Agenda and draft 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.

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

The following declarations of interest were made at the meeting:

Councillor E Carlisle declared a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) in relation to Agenda Item 10, Inner South Community Committee Finance Report, Brilliant Beeston Hill, as his spouse was employed by St Luke’s Cares and the organisation had applied for Wellbeing funds. Details of this application can be found on page 46 of the agenda. In declaring his DPI, Councillor Carlisle took no part in the discussion or decision making of this specific funding application.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 4^th of September 2024, for approval as a correct record.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held on the 4^th of September 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

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.

The following submissions were made as part of the Open Forum:

Gambling Harm Training

A local resident requested further information in regard to the offer of anti-bribery and gambling harm training that was available to Members of the Licensing Committee, and whether the invite to the training could be extended to the public. In response, it was noted that an email response had been received in relation to this query, confirming that the training session was exclusive to Licensing Committee Members, but other options were available for information on this topic which would be forwarded on to the enquirer.

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships providing an 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 brought Member’s attention to an update of the work in which the Communities Team was engaged in based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided opportunities for further questioning or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The Localities Officer introduced the report, and the following points were highlighted:

• An update from the Children’s and Families Champion was available at page 19 of the report, detailing that on the 9^th of September 2024, a subgroup meeting had been held, with the Youth Service, St Luke’s CARE and Forward Leeds in attendance. The Inner South Youth Summit had been arranged for the 5^th of February 2025.
• An update from the Environment and Community Safety Champion was available at page 20 of the report, detailing that on the 7^th of November 2024, a subgroup meeting had been held, with updates provided from West Yorkshire Police (WYP), LASBT, Selective Licensing, Housing, Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team, Refuse, Climate Energy and Greenspaces.

WYP Inspector Mark Lund, attending the Committee and provided and update on recent crime statistics:

·  Crime data for the Inner South displayed an overall reduction, however, WYP were mindful of trends, with crime levels rising over the winter.

·  In contextualising crime and anti-social behaviour, it was noted that figures for off road bike misuse did not reflect the full scope of the issue and was difficult to quantify and often under reported, however, further training and the gathering of intelligence was ongoing.

·  There was a day of action in Cottingley ongoing on the 21^st of November 2024, involving relevant partners to reduce anti-social behaviour and address organised crime.

·  Data showed a reduction in reports of sex work in the Beeston area, it was noted this was still an issue, but work was ongoing and the reduction in reports from residents may coincide with the closure of nearby trap houses. 

·  Serious, violent, criminal incidents had occurred in the Beeston and Belle Isle area, with investigations currently sensitive but an update would be provided to Members when the further information was made public. These incidents were gang related, posed little risk to the general public and individuals had been identified for investigation and possible prosecution.

In response to questions from Members, the following points were discussed:

• The serious incidents within Beeston and Belle Isle had led to some public concern, however, had occurred during the Middleton Park Christmas lights switch on, where the community had not been deterred.
• There had been a reduction in the issues surrounding community tension that had occurred during the summer. Considering community feedback in regards to the recent serious incidents, the public were aware of the lower scale risk posed to them but practical work to reiterate communications and keep the public up to date was needed to reduce fear and increase positive Police perception.
• Use of E-bikes, particularly in Cross Flatts Park had led to feelings of intimidation within the community and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

The consider the report which provides the Inner South Community Committee with a service update for Council Housing Repairs & Voids.

The report and presentation to Members provided the Inner South Community Committee with a service update for Council Housing Repairs & Voids.

The Area Manager, Communities, Housing & Environment and the Voids Service Manager, introduced the report and highlighted the following points:

