Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Governance Services Unit 

Items
No. Item

51.

Announcements

Minutes:

a)  The Lord Mayor reported the recent death of Sir Jimmy Savile, OBE, KCSG, and Council stood in silent tribute.

 

b)  The Lord Mayor also reported the recent death of Geraldine Connor who was a promoter of good race relations within the City and Council stood in silent tribute.

 

52.

Suspension of Council Procedure Rules

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor J Lewis, seconded by Councillor Lobley under Council Procedure Rule 22.1, that Procedure Rule 3.1 (time limits for business) be suspended to allow the business of the ordinary meeting to be extended by the duration of the Extraordinary meeting and

 

RESOLVED – That Council Procedure Rule 3.1 be suspended to allow the business of the ordinary meeting to be extended by thirty minutes.

 

53.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 204 KB

To confirm the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 14th September 2011.

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor J Lewis, seconded by Councillor Lobley and

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 14th September 2011 be approved.

 

54.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

 

Minutes:

The Lord Mayor announced that a list of written declarations submitted by Members was on display in the ante-room, on deposit in the public galleries and had been circulated to each Member’s place in the Chamber.

 

Following an invitation to declare further individual interests, declarations in accordance with the Council’s Member’s Code of Conduct were made as follows:- 

 

a)  Members declared personal interests in minute 61 of this meeting as follows:-

 

Cllr D Blackburn

Chair of Green Leeds Board

Cllr C Townsley

In relation to EB minute 96, President of Horsforth Choral Society

 

b)  Councillor M Harris declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 61 of this meeting due to business interests in relation to Executive Board minutes 123 and 124 as a Director of Andel and left the meeting during discussion of this item.

 

c)  Members declared personal interests in minute 65 of this meeting as follows:-

 

Cllr D Blackburn

Chair of Green Leeds Board

Cllr B Anderson

Member, Leeds Initiative Climate Change Partnership

Cllr G Latty

Member, Leeds Initiative Health and Wellbeing Board

Cllr G Wilkinson

Member, Green Leeds

Cllr R Pryke

Member of Aire Valley Regeneration Board, Leeds East North East Housing and Leeds Initiative Climate Change Partnership

 

d)  Councillor M Harris declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 65 of this meeting due to business interests as a Director of Andel and left the meeting during discussion of this item.

 

e)  Members declared personal interests in minute 63 of this meeting as follows:-

 

Cllr P Harrand

Member, Leeds Learning Disabilities Partnership Board

Cllr A Lamb

Member, Children’s Trust Board

Cllr A Lowe

Member, West North West Health and Social Care Partnership

Cllr G Latty

Member, Leeds Initiative Health and Wellbeing Board

Cllr P Latty

Member, Early Years Service Challenge and Advisory Partnership

Cllr W Hyde

Member, Halton Moor and Osmondthorpe Project for the Elderly

Cllr A Gabriel

NHS Employee

Cllr S Hamilton

NHS Employee

Cllr E Taylor

NHS Employee

Cllr R Pryke

Member, Richard Hill Elderly Aid Management Committee

 

f)  Members declared personal interests in minute 64 of this meeting as follows:-

 

Cllr N Dawson

Employee of National Power Grid

Cllr D Blackburn

Chair of Climate Change Environment Working Group

Cllr S Bentley

Homeowner with solar panels involved

Cllr B Anderson

Member, Leeds Initiative Climate Change Partnership

Cllr J Procter

Member, Aire Valley Regeneration Board

 

Cllr G Latty

Member, ALMO Outer North West Area Panel

Cllr P Wadsworth

Member, ALMO - West/North West Homes Leeds

Member, Leeds Housing Forum

Cllr G Wilkinson

Member, ALMO - East/North East Homes Leeds

Member, ALMO Area Panel Outer North East

Cllr R Wood

Member, ALMO Outer West Area Panel

Cllr R Pryke

Member, Richard Hill Elderly Aid Management Committee, Leeds Initiative Climate Change Partnership, Leeds East North East Homes.

 

g)  Councillor J Illingworth declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 64 as he has solar panels fitted to his residence and left the meeting during discussion of this item

 

h)  Councillor M Harris declared a personal and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

55.

