Agenda and minutes

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

(b)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that the following Councillors would not be seeking re-election to Council, and said a few words in respect of each Councillor and thanked them for their work over many years on behalf of the Council:-

  Councillor Harper

  Councillor Lowe

  Councillor Lyons

  Councillor Wakefield

(c)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that Doug Meeson the Chief Officer (Financial Services) and Lorraine Hallam the Chief Officer (HR) were retiring and thanked them for their work over many years.

(d)  The Lord Mayor referred to the recent attacks in New Zealand and expressed sympathy to all those that had been affected.

(e)  The Lord Mayor reported the recent death of Honorary Alderman  Graham Platt. 

Council stood in silent tribute.

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 27^th February 2019.

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th February 2019 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.

Four deputations were admitted to the meeting and addressed Council, as follows:-

1)  St Gemma’s Hospice and the ‘Just one day event’.

2)  Central Yorkshire Scouts

3)  Advonet, Connect in the North and Tenfold on the ambition for Leeds to be the best city for people with a learning disability to live in.

4)  Leeds Community Foundation and the Healthy Holiday Programme

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of deputation 1 be referred to the Director of Resources and Housing for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, that the subject matter in respect of deputations 2 and 4 be referred to the Director of Children & Families for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, that the subject matter in respect of deputation 3 be referred to the Director of Adults and Health for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development setting out recommendations from the Executive Board on 13 February 2019 to Full Council to approve and adopt the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy, in line with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules.

The report of the Director of City Development presenting the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy was moved by Councillor R Lewis, seconded by Councillor Dowson and

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report; the outcome of the consultation undertaken and the comments of the Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure, Investment and Inclusive Growth), as detailed in Appendix 5 of the report be noted.

b)  That the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy as appended to the submitted report, be approved by Full Council in line with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, and be formally adopted and published by the Council.

c)  That it be noted that the Strategy will be implemented by 30th April 2019.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor in respect of proposed appointments regarding the Health and Wellbeing Board.

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

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor on appointments be approved, namely that Alison Lowe Member of Forum Central and Chief Executive, Touchstone be appointed to the Health and Wellbeing Board as the Representative of the Third Sector (appointed by Council as an additional appropriate person) to take effect following the Leeds City Council local elections in May 2019 to replace Heather Nelson, Black Health Initiative, and Anthony Kealy, Locality Director, NHS England North (Yorkshire and the Humber) be appointed to the Health and Wellbeing Board as the representative of NHS (England) (appointed by Council as an additional appropriate person to replace Moira Dumma (NHSE).

To consider the report of the Chief Officer Elections and Regulatory Services presenting to Council the Annual Report on Entertainment Licensing and Taxi and Private Hire Licensing for Members’ information and consideration, in line with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(f).

It was moved by Councillor Harland seconded by Councillor J Lewis and

RESOLVED – That the Licensing annual report be received.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor presenting to Full Council the annual report relating to matters within the Standards and Conduct Committee’s terms of reference.  Council Procedure Rule 2.2 (f) stipulates that the annual report of the committee must be referred to full Council for consideration; this being to support the duty of the Authority to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Members and co-opted Members of the Council.

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

RESOLVED - That the report of the City Solicitor be received and the matters set out in the annual report be noted.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor presenting to Full Council the annual report of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee, which reflects upon the work of the Committee in the 2018/19 Municipal year.

(Please note that the Annual Report will be provided to Members of Council following the meeting of the Corporate Governance & Audit Committee scheduled for the 22nd March 2019)

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

RESOLVED - That the report of the City Solicitor be received and the matters set out in the annual report reflecting the work of the Committee be noted.

To consider a report of the City Solicitor regarding a recommendation of the Leeds Award Panel which notifies, and seeks Council’s formal approval of a nomination for the award.

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

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Leeds Award Panel to nominate Mr Tony Harrison to receive the Leeds Award, as presented by the report of the City Solicitor, be approved.

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

RESOLVED – That leave of Council be given to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11.2 (Notice of Questions) to allow Question 4 in the name of Cllr Ritchie to be heard as Q5 and Q5 in the name of Cllr Cohen to be heard as Q4.

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

Q1  Councillor B Anderson to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

Will the Executive Board Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning commit to looking in more detail at outer area town and district centres as part of the phase 2 bid to the Future High Street Fund, to include areas such as Pudsey, Garforth, Horsforth, Kippax, Morley, Wetherby, Boston Spa, Otley, Farsley, Guiseley, Yeadon and Rothwell?

