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 2023/24.

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided the Community Committee with an update on the budget position for the Wellbeing Fund, Youth Activity Fund (YAF), Capital Budget as well as the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget for 2023/24.

The Localities Officer presented the report, outlining the following information:

• Point 10 of the report noted the change in rules with the UK no longer being a member of the EU and outlined the potential implications of the Subsidy Control Act 2022. This act was to stop selective financial interests and the legal process was covered by the Council’s legal department, who could be contacted for further information.
• The Wellbeing Budget balance was available at point 21 of the report with the Ward split as Beeston & Holbeck (£16,394.68) Hunslet & Riverside (£4,870.78) and Middleton Park (£22,874).
• Point 46 of the report outlined the projects approved by delegated decision since the last Committee meeting.
• Point 50 noted the successful Tulip Street Signage and Seats project.
• Point 54 outlined the reaming YAF budget balance with the Ward split as Beeston & Holbeck: (£127.63), Hunslet & Riverside: (£5,861.36) and Middleton Park: (£13,803.98).
• Table 3 at page 62 detailed the Small Grants for 2023/24. Table 4 at page 63 detailed the Community Skips Budget.
• Point 56 noted the remaining Capital Budget with the Ward split as Beeston & Holbeck: (£3,209.91) Hunslet & Riverside: (£5,349.39) and Middleton Park: £14,509.19).
• Table 6 on page 64 detailed the remaining CIL balance with the Ward split as Beeston & Holbeck (£57,251.71), Hunslet & Riverside (£147,558.09) and Middleton Park (£18,477.34). An update for the corrected Middleton Park figure was provided to include a re-imbursed underspend as the starting figure was larger than the remaining. £18,477.34 of CIL was confirmed to be available to Middleton Park.

During consideration of the funding application, the following was discussed:

• As some of the projects were proposed to be funded from next year’s budgets some concern was raised for the potential inability to fund some of next year’s projects.
• A query related to the benefits the project was to have for young people was posed to the applicant for the South Leeds Allstars project. In response it was noted that provision was focused on 13 to 18 year olds, creating new opportunities for deprived young people in the area and steering them away from anti-social behaviour. There was currently 50 young people engaged with the club, and engagement had been run through schools and community sessions at Pepper Road.
• It was proposed that the South Leeds Allstars application be deferred so the site could be visited, and further information gathered. In response the applicant noted that although the football season started in September, funding was needed for preparation, engagement and training provision. The Committee sought to cast a vote on the application, which was carried, to approve the project funding.
• For the South Leeds Allstars Expansion/Growth application, Beeston & Holbeck only had £1,500 of Wellbeing funding available, Hunslet & Riverside Councillors agreed to top up the remaining £740.
• As Beeston & Holbeck held no remaining YAF or Wellbeing funds, the Outdoor Equipment store was agreed to be funded by Middleton Park and Hunslet and Riverside at £1,000 each. The applicant was to be asked whether £2,000 of the requested £3,000 would suffice, with a note that they were able to re-apply for additional funding.
• The Beeston Community Theatre project had reduced its requested amount from £4,216 to £3,916. Members sought to gather further information on the impact of the pay as you feel approach and wanted to see a business continuity plan to address future fund generation and thus resolved to refuse the application at this stage.
• Whether the Hunslet Community Festival was eligible to funded by Capital or CIL funding was queried. The application was approved in principle with information regarding costing to be sought to determine eligibility against the spending criteria.
• The DAZL Inner South Dance and Theatre Programme 2024 was deferred in order for clarity to be provided regarding what the core funding and Committee funding was to be spent on, with clear budget headings.
• The entirety of the funding for the Leeds Wood Recycling Work Experience Programme was unable to be provided by Beeston & Holbeck. A total of £5,900 (£1,900 from their Holbeck Priority ringfence and the remaining £4,000 from Wellbeing) was agreed and it was noted that the organisation held a good reputation and engaged with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in jobs and adult education schemes.
• The funding for Rise and Shine Youth Provision for Middleton Park was refused as a revised application had been made requesting additional money yet they had not met with all Ward Members to discuss the project. It was noted they were able to re-apply.
• The Kidz Klub Residentials application was refused as the cost breakdown was expensive per person and the organisation was thought to have substantial reserve funds.
• The West Grange Detached & Sports Activities application was approved in principle; however, it was queried whether Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation (BITMO) were able to contribute some funds as well as what the sustainability plans for the organisation were. Members suggested the organisation liaise with Mears to cover patch repairs.
• Although disappointment that the Beeston Hanging Baskets were not to be funded centrally was raised, the application was approved as a gesture of good faith as the organisation benefited the local community.
• The figures for the ringfence for the canopy to the Watsonia were corrected to be £6,000 per ward.
• The proposed £20,000 ringfence for the repairs to existing parks and construction of a new park for Middleton Park was scaled and agreed to be £30,000 so the project had access to full funds and ensure the new development was of a high standard and an asset to the area. The money was to be ringfenced with the project to follow in due course.
• How the Committee reviewed last minute bids, particularly applications for substantial funds, was queried. Priority areas were to be identified as part of the Community Committee review process.

RESOLVED –

a. That the details of the Wellbeing Budget position, be noted. (Table 1)

b. That the Wellbeing ringfence for consideration and approval, be noted. (paragraph 22)

c. That the Wellbeing proposals for consideration and approval, be noted. (paragraph 24)

d. That funding proposals as detailed in the report for consideration, be determined as follows:

e. That the details of the projects approved via Delegated Decision, be noted. (paragraph 46)

f. That the details of the declined projects, be noted (paragraph 47)

g. That the monitoring information of its funded projects, be noted. (paragraph 48)

h. That the details of the Youth Activities Fund position, be noted. (Table 2)

i. That the details of the Small Grants Budget, be noted. (Table 3)

j. That the details of the Community Skips Budget, be noted (Table 4)

k. That the details of the Capital Budget, be noted. (Table 5)

l. That the details of the Community Infrastructure Levy Budget, be noted. (Table 6)

M. That the Capital and CIL ringfences be noted and agreed.