Communications

To receive such communications as the Lord Mayor, the Leader,  Members of the Executive Board or the Chief Executive consider appropriate

Minutes:

a)  The Chief Executive reported that he had recently received a response from the Direct Communications Unit at the Home Office in respect of the Community Policing White Paper agreed at the September 2011 Council meeting.

 

b)  The Chief Executive informed Council of his reasons for stepping down last month from the Board of the Leeds, York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

 

56.

Deputations

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10

Minutes:

Four deputations were admitted to the meeting and addressed Council, as follows:-

 

1)  Leeds and District Branch of the National Federation of the Blind regarding Shire View – The Resource Centre for blind and partially sighted people.

 

2)  Scott Hall Tenants and Residents Association regarding the need for proper crossing facilities on Scott Hall Road (by Scott Hall Grove).

 

3)  Access Committee for Leeds regarding celebrating the volunteers of Leeds.

 

4)  Leeds Cycle Action Group regarding cycling provision in Leeds achieving health and carbon reduction goals.

 

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of the deputations be referred to the Executive Board for consideration.

 

57.

Reports pdf icon PDF 65 KB

To consider reports as follows (the Monitoring Officer considers that these reports are appropriate to be received at this meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(f))

 

a)  That the report of the Director of Resources on amendments to the officer delegation scheme (executive functions), Executive Member portfolios in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 1.4 and other consequential amendments be noted.

 

  K WAKEFIELD

 

  b)  That the report of the City Solicitor seeking suspension of Council Procedure Rules to allow the format of the State of the City Council meeting to be different to that of an ordinary Council meeting be approved. 

 

 

  J LEWIS 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a)  Amendments to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Executive Functions)

 

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor J Lewis and

 

RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Resources on Amendments to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Executive Functions), Executive Member Portfolios, and other consequential amendments, as detailed in the report, be noted.

 

b)  State of the City Council Meeting

 

It was moved by Councillor J Lewis, seconded by Councillor Lobley and

 

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor seeking suspension of Council Procedure Rules to allow the format of the State of the City Council meeting on 7th December 2011 to be different to that of an ordinary Council meeting be approved, subject to Members noting that Sir Bob Kerslake will not be available to address Council as set out in the report (page 28 of the agenda) and as set out in the draft order paper (page 33 of the agenda).

 

58.

Suspension of Council Procedure Rules

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Lobley, seconded by Councillor G Latty, that leave of Council be given to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11.2 (Notice of questions) to allow the questions to be taken in an order different to that notified.

 

RESOLVED – That leave of Council be given to reorder the questions, as follows:-

 

·  That Q10 in the name of Cllr A Carter be asked as Q1.

·  That Q1 in the name of Cllr A Carter be asked as Q6.

·  That Q6 in the name of Cllr Lobley be asked as Q10.

 

59.

Questions

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11

Minutes:

Q1  (Formerly Q10) - Councillor A Carter to the Leader of Council:-

 

Will the Leader of Council explain his reasons for resigning his position from the Leeds Chamber of Commerce?

 

The Leader of Council replied.

 

Q2  Councillor Pryke to the Leader of Council:-

 

Does the Leader of Council still believe that a referendum should be held on the East Leeds Incinerator, and when will it take place?

 

The Leader of Council replied.

 

Q3  Councillor Jarosz to the Executive Member (Children’s Services):-

 

Would the Executive Board Member responsible for Health update Council on the future of Children’s Cardiac Surgery Services in Leeds?

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.3(b), Councillor Mulherin replied on behalf of the Executive Member (Children’s Services).

 

Q4  Councillor D Blackburn to the Executive Member (Environmental Services):-

 

Would the Executive Member for Environmental Services like to comment on the Government’s recent announcement on the Feed In Tariff and its potential effect on the proposed Council Solar PV scheme?

 

The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied.

 

Q5  Councillor A Hussain to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration):-

 

Does the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing & Regeneration support the Government’s plans to boost Right to Buy sales?

 

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration) replied.

 

Q6   (formerly Q1) - Councillor A Carter to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy):-

 

Would the Executive Member for City Development give me a categoric assurance that should Bradford Metropolitan District Council move ahead with their proposals to construct 2,700 houses in the Green Belt as part of their Holme Wood and Tong Neighbourhood Development Plan that Leeds City Council will be a statutory objector?

