Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Governance Services Unit 

Media

Items
No. Item

103.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that the following Councillors would not be seeking re-election to Council, and said a few words in respect of each Councillor and thanked them for their work over the years on behalf of the Council:-

 

Councillor JL Carter

Councillor Hanley

Councillor Marjoram

Councillor Mitchell

Councillor Morgan

 

 

b)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that George Mudie MP, a former Leader of Leeds City Council would be retiring as Member of Parliament for East Leeds at this years elections.

 

c)   The Lord Mayor informed Council that Victor Watson CBE, DL had recently passed away.

 

d)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that Honorary Alderman Gardiner had recently passed away.

 

Council stood in silent tribute.

104.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 212 KB

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 25th February 2015.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25th February 2015 be approved.

105.

Declaration of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from Members.

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Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

106.

Communications

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

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Minutes:

The Executive Member (Children and Families) informed Council of the outcome of the recent OFSTED inspection and comments on this matter were also received form representatives of each political group.  

107.

Deputations

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

1)  Deputation regarding private sector housing and letting agencies.

 

2)  Association of South Horsforth Residents regarding saving Leeds  Green Belt.

 

 

  RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of deputation 1 be referred to the Director of Environment & Neighbourhoods for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member and that the subject matter in respect of deputations 2 be referred to the Director of City Development for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

 

108.

Report on Outer North West Community Committee pdf icon PDF 151 KB

To consider a report in respect of the Outer North West Community Committee.

 

 

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Minutes:

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

 

 

RESOLVED – That the report on the work of the Outer North West Community Committee be noted.

 

109.

Report on Inner North East Community Committee pdf icon PDF 112 KB

To consider a report in respect of the Inner North East Community Committee.

 

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Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Hamilton, seconded by Councillor Urry and

 

 

RESOLVED – That the report on the work of the Inner North East Community Committee be noted.

 

110.

Report on Outer South Community Committee pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To consider a report in respect of the Outer South Community Committee.

 

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Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Bruce, seconded by Councillor Nagle and

 

 

RESOLVED – That the report on the work of the Outer South Community Committee be noted.

 

111.

Questions

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11

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Minutes:

 

Q1  Councillor B Anderson to the Leader of Council

 

  Does the Leader of Council agree with comments made by the Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, that cast doubt on the future of the second phase of HS2?

 

  The Leader of Council replied.

 

Q2  Councillor Cleasby to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning & Personnel).

 

  Could the Executive Board member for Neighbourhoods, Planning & Personnel confirm what efforts have been made or are being made by Leeds City Council to ensure that the Leeds City College site, formerly known as Park Lane Horsforth Campus site, is retained for educational purposes?

 

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

 

Q3  Councillor Hyde to the Executive Member (Cleaner, Stronger and Safer Communities).

 

  Can the Executive Member please explain what lessons have been learnt from Operation Boypark?

 

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

 

Q4  Councillor Finnigan to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Personnel).

 

  “Following the refusal of Planning Permission for his Cottingley Springs Expansion Plan could the Executive Board Member for Housing confirm if he agrees with the Planning Inspectors comments that the Councils rejection of alternative sites because of negative perception and fear of encroachment leads to relegating Traveller sites to isolated locations and to choosing greenfield and Green Belt sites before brownfield sites and does he also agree with her that this is in direct conflict with the Councils own planning policies?”

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Q5  Councillor Taylor to the Executive Member (Transport and the Economy).

 

   Please could the Executive Member let members have his views on the implications of the proposed changes to the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) Regulations?

 

  The Executive Member (Transport and the Economy) replied.

 

Q6  Councillor Wadsworth to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning & Personnel).

 

  Can the Executive Member for Planning provide an assurance that any conditions attached to approval for further development of High Royds will be sufficiently robust so as to ensure that any and all obligations are met by developers in a timely fashion?

 

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

 

Q7  Councillor S Bentley to the Leader of Council

 

  Does the Leader of the Council agree with me that it is important that as many people as possible are registered to vote in the next General and Council elections?

 

  The Leader of Council replied.

 

Q8  Councillor Illingworth to the Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee

 

  Please would the Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee update council on work on the new station at Kirtskall Forge?

 

  The Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee replied.

 

Q9  Councillor Ingham to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning & Personnel).

 

  Could the Executive Member with responsibility for planning please update Council on its recent planning appeal performance?

 

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

 

 

 

Q10  Councillor J Procter to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning & Personnel).

 

  Will the Executive Board Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Personnel confirm to Council when he intends to initiate the public consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

112.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 2 MB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

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.

 

113.

Motion to Suspend Council Procedure Rule

Additional documents:

Minutes:

During the debate under minute 112 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 10 minutes until 4.20pm, comments on the other minutes will then follow until 4.40pm with the Leader of Council commencing his summing up at 4.40pm for a period up to 10 minutes.

 

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

 

114.

Back Bench Community Concerns pdf icon PDF 48 KB

To receive Community Concerns in respect of:-

 

1)  Councillor Gabriel - The need for high quality planning enforcement  and building control.

