Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor referred to the recent attacks in London and expressed sympathy to all those that had been affected.

Council stood in silent tribute.

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 22 February 2017

It was moved by Councillor Ogilvie, seconded by Councillor Buckley and

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd February 2017 be approved.

There were no declarations of any Disclosable Pecuniary 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 responses to 2 resolutions had been received from David Mowat MP , Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Community Health and Care in respect of the White Paper on Health considered by Council in January and from Marcus Jones MP, Minister for Local Government in respect of the White Paper on Adult Social Care Funding also considered by council in January 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)  Fare Share Yorkshire in respect of Food Poverty and Provision 

2)  The Leeds based Charity Karma Nirvana supporting victims of forced marriages.

3)    Team Beckhills – residents from the Beckhill Estate regarding pavement repairs.

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of deputations 1 and 2 be referred to the Assistant Chief Executive (Citizens and Communities) for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member and that the subject matter in respect of deputation 3 be referred to the Director of City Development for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

To consider the report of the Director of City Development seeking Council approval to submit the Submission Draft Site Allocations Plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination, following the expiry of the advertisement period of pre-submission changes (along with any further comments made on the pre-submission changes).

It was moved by Councillor R Lewis, seconded by Councillor Venner and

RESOLVED –

i)  That the Submission Draft of the Site Allocations Plan (Appendix 1) (comprising the Publication Draft Plan (Sept 2015), as amended by the Revised Publication Draft Plan for the Outer North East (Sept 2016) and the Pre-Submission Changes (Feb 2017)) for Submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination pursuant to Section 20 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended be approved.

ii)  That the Sustainability Appraisal Report (Appendix 2), in support of the Plan, for Submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination, pursuant to Section 20 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended be approved.

iii)  To grant authority to the independent inspector appointed to hold the Public Examination, to recommend modifications to the Submission Draft Plan, pursuant to Section 20 (7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended.

iv)  To Agree that following the further period of advertisement on the pre-submission changes to the Publication Draft Site Allocations Plan 13th February to 27th March 2017, that any further comments received are provided to the Secretary of State at the time the Submission Draft Plan is submitted for independent examination.

v)  To delegate authority to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member, to (a) approve the detail of any further technical documents and supporting evidence required to be submitted alongside the plan for consideration at Public Examination, (b) continue discussions with key parties and suggest to the Inspector any edits and consequential changes necessary to be made to the Submission Draft Plan following Council approval up to and during the Examination and (c) prepare and give evidence in support of the Plan at Examination.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor setting out recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on 8 March 2017 to Full Council concerning the appointment of the Chair to the Independent Remuneration Panel and of the Independent Person for Standards Matters

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie and

RESOLVED – That Sir Rodney Brooke be re-appointed as Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel until the end of June 2018, that Mr Gordon Tollefson be re-appointed as the Council’s Independent Person for a 5 year period until July 2022 and noted that Sir Rodney Brooke would be invited to support a member panel in the future recruitment process to the Independent Remuneration Panel.

To consider the report of the Deputy Chief Executive setting out recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on 8 March 2017 to Full Council in respect of the 2017/18 Pay Policy Statement.

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie and

RESOLVED –

  a)  That the updated Pay Policy Statement for the financial year  2017/18 as set out in Addendum 1 of the attached report to General Purposes Committee be approved.

  b)  That any in year requirement to amend the Annual Pay Policy Statement as a consequence of changes to council policies is undertaken by the Director of Resources and Housing and/or the Chief Officer (HR) or on advice from the Section 151 Officer and that this is reported to the General Purposes Committee who will make recommendation to Full Council for approval.

  c)  That the assurances provided by the Deputy Chief Executive and the Chief Officer-HR be noted.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on appointments.

It was moved by Councillor Ogilvie, seconded by Councillor Selby and

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor on appointments be approved, namely that Councillor Ragan fill a vacancy on Scrutiny Board(Adult Social Services, Public Health and NHS), that Councillor Jarosz  fill a vacancy on Scrutiny Board(Children’s Services), that Councillor Dawson fill a vacancy on Scrutiny Board(City Development), that Councillor Pryor fill a vacancy  on Licensing Committee and  Councillor S McKenna to replace Councillor Heselwood on Licensing Committee.

To consider the report of the Head of Elections, Licensing and Registration to Full Council regarding the annual report on Licensing.

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

RESOLVED – That the annual report of the Licensing Committee be received and noted.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor setting out recommendations from the Standards and Conduct Committee on 3 March 2017 to Full Council regarding the Annual report of the Standards and Conduct Committee.

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

RESOLVED - That the report of the City Solicitor be received and to note the assurances set out as to how the authority’s duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct (by Members and co-opted Members of the Council) is being discharged.

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

Q1  Councillor J Procter to the Leader of Council :-

Does the Leader of Council support the strike action taken by the RMT on Monday 13 March in Leeds and across the north of England?

The Leader of Council replied.

Q2  Councillor B Cleasby to the Leader of Council:-

Does the Leader of Council believe that the council has fully prepared planning officers and panel members with sufficient training to handle any future possible fracking planning application?

