Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Kevin Tomkinson, Governance Services Unit 

Media

Items
No. Item

93.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

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

 

b)  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 Susan Bentley

Councillor Judith Chapman

Councillor Brian Cleasby

Councillor David Congreve

Councillor Patrick Davey

Councillor Ghulam Hussain

Councillor Graham Hyde

Councillor Josephine Jarosz

Councillor Christine Macniven

Councillor Stuart McKenna

Councillor Adam Ogilvie

Councillor John Procter

Councillor Rachael Procter

Councillor Brian Selby

Councillor Alex Sobel

Councillor Christine Towler

Councillor Chris Townsley

Councillor Shirley Varley

Councillor Terry Wilford

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon

 

c)  The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of the French police officer Lt Col Arnaud Beltrame who had worked in Leeds in 2014 as part of the Tour de France Grand Depart and offered her sympathy to those affected by this tragic event.

 

d)  The Lord Mayor also referred to the recent death of Mike Davenport a former officer of the Council.

 

 

Council stood in silent tribute.

94.

Minutes of the last Meeting pdf icon PDF 3 MB

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 21 February 2018.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 21st February 2018 be approved.

 

95.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interests.

 

96.

Communications

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no communications.

97.

Deputations

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

1)  A group regarding the location of the Arthur Louis Aaron statue.

 

2)  A group campaigning for Fair Access to Local Schools Group.

 

3)  A group regarding the West Yorkshire Pension Fund Investment Strategies.

 

4)  A group in respect of the Leeds Poverty Truth Commission.

 

 

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of deputation 1 be referred to the Director of City Development for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, that the subject matter in respect of deputation 2 be referred to the Director of Children and Families for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, that the subject matter in respect of deputation 3 be referred to the Director of Resources and Housing for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member and that the subject matter in respect of deputation 4 be referred to the Director of Communities and Environment for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

98.

Recommendations of the Executive Board - Refresh of the Children and Young People's Plan pdf icon PDF 785 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families setting out recommendations from the Executive Board on 21 March 2018 to Full Council in respect of the Children and Young People’s Plan.

 

(Report to follow)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Mulherin, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie and

 

RESOLVED -

 

(a)  That the revised Children and Young People’s Plan (CYPP), following the consultation process, discussion and approval at Executive Board, and at Children and Families Trust Board, covering 2018 to 2023 be approved.

(b)  To agree that updates on the CYPP priorities will be reflected in Best Council Plan monitoring, undertaken by the Children and Families Trust Board, and provided six monthly to Scrutiny Board (Children and Families).

 

99.

Recommendations of the General Purposes Committee - Appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel pdf icon PDF 329 KB

To consider the report of the City Solicitor following consideration of the matter by General Purposes Committee on 7th March 2018 asking Full Council to approve appointments to the Leeds City Council Independent Remuneration Panel.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie and

 

RESOLVED – Toapprove the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee and that Kevin Emsley, Chris Jelley and Dr Kate Hill be appointed as Members of the Leeds City Council Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 4 years from the commencement of the new Municipal year.

 

100.

Recommendations of the General Purposes Committee - Community Governance Review - Final Recommendations for Ledston Parish Council pdf icon PDF 94 KB

To consider the report of Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration

following consideration of the matter by General Purposes Committee on 7th March 2018 asking Full Council to agree to the final proposals for the community governance review in relation to the proposed abolition of Ledston Parish Council.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie and

 

RESOLVED – To consider the final recommendations for Ledston Parish Council and confirm that the proposal to abolish the Parish Council will not be progressed.

 

101.

Recommendations of the General Purposes Committee - Approval of the 2018/19 Pay Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 23 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (HR) setting out recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on 7 March 2018 to Full Council to approve a revised pay policy statement.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie and

 

RESOLVED –

 

a.  That the updated 2018/19  financial year pay policy statement as set out in Appendix A of the attached report to General Purposes Committee be approved;

b.  That any in year requirement to amend the Annual Pay Policy Statement as a consequence of changes to Council policies is undertaken by the Director of Resources and Housing and/or the Chief Officer HR on advice from the Section 151 Officer and that this is reported to the General Purposes Committee who will make recommendation to Full Council for approval

c.  To delegate to the Chief Officer HR authority to make any necessary adjustments to the Council’s pay scales arising from nationally agreed pay awards.

 

 

 

102.