 

 

2)  Councillor J McKenna – Heritage Bid at 2 Branch Road, Armley.

 

 

3)  Councillor Wilkinson – Overnight parking of HGV’s in and around Wetherby.

 

 

4)  Councillor Townsley  - To raise issues regarding parking at Horsforth Rail Station

 

 

5)  Councillor A Blackburn – Parking on pavements and grass verges.

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council heard the following Community Concerns;

 

 

1)  Councillor Gabriel - The need for high quality planning enforcement  and building control.

 

 

2)  Councillor J McKenna – Heritage Bid at 2 Branch Road, Armley.

 

 

3)  Councillor Wilkinson – Overnight parking of HGV’s in and around Wetherby.

 

 

4)  Councillor Townsley  - To raise issues regarding parking at Horsforth Rail Station

 

 

5)  Councillor A Blackburn – Parking on pavements and grass verges.

 

 

 

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

 

115.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor A Carter) - Planning Matters pdf icon PDF 46 KB

Following the most recent Office of National Statistics (ONS) household projections for Leeds, this Council believes that the case for reducing Leeds’ 70,000 housing target is now even stronger.

 

This Council therefore instructs officers from the planning department to begin work on reviewing the proposed housing number for Leeds immediately.

 

This Council notes the recent success achieved by campaigners opposing the Kirklees Knoll planning application in Farsley. Council welcomes the Government’s decision to refuse this application as a clear sign that Greenbelt or Greenfield locations should only be proposed when there are no other options available.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.5(b) it was moved by Councillor J Procter, seconded by Councillor Lamb that following the most recent Office of National Statistics (ONS) household projections for Leeds, this Council believes that the case for reducing Leeds’ 70,000 housing target is now even stronger.

 

This Council therefore instructs officers from the planning department to begin work on reviewing the proposed housing number for Leeds immediately.

 

This Council notes the recent success achieved by campaigners opposing the Kirklees Knoll planning application in Farsley. Council welcomes the Government’s decision to refuse this application as a clear sign that Greenbelt or Greenfield locations should only be proposed when there are no other options available.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Leadley, seconded by Councillor Varley,

 

Delete all after ‘Following’ and replace with ;

 

publication of detailed returns from the 2011 Census in 2013, and after noting the most recent Office of National Statistics (ONS) household projections for Leeds, this Council believes that the case for reducing Leeds' LDF Core Strategy housing target of 74,000 new dwellings is now even stronger.

 

Therefore this Council instructs officers in the Planning department to review the housing numbers proposed in the Leeds LDF Core Strategy without delay.

 

This Council notes the recent successes achieved by campaigners opposing the Planning applications at Kirklees Knoll at Farsley, and at Cottingley Springs. Council welcomes the decisions to refuse these applications as clear signs that greenfield and Green Belt locations should be proposed only when no other options are available.

 

A second amendment was moved by Councillor P Gruen, seconded by Councillor Rafique,

 

Delete all after “household projections for Leeds  and replace with:

 

this Council  -once again- affirms its commitment to continually monitor and respond to the available evidence regarding upcoming housing need and delivery.

 

This Council welcomes that this approach has secured recognition of the Council’s 5 year land supply and the importance of having an adopted Core Strategy in the Kirklees Knoll appeal. Council notes the upcoming appeals, where these advances will no doubt be important considerations.

 

Council calls on officers to move ahead with analysis of ONS household projections, in line with the ongoing Site Allocation proposals.

 

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Leadley was declared lost.

 

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

 

RESOLVED - That following the most recent Office of National Statistics (ONS) household projections for Leeds this Council  -once again- affirms its commitment to continually monitor and respond to the available evidence regarding upcoming housing need and delivery.

 

This Council welcomes that this approach has secured recognition of the Council’s 5 year land supply and the importance of having an adopted Core Strategy in the Kirklees Knoll appeal. Council notes the upcoming appeals, where these advances will no doubt be important considerations.

 

Council calls on officers to move ahead with analysis of ONS household projections, in line with the ongoing Site Allocation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 115.

116.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Blake) - Children and Young People pdf icon PDF 73 KB

This Council is proud to put children, young people and families at the heart of our growth strategy for the city.

 

Council commends the progress made for the most vulnerable children in Leeds through the child friendly city ambition, in spite of the damaging policies of the coalition Government and exceptionally challenging financial context.  Progress evidenced by: a safe, appropriate reduction in the number of children and young people in care; a significant rise in young people in education employment and training; and our best ever school attendance figures.

 

Council recognises the unfair disproportionate burden young people have had to bear from the recent financial crisis.

 

Council calls on the next Government to make a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people and put in place meaningful policies to address the poverty, debt, unemployment and mental health challenges that have blighted too many young people growing up in the UK over the past five years.

 

Council calls on the new Government to: invest properly in early intervention, further and higher education, training, employment and accessible transport for young people; demonstrate compassion for the pressures and problems of growing up in today’s society; and devolve more freedom to local services so that those working directly with our young people have the powers and permissions they need to make a difference.

