Agenda and minutes

Approximately 20 representatives of the local community, partner organisations and stakeholders attended the meeting.

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting and brief introductions were made.

Councillor Khan, Members of the Community Committee and all present observed one minute’s silence in remembrance of Annie Winters, a local community champion for Harehills, who had recently passed away.

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:-

The agenda contained 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)

No formal late items of business were added to the agenda.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hyde and Councillor Maqsood.

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

Members of the public addressed the meeting under the provisions of Paragraphs 4:16 and 4:17 of the Community Committee Procedure Rules (Open Forum):

Publicity Campaigns – David Mackie suggested that publicly funded events could be more widely publicised through links between the CC and local residents/community groups social media pages.

Community Committee performance – David Mackie suggested that a Lead officer or elected Member could be identified to evaluate and monitor the performance of the city wide community committees to ensure their effectiveness.

-  The CC noted that, where appropriate all of the matters raised would be referred to the relevant Member advisory sub group for further discussion and/or LCC Department.

Highways and Parking concerns – Bob Field reported on concerns regarding parking around the Gargrave Approach area, seeking a review of provision and consideration of a management scheme. Phil Rone highlighted similar concerns throughout the whole of the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward.

-  The CC noted the recent Traffic Regulation Order action and surveys undertaken by Highways engineers. Local ward Councillors agreed to arrange a meeting with highways officers which Mr Field and Mr Rone would be invited to attend.

Battlescars – Jenni Groves of Battlescars, gave a short presentation seeking to raise awareness of the self-funded community group established in 2016 to deal with self-harming issues and to provide support to the individuals, their families and friends. The group aimed to bring together health, education and all relevant support services to support the individual and provide advice on self-harm management and self-care. The CC heard that the group was building a network in order to deliver city wide support and aimed to establish a volunteer programme and achieve charitable status this year.

-  The CC noted the presentation and, where appropriate, the matters raised would be referred to the relevant Member Advisory sub group for further discussion and/or LCC Department.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held 23^rd March 2017.

RESOLVED – That subject to an amendment to minute 69, paragraph 5, to reference the Darzi Centre (rather than the Burmantofts walk-in Centre), the minutes of the meeting held 23^rd March 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

To note any matters arising from the minutes

There were no matters arising.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on the appointment of co-optees to Inner East Community Committee for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

The City Solicitor submitted a report outlining proposals regarding the appointment of co-optees onto the Inner East CC, seeking confirmation that the CC wished to continue to appoint co-optees to support the work of the CC for the forthcoming year.

The report noted that at this point in the Municipal Year, only Burmantofts and Richmond Hill Community Leadership Team had met and made nominations. Members noted the comments made regarding arrangements to seek further nominations to fill the co-optee vacancies throughout the year.

RESOLVED –

a)  That approval be given to the continuing appointment of co-optees in order to support the work of the Committee;

b)  That approval be given to the appointment of the following co-optees for the 2017/18 Municipal Year:-

Philip Rone – Burmantofts & Richmond Hill CLT;

Bob Field – Burmantofts & Richmond Hill CLT.

c)  To note the intention to bring a further report seeking confirmation of additional co-optee nominations at the appropriate time.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor seeking consideration of appointments to Outside Bodies, Childrens Services Cluster Partnerships, the Corporate Parenting Board relevant to the work of the Inner East Community Committee. The report also seeks consideration of Community Committee Champion appointments.

The City Solicitor submitted a report providing information on the various appointments which fall within the remit of the Inner East CC. Members were invited to determine appointments for the forthcoming 2017/18 Municipal Year for the following:-

-  The themed Community Committee Champion roles;

-  The Committee representative on the Corporate Carers’ Group;

-  Representation on the Children’s Services Cluster Partnerships;

-  Those local Outside Bodies to which the Committee are asked to appoint to.

Members noted receipt of comments from Councillor Maqsood regarding her appointments.

Comments made in respect of the Clusters were noted and it was agreed that this issue would be pursued with the Children and Families Directorate.

RESOLVED - That the following appointments be confirmed for the 2017/18 Municipal Year –

(*Children’s Services Champion also to fulfil Corporate Carer role)

** to be confirmed on receipt of information from the Cluster

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Housing Management seeking Ward Councillor nominations from the Inner East Community Committee to the ‘Inner East’ and ‘Outer East’ Housing Advisory Panels (HAPs) for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

The Chief Officer, Housing Management, submitted a report seeking Ward Councillor nominations from the Community Committee to the ‘Inner East’ and ‘Outer East’ Housing Advisory Panels (HAPs)

Ian Montgomery attended the meeting to present the report. The CC noted a request for the HAPs to provide update reports and information on the community/environmental projects to Members in the future. Nominations to the Inner East HAP were sought from the Burmantofts & Richmond Hill and Gipton & Harehills wards (one member each). For the Outer East HAP two nominations were sought from the Killingbeck & Seacroft ward.

RESOLVED –

a)  That Councillor R Grahame and Councillor K Maqsood be appointed to the Inner East HAP from the Burmantofts & Richmond Hill and Gipton & Harehills Wards respectively and;

b)  That Councillor C Dobson and Councillor B Selby be appointed to the Outer East HAP from the Killingbeck & Seacroft ward

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader which contains details of the Wellbeing budget, including details of any new projects for consideration

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report providing an update on the current position of the capital and revenue budget for the Inner East CC.

Members attention was drawn to Appendix 2 of the report which contained a schedule of proposed CC priorities, linked to the Council’s Best Council Plan, for consideration for the forthcoming year. The suggestion to consider these in detail at forthcoming ward member briefings and report back to the September CC meeting was agreed.

