Agenda and minutes

(a)  The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of Honorary Alderman Astle JP

(b)  The Lord Mayor referred to the fact that Jane Tomlinson MBE had completed her 4200 mile bike ride across the USA.

(c)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that Councillor William Hyde and Mrs Hyde had recently celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary.

(d)  The Lord Mayor referred to the City’s success in the Yorkshire in Bloom Competition and invited Councillor Robinson to say a few words.

J PROCTER

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th July 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 Members’ 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 Murray declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minute 51 of this meeting as he had previously been involved in the bidding process.

(b)  The following Councillors declared personal interests in minute 52 of this meeting as follows:

  Ewens  –   Board Member, Swarthmore Educational Centre

  Hussain  –   Board Member, Park Lane College

  Bentley   –   Board Member, Leeds Initiative Learning Partnership

  Harker   –   Board Member, Leeds Initiative Learning Partnership

  Fox  –   Governor, Leeds College of Technology

  Finnigan   –   Governor, Joseph Priestley College

  Wakefield  –   Board Member, Learning and Skills Council

  Mulherin  –   Governor, Joseph Priestley College

  G Hyde   –   Governor, Leeds College of Art and Design and

    Governor of Leeds College of Building

  McKenna  –   Governor, Leeds College of Art and Design

  Murray  -   Governor of Park Lane College

  Driver  -   Board Member, Belle Isle Foundation

  Board Member, Thomas Danby College

  Governor , South Leeds High School

  Blake  -   Governor, Belle Isle Foundation

  Cleasby  -  Governor, Westbrook Lane Primary School

  Governor, Benton Park High School

  Member – Airport Consultative Committee

  Member, Bradford University Court

  Member, School Organisation Committee

  Kendall  -  Governor, Roundhay School

Member, Management Committee for Community Action Roundhay Elderly

  Councillor Murray declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the same item as he is working for a charity currently negotiating with the LSC for a bid which will fund adult education provision with various colleges across the city.

(c)  The following members declared personal interests in minute 53 of this meeting as follows:

  Gabriel  -  Employee of Leeds Mental Health NHS Trust

  Wakefield  -  Board Member, East Leeds PCT

  McKenna  -   Board Member, West Leeds PCT

  Harper  -  Board Member, West Leeds PCT

  Ogilvie   -  Board Member, South Leeds PCT

  Harington  -   Chair, East Leeds PCT

  Wilkinson  -  Regular user of car park taking and waiting for partner having chemotherapy treatment

  Smith    -  Board Member, South Leeds PCT

  Councillor S Hamilton declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the same item as an employee of Leeds NHS Teaching Hospital Trust, directly affected by car parking charges.

(d)  The following members declared personal interests in minute 54 of this meeting as follows:

  Congreve   – Board Member, South Leeds ALMO

  Latty   – Board Member, North West Leeds ALMO

  Elliott   – Board Member, South Leeds ALMO

  A Blackburn   –   Director, Leeds West Homes

  J L Carter   –  Director of Renew and Renewal Ltd

  Lancaster   –   Board Member, Leeds North East Homes

  Ewens   –   Board Member, Leeds North West Homes

  Chapman  –   Board Member, Leeds North West Homes

  Hollingsworth –   Director, Leeds East ALMO

  Akhtar  –   Director, Leeds East ALMO

  Taylor  –   Director, Leeds East ALMO

  Brett   –   Director, South East Homes

  Golton  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

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

1  Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange regarding the inadequacy of provision of  accommodation in the city.

2  Right to Rent Campaign regarding the need for social rented homes.

3  Local residents concerned about the Rein Road Quarry, Morley.

4  Queenshill and Lingfield Estate Residents concerned about Ring Road safety.

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

The report of the Chief Democratic Services Officer on Council Meeting arrangements 2006/07

J PROCTER

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

RESOLVED – That the following recommendations, as contained in the report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, be approved:

(a)  That an extraordinary meeting of the Council be held at 11.00 am on Wednesday 13^th December 2006 for the specific purpose of approving a Gambling Policy for Leeds.

(b)  That the 2007 Annual Meeting of Council be held at 6.00 pm on Thursday 24^th May and not 21^st May as previously agreed.

1  Councillor Ogilvie to the Leader of Council

  Will the Leader of Council please explain to Council why the local people in Beeston and Holbeck have not been consulted about the Council’s proposals to site a casino in their neighbourhood.

  The Executive Member (Development) replied

2  Councillor M Hamilton to the Leader of Council

  Would the Leader of Council care to comment on the effectiveness of the Government’s Community Cohesion Strategy?

  The Leader of Council replied.

3  Councillor Lobley to the Executive Member for Going Up a League

  Can the Executive Member for ‘Going Up A League’ please let me know the benefits of the recent concert at Roundhay Park?

  The Executive Member (Development) replied.

4  Councillor Finnigan to the Executive Member (Development)

  Can the Executive Board Member for Development comment on the successful appeal, which confirmed this Council’s refusal of planning permission for the Britannia Road site in Morley?