Report on Licensing Annual Report pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration presenting to Council the annual report on Entertainment Licensing and Taxi and Private Hire Licensing.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Selby seconded by Councillor Ogilvie and

 

RESOLVED – That the Licensing annual report be received and noted.

 

103.

Report of the Standards and Conduct Committee pdf icon PDF 114 KB

To consider the report of the City Solicitor presenting to Full Council the annual report relating to matters within the Standards and Conduct committee’s terms of reference.  Council Procedure Rule 2.2 (f) stipulates that the annual report of the committee must be referred to full Council for consideration; this being to support the duty of the Authority to promote and maintain high standards of conducts by Members and co-opted Members of the Council.

 

 

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Nash, seconded by Councillor Selby and

 

RESOLVED - That the report of the City Solicitor be received and the matters set out in the annual report be noted.


 

 

104.

Questions

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Q1  Councillor Amanda Carter to the Executive Member (Communities):-

 

Is the Executive Member for Communities satisfied that the managed area in Holbeck is now being managed more effectively, to the satisfaction of local residents and businesses?

 

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

 

Q2  Councillor Jonathan Bentley to the Executive Member (Regeneration, transport and planning):-

 

Can the executive member explain why the consultation on bus improvement measures on the A660 will not commence until June despite consultation having already commenced on schemes for other less congested bus routes?

 

The Executive Member (Regeneration, transport and planning) replied.

 

Q3  Councillor Ghulam Hussain to the Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults):-

 

Please can the Executive Member comment on the recent findings from the independent What Works Centre for Wellbeing?

 

The Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults) replied.

 

Q4  Councillor Catherine Dobson to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

 

Can the Executive Member confirm that the proposals to establish an academy (free school) on the protected site at Fearnville are permanently off the table?

 

The Executive Member (Children and Families) replied.

 

Q5  Councillor David Nagle to the Executive Member (Communities):-

 

Please can the Executive Member update Council on the efforts of Leeds City Council staff and partners in engaging with rough sleepers during the recent extreme cold weather?

 

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

 

Q6  Councillor Dan Cohen to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

 

Does the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning agree with me that referring to the Connecting Leeds Consultation events as "Transforming the Bus Network" was misleading?

 

The Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) replied.

 

Q7  Councillor Stewart Golton to the Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport committee:-

 

Can the chair of the WYCA transport committee detail the action he has taken to address the recent changes to the Hallam Line that have resulted in cuts to services at Woodlesford and fewer carriages?

 

The Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority transport committee replied.

 

Q8  Councillor J McKenna to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

 

Can the Executive Member provide an update to Council on the efforts of the Highways and Transportation service in response to the recent inclement weather?

 

The Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) replied.

 

Q9  Councillor A Blackburn to the Executive Member (Communities):-

 

Can the relevant Executive Member inform me if all the councillors who are landlords are members of the Leeds Rental Standard and, if not, name the ones that are not? 

 

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

 

Q10  Withdrawn

 

Q11  Councillor Matthew Robinson to the Executive Member (Environment and Sustainability).

 

Will the Executive Board Member for Environment & Sustainability say  what land the Council has identified within its ownership to support and use to  help deliver the hugely welcome Northern Forest scheme?

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.3(b) the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) replied.

 

At the conclusion of question time, the following questions remained unanswered and it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

105.

Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Executive Board pdf icon PDF 101 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie 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.

 

 

At the conclusion of this item Council adjourned from 16.25 to 17.05.

106.

Report on Devolution pdf icon PDF 96 KB

To consider a report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters related to the progress of Devolution and matters regarding the Leeds City Region LEP and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED – That the report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters in respect of devolution be received.

107.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor B Anderson) -Waste and Recycling Strategy pdf icon PDF 58 KB

This Council recognises the importance that Leeds residents place on waste and recycling services and believes that a more ambitious strategy is called for to deliver long overdue improvements to these services.

 

Council therefore calls for the development of a waste and recycling strategy that will see:

 

·  An expansion to a 12 month brown bin collection service that is accessible to all those that need it;

·  Kerbside glass collections for all Leeds residents;

·  An expanded food waste service;

·  An increase on the current 38.5% recycling rate in Leeds to ensure that the 50% target is met by 2020.

 

This Council is also concerned about the hugely unpopular charges for inert waste introduced this year, especially given that a Council Tax increase of 4.99% has also been passed on to Leeds residents, and believes that these charges should be immediately reversed.

