Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Governance Services Unit 

Media

Items
No. Item

111.

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 Bernard Atha

Councillor Martin Hamiltion

Councillor Neil Taggart

 

 

b)  The Lord Mayor welcomed media students from Leeds Trinity University, and informed Council that they would be filming/recording proceedings.

 

c)   The Lord Mayor informed Council that Councillor Charlwood had recently given birth to a baby boy.

 

d)  The Lord Mayor reminded all those present that the Council was been webcast.

112.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 288 KB

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 26th February 2014.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 26th February 2014 be approved.

 

113.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

114.

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:

The Chief Executive informed Council that a response to a Council resolution had been received from Nick Boles MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Planning) with regard to a White Paper considered at Council in January 2014

 

The response had previously been circulated to all Members of Council.

 

115.

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)  Leeds Dance Community and the ambition to make Leeds the UKs top city for Dance

 

2)  Meanwood Road Safety Campaign regarding 20 mph zones.

 

 

3)  Leeds Student Union regarding the creation of a standing council of Student Union representatives

 

4)   Morley Heritage Centre regarding a permanent location

 

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

 

 

 

116.

Recommendations of the Executive Board - Local Flood Risk Management Strategy pdf icon PDF 83 KB

To consider the report of the Director of City Development setting out recommendations from the Executive Board on 5 March 2014 to Full Council in respect of the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor R Lewis, seconded by Councillor G Harper and

 

RESOLVED – That the Leeds Local Flood Risk Management Strategy be approved.

 

117.

Recommendations of the General Purposes Committee - 2014/2015 Pay Policy Statement pdf icon PDF 57 KB

To consider the report of the City Solicitor setting out recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on 4 March 2014 to Full Council regarding the 2014/2015 Pay Policy Statement.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED - That the Pay Policy Statement 2014/15 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

 

118.

Recommendations of the General Purposes Committee - Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 62 KB

To consider the report of the City Solicitor setting out recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on 4 March 2014 to Full Council regarding the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED -

 

a)  That Council reconfirms its support for the establishment of a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) in relation to NHS England’s new review of Congenital Heart Disease services;

 

b)  That Council delegates relevant functions, as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report to the General Purposes Committee, that shall be exercisable by the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber), subject to such terms and conditions therein; and ;

 

c)  That Council asks the Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing and Adult Social Care) to nominate a member from within its membership to sit on the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) in relation to the new review of Congenital Heart Disease services and, upon nomination, agrees to appoint such member to the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber). 

 

119.

Recommendations of the Standards and Conduct Committee - Annual Report pdf icon PDF 169 KB

To consider the report of the City Solicitor setting out recommendations from the Standards and Conduct Committee on 7 March 2014 to Full Council regarding the Annual report of the Standards and Conduct Committee.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED - That the annual report of the Standards and Conduct Committee, as presented by the City Solicitor, be received.

 

120.

Report on Appointments and Nominations to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Report to Follow

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED -

 

a)  To appoint the following to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority with effect from 1 April 2014:

 

Labour

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

WYCA member

Cllr K Wakefield

Cllr Andrew Carter

 

WYCA substitute member

Cllr J Blake

The substitute Conservative Party member will be appointed by another Constituent Council

Cllr Stewart Golton

(as substitute for the Liberal Democrat Member of the CA appointed by Calderdale MBC)

 

b)  That the following nominations for co-optees to the committees of the WYCA be recommended and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive,  in consultation with the Group Leaders, to make any additional nominations to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority:

Committee

Labour

Conservative

Liberal Democrat

Transport Committee[1]

(4 Members)

 

Cllr James Lewis

Cllr Michael Lyons

Cllr Kim Groves

 

Cllr Andrew Carter

 

 

 

West Yorkshire and York Investment Committee

(1 member – suggested cabinet member for regeneration)

 

Cllr Richard Lewis

(Executive Member with responsibility for regeneration)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Governance and Audit Committee

(1 member – Chair of Audit committee)

 

Cllr Ghulam Hussain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

(3 members)

Leader’s nominee (to be confirmed)

 

Leader’s nominee (to be confirmed)

Leader’s nominee (to be confirmed)

 

 

 



[1] These Members will also comprise the Leeds District Engagement Sub Committee of the Transport Committee.

121.