RESOLVED

a)  To note the Wellbeing spend to date and current balances for the 2017/18 financial year as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

b)  To note the decisions on funding applications made on behalf of the Community Committee by delegated authority since the date of the last meeting.

c)  To note the new Wellbeing applications that have been received and the intention to undertake ward level consultation on these.

d)  To consider the Inner East CC priorities plan for 2017/18 (attached as Appendix 2) at ward member briefings in the first instance, with a report back to the September CC meeting.

To consider the report of the East North East Area Leader providing an update on the work programme of the Inner East Community Committee, including recent successes, current challenges and on-going pieces of work.

Neil Young, Area Officer, presented an update report on the Inner East CC work programme, its recent successes and current challenges. The report outlined the work undertaken following previous workshops, through the Committee’s sub groups, the emerging Neighbourhood Improvement Partnerships and with local partners.

A copy of the Inner East Community Engagement Offer was included at Appendix 1 and Members noted the intention to discuss themes for future Community Workshops at ward member briefings. Members took the opportunity to highlight and encourage attendance at forthcoming events in the locality to mark the Great Get Together in memory of Jo Cox MP.

The report also included initial feedback from the Health Partnerships Team following the March CC workshop on the Leeds Health & Care Plan. Additionally, a list of applications for Youth Activity Funding approved following input from the Inner East Youth Summit was included at Appendix 3.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report and the comments made by Members

b)  To note the Inner East Community Engagement Offer 2017/18 as set out in Appendix 1

c)  To agree to consider the themes and workshop topics for the three remaining community committees of the municipal year at forthcoming ward member briefings

d)  Having reviewed the minimum conditions as set out in paragraph 9of the report, the CC agreed that no amendments were required and the conditions for 2017/2018 were approved. These conditions would need to be satisfied prior to an urgent delegated decision being taken in between formal Community Committee meetings

To receive any feedback or comments from members of the public on the reports presented to this Community Committee meeting.

 A time limit for this session has been set at 10 minutes.

Due to the number and nature of comments it will not be possible to provide responses immediately at the meeting; however, members of the public shall receive a formal response within 14 working days.

If the Community Committee runs out of time, comments and feedback on the reports may be submitted in writing at the meeting or by email (contact details on agenda front sheet).

The following matters were raised by Members of the public in relation to the formal Committee reports:

Community cohesion – Shafiq Sheikh, local resident, acknowledged that issues may exist between the different communities within the Inner East locality. He worked within the locality and asked the CC to pass any concerns they may have to him.

To consider the report of the Financial Inclusion Team on the work undertaken across the city to support people who find themselves in financial difficulties. The report also highlights support organisations and financial inclusion initiatives specific to the Inner East area. (This report is submitted in support of the Community Workshop which follows this meeting)

The Committee resolved to use the ‘Community Comment’ section of the meeting to facilitate comments from residents in discussions on the theme of ‘Money Management’ planned for the community workshop and on the contents of the report of the Financial Inclusion Team.

Diane Gill, LCC Financial Inclusion Development Team, attended the meeting to present the report and highlighted the following:

- the work undertaken in the locality to provide support, advice and mentoring by the local Debt Forum and the Money Buddy and Benefit Buddy initiatives to empower local people in difficulty to deal with their financial struggles

- the work being done to encourage people to borrow and save money safely by the Leeds Credit Union and the work in local schools to encourage early savers and their parents.

- the new Holiday Hunger initiative by the “Fare Share” group and holiday activity providers seeking to ensure pupils who received free school meals throughout the school term would not go without during the holiday period.

In conclusion, Diane asked the workshop discussions to consider how the local community, Council and partners could reach people in distress to provide information to them and signpost services/support.

Councillor R Grahame, Community Champion for Employment, Skills and Welfare, introduced discussions by emphasising the role of apprenticeships, business and NEETs initiatives in combatting poverty in the locality. He outlined the causes and impact of debt on individuals, their families and the wider community.

Neil Young, Area Officer, directed attention to the four questions set for the workshop session seeking to inform a proposed action plan for a campaign to raise awareness of personal debt services and responsible spending in the run-up to Christmas 2017:

- What are the barriers to people seeking debt advice?

- What are the barriers to people knowing about what services are on offer?

- What can the community do to promote debt advice services?

-Is there anything missing from the draft campaign strategy?

The workshop was attended by representatives of several organisations who provided support and advice – each described the nature of their operation in the locality. Discussions highlighted the following issues:

- The difficulties experienced by people who did not speak English as their first language; this was a barrier to seeking support

- The impact of the benefit changes/caps and sanctions. A particular concern being for those people with young families.

(Councillor Ragan left the meeting at this point).

- Concern that much of the advice and support was not available out of hours and could be inaccessible for people who worked but were on low incomes.

- The process for referrals from One Stop Centre officers and Housing officers

- Comments regarding the accessibility of referrals for tenants on private rented properties were noted

- Perceived deficit of jobs available 9.30 to 2.30 around family hours

- The challenge of encouraging attendance at money/debt advice sessions and the stigma attached to financial problems

- The advice and support available for people who challenged sanctions and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

To note the dates and times of future meetings as:

Thursday 7th September 2017 at 6.00pm

Thursday 30th November 2017 at 6.00 pm

Thursday 22nd March 2018 at 6.00pm

With a community workshop to commence at 7.00pm after the formal business meeting

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of future meetings as:

7^th September 2017 at 6.00pm

30^th November 2017 at 6.00 pm

22^nd March 2018 at 6.00 pm

(all Thursdays with a community workshop to follow at 7pm)