Agenda and minutes

a)  The Lord Mayor reminded those present that the meeting was to be webcast.

b)  The Lord Mayor reported the recent death of Honorary Alderman Meade.

c)  The Lord Mayor reminded those present that it was the 12^th Anniversary of the 9/11 disaster in New York.

Council stood in silent tribute. 

To confirm the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 1^st July 2013.

It was moved by Councillor G Harper, seconded by Councillor G Latty and

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st July 2013 be approved.

There were no declarations of Interests.

a)  The Chief Executive informed Council that a response had been received from Mark Hoban MP Minister for Employment in response to the resolution of Council at its May meeting regarding Skills. The response had previously been circulated to all Members of Council.

b)  The Chief Executive also informed Council that confirmation had been received from DCLG that Local and European Elections would take place on Thursday 22^nd May 2014.

c)  The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services) informed Council of a ministerial response in respect of Temporary Event Notices as a result of a recent Community Concern.

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

1)  Swillington, Oulton,Woodlesford HS2 Action Together. 

2)  Residents regarding public transport in the Leeds 11 area.

3)  Residents of Angel Row, Rothwell opposing a planned housing site on green belt in Robin Hood.

RESOLVED - That the subject matter in respect of deputations 1 and 3 be referred to the Executive Board for consideration and the subject matter in respect of deputation 2 be referred to the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority for consideration.

To consider the  report of the City Solicitor on appointments.

  G HARPER

It was moved by Councillor G Harper, seconded by Councillor Nash and

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor on appointments be approved, namely that Councillor Marjoram be appointed to Scrutiny Board(Sustainable Economy and Culture).

To consider a report of the City Solicitor on a nomination for receipt of the Leeds Award.

K WAKEFIELD

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor G Harper and

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Leeds Award Panel to nominate Victor Watson to receive the Leeds Award, as presented by the report of the City Solicitor, be approved. 

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on the date of Council Meetings 2013/2014.

  G HARPER

It was moved by Councillor G Harper, seconded by Councillor Nash and

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor on Council meeting Dates 2013/14 be approved as follows,

·  The date of the Annual Meeting 2014 be set as Monday 9^th June 2014.

·  That the State of the City Meeting, diarised for Wednesday 27^th November 2013 be removed from the schedule of formal council meetings. 

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) presenting to Council the Area Committees’ Annual Report for 2012/13 and to outline ongoing work to further improve the workings, profile and community engagement role of Area Committees and local councillors.

  P GRUEN

It was moved by Councillor P Gruen, seconded by Councillor G Harper and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) presenting to Council the Area Committees’ Annual Report for 2012/13 be received and the ongoing work to further improve the workings, profile and community engagement role of Area Committees and local councillors be agreed.

Q2  Councillor M Hamilton to the Leader of Council :-

  How many staff employed in providing services for the council are employed on zero hours contracts?

The Leader of Councilreplied.

Q3  Councillor J Hardy to the Executive Member (Health & Wellbeing):-

Would the Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing comment on the impact that the proposed government changes to NHS Allocations funding will have on narrowing the health gap in the city?

The Executive Member (Health & Wellbeing) replied.

Q4  Councillor A Blackburn to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services):-

Does the Executive Member agree that when Council Tenants move out of properties that have had adaptations, that those adaptations should not be removed by that tenant when they leave the property?

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services) replied.

Q5  Councillor Harland to the Executive Member (Children’s Services):-

Would the Executive Member for Children’s Services please update Council on this year’s GCSE and A Level results?

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

Q6  Councillor Anderson to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy):-

Will the Executive Member for Development and Economy please advise on the current backlog of road maintenance both in terms of monetary value and in terms of the anticipated number of years he feels it will take to eradicate this backlog?

The Executive Member (Development and the Economy) replied.

Q7  Councillor S Bentley to the Executive Member (Children’s Services):-

Will the Executive Member for Education join me in welcoming the number of university applications from students from deprived areas which in 2013 reached its highest ever level?

