Agenda and minutes

The clerk reported that Councillor A Hussain had sent his apologies and the Committee would need to elect a Chair for the meeting.

RESOLVED – Councillor S Arif was elected Chair of the meeting.

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

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 the 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)

There were no formal late items. However, Members were in receipt of supplementary information for item 13 – Finance Report, Appendix B (Minute 46 refers).

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 were received from Councillor Hussain and one of the local residents, Lynne Caulfield.

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

No matters were raised during the Open Forum.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held

RESOLVED - That the minutes of the meeting held 26^th September 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

To note any matters arising from the minutes

Minute 26 Murton Close – It was reported that consultation was being undertaken with local residents, with a decision to be taken by Leeds Safer Cities in due course.

Minute 31 Fearnville Leisure Centre – Due to the absence of Lynne Caulfield who had submitted questions in a letter to the Committee, the Chair requested that the issues raised be addressed at the Community Committee scheduled for March 2019.

Members noted and agreed to a request for an update on Inclusive Growth to be brought to the Community Committee in the near future. This matter was previously agreed at the Community Committee held on Thursday, 7^th September 2017.

To consider the report of the Relationship Manager, Department for Work and Pensions which provides an update on Universal Credit in Leeds.

(Report attached)

Prior to the item, the Chair read out the following statement on behalf of all Inner East Community Committee Councillors:

“At Leeds City Council we help people to navigate the existing benefits system. Vulnerable members of our community are struggling to access the support they need and deserve because of long and intimidating application forms and online processes and convoluted tribunal waiting times.

Many people are having to fight protracted battles to receive benefits that they should never have been denied in the first place. The consequences of an ineffective welfare system can be devastating, and Universal Credit arrears destined to worsen the situation.

We are not complicit in a scheme which results in further adversity and punishment for vulnerable people.

We support all efforts to challenge and change a system that causes threats of domestic violence, multiple examples of sanctions and misery and deprivation over Xmas forcing yet more people to use Foodbanks – with all the echoes of “I Daniel Blake”.”

A presentation and update on the implementation of Universal Credit was provided by the following;

·  Simon Betts, Relationship Manager, Department for Work & Pensions

·  Glynis Logan, Housing Manager, Gipton

·  Nick Hart, Community Hub Manager

·  Saleem Shafi, Operations Manager, Money Buddies

Simon Betts highlighted that Universal Credit will replace 6 existing benefits including:

-  Income based Employment and Support Allowance

-  Working Credits

-  Income Support

-  Child TAX Credits

-  Income based job seekers allowance

-  Housing benefit

·  Payments will be one single transaction, paid monthly, to one individual per household.

·  Universal Credit is based upon the amount of money an individual earns per month as opposed to how many hours worked.

·  The process for making the claim online and the measures in place for assisting individuals in need of additional support.

·  Alternative payment/repayment arrangements in place; advanced payments, managed payments.

·  Universal Credit would allow claimants to work more than 16 hours a week

Members were advised to direct residents’ to the referenced web-link, for further advice and information – www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk

In response to questions, the Committee was advised of the following points:

·  Payments could be split if the DWP was made aware of a vulnerable family

·  People will be assigned a caseworker

·  Support was available through local hubs using DWP outreach facilities and staff visits

·  Visits to all tenants every 12 months

·  LCC Housing Services and DWP will be working in partnership

·  Those in supported housing will continue to be paid by the local authority

·  Claimants would not be sanctioned for making mistakes on applications

·  Telephone service in place to assist with advice 9-5 weekdays

Glynis Logan provided the Board with local Universal Credit statistics, including the number of cases within the locality. She gave an overview of the support work to claimants provided by LCC Housing Services, their partnership work with the DWP and other services; and the sign-posting work to direct claimants requiring further assistance and advice.

Members commented that the statistics did not provide the full picture as they did not cover all 3  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

To consider the report of the Head of Commissioning, Children and Families which provides the Inner East Committee with an update on the findings of the Youth Work review and the recommended option for future commissioning arrangements.

(Report attached)

The report of the Head of Commissioning, Children and Families set out the findings of the youth work review and the recommended option for future commissioning arrangements.

In attendance for this item were:

Cat Henderson – Commissioning Programme Manager

Jean Ellison – Youth Offer Lead

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Inner East Outline youth work budget

-  Inner East Community Committee Profile data

Consultation was carried out for the review with a number of services and partner agencies, including online and face to face consultation with over 500 young people.

Members were informed of the consultation process which had led to the recommended commissioning model.  This would provide the following three wedge based contracts:

-  Geographically Targeted Youth Service

-  Transitional Youth Inclusion Service

-  NEET Prevention Project

The table provided Members with a description of the future service area and the proposed budget for the service.

Members’ attention was drawn to information on proposed provision for 9-12 year olds; to be provided by the third sector; with LCC Youth Service to focus on 12 -17 year olds. Members noted the demand for youth service in this particular age bracket.

Members were informed that more detailed information could be provided at ward Member briefings.

Members comments on the key issues highlighted included:

·  The quality of the service delivered to combat anti-social behaviour

·  Although there was some good provision, there was a gap in joined up service provision and specifically publicising events within the Community

·  The population data contained in the report was not a true reflection for each ward.

One Member suggested that a partnership meeting with local Academies should be arranged to encourage provision and accommodate youth activities on an evening/weekend.

Inspector Towers, West Yorkshire Police, summarised some of the recent events and reiterated the importance of publicising events; suggesting work around newsletters and webpages (social media 30k followers) is followed up.

RESOLVED- 

A.  To note the contents of the report and information provided.

B.  To request that at the point of formal consultation, the Youth Service liaise with the Communities Team to ensure local Ward Members provide feedback relevant to their wards.

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.

Preet Matharu, Localities Officer, provided the Committee with updates on community events and local projects that had taken place in the Inner East area since the last meeting.

RESOLVED – To:

A.  Note the contents of the report

B.  Approve the updated terms of reference for the Inner East Environmental Sub-group

C.  Note the changes to Christmas bin collections, as set out in Appendix 2

D.  Note the Public Health Locality Update as set out in Appendix 3

To consider the report of the Area Leader which provides and update on the 2018/19 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 in receipt of an amended version of Appendix B, Youth Activity Fund, which amended the technical formatting issues.

RESOLVED - To:

A.  Note the Wellbeing spend to date and current balances for the 2018/19 financial year (Appendix 1).

B.  Note the Youth Activity Fund to date and current balances for the 2018/19 financial year (Appendix 2).

C.  Note new Wellbeing application that have been received since the date of the last community committee meeting.

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

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 Chair noted the opportunity for members of the public to give feedback and/or queries on the reports presented during the formal part of the Community Committee meeting, the intention being that the written response would be provided within 14 days. No comments were raised.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday, 20^th March 2019.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Wednesday 20^th March 2019.