 

Council notes the report to Executive Board in November 2017 but believes that this strategy was lacking in ambition and should be revisited with renewed energy to ensure that Leeds residents can access a service that meets their needs in terms of commonly recycled items and also serves to increase the city’s recycling rate that has been in significant decline in recent years.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor Wadsworth that this Council recognises the importance that Leeds residents place on waste and recycling services and believes that a more ambitious strategy is called for to deliver long overdue improvements to these services.

 

Council therefore calls for the development of a waste and recycling strategy that will see:

 

·  An expansion to a 12 month brown bin collection service that is accessible to all those that need it;

·  Kerbside glass collections for all Leeds residents;

·  An expanded food waste service;

·  An increase on the current 38.5% recycling rate in Leeds to ensure that the 50% target is met by 2020.

 

This Council is also concerned about the hugely unpopular charges for inert waste introduced this year, especially given that a Council Tax increase of 4.99% has also been passed on to Leeds residents, and believes that these charges should be immediately reversed.

 

Council notes the report to Executive Board in November 2017 but believes that this strategy was lacking in ambition and should be revisited with renewed energy to ensure that Leeds residents can access a service that meets their needs in terms of commonly recycled items and also serves to increase the city’s recycling rate that has been in significant decline in recent years.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor J Bentley, seconded by Councillor Golton

 

Insert before final paragraph:

 

“Council further regrets the administration’s failure to implement its plans to rationalise bin routes and urges it to complete this without delay thus achieving over £1 million of productivity savings that could be spent on service expansion and improvements”

 

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Yeadon, seconded by Councillor Garthwaite

 

Remove all after “This Council recognises the importance that Leeds residents place on waste and recycling services…” and replace with:

 

“…and notes the ambitious review of the City’s Waste Strategy that is currently underway.

 

Council notes that the Waste Strategy Review outlined at November’s Executive Board will fully assess the feasibility of a number of recycling opportunities including expanding our food waste collection service and introducing kerbside glass collections. Council supports the formation of a cross-party working group to help inform the review.

 

Council notes that despite significant budget pressures it has already been agreed that brown bin collections will be expanded to cover all suitable properties in the city over the coming months.

 

This Council recognises that pressures affecting the international market for recycling have resulted in a drop in the amount recycled both in Leeds and nationwide, evidencing the need for government to invest in local recycling infrastructure in order to make the UK more self-sufficient.

 

This Council calls on government to move from solely focussing on recycling rates towards a focus on the overall reduction of waste, by moving to more meaningful targets which include recycling, but also the overall level of waste arising per head of population.

 

Council also calls on government to put greater responsibility on the producers of waste to pay for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

108.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Coupar) - West Yorkshire Police Funding pdf icon PDF 80 KB

This Council records its utmost appreciation for the exceptional efforts of West Yorkshire Police in serving the people of Leeds.

 

Council notes the appalling record of the Conservative and coalition governments in resourcing our nation’s police forces, cutting £2.3billion from police budgets and 21,000 Police Officers since 2010, leading to the highest rise in recorded crime for a quarter of a century.

 

Council is gravely concerned the Conservative led Government has cut West Yorkshire Police’s budget by £140m since 2010.  By contrast Council notes the success of the Labour administration in maintaining the number of PCSOs in the Leeds district, with match funding secured from the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

Council is dismayed that the most recent Government funding settlement yet again fails to provide adequate resources for West Yorkshire Police and unfairly places more of the burden for funding the service away from central government and on to Leeds council tax payers.  

 

This Council therefore calls for an urgent increase in resources for West Yorkshire Police from central government to allow officers to tackle crime and maintain essential public safety for the people of Leeds.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Coupar, seconded by Councillor Lowe that this Council records its utmost appreciation for the exceptional efforts of West Yorkshire Police in serving the people of Leeds.

 

Council notes the appalling record of the Conservative and coalition governments in resourcing our nation’s police forces, cutting £2.3billion from police budgets and 21,000 Police Officers since 2010, leading to the highest rise in recorded crime for a quarter of a century.

 

Council is gravely concerned the Conservative led Government has cut West Yorkshire Police’s budget by £140m since 2010.  By contrast Council notes the success of the Labour administration in maintaining the number of PCSOs in the Leeds district, with match funding secured from the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner.

