Agenda and minutes

a)  The Lord Mayor welcomed Catherine Witham the City Solicitor to her first meeting of Council.

b)  The Lord Mayor reported that Councillor Charlwood had recently given birth to a baby girl and Council passed on their best wishes to Councillor Charlwood.

c)  The Lord Mayor congratulated Councillor A Castle on her selection as Lord Mayor elect.

d)  The Lord Mayor also reminded Council that the Red Heart Day Charity event would be taking place on Friday 10^th February 2012.

To confirm the minutes of the 2 Council Meetings held on 16^th November 2011 and Council Meeting held on 7^th December 2011.

It was moved by Councillor J Lewis, seconded by Councillor Lobley and

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the two meetings held on 16^th November 2011 and the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th December 2011 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 display in the ante-room, 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 Member’s Code of Conduct were made as follows:- 

a)  Councillor Dawson declared a personal interest in minute 80(d) of this meeting as a member of Morley Town Council.

b)  Councillor Leadley declared a personal interest in minute 81 of this meeting as member of Morley Town Council:-

c)  Members declared personal interests in minute 86 of this meeting as follows:-

d)  Members declared personal interests in minute 85 of this meeting as follows:-

e)  Members declared personal interests in minute 84 of this meeting as follows:-

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

The Chief Executive reported that he had recently received the following responses in respect of White Paper resolutions agreed at the November 2011 Council meeting:-

White Paper on BBC Cuts – Responses received from:-

·  Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries.

·  Mark Thompson, Director General of the BBC.

·  Judy Lustigman from the BBC Trust Unit on behalf of Lord Patten, Chairman of the BBC Trust.

White Paper on Feed In Tariff Scheme – Response received from:-

·  Gregory Barker MP, Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change.

White Paper on Health and Social Care Bill – Response received from:-

·  Earl Howe the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Quality at the Department of Health.

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

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

1)  Mayor for the Day regarding ‘When It Comes To Keeping Kidz Active – Leeds Leads.

2)  Leeds Climate Action Coalition regarding the impact of the Feed in Tariff review on jobs, fuel poverty and carbon reduction in Leeds.

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect 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)  That the report of the City Solicitor on appointments be approved.

J LEWIS

b)  That the report of the City Solicitor on attendance at meetings be approved.

J LEWIS

c)  That the report of the Director of Resources on amendments to the officer delegation scheme (executive functions) and the consequential amendments to the Constitution in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 1.4(b) be noted.

  K WAKEFIELD

d)  That the report of the Director of Resources on the calculation of the Council Tax Base for 2012/2013, for the purpose of calculating the Council Tax, be approved. 

  K WAKEFIELD

a)  Appointments

It was moved by Councillor J Lewis, seconded by Councillor Lobley and

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor on appointments be approved, namely:-

-  That Councillor P Grahame replace Councillor Mitchell on Scrutiny Board (Regeneration).

b)  Attendance at Meetings

It was moved by Councillor J Lewis, seconded by Councillor Lobley and

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor on attendance at meetings be approved.

c)  Amendments to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Executive Functions)

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor J Lewis and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Resources on amendments to the Officer Delegation Scheme (Executive Functions) and the consequential amendments to the Constitution, in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 1.4(b), be noted.

d)  Calculation of the Council Tax Base 2012/13

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor J Lewis and

RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Resources on the calculation of the Council tax base 2012/13 for the purpose of calculating the Council Tax be approved.

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

Q1  Councillor A Carter to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration):-

Will the Executive Board Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration please confirm that he, and the Member of Parliament for East Leeds did in fact commission the withdrawn report on the East Leeds Regeneration Board, and that the report was drafted by Paul Forbes, as has already been confirmed by representatives of the Leeds and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce?

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration) replied.

Q2  Councillor Chastney to the Executive Member (Development and the Economy):-

Will the Executive Member for development please update Council on the outcome of the West Park Centre options appraisal?

The Executive Member (Development and the Economy) replied.

Q3  Councillor Maqsood’s question  to the Executive Member (Children’s Services) was withdrawn.

Q4  Councillor Leadley to the Leader of Council:-

Will the Leader of Council be seeking advice from Councillor Neil Dawson during preparation of the Leeds City Council Budget for 2012-13?

The Leader of Council replied.

