Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which presents the project applications received for the upcoming financial year 2023/24 that are able to commence at the start of the new financial year (April 1^st, 2023).

The report also provides a list of projects that the Committee regularly approves on a yearly basis, for recommendation to ring-fence funds for the upcoming financial year 2023/24.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships presented the Community Committee with project applications received for the upcoming financial year 2023/24 that are able to commence at the start of the new financial year. The report also provided a list of projects that the Committee regularly approves on a yearly basis, for recommendation to ring-fence funds for the upcoming financial year 2023/24.

Members were informed that the outstanding balance required to fund all the projects approved at the meeting, subject to confirmation of funding, will be met by the OWCC allowance for 23/24 which will be confirmed on or before the 31^st March 2023.

Committee Members commented on the following:

·  Calverley in Bloom 2023, Farsley in Bloom 2023, and Pudsey in Bloom 2023. Concerns raised regarding the increase compared to previous years and suggested the overall cost reflect the amount approved in 2021.

·  Additional Gardener Recourse. It was acknowledged that the cost increase may have been impacted by inflation and it was suggested that a query by put forward to HR regarding employee hours and contracts. Members suggested to ring-fence the amount as proposed.

·  Adult Band Project. It was suggested that this application be deferred for further information to identify which wards attendees will be coming from.

·  Get into the community to do a rock up to do a mock up. Monitoring information was requested and to receive a breakdown per ward of the monies spent on activities.

·  Mini Summer Sports Programme 2023. Monitoring information was requested.

·  Calverley & Farsley transition group. Members highlighted the importance of children being involved in activity groups and children struggling to make friends.

·  Pudsey Youth Café. Members commented on how well received this is for children not engaging in other activities. It was suggested that sessions be run through half-term and the summer period.

·  Breeze in the Park 2023. It was identified that there is a missed opportunity in holding an event in the Calverley ward, but it was acknowledged there have been issues previously associated with parking and people attending from other wards / local authority districts. A member suggested that it may be ‘better money spent’ to hold mini breeze events across the 3 wards, on a smaller scale and in different locations. Members suggested to ring-fence the amount, subject to further conversations regarding the suggestion.

·  Community Engagement. Members acknowledged that the budget wasn’t being spent and proposed to half the amount to £500.

·  Outer West CCTV. It was noted that an update will be received at the next formal meeting.

·  Xmas Lights. Members identified an opportunity to drive down the costs for the lights and discussed communities raising additional funds to cover additional costs.

·  Youth Summit. A member suggested that attempts be made to go into schools to engage with children, to tailor audiences and engage with harder to reach children. Members acknowledged the benefits of holding a Youth Summit in the Civic Hall, Leeds as well as engaging with children across schools. Committee Members were keen that a more tailored approach be applied in engaging with schools in the community.

·  Farsley Festival. Members requested to received further financial information before considering the application.

·  Outer West Activity Programme. Members requested to receive monitoring information on which children are attending and which wards they’re attending from.

Following publication of the agenda, additional applications were received and referred to for members information. Those being the Community Fun Day, Friday Night Project, and Outer West ASB Road Safety Operations 2023/24 WYP/NPT. In relation to the Community Fun Day, a member suggested that £2,500 from the 2022/2023 Wellbeing Budget be allocated to fund this project.

Projects were agreed as follows:

The following Wellbeing Ring-fences for 2023/24 were agreed as follows:

Members also approved the Kings Coronation, £3000 (£1000 in each ward).

The Committee were provided with a breakdown on costs over the 2023/24 municipal year. It was confirmed that subject to all of the projects being approved, the balance would be in a deficit figure. Members discussed alternative funding streams such as CIL and re-looking at whether some projects can benefit from split funding to free up revenue. Further to this, members highlighted the importance of ensuring groups and organisations are kept up to date and informed of funding decisions as soon as possible.

RESOLVED – To note and consider projects as set out and agreed above.