Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor congratulated the following who were honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List:-

·  Cllr Andrew Carter - CBE

·  Stephanie Burras -  CBE

·  Sally Bolton - OBE

·  Martin Binks  - MBE

·  Rev’d Canon Charles Dobbin -MBE

·  June Perkin  - BEM

·  Mary Rowe -  BEM

·  Monica Walker - BEM

·  Susan Yardley - BEM

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 9^th June 2014.

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 9^th June 2014 be approved.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chief Executive informed Council that two responses to Council resolutions had been received including one from Nick Boles MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Planning) with regard to a White Paper considered at Council in March 2014 and both the responses had previously been circulated to all Members of Council.

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

1)  Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market

2)  Young people regarding Apprenticeships in Leeds

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of both deputations be referred to the Director of City Development for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on appointments.

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

RESOLVED - 

a)  That the appointments made by the City Solicitor in consultation with Group Whips and set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report be noted  as follows;

·  Councillor Cohen to replace whips nominee on the North and East Plans Panel

·  Councillor Leadley to replace Councillor Gettings on Member Management Committee

·  Councillor J Procter to replace Councillor A Carter on Development Plan Panel.

b)   That the appointment set out in paragraph 1.3 of the report be approved as follows;

·  Councillor Maqsood to replace Councillor Truswell on Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing and Adult Social Care)

·  Councillor Truswell to replace Councillor G Hussain on Scrutiny Board (Housing and Regeneration)

That the report of the City Solicitor presenting the Scrutiny Boards’ Annual report to Council, prepared in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution, be approved. 

It was moved by Councillor P Gruen, seconded by Councillor Nash and

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor, presenting the Scrutiny Board’s Annual Report to Council, prepared in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution, be received and noted.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor advising Council of the receipt of a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) on the 18^th June 2014, and asks Council to consider the recommendations of the IRP in relation to the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor P Gruen and

RESOLVED –

a) That the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as detailed in the report of the City Solicitor be approved with effect from 3^rd July 2014.

b) That the City Solicitor be authorised to make any consequential changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme arising from the recommendations.

Q1  Councillor Anderson to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Personnel):-

Can the Executive member with responsibility for Planning please confirm that he is now willing to look again at the interim PAS release housing policy brought forward by his administration in the light of recent events?

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Personnel) replied.

Q2  Councillor Golton to the Executive Member (Transport and the Economy):-

Could the Executive Board member for Transport & the Economy explain what criteria are being used for identifying the next wave of Street Lights to be switched off overnight and how much has been saved so far as a result of the first phase being implemented?

The Executive Member (Transport and the Economy) replied.

Q3  Councillor J McKenna to the Executive Member (Transport and the Economy):-

Would the Executive Member please update Council on the progress made on both the Kirkgate Market Management Board proposals and the £12.3m refurbishment plans for the Market?

The Executive Member (Transport and the Economy) replied.

Q4  Councillor S McKenna to the Executive Member (Digital and Creative Technologies, Culture and Skills):-

With the Tour de France Grand Départ taking place this weekend, can the Executive Member responsible tell us; are we ready and what can we expect?

The Executive Member (Digital and Creative Technologies, Culture and Skills) replied.

Q5  Councillor Lamb to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

Does the Executive Board Member for Children and Families agree with me that the recent figures, both nationally and locally, on young people not in education, employment or training are a positive sign for the UK economy?

The Executive Member (Children and Families) replied.

Q6  Councillor S Bentley to the Executive Member (Cleaner,Stronger and Safer Communities):-

Is the Executive Board member for Cleaner, Stronger and Safer Communities committed to maintaining the safety and personal security of old people in their own homes?

The Executive Member (Cleaner,Stronger and Safer Communities) replied.

Q7  Councillor Cummins to the Executive Member (Adult Social Care):-

Please could the Executive Member for Adult Social Care update council on the Care Bill Implementation Grant?

The Executive Member (Adult Social Care) replied.

