delivered and enable a discussion on local solutions.

The report of the Chief Officer, Environmental Services provided the Inner South Community Committee with an update on the development of the revised Leeds Waste Strategy and Recycling Plan, an update on current local refuse performance and an opportunity for Members to feedback on the existing issues/challenges faced in how kerbside collections are delivered and enable a discussion on local solutions.

The Chief Officer for Environmental Services outlined the following information to the Community Committee:

·  Refuse collection in Leeds covers an estimated 800,000 people and 360,000 households, with the largest garden waste collection in the UK.

·  National legislation regarding refuse collection was set to be revised to create consistency of collection across the country, allow greater responsibility for waste creation on the private sector and for Local Authorities to create additional waste streams for different waste types, including glass, food and garden.

·  The date for the new legislation to be implemented was yet to be confirmed by the Government due to the scale of required changes, however 2025 is a rough guideline.

·  Leeds uses a bottle bank system for glass with a facility in Knottingley recycling and creating new bottles and jars. Food waste goes into the black bin, not separated from general waste, as done so by some Local Authorities.

·  New legislation will impact Leeds’ process for separate food and glass kerbside collection.

·  Producers of packaging and retailers may face fees depending on type and weight of materials used which will feed back into Local Authority revenue streams. Some concerns noted were absorbing these fees, with costs passed onto consumers and potential greenwashing if fees are paid for green waste strategies conducted by Local Authorities.

·  A new deposit return scheme for plastic and cans, where packaging can be brought back to shops, or via reverse vending machines, for money back was proposed under the new legislation and may create incentives against littering and less waste in household bins.

·  Just 0.5% of waste in Leeds goes to landfill with the rest recycled, reused or incinerated, with the ash created being used for road aggregate.

·  Data analysis from 2022 showed 14% of black bin waste was recyclables and 7% was glass. Under new legislation, routes and contracts would be designed against available data with a predicted 50-60% decrease in overall black bin waste.

·  A carbon impact model has been developed for Leeds allowing assessment as to how much carbon refuse operations produce which can be used to inform future decisions that are best for the planet.

·  The current carbon position for the whole service has a net reduction (benefit) in CO2 to contribute towards the city’s Zero carbon ambitions of about 31,000 tonnes a year.

·  The view for the future was noted as, embracing new legislation, trial blue bin glass collection and consult with Councillors and the public on new processes.

·  Localised reliability of collection information was available at page 20 of the report, with 2.5 million bins covered across the three wards. The table for missed collections was based on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To 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. It also provides opportunities to request further information on a particular issue.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships updated members on the work in which the Communities Team was engaged in based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.

The following points were highlighted:

·  The local Police Inspector had intended to attend the meeting; however, other work commitments had arisen and sent their apologies.

·  An update on recent work by the Committee appointed Champion for Children’s and Families was provided, noting, a hybrid sub-group meeting was scheduled for the 6^th of March 2023 at Dewsbury Hub or online. Positive consultation feedback had been received from the Children’s Summit event and thanks were extended to the Localities Officer and Health and Wellbeing Champion for their work on the wellbeing goody bags.

·  The Champion for Environment and Community Safetyoutlined a sub-group meeting will take place on 4th April 2023, with a Police representative scheduled to attend. An update will be provided at the next Inner South Community Committee.

·  The Champion for Health and Wellbeing outlined a sub-group meeting had been held a week previous to the Community Committee, with a report to follow which will request the Committee to reserve some funding for future Health and Wellbeing initiatives.

The Community Committee discussions included:

• The details on page 25 of the report, regarding disability and racial hate crimes were concerning. The incidents stem from one individual and the Neighbourhood Police Team have allocated time and resources to address this.
• The Police representative had been contacted to attend the Environment and Community Safety sub-group on the 4^th of April with a request for updated crime statistics for the area.
• It would be of use for a set time or extended Community Committee meeting to discuss the crime statistics as a commitment to addressing challenges faced for the Inner South area.
• Clarification was sought as to the Holbeck Together constitution changes as they no longer were wanting a Council appointment.

RESOLVED – That the content of the report, along with members comments be noted.

To 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.

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.

Members were informed of the following points:

• The Wellbeing Revenue for 2022/23 was displayed at Table 1 of the report which stood at £86,388.67

• The Wellbeing Budget Ring-fences were outlined as, a small grant allocation was fenced at £2,500 for Hunslet & Riverside with an additional £1,000 proposed, a small grant allocation was fenced at £3,000 for Beeston & Holbeck with an additional £1,000, proposed (or remaining wellbeing balance funds if less than £1000 available).
• An additional ring-fence of £300 (£100 per ward) for sub-group funds was agreed.

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

The following was discussed:

• The funding application for Beeston Youth Theatre was approved as the theatre is a valued community asset but a future sustainability plan was requested to fund self-reliantly in the future.
• The funding application for Hunslet Foundation Junior Rugby Project was approved as the project supports local children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To receive the report of report of the City Solicitor which requests 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:

• Wednesday, 28th June 2023 at 2pm
• Wednesday, 6th September 2023 at 2pm
• Wednesday, 29th November 2023 at 2pm
• Wednesday, 28th February 2024 at 2pm

Members considered the proposed meeting schedule and deemed it appropriate to commence meetings from 1pm instead of 2pm, in order to adequate time to be allocated for the Public Open Forum and items brought to the Community Committee 

RESOLVED – To agree the dates as listed above with the caveat of commencing all meetings from 1pm.

A message of thanks was extended by the Committee to Councillor P Truswell for his contribution to the community and Council as he will be standing down from his role as an Elected Ward Member.