Agenda item

Outer South Community Committee - Update Report

To consider a report by the South East Area Leader which provides an update on the work of the Communities Team, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee that are not covered elsewhere on this agenda.

 

The report provides opportunities for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

 

(Report attached)

 

Minutes:

The report of the South East Area Leader brought Members’ attention to an update of work which the Communities Team was engaged in based on priorities identified by the Community Committee that were not covered elsewhere on the agenda.  It also provided opportunity for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

 

Key areas of discussion included the following:

 

·  Children and Families – Applications received for Youth Activity Fund projects; Mini Breeze events and a Takeover Festival were amongst some of the approved projects.

·  Environment – Members were updated on community clean ups and estate walkabouts that had taken place.  It was reported that there had been discussions regarding the possibility of having a service level agreement with Parks and Countryside.  With regard to the service level agreement with the Environmental Action Team, concern was expressed that management information was not being disseminated to Members.  Further issues highlighted included the following:

o  There would not be an application from Parks and Countryside for Site Based Gardeners this year.

o  Sub Group activity – this was currently under review while a universal offer for support to Community Committees was being developed.

·  Employment, Skills and Welfare – There had been a small increase in the number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance in Outer South with a decrease in numbers claiming Employment Support Allowance.  The provision of free Wi-Fi access in all council buildings and community centres was highlighted as an issue that needed resolving as this was needed to support those out of work and on benefits for seeking job information.

·  Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care – Members were informed of the work towards adopting the Healthy Weight Declaration in Leeds along with work by Mentally Healthy Leeds.

·  Housing Advisory Panel update – Members were informed of projects that had been supported by Housing Advisory Panel funding and of further bids for funding that had been submitted.  Further to questions it was reported that evaluations and monitoring reports were completed following funded projects.

·  Social Media updates and Outer South Community Committee newsletter – Members were informed of activity with regard to the Committee’s Facebook page.  It was aimed to circulate the newsletter to a wider audience.

·  Clean Air Zone – The Committee heard from a representative of For Disability Mobility (FDM) charity.  There were concerns regarding the introduction of the Clean Air Zone and the potential impact it could have on the charity as at this stage it was not clear what exemptions would apply to them.  It was reported that this and similar issues had been raised and there would be further consultation.  It was also reported that there had been alterations to the mapping of the proposed zone which should have a lesser effect on some of FDMs activities.

 

Thanks were expressed on behalf of PS Abbott who had now left to join the Integrated Offender Management Team and PS Pickard who had joined the Safer Neighbourhood and Roads Policy Team.

 

Thanks were also expressed on behalf of Mick Park from Housing Leeds who was moving on to a new position in ICT.

 

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.

 

 

Supporting documents: