Agenda and minutes

(a)   The Lord Mayor reminded those present that the meeting was to be webcast.

(b)  The Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor Eileen Taylor on her nomination as Lord Mayor Elect for the 2019-20 Municipal Year.

(c)  The Lord Mayor congratulated the following who were honoured in the Queen’s New Year Honours List:-

·  Richard West Companion of the Order of the Bath 

·  Robert Heslett CBE

·  Duncan Jacques CBE

·  Professor Simon Kay OBE

·  Saleem Tariq OBE

·  Rifhat Malik MBE

·  Kim Moloney MBE

·  Clare O’Hara MBE

·  Stefanie Stead MBE

(d)  The Lord Mayor reported the recent death of Honorary Alderman Peter Sparling MBE. 

Council stood in silent tribute.

To approve the minutes of the Council Meetings held on 14^th November 2018.

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 14^th November 2018 be approved.

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.

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

A deputation from the Leeds Parks and Greenspaces Forum was admitted to the meeting and addressed Council and it was,

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of the deputation be referred to the Director of Communities & Environment for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member. 

To consider the report of the City Solicitor setting out recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on 12 December 2018 to Full Council to make amendments to the Constitution to regularise the process for the late publication of reports supporting an officer Key decision.

The report of the City Solicitor seeking Council approval of the recommendations of General Purposes Committee for amendments to the Constitution to regularise the process for the late publication of reports supporting an officer Key decision was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Dowson and

RESOLVED – That the amendments to the Constitution be approved.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer - Financial Services seeking agreement to the 2019/20 council tax bases for Leeds and the parish/town councils set out in the report and providing indicative business rates shares for 2019/20 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 Return 1 2019-20 on or before31^st January 2019.

The report of the Chief Officer-Financial Services seeking Council approval to the 2019/20 council tax bases for Leeds and the parish/town councils set out in the report and providing indicative business rates shares for 2019/20 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 Return 1 2019-20 on or before31^st January 2019 was moved by Councillor J Lewis, seconded by Councillor Dowson 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 2019/20 shall be 228,209.1 for Leeds and for each parish as listed in Section 3.7, of the report, and detailed in Appendix 1 of the report;

b)  To agree the increase of the empty homes premium on long term empty properties which have been unoccupied for over two years from 50% to 100%, as detailed in Section 3.3 of the report;

c)  To note the indicative business rates shares set out in Section 3.10, of the report and delegate authority to the Chief Officer – Financial Services to make the detailed calculations and to submit the final figures to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on or before 31^st January 2019.

To deal with executive questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.

Q1  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.1 (c) Councillor Harrington to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

When the Government’s High Streets Minister is suggesting that parking in Towns should be free to attract shoppers into their High Streets, can the Executive Board Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning tell me why Leeds City Council is planning to introduce parking charges in three District Centres, one of which is in my ward?

The Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) replied.

Q2  Councillor Lay to the Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults):-

Can the Exec Member for Health, Well-being and Adults tell Council what she is doing to improve the standard of care for the residents of the 28 Care Homes in Leeds deemed to 'require improvement' by the CQC?

The Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults) replied.

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

Could the executive board member update on progress made following recommendations made by Outer South Community Committee about its Sugar Hill Close and Wordsworth Drive Community under threat of demolition of their homes?

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

Q4  Councillor Dobson to the Executive Member (Communities):-

Will The Exec Board Member for Communities commit to working cross party with both local and other concerned members to consider a CPO or an offer to acquire 70 properties in Oulton from Pemberstone’s, commonly known as the Coal Board Estate, with a view to allowing the existing residents to remain in residency in their homes as council tenants. 

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

Q5  Councillor Venner to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

Can the Executive Member for Children and Families please update Council on the outcome of the recent Ofsted inspection?

The Executive Member (Children and Families) replied.

Q6  Councillor B Anderson to the Executive Member (Environment and Active Lifestyles):-

Does the Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles agree with comments made by some landlords in the Harehills area and backed by at least one of the local Councillors that there has been a significant increase in fly tipping at properties in the area since the Council introduced the charge for removal of household bulky waste?

The Executive Member (Environment and Active Lifestyles) replied.

Q7  Councillor Golton to the Executive Member (Environment & Active Lifestyles):-

  How confident is the current administration that they are in a good position to deliver on governments plans to achieve universal weekly food waste collection nationally?

The Executive Member (Environment & Active Lifestyles) replied.

At the conclusion of question time, the following questions remained unanswered and it was noted that, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11.6, written answers would be sent to each Member of Council:-

Q8  Councillor Walshaw to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport & Planning):-

Q9   Councillor Leadley to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

Q10  Councillor A Khan to the Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults):-

Q11  Councillor Buckley  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

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

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

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

Council Procedure Rule 4, providing for the winding up of business, was applied prior to all notified comments on the minutes having been debated.