 

The Executive Member (Development and the Economy) replied.

 

Q7  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1(c) Councillor Townsley, on behalf of Councillor Cleasby, asked the Executive Member (Development and the Economy):-

 

Does the Executive Board Member for Development and the Economy believe that land designated for employment usage in the vicinity of the airport is in a viable location?

 

The Executive Member (Development and the Economy) replied.

 

Q8  Councillor E Taylor to the Executive Member (Children’s Services):-

 

Would the Executive Board Member for Children’s Services care to comment on the recent report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies describing the largest Government cut in education spending since the 1950s?

 

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

 

Q9  Councillor Iqbal to the Executive Member (Leisure):-

 

Would the Executive Board Member for Leisure care to comment on the route that the Olympic Torch will take through the city when it visits next June?

 

The Executive Member (Leisure) replied.

 

Q10   (formerly Q6) - Councillor Lobley to the Executive Member (Environmental Services):-

 

Will the Executive Board Member for Environmental Services tell me if Council Staff are still being paid by the Airport to patrol the approach roads of the airport?

 

The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied.

 

Q11  Councillor Matthews to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy):-

 

Can the Executive Board member for Development and the Economy inform Council whether he supports the Inner  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

60.

Motion to Suspend Council Procedure Rules

Minutes:

During the debate under minute 59 above, it was moved by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor Lobley, that under Council Procedure Rule 22.1, Procedure Rule 11.1(a) be suspended to allow question time to be extended by a period of 10 minutes.

 

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was declared lost.

 

61.

Minutes

To receive the minutes in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(i)

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor J Lewis that the minutes be received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(i).

 

An amendment (reference back) was moved by Councillor D Blackburn , seconded by Councillor A Blackburn, to add the following at the end of item 7:-

 

’To ask the Executive Board to reconsider the decision in relation to the Waste Solutions for Leeds – Residual Waste Treatment PFI Project ascontained in Minute 123, Page 56 of the Executive Board minutes of the 2nd November 2011.’

 

The amendment was declared lost and, upon being put to the vote, it was

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes be received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(i).

 

Council Procedure Rule 4, providing for the winding up of business, was applied prior to all notified comments on the minutes having been debated.

 

On the requisitions of Councillors A Blackburn and Lobley, the voting on the amendment (reference back) was recorded as follows:-

 

PRESENT   86

 

YES

 

Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Campbell, Chapman, Chastney, Collins, Davey, Downes, Golton, M Hamilton, W Hyde, Kirkland, Matthews, Pryke, Robinson, Townsley, Wilson.

18

 

NO

 

Akhtar, Armitage, Atha, Blake, Bruce, Charlwood, Cohen, Congreve, Coulson, Dawson, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Elliott, Finnigan, Gabriel, Gettings, P Grahame, Groves, Gruen, S Hamilton, Hanley, Hardy, G Harper, J Harper, A Hussain, G Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, Leadley, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, MacNiven, Maqsood, A McKenna, J McKenna, Morgan, Mulherin, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, E Taylor, Varley, Wakefield, Walshaw, Yeadon.

55

 

ABSTAIN

 

A Carter, J L Carter, Castle, Fox, Harrand, Lamb, G Latty, P Latty, Lobley, J Procter, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wood.

13

 

The meeting was suspended at 5.30 pm and resumed at 5.50 pm.

 

62.

White Paper Motion - East Leeds Housing and Regeneration Board

 

“This Council condemns the way in which responsibilities held by the Council regarding regeneration in East Leeds were proposed to be guided by a body with no democratic legitimacy. This Council believes such an unconstitutional move would have undermined transparency but also, by virtue of the body’s make up, held conflicting interests which might have compromised the Council's legal position with regard to planning law.

 

“This Council calls on the Chief Executive of the Council to investigate the process which led to the formation of the East Leeds Housing and Regeneration Board and to provide a full report to Executive Board with recommendations for constitutional changes to prevent any similar activity occurring in the future.”

