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, however, there was supplementary information submitted in relation to item 8 – Update Report and Item 9 – Finance Report, which had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting:

• Supplementary Information - Agenda Item 8 Update Report & Agenda Item 9 Finance Report 
• Supplementary Information - Agenda Item 9 Finance Report
• Supplementary Information - Agenda item 9 - Finance Report (2)

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

In Relation to Agenda Item 9, the Inner South Community Committee Finance Report, Councillor E Carlisle declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in relation to ‘The Big Bike Fix Leeds 2023 (part of LS-TEN)’ Wellbeing Funding application due to his role as co-ordinator for the Big Bike Fix Leeds initiative, which was the applicant for the funding. Cllr Carlisle and left the meeting before the determination of this application and took no part in the decision making. Details of this application were available at point 38 on page 49 of the report.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor G Almass.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on the 1^st March 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2023 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 was discussed:

 Football Club (FC) United of Leeds

Two members of Middleton FC attended the Committee Meeting and outlined their intentions for the club to achieve a semi-professional standard and re-brand as the FC United of Leeds, with South Leeds Stadium to be utilised as their home ground. A Wellbeing Funding application had been submitted for determination by the Committee, with details of the application available at ‘Inner South Community Committee 4^th July 2023 Supplementary Pack Item 9 – Inner South Community Committee Finance Report (2)’. Middleton FC had been in existence for 6 years and was currently graded as part of the Step 7 League and if promoted would achieve semi-professional status; this would be the first semi-professional team for South Leeds. Partnership work with Leeds United was ongoing with proposed connections between the teams for future FC United of Leeds players to be released to Leeds United first team and the aim was to promote football across all demographics in the city rather than to compete against other teams. Middleton FC Under 23’s team had recently won their league and a junior team and women’s team were planned to be developed as part of the transformation.

In response to questions from Members to those making a deputization, the following was discussed:

• The difference between FC United of Leeds and other local teams was noted as, development of a new pathway for young people to start a career in football with the ability to play semi-professionally, and the unique selling point, that sets Middleton FC apart from other local teams, was that they were just one step away from semi-professional status and thus worth the investment to improve football provision for the local community for both players and fans.
• As the Leeds United Development Centre was located in North Leeds, Members noted it to be positive to develop provision for high standard football in South Leeds. Pitches were graded by the Football Association (FA) and had confirmed South Leeds Stadium to have appropriate facilities and capacity for a semi-professional team.
• South Leeds Stadium would be utilised to provide an equal level of facility provision for all with the development of a juniors and women’s team and would promote equality, diversity, inclusion and be representative of the local community.
• Mark Henry, a Chairman for Yorkshire Amateurs football, was involved in the proposals and was noted to have appropriate experience, contacts and operational knowledge for FC United of Leeds to succeed.
• If the Wellbeing funding was not granted the project would not stop and alternative funding would be sought, however, it was noted that Council funding would secure a partnership and a good working relationship in aid of the community.

The social implications the re-branding would entail were outlined as,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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 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 presented the report, and the following was outlined and agreed:

• For the Sub-Group nominations, Cllr W Dixon was to replace previous Cllr P Truswell on the Environmental & Community Safety Sub-Group; all other appointments were to remain the same. All Committee Members were encouraged to attend the three Sub-Groups with invites to be extended to all Members.
• An updated figure was provided for point 11 on page 18 of the agenda pack to reflect that four people had secured a position via the community employment event and further events were planned to follow.
• The CCTV update was available at page 26 of the agenda pack, Public Health update at pages 27-32, Community Engagement information at pages 33-35 and the Social Media update at Appendix 1.

Inspector Mark Gamlyn and Sargeant Daniel Wilson, West Yorkshire Police (WYP) Officers, attended the meeting and provided the Committee with an update, outlining the following information:

• Inspector Mark Gamlyn was the new Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) Inspector for Leeds south and had been in post for 3 months, he was new to neighbourhood policing policy and apologised for having not met with all Members prior to the meeting due to public orders work that he had been allocated to for a 5-day test cricket match at Headingley Stadium.

• Background context for crime statistics was outlined and the data from June 2023 had been provided to Members as part of ‘Supplementary Information - Agenda Item 8 Update Report & Agenda Item 9 Finance Report’

• Positive data was noted as a 40% reduction in motor vehicle deaths, no vehicle thefts for Middleton Park, vehicle theft had decreased in Beeston and Holbeck and burglary and incidents of hate statistics for the Inner South had fallen by nearly 50%. Robberies had largely remained the same to previous data.
• Leeds as a whole had seen an increase in overall reporting of crime with the previous average of 150 live calls within Leeds at a given time up to 400.
• The emergency response team were dealing with incidents constantly, with these incidents being the priority for WYP and Police Constables (PC) were more frequently sent to deal with the increased volume of reported crimes, as opposed to emergency response officers.
• Further consideration as to why the increased reporting of crime in South Leeds was not proportionate to the data showing decreased crime statistics was needed, with further data needed to track trends.
• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) was a priority for the area with the ‘Day of Action’ initiative noted to have been a success. ASB was difficult for Police with the increased number of quad bikes and off-road bikes and the varying level of nuisance to serious crime they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

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 2023/24.

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, Capital Budget as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2023/24.

The Localities Officer presented the report.