At the conclusion of this item Council adjourned from 16.27 to 16.55.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters related to the progress of Devolutionand matters regarding the Leeds City Region LEP and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor J Lewis and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters in respect of devolution be received.

This Council welcomes the Government commitment to high streets both in Leeds and nationally. Key announcements such as the £675m Future High Streets Fund, the Open Doors Project and business rate reductions for small businesses are welcome measures that will help the UK high street to thrive and businesses to grow.

Council notes that apprenticeships can play an important role in supporting both the public sector and private sector businesses. Council welcomes the recent decision to commit £3.2m of apprenticeship levy funding but notes that £0.6m remains unspent. Council believes this money should be put to use as a matter of urgency either working proactively with private sector organisations to deliver new skills and new employment opportunities to Leeds residents or delivering more apprenticeships within the Council.

Council also sees significant potential in the Apprenticeship Levy to close the gender pay gap by working with the Third Sector to encourage women into engineering and the digital sector.

This Council believes that more can be done in Leeds to support local businesses particularly as potentially difficult issues such as the Clean Air Zone are very much on the horizon. Council should consider extending sunset clauses where appropriate to support businesses that could be affected by the CAZ, particularly HGV operators, and look to provide more support, in addition to the local centres programme, for small businesses operating in town and district centres across the city.

Finally Council notes with concern the proposals contained in the Initial Budget Proposals 2019/20 to introduce car parking charges in town and district centres. As the Government introduces measures to support businesses and high streets the ruling administration in Leeds is introducing measures that will stymie those efforts and could have a real impact on businesses in Garforth, Wetherby and Guiseley.

This Council calls for the proposed parking charges to be removed from the initial budget proposals and for a city wide ‘High Street Review’ to be initiated to identify what additional measures can be introduced to support the High Street, with a report to be brought back to Executive Board no later than Spring 2019 announcing further details. Supporting our local high streets must be something we do all year round, not just for Christmas.

It was moved by Councillor Robinson, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter that this Council welcomes the Government commitment to high streets both in Leeds and nationally. Key announcements such as the £675m Future High Streets Fund, the Open Doors Project and business rate reductions for small businesses are welcome measures that will help the UK high street to thrive and businesses to grow.

Council notes that apprenticeships can play an important role in supporting both the public sector and private sector businesses. Council welcomes the recent decision to commit £3.2m of apprenticeship levy funding but notes that £0.6m remains unspent. Council believes this money should be put to use as a matter of urgency either working proactively with private sector organisations to deliver new skills and new employment opportunities to Leeds residents or delivering more apprenticeships within the Council.

Council also sees significant potential in the Apprenticeship Levy to close the gender pay gap by working with the Third Sector to encourage women into engineering and the digital sector.

This Council believes that more can be done in Leeds to support local businesses particularly as potentially difficult issues such as the Clean Air Zone are very much on the horizon. Council should consider extending sunset clauses where appropriate to support businesses that could be affected by the CAZ, particularly HGV operators, and look to provide more support, in addition to the local centres programme, for small businesses operating in town and district centres across the city.

Finally Council notes with concern the proposals contained in the Initial Budget Proposals 2019/20 to introduce car parking charges in town and district centres. As the Government introduces measures to support businesses and high streets the ruling administration in Leeds is introducing measures that will stymie those efforts and could have a real impact on businesses in Garforth, Wetherby and Guiseley.

This Council calls for the proposed parking charges to be removed from the initial budget proposals and for a city wide ‘High Street Review’ to be initiated to identify what additional measures can be introduced to support the High Street, with a report to be brought back to Executive Board no later than Spring 2019 announcing further details. Supporting our local high streets must be something we do all year round, not just for Christmas.

An amendment was moved by Councillor J Bentley, seconded by Councillor Lay;

After fourth paragraph insert a new paragraph 5:

“Additionally Council supports a radical reform of Business Rates to ensure that high street businesses are not unfairly disadvantaged by competition from the on-line economy.”

The white paper will then read:

This Council welcomes the Government commitment to high streets both in Leeds and nationally. Key announcements such as the £675m Future High Streets Fund, the Open Doors Project and business rate reductions for small businesses are welcome measures that will help the UK high street to thrive and businesses to grow.

Council notes that apprenticeships can play an important role in supporting both the public sector  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

This Council believes, with trade as bad as it is, that its town and district centres would not stand new car-parking charges.

Therefore this Council resolves to oppose new car-parking charges within these centres, on its own land by straightforward resolution, and on privately owned land by persuasion.

It was moved by Councillor Leadley, seconded by Councillor Kidger that this Council believes, with trade as bad as it is, that its town and district centres would not stand new car-parking charges.

Therefore this Council resolves to oppose new car-parking charges within these centres, on its own land by straightforward resolution, and on privately owned land by persuasion.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Harrison, seconded by Councillor Campbell;

 Replace the word “these” in the second paragraph with “district”.

The white paper would then read:

This Council believes, with trade as bad as it is, that its town and district centres would not stand new car-parking charges.

Therefore this Council resolves to oppose new car-parking charges within district centres, on its own land by straightforward resolution, and on privately owned land by persuasion.

A second amendment was moved by Councillor R Lewis, seconded by Councillor P Gruen;

Delete all after “This Council believes” and replace with:

“the availability of publicly and privately owned parking spaces is vital to the continued vibrancy of its town and district centres. Council recognises that in some instances, subject to consultation, the use of charges at Council owned sites is an appropriate measure to help improve the overall turnover of parking spaces to ensure their availability for customers of local businesses.”

A third amendment was moved by Councillor Lamb, seconded by Councillor Wadsworth;

In the first paragraph, after “new car-parking charges” insert new sentence: “New charges could also lead to displacement of parking onto residential streets.”

In the second paragraph, delete “these centres”. After “within”, insert: “Wetherby, Guiseley and Garforth and all other district centres”.

Motion will read:

“This Council believes, with trade as bad as it is, that its town and district centres would not stand new car-parking charges. New charges could also lead to displacement of parking onto residential streets.

“Therefore this Council resolves to oppose new car-parking charges within Wetherby, Guiseley and Garforth and all other district centres, on its own land by straightforward resolution, and on privately owned land by persuasion.”

The first amendment in the name of Councillor Harrison and the third amendment in the name of Councillor Lamb were declared lost the second amendment in the name of Councillor R Lewis was carried and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council believes the availability of publicly and privately owned parking spaces is vital to the continued vibrancy of its town and district centres. Council recognises that in some instances, subject to consultation, the use of charges at Council owned sites is an appropriate measure to help improve the overall turnover of parking spaces to ensure their availability for customers of local businesses.

On the requisition of Councillors Leadley and Lamb the voting on the amendment in the name of Councillor Harrison was recorded as follows;

YES – 10

Bentley, Campbell, Downes, Elliott, Golton, C Harrison, Hutchison, Kidger, Lay and Leadley.

NO – 58 

Akhtar, Almas, Arif, Bithell, Blake,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

This Council values the contribution of Youth Services to improving the life chances of young people and calls on the Government to place Youth Services on a statutory footing and provide dedicated funding to secure that provision.

It was moved by Councillor Mulherin, seconded by Councillor Scopes that this Council values the contribution of Youth Services to improving the life chances of young people and calls on the Government to place Youth Services on a statutory footing and provide dedicated funding to secure that provision.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Dobson, seconded by Councillor Field;

 Add the following paragraph to the end of the white paper:

“In turn, Council will undertake a comprehensive review to ensure that all wards of the city are properly and fairly funded with all areas being re-assessed to ensure that no young person is left behind.”

The amended white paper would thus read:

This Council values the contribution of Youth Services to improving the life chances of young people and calls on the Government to place Youth Services on a statutory footing and provide dedicated funding to secure that provision.

In turn, Council will undertake a comprehensive review to ensure that all wards of the city are properly and fairly funded with all areas being re-assessed to ensure that no young person is left behind.

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Lay, seconded by Councillor J Bentley;

insert after “people” in the first sentence:

“and regrets current funding prevents the City doing more,”

The white paper would read:

This Council values the contribution of Youth Services to improve the life chances of young people and regrets current funding prevents the City doing more, and calls on the Government to place Youth Services on a statutory footing and provide dedicated funding to secure that provision.

A third amendment was moved by Councillor Cohen, seconded by Councillor Lamb 

Delete all after: ‘This Council’ and replace with:

“notes recent Government investment in initiatives to support young people such as the Early Intervention Youth Fund, continued funding of the Troubled Families Programme and the Youth Endowment Fund.

“Council notes the funding reductions experienced by local authorities in recent years and the reasons for those reductions and further notes that local Councils have the flexibility to choose how they spend their own resources.

“Council values the contribution of Youth Services to improving the life chances of young people in Leeds and calls for a review of Youth Services in Leeds, to include making Youth Activity Funding eligible for capital expenditure, to ensure that funding is being spent as effectively as possible and is delivering the services that young people in Leeds need.”

The amendments in the name of Councillor Dobson, Councillor Lay and Councillor Cohen were declared lost and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council values the contribution of Youth Services to improving the life chances of young people and calls on the Government to place Youth Services on a statutory footing and provide dedicated funding to secure that provision.

On the requisition of Councillors Mulherin and Dowson the voting on the amendment in the name of Councillor Dobson was recorded as follows;

YES – 15  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.