 

 

 

    A CARTER

 

 

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor J L Carter, that this Council condemns the way in which responsibilities held by the Council regarding regeneration in East Leeds were proposed to be guided by a body with no democratic legitimacy.  This Council believes such an unconstitutional move would have undermined transparency but also, by virtue of the body’s make up, held conflicting interests which might have compromised the Council's legal position with regard to planning law.

 

This Council calls on the Chief Executive of the Council to investigate the process which led to the formation of the East Leeds Housing and Regeneration Board and to provide a full report to Executive Board with recommendations for constitutional changes to prevent any similar activity occurring in the future.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor Gruen to delete all after ‘This Council’ and replace with:-

 

‘recognises the importance of delivering widespread and lasting regeneration in East Leeds, providing local people with significantly improved housing, transport and economic opportunities.

 

Council further recognises that without government financial support, existing regeneration efforts in the area are at risk of stalling.  Council therefore welcomes efforts to forge stronger working relationships with partners in order to deliver progress for local people.

 

Council acknowledges that transparency and democratic accountability will be integral to any such partnership arrangements.  Council therefore notes the Executive Board’s recent introduction of a framework to ensure consistent governance arrangements for partnerships created through sub-groups of the Leeds Initiative.’

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Wakefield was carried and, upon being put as the substantive motion, it was

 

RESOLVED – That this Council recognises the importance of delivering widespread and lasting regeneration in East Leeds, providing local people with significantly improved housing, transport and economic opportunities.

 

Council further recognises that without government financial support, existing regeneration efforts in the area are at risk of stalling.  Council therefore welcomes efforts to forge stronger working relationships with partners in order to deliver progress for local people.

 

Council acknowledges that transparency and democratic accountability will be integral to any such partnership arrangements.  Council therefore notes the Executive Board’s recent introduction of a framework to ensure consistent governance arrangements for partnerships created through sub-groups of the Leeds Initiative.

 

63.

White Paper Motion - NHS

This council remains deeply concerned about the scale of change proposed in the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill and the potential impact on NHS patients and their families in Leeds of a massive reorganisation coupled with current funding cuts.

 

Council further notes the prolonged anxiety and instability these proposals have already caused NHS staff, patients and stakeholders. This Council believes that implementing the proposed reforms risks diminishing access to locally and regionally-based services, reducing accountability and increasing bureaucracy.

 

The reduction in weighting of health inequalities in the NHS funding formula presents a worrying reflection of national priorities and a very real concern in a city where life expectancy is 12 years higher in our wealthiest suburbs than it is in the most deprived areas.

 

This Council believes access to health services free at the point of need should be a right not a privilege and therefore commits to doing all it can to protect NHS services in Leeds. 

 

Council further believes that patients receive the best care when services integrate and staff work effectively together. Proposals to introduce significant competition and fragmentation into the service threaten to undermine this principle and risk patient care.

 

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Health and Leeds MPs on Council’s behalf urging them to prioritise the protection of vital regional health services and to reducing persistent health inequalities. Council further requests that within that Letter the Prime Minister is asked to fulfil his promise to enhance NHS funding in real terms, to maintain waiting time targets and to stop top down reorganisations.

 

 

 

  L YEADON

 

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Yeadon, seconded by Councillor Mulherin, that this Council remains deeply concerned about the scale of change proposed in the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill and the potential impact on NHS patients and their families in Leeds of a massive reorganisation coupled with current funding cuts.

 

Council further notes the prolonged anxiety and instability these proposals have already caused NHS staff, patients and stakeholders.  This Council believes that implementing the proposed reforms risks diminishing access to locally and regionally-based services, reducing accountability and increasing bureaucracy.

 

The reduction in weighting of health inequalities in the NHS funding formula presents a worrying reflection of national priorities and a very real concern in a city where life expectancy is 12 years higher in our wealthiest suburbs than it is in the most deprived areas.

 

This Council believes access to health services free at the point of need should be a right not a privilege and therefore commits to doing all it can to protect NHS services in Leeds. 

 

Council further believes that patients receive the best care when services integrate and staff work effectively together. Proposals to introduce significant competition and fragmentation into the service threaten to undermine this principle and risk patient care.

