Agenda item

To consider a report by the East North East Area Leader which provides a brief update on the work programme of Outer North East Community Committee.

(Report attached)

The East North East Area Leader submitted a report which provided an update on the Work Programme for the Outer North East Community Committee.

The following document was appended to the report for information/ comment of the meeting:

·  The minutes of the Moor Allerton Partnership (MAP) Meeting held on Thursday 23^rd July 2015

Andrew Birkbeck, Area Officer, presented the report and responded to Members comments and queries.

Detailed discussion ensued on the contents of the report together with the appendices which included:

·  The ongoing engagement with Parish and Town Council’s on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and their involvement in helping shape a guidance note on the CIL

·  Site Allocations process – Consultation on the SAP was due to commence in late September and run for two months

·  Greater use of social media (Facebook, Twitter) as a means as engaging with local groups and residents

Referring to the feedback provided at the Community Infrastructure Levy workshops, Councillor Buckley said if there was an intention to produce a Guidance Note on the subject of the CIL, it would be a really useful aid to Parish and Town Councillors.

Referring to the Alwoodley Ward Member Meeting held on 28^th July 2015, Councillor Cohen spoke about proposals for an inter-school drama project for Alwoodley Ward. He said the aim was utilise a number of different skills including: front of house, back stage, marketing and financial costing’s. He suggested this was a worthwhile project and a real example of good practice.

Commenting on the use of social media, the Area Officer said a number of Community Committees’, particularly in the inner areas of the city had a strong social media presence, which was not currently being replicated in Outer North East Leeds. It was suggested that “Facebook” would be a useful media to publicise issues of local interest such as Site Allocations Process especially given the large number of sites in the north east area.

In offering comment the Area Leader said that publishing details about the Youth Activity Fund on Facebook could lead to further engagement with young people and providers.

Councillor Procter said he understood the City Council were not actively publicising the Site Allocation Process. He suggested that this Committee may wish to consider how the issue should be publicised.

Councillor Procter raised the issue of Neighbourhood Plans. He suggested there was a role for the Community Committee to become involved, but at present there was no mechanism to allow Members to comment. Recently Linton Parish Council had submitted a Neighbourhood Plan with no involvement from the Community Committee.

In offering comment the Chair said it was essential Members became involved in the Neighbourhood Plan process as per the principle agreed by the Council’s Executive Board in a report on this subject in June 2012.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted

(ii)  That Councillors: Cohen, Lamb and Robinson be consulted with a view to enhancing this Committee’s social media presence

(iii)  That in consultation with the Chief Planning Officer, Officers explore a mechanism for allowing Community Committee’s to comment on Neighbourhood Plans as part of their statutory consultation process.