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

Q8  Councillor T Hanley to the Executive Member (Adult Social Care):-

Will the Executive Member for Adult Social Care please comment on the Care Bill, including its proposal to cap care costs for individuals at £72,000?

The Executive Member (Adult Social Care) replied.

Q9  Councillor Iqbal to the Executive Member(Development and the Economy):-

Can the Executive Member for Development and the Economy provide an update on progress with the Superconnected Cities project?

The Executive Member(Development and the Economy) replied.

Q10  Councillor Wadsworth to the Executive Member (Environment):-

Why has the Executive Member for Environmental Services introduced a waste permits policy that unfairly discriminates against residents who use larger vehicles to dispose of their domestic garden waste, and was an equality impact assessment carried out before this policy was launched?

The Executive Member (Environment) replied.

At the conclusion of question time, the following questions remained unanswered and it was noted that, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.6, written answers would be sent to each Member of Council:-

Q1  Councillor A Carter to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy)

Q11  Councillor Cleasby to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy)

Q12  Councillor Mitchell to the Executive Member (Leisure and Skills)

Q13  Councillor Harington to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy)

Q14  Councillor Anderson to the Executive Member (Environment)

Q15  Councillor Townsley to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Prior to the debate under minute 53 below, it was moved by Councillor Campbell, seconded by Councillor Townsley that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(c) that the order of business be changed so that the references back falling within the Adult Social Care (Cllr Downes)and Environment(Cllr Golton) Portfolios of the  Executive Board minutes be heard immediately after the reference back in the name of Councillor Lamb within the Children’s Services portfolio.

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

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

An amendment (Reference Back) was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor G Latty, to add the following at the end of item 10:-

‘In respect of minute 56, page 48 of the meeting of the Executive Board on 17th July 2013, to ask that this decision is referred back for reconsideration by Executive Board.’

 A second amendment (Reference Back) was moved by Councillor Downes, seconded by Councillor Campbell, to add the following at the end of item 10:-

‘To ask the Executive Board to reconsider the decision in relation to Residential Care for Older People, as contained in minute 61,of the Executive Board minutes of 4th September 2013.’

A third amendment (Reference Back) was moved by CouncillorGolton, seconded by Councillor Campbell, to add the following at the end of item 10:-

‘To ask the Executive Board to reconsider the decision in relation to Allotment Charges, as contained in minute 63,of the Executive Board minutes of 4th September 2013.’

The three amendments (References Back) were 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.

During the debate under minute 53 above, it was moved by Councillor G Latty, seconded by Councillor Campbell that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1 that Council Procedure Rule 3.3 be suspended to allow the reference back(amendment) in the name of Councillor A Lamb to be heard.

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

To receive Community Concerns in respect of:-

1)  Councillor Buckley - Proposal for a Village Green in Alwoodley Ward.

2)  Councillor Campbell – To raise concerns about commercial waste  collection procedures in Otley.

3)  Councillor Hardy – Concerns about parking outside schools in Farnley and Wortley

4)  Councillor Illingworth – The loss of safe community-based drinking  establishments in Kirkstall.

During discussion on this item, it was moved by Councillor G Latty, seconded by Councillor Campbell, and Leave of Council was given to allow the introduction of 2 further Community Concerns in the name of Councillor Cleasby and Robinson.

Council heard the following Community Concerns:-

1)  Councillor Buckley - Proposal for a Village Green in Alwoodley Ward.

2)  Councillor Campbell -To raise concerns about commercial waste  collection procedures in Otley.

3)  Councillor Hardy – Concerns about parking outside schools in Farnley and Wortley

4)  Councillor Illingworth – The loss of safe community-based drinking  establishments in Kirkstall.

5)  Councillor Cleasby – To raise concerns about the notification process for, and involvement in, of local ward councillors in pre-planning applications and discussions for potential developments in their wards.

6)  Councillor Robinson – The need for an HGV ban on the A659, owing to the negative impact that large lorries are having on the villages of Collingham and Harewood.

During the consideration of Community Concerns, the meeting was suspended at 5.00 pm and resumed at 5.25 pm.

