Agenda and minutes

(a)  The Lord Mayor welcomed members to this meeting of Full Council and also any members of the public who were joining the meeting and reminded those present that the meeting was to be streamed live.

(b)  The Lord Mayor informed Council of the risk management work that had been undertaken to ensure the safety of the Chamber and that the ventilation system was working well and both he and whips would be kept informed of the  CO2 levels within the Chamber. 

(c ) The Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor Bob Gettings on his nomination as Lord Mayor Elect for the 2022-23 Municipal Year.

 (d)  The Lord Mayor congratulated all those recipients from Leeds or who work and volunteer in Leeds and who had been recognised in Her Majesty The Queen’s 2022 New Year Honours List. The Lord Mayor informed Council that he had written to them all to offer his warmest congratulations on this well deserved award.

(e)  The Lord Mayor informed Council of the recent death of Honorary Alderman Christine Thomas and Honorary Alderman Shirley Varley.

 Council stood in silent tribute.

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 10^th November 2021.

It was moved by Councillor Lennox, seconded by Councillor Cohen and

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th November 2021 be approved.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations of interests.

To receive such communications as the Lord Mayor, the Leader,  Members of the Executive Board or the Chief Executive consider appropriate.

There were no communications.

It was moved by Councillor Lennox, seconded by Councillor Cohen and

RESOLVED - That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule (CPR) 22.1 (Suspension of CPRs) that CPRs 2.2(Order of Business), 3.2(30 minutes for questions), 3.3(Minutes motion to end at 4.20pm), 3.4(45 minutes per White Paper), 11.4(a)(oral answer to questions),12.2 (White paper motions) and 14.1(b,c,d,f) (speeches on White Papers) be suspended and that the debate on White papers commence at 3.15pm to allow the meeting to conclude between 4.45pm & 5.00 pm.

It was moved by Councillor Cohen, seconded by Councillor J Taylor that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule (CPR) 22.1 (Suspension of CPRs) that Council Procedure Rule 13.2(c) be suspended in order that the order of business be changed so that the reference back in the name of Councillor C Anderson falling within the Adults & Children’s Social Care & Health Partnerships portfolio of the Executive board minutes be heard first within the minutes item (prior to the Health & Wellbeing Board minutes).

Upon being put to the vote the procedural motion was lost.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on attendance at meetings.

A report of the City Solicitor on attendance was moved by Councillor Lennox, seconded by Councillor Coupar and

RESOLVED – That the absence of all Councillors from meetings of the authority from the date of this meeting for a period of 6 months be approved.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer – Financial Services seeking agreement to the 2022/23 council tax bases for Leeds and the parish/town

councils set out in the report and providing indicative business rates shares for 2022/23 and to request Council to give delegated authority to the Chief Officer – Financial Services to finalise the shares and to submit them in the National Non-Domestic Rates 1 Return 2022/23 on or before the 31st January 2022.

The report of the Chief Officer - Financial Services seeking Council approval to the 2022/23 council tax bases for Leeds and the parish/town councils set out in the report and providing indicative business rates shares for 2022/23 and requesting Council to give delegated authority to the Chief Officer – Financial Services to finalise the shares and to submit them in the National Non-Domestic Rates 1 Return 2022-23 on or before 31^st January 2022 was moved by Councillor Coupar, seconded by Councillor Lennox and

RESOLVED –

a) To agree that, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by the Council as its council tax base for the year 2022/23 shall be 235,758.0 for Leeds, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report , and for each parish as detailed in Appendix 2;

b) To note the indicative business rates shares set out in Appendix 3, and delegate authority to the Chief Officer – Financial Services to make detailed calculations and to submit the final figures to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on or before the 31st January 2022.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Financial Services setting out a recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Audit committee at its meeting on the 26th November 2021, and based on the evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of the three options, that Council accepts Public Sector Audit Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector led option for the appointment of external auditors from 2023/24. 

The report of the Chief Officer - Financial Services setting out proposals for appointing the external auditor to the Council for the statutory financial accounts  for the five year period from 2023/34 was moved by Councillor Coupar, seconded by Councillor Lennox and

RESOLVED – That as recommended by Corporate Governance and Audit committee at its meeting on the 26th November 2021, and based on the evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of the three options set out in the report, Council accepted Public Sector Audit Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector led option for the appointment of external auditors from 2023/24. 

