Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting and wished Cllr Manaka a Happy Birthday. He reflected on the difficulties over the past few months, a primary issue being the Harehills disturbance, and he passed on his thanks to the police, local communities, and volunteer groups, as well as the involvement of local Elected Members. Positive outcomes were highlighted in terms of bringing people together and building cohesion to make a difference in the community.

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 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. However, supplementary information was published before the meeting, on the Council’s website in respect of a finance application regarding Agenda Item 10 – Finance Report. Minute No. 24 refers.

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

No interests were raised.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillors J Tudor and S Arif.

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 remit of the Community Committee.

A local resident attended the meeting and explained he has been living in the area for 22 years and would not have known about the meeting if it wasn’t for one of the local ward councillors. He explained he used to Chair the East End Park Community Association and resigned 20 years ago. The resident in particular raised concern regarding a missed opportunity for members of the public to come together, to discuss local concerns.

In responding, the Chair confirmed the Inner East Community Committee covers a wide geographical area and acknowledged the financial and resource implications in terms of advertisement of such meetings. The Chair however did touch on the positive work undertaken by Elected Members and is aware of the numerous issues across local communities. The Chair also commented on an upcoming project working with St Vincent’s Centre and All Saint’s Richmond Hill Church of England Primary School, to create a community garden space. It is hoped that the community garden will bring people together.

The resident questioned whether there are any current community association groups and sought advice on how one is established. Committee Members confirmed there are a number of groups and organisations across the Inner East Community Committee area and confirmed a Burmantofts and Richmond Hill residents meeting taking place on Monday, 30^th September 2024 where a number of groups and organisations will be getting together at Ebor Gardens Community Centre.

Michelle Stanley, (Leeds Health and Care Academy) attended the meeting for one of the agenda items, and responded as part of the Open Forum item by offering her support as she recognises the benefit of working collaboratively on integrated health and social care and how their service can connect with communities. Michelle commented that the local authority can benefit from being part of a wider system approach.

The Chair concluded by confirming the success to any community is the community itself and thanked the resident for attending the Open Forum and highlighting his concerns. It was confirmed that a discussion outside of the meeting with the resident will take place.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 20th June 2024.

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 20^th June 2024 be approved as a correct record, subject to minor amendments to:

·  The factual amendment of the word ‘Nowell’ be corrected in Minute No.10 – Update Report and;

·  The inclusion of a sentence to Minute No.13 – Finance Report to read ‘Members commented on the difficult position regarding the budget for projects and reasoning behind declining some projects, and commented that whilst the Junior Sports HUB do fantastic work, they have been funded 62k over the last 2 years’.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which introduces a formal discussion around Employment, Skills & Education in the Inner East with Elected Members, and partners.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships presented a report which introduced a discussion around Employment, Skills and Education in the Inner East with Elected Members and partners on the opportunities available to people, to reduce deprivation.

Representatives from the Community Learning Partnerships (Burmantofts and Richmond Hill area) provided on update on what is available in the community, in terms of the services they provide. Members were informed that support is available for:

·  Adult learning.

·  ESOL.

·  Digital skills.

·  Confidence building.

·  Guide people into customer service jobs in the health care sector.

·  Un-employed single parents to get educational training*.

·  An in-house counsellor is available and can provided 1-1 support.

·  Volunteers assisting children with reading abilities.

·  Gardening programmes.

·  Cooking groups.

·  Yoga groups.

*It was noted that this support is available in East Leeds just now. However, adult learning is city-wide.

Representatives from Community Learning Partnerships explained that they produce a weekly newsletter and can add details of the Community Committee meetings that take place, for resident to utilise the meeting more.

In responding to questions from Committee Members, the following was confirmed:

·  There are similar networks in the other Community Committee areas such as We Are Seacroft.

·  Leaflets with information can be provided to Elected Members and a point of contact should Members need to refer people.

·  The programme is fully funded for people over 19 and un-employed. However, if they are in work, a small contribution is required.

·  The team are keen to provide more support and opportunities for children. However, this is dependent on funding and receiving successful bids.

A representative from Leeds University (Lifelong Learning Centre) also attended the meeting and provided information on their services to assist adults who have not accessed universities before. She explained:

·  Their offer is to inform adults of their options and routes available to them.

