Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Locality Partnerships providing an overall update on the work that the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provides opportunities to request further information on a particular issue.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships brought Member’s attention to an update of the work in which the Communities Team was engaged in based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided opportunities for further questioning or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The following point were highlighted:

• The Children’s and Families Champion provided an update, noting that, recent Sub-Group meetings had been cancelled due to illness, the most recent meeting had been on the 12^th of September 2023. The Youth Summit had been confirmed for the 26^th of February 2024 and relevant schools and partners had been invited. The meeting date for the next Sub-Group was to be confirmed and circulated. 
• The Environment and Community Safety Sub-Group meeting was scheduled for the 15^th of January 2024.
• The Health and Wellbeing Champion provided an update, outlining that there had been some attendance at recent Sub-Group meetings, but more volunteers were needed, with further meeting dates to be circulated. Provision for the Mental Health First Aid courses were ongoing, with one planned for each Ward, expected to be held in January, and if demand increased, more could be scheduled, but they required at least 10 attendees per session. Services were available for younger people to support positive mental health and it was proposed that the Localities Officer could be the point of contact for bookings, with courses for level 1 to 3 qualifications available. The Vitamin D campaign was to be re-established and a Wellbeing funding ringfence was proposed as part of the finance report for the Sub-Group.
• A CCTV update was available from point 20 to 27 of the report, with input from West Yorkshire Police (WYP) and Leeds Watch.
• An update from Public Health was detailed from point 28 to 63 of the report.
• A Community Engagement update was available from point 64 to 71 of the report, detailing recent Beeston Hill Community Association and Inner South Youth Partnership meetings.
• The Social Media report was appended to the report, Beeston Market was the most engaged with topic on Facebook.

WYP Officer, Inspector Mark Lund, attended the meeting and provided the Committee with an update, outlining the following information:

• There had been a slight increase in staff for the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT).
• Sergeant Devlin had replaced Sergeant Spencer as the Lead for Beeston and Holbeck Ward and was noted to have good knowledge of the Inner South area and will manage the policing approach.
• The data outlined a decrease in overall crime. There had been an increase in theft from motor vehicles however, this was expected to fall again following an arrest. Hate crime figures had increased but this was suspected to be due to increased tension with the ongoing conflict in the middle east.

In response to questions from Members, the following points were discussed:

• The work of community litter picking was recognised, and a message of thanks was expressed for their voluntary, community beneficial work.
• Further information relating to point 40 of the Public Health update regarding heating on prescription within the cost of living context was requested.
• Work was ongoing to boost social media posts, however, issues using a Council purchasing card to make payments had been difficult to arrange as payments had been blocked.
• The Neighbourhood Centre co-ordination was noted to be significant given that it was a difficult time for small businesses and methods to promote a strong local economy were sought.
• Theft from motor vehicles was high within the Inner South area which largely stemmed from the vast amount of cars parking for Leeds United FC home games, that were believed to be easy pickings for criminals. Advice was to not leave any valuables on display.
• The reduction in the figures for doorstep parcel theft showed positive, collaborative work results.
• WYP Officers had not noticed an increase in reports of bike theft but would look into it. Members had received notification of bike thefts occurring in the Victoria and Riverside area.
• The lead Inspectors across the three wards were meeting to discuss enforcement options relating to powers to oversee security responsibilities, in response to issues for residents paying management fees but feeling inadequate security was being provided. It was noted that the Police were only able to make recommendations.
• It was noted that youths had been congregating and often setting off fireworks late at night in Brickfield Park. In response WYP outlined that PSCOs do not regularly monitor the area at night but would seek to increase hours through offering extended working time.
• In response to a query regarding burglary figures for Middleton Park increasing over September and October, it was noted, these figures also cover, sheds, garages and businesses and a team of burglars had been arrested so it was expected that these figures will fall.
• Advise to residents to reduce the possibility of being burglarised was noted as, keeping car keys out of sight, install CCTV, speak to neighbours, install good locks, make your house look hard to target and to be vigilant over Christmas when more valuables will be kept in the house.
• In response to Members reporting anti-social behaviour on Thorpes Street and at the Cinder path in Middleton Park, it was noted that these issues will be passed onto the relevant WYP Officers.
• Although there was some feeling of fatigue surrounding public reporting of crime, a positive outcome of a joined up, engaged approach between WYP, the public and relevant partners were the arrests made and trap houses closed at Beeston Hill. WYP thanked those involved in the problem solving group, supported intelligence gathered through Members and the public and noted severe charges had a longer lasting impact on resolving drug dealing issues.
• WYP Officers were thanked for their ongoing hard work, within the budget constraints and encouraged the public to positively engage with the Neighbourhood Policing Team.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report, along with Members comments, be noted.