Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 13 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Illingworth declared a personal interest as a Director of Kirkstall Valley Park.

Councillor Wakefield declared a personal interest as a member of Yorkshire Wildlife.

To consider an appeal by a member of Council following refusal of access to the following information:

Who had access to the Abbey Mills and St Ann’s Mills buildings after the termination of the most recent leases, whether officers were present during all visits or whether some visitors were issued with keys.

The Councillor’s submission is attached to the agenda.

The submission of the Director of City  Development is also attached.

The Committee heard an appeal by Councillor Illingworth following refusal by the Director of City Development to allow him access to the following information:

Who had access to the Abbey Mills and St Ann’s Mills buildings after the termination of the most recent leases, whether officers were present during all visits or whether some visitors were issued with keys.

Written submissions by the Department and the appellant had been provided to the Committee in advance of the hearing and each presented their case to the Committee.On questioning by the Committee, the appellant confirmed that if he received the information, he would decide whether or not he should disclose it to his constituents but stated that he would undertake not to deal with it irresponsibly.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That bearing in mind the commercial sensitivity of the information at this time, the appeal be refused.

(b)  That the Director of City Development reconsider the request when there are no longer commercial interest issues relevant to that information.

To invite the appellant to make a statement with regard to other information which he considers should be released to him in order that the Committee can determine which further appeal hearings may be necessary in relation to that information.

The Committee invited Councillor Illingworth to make a statement with regard to other information which he considered should be released to him in order that they could determine if any further appeal hearings may be necessary in relation to that information.

In a verbal statement Councillor Illingworth requested that he be provided with a chronology from 2003 of significant and relevant material in relation to Abbey Mills and St Ann’s Mills, to include details of all discussions,whether informal or otherwise, with external parties regarding proposed uses of the Mills.

The Department advised that, other than specific pieces of information which the appellant had requested and previously been refused and for which he had had the right of appeal, the appellant had already been provided with or allowed access to all information the Department had on the matter.

RESOLVED –  Members were satisfied that the Department had already provided to the appellant details of all the significant and relevant material in relation to Abbey Mills and St Ann’s Mills and therefore the appellants request for such a chronology was refused.