Agenda and minutes

a)  The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of Honorary Alderman, Mrs Christiana Myers and Council stood in silent tribute.

b)  The Lord Mayor referred to the recent death of Baroness Nicky Chapman.

c)  The Lord Mayor reported that she had attended the Yorkshire in Bloom Awards where Leeds won the Gold Award and Best in its Category.

To confirm the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 15^th July 2009.

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th July 2009 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 Conduct were made as follows:-

a)  Members declared personal interests in Minute (45) of this meeting as follows:-

b)  Members declared personal interests in minute (47) of this meeting, as follows:-

c)  Members declared personal interests in minute (49) of this meeting, as follows:-

d)  Members declared personal interests in minute (46) of this meeting, as follows:-

e)  Members declared personal interests in minute (50) of this meeting, as follows:-

f)  Members declared personal interests in minute (51) of this meeting, as follows:-

g)  Members declared personal interests in minute (52) of this meeting, as follows:-

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

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

1)  The ‘Time to Change Campaign’ City Wide Steering Group seeking Leeds City Council support for the events planned to be held in Leeds as part of the national ‘Time to Change’ Campaign.

2)  The Access Committee for Leeds regarding the closure of Day Centres.

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

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

a)  That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive(Corporate Governance) on arrangements for Council meetings in November 2009 be approved

R BRETT

b)  That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive(Corporate Governance) on appointments be approved

J PROCTER

c)  That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive(Corporate Governance) on amendments to the Scheme of Delegation be noted.

R BRETT

a)  Council Meeting Arrangements – November 2009

  It was moved by Councillor Brett, seconded by Councillor A Carter and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) 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) be approved.

c)  Amendments to Officer Delegation Scheme (Executive Functions)

  It was moved by Councillor Brett, seconded by Councillor A Carter and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) be noted.

To deal with questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11.

1)  Councillor J Lewis to the Executive Member (Environmental Services)

Can the Executive Board Member for Environmental Services please confirm the original estimate for the annual payment to Glendales this year for the Council and ALMO's Grounds Maintenance Contract?

The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied

2)  Councillor Hamilton to the Leader of Council.

Could the Leader of Council please update members on the ongoing industrial action in Streetscene services?

The Leader of Council replied.

3)  Councillor Schofield to the Executive Member (Development & Regeneration).

Can the Executive Board Member for City Development & Regeneration provide details of the successful projects developed through the Town and District Centre Regeneration scheme?

The Executive Member (Development & Regeneration) replied.

4)  Councillor Wakefield to the Leader of Council.

Can the Leader of Council confirm that there is an on-going court case at London’s High Court regarding the validity of the authority’s delegated powers between 2004 and early 2008?

The Leader of Council replied.

5)  Councillor Grayshon to the Executive Member (Leisure).

Can the Executive Board Member for Leisure please update Council on the progress made in regard to the building of the new Morley Leisure Centre?

The Executive Member (Leisure) replied.

6)  Councillor Gruen to the Executive Member (Development & Regeneration).

Does the Executive Board Member for City Development agree with me how important it is that members of plans panels are allowed to undertake their role without interference, in an impartial and objective manner?

The Executive Member (Development & Regeneration) replied.

7)  Councillor Downes to the Executive Member (Children’s Services)

Could the Executive Member for Children’s Services tell Council the outcome of the latest inspection of the fostering service?

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

8)  Councillor Andrew to the Executive Member (Adult Social Care).

Would the Executive Member for Adult Social Care please comment on the Social Care Green Paper - "Shaping the Future of Care Together"?

The Executive Member (Adult Social Care) replied.

9)  Councillor Lowe to the Leader of Council.

Does the Leader of Council agree with me how important it is that the Council is open and transparent with the public?

The Leader of Council replied.

10)  Councillor A Blackburn to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing).

Can the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing inform me what incentives are currently in place to help Council tenants downsize?

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods and Housing) replied.

11)  Councillor Lyons to the Executive Member (Environmental Services).

Can the Executive Board Member for Environmental Services please inform members how much third-party waste is to be received at the Council’s planned incinerator?

