Agenda and minutes

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

a)  The Lord Mayor reported the recent deaths of former Councillors F Stringer and B Sanderson and referring to the recent death of Councillor K Hussain, she reported that appropriate tribute would be given at such time that his family were able to attend a Council meeting.  Council stood in silent tribute.

b)  Referring to the recent earthquake in Haiti, the Lord Mayor reported that collection boxes for aid to victims of the disaster would be available in the banqueting hall during recess.

c)  The Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor J McKenna on his selection as Lord Mayor elect and Councillor A McKenna on her consequential role as Lady Mayoress.

To confirm the minutes of the Council Meetings held on 18^th November 2009.

It was moved by Councillor Bentley, seconded by Councillor Gruen and

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 18^th November 2009 be approved.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

The Lord Mayor announced that a list of written declarations submitted by members was on deposit in the public galleries and had been circulated to each Member’s place in the Chamber.

Following an invitation to declare further individual interests, declarations in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct were made as follows:-

a)  Councillor J Chapman declared a personal interest in respect of question 11 referred to in minute 77 of this meeting as a Governor of Weetwood Primary School.

b)  Councillor C Fox declared a personal interest in minute 78 of this meeting and in minute 157 of the Executive Board as a pensioner of Charles F Stead and Co Ltd, a company within the conservation area referred to.

c)  Councillor A Parnham declared a personal interest in minute 171 of the Executive Board referred to in minute 79 of this meeting as a friend of a person referred to therein.

d)  Councillor A Blackburn declared a personal interest in minute 150 of the Executive Board referred to in minute 79 of this meeting as a director of West North West Homes.

e)  Members declared personal interests in minute 80 of this meeting as follows:-

f)  Members declared personal interests in minute 82 of this meeting as follows:-

g)  Members declared personal interests in minute 83 of this meeting as follows:-

h)  Members declared personal interests in minute 84 of this meeting as follows:-

i)  Members declared personal interests in minute 85 of this meeting as follows:-

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10

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

1)  Pupils of Brigshaw High School in matters referred to in the ‘Mayor for the Day’ manifesto – ‘You Don’t Have To Spend a Fortune To Make a Difference’.

2)  Moorland Road Residents regarding the speed limit in Moorland Road, Bramhope.

3)  Young People from the Miles Hill Estate requesting traffic calming measures on the estate.

RESOLVED – That the subject matter of the deputations be referred to the Executive Board for consideration.

To consider reports as follows (the Monitoring Officer considers that these reports are appropriate to be received at this meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(f)):-

(a)  That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance)  on appointments be approved.

S BENTLEY

(b)  That the report of the Director of Resources on the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2010/2011 for the purpose of calculating the Council Tax be approved.

A CARTER

a)  Appointments

It was moved by Councillor Bentley seconded by Councillor Gruen and

RESOLVED - That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on appointments be approved subject to an amendment by the addition that Councillor Barker be appointed to a vacancy on the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods).

b)  Council Tax Base

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Bentley and

RESOLVED - That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended), the amount calculated by the Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2010/2011 shall be 236,630 and for each parish as listed below:-

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11

1.  Councillor J Lewis to the Executive Member (Environmental Services).

Can the Executive Board Member for Environmental Services, please outline how much waste was diverted to landfill during the recent industrial action of bin workers and street cleaners in the city?

The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied.

2.  Councillor Hollingsworth to the Executive Member (Children’s Services).

Would the Executive Board Member for Children’s Services care to comment on OFSTED’s comments regarding ‘Looked After Children’

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

3.  Councillor Lobley to the Leader of Council.

Would the Leader of Council care to comment on the Government decision to stop the Regional Development Agency from funding the full £18m agreed in the Council’s geographic allocation for the Leeds Arena and clarify what support the Council received from Leeds MPs?

The Leader of Council replied.

4.  Councillor J McKenna to the Executive Member (Development and Regeneration).

Can the Executive Board Member for City Development, please notify members what steps this Council is taking to protect the green belt from unwanted planning applications?

The Executive Member (Development and Regeneration) replied.

5.  Councillor Parnham to the Executive Member (Environmental Services).

Can the Executive Member for Environmental Services tell me what plans are in place to deal with the backlog of bin collections, bearing in mind that in some areas the service has not returned to normal after the bin strike?

The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied.

6.  Councillor Driver to the Executive Member (Learning).

  Can the Executive Board Member for Youth Services, please update Members on the implementation of the new youth Connexions contract given the go-ahead by the Council last October?

The Executive Member (Learning) replied.

7.  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Central and Corporate).

Would the Executive Board Member for Central and Corporate care to comment on reductions in sickness absence during the current financial year and also on the hard work and dedication shown by Council Staff during the recent bad weather?

The Executive Member (Central and Corporate) replied.

