Agenda item

This Council recognises the significance of 400^th Anniversary of Leeds receiving our Great Charter as a borough from King Charles I, and commits to celebrating this milestone in our city’s history. Council notes the impressive series of events organised to mark the 300^th anniversary in 1926 and commits to ensuring that this generation of Leeds citizens enjoys a festival deserving of the 400^th anniversary.

In order for this celebration to be truly enjoyed citywide, and to leave a lasting legacy that benefits all communities within the modern boundaries of Leeds, this Council commits to learn the lessons of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture. It is therefore proposed that an all party members board be appointed to review the evaluation reports from Leeds 2023 during 2024, and develop plans during 2025 for the 400^th Anniversary Celebration in 2026.

It was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Chapman that this Council recognises the significance of 400^th Anniversary of Leeds receiving our Great Charter as a borough from King Charles I, and commits to celebrating this milestone in our city’s history. Council notes the impressive series of events organised to mark the 300^th anniversary in 1926 and commits to ensuring that this generation of Leeds citizens enjoys a festival deserving of the 400^th anniversary.

In order for this celebration to be truly enjoyed citywide, and to leave a lasting legacy that benefits all communities within the modern boundaries of Leeds, this Council commits to learn the lessons of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture. It is therefore proposed that an all party members board be appointed to review the evaluation reports from Leeds 2023 during 2024, and develop plans during 2025 for the 400^th Anniversary Celebration in 2026.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Foster, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter

Add the following to the end of the motion:

“Part of the role of that Board should be to look for partners within the private sector and wider community to fund the Celebration, with a guiding principle from the project’s inception being that there should be no cost to taxpayers other than the Council’s convening power.”

Motion would read:

“This Council recognises the significance of 400^th Anniversary of Leeds receiving our Great Charter as a borough from King Charles I, and commits to celebrating this milestone in our city’s history. Council notes the impressive series of events organised to mark the 300^th anniversary in 1926 and commits to ensuring that this generation of Leeds citizens enjoys a festival deserving of the 400^th anniversary.

“In order for this celebration to be truly enjoyed citywide, and to leave a lasting legacy that benefits all communities within the modern boundaries of Leeds, this Council commits to learn the lessons of Leeds 2023 Year of Culture. It is therefore proposed that an all party members board be appointed to review the evaluation reports from Leeds 2023 during 2024, and develop plans during 2025 for the 400^th Anniversary Celebration in 2026.

“Part of the role of that Board should be to look for partners within the private sector and wider community to fund the Celebration, with a guiding principle from the project’s inception being that there should be no cost to taxpayers other than the Council’s convening power.”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Pryor, seconded by Councillor Coupar

Delete all after “Leeds citizens enjoys a….” and replace with:

“celebration deserving of our 400th anniversary.

Council further notes that when Leeds became an incorporated borough in 1626, it covered a much smaller area.  After being granted city status in 1893 by Queen Victoria, Leeds has subsequently grown between 1912 and 1974 and celebrations of our 400th year will include the entire city.

Council acknowledges the 1100 events taken place during our Leeds 2023 Year of Culture and recommits to a full detailed independent evaluation of Leeds 2023 which will be presented to our cross party Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board which will feed into future planning.

Council welcomes the £10m investment in British Library North, the £5m investment in the National Poetry Centre, and the increase in Arts Council funding to Leeds that have already come in the wake of Leeds 2023 and acknowledges the impact on our local economy cultural activity has.

Council commits to build on the legacy and impact of Leeds’ history, not least the 100^th Anniversary of Leeds United in 2019, the 10^th Anniversary of the Tour de France Grand Depart this year, the 300^th Birthday of John Smeaton, and will now look to recognise inspirational women from Leeds’ history on the walls of the Council Chamber. 

Executive board papers will be brought forward on how we celebrate women from Leeds’ history, and on our future cultural strategy as we approach Leeds’ Quadricentennial.”

Motion would read:

“This Council recognises the significance of 400th Anniversary of Leeds receiving our Great Charter as a borough from King Charles I and commits to celebrating this milestone in our city’s history.

Council notes the impressive series of events organised to mark the 300th anniversary in 1926 and commits to ensuring that this generation of Leeds citizens enjoys a celebration deserving of our 400th anniversary.

Council further notes that when Leeds became an incorporated borough in 1626, it covered a much smaller area.  After being granted city status in 1893 by Queen Victoria, Leeds has subsequently grown between 1912 and 1974 and celebrations of our 400th year will include the entire city.

Council acknowledges the 1100 events taken place during our Leeds 2023 Year of Culture and recommits to a full detailed independent evaluation of Leeds 2023 which will be presented to our cross party Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board which will feed into future planning.

Council welcomes the £10m investment in British Library North, the £5m investment in the National Poetry Centre, and the increase in Arts Council funding to Leeds that have already come in the wake of Leeds 2023 and acknowledges the impact on our local economy cultural activity has.

Council commits to build on the legacy and impact of Leeds’ history, not least the 100^th Anniversary of Leeds United in 2019, the 10^th Anniversary of the Tour de France Grand Depart this year, the 300^th Birthday of John Smeaton, and will now look to recognise inspirational women from Leeds’ history on the walls of the Council Chamber. 

Executive board papers will be brought forward on how we celebrate women from Leeds’ history, and on our future cultural strategy as we approach Leeds’ Quadricentennial.”

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

RESOLVED – That this Council recognises the significance of 400th Anniversary of Leeds receiving our Great Charter as a borough from King Charles I and commits to celebrating this milestone in our city’s history.

Council notes the impressive series of events organised to mark the 300th anniversary in 1926 and commits to ensuring that this generation of Leeds citizens enjoys a celebration deserving of our 400th anniversary.

Council further notes that when Leeds became an incorporated borough in 1626, it covered a much smaller area.  After being granted city status in 1893 by Queen Victoria, Leeds has subsequently grown between 1912 and 1974 and celebrations of our 400th year will include the entire city.

Council acknowledges the 1100 events taken place during our Leeds 2023 Year of Culture and recommits to a full detailed independent evaluation of Leeds 2023 which will be presented to our cross party Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board which will feed into future planning.

Council welcomes the £10m investment in British Library North, the £5m investment in the National Poetry Centre, and the increase in Arts Council funding to Leeds that have already come in the wake of Leeds 2023 and acknowledges the impact on our local economy cultural activity has.

Council commits to build on the legacy and impact of Leeds’ history, not least the 100^th Anniversary of Leeds United in 2019, the 10^th Anniversary of the Tour de France Grand Depart this year, the 300^th Birthday of John Smeaton, and will now look to recognise inspirational women from Leeds’ history on the walls of the Council Chamber. 

Executive board papers will be brought forward on how we celebrate women from Leeds’ history, and on our future cultural strategy as we approach Leeds’ Quadricentennial.”