It was moved by Councillor G Latty, seconded by Councillor Lamb and leave of Council was given to suspend Council Procedure Rule 14.1(c) to allow Councillor Anderson to second the White Paper in the name of Councillor Lamb and speak for 3 minutes.

This Council notes the disappointing Home to School Transport policy approved by the Executive Board in July 2013. Council is particularly concerned that this policy could give rise to the serious accusation that it is unfairly penalising parents and young people who wish to choose a faith based education.

This Council recognises the need to make savings to the Council’s budgets to ensure the continuation of essential services to the residents of Leeds. However, the scale of annual Leeds City Council expenditure on transport is such that the decision to focus savings on Home to School transport shows a lack of imagination and a failure to come up with flexible solutions that will save money while maintaining highly valued frontline services.

This Council instructs the Deputy Chief Executive to implement a full review of transport spending across the Council, to be informed by the Scrutiny Inquiry into Home to School Transport, and implemented before any changes to transport policy are introduced by the Children’s Services Department.

A LAMB

It was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor Anderson that this Council notes the disappointing Home to School Transport policy approved by the Executive Board in July 2013. Council is particularly concerned that this policy could give rise to the serious accusation that it is unfairly penalising parents and young people who wish to choose a faith based education.

This Council recognises the need to make savings to the Council’s budgets to ensure the continuation of essential services to the residents of Leeds. However, the scale of annual Leeds City Council expenditure on transport is such that the decision to focus savings on Home to School transport shows a lack of imagination and a failure to come up with flexible solutions that will save money while maintaining highly valued frontline services.

This Council instructs the Deputy Chief Executive to implement a full review of transport spending across the Council, to be informed by the Scrutiny Inquiry into Home to School Transport, and implemented before any changes to transport policy are introduced by the Children’s Services Department.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor S Bentley, that this Council recognises that its revised Home to School Transport policy is part of an on-going review of all the Council’s discretionary spend, including all spend on transport. 

Council welcomes the input of Scrutiny into the implementation phase of the policy.

Council further notes the increasing demands on Children’s Services due to the challenging financial climate and recognises the extremely difficult budgetary decisions facing the Administration.

Council welcomes the positive statements of intent from all interested parties to continue to work with us to deliver an improved and fairer service to all young people in Leeds. 

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

RESOLVED - That this Council recognises that its revised Home to School Transport policy is part of an on-going review of all the Council’s discretionary spend, including all spend on transport. 

Council welcomes the input of Scrutiny into the implementation phase of the policy.

Council further notes the increasing demands on Children’s Services due to the challenging financial climate and recognises the extremely difficult budgetary decisions facing the Administration.

Council welcomes the positive statements of intent from all interested parties to continue to work with us to deliver an improved and fairer service to all young people in Leeds. 

On the requisition of Councillors G Latty and J Procter, the voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:-

YES

Akhtar, Atha, J Bentley, S Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Blake, Bruce, Campbell, Chapman, Charlwood, Cleasby, Congreve, Coupar, Cummins, Davey, Dawson, Dobson, Downes, Dowson, Dunn, Gabriel, Golton, P Grahame, R Grahame, Groves, C Gruen, P Gruen, M Hamilton, S Hamilton, Hardy, Harington, Harland, G Harper, J Harper, A Hussain, G Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Ingham, Iqbal, Jarosz, Khan, Lay, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, Macniven, Maqsood,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

This council recognises the need to help overcrowded families in council housing but believes the current government policy of reducing benefit for under-occupying tenants is ineffective, unfair and penalises the most vulnerable.

Council notes the efforts of other councils to offer greater certainty to affected tenants by guaranteeing they won’t be evicted for arrears accrued as a result of under-occupying their home.

Council resolves to adopt a non-eviction policy for tenants in Leeds who have had their benefits cuts due to under-occupation, provided they have

·  applied for rehousing

·  applied for a discretionary housing payment

·  maintained their tenancy effectively in terms of overall property condition and standards of behaviour

·  not refused reasonable offers to downsize

Council requests officers to produce a report to Executive Board detailing how such a policy will be implemented in Leeds and to investigate the possibility of setting up a hardship fund to support tenants adversely affected by welfare reforms.

