Agenda and minutes

Approximately 25 representatives of the local community, partners and stakeholders attended the meeting.

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

Councillor Hussain also thanked Hannah Roden, Smart Cities Data and Innovations Officer, who had presented an informal “Smart Leeds” workshop prior to the Committee meeting with local residents and community representatives. Discussions had covered Leeds 3 Big Priorities of health, housing and transport and the challenges and priorities identified by local residents. In relation to digital access, there was support for the development of a “Leeds app” with suggestions on content provided including up to date information on public transport and parking availability, job-search facility; events and activities; and information for Leeds student population, etc. Comments regarding concerns around data-sharing were noted.

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 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 of business.

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

No apologies were received. 

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 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.

Anti-Social Behaviour – Members heard concerns from residents living in Harehills on issues including; cars being damaged, making noise particularly until early hours of the morning, violent behaviour and their concern about the perceived lack of visibility of West Yorkshire Police in the area.

In response to residents’ concerns, Neil Bowden, Anti-Social Behaviour Team Manager, addressed the committee and reported that the team was aware of the issues and case officers were dealing with them. The team had liaised with Children Services, to implement a child safety approach and to work with parents over safeguarding issues. It was reiterated that residents report issues through the appropriate channels to ensure they are recorded.

Members also encouraged residents to continue to report issues through official channels, with the aim to establish an evidence base for a police ‘hotspot’ area which dictates police resources. It was noted to officers that it would be helpful for them to provide details on how issues are to be reported to committee going forward.

Inspector Preston from West Yorkshire Police provided Members with statistics in relation to anti-social behaviour across Leeds. Members noted that the police have dealt with 14942 incidents and of that total, 10% were anti-social behaviour related.

In response to a concern raised around the next steps for the Leeds Inclusive Growth Strategy and local engagement officers agreed to seek a further update on consultation proposals.

RESOLVED – To note the intention to receive an update in terms of the Inclusive Growth Strategy.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held 13^th June 2018

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 13^th June 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

To note any matters arising from the minutes

Minute 7

Spending of Development Contributions (CIL) - Members were informed a briefing had taken place and a written summary will be created upon making a decision.

Anti-Social Behaviour in the Bellbrookes locality – A local Ward Councillor provided an update on the success of a recent ‘Clean Up’ day in the Richmond Hill & Burmantofts area. 3 Local Ward Councillors attended. It was reported that 60 properties required garden clean up and out of the 59 letters sent, 36 were complied with. It was noted that other jobs are still on-going.

Murton Close, Seacroft Alleyway – Following an update on Murton Close, Members were informed by the Anti-Social Behaviour Team Manager that the matter had been closed previously on the basis of an absence of evidence. Members received further information from residents that these issues are still on-going, with calls made to West Yorkshire Police on a weekly basis. LASBT and the Police committed to re-investigating logged phone-calls for issues concerning Murton Close Inspector Preston, WYP, reported the police collated a top 5/10 calls process, but that Murton Close did not feature in the top 10 ‘hotspot’ areas.

Members tasked officers to look into a Public Spaces Protection Order for the area and the Chair suggested that Local Ward Councillors, Anti-Social Behaviour Team and local Police Officers meet with residents to discuss present concerns with the ginnel.

RESOLVED – To note the discussions.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Chief Officer Employment and Skills, which provides an update on the Employment and Skills Service and key partner activity and notes the headline unemployment data for the area.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer, Employment and Skills set out a report to update the Community Committee on the Employment & Skills service and key partner activity, further noting headline unemployment in the city.

Jane Hopkins, Head of Communities and Partnership presented information to Members and raised the following points:

-  Universal Credit will be rolling out on the 10^th October and feedback of the issues received will be raised to ensure the issues are addressed

-  Figures show with the Employment Support Allowance Claimants there has been a 200 people decrease and it was voiced this data is encouraging to see it is going in the right direction

-  (The Personal Work Support Package) Job shops have increased their numbers by 35% ultimately landing people getting into work through these hubs and 700 people have started the programme

-  Provision is available to Members of the Public for support they may need in their journey of getting back into work

-  The number of people accessing support from employment and skills has increased resulting in more people improving skills and moving into jobs

-  Apprenticeship fair will be held on 4^th March at the First Direct Arena giving the chance for hundreds of businesses to employ younger people enabling them into work

Additional points raised included:

-  Members noted the challenge to publicise the various routes members of the public can go down to seek employment of employment advice. Ambition Leeds is the city’s new retail and hospitality hub aimed at  promoting retail employment to individuals and the career progression it can offer

-  higher level of retail-based qualifications needed to offer greater opportunities for progression into retail businesses

-  Opportunity to make the most of library busses and other local provision to publicise employment and skills opportunities

-  Noted that residents and Members see public transport provision as a as barrier to people accessing employment opportunities.

Members requested that a letter be sent to the Chief Officer, Employment & Skills, seeking a unique and proactive approach to tackle the numbers of unemployment in the Inner East locality which were reported as being the lowest in the City. These broad discussions to include consideration of public transport provision.