 

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State for Health and Leeds MPs on Council’s behalf urging them to prioritise the protection of vital regional health services and to reducing persistent health inequalities. Council further requests that within that Letter the Prime Minister is asked to fulfil his promise to enhance NHS funding in real terms, to maintain waiting time targets and to stop top down reorganisations.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Hamilton, seconded by Councillor Chapman, to delete all after ‘This Council’ and replace with:-

 

‘welcomes the changes to the Government’s Health and Social Care Bill following the listening exercise and Future Forum report earlier this year, and welcomes a number of improvements to the bill.

 

However, this Council remains concerned about a number of other issues and calls on the Government to continue to listen to the concerns of patients, doctors, NHS staff and the general public.

 

This Council believes access to health services free at the point of need should be a right not a privilege and welcomes the Government’s commitment to this.  It also welcomes the fact that the government is fulfilling its promises to enhance NHS funding in real terms, and reduce bureaucracy, thus releasing a further £4.5 billion for front line clinical services over the life of this Parliament.  It calls on Her Majesty's Official Opposition to support the government's policy of ring-fencing the NHS budget.

 

This Council therefore requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Secretary of State supporting the thrust of the NHS reforms, but asking that he continues to listen and respond to the remaining concerns being expressed in particular by health professionals as the bill passes through parliament.  The letter should also stress the importance of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

64.

White Paper Motion - Feed in Tariffs

This Council believes that the nonsensical proposals from Central Government to cut the Feed In Tariff by half from 12th December 2011 will have a disastrous effect on efforts to reduce CO2 levels and fuel poverty in our city.

 

Council further believes that such a change as this at short notice will not only mean that schemes like Leeds City Council’s proposals to fit solar panels to 5,000 Council homes will no longer be viable, but will result in a major loss of employment in the renewables sector.

 

Council therefore requests that:

 

1)  The Chief Executive be asked to write to the Minister expressing our concerns.

 

2)  That all Leeds MPs be contacted to ask them for their support in this matter.

 

3)  That a Cross Party delegation be organised to lobby the Minister.

 

4)  That an early report go to the Executive Board on possible ways the Council’s Solar PV scheme can be saved.

 

 

 

    D BLACKBURN

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor D Blackburn, seconded by Councillor Finnigan, that this Council believes that the nonsensical proposals from Central Government to cut the Feed In Tariff by half from 12th December 2011 will have a disastrous effect on efforts to reduce CO2 levels and fuel poverty in our city.

 

Council further believes that such a change as this at short notice will not only mean that schemes like Leeds City Council’s proposals to fit solar panels to 5,000 Council homes will no longer be viable, but will result in a major loss of employment in the renewables sector.

 

Council therefore requests that:-

 

1)    the Chief Executive be asked to write to the Minister expressing our concerns;

 

2)    that all Leeds MPs be contacted to ask them for their support in this matter;

 

3)    that a Cross Party delegation be organised to lobby the Minister;

 

4)    that an early report go to the Executive Board on possible ways the Council’s Solar PV scheme can be saved.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Anderson, seconded by Councillor Lamb to delete all after ‘This Council’ and insert the following:-

 

‘notes that the large take-up and success of renewable schemes has led to a situation where the generous Feed in Tariff rate is unsustainable at current levels, threatening to breach the spending cap for the initiative.

 

Council regrets that the current administration failed to act quickly enough to take advantage of the current Feed in Tariff when it would have brought maximum benefit to the people of Leeds.

 

Council urges the administration to develop realistic proposals for improving energy efficiency in Leeds that are not overly dependent on subsidies.’

 

The amendment was declared lost and, upon the motion being put to the vote, it was

 

RESOLVED – That this Council believes that the nonsensical proposals from Central Government to cut the Feed In Tariff by half from 12th December 2011 will have a disastrous effect on efforts to reduce CO2 levels and fuel poverty in our city.

 

Council further believes that such a change as this at short notice will not only mean that schemes like Leeds City Council’s proposals to fit solar panels to 5,000 Council homes will no longer be viable, but will result in a major loss of employment in the renewables sector.