The Executive Member (Environmental 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:-

12)  Councillor Cleasby to the Leader of Council.

13)  Councillor Anderson to the Executive Member (Development & Regeneration).

14)  Councillor Gruen to the Executive Member (Central and Corporate).

15)  Councillor Beverley to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

That the recommendations of the Executive Board on treasury management matters, as presented by the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance) be approved.

R BRETT

It was moved by Councillor Brett, seconded by Councillor A Carter and

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Executive Board on treasury management matters be approved in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance).

That the recommendation of the General Purposes Committee with regard to the Council’s Executive arrangements, as contained in the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance), be approved

A CARTER

(Report to follow).

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Brett and

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee on the Council’s Executive arrangements be approved in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance).

That the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee with regard to amendments to the Constitution, as contained in the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance), be approved.

    A CARTER

(Report to follow)

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Brett and

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the General Purposes Committee on amendments to the Constitution be approved in accordance with the recommendations of the report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Corporate Governance).

To receive such communications as the Lord Mayor, the Leader,  Members of the Executive Board or the Chief Executive consider appropriate

Prior to the commencement of the debate under minute 45 below, it was moved by Councillor J Procter and seconded by Councillor Gruen

That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 2.3 the amendment (reference back) in the name of Councillor J Lewis be heard first.

It was moved by Councillor Brett, seconded by Councillor J Procter that the minutes be received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(o).

An amendment (reference back) was moved by Councillor J Lewis and seconded by Councillor Wakefield to add the following at the end of item 10:-

‘To ask the Executive Board to reconsider the decision in relation to the Way Forward Review of Waste Collection Services ascontained in Minute 47, Page 65 of the Executive Board minutes of the 22^nd July 2009.’

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

RESOLVED – That the minutes submitted to Council in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(o) 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 amendment (reference back) was recorded as follows:-

YES

Armitage, Atha, Atkinson, Beverley, Blackburn A, Blackburn D, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, Hanley, Harper, Harington, Hussain A, Hyde G, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, Lewis J, Lewis R, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna A, McKenna J, Morgan, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Parnham, Rafique, Renshaw, Rhodes-Clayton, Selby, Taggart, Taylor E, Wakefield, Yeadon,

46

ABSTENTIONS

0

NO

Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Brett, Campbell, Carter A, Carter J L, Castle, Chapman, Chastney, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Feldman Mrs R, Feldman R D, Finnigan, Fox, Gettings, Golton, Grayshon, Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Harris, Hollingsworth, Hussain K, Hyde W, Kendall, Kirkland, Lamb, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, Marjoram, Matthews, Monaghan, Procter J, Procter R, Pryke, Robinson, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson,

49

The meeting was suspended at 4.55 pm and resumed at 5.25 pm.

This Council underlines its commitment to providing our elderly with a choice of vital care services and recognises the essential role day centres play in our communities.

This Council therefore urges the Executive Board to withdraw proposals to close six day centres which, if given the go-ahead, will hit hardest some of the most vulnerable people in our city.

Furthermore this Council also expresses its grave concern at how consultation on these closure plans has been managed.

  J McKENNA

It was moved by Councillor J McKenna, seconded by Councillor Yeadon

That this council underlines its commitment to providing our elderly with a choice of vital care services and recognises the essential role day centres play in our communities.

This Council therefore urges the Executive Board to withdraw proposals to close six day centres which, if given the go-ahead, will hit hardest some of the most vulnerable people in our city.

Furthermore this Council also expresses its grave concern at how consultation on these closure plans has been managed.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Harrand, seconded by Councillor Brett to delete all after “This Council” and replace with:-

‘restates its commitment to providing older people with a choice of vital care services, recognises the essential role of day centres, and notes that day service provision will continue to be offered to all current day centre users and that existing friendship groups will be maintained. 

This Council welcomes current proposals to implement Government policy and modernise outdated services.

This Council recognises the value and increasing professionalism of the voluntary sector organisations, to which the council provides funding and other support.

This Council notes the extensive and successful efforts being made by officers to consult widely, especially with those people and their carers who will be directly affected by the proposals.’