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

Q2  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Environment and Active Lifestyles):-

Would the Executive Member inform Council how many warnings and Fixed Penalty Notices have been issued under the Dog related requirements of the Public Spaces Prohibition Orders since they were introduced in July 2018.

The Executive Member (Environment and Active Lifestyles) replied.

Q3  Councillor Bithell to the Leader of Council :-

Please could the Leader of Council provide an update on Channel 4’s plan to move to Leeds?

The Leader of Council replied.

Q4  Councillor Cohen to the Executive Member (Learning, Skills and Employment):-

Does the Executive Member for Learning, Skills and Employment believe it is important to send out consistent messages to young people about matters affecting them?

The Executive Member (Learning, Skills and Employment) replied.

Q5  Councillor Ritchie to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

Could the Executive Member comment on the lack of Government funding for road maintenance?

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

Q6  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Resources and Sustainability):-

Would the Executive Member inform Council how many customers White Rose Energy is currently supplying and if this is in line with targets or expectations set when the company was established?

The Executive Member (Resources and Sustainability) replied.

Q7  Councillor Ragan to the Executive Member (Communities):-

Please can the Executive Member for Communities provide an update on what we are doing to support Universal Credit claimants in Leeds since its full roll out in October 2018?

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

Q8  Councillor Hayden to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

Can the Executive Member for Children and Families please comment on the recent national increase in violence involving young people?

The Executive Member (Children and Families) replied.

Q9  Councillor Robinson to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

Would the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning agree with me that when the Council issues fines to utility companies who have run late in carrying out work on Leeds’ Highways, the funds raised from such fines should be ring-fenced to be spent on Highways works in the communities that experienced the over-stay?

  The Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) 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:-

Q10  Councillor Downes to the Executive Member (  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

It was moved by Councillor Cohen, seconded by Councillor B Anderson that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(c) that the order of business be changed so that the reference back in his name falling within the Learning, Skills & Employment portfolio of the Executive board minutes be heard first within the Executive Board minutes (prior to the Resources and Sustainability Portfolio).

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

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).

An amendment was moved by Councillor Cohen, seconded by Councillor Stephenson

To add the following at the end of item 12:

‘To ask the Executive Board to reconsider the decision in relation to minute 177, resolution (d) of the Executive Board minutes of 20^th March 2019’

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).

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 16.30 to 17.00

To consider a report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters related to the progress of Devolution and 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 believes that more could be done to deliver additional extra care and specialist housing for older people in Leeds.

Council notes the work done in recent years to deliver extra care housing schemes through the HRA but believes that through better use of council assets and public sector owned land and by giving more priority to older people’s housing schemes more of this type of housing could be delivered to communities in Leeds. This is a particular concern in outer areas and in towns such as Wetherby, Pudsey, Horsforth, Guiseley and Otley.

Council believes that by providing more specialist homes of this nature family homes and homes for first time buyers would organically come onto the housing market which would provide much needed ownership opportunities for families and younger people seeking to buy either their first home or their first family home.

Council regrets the complete absence of administration councillors speaking on the accessibility requirements on new housing developments at the Core Strategy Selective Review.

This Council calls for a new approach to this agenda to start with a report to be brought to Executive Board examining how the delivery of extra care and specialist housing for older people could be enhanced and accelerated and how this approach could free up other homes to address housing need across the city.

It was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor Shemilt that this Council believes that more could be done to deliver additional extra care and specialist housing for older people in Leeds.

Council notes the work done in recent years to deliver extra care housing schemes through the HRA but believes that through better use of council assets and public sector owned land and by giving more priority to older people’s housing schemes more of this type of housing could be delivered to communities in Leeds. This is a particular concern in outer areas and in towns such as Wetherby, Pudsey, Horsforth, Guiseley and Otley.

Council believes that by providing more specialist homes of this nature family homes and homes for first time buyers would organically come onto the housing market which would provide much needed ownership opportunities for families and younger people seeking to buy either their first home or their first family home.

Council regrets the complete absence of administration councillors speaking on the accessibility requirements on new housing developments at the Core Strategy Selective Review.

This Council calls for a new approach to this agenda to start with a report to be brought to Executive Board examining how the delivery of extra care and specialist housing for older people could be enhanced and accelerated and how this approach could free up other homes to address housing need across the city.

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

Replace the words “such as Wetherby, Pudsey, Horsforth, Guiseley and Otley” in the second paragraph with “within the Leeds District”.