Report on Leeds Award pdf icon PDF 56 KB

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED - That the recommendations of the Leeds Award Panel to nominate Mrs Jean Johnson and Professor Emeritus Monty Losowsky to receive the Leeds Award, as presented by the report of the City Solicitor, be approved. 

 

 

122.

Questions

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

Is the Executive Board Member for Development and the Economy able to inform the Council how much funding Leeds will receive from the two government funding allocations (one from the Secretary of State for Transport and one from the Chancellor of the Exchequer) to carry out  extra road repairs?

 

The Executive Member (Development and the Economy) replied.

 

Q2  Councillor Golton to the Leader of Council:-

 

Does the Leader of Council agree that the council must consider proposals such as an increment freeze, cuts to mileage payments, ending pay protection and altering the redeployment process in order to retain essential council services in a period of prolonged austerity?

 

The Leader of Council replied.

 

Q3  Councillor Hanley(in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1c) to the Executive Member (Adult Social Care) :-

 

Please can the Executive Member update council on how Adult Social Care is coping with the issues identified by Age UK’s recent “Crisis in Care” report?

 

(Adult Social Care) replied.

 

Q4  Councillor S Hamilton to the Executive Member (Environment):-

 

Can the Executive Member for Environment and Parks comment on the value and importance of the changes made to refuse collections over the past two years?

 

The Executive Member (Environment) replied.

 

Q5  Councillor Wadsworth to the Executive Member (Environment):-

 

Given the increases in the number of families who cannot afford to bury their relatives, why has the Executive Board Member for the Environment again increased burial charges?

 

The Executive Member (Environment) replied.

 

Q6  Councillor J Bentley to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services):-

 

Is the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services satisfied that the out of hours service is providing a quality response to the tenants of Housing Leeds?

 

 

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

 

Q7  Councillor Iqbal to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy):-

 

Can the Executive Member please update members on the actions taken by the council to reinforce its significant role in aiding the city’s economic recovery?

 

The Executive Member (Development and the Economy) replied.

 

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

 

Does the Executive Member for Children’s Services have any comment on the impact of changes to the Careers Service?

 

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

 

Q9  Councillor Anderson to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services):-

 

Given the Council’s intention to deliver in excess of 50 new gypsy and traveller pitches through the Core Strategy, when will the Executive Board Member consult Leeds residents about the location of these new sites?

 

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

 

Q10  Councillor S Bentley to the Executive Member (Children’s Services):-

 

Does the Executive Member for Children’s Services agree with the Shadow Secretary of State for Education’s comments about academies advertising for unqualified teachers?

 

This question was withdrawn.

 

Q11  Councillor Congreve to the Executive Member Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Planning and Support Services):-

 

Will the Executive Member responsible for planning please  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

123.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 60 KB

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 G Harper 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

 

124.

Back Bench Community Concerns pdf icon PDF 168 KB

To receive Community Concerns in respect of:-

 

1)  Councillor Dawson - Closure of the Kodak site in Morley with the loss  of 210 jobs.

 

2)  Councillor Walker – Responding to trees falling from private property across the public highway.

 

3)  Councillor Downes – Allocation of policing resources in Otley and Yeadon ward.

 

4)  Councillor A Blackburn – Housing Repairs.

 

5)  Councillor Finnigan – The Council decision making process and how they impact upon Morley.

 

6)  Councillor P Latty - Concerns about the configuration of the Station Hotel Junction in Guiseley and Rawdon ward and the possible impacts on pedestrian safety.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council heard the following Community Concerns;

 

1)Councillor Dawson  - Closure of the Kodak site in Morley with the loss of 210 jobs.

 

2)Councillor Walker - Responding to trees falling from private property across the public highway.

 

3)Councillor Downes  Allocation of policing resources in Otley and Yeadon ward

 

4)Councillor A Blackburn – Housing repairs

 

5)Councillor Finnigan – The Council decision making process and how they impact upon Morley.

 

6)Councillor P Latty - Concerns about the configuration of the Station Hotel Junction in Guiseley and Rawdon ward and the possible impacts on pedestrian safety.

 

 

During the consideration of Community Concerns, the meeting was suspended at 4.55 pm and resumed at 5.25 pm

 

125.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor A Carter) - Planning pdf icon PDF 133 KB

This Council reaffirms its opposition to a developer led approach to planning policy.