J BENTLEY

It was moved by Councillor J Bentley, seconded by Councillor Townsley that this council recognises the need to help overcrowded families in council housing but believes the current government policy of reducing benefit for under-occupying tenants is ineffective, unfair and penalises the most vulnerable.

Council notes the efforts of other councils to offer greater certainty to affected tenants by guaranteeing they won’t be evicted for arrears accrued as a result of under-occupying their home.

Council resolves to adopt a non-eviction policy for tenants in Leeds who have had their benefits cuts due to under-occupation, provided they have

·  applied for rehousing

·  applied for a discretionary housing payment

·  maintained their tenancy effectively in terms of overall property condition and standards of behaviour

·  not refused reasonable offers to downsize

Council requests officers to produce a report to Executive Board detailing how such a policy will be implemented in Leeds and to investigate the possibility of setting up a hardship fund to support tenants adversely affected by welfare reforms.

An amendment was moved by Councillor P Gruen that this Council notes the authority’s response to the bedroom tax. This includes preparing tenants and staff for the changes and ensuring properties are correctly designated. Council welcomes the amendments made to the rent recovery arrears procedures, ensuring that all tenants are supported if they come into rent arrears.

Council recognises that to treat people fairly it is reasonable to have a single rent arrears policy, where individual cases are considered on their own merits. Council further recognises that it is essential to have a consistent and fair housing needs assessment for all tenants who are unable to pay their rent. Council therefore requests that officers continue to update Executive Board on the outcomes of central government’s welfare changes.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and all local MPs, updating them on the impact of the bedroom tax on Council tenants in Leeds.

This Council commits itself to the abolition of the bedroom tax and agrees to undertake a campaign with the present Government and any future Government for its abolition to come about.

The amendment in the name of Councillor P Gruen was carried, and

upon being put as the substantive motion, it was

RESOLVED - That this Council notesthe authority’s response to the bedroom tax. This includes preparing tenants and staff for the changes and ensuring properties are correctly designated. Council welcomes the amendments made to the rent recovery arrears procedures, ensuring that all tenants are supported if they come into rent arrears.

Council recognises that to treat people fairly it is reasonable to have a single rent arrears policy, where individual cases are considered on their own merits. Council further recognises that it is essential to have a consistent and fair housing needs assessment for all tenants who are unable to pay their rent. Council therefore requests that officers continue to update Executive Board on the outcomes of central government’s welfare changes.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

During the debate of item 58 above the following procedural matters occurred;

(a)  Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(d) and 14.10, and with the consent of the seconders and of Council, Councillor Finnigan and Councillor P Gruen withdrew the amendments in their name.

(b)  It was further moved by Councillor P Gruen and seconded by Councillor G Harper that Council Procedure Rule 13.1(b) (Motions and Amendments Requiring Notice) be suspended to allow the introduction of an amendment in the name of Councillor P Gruen at short notice.

  Upon being put to the vote the motion set out at (b) was carried

(c)   During consideration of these procedural matters Council adjourned for a period of approximately 5 minutes.

During the debate of item 58 above it was moved by Councillor G Latty and seconded by Councillor Campbell that the motion on a Non Eviction Policy in the name of Councillor J Bentley be withdrawn from the agenda and brought to a future meeting of Council.

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

On the requisitions of Councillor Campbell and G Latty , the voting on the motion to remove the motion from the agenda was recorded as follows;

YES

Anderson, J Bentley, S Bentley, Buckley, Campbell, Castle, Chapman, Downes, Fox, Golton, M Hamilton, Harrand , Lamb, G Latty, P Latty, Lay, J Procter, R Procter,  Robinson, Townsley, Wilkinson.

