Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment which presents the annual update from the Safer Leeds Community Safety Partnership (Safer Leeds Executive) highlighting the progress being made on the shared priorities and key deliverable actions as included within the associated three-year plan established in 2021.

The Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report presenting the annual update from the Safer Leeds Community Safety Partnership, which in Leeds is the Safer Leeds Executive. The report highlighted the progress which had been made over the past 12 months on the key deliverable actions arising from the 9 priority areas as included within the Safer, Stronger Communities: Leeds Plan 2021 – 2024.

The Board welcomed Chief Inspector Jonathan McNiff, West Yorkshire Police to the meeting, who was in attendance for the consideration of this item.

In presenting the report, the Executive Member highlighted the progress being made together with the developments in relation to the key priority areas. Emphasis was also placed upon the leading role played by the Safer Leeds Executive in the partnership working undertaken in this area. The Executive Member highlighted how this report should be considered alongside the respective Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board and Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership annual reports on today’s agenda, given the significant partnership work being undertaken across those bodies.

The Executive Member thanked all Council officers involved in this service area, partner organisations for the key role they played and also Councillor D Coupar for her leadership throughout her time as Executive Member with responsibility for community safety.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry, an update was provided on the work being undertaken following the disorder experienced in Harehills on 18th July 2024. Emphasis was placed on the significant short, medium and long term actions being taken to support the Roma community together with the wider community of Harehills. The ongoing citywide approach being taken towards the promotion of community cohesion was also highlighted. The key role played by local Ward Councillors, Council staff and partner organisations both on the evening of the disorder and following that was highlighted, with thanks being extended to all of those parties for their continued efforts in this area. Further to this, Councillor S Arif highlighted the positive relationship established between the Council and the Romanian consulate. In conclusion, it was noted that the Council would work with West Yorkshire Police on a formal debrief of the incident, with any findings being shared appropriately.

In response to a Member’s enquiry, an update was provided on the effectiveness of the community safety policies and procedures in place in Leeds. Emphasis was placed on the need to strike the correct balance between improving residents’ confidence in services in order to encourage them to report issues when they are experienced, whilst at the same time working to reduce the prevalence of incidents taking place. The work of the performance and analytical team was highlighted, which produced the relevant data sets that sat behind the policies. It was highlighted that such data had illustrated that the procedures in place were effective. It was undertaken that further detail could be provided separately to the Member in question through Council officers, the Executive Member and Chief Inspector McNiff.

Chief Inspector McNiff and Councillor Coupar reiterated the strong partnership working regarding community safety which was established in Leeds.

In response to a Member’s enquiry, further detail was provided on the scrutiny of the Mayoral Policing function. It was noted that the Council worked closely with the Mayor’s office, with there being an effective and strong working relationship in place, and whilst there were challenges, these were no different to other partnerships of this nature. Specific examples of effective partnership working in this area were provided. It was undertaken that if the Member in question had any specific enquiries on such matters, then these could be responded to in more detail separately. 

RESOLVED – That the contents of the submitted Safer Leeds annual update report, together with the full overview document, as presented at Appendix 1, be noted.