  The Executive Member (Development) replied.

5  Councillor Russell to the Executive Member (City Services)

  Would the Executive Member responsible for City Services care to comment on what plans his Department has to reduce the environmental impact of its transport fleet?

  The Executive Member (City Services) replied

6  Councillor Lowe to the Executive Member (City Services)

  Will the Executive Member for City Services please tell me how many young people have successfully completed the Council’s apprenticeship scheme since it was started?

  The Executive Member (City Services) replied

7  Councillor Campbell to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care)

  Can the Executive Member for Adult Health and Social Care please update the Council on The Breece?

  The Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care) replied.

8  Councillor Grayshon to the Leader of Council

  Could the Leader of Council comment on the spectacular achievements of Jane Tomlinson following her coast to coast bike ride across America?

  The Leader of Council replied.

9  Councillor Harington to the Executive Member (Leisure)

  Will the Executive Member for Leisure please tell me when he expects his department to submit the PFI sports centre bid?

  The Executive Member (Leisure) replied.

10  Councillor Hollingsworth to the Support Executive Member (Children’s Services)

  Would the Executive Board Member for Children’s Services with responsibility for learning take this opportunity to congratulate pupils from the Leeds area on their recent examination results?

  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.

11  Councillor Finnigan to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing)

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

13  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Customer Services)

14  Councillor Harrison to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care)

15  Councillor Pryke to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care)

16  Councillor Harrison to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care)

17  Councillor Hussain to the Executive Member (Children’s Services)

18  Councillor Illingworth to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

M HARRIS

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

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

During debate under minute 49 above it was moved by Councillor M Hamilton and seconded by Councillor J Procter and

RESOLVED – That under provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1 Procedure Rule 3.1 be suspended to allow all comments on the minutes to be heard.

THAT this Council applauds the excellent work done by its Jobs and Skills Service in delivering New Deal Services in Leeds for the past eight years. During this time the team has helped 9,425Leeds citizens into employment and has been awarded Beacon Status for Removing Barriers to Work.

Council therefore condemns the decision made by the Department of Work and Pensions to ignore the expertise that has been built up within the Council and award the New Deal contract to an alternative provider. Council is particularly appalled at the failure of the Government to inform the Council of its decision in a timely manner, which has resulted in unnecessary distress to its employees.

M HARRIS

It was moved by Councillor Harris seconded by Councillor A Carter

That this Council applauds the excellent work done by its Jobs and Skills Service in delivering New Deal Services in Leeds for the past eight years. During this time the team has helped 9,425Leeds citizens into employment and has been awarded Beacon Status for Removing Barriers to Work.

Council therefore condemns the decision made by the Department of Work and Pensions to ignore the expertise that has been built up within the Council and award the New Deal contract to an alternative provider. Council is particularly appalled at the failure of the Government to inform the Council of its decision in a timely manner, which has resulted in unnecessary distress to its employees.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Wakefield seconded by Councillor Blake

Paragraph 2, delete all after “Council therefore condemns” and replace with:

‘ the ruling administration for their incompetence and mishandling of the bidding process which resulted in the Council losing this contract and calls on the relevant Scrutiny Board to investigate the whole issue as a matter of urgency’

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

RESOLVED - That this Council applauds the excellent work done by its Jobs and Skills Service in delivering New Deal Services in Leeds for the past eight years. During this time the team has helped 9,425Leeds citizens into employment and has been awarded Beacon Status for Removing Barriers to Work.

Council therefore condemns the decision made by the Department of Work and Pensions to ignore the expertise that has been built up within the Council and award the New Deal contract to an alternative provider. Council is particularly appalled at the failure of the Government to inform the Council of its decision in a timely manner, which has resulted in unnecessary distress to its employees.

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

The amendment in Councillor Wakefield’s name

YES

Armitage, Atha, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Gabriel, Grahame, S Hamilton, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison, G Hyde, Illingworth, Jarosz, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Mulherin, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, Wakefield

  36

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, McArdle, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

  52

ABSTAIN

Beverley, Finnigan, Grayshon

  3

The Motion

YES

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

THAT this Council deplores the cuts of £2 million in funding for local Further Education adult education classes made by the Labour Government.  Council believes that stopping many of the adult education classes run by Park Lane College at Osmondthorpe One Stop shop and the Swarthmore Centre can only lead to a widening of the gap between rich and poor in our City.  This council therefore calls on our Leeds MPs to fight these cuts and for the Labour Government to live up to its promises of Education, Education, Education and reinstate this funding immediately.

R BRETT

It was moved by Councillor Brett seconded by Councillor D Blackburn

That this Council deplores the cuts of £2 million in funding for local Further Education adult education classes made by the Labour Government.  Council believes that stopping many of the adult education classes run by Park Lane College at Osmondthorpe One Stop shop and the Swarthmore Centre can only lead to a widening of the gap between rich and poor in our City.  This council therefore calls on our Leeds MPs to fight these cuts and for the Labour Government to live up to its promises of Education, Education, Education and reinstate this funding immediately.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Wakefield seconded by Councillor Driver

Delete all after “this Council” and replace with:

‘notes the re-alignment by the Government of the budget for adult education to concentrate on training for young people and the unemployed. Council regrets the impact this is having on existing adult education classes in the city and calls on the Administration to consider imaginative ways of finding replacement funding for these classes, including considering whether Area Committee well-being budgets may be available.’