To consider the report of the City Solicitor presenting to Council the Scrutiny Annual Report for 2020/21. It also provides opportunity to further update members on the role of scrutiny in the response to, and subsequent recovery from, the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was moved by Councillor Coupar, seconded by Councillor Lennox and

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor presenting the Scrutiny Boards Annual Report to Council be received and noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Children and Families recommending to Council to approve and adopt the Youth Justice Plan 2021 – 24 as part of the Budget and Policy Framework.   

It was moved by Councillor Venner, seconded by Councillor Lennox and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Children and Families presenting the Youth Justice Plan 2021-2024 be approved and the Youth Justice Plan 2021-24 be adopted as part of the Budget and Policy Framework.

To consider the report of the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment presenting the Safer, Stronger Communities:Leeds Plan (2021-24) for approval and adoption.

It was moved by Councillor Coupar, seconded by Councillor Lennox and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment presenting the Safer, Stronger Communities: Leeds Plan 2021-2024 be approved and the Safer, Stronger Communities: Leeds Plan 2021-2024 be adopted as part of the Budget and Policy Framework.

To deal with executive questions and provide written responses after the meeting.

Council suspended Procedure Rules in order that all questions would receive a written answer:- 

Q1  Councillor Robinson to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q2  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q3  Councillor Garthwaite to the Executive Member (Communities):-

Q4  Councillor Renshaw to the Executive Member (Economy, Culture and Education)

Q5  Councillor Cohen to the Executive Member (Environment and Housing)

Q6  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q7  Councillor Burke to the Executive Member (Public Health and Active Lifestyles)

Q8  Councillor Jenkins to the Executive Member (Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships)

Q9  Councillor Wadsworth to the Executive Member (Environment and Housing)

Q10  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Environment and Housing)

Q11  Councillor Dye to the Executive Member (Environment and Housing).

Q12  Councillor Smith to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q13  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q14  Councillor Robinson to the Executive Member (Communities).

Q15  Councillor Hart-Brooke to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q16  Councillor J Taylor to the Executive Member (Communities).

Q17  Councillor Golton to the Executive Member (Public Health and Active Lifestyles)

Q18  Councillor Robinson to the Leader of Council

Q19  Councillor Golton to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q20  Councillor Cohen to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q21  Councillor Golton to the Executive Member (Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships)

Q22  Councillor Robinson to the Executive Member (Public Health and Active Lifestyles)

Q23  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Environment and Housing).

Q24  Councillor J Taylor to the Executive Member (Adult and Children’s Social Care and Health Partnerships)

Q25  Councillor Howley to the Executive Member (Communities).

Q26  Councillor Robinson to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q27  Councillor Howley to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q28  Councillor Cohen to the Executive Member (Economy, Culture and Education)

Q29  Councillor Chapman to the Executive Member (Communities)

Q30  Councillor Robinson to the Executive Member (Environment and Housing).

Q31  Councillor Golton to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

Q32  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate)

At the conclusion of this item Council adjourned from 14.20 to 14.35.

To receive the minutes in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(i).

It was moved by Councillor Lewis, seconded by Councillor Lennox that the minutes be received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(i).

An amendment was moved by Councillor C Anderson, seconded by Councillor Harrington

To add the following at the end of item 11:

‘To request that Executive Board to reconsiders the decision in relation to minute 97, of the meeting of 15^th December 2021’

Upon being put to the vote the amendment (reference back) was declared lost and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED - That the minutes be received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(i).

This Council believes the Integrated Rail Plan does not deliver the current Government’s promises to improve rail services for the people of Leeds and Yorkshire and follows decades of underinvestment from successive governments. 

Council is concerned that the plan does not address the shortage of capacity at Leeds Station or the network around Leeds that we know impacts existing local and national rail services today and will affect future growth until it is resolved.

Council further calls for a swift resolution for residents and businesses in Leeds affected by safeguarded directions that are currently in place.

Council resolves to work with local leaders across the north and midlands on rail improvements; supports the Executive Board’s response to the plan; and calls on ministers to provide clarity for Leeds residents and businesses on how and when it will finally deliver the promised rail and mass transit improvements our city desperately needs and deserves.

It was moved by Councillor Lewis, seconded by Councillor Hayden that this Council believes the Integrated Rail Plan does not deliver the current Government’s promises to improve rail services for the people of Leeds and Yorkshire and follows decades of underinvestment from successive governments. 

Council is concerned that the plan does not address the shortage of capacity at Leeds Station or the network around Leeds that we know impacts existing local and national rail services today and will affect future growth until it is resolved.

Council further calls for a swift resolution for residents and businesses in Leeds affected by safeguarded directions that are currently in place.

