Agenda and minutes

The Lord Mayor referred to the death of Honorary Alderman Sheila Gill on 21^st June 2007 and reported the death of Roy Wordsworth, the Civic Hall Warden earlier in the day of this meeting and Council stood in silent tribute.

To confirm the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 20^th June 2007

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20^th June 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)  Councillors A Hussain and Iqbal declared personal interests in minute 29(2) of this meeting as taxi drivers.

(b)  Councillor Leadley declared a personal interest in minute 29(1) of this meeting as a member of Plans Panel (West)

(c)  Members declared personal interests in minute 32 of this meeting as follows:

  Harker  - Member of the Children Leeds Partnership

  D Blackburn  - Mother in receipt of Social Care

  A Blackburn  - Mother-in-law in receipt of Social Care and Member of Board of West North West Homes

(d)  Councillor Harris declared a personal and prejudicial interest in minutes 33 and 34 of this meeting as a Director of a company providing flooding equipment

(e)  Councillors A Hussain, Iqbal and Rafique declared personal and prejudicial interests in minute 36 of this meeting as landlords

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10

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

1  Leeds Girls High Action Group Regarding Development of the Leeds Girls High School Site

2  Representatives of the Leeds Licensed Taxi Trade Regarding Concerns Over Insufficient Taxi Ranks in Leeds

3  Action Against Ragwort Group Regarding the Control of Ragwort.

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

To approve recommendations in the following reports considered by the Monitoring Officer as appropriate to be received at this meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(f):

(a)  The report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) on cancellation of the September 2007 Council meeting

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)  Cancellation of Council Meeting – 5^th September 2007

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

  RESOLVED – That the meeting of Council scheduled for 5^th September 2007 be cancelled.

(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 approved.

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11

1  Councillor Lyons to the Executive Member (Environmental Services)

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

  The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied

2  Councillor Wilson to the Leader of Council

Would the Leader of Council outline what measures the City Council has taken, along with the budgetary provision made, to alleviate the effects of flooding over the last three years?

  The Leader of Council replied

3  Councillor Wilkinson to the Executive Member (Development and Regeneration)

  Will the Executive Member responsible please update me on the progress that has been made on highways maintenance across the city?

  The Executive Member (Development and Regeneration) replied

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

  Does the Executive Member for Development & Regeneration agree with me that proper sustainable drainage is more than ever necessary allowing for the increase in extreme weather conditions?

  The Executive Member (Development and Regeneration) replied

5  Councillor Rafique to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing)

  Will the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods & Housing please explain the source of his statistics in response to my query on robbery and crime figures for Leeds at the Council meeting last month?

  The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing) replied

6  Councillor Lancaster to the Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care)

  Would the Executive Board Member like to comment on the Minister for Care Services recent remarks about promoting "Dignity in Care" in Leeds?

  The Executive Member (Adult Health and Social Care) replied

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

  Bearing in mind recent extreme weather events, does the Executive Member for Development & Regeneration agree with me that the amount of householders hard surfacing their gardens is having an adverse effect with regard to drainage?

  The Executive Member (Development and Regeneration) replied

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

  In the light of the recently published white paper on Youth Services, could the Executive Board Member for Children’s Services please reassert this Council’s commitment to offering excellent services for young people?

  In the absence of the Executive Member (Children’s Services) the Executive Member (Learning) replied

9  Councillor D Blackburn to the Executive Member (Environmental Services)

  Could the Executive Member for Environmental Services tell me what his plans are for working towards making Leeds a Carbon Neutral City?

  The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied

10  Councillor Murray to the Executive Member (Learning)

  Could the Executive Board Member for Education please tell us how he plans to tackle the problems highlighted in the recent Ofsted Report regarding South Leeds High School?

  The Executive Member (Learning) 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 A Blackburn to the Executive Member (Development and Regeneration)

12  Councillor Selby to the Leader of Council

13  Councillor Lowe to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

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.

