Agenda and minutes

(a)  The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of Honorary Alderman Joe Kitchen MBE JP and Council stood in silent tribute.

(b)  The Lord Mayor announced the recent award of honours relevant to the City, including the award of CBEs to Councillor Atha and Honorary Freeman Jane Tomlinson.

(c)  The Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor Russell on his recent engagement to be married.

To confirm the minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 24th May 2007

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 24^th May 2007 be approved.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

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 Member’s 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)  Councillor Leadley declared a personal interest in minute 17(a) of this meeting as a member of Plans Panels (West) and (City Centre) and of the Development Plan Panel.

(b)  Councillors Brett and Harker declared personal interests in minute 19 of this meeting as members of the Children Leeds Partnership.

(c)  Members declared personal interests in minute 21 of this meeting as follows:

  Atha  -  Chairman of the Board of Northern Ballet Theatre (referred to in item 9 of the 13^th June Executive Board minutes)

  Leadley  -  For minute 94 page 148 and minute 89 page 221 – Member of Plans Panel West, City Centre Plans Panel and Development Plans Panel.  For minute 130 page 110 – Member of METRO

  Gruen  -  Northern Ballet and Phoenix Dance and as an ALMO member

  G Hyde  -  ALMO Member

  Driver  -  ALMO Member

  Parker  -  ALMO Member

  Murray  -  Director of Learning Partnerships

  Congreve  -  WYPTE Member

  Jarosz  -  WYPTE Member

  Lyons  -  WYPTE Member

  Rafique  -  Employee of Education Leeds

  Wakefield  -  Learning and Skills Council

  A Blackburn  -  ALMO Member

(d)  Members declared personal interests in minute 22  of this meeting as follows:

  Leadley  -  Close relative of a disabled adult

  Brett  -  Member of Management Committee of Burmantofts Senior Action

  D Blackburn  -  Mother is in receipt of Home Care

  A Blackburn  -  Mother-in-law is in receipt of Home Care

  Russell  -  Fiancée has own care business in Nottinghamshire

  McKenna  -  Employee of Armley Helping Hands

  Lowe  -  Chief Executive of Touchstone

  Bale  -  Parent and joint carer of an LCC service user and Member of Management Committee for Community Links

(e)  Members declared personal interests in minute 24 of this meeting as follows:

  Ogilvie  -  Director of Green Leeds

  Beverley  -  Wife is a member of a Parish Council

(f)  Further declarations made during the meeting are referred to at minute 22 (Councillors Atkinson, Illingworth and Lowe)

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10

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

1  Parents of Fountain Primary School Regarding the Loss of Teachers at the School.

2  Lingfield and Fir Trees Residents Group Requesting Community Use of the Fir Tree Primary School site.

3  ‘Kommunity’ Regarding the Protection of Tinshill Recreation Ground.

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

To consider reports as follows (the Monitoring Officer considers that these reports are appropriate to be received at this meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(f))

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

J PROCTER

(b)  The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on appointments

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 2006/07

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

  RESOLVED – That the Annual Report of Scrutiny Boards prepared in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution be approved.

(b)  Appointments

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

  RESOLVED – That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on appointments be noted and that the following addition be approved:

  Councillor Ewens to replace Councillor Bentley on Scrutiny Board (Health and Adult Social Care)

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11

1  Councillor Selby to the Leader of Council

Can the Leader of Council please tell me how much Leeds United owed the authority in unpaid car parking charges from the beginning of the 2005-2006 season until the club was put in administration in May 2007?

The Executive Member (Development and Regeneration) replied.

2  Councillor Bentley to the Children’s Services Lead Executive Member

  In the light of the recent review of Leeds Children and Young People’s Plan and our forthcoming Joint Area Review Inspection, can the Lead Executive Board Member for Children’s Services please tell us his views on the progress of Children’s Services in the city?

  The Children’s Services Lead Executive Member replied.

3  Councillor D Blackburn to the Executive Member (Development and Regeneration.

  Would the Executive Member for Development agree with me, that the proposals recently announced on changes to planning rules by Ruth Kelly M.P. will result in less accountability locally and bring the planning system into further disrepute with the general public

  The Executive Member (Development and Regeneration) replied

4  Councillor Harington to the Executive Member (Leisure)

  Can the Executive Member for Leisure please inform me what work the Council has done to champion the cause of the city’s involvement in the 2012 Olympics?