Q5  Councillor Renshaw to the Executive Member (Environmental Services):-

Would the Executive Member for Environmental Services update Members on the introduction of ambitious new targets for recycling in the city?

The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied.

Q6  Councillor Anderson to the Executive Member (Environmental Services):-

Will the Executive Member for Environmental Services like to take this opportunity to apologise to the residents of Leeds who have suffered a poor and inconsistent refuse collection service recently and will he further take this opportunity to confirm that he will make every effort to ensure that these problems do not occur again?

The Executive Member (Environmental Services) replied.

Q7  Councillor Bentley to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration):-

Does the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Housing agree that the Council should set an example to other employers on the issue of apprenticeships?

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration) replied.

Q8  Councillor G Hyde to the Leader of Council:-

Would the Leader update Council as to the implications for Leeds of last month’s Core Cities announcement by Nick Clegg?

The Leader of Council replied.

Q9  Councillor Gettings to the Executive Member (Children’s Services):-

Could the Executive Member for Childrens’ Services inform Council how many Primary and Secondary schools in Leeds have become Academies, Free Schools or Trust Schools and what implication this has for the city?

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

Q10  Councillor G Harper to the Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration):-

Is the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing & Regeneration as relieved as I am that the Government has finally enabled us to move forward with the Little London, Beeston Hill & Holbeck PFI Regeneration scheme?

The Executive Member (Neighbourhoods, Housing and Regeneration) replied.

Q11  Councillor Lamb to the Executive Member (Children’s Services):-

Will the Executive Member for Children’s Services provide an update on the project to replace the ESCR computer system, is it on time and on budget?

The Executive Member (Children’s Services) replied.

At the conclusion of question time, the following questions remained unanswered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources on recommendations of the Executive Board in respect of the Large Casino - approval of the revised Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy 2010-2012 .

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor J Lewis, and

RESOLVED – That the recommendations of the Executive Board, as presented by the report of the Director of Resources, with regard to the Large Casino – Approval of the Revised Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Policy 2010-12 to come into effect on 23^rd February 2012 and the consultation report as the Council’s response to the public consultation be approved.

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

It was moved by Councillor Wakefield, seconded by Councillor J Lewis that the minutes be received in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2(i).

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 4.55pm and resumed at 5.20pm.

Council welcomes the commitment made by the Deputy Prime Minister here in Leeds supporting cities to lead our national economic recovery.

Council recognises the role of infrastructure investment in creating jobs, apprenticeships and supporting local businesses and welcomes the recent call from Leeds City Region leaders for greater certainty from the government around long term transport funding.

Council believes that there are actions the council can take now to get the city on the move again, and calls on the Executive to bring forward proposals to progress with park and ride schemes at Stourton and Bodington Hall irrespective of the government’s decision on the NGT scheme and to investigate the viability of additional park and ride sites in other parts of the city.

    S GOLTON

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.10, leave of Council was given to alter the amendment in the name of Councillor R Lewis by the insertion of the following at the end of the amendment:-

‘This Council requests a report to Executive Board outlining options for Park and Ride.’

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rules 13.2(d) and 14.11 and with the consent of the seconder, leave of Council was given to Councillor Anderson to withdraw the amendment in his name and to second the amendment in the name of Councillor R Lewis. 

It was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Downes, that thisCouncil welcomes the commitment made by the Deputy Prime Minister here in Leeds supporting cities to lead our national economic recovery.

Council recognises the role of infrastructure investment in creating jobs, apprenticeships and supporting local businesses and welcomes the recent call from Leeds City Region Leaders for greater certainty from the Government around long term transport funding.

Council believes that there are actions the Council can take now to get the city on the move again, and calls on the Executive to bring forward proposals to progress with park and ride schemes at Stourton and Bodington Hall irrespective of the Government’s decision on the NGT scheme and to investigate the viability of additional park and ride sites in other parts of the city.

An amendment was moved by Councillor R Lewis, seconded by Councillor Anderson to delete all after ‘This Council’ and replace with:-

‘urge the Government to follow through on the commitment made by the Deputy Prime Minister here in Leeds to devolve new powers to cities.

Council recognises the role of infrastructure investment in creating jobs, apprenticeships and supporting local businesses and welcomes the recent call from Leeds City Region Leaders for greater certainty from the Government around long term transport funding.

