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 recent death of Honorary Alderman Bernard Atha CBE who had served as a Councillor for 57 years and invited Councillor James Lewis to pay tribute.

Council stood in silent tribute.

To approve the minutes of the Council Meetings held on 20^th July, 14^th September and 19^th October 2022.

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 20 July, 14 September and 19 October 2022 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.

The Chief Executive informed Council that since the last Full Council meeting responses had been received from ministers to 3 Council resolutions, from Marcus Jones MP, in respect of a White Paper Resolution relating to Housing, from Baroness Vere of Norbiton, in respect of a White Paper Resolution relating to Highways and from David Rutley MP, in respect of a White Paper Resolution relating to the Household Support Fund copies of which had previously been circulated to all Members of Council.

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

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

1)  Leeds Children’s Mayor

2)  Residents of Inner North-West Leeds

3)  Queensway School

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of deputation 1 and 3 be referred to the Director of Children and Families for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, that the subject matter in respect of deputation 2 be referred to the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on appointments.

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

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor on appointments be approved, namely;

• Julie Longworth replacing Sal Tariq on the Health and Wellbeing Board following the appointment of Julie Longworth as the Interim Director of Children & Families.
• That Councillor Pryor replace Councillor Coupar as the substitute on the LEP Board.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer presenting to Council the 2021-22 Plans Panel annual report.

It was moved by Councillor Hayden, seconded by Councillor Gruen and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Chief Planning Officer presenting to Council the 2021-22 Plans Panel and Development Plan Panel Annual Report be received and noted.

At the conclusion of this item Council adjourned from 14.15 to 14.25.

To consider the report of the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment presenting to Council the Community Committees’ Annual Report which looks at the progress made over the last twelve months. It outlines the changes which have taken place during 2021 to 2022 and gives examples of some of the work the Community Committees have carried out within their communities to improve the lives of local people of all ages and backgrounds.

The report also looks at Wellbeing and Youth Activities Funding (YAF) and the impact it makes, as well as the role the Community Committees undertake in bringing communities together and provides direct links to the Community Committee Facebook pages and the social media activity that takes place through the Community Committee structures.

As well as looking back over the last 12 months, the report looks forward and mentions the significant challenges but also opportunities that the Coronavirus pandemic has and will present committees with.

It was moved by Councillor Harland, seconded by Councillor Shahzad and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment presenting to Council the Community Committees’ Annual report for 2020/21 be received and that the work now being progressed to further improve the effectiveness, community engagement role and improvement work of Community Committees be noted.

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

Q1  Councillor Flynn to the Executive Member (Economy, Culture and Education):-

Could the Executive Member please provide me with the number of initial applications for EHCPs awaiting assessment and the total number of EHCPs in existence?

The Executive Member (Economy, Culture and Education) replied.

Q2  Councillor Howley to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate):-

Given recent news of mis-reporting of night time flight data from Leeds Bradford Airport to the Council would the Member for Infrastructure and Climate explain what the Council proposes to do to ensure the validity of the information submitted and agree to bring a report to the relevant Council Panel/Board?

The Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate) replied.

Q3  Councillor Dowson to the Leader of Council:-

Please can the Leader update council on what he would like to see in the Government’s Autumn Statement tomorrow?

The Leader of Council replied.

Q4  Councillor Blackburn to the Executive Member Environment and Housing):-

Could the Executive Member for Environment and Housing tell me what steps are being taken to make sure those households with wheel out refuse collections, which are constantly being missed, receive the service they are offered?’

The Executive Member (Environment and Housing) replied.

Q5  Councillor Garthwaite to the Executive Member (Resources):-

Can the Executive Member please update Council on what is happening with the White Ribbon campaign this year?

The Executive Member (Resources) replied.

Q6  Councillor Smith to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate):-

Will the Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate please outline the process through which utility companies must adhere in order to complete works on the highway?

The Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate) 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:-

Q7  Councillor Chapman to the Executive Member (Resources):-

Q8  Councillor Flint to the Executive Member (Economy, Culture and Education):-

Q9  Councillor Dobson to the Executive Member (Public Health and Active Lifestyles):-

Q10  Councillor Jenkins to the Executive Member (Children and Adult’s Social Care and Health Partnerships).

Q11  Councillor B Anderson to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate).

Q12  Councillor Chapman to the Executive Member (Communities).

Q13  Councillor Khan to the Executive Member (Communities).

Q14  Councillor Wadsworth to the Executive Member (Environment and Housing).

Q15  Councillor Chapman to the Executive Member (Public Health and Active Lifestyles).

Q16  Councillor Stephenson to the Leader of Council

Q17  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate).

Q18  Councillor Buckley to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate).

Q19  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Public Health and Active Lifestyles).

Q20  Councillor Firth to the Executive Member (Resources).

Q21  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Public Health and Active Lifestyles).