Members were requested to approve the minimum conditions set out at Paragraph 14 of the submitted report, determine applications as listed in the report and were provided with the following information:

·  The minimum conditions Paragraph 14 were outlined, seeking agreement from the Committee. In presenting the report, the Localities Officer recommended the Committee’s approval of an addition to the Committee’s ‘Minimum Conditions’, so that if a formal objection is received from a Member as part of the associated consultation process, then that application will be brought before the committee for determination’

• The Wellbeing budget had received an injection of £157,165 which worked out at £52,388 per ward. The breakdown of the Wellbeing revenue for 2023/24 was available at page 44 in table 1 of the report.
• Details for the Wellbeing ringfences were available at point 22 on page 45 of the report.
• Tables 3 & 4 at page 52 of the report detailed Small Grants and Skips budgets. The Capital Budget was detailed in table 5 at page 53 with a further injection to follow. The CIL budget was detailed at table 6 on page 53, with a forward planning injection also to follow.
• A correction to the total cost figure was noted for the ‘Beeston & Holbeck Christmas lights’ project for it to read £8,713 and not £6,852.

During consideration of the funding application, the following was discussed:

• For ‘The Big Bike Fix Leeds 2023’ application, Members outlined it should be conditioned that the provision was to be for Inner South Leeds residents and various charities involved. A rigorous paper trail and formal signing sheet was noted to be part of the process for conducting any works.
• Success for the ‘The Big Bike Fix Leeds 2023’ project was to be evaluated and monitored, unused funds may be deferred, and funds should be used as acceptable volunteer expense, in line with HMRC rules.
• The funding for ‘The Big Bike Fix Leeds 2023’ would be split between Beeston and Holbeck and Hunslet and Riverside wards only, the percentage split will be based on percentage usage data from previous years, and it was noted that with funding rejected by Middleton Park, the event would limit provision to residents in Beeston and Holbeck and Hunslet and Riverside wards only.
• Information was sought on the ‘Middleton Park Out of Schools programme’ application and it was noted, 238 families were involved with the Inner South Youth Service, and 249 young people had benefited from the programme in the previous year. The funding would also assist with safeguarding requirements. Members also inquired on the hours and type of activities proposed.
• Two people part of the ‘FC United of Leeds’ project attended the meeting and outlined positive work in aid of engaging with refugees  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which provides an update on the Community Committee Youth Summit and the Youth Activity Fund Consultation. The report also seeks agreement that consultation with young people, conducted via the Youth Summit and Youth Activity Fund survey, will inform the Youth Activity Fund spend for the 2023/24 financial year.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update on the outcomes from the Youth Activity Fund consultation which had been undertaken with children and young people, and arising from the results of that consultation, proposals for the priorities of the programme in 2023/24.

The Localities Officer Presented the report, noting the following:

• The Children’s and Families Sub had recently held face to face events for young people.
• Points 15 to 21 from page 59 of the report outlined reflections from the Youth Summits/Youth Activity Fund Consultation.
• The Youth Activity Fund Consultation 2022/23 document was attached at appendix 1.

Members were informed of the Youth Activity Fund consultation during the update report and forthcoming Youth Summit; Members praised the previous Youth Summit for its positive engagement and results.

RESOLVED – That the following be noted:

1. Reflections from the last 12 months (paragraphs 16 – 32).

2. Details of the Youth Activity Fund consultation survey (paragraphs 36 - 38).

3. That the Youth Activity Fund survey informed the Community Committee’s Youth Activity Fund for 2023/24.

4. That any projects funded by the Community Committee from the Youth Activity Fund focused on the themes and activity priorities identified in the Youth Activity Fund Consultation Survey in 2023/24.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor which notes the appointment of Councillor Iqbal as Chair of the Inner South Community Committee for 2023/24 as agreed at the recent Annual Council Meeting, and also invites the Committee to make appointments to those positions detailed in the report and its appendices.

The report of the City Solicitor asked Members to note the appointment of Councillor M Iqbal as Chair of the Inner South Community Committee for the 2023/24 Municipal year and also invited nominations to appointments for Outside Bodies, Housing Advisory Panels, Local Care Partnerships and Cluster Partnerships. Nominations were also sought for the Corporate Parenting Board and for the themed Community Committee Champion roles.

The Governance Services Officer presented the report, noting, the 2022/23 schedule was available at point 6 on page 68 of the report.

The following was discussed:

• Councillor S Burke noted she had been in liaison with Middleton Elderly Aid and would be stepping down as the appointee to that outside body. Councillor E Pogson-Golden nominated herself to adopt this appointment.
• The Employment, Skill and Welfare Champion appointment was vacant, however, Members discussed whether appointing this Champion was necessary for the Committee. An intention to invite Officers from this department to bring a formal item to the Inner South Community Committee to discuss the appointment and the aims of the department, particularly in light of the refresh of the Inclusive Growth Strategy as it was developed for 2018-2023. Cllr W Dixon noted interest in the appointment should the Committee deem in appropriate after the formal item is brought forward.

RESOLVED –

(1)  That the appointment of Councillor Mohammad Iqbal as Chair of the Inner South Community Committee for the 2023/24 Municipal Year be noted.

(2)  That the following appointments be made for the 2023/24 Municipal Year:

To note the date and time of the next meeting as 6^th September 2023 at 1.00pm

RESOLVED – That the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday, 6^th September 2023 at 1.00pm, be noted.