21

NO

Akhtar, Atha, Blake, Bruce, Charlwood, Congreve, Coupar, Cummins, Davey, Dawson, Dobson, Dowson, Dunn, Elliott,  Finnigan, Gabriel, Gettings, P Grahame, R Grahame, Groves, C Gruen, P Gruen, S Hamilton, Hardy, Harington, Harland, G Harper, J Harper, A Hussain, G Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Ingham, Iqbal, Jarosz, Khan, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, Macniven, Maqsood, A McKenna, J McKenna, Mitchell, Morgan, Mulherin, Nagle, Nash, Ogilvie, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Sobel, E Taylor, Towler, Truswell, Urry, Varley, Walker, Walshaw, Wakefield, Yeadon. 

63

ABSTAIN

A Blackburn, D Blackburn,    2 

This Council expresses deep concern about both the proliferation of high cost, short-term lenders on our high streets and the increasing number of people becoming trapped in a cycle of long-term debt due to extortionate interest rates charged by these companies.

Members reiterate their commitment to work to tackle this problem in Leeds and welcome the recent move to block access to the websites of payday and high interest lenders via the Council network.

However, with an estimated 1 million families a month taking out payday loans, including many families in Leeds, Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs to lobby Government to:

• Look again at introducing a cap on interest rates charged by high cost, short-term lenders.

• Introduce restrictions around the practice of ‘rolling over’ loans given the OFT’s recent findings regarding the proportion of revenue generated through charges associated with this practice.

• Re-designate such lenders within the Town and Country Planning Act so as to require planning permission to be granted before certain establishments can be converted into pay day or high interest loan shops.

Council further requests that Leeds City Council officers produce a report for consideration by the Executive Board which explores the possibility of working with city partners to restrict the advertising of high interest or payday lenders in public spaces – for example, on billboards and in bus stops.

This Council commits to extending its current activity in order to increase awareness of the potential impact of borrowing through high cost lenders. Council also reiterates its commitment to work with partner organisations to increase the accessibility and visibility of alternative mainstream financial institutions such as the Credit Union.

K WAKEFIELD

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor J Procter that this Council expresses deep concern about both the proliferation of high cost, short-term lenders on our high streets and the increasing number of people becoming trapped in a cycle of long-term debt due to extortionate interest rates charged by these companies.

Members reiterate their commitment to work to tackle this problem in Leeds and welcome the recent move to block access to the websites of payday and high interest lenders via the Council network.

However, with an estimated 1 million families a month taking out payday loans, including many families in Leeds, Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs to lobby Government to:

• Look again at introducing a cap on interest rates charged by high cost, short-term lenders.

• Introduce restrictions around the practice of ‘rolling over’ loans given the OFT’s recent findings regarding the proportion of revenue generated through charges associated with this practice.

• Re-designate such lenders within the Town and Country Planning Act so as to require planning permission to be granted before certain establishments can be converted into pay day or high interest loan shops.

Council further requests that Leeds City Council officers produce a report for consideration by the Executive Board which explores the possibility of working with city partners to restrict the advertising of high interest or payday lenders in public spaces – for example, on billboards and in bus stops.

This Council commits to extending its current activity in order to increase awareness of the potential impact of borrowing through high cost lenders. Council also reiterates its commitment to work with partner organisations to increase the accessibility and visibility of alternative mainstream financial institutions such as the Credit Union.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Downes,

To add at the end of the motion (after Credit Union) the words :-

“and Community Development Finance Institutions”

The amendment was carried and, upon being put to the vote as the substantive motion, it was

RESOLVED -

That this Council expresses deep concern about both the proliferation of high cost, short-term lenders on our high streets and the increasing number of people becoming trapped in a cycle of long-term debt due to extortionate interest rates charged by these companies.

Members reiterate their commitment to work to tackle this problem in Leeds and welcome the recent move to block access to the websites of payday and high interest lenders via the Council network.

However, with an estimated 1 million families a month taking out payday loans, including many families in Leeds, Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs to lobby Government to:

• Look again at introducing a cap on interest rates charged by high cost, short-term lenders.

• Introduce restrictions around the practice of ‘rolling over’ loans given the OFT’s recent findings regarding the proportion of revenue generated through charges associated with this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.