Q8  Councillor Selby to the Chair of the Combined Authority Transport Committee:-

Could the Chair of the Combined Authority Transport Committee provide his view on the Chancellor’s recent announcement regarding HS3?

The Chair of the Combined Authority Transport Committee replied.

Q9  Councillor Wadsworth to the Executive Member (Transport and the Economy):-

Could the Executive Board Member responsible for street lighting update Council on the part-night street light switch off programme and the amount of savings made to date?

The Executive Member (Transport and the Economy) 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:-

Q10  Councillor Lay to the Executive Member (Transport and the Economy):-

Q11  Councillor Dawson to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

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

An amendment(reference back) was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor G Latty,  that in respect of Minute 7, Page 6 (supplementary minute pack) of the meeting of the Executive Board on 25 June 2014, to ask that this decision is referred back for reconsideration by Executive Board.

The amendment (reference back) 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

At the conclusion of the consideration of Minutes, the meeting was suspended at 5.00 pm and resumed at 5.30pm

During the debate under minute 28 above, it was moved by Councillor Nash , seconded by Councillor G Latty that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1 that Council Procedure Rule 3.3 be suspended to allow consideration of the Executive Board minutes for an additional 20 minutes until 4.30pm, comments on the other minutes will then follow until 4.50pm with the Leader of Council commencing his summing up at 4.50pm for a period up to 10 minutes.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

During the debate under minute 28 above, it was moved by Councillor G Latty, seconded by Councillor Lamb that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(c) that the order of business be changed so that the reference back in the name of Councillor A Carter falling within the Transport and the Economy Portfolio of the  Executive Board minutes be heard first within the Executive Board minutes(prior to the Adult Social Care portfolio).

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

To receive Community Concerns in respect of:-

1)  Councillor Dawson - Poor regulation and supervision of a Bail Hostel in Morley

2)  Councillor Rafique – Implementation of Universal School Meals in Chapel Allerton.

3)  Councillor Downes – To raise issues regarding CCTV coverage in Otley & Yeadon and Horsforth Wards.

4)  Councillor Wilkinson – Traffic issues outside St James’ Primary School, Hallfield Lane.

Council heard the following Community Concerns;

1)Councillor Dawson  - Poor regulation and supervision of a Bail Hostel in Morley

2)Councillor Rafique - Implementation of Universal School Meals in Chapel Allerton.

3)Councillor Downes  – To raise issues regarding CCTV coverage in Otley & Yeadon and Horsforth Wards.

4)Councillor Wilkinson – Traffic issues outside St James’ Primary School, Hallfield Lane.

This Council notes with concern that local community pubs are closing at an alarming rate as high as 28 per week nationally and further notes the closure of once popular pubs throughout Leeds over recent years.

This Council believes that if additional powers were made available to local authorities much needed community involvement and consultation could be secured when proposals are brought forward to close or demolish community pubs/working men’s clubs in Leeds, in line with the recent moves by Government to encourage localism and devolve power to local authorities. This would be especially important when there are proposals to convert them to alternative uses such as betting shops and pay day lenders.

Council recognises that commercial viability should play a part in the process but, subject to that qualification, Leeds City Council resolves to add its support to the CAMRA campaign and use the Sustainable Communities Act to submit a proposal to Government to ensure that planning permission and consultation are required before community pubs are allowed to be converted to a variety of other uses, or are allowed to be demolished.

This Council welcomes the Government support given to the pub industry through measures to crack down on ‘beer tie’ arrangements, the scrapping of the alcohol duty escalator and a reduction in beer duty in the last two budgets.

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Campbell that this Council notes with concern that local community pubs are closing at an alarming rate as high as 28 per week nationally and further notes the closure of once popular pubs throughout Leeds over recent years.

This Council believes that if additional powers were made available to local authorities much needed community involvement and consultation could be secured when proposals are brought forward to close or demolish community pubs/working men’s clubs in Leeds, in line with the recent moves by Government to encourage localism and devolve power to local authorities. This would be especially important when there are proposals to convert them to alternative uses such as betting shops and pay day lenders.