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

RESOLVED – That this Council restates its commitment to providing older people with a choice of vital care services, recognises the essential role of day centres, and notes that day service provision will continue to be offered to all current day centre users and that existing friendship groups will be maintained. 

This Council welcomes current proposals to implement Government policy and modernise outdated services.

This Council recognises the value and increasing professionalism of the voluntary sector organisations, to which the council provides funding and other support.

This Council notes the extensive and successful efforts being made by officers to consult widely, especially with those people and their carers who will be directly affected by the proposals.

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

YES

Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Brett, Campbell, Carter A, Carter J L, Castle, Chapman, Chastney, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Feldman Mrs R, Feldman R D, Finnigan, Fox, Golton, Grayshon, Hamilton, Harker, Harrand, Hollingsworth, Hussain K, Hyde W, Kendall, Kirkland, Lamb, Lancaster, Latty, Lobley, Marjoram, Matthews, Monaghan, Procter J, Procter R, Pryke, Robinson, Schofield, Shelbrooke, Smith, Townsley, Wadsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson

47

ABSTENTIONS

0

NO

Armitage, Atha, Beverley, Blackburn A, Blackburn D, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, Hanley, Harper, Harington, Hussain A, Hyde G, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jarosz, Lewis J, Lewis R, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna A, McKenna J, Morgan, Mulherin, Murray,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

This Council recognises the serious issues highlighted by the recent unannounced OFSTED inspection of contact, referral and assessment services within Leeds City Council Children’s Services.

Council affirms that safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority and that it will learn the lessons from the issues highlighted in the inspection report.

Council notes the ongoing actions to embed citywide consistency in front line practices to ensure that any child at risk receives the attention they deserve.

      S GOLTON

It was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor W Hyde

That this Council recognises the serious issues highlighted by the recent unannounced OFSTED inspection of contact, referral and assessment services within Leeds City Council Children’s Services.

Council affirms that safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority and that it will learn the lessons from the issues highlighted in the inspection report.

Council notes the ongoing actions to embed citywide consistency in front line practices to ensure that any child at risk receives the attention they deserve.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Mulherin, to delete all after “This Council” and replace with

‘notes with great alarm the serious issues highlighted by the recent unannounced OFSTED inspection of contact, referral and assessment services within Leeds City Council Children’s Services.

Council affirms that safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority. Therefore the Council’s failure to fulfil this vital responsibility, as detailed in the Inspectors’ report, is both disturbing and damning.

Council therefore resolves that:-

1.  An urgent report be brought to the Executive Board outlining the findings of the review into the Council’s safeguarding procedures.

2.  The Executive Board member for the Children Services Department should stand down from his position with immediate effect.’

A second amendment was moved by Councillor A Blackburn, seconded by Councillor Parnham to delete the third paragraph and add

‘Council also believes that the results of the inspection and assessments show the need for the introduction of an Advisory Committee to the Executive Board covering all aspects of Children's Services.  Council, therefore, requests the Chief Executive to bring a paper to the Executive Board setting out proposals to put this into operation.’

Both the amendment and the second amendment were declared lost and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council recognises the serious issues highlighted by the recent unannounced OFSTED inspection of contact, referral and assessment services within Leeds City Council Children’s Services.

Council affirms that safeguarding of children should receive the highest priority and that it will learn the lessons from the issues highlighted in the inspection report.

Council notes the ongoing actions to embed citywide consistency in front line practices to ensure that any child at risk receives the attention they deserve.’

