Agenda item

Whilst welcoming the recent announcement of the successful Leeds Cycle City bid including £18 million of government funding, Council notes the recommended level of expenditure on cycling in the all-party Get Britain Cycling report is £10 per head per year, a figure which is significantly higher than current expenditure in Leeds.

Council believes that the interest generated by the hosting the Grand Depart of next year's Tour de France represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to increase the number of active cyclists in Leeds and recognises that sustained investment in cycling infrastructure is necessary for many years to come if this is to become a regular mode of transport for more residents.

Given the many benefits that cycling can bring, Council commits to the principle of increasing investment in cycling in Leeds year on year, and asks officers to produce a report to Executive Board, which will feed into the Council's budget-setting process and inform future policy development at both a city and regional level, identifying:

a) Estimated current spending levels on cycling on a per capita basis in Leeds.

b) Spending levels required to achieve the £10 per head target figure.

c) How the gap between current spending levels and how the £10 per head target level might be achieved and a timescale for this.

It was moved by Councillor M Hamilton, seconded by Councillor S Bentley,

That whilst welcoming the recent announcement of the successful Leeds Cycle City bid including £18 million of government funding, Council notes the recommended level of expenditure on cycling in the all-party Get Britain Cycling report is £10 per head per year, a figure which is significantly higher than current expenditure in Leeds.

Council believes that the interest generated by the hosting the Grand Depart of next year's Tour de France represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to increase the number of active cyclists in Leeds and recognises that sustained investment in cycling infrastructure is necessary for many years to come if this is to become a regular mode of transport for more residents.

Given the many benefits that cycling can bring, Council commits to the principle of increasing investment in cycling in Leeds year on year, and asks officers to produce a report to Executive Board, which will feed into the Council's budget-setting process and inform future policy development at both a city and regional level, identifying:

a) Estimated current spending levels on cycling on a per capita basis in Leeds.

b) Spending levels required to achieve the £10 per head target figure.

c) How the gap between current spending levels and how the £10 per head target level might be achieved and a timescale for this.

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

Delete paragraph one.

Council believes that the interest generated by hosting the Grand Depart of next year's Tour de France represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to increase the number of active cyclists in Leeds and recognises that sustained investment in cycling infrastructure is necessary for many years to come if this is to become a regular mode of transport for more residents.

Delete all after and replace with:

Council recognises that the challenge of delivering long-term sustainable investment in cycling has been made substantially harder by the Government decision to reduce Local Transport Plan funding by 50% after 2010/11.

Despite the lack of certainty created by this withdrawal of Government funding and the consequential increase in reliance on project-specific grant funding, this Council reiterates its aspiration to becoming a Cycling City.

Council commits to working with the LEP and other partners to further regional ambitions to boost cycling, build upon growing public interest and maximise resources available locally, regionally and nationally.

Council notes that work is continuing on a dedicated Cycling Strategy and asks that the final report be presented to the Executive Board. 

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

Delete 1st Paragraph.

In paragraph 2, delete after “in cycling infrastructure is” and replace with:

‘important if cycling is to continue to grow in Leeds.’

Delete all after “investment in cycling in Leeds” in paragraph 3 and replace with:

‘whenever budgets allow and to continue to bid for national funding pots, such as the recent Leeds Cycle City bid, to boost cycling infrastructure in the city.’

This Council is mindful of the budget pressures currently facing local authorities and would seek to balance investment in cycling infrastructure against other priorities such as funding for older people’s care services, continued investment in protecting and supporting the city’s young people and children, investing in growth and employment opportunities for Leeds residents and improving the Council’s housing stock.’

Amended motion would read:

Council believes that the interest generated by hosting the Grand Depart of next year's Tour de France represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to increase the number of active cyclists in Leeds and recognises that sustained investment in cycling infrastructure is important if cycling is to continue to grow in Leeds.

Given the many benefits that cycling can bring, Council commits to the principle of increasing investment in cycling in Leeds whenever budgets allow and to continue to bid for national funding pots, such as the recent Leeds Cycle City bid, to boost cycling infrastructure in the city.

This Council is mindful of the budget pressures currently facing local authorities and would seek to balance investment in cycling infrastructure against other priorities such as funding for older people’s care services, continued investment in protecting and supporting the city’s young people and children, investing in growth and employment opportunities for Leeds residents and improving the Council’s housing stock.

The second amendment in the name of Councillor A Carter was declared lost.

The first amendment in the name of Councillor R Lewis was carried, and upon being put as the substantive motion, it was

RESOLVED -  That thisCouncil believes that the interest generated by hosting the Grand Depart of next year's Tour de France represents a once in a lifetime opportunity to increase the number of active cyclists in Leeds and recognises that sustained investment in cycling infrastructure is necessary for many years to come if this is to become a regular mode of transport for more residents.

Council recognises that the challenge of delivering long-term sustainable investment in cycling has been made substantially harder by the Government decision to reduce Local Transport Plan funding by 50% after 2010/11.

Despite the lack of certainty created by this withdrawal of Government funding and the consequential increase in reliance on project-specific grant funding, this Council reiterates its aspiration to becoming a Cycling City.

Council commits to working with the LEP and other partners to further regional ambitions to boost cycling, build upon growing public interest and maximise resources available locally, regionally and nationally.

Council notes that work is continuing on a dedicated Cycling Strategy and asks that the final report be presented to the Executive Board.