Council recognises that commercial viability should play a part in the process but, subject to that qualification, Leeds City Council resolves to add its support to the CAMRA campaign and use the Sustainable Communities Act to submit a proposal to Government to ensure that planning permission and consultation are required before community pubs are allowed to be converted to a variety of other uses, or are allowed to be demolished.

This Council welcomes the Government support given to the pub industry through measures to crack down on ‘beer tie’ arrangements, the scrapping of the alcohol duty escalator and a reduction in beer duty in the last two budgets.

An amendment was moved by Councillor R Lewis, seconded by Councillor Walshaw

This Council notes with concern that local community pubs are closing at an alarming rate as high as 28 per week nationally and further notes the closure of once popular pubs throughout Leeds over recent years.

This Council believes that if additional powers were made available to local authorities much needed community involvement and consultation could be secured when proposals are brought forward to close or demolish community pubs/working men’s clubs in Leeds.

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This is of particular concern when there are proposals to convert them to alternative uses such as betting shops and pay day lenders.

This Council supports retention of local community pubs and work to support pubs through business support, community campaigns and town centre regeneration activity.

Where local community pubs are no longer commercially viable, this Council supports actions and investment secure redevelopment or re-use of former pub buildings that supports regeneration.

This Council supports local control of decision making and urges the Government to give more power to local authorities to amend The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987. This would enable Councils to prevent the clustering of betting shops and payday lenders and to support community pubs where commercial viability is shown.

Council calls on all party leaders to make these resolutions clear to their national parties.

The amendment in the name of Councillor R Lewis was carried and upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED - That this Council notes with concern that local community pubs are closing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

This Council notes the recent report from Public Health England which shows poor air quality is directly responsible for approximately 350 deaths a year in Leeds and the World Health Organisation’s recent report showing Leeds failing to meet European air quality standards.

Low Emission Zones in Sweden showed a 40% decrease in emission levels from heavy vehicles within just four years of the creation of a Low Emission Zone. A similar increase in air quality in Leeds will avoid unnecessary deaths.

With this in mind, Council expresses its concern that the feasibility study asked for by Full Council more than three years ago in April 2011 has yet to be completed.  It therefore requests the Executive Board to bring forward proposals to create Low Emission Zones in areas of high air pollution in Leeds in order to save lives no later than the October 2014 Executive Board meeting.

It was moved by Councillor J Bentley, seconded by Councillor Campbell that this Council notes the recent report from Public Health England which shows poor air quality is directly responsible for approximately 350 deaths a year in Leeds and the World Health Organisation’s recent report showing Leeds failing to meet European air quality standards.

Low Emission Zones in Sweden showed a 40% decrease in emission levels from heavy vehicles within just four years of the creation of a Low Emission Zone. A similar increase in air quality in Leeds will avoid unnecessary deaths.

With this in mind, Council expresses its concern that the feasibility study asked for by Full Council more than three years ago in April 2011 has yet to be completed.  It therefore requests the Executive Board to bring forward proposals to create Low Emission Zones in areas of high air pollution in Leeds in order to save lives no later than the October 2014 Executive Board meeting.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Dobson, seconded by Councillor Coulson that

This Council notes the recent report from Public Health England which shows poor air quality is directly responsible for approximately 350 deaths a year in Leeds.

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It acknowledges that while the Air Quality position in the city is broadly within the acceptable standards set out by the Air Quality Regulations there is more work to be done to provide the best possible environment for Leeds citizens.

This Council still believes that Low Emissions Zones which prevent the most polluting vehicles from entering the city are a viable option to secure health and environmental benefits in Leeds. In line with this, Council welcomes the work that has been ongoing since 2011 to explore the feasibility of implementing these measures, noting the successful bid for DEFRA funding and the partnership working with Bradford City Council and the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds. Council emphasises that this is an important part of the wider work ongoing around emissions reduction in the city.