Members further sought to call a special meeting with Senior Officers, to address the issues with people claiming Universal Credit.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report

b)  Note a further update will be received in 2019

c)  Note the request to present this report on a 6 monthly basis in future

Note the intention for a special meeting to take place

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Access & Care Delivery, Adult Social Care on the progress made with Strengths Based Social Care across the city with particular reference to local features of this new approach to service delivery.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Officer, Access and Care Delivery, Adult Social Care provided the Community Committee with an update on progress with the strengths based social care across the city, to draw attention to local features of the new approach to service delivery.

Members were presented with a short film.

In attendance of this meeting there were:

Shona McFarlane – Deputy Direction Social Care & SC Service

Kimberley Adams – Programme Manager Service Transformation

Lynne Wilce – Team Manager Adults & Health 

The main issues which were raised are noted below:

-  The new strengths-based model is to focus primarily on a person-centred approach as opposed to eligibility and assessment.

-  Rapid Response teams are now in place to deal specifically with crisis situations

-  Community talking points are in place which are bookable with a Social Worker given a 10 working day wait

-  Innovations to have at least 1 talking point in every neighbourhood team area and expand exploring talking points

-  Re-design of the paperwork empowers Social Workers to spend more time with Members of the Public and help to understand and gain knowledge within their local community

-  Peer review and peer challenge further increases officers knowledge to embed best practise and maximise utilisation of local services

Members and residents noted Talking Points are held at the Reginald Centre and Deacon House, however concerns were raised in regards to there not being a venue specifically within the Burmantofts and Richmond Hill ward. Members suggested suitable venues which are more accessible for those who may not have access to public transport or where transport links are poor.

Members were further advised of the contact centre approach for families and GP’s to ring in for information and referrals for people with mental health and isolation issues.

It was noted a structure of Team Leaders for specific Areas and their contact details would be circulated for information to Members.

RESOLVED – To:

A.  Note the presentation, short video and report

B.  Note the desire to return to the Community Committee Chairs Forum with a summary of updates

C.  Note the intention to continue to build relationships between LCC Adults & Health and local communities and to benefit from Members’ expert local knowledge

To consider the report of the Area Leader which provides an update on the 2017/18 Wellbeing budget, including details of any new projects for consideration. The report also details decisions taken by delegated authority since the last community committee meeting.

(Report attached)

The report of the Inner East Area Leader provided Members with an update on the 2018/19 wellbeing budget including details of any new projects for consideration and to inform the Committee of decisions taken by delegated authority since the last Community Committee meeting.

Members were informed of an amendment to Appendix 1 in relation to the Boggart Hill Youth Café project. It was noted that the funding amount should have been attributed to the Youth Activities Fund budget for the Killingbeck and Seacroft instead of Burmantofts and Richmond Hill.

Members noted that due to the amendment, the total amount of monies for 2018-19 projects would need to be amended to show the amended amounts for each Ward.

RESOLVED – To:

A.  Note the wellbeing spend to date and current balances for the 2018/19 financial year as set out in Appendix 1

B.  Note new wellbeing applications that have been received since the date of the last Community Committee meeting.

C.  Note the decisions taking on funding applications by delegated authority, in line with the agreed ‘minimum conditions’

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

(Report attached)

The report of the Inner East Area Leader provided Members with an update on the recent successes, current challenges and on-going pieces of work within the area.

The report also provided the Committee with updates on community events and local projects that had taken place in the Inner East area since the last meeting.

Members discussed the following:

·  A comment was raised with regards to community leaders and Churches within the area, reiterating their importance to the community and their partnerships within the locality. Ensure that the discussions of the community committee Sub-Groups would be included in future reports to highlight the importance of their work.

·  The Chair thanked Laura Eagle, Localities Officer for the ‘Keep Harehills Tidy Report.’ The work set an example that would be replicated in other Wards

·  The Chair further congratulated Laura Eagle on the news that she is expecting a baby.

The Committee were advised of the upcoming Gipton Conversation dinner which will be held on 7^th November 2018.

RESOLVED – To:

A.  Note the contents of the report

B.  Note the ‘Keep Harehills Tidy’ campaign update report, as set out in Appendix 1 and acknowledge the intention to hand over the campaign to the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team

C.  Note the Public Health locality update report as set out in Appendix 2

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:

Get Technology Together – The applicant for a forthcoming wellbeing application commented in relation to extending digital skills within the locality and advised on the recent uptake of the use of computers being used at the Lincoln Green Community Centre.

It was noted that this wellbeing application would be reported at the upcoming committee, held in December.

Ashton Park – In response to comments from a resident regarding monies not being allocated to Ashton Park and the desperate need for improvements, Members agreed this was in need of repair, however reported that although Parks and Countryside had recognised the state of the park and that upkeep of the park was challenging and there was insufficient funding available at the present time to make any improvements. It was noted that local businesses in the area were willing to sponsor some improvements to improve the facility for the community.

Fearnville Sports Centre – The Active Leeds Business Manager addressed the committee and provided an update on plans to develop a new Leisure centre. The Council is undertaking a viability study which will help provide information on the suitability of the site. Once completed the next steps will be to further consult and produce a business case to secure funding.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday 5^th December 2018 at 5.30 pm

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday 5^th December 2018 at 17:30pm