 

Council believes that these measures will start to undo the damage that has been caused over the past five years and ensure that future generations do not suffer from the same massive burden of failing Government austerity measures with regard to young people.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Smart that this Council is proud to put children, young people and families at the heart of our growth strategy for the city.

 

Council commends the progress made for the most vulnerable children in Leeds through the child friendly city ambition, in spite of the damaging policies of the coalition Government and exceptionally challenging financial context.  Progress evidenced by: a safe, appropriate reduction in the number of children and young people in care; a significant rise in young people in education employment and training; and our best ever school attendance figures.

 

Council recognises the unfair disproportionate burden young people have had to bear from the recent financial crisis.

 

Council calls on the next Government to make a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for all children and young people and put in place meaningful policies to address the poverty, debt, unemployment and mental health challenges that have blighted too many young people growing up in the UK over the past five years.

 

Council calls on the new Government to: invest properly in early intervention, further and higher education, training, employment and accessible transport for young people; demonstrate compassion for the pressures and problems of growing up in today’s society; and devolve more freedom to local services so that those working directly with our young people have the powers and permissions they need to make a difference.

 

Council believes that these measures will start to undo the damage that has been caused over the past five years and ensure that future generations do not suffer from the same massive burden of failing Government austerity measures with regard to young people.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor S Bentley

 

In paragraph one delete ‘growth strategy for the’

 

In paragraph two delete ‘the damaging policies of the coalition government and’ in the first sentence

 

Delete paragraph three and replace with new paragraphs to read:

 

‘This Council recognises that Leeds has a long standing commitment to cross party working on established city priorities such as improving services offered to children and young people in the city. This has enabled a whole council approach to driving the improvements in this directorate in recent years.

 

Council further recognises that over the last five years the Government has striven to invest in the future for young people, even in the difficult economic climate inherited from the Labour government.  The last five years has seen the introduction of Pupil Premium; expansion of apprenticeships; free childcare; Free School Meals; the lowest numbers of young people NEET since 2010; the highest ever number of disadvantaged young people entering university and early intervention success with the Troubled Families programme.’

 

Delete paragraphs four, five and six, and replace with new paragraphs to read:

 

‘This Council gives thanks to the hard working Council staff who are doing valuable and important work in often difficult circumstances.

 

’We call upon the next government to continue to ensure that our children and young  ...  view the full minutes text for item 116.

117.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Lay) - Health Budget Devolution pdf icon PDF 45 KB

This council believes that it is best able to both understand and set local health priorities and calls on government to devolve the health and social care funding to Leeds City Region.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Lay, seconded by Councillor J Bentley that this council believes that it is best able to both understand and set local health priorities and calls on government to devolve the health and social care funding to Leeds City Region.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Buckley, seconded by Councillor G Latty

 

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with the following:

 

“regrets that West Yorkshire’s leaders have failed to achieve a devolution agreement on the same scale as what has been achieved in Manchester, where, among other powers, the region is due to receive significant health and social care funding.

 

“Council believes that decisions about health priorities should be taken locally and therefore calls on West Yorkshire’s leaders to work with government in order to get the funding package and powers that the Leeds City Region deserves, including responsibility for health and social care funding.

 

“Council further believes that entrenched opposition to new regional governance models should not be the reason that people in Leeds and the wider region miss out on more powers and funding, and so urges West Yorkshire’s leaders to consider all options on the table with a view to getting the best possible deal for local people.”

 

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Mulherin, seconded by Councillor Coupar;

 

Add:

 

However, Council believes that any devolution of health powers should come with adequate funding to meet the growing financial pressures of and demand for the NHS and Social Care in the city region.

 

Council also believes that any devolution in relation to health funding should be accompanied by strong democratic accountability arrangements and not further bureaucratic layers.

 

Council believes that any new governance structures should be considered in a clear and transparent way.  Council therefore calls on the next Government to create an independent commission to ensure delivery of the devolved powers in as timely a manner as possible.” 

 

Full Motion will the read:

 

“This council believes that it is best able to both understand and set local health priorities and calls on government to devolve the health and social care funding to Leeds City Region.

 

However, Council believes that any devolution of health powers should come with adequate funding to meet the growing financial pressures of and demand for the NHS and Social Care in the city region.

 

Council also believes that any devolution in relation to health funding should be accompanied by strong democratic accountability arrangements and not further bureaucratic layers.

 

Council believes that any new governance structures should be considered in a clear and transparent way.  Council therefore calls on the next Government to create an independent commission to ensure delivery of the devolved powers in as timely a manner as possible.” 

 

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Buckley was declared lost.

 

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

 

RESOLVED - That this council believes that it is best able to both understand and set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

118.

Closing Remarks

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor J L Carter who was attending his last meeting of Council prior to his retirement as an Elected Member of Leeds City Council having served since 1972 briefly addressed the Council and thanked Members for their support over the last 43 years.