Council notes that this is a large and complex major project, and welcomes the expectation that conclusions and proposals for action will be brought forward later in 2014.

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Wadsworth, seconded by Councillor G Latty that

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“Council welcomes the Government’s commitment to provide funding of around £500 million to promote the uptake of ultra-low emission vehicles. Council believes that continued investment in, and use of, this kind of technology could be instrumental in cutting the amount of harmful emissions that have such a negative impact on air quality in Leeds.

“Council therefore calls for a report to be brought to Executive Board setting out available options to address air pollution in Leeds.”

Motion will therefore read:

“This Council notes the recent report from Public Health England which shows poor air quality is directly responsible for approximately 350 deaths a year in Leeds and the World  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

This Council supports the founding values and principles of the NHS and its achievements in its 66 years of existence. Members are committed to universal healthcare, free at the point of need, provided by a publicly funded National Health Service.

Council therefore notes with concern the Government’s irresponsible leadership of the NHS since 2010 and the damage done by the biggest top down reorganisation the NHS has ever seen.

Council supports the work taking place locally in Leeds to integrate health and social care and to promote joint working in order to improve health outcomes and meet the significant challenges faced across the system as a result of government funding cuts.

Council commits to build stronger and closer relationships with health and social care providers by inviting them to sit on the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board, ensuring greater joined up working.

In addition, Council also calls on the government to:

• Repeal the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and bring commissioning back together under local Health and Wellbeing Boards.

• Re-establish the Secretary of State’s statutory duty to provide and secure a comprehensive health service.

• Remove the infrastructure which imposes competition on the NHS and which leaves it open to threat from the free market.

• Ensure that decision-making at all levels in the NHS is open and transparent and that patients and the public are involved in designing services for the future.

It was moved by Councillor Mulherin, seconded by Councillor Taylor that this Council supports the founding values and principles of the NHS and its achievements in its 66 years of existence. Members are committed to universal healthcare, free at the point of need, provided by a publicly funded National Health Service.

Council therefore notes with concern the Government’s irresponsible leadership of the NHS since 2010 and the damage done by the biggest top down reorganisation the NHS has ever seen.

Council supports the work taking place locally in Leeds to integrate health and social care and to promote joint working in order to improve health outcomes and meet the significant challenges faced across the system as a result of government funding cuts.

Council commits to build stronger and closer relationships with health and social care providers by inviting them to sit on the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board, ensuring greater joined up working.

In addition, Council also calls on the government to:

• Repeal the Health and Social Care Act 2012 and bring commissioning back together under local Health and Wellbeing Boards.

• Re-establish the Secretary of State’s statutory duty to provide and secure a comprehensive health service.

• Remove the infrastructure which imposes competition on the NHS and which leaves it open to threat from the free market.

• Ensure that decision-making at all levels in the NHS is open and transparent and that patients and the public are involved in designing services for the future.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Buckley, seconded by Councillor Anderson

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“Council notes that the current Government’s NHS reforms aim to provide patients with more choice, give GPs and local health practitioners more control over the services they offer, and make the health service more transparent.

“Council recalls the waste and profligacy that typified so much of the last government’s mismanagement of the NHS, including the failed and now defunct National Programme for IT system, which was estimated to have cost taxpayers £12 billion.

“Council supports the work taking place locally in Leeds to integrate health and social care and to promote joint working in order to improve health outcomes, and notes that the Government set up the Better Care Fund in order to encourage this activity. Council further notes that a key aspect of this local agenda is the work of Health and Wellbeing Boards – bodies that were formally established under the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

“Council commits to continuing to work closely with health and social care providers and notes that a number of providers already sit on the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Board. Council believes that this will help to implement the Government’s reforms and make them work to the benefit of people in Leeds.”

Motion will therefore read:

“This Council supports the founding values and principles of the NHS and its achievements in its 66 years of existence. Members are committed to universal healthcare, free at the point  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.