 

This Council believes that a brown field first approach to development is the right one and further believes that new housing should be prioritised in regeneration areas and areas where there is clear unmet housing need.

 

This Council calls on the administration to act on the following issues:

 

·  Evidence a robust 5 year land supply in Leeds

·  Note and implement the recent planning guidance ‘Making the planning system work more efficiently and effectively’ regarding infrastructure constraints when assessing site suitability

·  Further note the planning guidance with regard to brownfield land, developer profits and previous developer records on unimplemented planning permissions

·  Take action to ensure that housing is not delivered in areas of flood risk

·  Commit to continuing protection of the Greenbelt in Leeds

·  Take note of recent ministerial advice that suggests that phasing of new housing development is not centrally prescribed by Government

This Council believes that housing numbers should not be seen in isolation as simply a positive for growth and a mechanism to address unmet need. These are important, but due consideration has to be given to infrastructure. Otherwise, in Leeds, this will likely result in over-subscribed schools, massively congested roads and key services stretched to breaking point.

 

This Council believes that new housing should be genuinely sustainable and this means delivering the infrastructure to support it before it is built.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Prior to discussion on this matter Councillor A Carter reported that this would be the last ordinary meeting of Council chaired by the current Lord mayor and thanked him for his efforts throughout the current Municipal Year.

 

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.9(a), leave of Council was given to alter the wording of the motion in the name of Councillor Andrew Carter to subsume the amendment in the name of Councillor Cleasby.

 

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(d) and 14.10 and with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to Councillor Cleasby to withdraw the amendment in his name.

 

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Campbell that this Council reaffirms its opposition to a developer led approach to planning policy.

 

This Council believes that a brown field first approach to development is the right one and further believes that new housing should be prioritised in regeneration areas and areas where there is clear unmet housing need.

 

This Council calls on the administration to act on the following issues:

 

·  Evidence a robust 5 year land supply in Leeds

·  Note and implement the recent planning guidance ‘Making the planning system work more efficiently and effectively’ regarding infrastructure constraints when assessing site suitability

·  Further note the planning guidance with regard to brownfield land, developer profits and previous developer records on unimplemented planning permissions

·  Take action to ensure that housing is not delivered in areas of flood risk

·  Commit to continuing protection of the Greenbelt in Leeds

·  Take note of recent ministerial advice that suggests that phasing of new housing development is not centrally prescribed by Government

·  Affirm its commitment to neighbourhood planning and allocate adequate resources to help residents to speedily produce and adopt plans for their communities

This Council believes that housing numbers should not be seen in isolation as simply a positive for growth and a mechanism to address unmet need. These are important, but due consideration has to be given to infrastructure. Otherwise, in Leeds, this will likely result in over-subscribed schools, massively congested roads and key services stretched to breaking point.

 

This Council believes that new housing should be genuinely sustainable and this means delivering the infrastructure to support it before it is built.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor P Gruen, seconded by Councillor J McKenna

 

This Council reaffirms its opposition to a developer led approach to planning policy.

 

Deleted all after and replace with:

 

This Council reiterates its belief that a brown field first approach to development is the right one and further believes that new housing should be prioritised in regeneration areas and areas where there is clear unmet housing need.

 

This Council believes that whilst communities accept the need for new housing they also believe this should be affordable housing in the right places. This is indicated in the policy agreed by Council at its meeting on 15 January 2014, including a clear brownfield first policy which prioritises the use of previously  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125.

126.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Downes) - Leeds Bradford International Airport pdf icon PDF 157 KB

This Council recognises the long term benefits Leeds Bradford International Airport brings to the local and regional economy and fully supports the city region’s proposed infrastructure improvements to improve both its accessibility and connectivity. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Downes, seconded by Councillor Cleasby and

 

RESOLVED – That this Council recognises the long term benefits Leeds Bradford International Airport brings to the local and regional economy and fully supports the city region’s proposed infrastructure improvements to improve both its accessibility and connectivity. 