Q22  Councillor Robinson to the Executive Member (Infrastructure and Climate).

Q23  Councillor Hart-Brooke to the Executive Member (Infrastructure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

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).

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 16.19 to 16.47.

This Council is concerned at the current state of bus services in Leeds.

Council notes that public transport was hit hard by the pandemic, with passenger numbers not yet fully recovered, and Council welcomes the substantial and continuing government funding that has been paid to operators and local transport authorities to keep services running. Between April and December this year alone, West Yorkshire Combined Authority is expected to receive £3,043,632 to help operators maintain vital routes.

Council regrets that despite this investment the performance of some services has worsened. Passenger satisfaction has declined on key measures such as punctuality, reliability and the provision of information during the journey, whilst concerns have been raised about the accuracy of the real time information system that displays the predicted time of the next bus. Meanwhile many outer areas of the city still suffer from poor public transport connectivity and service reliability issues, with investment largely focused on the city centre.

Council notes that the Combined Authority has been awarded an indicative settlement of £69,974,070 in government funding over three financial years to support delivery of a Bus Service Improvement Plan, and believes the public will expect the Mayor of West Yorkshire to be held accountable for addressing current problems with services now, as well as delivering a longer term step change in performance in Leeds.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Mayor of West Yorkshire asking that she outlines her detailed plans to tackle the immediate concerns with the city’s bus services, and inviting her to take questions in an appropriate forum from elected members in Leeds.

It was moved by Councillor Buckley, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter that this Council is concerned at the current state of bus services in Leeds.

Council notes that public transport was hit hard by the pandemic, with passenger numbers not yet fully recovered, and Council welcomes the substantial and continuing government funding that has been paid to operators and local transport authorities to keep services running. Between April and December this year alone, West Yorkshire Combined Authority is expected to receive £3,043,632 to help operators maintain vital routes.

Council regrets that despite this investment the performance of some services has worsened. Passenger satisfaction has declined on key measures such as punctuality, reliability and the provision of information during the journey, whilst concerns have been raised about the accuracy of the real time information system that displays the predicted time of the next bus. Meanwhile many outer areas of the city still suffer from poor public transport connectivity and service reliability issues, with investment largely focused on the city centre.

Council notes that the Combined Authority has been awarded an indicative settlement of £69,974,070 in government funding over three financial years to support delivery of a Bus Service Improvement Plan, and believes the public will expect the Mayor of West Yorkshire to be held accountable for addressing current problems with services now, as well as delivering a longer term step change in performance in Leeds.

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Mayor of West Yorkshire asking that she outlines her detailed plans to tackle the immediate concerns with the city’s bus services, and inviting her to take questions in an appropriate forum from elected members in Leeds.

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

Delete all after the first paragraph and replace with:

"Elected members share the frustration of bus passengers at the unacceptable level of cancelled bus journeys throughout the network, and the reduced frequency imposed on some bus services. This has a significant impact on Leeds workers getting to their place of employment, students attending classes on time, and people accessing hospital appointments. The cancelling or reduction of evening services in particular is having a significant impact on many people's mental health as they are effectively curfewed from social activity after dark.

This Council regrets that the recently extended Covid support funding from government, handed over to private bus companies, contains no binding agreements on customer delivery.

This Council further considers the West Yorkshire Mayor's Enhanced Bus Partnership a failure, as this arrangement has failed to leverage any appreciable improvements for West Yorkshire Bus passengers from private bus companies in exchange for the taxpayer funded subsidy they receive.

Members are dismayed that despite handing over £80 million for cleaner, cheaper new buses, and £35 million to subsidise cheaper 'Mayors Fares', Leeds bus users are experiencing a worsening service under the Mayor's transport stewardship.

This Council believes that the accountability and performance of private bus companies will only be improved when the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

This council is concerned that the proposed closure of Queensway School in Yeadon will only partially address the challenge of low pupil numbers in Aireborough and that the current problem is an Aireborough wide issue, that should be dealt with holistically. Closure of Queensway would seriously impact on SEND pupils and disrupt the education and mental health of pupils. This will have an additional impact on the JCC and future provision for the whole of Aireborough.

Council calls on officers to halt the process of Queensway’s closure and look for a full solution for Aireborough instead.

It was moved by Councillor Downes, seconded by Councillor Campbell that this council is concerned that the proposed closure of Queensway School in Yeadon will only partially address the challenge of low pupil numbers in Aireborough and that the current problem is an Aireborough wide issue, that should be dealt with holistically. Closure of Queensway would seriously impact on SEND pupils and disrupt the education and mental health of pupils. This will have an additional impact on the JCC and future provision for the whole of Aireborough.

Council calls on officers to halt the process of Queensway’s closure and look for a full solution for Aireborough instead.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Wadsworth, seconded by Councillor Alderson

After “disrupt the education and mental health of pupils”, insert: “including pupils and schools in Guiseley and Rawdon Ward.”

