Agenda and minutes

(a)  The Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor B Cleasby on being selected as Lord Mayor Elect.

(b)  The Lord Mayor congratulated Paul Rogerson, the Chief Executive on the award of the order of Commander of the British Empire.

(c)  The Lord Mayor reported that he had written to Corporal Simon Brown offering best wishes for recovery and commending his bravery when injured in action in Bazra.

(d)  The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of former Councillor and Honorary Alderman Doreen Hamilton and Council stood in silent tribute.

It was moved by Councillor Hamilton seconded by Councillor Hanley and

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 1^st November and 13^th December 2006 be approved subject to a correction to minute 58(b) of 1^st November to show that Councillor Illingworth declared a personal interest as a member of Leeds North West Homes.

The Lord Mayor announced that a list of written declarations submitted by Members was 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 Practice were made as follows:

(a)  Members declared personal interests in minute 81 of this meeting as follows:

  Wilkinson   - Member of Wetherby Town Council

  Leadley  - Member of Morley Town Council

  Finnigan  - Member of Morley Town Council

  Grayshon  - Member of Morley Town Council

  Elliott  - Member of Morley Town Council

(b)  Members declared personal interests in minute 85 of this meeting as follows:

  Selby  - Member of ALMO

  Congreve  - Member of ALMO

  G Hyde  - Member of ALMO

  Hanley  - Member of ALMO

  Gruen  - Member of ALMO

  Dowson  - Member of ALMO

  Parker  - Member of ALMO

  Murray  - Member of ALMO

  Driver  - Member of ALMO

  Davey  - Member of ALMO

  Illingworth  - Member of ALMO

  R Lewis  - Member of ALMO

  Lowe  - Member of ALMO

  Elliott  - Member of ALMO

  Golton  - Member of ALMO

  Akhtar  - Member of ALMO

  Taylor  - Member of ALMO

  Brett  - Member of ALMO

  Ewens  - Member of ALMO

  Lancaster  - Member of ALMO

  Hollingsworth- Member of ALMO

  Chapman  - Member of ALMO

(c)  Members declared personal interests in minute 91 of this meeting as follows:

  D Blackburn  - Member of WYPTA

  Schofield  - West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority

  W Hyde  - West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority

  Lyons  - Member of WYPTA

  J Lewis  - Member of WYPTA (Consultative Committee)

Jarosz  - Member of WYPTA

  McKenna  - Member of WYPTA (Consultative Committee)

  Congreve  - Member of WYPTA

  Downes  - Vice-Chair of WYPTA Board

  Townsley  - Member of WYPTA

(d)  Councillors Harris and Chapman declared personal and prejudicial interests with regard to the second deputation referred to in minute 80 and to the White Paper motion referred to in minute 93 with regard to Jewish community interests in the matter and also in minute 90 as owners of a rented property.

(e)  Councillors Iqbal and Rafique declared personal and prejudicial interests in minute 90 as owners of rented property.

(f)  Councillor Schofield declared a personal interest in minute 90 as a Member of South East Leeds Homes.

(g)  Councillor Grayshon declared a personal interest in minute 87 as a member of the Leeds Branch of Amicus.

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

1.  Pupils of Garforth Community College on matters referred to in the ‘Mayor for the Day’ manifesto.

2.  The Muslim Cultural Society regarding a new cemetery for Leeds.

RESOLVED – That the subject matter of deputation 1 be referred to the Leader for consideration and that of deputation 2 to the Executive Board.

(Councillors Harris and Chapman, having declared personal and prejudicial interests, left the meeting during attendance of the second deputation).

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

(a)  Calculation of the Council Tax Base for the Purpose of Calculating the Council Tax

  It was moved by Councillor A Carter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton and

RESOLVED - That in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended), the amount calculated by the Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2007/2008 shall be 230,113 and for each parish as listed below:

(b)  Appointments

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

  RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services on member appointments be approved.

1.  Councillor Illingworth to the Leader of Council.

What was discussed at the lunch with Tom Stokes on board ship that Cllr Andrew Carter attended with Jean Dent on 12 March 2004?