  The Executive Member (Leisure) replied

5  Councillor Taylor to the Executive Member (Environmental Services)

  Would the Executive Board member for Environmental Services update us on the progress of the garden waste collection service pilot scheme?

  The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied

6  Councillor D Blackburn to the Executive Member (Development and Regeneration)

  Bearing in mind the Governments wish to continue to further reduce the number of Post Offices. What is the Executive Member responsible for Development doing to help to expand the facilities made available to the Leeds Credit Union, so all neighbourhoods that lose banking or Post Office facilities are covered?

  The Executive Member (Development and Regeneration) replied.

7  Councillor Lyons to the Executive Member (Environmental Services)

  Can the Executive Board Member for Environmental Services please tell me where his administration plan to site their incinerator?

  The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied

8  Councillor Downes to the Executive Member (Learning)

  Would the Executive Board Member for Learning welcome the recent HMI report on Cockburn High School?

  The Executive Member (Learning) replied

9  Councillor Wakefield to the Leader of Council

  Can the Leader of Council confirm that the Council is still committed to the ‘Narrowing the Gap’ agenda, particularly with regard to improving the lives of children and families in the most deprived parts of the city?

  The Leader of Council replied

10  Councillor Townsley to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing)

  Would the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods & Housing care to comment on the impact Labour's budget amendment would have had on Area Committee funding?

  The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing) 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

TO consider the reports of

(a)  the Chief Executive on recommendations of the Executive Board in relation to the Council Plan (*to follow), and

(b)  the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) in relation to the 2007 Review of the Children and Young People’s Plan (*to follow)

M HARRIS

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

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Executive Board as detailed in the  report of the Chief Executive with regard to the Council Plan and the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance)  with regard to the review of the Children and Young People’s Plan be approved

To consider the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on recommendations of the Standards Committee

J L CARTER

It was moved by Councillor Kirkland seconded by Councillor Nash and

RESOLVED - That the Standards Committee annual report 2006/07 as detailed in the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) be noted.

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

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(m) 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 Gruen and Taggart the voting on the motion to receive the minutes was recorded as follows:

YES 

Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Brett, Campbell, A Carter, J L Carter, Mrs A Carter, Castle, Chapman, Downes, Elliott, Ewens, Mrs R Feldman, R D Feldman, Fox, Gettings, Golton, Grayshon, M Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, K Hussain, W Hyde, Jennings, Kendall., Kirkland, Lamb, Lancaster, Latty, Leadley, Lobley, Monaghan, Morton, J Procter, R Procter, Pryke, Rhodes-Clayton, Shelbrooke, Smith, Taylor, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

  49

NO

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, S Hamilton, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison, A Hussain, G Hyde, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, Langdale, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart,  Wakefield

  41

ABSTAIN

Beverley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Russell

  4

(The meeting was suspended at 5.00 pm and resumed at 5.25 pm)

This Council deplores the distress and uncertainty caused to vulnerable people and their carers because of the inability of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and his department to ensure that contracts are awarded and renewed in a timely and transparent manner.

D COUPAR

It was moved by Councillor Coupar seconded by Councillor Dowson

That this Council deplores the distress and uncertainty caused to vulnerable people and their carers because of the inability of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and his department to ensure that contracts are awarded and renewed in a timely and transparent manner.

An amendment was  moved by Councillor Harrand seconded by Councillor Kendall

Delete all after “uncertainty caused” and replace with:

“by tactics being used to turn Terry Yorath House, its residents and their carers into a means of fulfilling a political objective. This council applauds the efforts of Leeds City Council to design, in consultation with the residents of Terry Yorath House, a service that will enable them to lead fulfilling lives with the dignity and privacy they deserve.”

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

RESOLVED – That this Council deplores the distress and uncertainty caused by tactics being used to turn Terry Yorath House, its residents and their carers into a means of fulfilling a political objective. This council applauds the efforts of Leeds City Council to design, in consultation with the residents of Terry Yorath House, a service that will enable them to lead fulfilling lives with the dignity and privacy they deserve.

