Agenda and minutes

J PROCTER

It was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor Hanley and

RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the Special meeting held on 12^th May and of the Annual meeting held on 22^nd May 2006 be approved.

The Lord Mayor announced that a list of written declarations submitted by members was on display in the ante-room, on deposit in the public galleries and had been circulated to each member’s place in the Chamber.

Following an invitation to declare further individual interests, declarations in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct were made as follows:

(a)  Councillor Bale declared a personal interest in minute 15 of this meeting as a school governor at Guiseley School and Westfield Infants school and as a member of the management board of Community Links

  Councillor Cleasby declared a personal interest in minute 15 as a school governor at Benton park and Westbrook Lane schools.

(b)  Councillors Gruen, Driver, Cleasby, Downes and Fox as members of the School Organisation Committee indicated their intention to leave the meetng during the discussion of the amendment relating to the Primary Review in the Meanwood planning  area (minute 19) to avoid any perception of predetermination when proposals in relation to the area are referred to that Committee for determination (in the event Councillor Russell also left the meeting during the discussion).

  Councillor Rafique declared a personal interest in the same matter as an employee of Education Leeds.

(c)  Councillor Schofield declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 20 of this meeting as a Director of Leeds Co-operative Society.

(d)  Councillor Beverley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 24 of this meeting having a close relative employed at a sports centre.

(e)  The following Councillors declared personal interests in minute 26 of this meeting for the reasons indicated:

  Wakefield  -   Member of East Leeds PCT

  Harington  -   Chair of East Leeds PCT

  McKenna  -  Members of West Leeds PCT

  Harper  -   Members of West Leeds PCT

  Ogilvie  -   Member of South Leeds PCT

  Kendall  -   Member of Community Action for Roundhay Elderly Management Committee and of Roundhay Technology School Governors

  Lobley  -  Acting Chair of Community Action for Roundhay Elderly

  Lancaste  -   Member of Meanwood Elderly Neighbourhood Action

  Hollingsworth-  Member of Richmond Hill Elderly Action

(f)  Further declarations made during the meeting are recorded in minute 21.

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

1  Local residents for the provision of a swimming pool in North West Leeds.

2  Boston Spa and Clifford Parish Councils regarding the recent withdrawal of the Wetherby to Tadcaster bus service.

3  Parents of pupils at Adel Primary School regarding the lack of consultation in relation to building works resulting in a loss of window space at the school.

RESOLVED – That the subject matter of each of the deputations be referred to the Executive Board for consideration.

(a)  The Scrutiny Boards’ Annual Report to Council prepared in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution

J PROCTER

(b)  The report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services on appointments by the Council

J PROCTER

(c)  The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer on attendance at meetings.

J PROCTER

Reports admitted to the agenda in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(f) were considered as follows:

(a)  Scrutiny Boards’ Annual Report to Council 2005/06

  It was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton and

  RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Boards’ Annual Report to Council prepared in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution be received.

(b)  Appointments

  It was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor Hanley and

  RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services on appointments be received and approved subject to the following amendments and additions:

  Paragraph 1.2 add:-

  Councillor Schofield to the Licensing and Regulatory Panel

  Additional appointments:-

  Councillor Mrs A Carter to replace Councillor Latty on Plans Panel (West)

  Councillor Latty to replace Councillor Shelbrooke on Plans Panel (City Centre)

  Councillor Morgan to replace Councillor Lyons on Scrutiny Board (Leisure)

  Councillor J Lewis to replace Councillor Coulson on Scrutiny Board (City Services)

(c)  Councillor R Procter Attendance at Meetings

  It was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton and

  RESOLVED – That the report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer with regard to the attendance of Councillor R Procter at meetings of the authority be approved.

1  Councillor Wakefield to the Leader of Council

  Will the Leader of Council please tell me what his administration is doing to tackle sick leave taken by council employees?

  The Leader of Council replied

2  Councillor Hussain to the Leader of Council

  Can the Leader of Council comment on the administration’s commitment to funding Social Services in Leeds?

