Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which provides an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund Capital Budget, as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy budget for 2022/23.

The Head of Locality Partnerships submitted a report to update the Community Committee on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund (YAF), Capital Budget as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (CIL) for 2022/23.

Members were informed of the following points:

• The Wellbeing Revenue for 2022/23 was displayed at Table 1 of the report which stood at £86,388.67

• The Wellbeing Budget Ring-fences were outlined as, a small grant allocation was fenced at £2,500 for Hunslet & Riverside with an additional £1,000 proposed, a small grant allocation was fenced at £3,000 for Beeston & Holbeck with an additional £1,000, proposed (or remaining wellbeing balance funds if less than £1000 available).
• An additional ring-fence of £300 (£100 per ward) for sub-group funds was agreed.

Projects set out in the report were discussed, and agreed as follows:

The following was discussed:

• The funding application for Beeston Youth Theatre was approved as the theatre is a valued community asset but a future sustainability plan was requested to fund self-reliantly in the future.
• The funding application for Hunslet Foundation Junior Rugby Project was approved as the project supports local children but, again, a future sustainability plan was requested to fund self-reliantly.
• The Mini Breeze festival held in August 2022 had finished earlier than scheduled, so it was hoped the Breeze in the Park would be a better experience for the public. It was outlined the event should be inclusive for people with disabilities, with a section of the park allocated for such activities rather than a separate event.
• A sustainability plan was requested for the approved Cottingley Community Centre project, along with a schedule for completion of the works.
• *The Hamara Gym Capital Project was approved; however, subsequent to the approval of CIL funding for Tulip Street Signage the remaining CIL balance was £59,453.45, which was less than the amount requested by the Hamara Centre. In order to obtain the remaining funds, the Committee agreed to use any leftover Wellbeing funds to top up this grant. The underspends will come from unused ring fences or underspends from projects.
• The Hamara Gym was a community asset that had been missed since its closure and the lift required works to make it accessible and fit for purpose. The Committee requested security that the gym will be affordable and accessible for all, in line with the HALO Project ambitions.
• The Alternative Art Youth Provision Project was approved but the amount to be funded from Beeston & Holbeck (£3,060) will be covered by Middleton Park’s budget. The project is valuable to the community for children who are often hard to reach and a sustainability plan to cover future provision was requested.
• Lodge Terrace Bin Yard was approved but mitigation and risk should be assessed with the potential for the works to cost more than proposed, requiring due diligence.
• The Karate Competition was agreed to be funded from the Middleton Park YAF budget, but it was noted the events attendees will likely be from the wider Leeds area with 600 participants expected.

RESOLVED –

1.) That the Wellbeing/Youth Activity Fund and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood Fund applications be approved as set out above

2.) To note;

a.) the content of the report

b.) Details of the Wellbeing Budget position (Table 1)

c.) Wellbeing ring fenced budgets for consideration and approval (paragraph 20 onwards)

d.) Wellbeing proposals for consideration and approval (paragraph 23 onwards)

e.) Details of the projects approved via Delegated Decision (paragraph 43)

f.) Monitoring information of its funded projects (paragraph 45 onwards)

g.) Details of the Youth Activities Fund (YAF) position (Table 2)

h.) Details of the proposed Small Grants Budget (Table 3)

i.) Details of the proposed Community Skips Budget (Table 4)

j.) Details of the Capital Budget (Table 5)

k.) Details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget (Table 6)