Agenda and minutes

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

b)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that Councillor Field was absent due to illness and wished her well.

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

  Dr Adrian Mark Crellin CBE

Mrs Deidre Ann Ford CBE

Mrs Lorraine Alison Jackson CBE

Ms Rosie Louise Tressler OBE

  Dr Celia Knight MBE

  Ms Christine Audrey Outram (Christine Potts) MBE

  Mr Andrew Dalton BEM

  Miss Kathryn Jayne Fielding BEM

  Dr Lorraine Whewell BEM

John Robins, Temporary Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, Queen’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 22^nd May 2019.

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd May 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.

The Chief Executive informed Council that a response to a Council resolution had been received from Nusrat Ghani MP , Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport in respect of the White Paper on HS2 considered by Council in March.

The response 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)  4^th Infantry Brigade.

2)  Leeds Fairtrade Group

3)  A group of young people regarding Road Safety

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of deputation 1 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 Resources and Housing 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 setting out recommendations from the Executive Board on 26^th June 2019 to Full Council in respect of the adoption of the Site Allocations Plan.

a)  That Council note the Inspectors’ final Report of the Leeds Site Allocations Plan and accept the Main Modifications of the Inspectors’, as detailed in their Report (June 2019) presented at Appendix 1;

b)  That Council adopt the draft Site Allocations Plan (version for Adoption), as detailed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, with effect from 10th July 2019, pursuant to Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended);

c)  That Council note the deletion of saved Unitary Development Plan policies that will be superseded by the Plan (as set out in Appendix 3 of the Plan detailed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report).

(Appendix 2 is provided as a stand alone document)

The report of the Director of City Development submitted a report seeking Council approval to adopt the Leeds Site Allocations Plan (SAP), having noted the independent Inspectors’ final Report, accepted the Inspectors Main Modifications to the Plan and noted the deletion of saved Unitary Development Plan policies which will be superseded by the Plan was moved by Councillor Mulherin and seconded by Councillor Walshaw.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.4 an amendment was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor Lamb;

To insert the following wording as Recommendation (d) on item 5 to read as follows:

“Council calls for the SAP Review to be completed as soon as possible with a stated aim of avoiding development on Greenbelt and Greenfield land post 2023 and to be in keeping with the ambitions set out in the declaration of a Climate Emergency in Leeds.

The SAP Review should also consider the re-introduction of phasing with a particular focus on moving undelivered HG2 sites into the last phase of the plan, to include: Haigh Wood (HG2-168, HG2-169) in Ardsley and Robin Hood Ward, Harper Gate Farm Tyersal Lane (HG2-73) in Pudsey Ward, Wills Gill (HG2-2) in Guiseley and Rawdon Ward, Calverley Cutting/Leeds Liverpool Canal (HG2-53) and Owlcotes Farm/Owlcotes Gardens Pudsey (HG2-67) in Calverley & Farsley Ward, Alwoodley Lane (HG2-36) in Alwoodley Ward, Broadway and Calverley Lane, Horsforth (HG2-42) in Horsforth Ward and Land to the East of Wetherby (HG2-226) in Wetherby Ward, amongst many others.”

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was declared lost and it was 

RESOLVED -

a) To note the Inspectors’ final Report of the Leeds Site Allocations

Plan and accept the Main Modifications of the Inspectors’, as detailed in their

Report (June 2019) presented at Appendix 1 to the submitted report;

b) To adopt the draft Site Allocations Plan (version for Adoption), as

detailed at Appendix 2 to the submitted report, with effect from 10th July

2019, pursuant to Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act

2004 (as amended);

c) To note the deletion of saved Unitary Development Plan policies that

will be superseded by the Plan (as set out in Appendix 3 of the Plan detailed at Appendix 2to the submitted report).

On the requisition of Councillors Lamb and Cohen the voting on the amendment moved by Councillor B Anderson and the motion in the name of Councillor Mulherin were recorded as follows:

Amendment moved by Councillor B Anderson

YES – 34

B Anderson, C Anderson, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Buckley, Campbell, Amanda Carter, Cohen, Collins, Dobson, Downes, Elliott, Finnigan, Firth, Forsaith, Golton, Hall, Harrington, M Harrison, Hutchison, Kidger, Lamb, G Latty, P Latty, Lay, McCormack, Robinson, Seary, Shemilt, Smith, Stephenson, Taylor, and Wadsworth.