8.  Councillor Shelbrooke to the Leader of Council.

Would the Leader of Council and Executive Board Member for Development and Regeneration agree with me that it is wholly inappropriate for a member of the Plans Panel to offer support for a planning application still to be considered by that Panel?

The Leader of Council replied.

9.  Councillor Yeadon to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care).

Can the Executive Board Member for Adult Social Care please update members on the future of generic service users at Calverlands Day Centre?

The Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care) 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 responses would be sent to each Member of Council:-

10.  Councillor Atha to the Executive Member (Central and Corporate).

11.  Councillor Chapman to the Executive Member (Learning).

12.  Councillor Lobley to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing).

13.  Councillor Ogilvie to the Executive Member  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on recommendations of the Executive Board in relation to a Key Decision taken under Special Urgency Provisions be approved

A CARTER

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Brett and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on recommendations of the Executive Board in relation to a Key Decision taken under Special Urgency Provisions be accepted.

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

A CARTER

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Brett and

RESOLVED – That the minutes submitted to Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(o) be received.

Council Procedure Rule 4 providing for the winding up of business was applied prior to all notified comments on the minutes having been debated.

(During the debate on this item, Councillor Downes declared a personal interest as the Chair of ‘METRO’.)

The meeting was suspended at 4.55 pm and resumed at 5.25 pm.

This Council expresses its deep concern at the findings of Ofsted’s recent announced inspection of Leeds City Council’s Children’s Services department.

Council is alarmed about Ofsted’s disturbing conclusions, which follow similarly damning comments arising from an unannounced inspection of the department last year, which found that out of a sample of 23 children case files, seven children were found to be at potential risk of serious harm.  Further reports have highlighted that a third of the indicators we are judged against have been deemed to be inadequate.  This underlines the concern of everyone in the city over the safeguarding and well-being of our most vulnerable children.

Council affirms that the safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority, and that this Council has once again failed to fulfil this most vital of responsibilities.

Furthermore, Council condemns Executive Board member for Children’s Services Cllr Stewart Golton, and previous incumbents in the role Councillors Richard Brett and Brian Jennings for their continued failure to tackle key weaknesses within the department.

Council therefore resolves that:

1.  An urgent report on Ofsted’s inspection be brought to an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Board as soon as possible.

2.  In order to ensure full and transparent accountability, Children’s Services  Scrutiny Board should be chaired by a member of the opposition.

L MULHERIN

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10, with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to alter the fifth and final paragraph of the motion by replacing the word ‘resolves’ with the word ‘urges’, now placed after the numeral ‘1’, and the insertion of the words ‘Resolves that’ after the numeral ‘2’.

It was moved by Councillor Mulherin, seconded by Councillor Blake that

This Council expresses its deep concern at the findings of Ofsted’s recent announced inspection of Leeds City Council’s Children’s Services department.

Council is alarmed about Ofsted’s disturbing conclusions, which follow similarly damning comments arising from an unannounced inspection of the department last year, which found that out of a sample of 23 children case files, seven children were found to be at potential risk of serious harm.  Further reports have highlighted that a third of the indicators we are judged against have been deemed to be inadequate.  This underlines the concern of everyone in the city over the safeguarding and well-being of our most vulnerable children.

Council affirms that the safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority, and that this Council has once again failed to fulfil this most vital of responsibilities.

Furthermore, Council condemns Executive Board member for Children’s Services Cllr Stewart Golton, and previous incumbents in the role Councillors Richard Brett and Brian Jennings for their continued failure to tackle key weaknesses within the department.

Council therefore:-

1.  Urges that an urgent report on Ofsted’s inspection be brought to an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Board as soon as possible.

2.  Resolves that in order to ensure full and transparent accountability, Children’s Services Scrutiny Board should be chaired by a member of the opposition.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Bale to

Delete all after ‘This Council’ and replace with

‘notes the conclusions of OfSTED’s recent announced Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked-After Children Services.  In particular, it notes the comment on improved outcomes for looked-after children and recognition of the improvements to safeguarding services within the city achieved in the 12 weeks since the previous inspection.

‘Nevertheless, the areas highlighted by the Inspectors as still performing inadequately remain our priority for attention.  Therefore,  Council commits to maintaining the sustained investment in children’s services to meet the challenges outlined in OfSTED’s conclusions.’

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

RESOLVED – That this Council notes the conclusions of OfSTED’s recent announced Inspection of Safeguarding and Looked-After Children Services.  In particular, it notes the comment on improved outcomes for looked-after children and recognition of the improvements to safeguarding services within the city achieved in the 12 weeks since the previous inspection.

Nevertheless, the areas highlighted by the Inspectors as still performing inadequately remain our priority for attention.  Therefore,  Council commits to maintaining the sustained investment in children’s services to meet the challenges outlined in OfSTED’s conclusions.

