Inner South Councillors make funding decisions

The creation of a new Environmental Enforcement Officer and new measures to boost the local economy were among the proposals at the latest meeting of the Inner South Community Committee.

All nine councillors representing the Beeston & Holbeck, Hunslet & Riverside and Middleton Park wards attended the event held at Leeds Urban Bike Park in Middleton on Wednesday (12 June 2019).

A new ‘growth manager’ with a complete focus Inner South businesses and social enterprises was one of the main suggestions to support job growth and training in the area.

Working with 90 local businesses over a 30-month period, the half-time post would provide intensive assistance to and create a new job for 45 of the businesses by March 2023. Eighteen businesses would receive intensive assistance within the first seven months of funding.

The project would potentially take up £9,000 of the health and wellbeing budget for the next five years, but Councillors only approved the first year’s allocation of £3,000 from each ward. The post is part of the South Leeds Community Led Local Development (CLLD) project which South Leeds Life has previously reported on. The spending will be matched by European Union funding, subject to approval. The EU money is guaranteed regardless of Brexit.

Another proposal that was supported was the establishment of a new Environmental Enforcement Officer for the Beeston & Holbeck and Hunslet & Riverside wards, costing £14,000 from each ward’s budget.

The position would enforce rules relating to dog fouling, littering and parking together with the Cleaner Neighbourhoods Team based on a previous example of the role in Morley. Additional income generated from fines will come back to the Area Committee.

In relation to social issues, £8,000 of funds are to be safeguarded for the Holbeck and Beeston Hill Priority Neighbourhoods.

The 2019/2020 Wellbeing Budget also ring-fenced funding for several cultural and social activities, with £11,000 reserved to support the Holbeck Gala and Beeston Festival.

In addition, £4,000 was earmarked for the Friends of Middleton Park and over £20,000 for Christmas lights in the three South Leeds wards.

The meeting also debated traffic management issues with officers from LCC’s Highways Department which we will be reported on separately.

The next Inner South Community Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 4 September at The Holbeck club at 7pm.