 

Council therefore requests that:-

 

1)    the Chief Executive be asked to write to the Minister expressing our concerns;

 

2)    that all Leeds MPs be contacted to ask them for their support in this matter;

 

3)    that a Cross Party delegation be organised to lobby the Minister;

 

4)    that an early report go to the Executive Board on possible ways the Council’s Solar PV scheme can be saved.

 

65.

White Paper Motion - Waste Solution Referendum

 

This council believes that the current administration should stand by its commitment to hold a referendum on their preferred waste solution option of an incinerator at Cross Green. Council therefore requests the relevant Executive Board member to make the necessary arrangements to hold a referendum on this issue.

 

 

    R PRYKE

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Pryke, seconded by Councillor Campbell that this Council believes that the current administration should stand by its commitment to hold a referendum on their preferred waste solution option of an incinerator at Cross Green.  Council therefore requests the relevant Executive Board Member to make the necessary arrange­ments to hold a referendum on this issue.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Dobson, seconded by Councillor E Taylor, to delete all after ‘this Council’ and replace with:-

 

‘understands that if it were to now scrap the procurement process for a waste treatment plant and not take further action to divert more of the city’s waste from landfill, the cost to the Leeds tax-payer would be hundreds of millions of pounds.

 

Council acknowledges that it was under the previous administration, of which the Liberal Democrats were a Member, that possible locations in East Leeds for the waste treatment plant, including the market site, were offered up as potential sites for use by developers in 2007.

 

Furthermore Council also recognises that a proposal by the Labour Group for a referendum was rejected by the Liberal Democrats before the terms and scope of the procurement process for a waste treatment plant were agreed by the Executive Board in July 2008.’

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Dobson was carried and, upon being put as the substantive motion, it was

 

RESOLVED – That this Council understands that if it were to now scrap the procurement process for a waste treatment plant and not take further action to divert more of the city’s waste from landfill, the cost to the Leeds tax-payer would be hundreds of millions of pounds.

 

Council acknowledges that it was under the previous administration, of which the Liberal Democrats were a Member, that possible locations in East Leeds for the waste treatment plant, including the market site, were offered up as potential sites for use by developers in 2007.

 

Furthermore Council also recognises that a proposal by the Labour Group for a referendum was rejected by the Liberal Democrats before the terms and scope of the procurement process for a waste treatment plant were agreed by the Executive Board in July 2008.

 

66.

White Paper Motion - Council Procedure Rule 3.1(d) - BBC Cuts

 

This Council recognises the valuable role of local radio and the reporting of regional current affairs. Council therefore expresses its regret at the anticipated erosion of these services as a result of the recently announced BBC cuts.

 

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, the BBC Director General and the Chair of the BBC Governors. Within that correspondence the Chief Executive is asked to highlight the importance of these regional services, and to reflect particular concern about the anticipated loss of 11 posts at Radio Leeds, and a total of 29 posts across Leeds, Sheffield and York.

 

 

 

      K WAKEFIELD

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie, that this Council recognises the valuable role of local radio and the reporting of regional current affairs.  Council therefore expresses its regret at the anticipated erosion of these services as a result of the recently announced BBC cuts.

 

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, the BBC Director General and the Chair of the BBC Governors.  Within that correspondence the Chief Executive is asked to highlight the importance of these regional services, and to reflect particular concern about the anticipated loss of 11 posts at Radio Leeds, and a total of 29 posts across Leeds, Sheffield and York.

 

An amendment in the name of Councillor Cohen was moved by Councillor Lobley in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.3(b), seconded by Councillor Robinson, to delete all after ‘regional current affairs’ and insert the following:-

 

‘Council notes that this reporting is provided by the BBC and also a number of excellent local independent radio stations.

 

Council recognises that budget issues are a matter for BBC management, but expresses regret at the potential erosion of BBC services.  Council believes that consideration should be given to reviewing the high salaries of ‘star’ personalities, so that budget reductions do not adversely affect regional reporters and lead to staff redundancies.  Council also welcomes the decision of the Government to freeze the licence fee.’

 

Motion would therefore read:-

 

This Council recognises the valuable role of local radio and the reporting of regional current affairs.  Council notes that this reporting is provided by the BBC and also a number of excellent local independent radio stations.