 

Council is dismayed that the most recent Government funding settlement yet again fails to provide adequate resources for West Yorkshire Police and unfairly places more of the burden for funding the service away from central government and on to Leeds council tax payers.  

 

This Council therefore calls for an urgent increase in resources for West Yorkshire Police from central government to allow officers to tackle crime and maintain essential public safety for the people of Leeds.

 

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

 

Delete all following paragraph one

 

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Amanda Carter, seconded by Councillor Buckley

 

Delete all after first paragraph and replace with:

 

“However this Council is dismayed at the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner’s handling of Police finances in West Yorkshire, including his decision to sit on funds reaching more than £103 million in total useable reserves by March 2016. This astonishing level of reserves represented a quarter of West Yorkshire Police’s total budget at the time, and was amassed during a period of under-recruitment that meant the Force was significantly under strength compared to similar sized Forces such as Greater Manchester and West Midlands.

 

“Council welcomes the belated decision of the Police and Crime Commissioner to now invest in frontline policing, but fears his prevarication may have contributed to the rise in crime seen across the region.

 

“Council notes that nationally the funding settlement for 2018/19 delivers an increase in overall police funding, and in cash terms West Yorkshire’s budget will be £15.5m higher than last year.

 

“This Council calls on the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner to use available funds more effectively to allow officers to tackle crime and maintain essential public safety for the people of Leeds.”

 

Motion would read:

 

“This Council records its utmost appreciation for the exceptional efforts of West Yorkshire Police in serving the people of Leeds.

 

“However this Council is dismayed at the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner’s handling of Police finances in West Yorkshire, including his decision to sit on funds reaching more than £103 million in total useable reserves by March 2016. This astonishing level of reserves represented a quarter of West Yorkshire Police’s total budget at the time, and was amassed during a period of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

109.

Procedural Motion - Suspension of Council Procedure Rules

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Finnigan, seconded by Councillor Leadley that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule (CPR) 22.1 (Suspension of CPRs), that CPR 12.1 (Motions on notice) be suspended to allow the introduction of a White Paper in his name and any amendments to that White Paper as set out in the order paper.

 

Upon being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED – That Council Procedure Rule 12.1 (Motions on notice) be suspended to allow the introduction of a White Paper in Councillor Finnigan’s name and any amendments to that White Paper as set out in the order paper.

 

 

110.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Finnigan) - Clean Air Zones

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Finnigan, seconded by Councillor Varley that this Councils supports the principles of a clean air zone but notes that any final proposals must not impose significant penalties on small and medium sized businesses.

 

This Council is therefore calling on government to provide a support package to help mitigate the impact of any changes.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor Wadsworth

 

Delete all after ‘medium sized businesses’ and replace with:

 

‘Council notes the £1m of DEFRA grant already received but calls on the Executive Board to bring forward as a matter of urgency any further asks of Central Government so that a support package to help mitigate the impact of any changes can be agreed with The Government, The Council, WYCA and local businesses.

 

This report should clearly set out the Council offer to businesses and the cost to the public purse both locally and nationally and what the Council will do to work more closely and effectively in the future on all issues of concern to the city with Central Government.’

 

Motion will read:

 

‘This Councils supports the principles of a clean air zone but notes that any final proposals must not impose significant penalties on small and medium sized businesses.

 

Council notes the £1m of DEFRA grant already received but calls on the Executive Board to bring forward as a matter of urgency any further asks of Central Government so that a support package to help mitigate the impact of any changes can be agreed with The Government, The Council, WYCA and local businesses.

 

This report should clearly set out the Council offer to businesses and the cost to the public purse both locally and nationally and what the Council will do to work more closely and effectively in the future on all issues of concern to the city with Central Government.’

 

The amendment in the name of Councillor Anderson was declared lost and upon being put to the vote it was

 

RESOLVED - That this Councils supports the principles of a clean air zone but notes that any final proposals must not impose significant penalties on small and medium sized businesses.

 

This Council is therefore calling on government to provide a support package to help mitigate the impact of any changes.

 

111.

Closing Remarks

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In closing the meeting the Lord Mayor informed Council that Saturday 31st March would be the international transgender day of visibility for which there would be events held to which everyone was welcome, she also informed Council that this would be her last ordinary meeting of Council as Lord Mayor and it had been a great pleasure Chairing meetings of Council.