Council resolves to work with local leaders across the north and midlands on rail improvements; supports the Executive Board’s response to the plan; and calls on ministers to provide clarity for Leeds residents and businesses on how and when it will finally deliver the promised rail and mass transit improvements our city desperately needs and deserves.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Hart-Brooke

After the first paragraph, insert a new paragraph:

“Nevertheless, Council does recognise that the HS2 project has been mismanaged by Government and under scrutinised by Northern Leaders.  Council regrets the collective lack of leadership on Transport for the North which allowed Northern Powerhouse Rail to be seen as secondary in importance to HS2, particularly in the light of the 2020 National Infrastructure Commission report warning of the unaffordability of delivering both schemes.”

In the third paragraph:

Insert after ‘Council’ and before ‘further’:

“recognises the significant blight that has been suffered by communities along the proposed route of the now cancelled HS2 eastern leg into Leeds and

Then add a further sentence to the end of the third paragraph:

“The Council will pursue this by working with the DFT to achieve a route into Leeds for HS2 trains from Sheffield that avoids creating a new rail corridor from the South East.”

In the final paragraph, insert after ‘ministers to’ and before ‘provide’

“recommit to delivering Northern Powerhouse Rail through Bradford and

The Amended White Paper would now read:

This Council believes the Integrated Rail Plan does not deliver the current Government’s promises to improve rail services for the people of Leeds and Yorkshire and follows decades of underinvestment from successive governments. 

Nevertheless, Council does recognise that the HS2 project has been mismanaged by Government and under scrutinised by Northern Leaders.  Council regrets the collective lack of leadership on Transport for the North which allowed Northern Powerhouse Rail to be seen as secondary in importance to HS2, particularly in the light of the 2020 National Infrastructure Commission report warning of the unaffordability of delivering both schemes.

Council is concerned that the plan does not address the shortage of capacity at Leeds Station or the network around Leeds that we know impacts existing local and national rail services today and will affect future growth until it is resolved.

Council recognises the significant blight that has been suffered by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

This Council notes with concern the recent YEP article relating to the Fantasia knife store on Ludgate Hill and is deeply concerned about the Council’s commercial involvement in those premises.

Council calls for the establishment of a refreshed and more robust policy, including the power of veto, that ensures commercial lets of this nature cannot happen again.

This Council therefore asks for a report to be brought to the February Executive Board addressing this issue, including a review of all current commercial lets and setting out a new proactive policy approach that will ensure council owned premises are never used for this purpose again.

It was moved by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Amanda Carter that this Council notes with concern the recent YEP article relating to the Fantasia knife store on Ludgate Hill and is deeply concerned about the Council’s commercial involvement in those premises.

Council calls for the establishment of a refreshed and more robust policy, including the power of veto, that ensures commercial lets of this nature cannot happen again.

This Council therefore asks for a report to be brought to the February Executive Board addressing this issue, including a review of all current commercial lets and setting out a new proactive policy approach that will ensure council owned premises are never used for this purpose again.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.4(b) Councillor Bentley’s amendment was moved by Councillor Campbell, seconded by Councillor Lay

 After first paragraph, add a new paragraph:

This Council also regrets that the current administration refused to adopt an Ethical Landlord Policy as proposed by the Liberal Democrat Group some years ago. Such a policy, through ensuring consistency of values between the Council and organisations trading under its roof, would have avoided this irresponsible association

Delete the whole of the second paragraph.

In the final paragraph:

Delete all after the word ‘issue’ and replace with:

proposing an outline Ethical Landlord Policy that ensures businesses operating in Council owned premises appropriately reflect the Council’s strategic priorities for enhancing the health and well-being of Leeds residents, and recognises the Council’s desire ‘to be a key influencer in terms of good employment practice.

The amended White Paper would then read:

This Council notes with concern the recent YEP article relating to the Fantasia knife store on Ludgate Hill and is deeply concerned about the Council’s commercial involvement in those premises.

This Council also regrets that the current administration refused to adopt an Ethical Landlord Policy as proposed by the Liberal Democrat Group some years ago. Such a policy, through ensuring consistency of values between the Council and organisations trading under its roof, would have avoided this irresponsible association.

This Council therefore asks for a report to be brought to the February Executive Board addressing this issue, proposing an outline Ethical Landlord Policy that ensures businesses operating in Council owned premises appropriately reflect the Council’s strategic priorities for enhancing the health and well-being of Leeds residents, and recognises the Council’s desire to be a key influencer in terms of good employment practice.