 

Council recognises that budget issues are a matter for BBC management, but expresses regret at the potential erosion of BBC services.  Council believes that consideration should be given to reviewing the high salaries of ‘star’ personalities, so that budget reductions do not adversely affect regional reporters and lead to staff redundancies.  Council also welcomes the decision of the Government to freeze the licence fee.’

 

The amendment was declared lost and, upon the motion being put to the vote, it was

 

RESOLVED – That this Council recognises the valuable role of local radio and the reporting of regional current affairs.  Council therefore expresses its regret at the anticipated erosion of these services as a result of the recently announced BBC cuts.

 

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, the BBC Director General and the Chair of the BBC Governors.  Within that correspondence the Chief Executive is asked to highlight the importance of these regional services, and to reflect particular concern about the anticipated loss of 11 posts at Radio Leeds, and a total of 29 posts across Leeds, Sheffield and York.

 

67.

White Paper Motion - Council Procedure Rule 3.1(d) - Military Covenants

This Council recognises and remembers the sacrifices made by the Armed Services community.

 

Leeds City Council believes that the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans and their families, should not be disadvantaged, by virtue of what they do, when accessing public services.

 

This Council therefore commits to a Community Covenant which will strengthen the partnership between Leeds City Council and the Armed Forces, encourage the integration of military and civilian communities, explore options for giving members of the Armed Forces higher priority for housing, and promote a wider understanding of issues affecting the Armed Forces community.

 

Council requests that the Chief Executive produces a report, in consultation with local military representatives, for consideration by the Executive Board, which outlines proposals for the establishment of a Leeds Community Covenant.

 

 

 

 

      M LYONS

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Lyons, seconded by Councillor W Hyde, and

 

RESOLVED – That this Council recognises and remembers the sacrifices made by the Armed Services community.

 

Leeds City Council believes that the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans and their families, should not be disadvantaged, by virtue of what they do, when accessing public services.

 

This Council therefore commits to a Community Covenant which will strengthen the partnership between Leeds City Council and the Armed Forces, encourage the integration of military and civilian communities, explore options for giving members of the Armed Forces higher priority for housing, and promote a wider understanding of issues affecting the Armed Forces community.

 

Council requests that the Chief Executive produces a report, in consultation with local military representatives, for consideration by the Executive Board, which outlines proposals for the establishment of a Leeds Community Covenant.

 

68.

White Paper Motion - Council Procedure Rule 3.1(d) - Leeds Rhinos

This council congratulates the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team who, by defeating St Helens, won an unprecedented fourth Super League championship in five years.  Council further wishes the team more success in the World Club Challenge in 2012.

 

This Council will provide Leeds Rhinos with a Civic celebration worthy of their achievements at a suitable time for all parties.

 

 

 

    K PARKER

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor Anderson, and

 

RESOLVED – That this Council congratulates the Leeds Rhinos rugby league team who, by defeating St Helens, won an unprecedented fourth Super League championship in five years.  Council further wishes the team more success in the World Club Challenge in 2012.

 

This Council will provide Leeds Rhinos with a Civic celebration worthy of their achievements at a suitable time for all parties.

 

69.

White Paper Motion - Council Procedure Rule 3.1(d) - Sir Jimmy Savile

 

“This Council expresses its sadness at the death of Sir Jimmy Savile and wishes to convey its deep condolences to his family and friends. 

 

“Council recognises the huge contribution that Sir Jimmy made to charity, raising more than £40 million over his lifetime, as well as his inimitable contribution to broadcasting over a long and successful career. 

 

Council resolves to ensure there is a fitting tribute to Sir Jimmy that reflects the scale of his achievements and the high regard in which he was held by people in his home town of Leeds, the UK, and around the world.”

 

 

 

      A CARTER

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Atha, and

 

RESOLVED – That this Council expresses its sadness at the death of Sir Jimmy Savile and wishes to convey its deep condolences to his family and friends. 

 

Council recognises the huge contribution that Sir Jimmy made to charity, raising more than £40 million over his lifetime, as well as his inimitable contribution to broadcasting over a long and successful career. 

 

Council resolves to ensure there is a fitting tribute to Sir Jimmy that reflects the scale of his achievements and the high regard in which he was held by people in his home town of Leeds, the UK, and around the world.