During the debate on this item members declared personal interests as follows:

Councillor Atkinson  - In receipt of social care

Councillor Illingworth- His wife being Chair of Bethel Day Centre

Councillor Lowe  - Director of Volition

On the requisition of Councillors Gruen and Taggart the voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

YES

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

  51

NO

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar ,Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, S Hamilton, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison, A Hussain, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, Langdale, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, Wakefield

  40

ABSTAIN

Beverley, Leadley

  2

This Council recognises the need to take action to reduce the waste stream, with this in mind Council instructs its Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request that the Government bring in improved legislation which puts the onus on suppliers and manufacturers to cut down on packaging, particularly from non-renewable sources

A BLACKBURN

It was moved by Councillor A Blackburn seconded by Councillor Russell

That this Council recognises the need to take action to reduce the waste stream, with this in mind Council instructs its Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request that the Government bring in improved legislation which puts the onus on suppliers and manufacturers to cut down on packaging, particularly from non-renewable sources.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Ogilvie seconded by Councillor Taggart

Delete all after “take action to reduce the waste stream” and replace with the following:

“and therefore urges the Council to do its utmost to increase recycling in our city and all municipal buildings.

With this in mind, Council also instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request that the Government bring in improved legislation which puts the onus on suppliers and manufacturers to cut down on packaging, particularly from non-renewable sources.”

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

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY –That this Council recognises the need to take action to reduce the waste stream, with this in mind Council instructs its Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to request that the Government bring in improved legislation which puts the onus on suppliers and manufacturers to cut down on packaging, particularly from non-renewable sources.

On the requisition of Councillors Gruen and Atha the voting on the amendment was recorded as follows:

YES

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Beverley, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, S Hamilton, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Harrison, A Hussain, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, Langdale, J Lewis, R Lewis, Lyons, McKenna, Minkin, Morgan, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Rafique, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, Wakefield

    40

NO

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

  50

ABSTAIN

A Blackburn 

  1

This Council believes that Area Committees should have more power, financial resources and greater freedoms to take decisions about their communities locally.

Council therefore resolves to set up an all party working group to bring forward a report to consider its recommendation by the end of this municipal year.

J LEWIS

It was moved by Councillor J Lewis seconded by Councillor R Lewis

That this Council believes that Area Committees should have more power, financial resources and greater freedoms to take decisions about their communities locally.

Council therefore resolves to set up an all party working group to bring forward a report to consider its recommendation by the end of this municipal year

An amendment was moved by Councillor J L Carter seconded by Councillor Chapman

Delete all after “This council believes that” and replace with:

“Area Committees should have more power, and notes the work conducted by Councillor Judith Chapman which will result in new proposals coming to the Executive Board in Autumn this year.”

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

RESOLVED – That this Council believes that Area Committees should have more power, and notes the work conducted by Councillor Judith Chapman which will result in new proposals coming to the Executive Board in Autumn this year.

(The provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4 providing for the winding up of business were applied to the conclusion of the debate on this item)

This Council calls for an all party working group to be established to examine the governance arrangements of this Councils assets and services, including its democratic processes.

B ATHA

It was moved by Councillor Atha seconded by Councillor Selby

That this Council calls for an all party working group to be established to examine the governance arrangements of this Council’s assets and services, including its democratic processes

An amendment was moved by Councillor A Carter seconded by Councillor Harris

Delete:  all after "This Council” and insert the following:   

"recognises that its current governance arrangements were introduced by the last Labour administration a number of years ago.  This Council further recognises that these governance arrangements in some respects mitigate against proper democratic oversight and comment. 

Council therefore calls upon the Chief Executive to bring forward a report, no later than the October cycle of meetings, with recommendations as to how Councillors can be better involved with the decision making process within Council operations and also on the increasing number of outside bodies to which funding is delegated, particularly by the Government.  Council further instructs the Chief Officer to bring forward a new system of officer delegation to reflect greater democratic involvement."

With the consent of Council the mover of the motion accepted the amendment which, upon being put as the substantive motion, it was

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY – That this Council recognises that its current governance arrangements were introduced by the last Labour administration a number of years ago.  This Council further recognises that these governance arrangements in some respects mitigate against proper democratic oversight and comment. 

Council therefore calls upon the Chief Executive to bring forward a report, no later than the October cycle of meetings, with recommendations as to how Councillors can be better involved with the decision making process within Council operations and also on the increasing number of outside bodies to which funding is delegated, particularly by the Government.  Council further instructs the Chief Officer to bring forward a new system of officer delegation to reflect greater democratic involvement.

Council rose at 7.10 pm