Who did the yacht belong to, who else was present for the meal, and where was the yacht located at the time?

What other meetings have taken place to progress the matters raised on this occasion?

  The Leader of Council replied.

2  Councillor M Hamilton to the Executive Member (Central and Corporate)

Could the Executive Board member with responsibility for ‘Narrowing the Gap’ give an update regarding any new initiatives taking place in this area?

The Executive Member (Central and Corporate) replied.

3  Councillor Shelbrooke to the Leader of Council

  The Leader of Council will recall that it was drawn  to his attention some 8 months ago the fact that the Labour Group office appeared to be using agency staff and Council staff at a weekend to produce political material.  Have the Legal & Democratic Services Department finished their investigation and if so what was the outcome.

  The Leader of Council replied.

4.  Councillor Lowe to the Executive Member (Central and Corporate)

  Can the Executive Member with responsibility for Training and Education confirm that the £800K NRF monies that are available to spend under the “worklessness” strand of the Leeds Initiative Economic Development portfolio will be shared equally across all Super Output Areas in Leeds?

  The Executive Member (Central and Corporate) replied.

5.  Councillor Lancaster to the Executive Member (City Services).

  Will the Executive Member for City Services provide an update on the Council’s recent recycling performance?

  The Executive Member (City Services) replied.

6.  Councillor Anderson to the Leader of Council

  Will the Leader of Council please tell us the total cost of John Trickett’s disastrous ‘Landmark Leeds Pedestrianisation Project’.  Will Councillor Carter break down the cost into the original contract cost, the final cost and the Council’s legal costs

  The Leader of Council 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:

7.  Councillor Driver to the Executive Member (Central and Corporate)

8.  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care)

9.  Councillor Castle to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing)

10.  Councillor Lowe to the Executive Member (City Services)

11.  Councillor Hollingsworth to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care)

12.  Councillor Shelbrooke to the Leader of Council

13.  Councillor Illingworth to the Leader of Council

14.  Councillor Millard to the Leader of Council.

It was moved by Councillor Rafique seconded by Councillor Davey.

That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1, Rule 2.2 be suspended to vary the Order of Business to immediately debate the White Paper Motion relating to Muslim Cemetery provision.

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

On the requisition of Councillors Hanley and Atha the voting on the motion was recorded as follows.

YES

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

  36

NO

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

  57

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

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Corporate Governance and Audit Committee in relation to amendments to the Constitution in relation to the Gambling Act as detailed in the report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services be approved.

It was moved by Councillor A Carter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton

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

An amendment (reference back) was moved by Councillor Illingworth seconded by Councillor Ogilvie.

To add the following words at the end of item 8.

“But to ask the Executive Board to reconsider the decision made in relation to the Corporate Community Engagement Policy and Toolkit as contained in minute 136 of the Executive Board meeting of the 13^th December 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(m) be received.

(During the discussion of this item Councillors Gruen, Driver, Downes, Fox and Cleasby as members of the School Organisation Committee left the meeting to avoid any perception of predetermination when proposals in relation to the Primary Review in the Meanwood planning area are referred to that Committee for determination).

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 Harris and Harker the voting on the amendment (reference back) was recorded as follows:

YES

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Grahame, Gruen, S Hamilton, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison, G Hyde, Illingworth, Jarosz, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons,

McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Mulherin, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique,

Renshaw, Selby, Wakefield

  37

NO

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn,

Brett, Campbell, Carter A, Mrs A Carter, J L Carter, Castle, Chapman, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Golton,

Grayshon, M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, Hussain,

W Hyde, Jennings, Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, McArdle,

Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Procter, R Procter, Pryke,

Rhodes-Clayton,  Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor,

Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilson

  54 

ABSTAIN

Beverley, Elliott, Finnigan, Leadley,

      4

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

RESOLVED – That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1, Rule 2.2 be suspended to vary the Order of Business by exchanging the order of items 9 and 11 as notified on the Summons.