  The Leader of Council replied

3  Councillor A Carter to the Leader of Council

  Would the Leader of Council communicate his views on sickness levels for the Authority?

  The Leader of Council replied

4  Councillor Leadley to the Executive Member (Development)

  Could the Executive Board Member for Development please tell us what reporting procedures are in place to ensure that Plans Panels, City Council Ward Members and Town and Parish Councils are kept informed of planning compliance activity within their geographical areas of responsibility?

  The Executive Member (Development) replied)

5  Councillor Wakefield to the Leader of Council

  Will the Leader of Council please tell me whether he still supports his statement made in a letter to all council staff on the 29^th June 2004 that ‘where change is agreed which impacts upon staff, we are committed to treating you fairly’?

  The Leader of Council replied

6  Councillor Ewens to the Lead Executive Member (Children’s Services)

  Can the Executive Board Member for Children's Services tell us how he sees his new role?

  The Lead Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied

7  Councillor Anderson to the Executive Member (Development)

  Would the Executive Member for Development please update the Council on the progress of the arena.

  The Executive Member (Development) replied

8  Councillor Finnigan to the Support Executive Member (Children’s Services)

  Can the Executive Member responsible for Education update the Council on progress with the programme to replace temporary buildings used in local High Schools

  The Support Executive Member (Children’s Services 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 responses would be sent to each member of Council

9  Councillor R Lewis to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing)

10  Councillor Ewens to the Executive Member (Adult and Social Care)

11  Councillor Leadley to the Executive Member (Development)

12  Councillor Gruen to the Support Executive Member (Children’s Services)

M HARRIS

It was moved by Councillor Harris seconded by Councillor A Carter and

RESOLVED – That the Council Plan be approved in accordance with the recommendations of the Executive Board and the report of the Chief Executive now submitted and that the Area Function Schedules 2006/07, as appended to the reports now submitted, be received as the concluding part of Schedule 9(a) presented to the Annual meeting.

J L CARTER

It was moved by Councillor Kirkland seconded by Councillor J L Carter and

RESOLVED – That the Standards Committee Annual Report 2005/06 as appended to the report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services be noted.

M HARRIS

It was moved by Councillor Harris seconded by Councillor J Procter

That the minutes submitted to Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(l) be received.

An amendment (reference back) was moved by Councillor Rafique seconded by Councillor Wakefield.

To add the following words at the end of item 9:

“but to ask the Executive Board to reconsider the decision in relation to the Review of Primary Provision in Meanwood Primary Planning Area as contained in minute 14 of the Executive Board minutes of 14^th June 2006”

The amendment was lost and upon the motion being put to the vote it was:

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

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

On the requisition of Councillors Hanley and Selby the voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

YES

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dowson, Elliot, Finnigan, Gabriel, Grahame, Grayshon, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison,  G Hyde, Illingworth, Jarosz, Leadley, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Mulherin, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, Wakefield

  38

NO

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Chapman, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Golton, M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde,  Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, McArdle, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Procter, R Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

  49

ABSTAIN

Beverley, Jennings

  2

(During the discussion and voting on the amendment Councillors Gruen, Driver, Cleasby, Downes, Fox and Russell left the meeting)

(The meeting was suspended at 5.15 pm and resumed at 5.50 pm )

THAT this Council notes with alarming concern that over 2,500 Urban Post Offices have closed under the Government’s network reinvention programme.  This Council believes that the situation will be made worse when the Government withdraws the Post Office card account, POCA, in 4 years time.  This Council believes that the Post Office network provides vital services to local  communities in both urban and rural areas and that these are now under serious threat because of the Government’s withdrawal date.  This Council further calls on all Leeds MPs to oppose the Governments current proposals, and support our local Post Offices.