• The term void denoted any property in Housing’s management which was not occupied by a customer or whilst repair work, to make the property ready for relet, was carried out.
• It was a key priority to minimise voids as they would not be generating income and could be subject to damage, as well as enabling quick turnarounds once a property became vacant.
• In void property repairs were based on the lettings standard model, to ensure that the property was in a safe condition and additionally assessing the extent of any further repair works.
• As required by law, gas and electrics checks were completed for incoming customers and copies of certification were provided, as well as a valid EPC (Energy Performance certificate). Once in place, responsibilities were passed onto the customer as they were higher priority for quicker responses from energy providers than businesses or Local Authorities. The recommissioning of gas and electric was carried out on the day that a new customer moved in, which was referred to as a final fix.
• The allocation and letting of an empty property took place in parallel to void repair work. Outgoing tenants were required to provide four weeks’ notice of leaving a property which assisted with timeframes for advertising the property.
• Examples when delays in reletting a property after repairs were completed, were outlined as, requiring to assess the suitability of the property for a customer’s needs, when a tenancy offer to a customer was declined at later stages, and for South Leeds there was a very limited waiting list for customers wanting 2 bedroom and age restricted properties.
• There was significant interest in the new extra care developments in Middleton Park, with the waiting list increasing. To be considered for the housing type, customers were required to have specific care need requirements.
• Performance data outlined that under 0.95% of Council properties in the South of Leeds were void, which was considered a good position.
• Many of the voids for South Leeds stemmed from a retirement complex in Kippax which was considered an undesirable facility and location for a proportion of customers, which skewed the overall figures for South Leeds. Members were encouraged to help identifying potential customers for this facility.
• Data specific to the Inner South area contained in the report outlined that there were 68 voids out of the 5625 Council properties in the area. Since publication this had reduced to 55 and was now below 1%

In response to questions from Members, the following points were discussed:

• It was outlined that under occupancy charge restrictions varied across Leeds, with some specific policies applying to individual areas or blocks of flats. There was a city wide review of policy for lettings and allocation, with information agreed to be provided back  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

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 2024/25.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund (YAF), Capital Budget as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2024/25.

The Localities Officer presented the report, outlining the following information:

• The remaining Wellbeing balance available to the Committee was £148,810.81, with the Ward breakdown as, Beeston and Holbeck £49,589.73, Hunslet and Riverside £46,671.98 and Middleton Park £52,549.10, as detailed in table 1.
• Since the last Community Committee on 4th September 2024, one project has been declined by delegated decision which was for the Women’s Wellbeing Group, for the amount of £1,000.
• Monitoring information was available on page 48 of the report with an update provided for a previously approved funding application project, Breeze in the Park, (Beeston & Holbeck, Hunslet & Riverside and Middleton Park) with 5,560 people attending the event.
• The remaining YAF balance available to the Committee was £48,274.77, with the Ward breakdown as Beeston and Holbeck £13,049.30, Hunslet and Riverside £13,624.22 and Middleton Park £21,601.25, as detailed in table 2.
• Tables 3, 4 and 5 detailed the Small Grants, Community Skips and Capital budget position, respectively.
• The remaining CIL balance available to the Committee was £139,349.62 with the Ward breakdown as Beeston and Holbeck £50,582.71, Hunslet and Riverside £84,803.49 and Middleton Park £3,963.42, as detailed in table 6.

During consideration of the Finance Report, the following was discussed:

• For the Live Well funding application, Members approved £1,120 out of the £4,000 that had been applied for (Beeston & Holbeck: £640 and Hunslet & Riverside: £480). Members agreed to fund the portion of the project for the participants in their respective Wards.
• The Speed for Sport Sprint Competition for Children funding application was declined as Members raised concerns regarding that the project required significant funds but was only to run for 3 months, the applicant had also alluded to being in partnership with Beeston Juniors Football Club, however, contacts with the football club were unaware of the organisation. Members required evidence as to who the organisation were and further details of the proposals.
• The SCORE Development Centre funding application was declined as the Committee had funded a significant number of grass roots football clubs and the same applicant appeared to have recently partnered with Cross Flatts Football club, so clarity as to what the unique selling point of the project was sought.
• The From Bangladesh to Beeston – Our Story funding application was approved, following discussions as to whether the applied for funding was reasonable for a community film budget. Members also requested that they were able to attend a screening of the film.
• Members agreed to ringfence half (£4,020) of the project costs for the Brilliant Beeston Hill application, which was agreed in principle, pending the remaining match funding that was sought.
• The Leeds Inner South Menopause and Midlife Health Support Pilot was approved, however, Middleton Park Ward Members requested confirmation that provision within their Ward was ensured and also details whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as the 5^th of May 2025 at 1:30pm.

RESOLVED – That the date and time of the next meeting as the 5^th of March 2025 at 1:30pm, be noted.

RESOLVED - That Councillor R Chesterfield be appointed as the Health, Wellbeing & Adult Social Care for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year.