The second paragraph would then read:

“Council notes the work done in recent years to deliver extra care housing schemes through the HRA but believes that through better use of council assets and public sector owned land and by giving more priority to older people’s housing schemes more of this type of housing could be delivered to communities in Leeds. This is a particular concern in outer areas and in towns within the Leeds District.”

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

 Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“supports the Leeds Vision for Extra Care which aims to deliver 1000 Extra Care Housing places in Leeds by 2028.  Council notes the excellent progress made towards this, as reported to Executive Board in December, including:

·  The flexible use of council land to secure the delivery of almost 240 new extra care places by 2022;

·  The use of £30m capital funding to directly deliver 200 new extra care places by 2022.

Council notes that 3 of the schemes that will provide the above places will be located in outer areas and 4 schemes will be located in inner areas.

Council further notes these schemes are in addition to 3 extra care facilities in Leeds already delivered or currently close to delivery, notably at the Council’s own award winning scheme at Wharfedale View, alongside schemes facilitated by the council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106.

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

RESOLVED – That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule(CPR) 22.1 (Suspension of CPRs), that CPR 3.4 (time limits for business) be suspended to allow an additional 15 minutes on Item 15, the White Paper on the Climate Emergency. 

This Council notes that many Leeds residents are demanding action on climate change as demonstrated through actions such as the recent ‘Youth Strike.’

Council accepts that in order to limit the effects of global warming it is necessary for the world population to reduce its annual carbon emissions from the current 6.5 tonnes per person to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.

Council recognises that individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs leadership at international, national and local level. Council is aware that current plans and actions are not enough. The world is on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit before 2050.

All governments nationally and locally have a duty to limit the negative impacts of global warming. Local councils should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. It is important for the residents of Leeds and the UK that cities commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible.

Council notes through collaboration with the Leeds Climate Commission how it is now one of the leading local authorities in the country in this area. This is underlined by the unprecedented scale of investment prioritised by this Council towards carbon reduction measures. This includes our innovative Leeds PIPES district heating scheme, our investment to improve the energy performance of council housing and in area based regeneration schemes to support both private and council housing improvements, and our investment to become the leading authority in the country for changing our fleet to Electric Vehicles.

Council therefore resolves to:

1. Declare a 'Climate Emergency'.

2. Sign up to a science based carbon reduction target that is consistent with achieving the Paris Agreement of no more than 1.5°C global temperature increase.

3. Work to make Leeds Carbon neutral by 2030 and call on central government to provide the funding and powers to make this possible.

4. Work with other organisations and governments within the UK and internationally to determine and implement best practice methods to limit Global Warming to less than 1.5°C.

5. Bring a report to April Executive Board setting out how we can work with the Leeds Climate Commission to run a conversation with residents, Trade Unions, public sector organisations, businesses and the third sector on developing a plan with the actions and milestones required to reach this target, and report the outcome to Executive Board by the end of 2019.

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Bentley that this Council notes that many Leeds residents are demanding action on climate change as demonstrated through actions such as the recent ‘Youth Strike.’

Council accepts that in order to limit the effects of global warming it is necessary for the world population to reduce its annual carbon emissions from the current 6.5 tonnes per person to less than 2 tonnes as soon as possible.

Council recognises that individuals cannot be expected to make this reduction on their own. Society needs leadership at international, national and local level. Council is aware that current plans and actions are not enough. The world is on track to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit before 2050.

All governments nationally and locally have a duty to limit the negative impacts of global warming. Local councils should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. It is important for the residents of Leeds and the UK that cities commit to carbon neutrality as quickly as possible.

Council notes through collaboration with the Leeds Climate Commission how it is now one of the leading local authorities in the country in this area.  This is underlined by the unprecedented scale of investment prioritised by this Council towards carbon reduction measures. This includes our innovative Leeds PIPES district heating scheme, our investment to improve the energy performance of council housing and in area based regeneration schemes to support both private and council housing improvements, and our investment to become the leading authority in the country for changing our fleet to Electric Vehicles. 

Council therefore resolves to:

1. Declare a 'Climate Emergency'.

2. Sign up to a science based carbon reduction target that is consistent with achieving the Paris Agreement of no more than 1.5’C global temperature increase.

3. Work to make Leeds Carbon neutral by 2030 and call on central government to provide the funding and powers to make this possible.

4. Work with other organisations and governments within the UK and internationally to determine and implement best practice methods to limit Global Warming to less than 1.5°C.