A CARTER

It was moved by Councillor A Carter seconded by Councillor Lobley and

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY – That this Council notes with alarming concern that over 2,500 Urban Post Offices have closed under the Government’s network reinvention programme.  This Council believes that the situation will be made worse when the Government withdraws the Post Office card account, POCA, in 4 years time.  This Council believes that the Post Office network provides vital services to local  communities in both urban and rural areas and that these are now under serious threat because of the Government’s withdrawal of services from local Post Offices. This Council calls on the Government to reverse its announcement and to lend support for the Post Office card account in 2010.  We also call on the Government to immediately halt its activities which are clearly designed to undermine this account in advance of the withdrawal date.  This Council further calls on all Leeds MPs to oppose the Governments current proposals, and support our local Post Offices.

(Councillor Schofield, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest under minute 13 above, left the meeting during the debate on this item)

THAT this Council condemns the ruling administration for its continuing failure to provide an adequate grass cutting service in the city.

K WAKEFIELD

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield seconded by Councillor Lowe

That this Council condemns the ruling administration for its continuing failure to provide an adequate grass cutting service in the city.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Finnigan seconded by Councillor Elliot

Delete the word ‘condemns’ and replace with, ‘requests’.  Delete all after ‘administration’ and replace with “looks at a series of sanctions and penalties to review the failure to provide an adequate grass cutting service in the City”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Smith seconded by Councillor J Procter

Delete all after the word Council and replace with:

“supports the ongoing attention being paid by the ruling administration and the consequential actions being put in place to ensure an improving standard of grass cutting on Highways and ALMO land in the City.”

The amendment was lost, the second amendment was carried and upon being put as the substantive motion it was

RESOLVED – That this Council supports the ongoing attention being paid by the ruling administration and the consequential actions being put in place to ensure an improving standard of grass cutting on Highways and ALMO land in the City.

During the debate on this item the following members declared personal interests as members of ALMO Boards:

Brett, Lancaster, Anderson, R D Feldman, Lowe, Gruen, Hanley, R Lewis, Akhtar, Ewens, Taylor, A Blackburn, Latty, Schofield, Wilkinson, Elliot, Murray, Dowson, Ogilvie, Selby, Parker, Hollingsworth, Robinson, Wadsworth, Illingworth.

On the requisition of Councillors Hanley and Atha the voting was recorded as follows:

The amendment in Councillor Finnigan’s name

YES

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Beverely, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dowson, Driver, Elliot, Finnigan, Gabriel, Grahame, Grayshon , Gruen, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison, Illingworth, Jarosz, Leadley, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Mulherin, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Wakefield

    40

NO

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Chapman, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Golton, M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Project, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley , Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

    51

The amendment in Councillor Smith’s name

YES

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Chapman, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Golton, M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, McArdle, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Project, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley , Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

  52

NO

Armitage, Atha  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

During the debate under minute 21 above it was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton and

RESOLVED – That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1 Procedure Rule 3.2 be suspended to allow the debate on all of the White Paper Motions to be concluded.

THAT this Council congratulates the residents of Woodhouse and Hyde Park and their supporters in preserving Woodhouse Moor from the planned car parking scheme; deplores their local Lib-Dem councillors for not listening to their residents views and calls upon the ruling administration to use the £163,000 allocated for the car parking scheme on the refurbishments of Woodhouse Moor.

B ATHA

It was moved by Councillor Atha seconded by Councillor Ogilvie

That this Council congratulates the residents of Woodhouse and Hyde

Park and their supporters in preserving Woodhouse Moor from the planned car parking scheme; deplores their local Lib-Dem councillors for not listening to their residents views and calls upon the ruling administration to use the £163,000 allocated for the car parking scheme on the refurbishments of Woodhouse Moor

An amendment was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton

After “That this Council congratulates the” delete all and replace with

“administration on its Park Renaissance Programme and welcomes the fact that the administration and local members listened to the concerns of local residents and revised the plan for Woodhouse Moor.  This Council also congratulates the administration for their proposals to invest in enhancing Woodhouse Moor through a lottery grant application which will be the subject of intensive consultation with local residents.”