THAT  this Council deplores the Government’s latest plans to close a further 2,500 Post Offices by 2009.  This Council believes the Government is showing a lack of long term vision regarding the post office network restructure that has already resulted in the closure of over 2000 urban post offices.  Further closures will result in the loss of jobs, vital services and resources in Leeds, with businesses and vulnerable communities being hit the hardest.

This Council calls on all Leeds MPs to oppose the Government’s plans in the upcoming consultation period and support our local post offices.

M HARRIS

It was moved by Councillor Harris seconded by Councillor A Carter

That this Council deplores the Government’s latest plans to close a further 2,500 Post Offices by 2009.  This Council believes the Government is showing a lack of long term vision regarding the post office network restructure that has already resulted in the closure of over 2000 urban post offices.  Further closures will result in the loss of jobs, vital services and resources in Leeds, with businesses and vulnerable communities being hit the hardest.

This Council calls on all Leeds MPs to oppose the Government’s plans in the upcoming consultation period and support our local post offices.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Wakefield seconded by Councillor Hanley.

Delete all after ‘This Council’ at the beginning of the second paragraph and replace with the following:

“calls for an all party campaign to oppose the current plans to close 2000 urban post offices and to support the local post offices by any means appropriate and available.”

Consent of Council was given under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10 for Councillor Harris to alter the motion in a manner which included the wording of the amendment and it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY

That this Council deplores the Government’s latest plans to close a further 2,500 Post Offices by 2009.  This Council believes the Government is showing a lack of long term vision regarding the post office network restructure that has already resulted in the closure of over 2000 urban post offices.  Further closures will result in the loss of jobs, vital services and resources in Leeds, with businesses and vulnerable communities being hit the hardest.

This Council calls on all Leeds MPs to oppose the Government’s plans in the upcoming consultation period and support our local post offices

Furthermore, Council calls for an all party campaign to oppose the current plans to close 2000 urban post offices and to support the local post offices by any means appropriate and available.

During the discussion under minute 87 it was moved by Councillor Illingworth seconded by Councillor Atha

That, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2, the question be now put.

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

(The meeting was suspended at 5.50 pm and resumed at 6.24 pm).

The Lord Mayor, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following matter, vacated the Chair in favour of the Deputy Lord Mayor and left the meeting.

THAT this Council condemns the abject failure of the ruling coalition to fulfil its mandatory obligation to register 'high risk' Houses in Multiple Occupation in the city, depriving the Council of a source of funding which could have been used to drive up standards in this sector and letting down many vulnerable residents.

R LEWIS

It was moved by Councillor R Lewis seconded by Councillor Atha.

That this Council condemns the abject failure of the ruling coalition to fulfil its mandatory obligation to register 'high risk' Houses in Multiple Occupation in the city, depriving the Council of a source of funding which could have been used to drive up standards in this sector and letting down many vulnerable residents.

An amendment was moved by Councillor J L Carter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton.

Delete all after ‘This Council’ and replace with;

‘congratulates environmental health officers for achieving the largest number of HMO licensing applications in any local authority’.

(During the debate it was moved by Councillor J Procter seconded by Councillor M Hamilton and

RESOLVED – That, under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2, the question be now put).

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

RESOLVED – That this Council ‘congratulates environmental health officers for achieving the largest number of HMO licensing applications in any local authority’.

(Councillors Rafique, Harris and Chapman, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the meeting during consideration of this item).

The Lord Mayor returned to the Chair.

THAT this Council welcomes the announcements by the Transport Secretary that he intends to give local authorities new powers over private bus companies, but considers that giving this Council fewer powers than those afforded to the London Mayor in this respect would be unacceptable.

Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to convey this Council’s view.

R DOWNES

With the consent of the seconded and of Council, Councillor Downes altered the motion in his name to add the words ‘through the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority’ between the words “Council” and “fewer”.

It was moved by Councillor Downes seconded by Councillor Shelbrooke.

That this Council welcomes the announcements by the Transport Secretary that he intends to give local authorities new powers over private bus companies, but considers that giving this Council, through the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, fewer powers than those afforded to the London Mayor in this respect would be unacceptable.

Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to convey this Council’s view.