NO - 56

Akhtar, Almas, Arif, Bithell, Blake, Brooks, Carlill, Charlwood, Coupar, Cunningham, Dawson, Dowson,  Drinkwater, Dye, Gabriel, Garner, Garthwaite, Goddard, P Grahame, R Grahame, Groves, C Gruen, P Gruen, Hamilton, Harland, Hayden, Heselwood, Hussain, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jenkins, Khan, Knight, Lennox, J Lewis, Maqsood, Marshall Katung  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor setting out recommendations from the General Purposes Committee on 24^th June 2019 to Full Council to receive the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel and agree the recommendations set out within the report.

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

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor presenting the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel be received and the recommendations set out agreed, namely;

I.  Basic, special responsibility and dependent carers’ allowances be increased each October in line with the headline pay increase negotiated through the National Joint Council for Local Government Employees and that this indexation continue until June 2023.

II.  The rate of Special Responsibility Allowance for the Independent Co-opted Member of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee should equate to 2% of the Leader of Council’s SRA.

III.  The Special Responsibility Allowance for the Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Committee should equate to 40% of the Leaders SRA but that this be reviewed by the Panel again in 12 months’ time. 

IV.  The Special Responsibility Allowance for the Shadow Chair of the Climate Change Advisory Committee should equate to 20% of the Leaders SRA but that this be reviewed by the Panel again in 12 months’ time.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor on appointments.

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

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the appointments to Committees, Boards and Panels referred to in 2.1 of the report and as set out below;

·  Councillor Howley to replace ‘whips nominee’ on Scrutiny Board (Children and Families)

·  Councillor Chapman to replace ‘whips nominee’ on Scrutiny Board (Strategy & Resources)

·  Councillor Bentley to replace ‘whips nominee’ on the Climate Change Advisory Committee

·  Councillor Seary to replace ‘whips nominee’ on Scrutiny Board (Strategy and Resources) 

·  Councillor Flynn to replace ‘whips nominee’ on Scrutiny Board (Children and Families) 

·  Councillor Buckley to replace ‘whips nominee’ on the Climate Change Advisory Committee

·  Councillor B Anderson to replace ‘whips nominee’ on the Climate Change Advisory Committee

·  Councillor Wadsworth to replace ‘whips nominee’ on the Climate Change Advisory Committee

·  Councillor Hayden to replace Councillor Ragan on Scrutiny Board (Strategy & Resources)

b)  That Council approve the appointment for a four year period of Councillor Jenkins on the West Yorkshire Pension Fund Board.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor presenting the Scrutiny Boards Annual report to Council.

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

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

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

Q1  Councillor Buckley to the Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development):-

Following the impending sale of First Bus and Arriva from their respective current owners, will the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development share with Council their plan to guarantee continued investment in Clean Air and also to guarantee that bus passengers in Leeds will receive the level of service that has so often been missed in the City?

The Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development) replied.

Q2  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development):-

Would the Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development inform Council of the costs incurred to date on the Lawnswood junction phase of the Leeds Public Transport Investment Plan for the A660, detailing the costs of consultants, officer time, contractors and other costs?

The Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development) replied.

Q3  Councillor Wenham to the Executive Member (Learning, Skills and Employment):-

Does the Executive Member have any comment to make on the impact in Leeds of Government decisions on education funding?

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

Q4  Councillor Forsaith to the Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development):-

Now that the Knostrop Sewage Treatment works is licensed to receive and treat waste flowback fluid from hydraulic fracturing, can the Executive member tell me what information is provided to Leeds City Council by FCC Environment and/or Yorkshire Water when any potentially hazardous waste material is transported to and from Knostrop?

The Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development) replied.

Q5  Councillor Iqbal to the Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development):-

How is the Council taking forward its climate emergency declaration?

  The Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development) replied.

Q6  Councillor B Anderson to the Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development):-

In relation to sites each of the major volume housebuilders have approved planning permission - would the Executive Member responsible for Planning please advise me how many sites have approval and are under construction, what the current build out rates and completion dates are for those sites and whether any will not be completed within the plan period.

  The Executive Member (Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development) replied.

Q7  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

Would the Executive Member for Children and Families inform Council how many young people have benefitted from the Council’s scheme to alleviate period poverty and at what cost to the Council?

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.3(b) the Executive Member (Learning, Skills & Employment) replied.

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

Would the Executive Member like to comment on the news that Leeds is the first UK city to report a decline in child obesity?

The Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

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 16.30 to 17.00

To consider a report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters in the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), the main issues described in this report are related to an update on Devolution and from the latest public WYCA meetings in April 2019 and June 2019.

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 resolves to reverse charging on bulky and inert waste with immediate effect.

It was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor D Blackburn that this Council resolves to reverse charging on bulky and inert waste with immediate effect.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Rafique, seconded by Councillor Lewis.

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“believes in the importance of prioritising frontline services, including children and adult social care, environmental services, and measures to tackle the climate emergency,  in the face of ideologically-driven, unnecessary and reckless cuts to our funding from the current Conservative government.

Council therefore calls on the next Conservative Prime Minister to carry out an urgent spending review that includes the reversal of cuts to local government funding.

Council requests a future Executive Board paper to consider evidence of effective measures to reduce waste crime.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor Rafique was declared carried and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council believes in the importance of prioritising frontline services, including children and adult social care, environmental services, and measures to tackle the climate emergency,  in the face of ideologically-driven, unnecessary and reckless cuts to our funding from the current Conservative government.

Council therefore calls on the next Conservative Prime Minister to carry out an urgent spending review that includes the reversal of cuts to local government funding.

Council requests a future Executive Board paper to consider evidence of effective measures to reduce waste crime.

This Council believes free TV licences are an invaluable lifeline to thousands of older people in Leeds at risk of social isolation. 

Council therefore opposes the proposal to scrap this vital pensioner benefit and calls on the Government to honour the promise made in the Conservative 2017 manifesto and fully fund the TV licence for all over 75s.

It was moved by Councillor Charlwood, seconded by Councillor Coupar thatthis Council believes free TV licences are an invaluable lifeline to thousands of older people in Leeds at risk of social isolation. 

Council therefore opposes the proposal to scrap this vital pensioner benefit and calls on the Government to honour the promise made in the Conservative 2017 manifesto and fully fund the TV licence for all over 75s.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Finnigan, seconded by Councillor Elliott

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with “believes free TV licenses are invaluable to many people in Leeds at risk of social isolation. This Council agrees to campaign for the scrapping of the TV License fee."

The White Paper would then read:

"This Council believes free TV licenses are invaluable to many people in Leeds at risk of social isolation. This Council agrees to campaign for the scrapping of the TV License fee."

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Bentley, seconded by Councillor Campbell

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

“..that all pensioners should receive a sustainable, living pension enabling  them to live with dignity, without fear of poverty or having to depend on arbitrary handouts at the whim of politicians.  The triple lock introduced by the Coalition Government in 2010 gives pensioners guaranteed real terms annual increases and enables them to share in the prosperity of the nation.

Council therefore:

·  Deplores the cynical ploy of the government to offload its obligations to the BBC

·  Calls on the government to consolidate annual payments for winter fuel allowance, Christmas bonus and TV licences for those over 75 into a guaranteed minimum pension.

·  Calls on the government and leaders of the main opposition parties to commit to retaining the triple lock arrangements in future Parliaments.”

The White Paper will then read:

This Council believes that all pensioners should receive a sustainable, living pension enabling them to live with dignity, without fear of poverty or having to depend on arbitrary handouts at the whim of politicians.  The triple lock introduced by the Coalition Government in 2010 gives pensioners guaranteed real terms annual increases and enables them to share in the prosperity of the nation.

Council therefore:

·  Deplores the cynical ploy of the government to offload its obligations to the BBC

·  Calls on the government to consolidate annual payments for winter fuel allowance, Christmas bonus and TV licences for those over 75 into a guaranteed minimum pension.

·  Calls on the government and leaders of the main opposition parties to commit to retaining the triple lock arrangements in future Parliaments

A third amendment was moved by Councillor C Anderson, seconded by Councillor Stephenson

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

‘in the protection of benefits, such as the TV licence, for vulnerable pensioners in the City. 

This Council further believes that TV licences are not the only factor that impacts on the budgets of older people in Leeds. Taxpayers should have confidence that the system of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

It was moved by Councillor Lay, seconded by Councillor Campbell that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10 leave of Council be given to withdraw the motion in his name on supporting residents with a learning disability into employment.

RESOLVED – That leave of Council be given to withdraw the motion.

It was moved by Councillor Pryor, seconded by Councillor Khan that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10 leave of Council be given to withdraw the amendment in his name on supporting residents with a learning disability into employment.