The amendment was carried and upon being put to the vote as the substantive motion it was

RESOLVED – That this Council congratulates the administration on its Park Renaissance Programme and welcomes the fact that the administration and local members listened to the concerns of local residents and revised the plan for Woodhouse Moor.  This Council also congratulates the administration for their proposals to invest in enhancing Woodhouse Moor through a lottery grant application which will be the subject of intensive consultation with local residents.

On the requisition of Councillors Hanley and Selby the voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

YES

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Brett, Campbell,  A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Chapman, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Golton, M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, McArdle, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

        52

NO

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dowson, Driver, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison, Illingworth, Jarosz, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Mulherin, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Wakefield

            34

ABSTAIN

Beverley, Elliot, Finnigan, Grayshon, Leadley

        5

On the requisition of Councillor J Procter and Atha the voting on the substantive motion was recorded as follows:

YES

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Brett, Campbell,  A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Chapman, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Golton, M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, McArdle, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

        52  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

THAT this Council welcomes the sports centres refurbishment programme and notes the positive impact this will have on local communities, including Morley and fully supports its implementation. This Council recognises the hard work Council Officers and Members have undertaken to deliver this programme.

R FINNIGAN

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10, with the consent of the seconder and of Council, Councillor Finnigan withdrew the motion in his name relating to the replacement of sports centres.

THAT this Council supports the concept of local sustainability as envisaged in the Sustainable Communities Bill, namely;

·  the promotion of local economies, services and facilities

·  the protection of the environment

·  the reduction of social exclusion and

·  measures to increase involvement in the democratic process

and accordingly resolves to support the Bill which:

·  requires the government to assist councils and communities in promoting local sustainability in ways decided by them; and

·  sets up a participative process whereby councils and communities can drive the way in which government uses its power and influence to assist with the promotion of local sustainability; and

·  notes that this Bill enables Councils to influence how government uses its resources and influence to help councils and communities; and

·  specifically provides that where councils decide to take action to promote local sustainability that they should be given the resources to do so

Noting the benefits this Bill will bring to the citizens of Leeds, Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Local Works, the campaign behind the Bill, expressing its support.

S GOLTON

It was moved by Councillor Golton seconded by Councillor Russell and

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY - That this Council supports the concept of local sustainability as envisaged in the Sustainable Communities Bill, namely;

·  the promotion of local economies, services and facilities

·  the protection of the environment

·  the reduction of social exclusion and

·  measures to increase involvement in the democratic process

and accordingly resolves to support the Bill which:

·  requires the government to assist councils and communities in promoting local sustainability in ways decided by them; and

·  sets up a participative process whereby councils and communities can drive the way in which government uses its power and influence to assist with the promotion of local sustainability; and

·  notes that this Bill enables Councils to influence how government uses its resources and influence to help councils and communities; and

·  specifically provides that where councils decide to take action to promote local sustainability that they should be given the resources to do so

Noting the benefits this Bill will bring to the citizens of Leeds, Council instructs the Chief Executive to write to Local Works, the campaign behind the Bill, expressing its support.

THAT this Council requests Executive Board to consider ‘Older Better’, the Leeds strategy to promote healthy and active life in older age, 20 per cent of Leeds citizens are 60 or over, and resolves to ensure they are recognised as active citizens, that their contribution is acknowledged, and their health, wellbeing and independence is promoted.

P HARRAND

It was moved by Councillor Harrand seconded by Councillor Lancaster

That this Council requests Executive Board to consider ‘Older Better’, the Leeds strategy to promote healthy and active life in older age.  20 per cent of Leeds citizens are 60 or over, and resolves to ensure they are recognised as active citizens, that their contribution is acknowledged, and their health, wellbeing and independence is promoted

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10, with the consent of the seconder and of Council, Councillor Harrison withdrew the amendment in her name.

Upon the motion being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY - That this Council requests Executive Board to consider ‘Older Better’, the Leeds strategy to promote healthy and active life in older age.  20 per cent of Leeds citizens are 60 or over, and resolves to ensure they are recognised as active citizens, that their contribution is acknowledged, and their health, wellbeing and independence is promoted