Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Head of Locality Partnerships

The report of the Head of Locality Partnerships provided an update of the work which the Communities Team is engaged in, based on priorities identified by the Community Committee. It also provided an opportunity for further questioning, or to request a more detailed report on a particular issue.

The report also provided regular updates on some of the key activities between the Community Committees, Community Champion roles, community engagement, partnership and locality working.

A representative from the Breeze event attended the meeting to provide an update on events that have taken place over the summer. He explained 25 events took place over the summer, and how it was a successful event. Highlights of the event included:

·  Sharing access to information regarding dental hygiene for adults and young people.

·  Working with partners such as Uniform Exchange, Active Leeds, local libraries, and cricket. The event worked with approximately 47 partners.

·  The event monitors approximately 2,419 children and 3,600 adults that came through the 4 events in East Ardsley, Morley, Rothwell and Gildersome.

·  Worked with Healthy Holidays to provide tickets for the event to children who receive free school meals.

The Committee discussed the following in responding to the Breeze update:

·  The Uniform Exchange attended the Rothwell event. It was noted that if other areas wish to set up a voluntary uniform exchange, they may attend events in their area.

·  Following confirmation that Leeds Clusters decide how they distribute across schools, a comment was made about the difficulties of correspondence between cluster meetings and the local authority.

·  It was acknowledged that the first hour of the East Ardsley event was a quiet hour for SEND young people. Members requested further details on how much the event costs for an hour, so that possible solutions are considered in terms of holding the event in another area for that hour.

·  It was suggested that members are informed of events and dates in the pre-planning stages, so that there are no clashes with other commitments.

·  It was confirmed that the event is publicised by putting up banners outside of primary schools and social media advertisement.

·  The Committee commended the work of the youth service and their events and commented that user feedback is good across communities.

·  A member requested an update on the sustainability of Rothwell Windmill Youth Centre, and the status of the building. It was echoed that members want the status of the building to be reviewed so that it can be re-opened, to facilitate the community.

It was confirmed that the Youth Summit is going ahead at Morley Town Hall, a date is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to be held in November 2024.

Sergeant Hinchcliffe attended the meeting to provide a policing update across the areas. It was highlighted that:

·  The summer has been challenging in terms of police resource. Every area in Leeds has had a heightened public reorder resource, to deal with public re-order resilience in other parts of the country, as well as Leeds.

·  Immediate calls from the neighbourhood policing team have been a priority.

·  Crime figures across the Outer South Community Committee areas are not high. There is much less demand in Rothwell Town Centre.

·  The police have been targeting groups of young children in Morley and Rothwell. They are 10-13 years of age. Engagement has taken place with their parents, and 2 of them have been arrested regarding theft in a supermarket.

·  Staffing for Outer South Neighbourhood Policing Team has improved and there has uptake in Police Community Support Officer roles.

·  Issues associated with off-road bikes and it being a national issue. The off-road bikes team are based at Elland Road and taking on more staff. The Inspector is looking at acquiring a certain type of off-road vehicle for that team. Members requested that information on the status of acquiring that vehicle is provided.

·  Most burglaries that have taken place targeted sheds, garaged and/or attempts. Outcomes have been good in terms of police responses.

In responding to the police update, Committee Members discussed:

·  Clarity on the position on funding that the Outer South Community Committee allocated 2 years ago. It was confirmed this is due to a procurement agreement not being reached and members therefore requested an update on this. Additionally, it was commented that members are not satisfied with the level of resolution from the police as they have been waiting 2 years to procure a vehicle. The Chair also requested that a letter is written to the Police and Crime Commissioner as well as involving the relevant executive member, to escalate the issue.

·  No lights on off-road bikes when it is dark, and people cannot see them. The sergeant also commented on the issue around confiscating a bike from an induvial and them being able to collect the bike the next day.

·  A request that an update be provided on an assault that took place at a local club in Carlton. Members also shared their frustration with intelligence and witnesses and the police not being able to act unless they see it happening.

·  Education around young people and adults not wearing helmets.

·  The Committee also praised the work that the police do.

Members commented on the increase in fly-tipping and requested that further information is received regarding hotspot locations.

A representative from the Leeds Anti-Social Behaviour Team attended the meeting and provided an update for across the Outer South Community Committee areas. It was highlighted that:

·  The team work closely with Neighbourhood Policing Teams regarding issues associated with off-road bikes and providing intelligence.

·  The team will make referrals regarding youth nuisance. Also, if the individuals are council tenants, the team can take action against their parents if they are not taking responsibility.

·  The out of hours call line for noise nuisance has stopped, and there is no longer a team to deal with calls between 6pm - 3am. People still have the option to report online. There is also an option for people to use noise equipment on a night, but this is limited and will be prioritised.

In responding to the update, the following was confirmed:

·  Callouts through the night are mainly student areas. Through the week, there may be 10 residential callouts.

·  It is quiet for the out of hours team between 6-10pm and people tend to ring after 11pm, and the team get an influx of calls around that time.

·  In terms of the noise equipment, it was confirmed that the person will have the equipment in there home for about a week and make up to 20 recordings. The team will listen back to the audio and make a report.

·  The team send out 100s of diaries per week for residents to make logs, and not all of them are sent back. Some people however if they are experiencing noise nuisance more frequent, will make logs.

·  Clarity was sought on the process of a Notice of Intention to Seek Possession (NISP). It was confirmed that a NISP lasts for 12 months, and there are some issues associated with getting initial court dates for hearings. It was also confirmed that a NISP is the last point in the process of dealing with a certain property.

Cllr Golton provided an update on the Health and Wellbeing Subgroup and confirmed the group has confirmed priorities for upcoming meetings. Priorities include:

·  Combatting isolation and OCP health.

·  Pursuing priority in highlighting disability access, particularly on highways.

·  Male mental health.

 A representative from Housing (Leeds City Council) attended the meeting and responded to questions from Committee Members. The following was discussed:

·  Recruitment in the team. It was confirmed a housing manager and team leader will hopefully be in place in November 2024.

·  Issues associated with the housing team not having access to the housing repair teams system. Members commented on their frustrations with this and not being able to receive the right and timely communications. The Chair suggested that this be raised to the relevant executive member and the delays in receiving information must be addressed.

·  Walk-abouts in the area. It was confirmed that there is 2 per year. However, officers do home visits and general visits every week. Further to a query regarding home visits, it was confirmed that the visit consists of an inspection of the garden and internal home.

·  It was confirmed that if a housing officer evidences a person in need of additional help, they can sign-post this issue to the relevant section such as adult services. However, it was acknowledged that there are issues of people not accepting support.

·  Further clarity around British Gas allocating vouchers for Leeds City Council tenants with prepayment gas and electric metres who are struggling to heat their homes. It was confirmed that the person does not receive a physical voucher and there are certain criteria that must be met. People can attend their local community hub for help to access a computer. Members also raised an issue with access to housing services for customer support.

RESOLVED – To:

a)  Note the contents of the report and updates provided during the item.

b)  Request further details on the financial cost of a Breeze event for an hour.

c)  Request an update on the status and sustainability of Rothwell Windmill Youth Centre.

d)  Request an update on the procurement exercise to acquire an off-road bike for the off-road policing team. It was also recommended that the Chair, in liaison with the Localities Officer, on behalf of the Outer South Community Committee, write to the Police and Crime Commissioner and relevant executive member to escalate this issue.

e)  It was recommended that the Chair, in liaison with the Localities Officer write to the relevant executive member on the issues experienced with receiving information from the housing team and housing repairs team due to a disconnect with access to systems.