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

RESOLVED – That this Council deplores the cuts of £2 million in funding for local Further Education adult education classes made by the Labour Government.  Council believes that stopping many of the adult education classes run by Park Lane College at Osmondthorpe One Stop shop and the Swarthmore Centre can only lead to a widening of the gap between rich and poor in our City.  This council therefore calls on our Leeds MPs to fight these cuts and for the Labour Government to live up to its promises of Education, Education, Education and reinstate this funding immediately.

(Councillor Murray having declared a personal and prejudicial interest under minute 45 above left the meeting during the debate of this item)

During the debate on this item Councillor Bale declared a personal interest as a family member attended adult education classes.

THAT this Council condemns the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for increasing car parking charges by over 100% in some cases.

R PRYKE

It was moved by Councillor Pryke seconded by Councillor Harrand

That this Council condemns the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for increasing car parking charges by over 100% in some cases.

An amendment was moved by Councillor J Lewis seconded by Councillor McKenna

Delete all after “That this Council” and replace with:

“condemns the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for increasing car parking charges by over 100% in some cases and the hypocrisy of the ruling administration over NHS car parking charges when they have implemented similar policies themselves at the council car park on Beckett Street."

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

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY - That this Council condemns the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for increasing car parking charges by over 100% in some cases.

(Councillor S Hamilton having declared a personal and prejudicial interest under minute 45 above left the meeting during consideration of this item)

That this Council believes that there is a shortage of genuinely affordable rented housing in this city and supports the ‘right to rent’ campaign organised by Leeds Tenants Federation. Council recognises the problems that this causes for young people, those in the public sector and key workers in our city and calls on the ruling administration to bring forward practical proposals to address this issue as a matter of urgency

R LEWIS

It was moved by Councillor R Lewis seconded by Councillor Morgan

That this Council believes that there is a shortage of genuinely affordable rented housing in this city and supports the ‘right to rent’ campaign organised by Leeds Tenants Federation. Council recognises the problems that this causes for young people, those in the public sector and key workers in our city and calls on the ruling administration to bring forward practical proposals to address this issue as a matter of urgency

An amendment was moved by Councillor Finnigan seconded by Councillor Grayshon

To add at the end of the first sentence the words:

“and also supports the abolition of the ‘Right to Buy’ Legislation”

To alter the final sentence to read

“……..and calls upon the Government to bring forward practical proposals to address this issue as a matter of urgency”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor A Carter seconded by Councillor J L Carter

Delete all after “That this council believes” and insert “there is a shortage of genuinely affordable housing in Leeds and welcomes the measures (shown below) being taken by the ruling administration to increase the amount of affordable accommodation to both rent and buy.

1.  Work with the Housing corporation and Yorkshire Housing Association

2.  Innovative use of commuted sums

3.  East and South Leeds regeneration scheme

4.  Gipton Low Cost Housing scheme

5.  Use of the planning system

6.  Proposed new PFI schemes in Beeston and Holbeck and also Little London

7.  Setting up a corporate affordable housing task group within the Neighbourhoods and Housing and Development departments

This council further recognises that without such actions there will be problems for people of all generations in the years to come.’’

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

RESOLVED - That this council believes there is a shortage of genuinely affordable housing in Leeds and welcomes the measures (shown below) being taken by the ruling administration to increase the amount of affordable accommodation to both rent and buy.

1  Work with the Housing corporation and Yorkshire Housing Association

2  Innovative use of commuted sums

3  East and South Leeds regeneration scheme

4  Gipton Low Cost Housing scheme

5  Use of the planning system

6  Proposed new PFI schemes in Beeston and Holbeck and also Little London

7  Setting up a corporate affordable housing task group within the Neighbourhoods and Housing and Development departments

This council further recognises that without such actions there will be problems for people of all generations in the years to come.

On the requisition of Councillors Finnigan and Grayshon the voting was recorded as follows:

The amendment in Councillor Finnigan’s name

YES

Beverley, Finnigan, Grayshon

  3

NO

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Armitage, Atha, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Blake, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Chapman, Cleasby, Congreve, Coupar, Davey, Downes, Dowson , Dunn, Ewens,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

During the debate under minute 54 above it was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton that the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1 Procedure Rule 3.2 be suspended to allow the debate on the Right to Rent Campaign white paper to be concluded.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Atha seconded by Councillor Hanley that under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1 Council Procedure Rule 3.2 be suspended to allow the debate on all of the White Papers to be concluded.

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

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

The White Paper Motions on the following subjects included on the Summons, but not debated at the conclusion of the meeting were:

Home Care Services

NHS Funded Healthcare

Knife Crime