Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

The Chair admitted one late item of business to the agenda, entitled ‘Membership of CO2Sense CIC’ (Minute 31 refers). It was deemed appropriate that this matter be considered as a matter of urgency because in order to complete their transition to a CIC, CO2Sense are required to provide the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) with a full business plan, including details of their governance structures and members. It is vital for BIS, and CO2Sense’s future independence, that the Council takes a decision as soon as possible, with a view to formally becoming a member by the end of February at the very latest.

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

No declarations of interest were made.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th October 2011.

Further to Minute 20, it was confirmed that the nomination of Local Authority governors to Academies would be made by Member Management Committee.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th October 2011 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing background to the request from CO2Sense for Leeds City Council to become a member of CO2Sense CIC, to enable Member Management Committee to accurately categorise the request and to nominate a suitable Member.

The Environmental Policy Manager presented a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods providing background to the request from CO2Sense for Leeds City Council to become a member of CO2Sense CIC, to enable Member Management Committee to accurately categorise the request and to nominate a suitable Member.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted, and it be acknowledged that CO2Sense and the Council share a common interest in developing the low carbon economy;

(b)  That the Council become a founding member of CO2Sense CIC, with member representation on their board, in order to enable CO2Sense to make the transition to CIC status;

(c)  That CO2Sense CIC be categorised as a Strategic and Key Partnership; and

(d)  That the Executive Member for Environmental Services be appointed to CO2Sense.

To consider the report of the Governor Support Service requesting approval of Councillor appointments to Academies, and notifying Members of Academies which do not have a Local Authority Governor.

The Senior Governor Support Officer presented a report of the Governor Support Service seeking confirmation of Local Authority governor appointments to Garforth Academy, Woodkirk Academy and Horsforth Academy. The report also sought agreement to a form of words to be sent to Chairs of governors requesting that any schools considering converting to an Academy give due regard to the appointment of a Local Authority governor.

Members requested that the draft letter attached at Appendix 1 to the report be amended to further explain the benefits of appointing a Local Authority governor, for example maintaining a link with the Local Education Authority. It was also requested that the first paragraph be removed, so that the letter starts by introducing the Leeds Education Challenge.

In relation to the three Academies that haven’t appointed a Local Authority governor, it was suggested that the Governor Support Service seek to arrange a meeting with these Academies to discuss whether a Local Authority governor could be appointed in the future.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the appointment of Local Authority governors to Academies be confirmed as follows:

·  Garforth Academy – Councillor Thomas Murray;

·  Woodkirk Academy – Councillor Judith Elliott;

·  Horsforth Academy – Mr Roger Harris.

(b)  That the draft letter attached at Appendix 1 to the report be amended in line with Members’ comments, and be approved by the Chair and Councillor Blake before being sent to Chairs of governors.

To consider a report of the Governor Support Service requesting the appointment of one local authority governor to the KS2/3 Pupil Referral Unit Management Committee and one to the KS4 Committee.

The Senior Governor Support Officer presented a report of the Governor Support Service seeking appointments to the newly formed KS2/3 Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) Management Committee, and the KS4 PRU Management Committee.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That one Member be appointed to the KS2/3 PRU Management Committee and one Member be appointed to the KS4 PRU Management Committee;

(b)  That one place be allocated to the Labour Group, and that the allocation of the second place be determined by the other Group Whips; and

(c)  That the relevant Group Whips determine which Member will sit on each Committee, once the Group allocation has been agreed.

To consider the report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods seeking Member appointments to the East Leeds Regeneration Board.

The Senior Project Manager presented a report of the Chief Regeneration Programmes Officer seeking appointments to the East Leeds Regeneration Board.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That East Leeds Regeneration Board be added to the Council’s list of Outside Bodies;

(b)  That East Leeds Regeneration Board be categorised as a Strategic and Key Partnership;

(c)  That one Member be appointed from each of the electoral wards covered by the Board as below:

·  Burmantofts and Richmond Hill (Labour Whip’s nominee);

·  Crossgates and Whinmoor (Labour Whip’s nominee);

·  Garforth and Swillington (Labour Whip’s nominee);

·  Gipton and Harehills (Labour Whip’s nominee);

·  Harewood (Conservative Whip’s nominee);

·  Killingbeck and Seacroft (Labour Whip’s nominee);

·  Temple Newsam (Labour Whip’s nominee).

(d)  That one Member be appointed by each of the principal opposition groups covered by the Board, if not already nominated by ward.

To consider the report of the Chief ICT Officer providing an update on ICT issues affecting elected Members.

The Business Relationship Manager presented a report of the Chief ICT Officer providing an update on ICT issues affecting elected Members.

Members particularly discussed the following issues:

• The introduction of the ‘Bring Your Own Device’ offering, which had been successful;
• The availability of WiFi in Council buildings. It was confirmed that this would be looked at as part of the Essential Services Programme;
• The guidelines which were being developed regarding the removal of ICT services to Members who stand down or are not re-elected;
• Problems experienced with ICT equipment and accessing the network. It was confirmed that ICT infrastructure is being upgraded as part of the Essential Services Programme, and that the Service Desk should be contacted in relation to any issues in the first instance, however the Business Relationship Manager can escalate issues if required; and
• The web and intranet replacement project.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report be noted; and

(b)  That the proposed amendments to the Members’ ICT Usage Guidelines be supported.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services providing an update on the current position regarding Member appointments to outside bodies, and seeking to confirm Member nominations to remaining vacancies.

The Governance Officer presented a report of the Chief Officer, Democratic and Central Services providing an update on the current position regarding Member appointments to outside bodies, and seeking to confirm Member nominations to remaining vacancies.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the current position in relation to elected Member appointments to outside bodies detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be noted;

(b)  That the Investigation of Air Pollution Standing Conference be removed from the Council’s list of outside bodies;

(c)  That the appointment of an additional Member to the Inner North West Hub and the Morley Cluster be approved;

(d)  That the cessation of the Leeds Admissions Forum be noted; and

(e)   That the change of appointments since the last meeting of the Committee, as detailed in paragraph 3.6 of the report, be noted.