 5. Bring a report to April Executive Board setting out how we can work with the Leeds Climate Commission to run a conversation with residents, Trade Unions, public sector organisations, businesses and the third sector on developing a plan with the actions and milestones required to reach this target, and report the outcome to Executive Board by the end of 2019.

An amendment was moved by Councillor D Blackburn, seconded by Councillor A Blackburn

Replace the words “Work to make” at the start of resolution 3 and replace them with “Set interim targets and work towards making”.

Insert “2019” after the word “April” in resolution 5 and also delete “, and report the outcome to Executive Board by the end of 2019” from the end of that resolution.

Append the following resolutions:

  “6. Present an interim draft action plan to the Executive before the end of 2019.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

This Council notes the publication of the Draft Environmental Statement of HS2 Phase 2b. In particular, it recognises the significant impact that construction activity associated with the project will have on the communities of Woodlesford, Oulton, Rothwell, Swillington and Methley between 2024 to 2032. This will involve considerable restriction of liberty, highway closure and reconstruction, disruption to bus and rail services, prohibition of access to parks and green spaces, congestion and severe trading conditions for local businesses.

This Council does not believe that the above potentially disastrous effects of sustained disruption on workers, students and families in these communities is a “price worth paying” for the regeneration of the Leeds South Bank that the Council hopes to achieve through investment related to the proposed HS2 terminus.

Council also notes the already escalating cost of the HS2 project, almost doubling to current estimates of £56 billion, and the resulting pressure to limit compensation and mitigation costs en route.

This Council therefore calls on all Leeds MPs to support Ed Milliband MP’s call for a “proper examination and inquiry” into HS2, including a Select Committee hearing.

This Council further calls on the ruling administration to carry out an economic and social impact forecast study on the communities affected by proposed HS2 construction, with published recommendations as to what it considers would be the appropriate type, level and quality of mitigation that this Council would expect HS2 to deliver for those communities, in anticipation of the Environmental Statement which accompanies the future Hybrid Bill.

It was moved by Councillor C Harrison, seconded by Councillor Golton that this Council notes the publication of the Draft Environmental Statement of HS2 Phase 2b. In particular, it recognises the significant impact that construction activity associated with the project will have on the communities of Woodlesford, Oulton, Rothwell, Swillington and Methley between 2024 to 2032. This will involve considerable restriction of liberty, highway closure and reconstruction, disruption to bus and rail services, prohibition of access to parks and green spaces, congestion and severe trading conditions for local businesses.

This Council does not believe that the above potentially disastrous effects of sustained disruption on workers, students and families in these communities is a “price worth paying” for the regeneration of the Leeds South Bank that the Council hopes to achieve through investment related to the proposed HS2 terminus.

Council also notes the already escalating cost of the HS2 project, almost doubling to current estimates of £56 billion, and the resulting pressure to limit compensation and mitigation costs en route.

This Council therefore calls on all Leeds MPs to support Ed Milliband MP’s call for a “proper examination and inquiry” into HS2, including a Select Committee hearing.

This Council further calls on the ruling administration to carry out an economic and social impact forecast study on the communities affected by proposed HS2 construction, with published recommendations as to what it considers would be the appropriate type, level and quality of mitigation that this Council would expect HS2 to deliver for those communities, in anticipation of the Environmental Statement which accompanies the future Hybrid Bill.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Buckley, seconded by Councillor Stephenson

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“is aware of the significant potential benefits HS2 will bring to the city that will enable major transformation of the city’s Southbank, delivery of a new transport hub that will also support HS3 and the potential for thousands of new jobs in Leeds.  Council is also aware of the support of the Chamber of Commerce and wider business community for HS2 in Leeds, but recognises the significant impact that construction activity associated with the project will have on the communities of Woodlesford, Oulton, Rothwell, Swillington, Garforth, Aberford, Micklefield and Methley between 2024 to 2032.

“Council notes that the proposed configuration of the HS2 terminus in Leeds is a major cause of route disruption in the towns and villages noted above. This Council welcomes that the MP for Elmet and Rothwell has written to the Labour Chair of the Transport Select Committee asking for any Select Committee inquiry into HS2 to include the role of the Council in deciding the configuration of the proposed HS2 terminus. Council further notes that the Labour Chair of the Committee has so far indicated no support for such an inquiry. 

“This Council calls on the ruling administration to carry out an economic and social impact forecast study on the communities affected by proposed HS2 construction, with published  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.