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

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

welcomes the Partial Closure Order secured against the Fantasia Store on Ludgate Hill by the council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team in partnership with West Yorkshire Police.

Council will not hesitate to take further robust action against any shop in Leeds, regardless of who owns the premises, selling products that fail to meet legal requirements including knives specifically marketed as combat weapons and not utensils for appropriate use.

Council calls for a national review of legislation relating to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

This Council believes that everyone should be paid the Real Living Wage and is proud to be leading the way by paying its employees the Real Living Wage since 2015.Council notes that the Government has so far failed to ensure the National Living Wage matches the Real Living Wage and so accurately reflects rising living costs.

Council further notes with regret that a worker earning the National Living Wage would today earn £1,930 a year less than a worker earning the Real Living Wage.

Council recognises the devastating impact of Covid-19 on many people’s lives including pushing many more into poverty and job uncertainty and supports the establishment of a Fair Work Charter as proposed by the West Yorkshire Mayor.

Council believes that Leeds is ideally placed as a desirable location for businesses and recognises the success of attracting businesses such as Channel 4, Utterberry, Covance/Labcorp, Snowflake, Aspire, and Burberry into the City.

Council is proud that its Employment Agenda is in alignment with the Great Jobs Agenda as we continue to be a key influencer in terms of good employment practice which includes our condemnation of the ‘fire and re-hire’ practices undertaken by some companies.

Council commits to promoting both the Real Living Wage and the Great Jobs Agenda across the City through our Anchor Institutions who form an integral part of the ambition to make Leeds a Real Living Wage City as this is something that can only be achieved through partnership working across all sectors. Council notes the Leeds Anchors Network contains 13 organisations who employ over 58,000 people in Leeds, and is made up of: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds City College, Leeds and York Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, University of Leeds, Leeds College of Building, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds City Council, NHS Digital, Yorkshire Water, British Library and Northern Gas Networks.

Council calls on Government to:

·  Introduce the Real Living Wage as a replacement to the National Living Wage to ensure residents of Leeds and across the Country can meet rising living costs.

·  Commit to the principles of the Great Jobs Agenda

·  Support the establishment of a Fair Work Charter.

It was moved by Councillor Pryor, seconded by Councillor Brooks that this Council believes that everyone should be paid the Real Living Wage and is proud to be leading the way by paying its employees the Real Living Wage since 2015.Council notes that the Government has so far failed to ensure the National Living Wage matches the Real Living Wage and so accurately reflects rising living costs.

Council further notes with regret that a worker earning the National Living Wage would today earn £1,930 a year less than a worker earning the Real Living Wage.

Council recognises the devastating impact of Covid-19 on many people’s lives including pushing many more into poverty and job uncertainty and supports the establishment of a Fair Work Charter as proposed by the West Yorkshire Mayor.

Council believes that Leeds is ideally placed as a desirable location for businesses and recognises the success of attracting businesses such as Channel 4, Utterberry, Covance/Labcorp, Snowflake, Aspire, and Burberry into the City.

Council is proud that its Employment Agenda is in alignment with the Great Jobs Agenda as we continue to be a key influencer in terms of good employment practice which includes our condemnation of the ‘fire and re-hire’ practices undertaken by some companies.

Council commits to promoting both the Real Living Wage and the Great Jobs Agenda across the City through our Anchor Institutions who form an integral part of the ambition to make Leeds a Real Living Wage City as this is something that can only be achieved through partnership working across all sectors. Council notes the Leeds Anchors Network contains 13 organisations who employ over 58,000 people in Leeds, and is made up of: Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds City College, Leeds and York Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, University of Leeds, Leeds College of Building, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds City Council, NHS Digital, Yorkshire Water, British Library and Northern Gas Networks.

Council calls on Government to:

·  Introduce the Real Living Wage as a replacement to the National Living Wage to ensure residents of Leeds and across the Country can meet rising living costs.

·  Commit to the principles of the Great Jobs Agenda

·  Support the establishment of a Fair Work Charter.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Campbell

In paragraph 5, delete the words ‘as we continue to be’ and replace with however we are concerned that our inconsistent commitment is affecting our credibility in portraying the Council as.

Add an additional sentence at the end of paragraph 5:

This was most famously evidenced through our support for the GMB campaign for better workers’ rights at Amazon, whilst at the same time enabling those business practices by hosting that business in Council owned buildings for several years.

Add a further paragraph at the end of the motion:

This Council further commits to publishing an Ethical Landlord Policy to ensure that companies trading under our roof are also fulfilling the above commitments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.