Agenda and draft minutes

Inner West Community Committee - Tuesday, 3rd September, 2024 6.00 pm

Venue: Interplay Theatre, Armley Ridge Road, Armley, Leeds, LS12 3LE

Contact: Debbie Oldham on 0113 37 88656 

Items
No. Item

CO-OPTEES PRESENT

Jonathan Butler, Catherine Hyde, Stephen McBarron, Mark Rollinson.

15.

Election of Chair

To seek nominations for the election for the position of Chair.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – To elect Cllr Bithell to the Chair for this meeting and future meetings of the Inner West Community Committee until the return of Cllr Smart.

16.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

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 Chief Democratic Services Officer at least 24 hours before the meeting.)

Minutes:

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

17.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information within the meaning of Section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972, 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 the recommendation is accepted, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

RESOLVED – That, in accordance with Regulation 4 of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 or Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as appropriate, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of those 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:-‘

 

Minutes:

There were no exempt items.

18.

Late 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.)

Minutes:

There were no late items.

19.

Declaration of Interests

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

 

Minutes:

No declarations of interests were made at the meeting.

20.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received on behalf of Cllr Rae, Tamsin MacDonald (Co-opted Member -Kirkstall), Joanna Herbert (Co-opted Member – Bramley & Stanningley), Lorraine Cooper (Co-opted Member – Armley)

21.

Open Forum / Community Forums

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.

Minutes:

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 Community Committee.

 

The following submissions were made:

·  A resident of Kirkstall asked why the Kirkstall Ward was still represented at the Inner West Community Committee and had not moved to the Inner North West Community Committee, in line with Parliamentary boundaries.

 

The Chair, a Kirkstall Ward Member responded explaining that the Community Committees had never been linked to the Parliamentary boundaries and there would never be a perfect link to those boundaries or provide any particular benefits.

 

·  A resident of Armley who had requested a handrail at steps leading down to Canal Road again asked the question why this had not been done.

 

Locality Officers had investigated this issue with Highways, however, there was debate about the location of the steps. The resident clarified the location, and it was noted that Cllr Cunningham had also responded to an email from the Locality Officer clarifying the location. More work would be undertaken by the Localities Team to try and address this issue. It was agreed that the Chair be copied into any emails in relation to this issue.

 

 

22.

Minutes - 2nd July 2024 pdf icon PDF 211 KB

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2nd July 2024, and approve as a correct record.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd July 2024, be approved as a correct record.

23.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

Members were informed of the following in relation to:

·  Minute 6 – Open Forum – Locality Officers had not been able to specify the exact location of the steps requiring a handrail to officers in Highways.

 

Clarification was provided on the location of the steps onto Canal Road during the Open Forum item at this meeting by the resident who had requested it and by Cllr Cunningham in an email to the Locality Officer.

 

·  Minute 9 – Community Committee Appointments

In relation to the appointment to Clusters, the ACES Cluster is now called the Inner West Cluster – On seeking representation to the Inner West Cluster from the Armley Ward Members, Cllr Cunningham offered to take up the appointment on the Inner West Cluster.

 

·  Minute 10 – Appointment of Co-optees to the Community Committee.

Since the last meeting Rhea Bentley who was appointed as a co-opted member for the Armley Ward has resigned from the Community Committee. Members were advised that an email had been sent, thanking her for her support of the Community Committee.

24.

Leeds Streets for All pdf icon PDF 335 KB

The report of the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation is to brief ward members on the Leeds Streets for All consultation findings.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation was to brief ward members on the Leeds Streets for All consultation findings.

 

Officers presenting the report provided the following information:

·  The consultation had last six weeks and had asked what the community in Inner West wanted to see. The Data had been input to the system and the report issued for the Community Committee’s feedback.

·  Feedback on the approach, the process, and the details in the report provided by Inner West Community Committee was important if this structure was to be rolled out across all ten Community Committees.

·  Traditionally it had been larger schemes which had been consulted on, however, it was noted that smaller local schemes were just as important if not more so to communities.

·  It is proposed that the Leeds Streets for All will evolve over the years, and it was important for communities to become involved to ensure that the right investment in the community was ready to go, for when funding becomes available.

 

Discussions included:

·  The proposed changes to Armley Town Street. The impact on the businesses, the consultation process for this scheme, and the impact on the surrounding area. The Localities Team were requested to check for updates and next stages of the changes for Armley Town Street and feedback. It was noted that an Armley Town Street Partnership has been set up. Ward Members requested an invite to future meetings.

·  It was noted that the Chair of Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) is looking at the consultation process as it is not effective enough on demographics. And understanding the impact these have on conclusions drawn from the results.

·  It was noted that during the consultation period the website had not been working properly and this could be an issue and may put people off providing their views.

·  The Street Charter Meetings which include the involvement of disabled groups should be updated with information, as this could assist with the process.

·  Members raised concerns in relation to the issues of parking especially in relation to untaxed vehicles and the delay in getting information from DVLA. It was noted that local authorities have powers to remove illegally parked vehicles. However, there was a need to have a reactive service to tackle the issue of illegally parked cars. It was suggested that the Locality Officer email the Principal Scrutiny Adviser for Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth) to look at this for a potential item on the Boards work programme. Also checks to made to see if the CCTV van is back in service.

·  Lighting on access routes to Kirkstall Forge Station are not good for those travelling on foot from the Bramley area. Members were advised that this issue was being looked at. It was recognised that work had been done in the city centre to address lighting and make the city centre safe. However, there is a need for discussions to take place with the Executive Member for Communities, Customer Service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

Inner West Community Committee Finance Report pdf icon PDF 742 KB

This report 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.