Council believes all avenues for improving public transport provision in the city should be explored including investigating the viability of park and ride sites and calls on the Government to make a swift decision on NGT so that an integrated approach to public transport can be developed.

This Council requests a report to Executive Board outlining options for Park and Ride.’

The amendment in the name of Councillor R Lewis was carried and, upon being put as the substantive motion, it was

RESOLVED –That this Council urge the Government to follow through on the commitment made by the Deputy Prime Minister here in Leeds to devolve new powers to cities.

Council recognises the role of infrastructure investment in creating jobs, apprenticeships and supporting local businesses and welcomes the recent call from Leeds City Region Leaders for greater certainty from the Government around long term transport funding.

Council believes all avenues for improving public transport provision in the city should be explored including investigating the viability of park and ride sites and calls on the Government to make a swift decision on NGT so that an integrated approach  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

This Council believes that young people are being hit harder by the Government’s response to the economic downturn than any other age group, as evidenced by recent reports by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Council notes with grave concern that the level of young people not in education, employment or training is at a record high, while predictions for economic growth have been significantly downgraded.  This comes at a time when Government policies are reducing opportunities in education and destroying the careers service, policies which have resulted in a significant drop in the number of university applications.

Council commits to working together with partner organisations to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people in Leeds.  This includes fully engaging with the business community to increase the numbers of apprenticeships offered to Leeds young people.

Council therefore:

a)  Calls on our partner organisations to fully support and commit to achieving our ambition to become the UK’s first Child Friendly City.

b)  Asks Government to rethink its response to the economic downturn in order to mitigate the damaging effects that policies including the removal of the Education Maintenance Allowance and the raising of tuition fees are having on the life chances of children and young people. 

Council requests that the Chief Executive writes to the Minister for Children and Families to highlight the concerns of this council.

      J BLAKE

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Hanley, that thisCouncil believes that young people are being hit harder by the Government’s response to the economic downturn than any other age group, as evidenced by recent reports by the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Council notes with grave concern that the level of young people not in education, employment or training is at a record high, while predictions for economic growth have been significantly downgraded.  This comes at a time when Government policies are reducing opportunities in education and destroying the careers service, policies which have resulted in a significant drop in the number of university applications.

Council commits to working together with partner organisations to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people in Leeds.  This includes fully engaging with the business community to increase the numbers of apprenticeships offered to Leeds young people.

Council therefore:-

a)  calls on our partner organisations to fully support and commit to achieving our ambition to become the UK’s first Child Friendly City;

b)  asks Government to rethink its response to the economic downturn in order to mitigate the damaging effects that policies including the removal of the Education Maintenance Allowance and the raising of tuition fees are having on the life chances of children and young people. 

Council requests that the Chief Executive write to the Minister for Children and Families to highlight the concerns of this Council.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Downes, seconded by Councillor Campbell

Delete first two paragraphs and replace with:-

‘Council welcomes the creation by the Government of the £1 billion Youth Contract to help young people not in education, employment or training find work.

Council welcomes the £18 million pupil premium funding that Leeds schools will receive in 2012-13 and notes the assessment from the IFS that the policy is a simple, transparent and effective way of targeting education spending to deprived communities.

Council notes recent comments from Ed Miliband that the Labour party needs to wake up to the reality of the budget deficit.

Council further notes with regret that the gap between rich and poor widened during the course of 13 years of the last Labour Government.

Council also notes that careers guidance for young people in years 9, 10 and 11 only is far too late to start.  Council believes that life skills, which identify with employability skills, should form part of the teaching and learning which young people receive throughout their education.’

Delete all from ‘Council therefore’ to ‘life chances of children and young people’ [bullet points]

Delete all from ‘the Minister’ to end of motion and replace with [final paragraph]:-

‘our partner organisations seeking their full support and commitment to achieving our ambition to become the UK’s first Child Friendly City.’

Amended motion would then read:-

‘Council welcomes the creation by the Government of the £1 billion Youth Contract to help young people not in education, employment or training find work.

Council welcomes the £18 million  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

This Council supports welfare reform. This Council recognises that any new welfare provision must be affordable, effectively targeted, support people into employment and promote active citizenry.