On the requisition of Councillors Gruen and Lyons, the voting was recorded as follows:-

The First Amendment

YES

Armitage, Atha, Beverley, Blake, Congreve, Coulson, Coupar, Davey, Dobson, Dowson, Driver, Dunn, Gabriel, Grahame, Gruen, Hanley, Harington, Harper, Hyde G, Illingworth, Jarosz, Lewis J, Lewis R, Lowe, Lyons, McKenna A, McKenna J, Morgan, Mulherin, Murray, Nash, Ogilvie, Parker, Renshaw, Selby, Taggart, Taylor E, Wakefield, Yeadon

39

ABSTAIN

Blackburn A, Blackburn D, Parnham

3

NO

Anderson, Andrew, Bale, Barker, Bentley, Brett, Campbell, Carter A, Castle, Chapman, Chastney, Cleasby, Downes, Ewens, Feldman Mrs R, Feldman R D, Finnigan, Fox, Golton, Grayshon,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

During the debate under minute 47 above, it was moved by Councillor J Procter, seconded by Councillor Bentley and

RESOLVED -That under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 22.1, Procedure Rule 4.2 be suspended to allow the seconder to the first amendment to speak and the second amendment to be put and seconded.

This Council agrees that the effect of climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing mankind in the coming years. Council notes that one significant contributory factor is the consumption and production of meat products, resulting in, amongst other things, the clearing of vast swathes of the Amazon rain forest to feed the demand for cheap meat. Council concludes that implementing some means of reducing demand for and consumption of meat products would help in the fight to combat the effects of climate change.

Council is requested to seek ways in which it can promote widespread voluntary adoption of a weekly meat-free day through our various services.

      R FINNIGAN

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10, with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to Councillor Finnigan to alter the motion in his name by the addition of the words “and local food sourcing” to the last sentence.

It was moved by Councillor Finnigan, seconded by Councillor D Blackburn

That this Council agrees that the effect of climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing mankind in the coming years. Council notes that one significant contributory factor is the consumption and production of meat products, resulting in, amongst other things, the clearing of vast swathes of the Amazon rain forest to feed the demand for cheap meat. Council concludes that implementing some means of reducing demand for and consumption of meat products would help in the fight to combat the effects of climate change.

Council is requested to seek ways in which it can promote widespread voluntary adoption of a weekly meat-free day through our various services and local food sourcing.

Upon being put to the vote the motion was declared lost.

Council is very disappointed with the lack of progress regarding the city’s “Lettings Policy” since the all-party agreement on April 22^nd 2009.

This Council therefore urges the Executive Board Member for Neighbourhoods & Housing to bring forward an urgent report for the consideration of Council.

       P GRUEN

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.11, with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to Councillor Gruen to withdraw the motion in his name.

This Council congratulates all involved in the production of the Leeds Tapestry and welcomes its permanent residence at Leeds City Library, where it will be greatly appreciated.

      B LANCASTER

It as moved by Councillor Lancaster, seconded by Councillor Kendal and

RESOLVED – That this Council congratulates all involved in the production of the Leeds Tapestry and welcomes its permanent residence at Leeds City Library, where it will be greatly appreciated.

This Council welcomes the petition launched by CAMRA’s Yorkshire branches calling for Tetley’s to be continued to be brewed in Leeds, and urges members to support the campaign.

      D HOLLINGSWORTH

It was moved by Councillor Hollingsworth, seconded by Councillor D Blackburn and

RESOLVED – That this Council welcomes the petition launched by CAMRA’s Yorkshire branches calling for Tetley’s to be continued to be brewed in Leeds, and urges members to support the campaign.

This Council regrets Network Rail’s recent decision to back a route for the proposed High Speed Rail Link that excludes Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region.

Council urges the Government to consider all available evidence including a recent report for West Yorkshire Metro and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, which stated that high speed rail could boost Yorkshire’s economy by up to £3bn, before coming to its final conclusion on the High Speed Rail link later in the year.

This Council resolves to continue lobbying as strongly as possible for High Speed Rail Links that include Leeds.

       A CARTER

It was moved by Councillor A Carter, seconded by Councillor Brett and

RESOLVED – That this Council regrets Network Rail’s recent decision to back a route for the proposed High Speed Rail Link that excludes Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region.

Council urges the Government to consider all available evidence including a recent report for West Yorkshire Metro and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority, which stated that high speed rail could boost Yorkshire’s economy by up to £3bn, before coming to its final conclusion on the High Speed Rail link later in the year.

This Council resolves to continue lobbying as strongly as possible for High Speed Rail Links that include Leeds.

Council rose at 7.35 pm.