Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships which provides an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships updated Members with the work on the Communities Team had been engaged in based on the priorities of the Community Committee.

The report included a copy of the Social Media Report as an appendix.

The Localities Officer introduced the report, and summarised key points in the submitted report.

Policing

In attendance;

West Yorkshire Police

West Yorkshire Police attended the item to provide the regular update on policing within the Inner East area. A full breakdown of the crime figures by ward was included within the report.

An increase in youth crime was noted and the police response has included an awareness campaign on keeping safe, with materials due to be placed in locations such as the Compton Centre.

Whilst there has been a decline in anti-social behaviour, it was noted that littering and drug paraphernalia is a problem throughout the Inner East.

Operation Dieselcrest was noted as a success in tackling crime involving quad bikes. There has been a focus on intelligence building by the offroad team, which has led to multiple arrests for speeding. Community Protection orders have been considered quite effective in preventing perpetrators from contacting one another.

The Council Public Space protection Order has now granted the power to issue on the spot fines for unauthorised car meets, although this was noted as being less of an issue as it is in some outer wards.

On the street level drug dealers have not been routinely targeted for arrest due to the high levels of hours needed to process such an arrest, instead the focus has been on tackling gangs, especially those that operate within Burmantofts & Richmond Hill. There has been a recent arrest for arson there, as well as the discovery of a cannabis farm.

Hate Crime Awareness Week is due to take place during 14^th – 21^st October 2023, with a number of events planned.

Councillor A khan noted that knife crime has increased in East Leeds.

The Committee discussed the impact of shisha bars and other venues around Lincoln Green and Mabgate which have led to public nuisance, with the Chair suggesting that Entertainment Licensing be requested to take action. The Police have recently completed several alcohol test purchases using police cadets in order to tackle this issue.

Environment

In attendance;

Stacey Rockcliffe – Service Manager Environmental Sciences

The Service Manager Environmental Sciences provided an overview of environmental maintenance work within Inner East, such as street cleaning, refuse collection, flytipping and vermin control.

The Service Manager Environmental Sciences provided clarity on the service’s zonal working, with staff being covered for annual or sick leave with a mixture of overtime and moving staff from one zone to another for a short period. There is a programme of work for street cleaning, with some allowance for reactive actions such as when there has been a spillage.

The Service Manager Environmental Sciences advised the Committee that there are certain statutory duties which the council is obliged to carry out in this area, such as ensuring that flood prone areas are kept clear.

The Committee discussed with The Service Manager Environmental Sciences the specifics of collections. Councillor A Ali expressed the view that zonal working had been a failure, whilst acknowledging that it is a challenging area with colleagues working hard.

The Service Manager Environmental Sciences noted Councillor N Manaka’s description of poor refuse collection practice in her area.

The Localities Officer offered for Councillors to contact him to discuss other matters within the Update Report if required.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report be noted.