Decision details

Approval will be sought to end Leeds City Council’s lease of Thwaite Watermill. The lease is due to come to an end in 2030. A 12-month notice period is required, from the nearest quarter. This should mean the latest date of surrendering the lease will be April 1 2025.

a) The Chief Officer Culture & Economy has approved the decision to close Thwaite Mills, declaring the property surplus to service requirements, and to surrender the three leases of the site to Canal & River Trust (CRT).

b) The Chief Officer Culture & Economy has approved continuing engagement with trade unions on managing staff reductions during phased closure, and with key stakeholders such as boaters using moorings at Thwaite.

c) The Chief Officer Culture & Economy has approved that, if required, notice (six months) be served on boaters to allow for vacant possession.

Elected Members were consulted as part of the Council’s budget consultation process for FY24/25 including at Scrutiny Board for Strategy and Resources on 15 January 2024.

Engagement with staff began on 4 December 2023, and consultation with trade unions began on 23 January 2024.

A public consultation was held between 20 December 2023 and 19 January 2024 to understand views on the proposal.

A meeting with boaters took place on 13 December 2023.

The consultation received 978 responses in total.