Minutes:

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 2024/25.

 

The Locality Officer presented the report and highlighted the following points:

·  There is currently a remaining balance of £29,045.57 A full breakdown of the projects was listed in Table.

·  Members were asked to consider the following projects:

o  Leeds 12 Youth Boxing Project from The Ministry of Boxing. Amount requested from YAF: £1,650.00.

o  Inner West Christmas Lights from LCC Communities Team / Leeds Lights. Amount requested from Wellbeing: £6,238.00 (Kirkstall - £3,000.00, Bramley and Stanningley £3,238.00)

o  West Yorkshire Fire Youth Intervention’s Programmes from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service. Amount requested from the Armley Wellbeing: £1,647.04.

o  Armley Christmas Lights from LCC Communities Team / Leeds Lights. Amount requested from CIL: £2,339.50

·  It was noted that since the last meeting on 2nd July, no projects had been considered or approved by delegated decision notice.

·  Since the last meeting on 2nd July only one project had been declined for Community Remembrance & Reflection Garden – Yorkshire Air Ambulance - £716.00 (238.66 per ward)

·  Monitoring information would be provided at the next meeting.

·  To note that so far, a total of £31,761.00 had been allocated to projects, as listed in Table 2, and that there is a remaining balance of £12,650.03 in the Youth Activity Fund (YAF).

·  Table 3 provided information in relation to spend from the Small Grants.

·  Table 4 provided information in relation to the community skips provided by the Committee.

·  The Inner West Community Committee has a capital budget of £1,957.27 available to spend, this was summarised in Table 5. Members were advised that once the capital injection has been allocated, they would be informed.

·  The Community Committee is asked to note that there is £13,461.49 currently available to spend in the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) budget. Spend to date was summarised in Table 6.

 

During consideration of applications for Leeds 12 Youth Boxing Project and West Yorkshire Fire Youth Intervention’s Programmes:

·  Cllr Cunningham declared an interest in the Ministry of Boxing as she trains there.

·  Cllr Parnham declared an interest as a member on the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority this year.

 

Members discussions included:

 

·  The Leeds 12 Youth Boxing Project amount would be reduced from £1,650.00 to £1,140.00. Ward Councillors requested feedback on numbers attending.

·  The Committee Members discussed the use of CIL for Christmas Lights. It was acknowledged that Armley had requested this for extra lights to be added to the top of Armley Town Street after discussions with the independent traders located at the top of Town Street. It was noted that the Armley Councillors had used Ward Based Initiative money to fund the Christmas lights at the bottom of Town street, however, the CIL money was for extra lights. They had chosen rope lights which were cheaper than the motif lights.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Inner West Community Committee Update Report pdf icon PDF 871 KB

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships brings to members’ attention 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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update of the work which the Communities Team were engaged in, based on the priorities identified by the Community Committee. Member also provided updates on the sub groups.

 

Children and Families Sub Group

The key theme was to be vaping. Cllr Bithell had spoken with Public Health and work would be undertaken to work with schools to address the issue of vaping and illegal vaping.

 

The Committee were informed that the Youth Summit will be taking place on 15th November, and Members were asked to contact their local schools for attendance at the event.

 

Environment Sub Group

Cllr Rontree informed the Committee that this year the sub group will be looking at green spaces and he was proposing 4 areas of work not just the parks, but also the riversides, and looking at events to generate revenue and forestry, looking at how the service is coping with limited resources and after storm damage.

 

Members were advised of a new email address for the Environment Team which had recently gone live - cleanerneighbourhoods@leeds.gov.uk

 

The Committee were informed of the following:

·  The work on the MUGA at Stanningley was due to start this month.

·  Cleaner Neighbourhoods had changed their Team Leader, Locality Officer to find out the name.

·  The work on the Cragside Rec had now completed and the community loved it.

·  Work on the play area at Jailey Fields was due to start in September.

·  Section 106 money for Rodley Park had now been released.

 

Employment, Skills and Welfare Sub Group

·  A request was made for contact with officers who provide the employment figures, as the Champions wished to receive more information.

·  Week Commencing 9th September there was to be a SEND event which Cllr Ritchie will be attending.

 

Community Safety Sub Group

·  The next meeting of the sub group will be on 9th October. First Bus to attend the meeting.

·  The Capable Guardian is to be reinstated at Bramley Shopping Centre.

·  The 72 buses will soon be running a 24 hour service.

 

Co-opted Members requested invites to the sub groups.

 

It was acknowledged that the Community Committee used to have 2 themed reports as well as the substantive reports. It was noted that this would be the approach going forward.

 

It was noted that the LCP meetings had restarted. The Armley meeting had looked at causes of falls in the elderly, as this was higher than average in the Armley area. The meeting had been attended by LCC officers, NHS and Armley Helping Hands. The Bramley LCP was due to have it’s meeting in September, the agenda will be looking at older people, and would include transport and ADHD support groups.

 

Paragraph 50 of the report highlighted the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and it was noted that the Communities Team were investigating other funding streams.

 

The review of Community Committees was continuing and feedback for the review was requested from the co-opted members of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

27.

Date and time of next meeting

To note the next meeting will be on 19th November 2024, at 6pm.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – To note the next meeting will be on Tuesday 19th November 2024, at 6pm. Venue to be confirmed.

 

 

The meeting concluded at 7:50pm