 

On the requisition of Councillors J Procter and G Latty, the voting on the motion in the name of Councillor Downes was recorded as follows:-

 

YES - 82

 

Akhtar, Anderson, Atha, J Bentley, S Bentley, Blake, Bruce, Buckley, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Castle, Chapman, Cleasby, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Cummins, Davey, Dawson, Dobson, Downes, Dowson, Dunn, Elliott,  Gettings, Golton, P Grahame, R Grahame, C Gruen, P Gruen, M Hamilton, S Hamilton, Hanley, Hardy, Harington, Harland, G Harper, J Harper, Harrand, A Hussain, G Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Ingham, Iqbal, Jarosz, Khan, Lamb, G Latty, P Latty, Lay, Leadley, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lyons, Marjoram, Macniven, Maqsood, A McKenna, J McKenna, Morgan, Mulherin, Nagle, Nash, Ogilvie, J Procter, Rafique, Renshaw, Robinson, Selby, Sobel, Taggart, E Taylor, Towler, Truswell, Urry, Varley, Wadsworth, Wakefield, Walker, Walshaw ,Wilkinson, Wood and Yeadon. 

 

NO - 0

 

ABSTAIN– 3

 

 

A Blackburn, D Blackburn and Collins.

127.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Blake) - Children's Centres pdf icon PDF 198 KB

Council reiterates its commitment to ensure every child in Leeds enjoys the best start in life and welcomes the Administration’s decision to keep all 57 children’s centres open despite massive Government funding cuts.

 

Council further recognises the overwhelming evidence that development in the first years of life is crucial to improving social, economic, educational and health outcomes for children and young people.

 

Given that evidence, members commit to continue to work towards our Best city and Child Friendly ambitions, focusing in particular on ensuring that every child in Leeds is ready to learn before they start school.

 

In support of this approach and the clear evidence of the importance in investing wisely in Early Years, Council calls on Government to immediately:

 

  1. Re-instate the Early Intervention Grant in full
  2. Secure the financial future of Children's Centres and their multi-agency workforce
  3. Provide an additional Early Years investment fund for local partnerships to access, based on the needs of local communities
  4. Support the extension of the successful Families First approach to target the most vulnerable families
  5. Ensure additional health capacity is identified and ring-fenced so as to provide targeted support

 

Council asks that the Chief Executive write to the Secretaries of State for Health and Education.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Harington that Council reiterates its commitment to ensure every child in Leeds enjoys the best start in life and welcomes the Administration’s decision to keep all 57 children’s centres open despite massive Government funding cuts.

 

Council further recognises the overwhelming evidence that development in the first years of life is crucial to improving social, economic, educational and health outcomes for children and young people.

 

Given that evidence, members commit to continue to work towards our Best city and Child Friendly ambitions, focusing in particular on ensuring that every child in Leeds is ready to learn before they start school.

 

In support of this approach and the clear evidence of the importance in investing wisely in Early Years, Council calls on Government to immediately:

 

  1. Re-instate the Early Intervention Grant in full
  2. Secure the financial future of Children's Centres and their multi-agency workforce
  3. Provide an additional Early Years investment fund for local partnerships to access, based on the needs of local communities
  4. Support the extension of the successful Families First approach to target the most vulnerable families
  5. Ensure additional health capacity is identified and ring-fenced so as to provide targeted support

 

Council asks that the Chief Executive write to the Secretaries of State for Health and Education.

 

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

 

Replace “despite massive government funding cuts” with “as well as the coalition government’s announcement of a £2,000 tax break for childcare, its extension of the successful troubled families initiative and the creation of a £50 million early years pupil premium for disadvantaged three and four year olds.”

 

Delete all after “Council” in paragraph four and replace with “resolves not to implement the administration’s proposed 9% increase in nursery fees at council children’s centres.”

 

The amended motion would then read:

 

Council reiterates its commitment to ensure every child in Leeds enjoys the best start in life and welcomes the Administration’s decision to keep all 57 children’s centres open as well as the coalition government’s announcement of a £2,000 tax break for childcare, its extension of the successful troubled families initiative and the creation of a £50 million early years pupil premium for disadvantaged three and four year olds.

 

Council further recognises the overwhelming evidence that development in the first years of life is crucial to improving social, economic, educational and health outcomes for children and young people.

 

Given that evidence, members commit to continue to work towards our Best city and Child Friendly ambitions, focusing in particular on ensuring that every child in Leeds is ready to learn before they start school.

 

In support of this approach and the clear evidence of the importance in investing wisely in Early Years, Council resolves not to implement the administration’s proposed 9% increase in nursery fees at council children’s centres.

 

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor G Latty

 

Delete all after: ‘Council’ and replace with:

 

‘believes that burdening the next generation of children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 127.