(The meeting was suspended at 4.55 pm and resumed at 5.18 pm)

This Council recognises the suffering and misery that recent flooding has caused to many people in Leeds and calls upon the Council to make sure it is doing all it can to help people to return their lives to normality. Furthermore we urge the council to work constructively with the Environment Agency, the Department of the Environment, Yorkshire Water and all other agencies to make sure they too are doing everything they can to help people most in need.

This council calls for an inquiry into the City’s preparedness to deal with flooding incidents like these and identify how such events can be avoided in the future, recognising the greater risk through climate change.

Furthermore this council demands urgent action to be taken to provide relief for all people affected by flooding and to examine options which would help:

• Provide information about making insurance claims.
• Provide relief to local people whose homes are uninsured, who may be burdened by rising insurance costs and for those people who may now be unable to be get their homes insured in the future.
• To look into the feasibility of providing people with relief from the council tax.
• To establish a fund to help those affected.

This council recognises the need to make sure that no people affected by flooding are taken advantage of by cowboy contractors inflating prices and preying on the vulnerable.

And finally this council congratulates the work of the emergency services, the environment agency and the employees of Leeds City Council who worked with such professionalism, dedication and bravery to help evacuate homes and deal with problems caused by the recent floods.

M LYONS

It was moved by Councillor Lyons seconded by Councillor Wakefield

That this Council recognises the suffering and misery that recent flooding has caused to many people in Leeds and calls upon the Council to make sure it is doing all it can to help people to return their lives to normality. Furthermore we urge the council to work constructively with the Environment Agency, the Department of the Environment, Yorkshire Water and all other agencies to make sure they too are doing everything they can to help people most in need.

This council calls for an inquiry into the City’s preparedness to deal with flooding incidents like these and identify how such events can be avoided in the future, recognising the greater risk through climate change.

Furthermore this council demands urgent action to be taken to provide relief for all people affected by flooding and to examine options which would help:

• Provide information about making insurance claims.
• Provide relief to local people whose homes are uninsured, who may be burdened by rising insurance costs and for those people who may now be unable to be get their homes insured in the future.
• To look into the feasibility of providing people with relief from the council tax.
• To establish a fund to help those affected.

This council recognises the need to make sure that no people affected by flooding are taken advantage of by cowboy contractors inflating prices and preying on the vulnerable

And finally this council congratulates the work of the emergency services, the environment agency and the employees of Leeds City Council who worked with such professionalism, dedication and bravery to help evacuate homes and deal with problems caused by the recent floods

An amendment was moved by Councillor A Carter seconded by Councillor W Hyde

First Line, Delete everything after: … people in Leeds and ….

Add:  … calls upon the Government to properly fund Councils to enable them to set up a well funded hardship fund.  This Council welcomes the fact that the City Council, through its own resources is to fund a pilot scheme in the worst affected residential areas aimed at protecting residential properties for longer from flood damage. 

Furthermore this Council recognises the speed with which the administration has moved to have discussions with the Environment Agency and other agencies and has agreed to set up a task force involving the City Council, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and other organisations to bring forward the appropriate schemes for flood alleviation in the City Centre and in the residential areas of Leeds affected by the recent flooding.

This Council recognises the need to ensure that residents affected by flooding are given as much help and information as possible.

And finally this Council congratulates the work of the emergency services, the Environment Agency and the employees of Leeds City Council who worked with such professionalism, dedication and bravery to help evacuate homes and deal with problems caused by the recent floods.

The amendment was carried and upon  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

This Council, recognising the fact that the recent flooding and heavy rainfall is likely to be repeated in years to come, calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to reverse the cuts in funding to the Environment Agency and indeed to invest further in measures to reduce flooding across the UK.

This Council also calls upon the Environment Agency to reinstate the Leeds flood alleviation scheme and the schemes for Wykebeck and Farnley.

A CARTER

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

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY - That this Council, recognising the fact that the recent flooding and heavy rainfall is likely to be repeated in years to come, calls upon Her Majesty’s Government to reverse the cuts in funding to the Environment Agency and indeed to invest further in measures to reduce flooding across the UK.