This Council agrees to set up a cross party working group to analyse in depth present proposals to see if they comply with these conditions and advise the Council accordingly on any amendments that need to be lobbied for and any new council processes that should be introduced to accommodate the new welfare system.

    R FINNIGAN

It was moved by Councillor Finnigan, seconded by Councillor Varley, and

RESOLVED – That this Council supports welfare reform.  This Council recognises that any new welfare provision must be affordable, effectively targeted, support people into employment and promote active citizenry.

This Council agrees to set up a cross party working group to analyse in depth present proposals to see if they comply with these conditions and advise the Council accordingly on any amendments that need to be lobbied for and any new Council processes that should be introduced to accommodate the new welfare system.

“This Council welcomes the planned expansion of the government’s mandatory work activity pilot, which asks benefit claimants to undertake community work for four weeks in return for their benefits. Council notes that the scheme is part of the government’s drive to reduce people’s dependency on benefits and provide positive work experience to aid their search for employment. 

“Council believes that, if the scheme were extended nationally, it could both help to reduce the country’s huge benefits bill and provide many families in Leeds who want to work with the chance to gain valuable experience.  Council requests the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to liaise with the Department of Work and Pensions in order to establish how such a scheme would work in Leeds.”

      M LOBLEY

It was moved by Councillor Lobley, seconded by Councillor Wadsworth, that this Council welcomes the planned expansion of the Government’s mandatory work activity pilot, which asks benefit claimants to undertake community work for four weeks in return for their benefits.  Council notes that the scheme is part of the Government’s drive to reduce people’s dependency on benefits and provide positive work experience to aid their search for employment. 

Council believes that, if the scheme were extended nationally, it could both help to reduce the country’s huge benefits bill and provide many families in Leeds who want to work with the chance to gain valuable experience.  Council requests the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods to liaise with the Department of Work and Pensions in order to establish how such a scheme would work in Leeds.

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

Council notes with regret that the recent delay to the government’s decision on the NGT scheme is costing Leeds taxpayers £1 million per month.

Whilst respecting the government’s request for further information about the bid, Council believes that whatever the government decides on the scheme, it should be made swiftly.

Council calls on the chief executive to draft a letter, signed by all party leaders, to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that once the bid is resubmitted, she and her department treat it as a high priority so that a decision is made as soon as possible.

    R DOWNES 

It was moved by Councillor Downes, seconded by Councillor J Lewis, that thisCouncil notes with regret that the recent delay to the Government’s decision on the NGT scheme is costing Leeds taxpayers £1 million per month.

Whilst respecting the Government’s request for further information about the bid, Council believes that whatever the Government decides on the scheme, it should be made swiftly.

Council calls on the Chief Executive to draft a letter, signed by all party leaders, to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that once the bid is resubmitted, she and her department treat it as a high priority so that a decision is made as soon as possible.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Lobley, seconded by Councillor Anderson to Delete all after ‘Council notes’ and replace with:-

‘the recent Government decision to allow further time for Leeds to provide evidence to support the improvement to the NGT cost to benefit ratio which is now £5.90 in benefits for every £1 spent.

This Council fully supports the delivery of the NGT scheme in Leeds and believes that the scheme along with other recent Government investment in the city’s transport infrastructure will bring significant benefits to the economy in Leeds.

Council regrets the delay in approving the scheme but looks forward to the DfT Minister, Norman Baker, making a final decision on NGT in May 2012.

Amended motion would read:-

Council notes the recent Government decision to allow further time for Leeds to provide evidence to support the improvement to the NGT cost to benefit ratio which is now £5.90 in benefits for every £1 spent.

This Council fully supports the delivery of the NGT scheme in Leeds and believes that the scheme along with other recent Government investment in the city’s transport infrastructure will bring significant benefits to the economy in Leeds.

Council looks forward to the DfT Minister, Norman Baker, making a final decision on NGT in May 2012.

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

RESOLVED – That this Council notes with regret that the recent delay to the Government’s decision on the NGT scheme is costing Leeds taxpayers £1 million per month.

Whilst respecting the Government’s request for further information about the bid, Council believes that whatever the Government decides on the scheme, it should be made swiftly.

Council calls on the Chief Executive to draft a letter, signed by all party leaders, to the Secretary of State for Transport requesting that once the bid is resubmitted, she and her department treat it as a high priority so that a decision is made as soon as possible.