After “Aireborough instead”, insert: “which, following comprehensive consultation, can command the confidence and support of all affected local schools, families, and councillors of the wards affected.”

Motion would read:

This Council is concerned that the proposed closure of Queensway School in Yeadon will only partially address the challenge of low pupil numbers in Aireborough and that the current problem is an Aireborough wide issue, that should be dealt with holistically. Closure of Queensway would seriously impact on SEND pupils and disrupt the education and mental health of pupils including pupils and schools in Guiseley and Rawdon Ward. This will have an additional impact on the JCC and future provision for the whole of Aireborough.

Council calls on officers to halt the process of Queensway’s closure and look for a full solution for Aireborough instead which, following comprehensive consultation, can command the confidence and support of all affected local schools, families, and councillors of the wards affected.

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

Remove all after “This Council” and replace with:

“is concerned at the systematic removal of both powers and funding from Local Authorities related to education provision and the subsequent impact of those removals on local people in situations such as Queensway School in Yeadon.

Council is frustrated at the Governments’ removing of powers from councils to control admission numbers across the city, meaning that when populations fall, options are extremely limited.

Council acknowledges the current 22% surplus of school places in the Aireborough area, moving to a 36% surplus by 2026, and understands that schools cannot operate without the funding that is attached to pupil numbers coming in, particularly given the significant cuts to education over the past 12 years.

Council further acknowledges that the Governing bodies of the schools in the Aireborough area each independently control their own admission numbers and have indicated that they are not willing to reduce their admission numbers.

While it is important to note that no decision has been made on the future of Queensway School and we cannot pre-empt that decision, Council would continue to support children, families, teachers and school staff throughout  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

This Council is very concerned the Government continues to allow raw sewage to be dumped into rivers flowing through Leeds.

Council is shocked Environment Agency figures show raw sewage has been pumped into Yorkshire’s natural environment once every 18.75 minutes since 2016 and the number of spills has increased by over 100,000% in that time.

Council notes that the Government’s failure to implement effective regulation, as well as Government cuts to the Environment Agency budget since 2010 have reduced the amount of surveillance of water companies aimed at stopping pollution in rivers and caused an increase in raw sewage dumping.

Council calls on the Government to end this disgraceful practice by allowing unlimited fines, holding water company bosses legally and financially accountable for their negligence, and by toughening up regulations that currently allow the system to be abused.

It was moved by Councillor Carlill, seconded by Councillor Sharpe that this Council is very concerned the Government continues to allow raw sewage to be dumped into rivers flowing through Leeds.

Council is shocked Environment Agency figures show raw sewage has been pumped into Yorkshire’s natural environment once every 18.75 minutes since 2016 and the number of spills has increased by over 100,000% in that time.

Council notes that the Government’s failure to implement effective regulation, as well as Government cuts to the Environment Agency budget since 2010 have reduced the amount of surveillance of water companies aimed at stopping pollution in rivers and caused an increase in raw sewage dumping.

Council calls on the Government to end this disgraceful practice by allowing unlimited fines, holding water company bosses legally and financially accountable for their negligence, and by toughening up regulations that currently allow the system to be abused.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Amanda Carter, seconded by Councillor Richards

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with the following:

acknowledges the work already undertaken by this Government on environmental matters.

This includes the recent Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan published in August 2022 which places obligations and penalties on water companies to actually comply with regulations and permits issued by the Environment Agency, and the expectation that year on year, there will be reductions in the amount of surface water going into the sewer network. 

Council also notes and endorses the local work started by the Wetherby Ward Members to significantly improve water quality in the River Wharfe, including facilitating a deputation to Council in November 2019 and subsequently convening a ‘sewage summit’ at Civic Hall with Council Officers and stakeholders from Yorkshire Water and rivers groups.  Meetings have taken place with Government Ministers and the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board has undertaken an investigation into this issue at the request of the Wetherby Members.

Work is currently underway in the Wetherby Ward to achieve Bathing Water Status for the River Wharfe at Wetherby and Boston Spa.  When successful, this will become one of only a handful of river locations in the country with this formal designation. 

Given the clear action from Government, this Council believes it is now time action is taken in Leeds. This Council commits to actively supporting citizen groups and Wards to achieve Bathing Water Status on rivers within the Council boundary.

Council calls for a report to be brought to Executive Board before the end of March 2023, detailing the timescales and constructive actions Leeds residents can expect as a minimum the Council will deliver in supporting Bathing Water Status applications.”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Hart-Brooke, seconded by Councillor Campbell

Add a further paragraph at the end of the original motion:

"This Council further believes that Ofwat is completely discredited as a regulator. It calls on the government to make arrangements for its abolition and replacement with a new regulator focussed on prioritising the protection of waterways and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.