·  If an adult does not have GCSE’s, there may be other options in terms of routes into university.

·  The importance of recognising strengths in adult learners.

·  The services role is going out into the community and relaying positive messages about higher and further education.

·  The service also signposts people to other institutions and organisations.

·  The service offers taster days on campus for groups, as well as short activities and sessions.

The representative confirmed she is happy to link up with any community groups / people that Elected Members may have in mind, to talk to them about their options and routes.

The Chair highlighted the importance of breaking down psychological barriers that are keeping people from studying.

A representative from Leeds Health and Care Academy attended the meeting and explained her role in the work talent hub and care careers. She explained:

·  The talent hub aims to hide complexities offers from across providers and connects education, training, and employment.

·  Several routes have been designed to get people into opportunities that suit their personal circumstances and ambitions.

·  The service work with partners, to flip the recruitment model to see if the job is right for the person, rather  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which provides 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 2024/25.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund as well as the CRIS and Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2024/25.

Projects as outlined in the submitted report were discussed and agreed as follows:

*Further to the provisions of the Council Procedure Rules 16.5, Councillor M Ali required it be noted his vote in favour of these applications.

Members acknowledged that the CCTV cameras are costly, in some situations, they can assist the police well. Further to a comment regarding reports for the cameras, it was noted that LeedsWatch haven’t been able to provide them due to staffing.

The Localities Officer highlighted the following information:

·  The Wellbeing Budget Position 2024/25 remaining balance stands at £125,260.26. A breakdown per ward is provided at Table 1 of the submitted report.

·  The Youth Activities Fund Position 2024/25 remaining balance stands at £25,793.69. A breakdown per ward is provided at Table 2 of the submitted report.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships regarding an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provides regular updates on some of the key activities between Community Committee meetings and functions delegated to Community Committees, Community Champions roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided an opportunity for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provided regular updates on some of the key activities between the Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

West Yorkshire Police representatives attended the meeting to provide a focused update on the recent Harehills disorder. The following was highlighted:

·  The main issue was social services speaking with a family in Harehills and taking children into temporary care. Off the back of that, massive inequalities were identified with the Roma community.

·  The Roma community are facing inequalities from all aspects. Children in care from the Roma community has increased by 22.4% over the last couple of years and 26.5% of people in England and Wales live in overcrowded homes.

·  3 days post the disorder, a Roma working group has been established and officers have been deployed to work with the community. It is now in its second phase.

·  It has been identified that people from the Roma community are from all different areas over Asia and Europe and there has been an issue with interpreters.

·  2 Romanian police officers have been identified working for West Yorkshire.

·  A contact point has been established at Bellbrooke Centre.

·   Officers carried out a door knocking exercise around areas with evident consistencies and these areas were mostly where the Roma community are residing.

·  Letters have been issued in different languages, as well as Romanian.

·  The disorder was mainly young children, and the police are working with schools to try and work on school attendance and ensure young children from that community are isolating themselves from other communities. it was also commented that a large majority of the Roma community go to their native country over the 6-week school holiday, and this has enabled officers to speak with primary school networks.

·  As of 2^nd August 2024, 27 people have been arrested in relation to the disorder and 22 of them have been released on bail, the rest have been charged and remanded for their offences. The arrest phase came to a halt over the 6-week school period, and the arrest phase is now back into force. The police are linking with agencies to bring those individuals forward.

The Committee discussed the following matters in responding to the update from the police:

·  Councillor M Ali commented that the use of the term Roma is not considered respectful by the community and the term Romany is preferred.

·  There is a lack of trust within the Roma community and responsible authorities, third sector organisations and volunteers must make an effort to build confidence and relationships with the Roma community. Members also commented on the importance of changing perceptions of the police, so they are seen as an authority who can be trusted.

·  Positive work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

The Chair requested that options be looked at in terms of a workshop focused on financial wellbeing and to include partners such as Money Buddies and Green Doctor Leeds. The intention being that partners can have conversations with residents regarding the winter period.

RESOLVED – To note the intention to pull together a workshop around financial wellbeing prior to the next formal meeting, taking place on Thursday, 28^th November 2024.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 28^th November 2024 at 6pm. Venue TBC.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 28^th November at 6pm. The venue is TBC but will be in the Harehills ward.

The meeting concluded at 20:00.