This Council also calls upon the Environment Agency to reinstate the Leeds flood alleviation scheme and the schemes for Wykebeck and Farnley

(The provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4 providing for the winding up of business were applied at the conclusion of the speech of the mover of this motion)

That this Council reaffirms its commitment to the promotion of the use of traditional nappies, and writes to the new Health Minister, Ben Bradshaw, bearing in mind his recent comments, urging the Government to continue its financial support of the Real Nappy Campaign, to encourage the use of traditional nappies instead of disposable ones to help reduce the impact on the environment.

 A BLACKBURN

It was moved by Councillor A Blackburn seconded by Councillor Russell

That this Council reaffirms its commitment to the promotion of the use of traditional nappies, and writes to the new Health Minister, Ben Bradshaw, bearing in mind his recent comments, urging the Government to continue its financial support of the Real Nappy Campaign, to encourage the use of traditional nappies instead of disposable ones to help reduce the impact on the environment.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Minkin seconded by Councillor Ogilvie

Delete all after

“That this Council reaffirms its commitment to the “

And replace with

“environment, and urges that consumers should be provided with accurate information to permit an informed choice about the environmental costs of the various options available for nappies.”

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

RESOLVED - That this Council reaffirms its commitment to the environment, and urges that consumers should be provided with accurate information to permit an informed choice about the environmental costs of the various options available for nappies.

This Council recognises the deplorable state of streets in areas like Headingley, Kirkstall, Burley and Hyde Park caused by inconsiderate landlords clearing houses formerly let to students and depositing massive amounts of unsorted and therefore contaminated waste on the streets of those areas. It therefore requires the Chief Executive to institute immediate prosecutions of offenders and legal measures to  recover the cost of collecting and disposing of the rubbish collected.

B ATHA

It was moved by Councillor Atha seconded by Councillor Illingworth

That this Council recognises the deplorable state of streets in areas like Headingley, Kirkstall, Burley and Hyde Park caused by inconsiderate landlords clearing houses formerly let to students and depositing massive amounts of unsorted and therefore contaminated waste on the streets of those areas. It therefore requires the Chief Executive to institute immediate prosecutions of offenders and legal measures to  recover the cost of collecting and disposing of the rubbish collected.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Smith seconded by Councillor Monaghan

Delete all after "This Council" and replace with

"acknowledges the hard work of officers in clearing up waste in Headingley, Kirkstall, Burley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse during the student change over period.

This Council recognises the scale of the problem in these areas and notes the successes of the student changeover group in bringing together the universities, student unions, police, local residents, charities, landlords and council officers to tackle this yearly problem. Council notes specifically:

- the creation of the 'Leave Leeds Tidy' campaign by Leeds Universities students union

- the presence of PCSO's, neighbourhood wardens, enforcement, environmental health and Streetscene officers during the changeover period

- the landlord amnesty at household waste sites in inner north west Leeds

- additional refuse collections

Council acknowledges the seriousness of the problem and pledges to continue working to reduce the amount of waste disposed of at this time of year as well as encouraging reuse and recycling where possible. This council will prosecute those who dispose of their refuse illegally."

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

RESOLVED – That this Council acknowledges the hard work of officers in clearing up waste in Headingley, Kirkstall, Burley, Hyde Park and Woodhouse during the student change over period.

This Council recognises the scale of the problem in these areas and notes the successes of the student changeover group in bringing together the universities, student unions, police, local residents, charities, landlords and council officers to tackle this yearly problem. Council notes specifically:

- the creation of the 'Leave Leeds Tidy' campaign by Leeds Universities students union

- the presence of PCSO's, neighbourhood wardens, enforcement, environmental health and Streetscene officers during the changeover period

- the landlord amnesty at household waste sites in inner north west Leeds

- additional refuse collections

Council acknowledges the seriousness of the problem and pledges to continue working to reduce the amount of waste disposed of at this time of year as well as encouraging reuse and recycling where possible. This council will prosecute those who dispose of their refuse illegally.

(Councillors A Hussain, Iqbal and Rafique, having declared personal and prejudicial  interests left the meeting during the consideration of this item)