During the debate on this item, Councillor Lancaster declared personal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

During the debate under minute 80, it was moved by Councillor Bentley, seconded by Councillor D Blackburn and

RESOLVED – That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1, Procedure Rules 3.1(c) and 4.2 be suspended to allow that the amendments to the motion referred to in minute 82 below may be moved, seconded and voted upon without debate.

Council welcomes the Leeds Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, but recognises that it does not go far enough in reducing CO₂ emissions and does not, as yet, commit the city to the actions that are needed.

Council therefore calls on the Executive Board:

1)  To introduce a target of reducing CO₂ emissions by an annual rate of 10% per year for the city as a whole, i.e. an overall reduction of around 65% between 2010 and 2020 against a 2005 baseline.

2)  To provide quarterly updates on performance against the target.

A BLACKBURN

It was moved by Councillor A Blackburn, seconded by Councillor Parnham that

Council welcomes the Leeds Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, but recognises that it does not go far enough in reducing CO₂ emissions and does not, as yet, commit the city to the actions that are needed.

Council therefore calls on the Executive Board:

1)  To introduce a target of reducing CO₂ emissions by an annual rate of 10% per year for the city as a whole, i.e. an overall reduction of around 65% between 2010 and 2020 against a 2005 baseline.

2)  To provide quarterly updates on performance against the target.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Monaghan, seconded by Councillor Brett to

Delete all after ‘Council welcomes the Leeds Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan’ and replace with:-

‘Notes that climate change is man made and that the city’s climate change strategy has a general target of an 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050 in line with the Climate Change Act. Council recognises that it has a responsibility to help prevent climate change and that doing so will create local jobs, reduce local fuel poverty, improve local health and create local economic benefit. Council recognises that significant early local action via interim targets is essential for prevention to be most effective and to maximise the economic and social benefits.

Council welcomes the Executive Board’s recent decision to reduce carbon emissions from Leeds City Council’s own estate by at least 40% by 2020 and recognises the need for similar reductions across Leeds as a whole.

Council therefore resolves to:-

·  Work with national government to reduce emissions in the Leeds area towards a goal of at least 40% by 2020.

·  Produce an action plan to achieve these reductions, including:

·  Supporting energy efficiency in Leeds homes and commercial buildings, micro renewables in Leeds homes and commercial buildings, and Leeds district CHP schemes

·  Approve renewable energy schemes to decarbonise the grid, increased use of public transport and increased use of greener vehicles in Leeds

·  Produce a scientifically modelled analysis of how much carbon each measure is expected to save

·  Publish carbon budgets for both the council’s own operations and the wider city

·  Publish this action and begin its implementation by autumn of the same year.

·  Identify resources to enable the creation and implementation of the plan, so as not to detract from the excellent work being carried out under the current Climate Change Strategy, the “Vision for Action”

·  Report annually to the Climate Change Partnership on progress towards the delivery of the 40% reduction target.

Council further recognises that truly decisive action to reduce carbon emissions requires significant additional resources and powers from the government. Council therefore supports the Get Serious About CO2 campaign for national government action to assist local authorities with additional funds and legal powers to make radical changes to act on climate change.’

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Harington, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie to

Delete all after  ‘Council welcomes the Leeds Climate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

This Council underlines its commitment to Leeds Kirkgate Market and all markets across the city. Council notes that some progress has been made at Kirkgate Market recently, but recognises a lot of hard work still needs to be done to address a wide-range of challenging and critical issues.

Council also acknowledges the important role that traders play in Kirkgate Market, and resolves therefore to do everything in its power to save and preserve this vital retail asset in our city.

M DOBSON

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.11, with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to Councillor Dobson to withdraw the motion in his name.

This Council notes that over £7 billion of public spending takes place in the Leeds District on an annual basis.

Council further notes that less than 10% of this public spending is raised locally and that this causes major problems in terms of public accountability as well as creating a democratic deficit.

Council therefore supports moves to improve democratic accountability at a local level through:-

·  return of business rates to local authority control

·  less interference by central government in regional funding decisions

·  more powers of scrutiny over regional bodies and the health service

·  continuing development of Leeds City Region

Council recognises the negative impact this government has had on democratic accountability and further recognises the impact that proposed government cuts will have on frontline services in Leeds. As a result of the poor deal given to Leeds in the current CSR and the economic forecast for the coming years this council concludes that a new approach is needed to local government both in Leeds and nationally.

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to Gordon Brown and Leeds MPs and all MEPs serving the Leeds area asking them in the light of the “total place initiative” to support measures that would improve democratic accountability in Leeds.

R BRETT

It was moved by Councillor Brett, seconded by Councillor A Carter that

This Council notes that over £7 billion of public spending takes place in the Leeds District on an annual basis.

Council further notes that less than 10% of this public spending is raised locally and that this causes major problems in terms of public accountability as well as creating a democratic deficit.