RESOLVED – That leave of Council be given to withdraw the amendment.

It was moved by Councillor Cohen, seconded by Councillor Shemilt that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10 leave of Council be given to withdraw the amendment in his name on supporting residents with a learning disability into employment.

RESOLVED – That leave of Council be given to withdraw the amendment.

It was moved by Councillor Dowson, seconded by Councillor Campbell that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule (CPR) 22.1 (Suspension of CPRs), that CPR 12 (Motions on Notice) (White Paper Motions) be suspended to allow the introduction of a White Paper on supporting residents with a learning disability into employment in the name of Councillor Lay and any associated amendment(s).

RESOLVED – That leave of Council be given to allow the introduction of a White Paper on supporting residents with a learning disability into employment in the name of Councillor Lay and any associated amendment(s).

Leeds has an ambition to be the best city for all its citizens and this includes those residents with a learning disability. This council also has a focus and commitment to support individuals with a learning disability to live independent, active and fulfilling lives. 

This Council therefore commits to further enhance the lives of those with a learning disability by:

·  committing to provide a stronger focus in assisting all those with a learning disability the  opportunity of work.

·  welcoming a deputation of residents with a learning disability to address Council on what more we can do to help them into employment.

·  asking the appropriate Scrutiny Board(s) to explore how we can create meaningful jobs across the city for those that want one: 

o  by creating meaningful employment/jobs within the Council.

o  by ensuring those jobs have the support mechanisms needed to help individuals with a learning disability to ‘get into’ and ‘stay in’ employment.

o  by setting a target figure for employment and work towards it.

o  by using its influence to encourage its partners in the public, private and the third sectors to do the same.

o  by supporting the Yorkshire Evening Post campaign ‘Let’s work together’.

And asks the Chief Officer for Employment and Skills to bring a report to the September 2019 Executive Board with recommendations of how the Council’s ambition can be achieved.  

It was moved by Councillor Lay, seconded by Councillor Pryor that Leeds has an ambition to be the best city for all its citizens and this includes those residents with a learning disability. This council also has a focus and commitment to support individuals with a learning disability to live independent, active and fulfilling lives. 

Leeds has demonstrated this commitment through:

·  the development of the ‘Being Me’ strategy that works to co-ordinate the different organisations that support people in Leeds with learning disabilities and their families.

·  The establishment of an Employment Task Group, bringing together the Council and Third Sector to identify employment barriers and opportunities for those with learning disabilities.

·  Reviewing relevant aspects of the recruitment policy with the Disability At Work Network (DAWN)

This Council therefore re-commits to further enhance the lives of those with a learning disability by:

·  providing a strong focus in assisting all those with a learning disability the opportunity of work through the on-going establishment of the Learning Disability Hub and a targeted Jobs Fayre.

·  welcoming a deputation of residents with a learning disability to address Council on what they would like to see the Council do to assist them further.

·  asking the appropriate Scrutiny Board(s) to evaluate the work we are doing to create meaningful jobs across the city for those that want one: 

o  by creating a greater number of meaningful employment/jobs within the Council.

o  by exploring how we can further work alongside DAWN and others to ensure those jobs have the support mechanisms needed to help individuals with a learning disability to ‘get into’ and ‘stay in’ employment.

o  by increasing the employment figures for people with learning disabilities.

o  by using its influence to encourage its partners in the public, private and the third sectors to do the same.

o  by supporting the Yorkshire Evening Post campaign ‘Let’s work together’.

And asks the Chief Officer for Employment and Skills to bring a report to the October 2019 Executive Board updating on progress against the ‘Being Me’ strategy along with recommendations of how the Council’s ambition can be achieved.

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

Delete all after ‘fulfilling lives’ and replace with:

This Council therefore commits to further enhance the lives of those with a learning disability by:

·  committing to provide a stronger focus in assisting all those with a learning disability the  opportunity of work.

·  welcoming a deputation of residents with a learning disability to address Council on what more we can do to help them into employment.

·  asking the appropriate Scrutiny Board(s) to explore how we can create meaningful jobs across the city for those that want one: 

o  by creating meaningful employment/jobs within the Council.

o  by ensuring those jobs have the support mechanisms needed to help individuals with a learning disability to ‘get into’ and ‘stay in’ employment.

o  by setting a target figure for employment and work towards it.

o  by using its influence  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.