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 to make representations or ask questions within the terms of reference of the Community Committee.
A resident of Armley addressed the Community Committee and raised concerns in relation to 10 stone steps on Canal Road which required some form of handrails. She had attended the March 2023 meeting to raise the same concern, however, this work had not been done.
The Chair advised the resident that the Highways Team had been informed of the request and it would be followed up.
The Inner West Youth Committee were also in attendance for this item.
The Advanced Youth Work Practitioner had brought along two young people, Charley from Kirkstall and Harvey from Bramley.
Charley and Harvey informed the Community Committee about the activities they had been involved with over the last few months. These included a Clip and Climb Team Building at the end of May, a Youth Committee meeting where they had discussed the local councillors and what they do for the areas of the Inner West, visited Kirkstall Valley Development Trust in July, and attended the Barca Bramley Fun Day in August.
As part of the Barca Bramley Fun Day they had undertaken a short survey with 27 young people to find out the views of young people in the Inner West area. The Community Committee were provided with information from the survey, and it was noted that this information would be sent to the local councillors.
The survey had asked the young people about:
· How satisfied were they with the area they lived in.
· How clean the area was.
· What things there were to do in the area.
· Anti-social behaviour
· Racism
· Cost of Living
· Recycling
At the end of the presentation the Community Committee gave a round of applause and thanked Charley and Harvey for speaking so well.
Responding to questions from the Community Committee members, Charley and Harvey provided the following information:
· Charley said that he enjoyed walks in Hawksworth Woods, but there was an issue with litter and dog poo. This was noted.It was suggested by the young people that more litter bins could be provided. The Councillors said it would be useful if the young people were able to let them know where the bins were most needed.
· The Bramley & Stanningley Councillors had met Harvey before and said he was an inspiration to the young people of Bramley with his help at the Bramley Care Bears. He was also asked which events he had most enjoyed and what he would like to see more of. In response he said he had enjoyed the events put on by Barca and he would like more green spaces and parks.
· It was noted that there had been a number of arson attacks in Armley Park and one of the co-opted members for Armley asked if she could attend one of the Youth Committee meetings. She was also a member of Friends of Armley and Gotts Park and wished to ask the young people what could be done to improve the park and make it safer. It was noted that members of the Community Committee would be welcome to join the Youth Committee meetings to discuss issues.
· In relation to when activities are put on for young people, Harvey and Charley said it was good in the summer holidays but lots of people go on holiday at this time so not as many people attend. In their view it was better to have activities during half term when not so many people are away.
· It was noted that the Councillors were impressed with what the Advanced Youth Practitioner had done with the Youth Committee and how she had engaged with the young people. They welcomed the Youth Committee to the meeting as it provided them with useful feedback.
The Chair said it was a privilege to have the young people attend the Committee and hear what they had to say. She thanked them for what they had done so far. It was suggested that the Councillors attend the Youth Committee on a rotational basis, so that the young people could learn more about what Councillors do and for Councillors to find out what the young people in their area are doing. It was also thought that this was a good opportunity for young people to raise any concerns or issues in their area and for the relevant services to be invited to attend the Community Committee.