Council therefore supports moves to improve democratic accountability at a local level through:-

·  return of business rates to local authority control;

·  less interference by central government in regional funding decisions;

·  more powers of scrutiny over regional bodies and the health service;

·  continuing development of Leeds City Region

Council recognises the negative impact this government has had on democratic accountability and further recognises the impact that proposed government cuts will have on frontline services in Leeds. As a result of the poor deal given to Leeds in the current CSR and the economic forecast for the coming years this council concludes that a new approach is needed to local government both in Leeds and nationally.

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to Gordon Brown and Leeds MPs and all MEPs serving the Leeds area asking them in the light of the “total place initiative” to support measures that would improve democratic accountability in Leeds.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Gruen, seconded by Councillor Taggart

To replace the word ‘interference’ with the word ‘involvement’ in the second bullet point and to delete the paragraph commencing ‘Council recognises’.

The amendment was declared lost and upon the motion being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council notes that over £7 billion of public spending takes place in the Leeds District on an annual basis.

Council further notes that less than 10% of this public spending is raised locally and that this causes major problems in terms of public accountability as well as creating a democratic deficit.

Council therefore supports moves to improve democratic accountability at a local level through:-

·  return of business rates to local authority control;

·  less interference by central government in regional funding decisions;

·  more powers of scrutiny over regional bodies and the health service;

·  continuing development of Leeds City Region

Council recognises the negative impact this government has had on democratic accountability and further recognises the impact that proposed government cuts will have on frontline services in Leeds. As a result of the poor deal given to Leeds in the current CSR and the economic forecast for the coming years this council concludes that a new approach is needed to local government both in Leeds and nationally.

Council asks the Chief Executive to write to Gordon Brown and Leeds MPs and all MEPs serving the Leeds area asking them in the light of the “total place initiative” to support measures that would improve democratic accountability in Leeds.

This Council underlines its commitment to providing recreational open space and playing pitches for residents right across the city. Council notes the particularly acute shortage of such recreational space within 3 miles of the city centre, and recognises the massive blow to the local community if the playing fields located on the former Leeds Girls High site were to be lost.

Council therefore pledges to do all it can to increase the total area of public recreational land in the city, and vigorously protect all playing pitches designated under UDP policy N6 from non-recreational built development.

J ILLINGWORTH

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.11, with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to Councillor Illingworth to withdraw the motion in his name.

This Council congratulates Leeds Labour MP’s on their efforts in securing £9.9m of funding to help develop the arena scheme in our city.

Council welcomes this financial support from the Government again, and looks forward to the inward investment, regeneration and jobs this project will deliver in our city

R LEWIS

Having been duly authorised in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.3(b), it was moved by Councillor Ogilvie, seconded by Councillor Wakefield that

This Council congratulates Leeds Labour MP’s on their efforts in securing £9.9m of funding to help develop the arena scheme in our city.

Council welcomes this financial support from the Government again, and looks forward to the inward investment, regeneration and jobs this project will deliver in our city.

An amendment was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Lobley to

Delete all after ‘This Council’ and replace with:-

‘, whilst being grateful for £9.9 million worth of funding from the RDA as part of the Leeds Geographic Programme, condemns the inability of the Leeds' Labour MPs to successfully lobby for the full £18m investment initially requested by Leeds City Council.

This Council notes, yet again, this Government's failure to fully support the City of Leeds. This Council also notes with concern the inability of the opposition Labour Group to have any influence with its own Members of Parliament or the Labour Government.’

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

RESOLVED – That this Council, whilst being grateful for £9.9 million worth of funding from the RDA as part of the Leeds Geographic Programme, condemns the inability of the Leeds' Labour MPs to successfully lobby for the full £18m investment initially requested by Leeds City Council.

This Council notes, yet again, this Government's failure to fully support the City of Leeds. This Council also notes with concern the inability of the opposition Labour Group to have any influence with its own Members of Parliament or the Labour Government.

On the requisition of Councillors Lobley and Shelbrooke, the voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:-

YES

Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Beverley, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Castle, Chapman, Chastney, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, R Finnigan, Fox, Gettings, Golton, Grayshon, Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Hollingsworth, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lamb, Lancaster, Latty, Leadley, Lobley, Marjoram, Matthews, Monaghan, J Procter, R Procter, Pryke, L Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, A Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson.

51

NO

Armitage, Atha, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, Hanley, Harington, Harper, A Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, J Lewis, Lyons, J McKenna, Morgan, L Mulherin, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, E Taylor, K Wakefield, Yeadon.

38

ABSTAIN

A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Parnham.

3

On the requisition of Councillors J L Carter and Lobley, the voting on the substantive motion was recorded as follows:-

YES

Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Beverley, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Castle, Chapman, Chastney, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, R Finnigan, Fox, Gettings, Golton,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.