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.3.b the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) replied.

Q3  Councillor S McKenna to the Leader of Council:-

Please can the Leader of Council confirm if she supports the Orgreave Truth and Justice campaign?

The Leader of Council replied.

Q4  Councillor A Blackburn to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

Can the Executive Member for Children and Families tell me how many walking bus schemes are operational in different parts of Leeds?

The Executive Member (Children and Families) replied.

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

Would the Executive Member for Children and Families care to comment on the school funding announcements contained within the recent Budget?

The Executive Member (Children and Families) replied.

Q6  Councillor A Lamb to the Leader of Council:-

Would the Leader of Council inform me how many people, whose remuneration is paid by LCC, are paid via personal service companies?

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.3.b the Executive Member (Resources and Strategy) replied.

Q7  Councillor C Campbell to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

Does the executive member believe, in light of recent reports brought to the executive board, that developers are doing their bit to provide affordable housing in Leeds?

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

Q8  Councillor Macniven to the Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults):-

Can the Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults comment on Leeds winning the bid to become one of the first Time to Change Hubs?

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

Q9  Councillor D Blackburn to the Executive Member (Communities):-

Could the Executive Member for Communities tell me when Leeds Watch will be extended to cover the CCTV in multi-storey flats in West Leeds?

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

Q10  Councillor C Gruen to the Executive Member (Employment, Skills and Opportunity):-

Can the Executive Member update Council on the recent Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair and how progress will be maintained going forward?

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

Q11  Councillor M Robinson to the Leader of Council:-

Will the Leader of Council join me in welcoming today's (29th March) official triggering of Article 50 and take this opportunity to confirm her support for my suggestion that Citizens & Communities Scrutiny Board leads the work on scrutinising the Council’s preparations on Brexit related matters?

The Leader of Council replied.

At the conclusion of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

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

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Ogilvie 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 16.15 to 16.45.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters in the Leeds City Region LEP and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and specifically the report provides details of the latest public combined authority meeting in February.

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 additional £2bn of government funding for adult social care announced in the Government’s Budget for 2017/18. Leeds will now receive an additional £28.8m in government grant for social care services over the next three years.

This Council believes that retaining a local authority presence within the residential care sector is vital as populations continue to grow older and uncertainty remains over the ability of the independent sector to meet the required standards of Care In Leeds.

Council further believes that a complete withdrawal from residential care services in Leeds could be the wrong approach and calls for a thorough review of the Better Lives Strategy to test this view and the outcomes of this review should be brought back to the Executive Board before August 2017.

It was moved by Councillor C Anderson, seconded by Councillor Lamb that this Council welcomes the additional £2bn of government funding for adult social care announced in the Government’s Budget for 2017/18. Leeds will now receive an additional £28.8m in government grant for social care services over the next three years.

This Council believes that retaining a local authority presence within the residential care sector is vital as populations continue to grow older and uncertainty remains over the ability of the independent sector to meet the required standards of Care In Leeds.

Council further believes that a complete withdrawal from residential care services in Leeds could be the wrong approach and calls for a thorough review of the Better Lives Strategy to test this view and the outcomes of this review should be brought back to the Executive Board before August 2017.”

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

To insert at the start of the motion:

“Whilst recognising that it is insufficient to meet existing need,”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Charlwood, seconded by Councillor J Lewis

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“…is concerned one-off funding for Adult Social Care in the Spring Budget is a sticking plaster that does not address the social care crisis caused by years of underfunding and neglect by successive Conservative led Governments. 

Council notes seven years of austerity have seen the council’s core government grant cut by £214m, with £52m still to come, and £4.6billion cut from social care budgets nationally in the last Parliament despite rising demand pressures.

Council calls on all political groups to lobby the Conservative Government to reduce outsourcing and privatisation in the NHS by repealing the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

Council re-states its commitment to expanding in-house recovery and reablement services in Adult Social Care, to protect and hopefully expand in-house council jobs.

Council emphasises its commitment to investing £30m capital for health and social care initiatives, and protecting funding for Neighbourhood Networks, to help older people to continue to live independently. This is as well as providing new services like the proposed intermediate care facility at The Green, which will support hospital discharge and help to address pressures on the NHS.

Council re-states its commitment to working with partners across the city to improve quality standards and tackle the low pay challenge in the independent sector.

Council notes in February 2017 Executive Board agreed consultation on a re-fresh of the Better Lives Strategy, to report back to Executive Board in July 2017 with the aim of ensuring all people with care needs are supported to live their lives with the dignity they deserve. 

This Council calls on the Government to confirm local authorities will have full flexibility on how the one-off social care funding will be spent and to put in place a long term, sustainable funding settlement for Adult Social Care.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor Golton was declared lost

The amendment in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

Council notes with concern the reports of delays by CAPITA, who manage the National Dental Performers List, in issuing Performer Numbers to new dentists.  In some cases this has resulted in newly qualified dentists having to wait months before they can practice general NHS dentistry in England.  This affects both the quality of dental care in Leeds and the prospects of graduates from the Dental Hospital.

Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Health Minister, Nicola Blackwood MP, expressing our concerns.

Council also ask the Chief Executive to write to all Leeds Members of Parliament asking them to sign Early Day Motion 977.

It was moved by Councillor Wilford, seconded by Councillor Charlwood and

RESOLVED - That  Council notes with concern the reports of delays by CAPITA, who manage the National Dental Performers List, in issuing Performer Numbers to new dentists.  In some cases this has resulted in newly qualified dentists having to wait months before they can practice general NHS dentistry in England.  This affects both the quality of dental care in Leeds and the prospects of graduates from the Dental Hospital.

Council therefore asks the Chief Executive to write to the Health Minister, Nicola Blackwood MP, expressing our concerns.

Council also ask the Chief Executive to write to all Leeds Members of Parliament asking them to sign Early Day Motion 977.

On the requisition of Councillor A Blackburn and D Blackburn the voting on the motion in the name of Councillor Wilford was recorded as follows; 

YES – 87

Akhtar, B Anderson, C Anderson, J Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Blake, Bruce, Buckley, Campbell, Amanda Carter, Charlwood, Cleasby, Cohen, Collins, Congreve, Coupar, Davey, Dawson, C Dobson, M Dobson, Downes, Dowson, Dunn, Elliott, Field, Finnigan, Gabriel, Garthwaite, Golton, P Grahame, R Grahame, Groves, C Gruen, P Gruen, Hamilton, Harland, Hayden, Heselwood, A Hussain, G Hussain, Hyde, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, Khan, Lamb, G Latty, P Latty, Lay, Leadley, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lyons, Lowe, Macniven, Maqsood, J McKenna, S McKenna, Mulherin, Nagle, Nash, Ogilvie, J Procter, Pryor, Rafique, Ragan, Renshaw, Ritchie, Robinson, Selby, Smart, Sobel, Stephenson, E Taylor, Towler, Truswell, Tunnicliffe, Venner, Wadsworth, Wakefield, Walker, Walshaw, Wilford, Wilkinson, Wood and Yeadon.

NO – 0

ABSTAIN – 0

This Council believes that air pollution in the UK is a public health crisis, with the World Health Organisation and Public Health England describing it as the largest environmental risk to public health, contributing to around 350 premature deaths in Leeds per year.

This Council also notes that air pollution disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable groups in our community: the elderly, those with existing health conditions, children, and people in our most deprived inner city areas.

This Council will continue to work closely with DEFRA and the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) on proposals for a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Leeds, but calls for a nationally-funded implementation framework to help support businesses and SMEs affected by a CAZ. This Council also calls for a 21^st Century Clean Air Act to address the major air quality challenges we face today and encourages all Members to get involved in the National Clean Air Day on 15 June 2017.

This Council will continue its commitment to improving air quality and reducing these inequalities, making Leeds a fair, sustainable and compassionate city.

In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.9 (a) leave of Council was given to Councillor Yeadon to alter the motion in her name by the inclusion of the amendment in the name of Councillor Finnigan.

The amended motion is set out below;

It was moved by Councillor Yeadon, seconded by Councillor D Blackburn that  this Council believes that air pollution in the UK is a public health crisis, with the World Health Organisation and Public Health England describing it as the largest environmental risk to public health, contributing to around 350 premature deaths in Leeds per year.

This Council also notes that air pollution disproportionately affects some of the most vulnerable groups in our community: the elderly, those with existing health conditions, children, and people in our most deprived inner city areas.

This Council will continue to work closely with DEFRA and the Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) on proposals for a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) in Leeds, but calls for a nationally-funded implementation framework to help support businesses and SMEs affected by a CAZ. This Council also calls for a 21^st Century Clean Air Act to address the major air quality challenges we face today and encourages all Members to get involved in the National Clean Air Day on 15 June 2017. This Council also agrees to deeply integrate all clean air policies into the planning process as a material planning consideration.

This Council will continue its commitment to improving air quality and reducing these inequalities, making Leeds a fair, sustainable and compassionate city.

In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(d) and 14.10 and with the consent of the seconder leave of Council was given to Councillor Finnigan to withdraw the amendment in his name.

An amendment was moved by Councillor J Bentley seconded by Councillor Downes

To insert after paragraph 2:

“This Council regrets the Labour administration’s record of inaction on this issue, that it is only as a result of Government intervention following a threat of a £300 million EU fine that this issue is now being taken seriously, and that no action was taken on a Liberal Democrat white paper in favour of low emissions zones passed with Labour support by full council in April 2011.”

To insert at the end of the motion:

“Council further instructs the Executive Board member for Environment to bring a paper to Executive Board at the earliest opportunity setting out practical measures the council will take to improve air quality without the need for government support, including but not limited to:

• A supplementary planning document to require medium and large scale developers to show how they will mitigate the air pollution impacts of their developments.
• Parking related incentives to discourage diesel vehicles
• Workplace parking levies
• Removing diesel vehicles from the council’s own salary sacrifice car purchase scheme
• Using the council’s licensing powers to reduce the level of air pollution contributed by the taxi and private hire sector.”

A second amendment was moved by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.