An amendment, based on the motion as notified on the Summons, was moved by Councillor Lyons seconded by Councillor J Lewis.

Delete ‘that giving this council fewer powers than those afforded to the London Mayor in this respect would be unacceptable.’

And replace with:

‘that those powers should be given to the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority.’

Prior to the vote, with the consent of Council and of the seconder, Councillor Lyons withdrew the amendment and upon the motion being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED - That this Council welcomes the announcements by the Transport Secretary that he intends to give local authorities new powers over private bus companies, but considers that giving this Council, through the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, fewer powers than those afforded to the London Mayor in this respect would be unacceptable.

Council therefore instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Transport to convey this Council’s view.

During the debate under minute 91 above it was moved by Councillor Hanley seconded by Councillor Selby.

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

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

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

YES

Armitage, Atha, Beverley, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Elliott, Finnigan, Grahame, Grayshon, Gruen, Hanley,

Harington, Harper, Harrison, G Hyde, Illingworth, Jarosz, Leadley, J Lewis,

Lewis R, Lyons, McArdle, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Murray, Nash, Ogilive,

Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, Wakefield

  40

NO

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn,

Brett, Campbell, A Carter,  Mrs A Carter, J L Carter,  Castle, Chapman,

Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Golton,

M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde, Kendall,

Kirkland, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips,

J Procter, R Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield,

Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wilson

    49

That this Council request that the Executive Board allocate an appropriate area for a Muslim cemetery on the  Whinmoor site

M RAFIQUE

It was moved by Councillor Rafique seconded by Councillor Harington

That this Council request that the Executive Board allocate an appropriate area for a Muslim cemetery on the Whinmoor site.

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

Replace all after “This Council”

“noting the sensitivities surrounding the issue of burials, affirms that party politics should have no role to play in this issue. Council therefore welcomes the recent Executive Board decision to establish a non partisan working group to examine the feasibility of setting up a Trust for the Muslim part of the Harehills cemetery and further feasibility studies for other sites”

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

RESOLVED – That this Council noting the sensitivities surrounding the issue of burials, affirms that party politics should have no role to play in this issue. Council therefore welcomes the recent Executive Board decision to establish a non partisan working group to examine the feasibility of setting up a Trust for the Muslim part of the Harehills cemetery and further feasibility studies for other sites.

(Councillors Harris and Chapman, having declared personal and prejudicial interests, left the meeting during consideration of this item).

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

On the amendment in Councillor J Procter’s name

YES

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn,

Brett, Campbell, A Carter, Mrs A Carter,J L Carter, Castle, Cleasby,Downes,

Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox,  Golton, M Hamilton, Harker,

Harrand,Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster,

Latty, Lobley, McArdle, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Procter,

R Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke,

Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wilson

  49

NO

Armitage, Atha, Beverley, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey,

Dowson,  Driver, Dunn, Elliott, Finnigan, Grahame, Gruen,S Hamilton,

Hanley, Harington, Harrison, G Hyde, Illingworth, Jarosz, Leadley,

J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Mulherin,

Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart,

Wakefield,

  40

On the substantive motion

YES

Akhtar, Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn,

Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Cleasby, Downes,

Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Golton, M Hamilton, Harker,

Harrand, Hollingsworth, Hussain, W Hyde, Kendall, Kirkland, Lancaster,

Latty, Lobley, McArdle, Millard, Monaghan, Morton, Phillips, J Procter,

R Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Robinson, Russell, Schofield, Shelbrooke,

Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wilson

  49

NO

Armitage, Atha, Beverley, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey,

Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Elliot, Finnigan, Grahame, Grayshon, Gruen,

S Hamilton, Hanley, Harington, Harrison, G Hyde, Illingworth, J Lewis,

R Lewis,Jarosz, Lowe, Lyons,  McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Mulherin,

Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker,  Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart,

Wakefield

  40

ABSTAIN

Leadley 

    1

During the debate under minute 93 above it was moved by Councillor M Hamilton seconded by Councillor J Procter and

RESOLVED – That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1, Procedure Rule 3.2 be suspended to allow the amendment to be put.

Council rose at 8.30 pm.