Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Kevin Tomkinson, Governance Services Unit 

Media

Items
No. Item

37.

Announcements

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a)  The Lord Mayor reminded those present that the meeting was to be webcast.

 

b)  The Lord Mayor informed Council that Councillor Lay would not be attending the Council meeting as it was his silver wedding anniversary.

 

c)  The Lord Mayor reported that at the recent in Bloom awards ceremony Leeds had achieved 8 golds as well as many awards across the City.

 

d)  The Lord Mayor congratulated Mr Ed Anderson on his recent appointment as Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire.

 

e)  The Lord Mayor reminded Members that it was the 40th anniversary of St Gemma’s Hospice and this would be his charity in his year of office.

 

f)  The Lord Mayor reported the recent death of Honorary Alderman Grenville Fletcher.

 

Council stood in silent tribute.

    

38.

Minutes of the last Meeting pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11th July 2018.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Dowson, seconded by Councillor Cohen and

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11th July 2018 be approved.

 

39.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest from Members

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interests.

 

40.

Communications

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chief Executive informed Council that responses to 2 Council resolutions had been received from Jo Johnson MP, Minister of State and Minister for London in respect of the White Paper on Transport considered by Council in July and Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister of State for Care in respect of the White Paper on NHS Funding, also considered by Council in July.

 

The responses had previously been circulated to all Members of Council.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.2 (d) Councillor Andrew Carter made a communication to Council in respect of the recent special urgency notice that was required in respect of a contract within the Children and Families Directorate, the Executive Member for Children and Families responded to the Communication.

41.

Deputations

To receive deputations in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

1)  Youth Council regarding transport in the City.

 

2)  The tribe Youth Group regarding recycling in the City.

 

3)  Pavements are for people asking for footpaths to be kept clear of obstructions.

 

4)  West Park Residents regarding the Lawnswood & Otley Old Road Scheme.

 

RESOLVED – That the subject matter in respect of deputation 1 be referred to the Director of City Development and Director of Children and Families for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member, that the subject matter in respect of deputation 2 be referred to the Directors of Children & Families, Resources & Housing and Communities & Environment for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member and that the subject matter in respect of deputations 3 and 4 be referred to the Director of City Development for consideration in consultation with the relevant Executive Member.

 

 

42.

Report on Scrutiny at Leeds City Council - Annual Report 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 27 KB

To consider the report of the City Solicitor presenting the Scrutiny Boards Annual Report to Council, prepared in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

RESOLVED – That the report of the City Solicitor presenting the Scrutiny Boards Annual Report to Council prepared in accordance with Article 6 of the Constitution be received and noted.

43.

Report - Community Committee Annual Report pdf icon PDF 93 KB

To consider the report of the Director of Communities and Environment bringing the Community Committees’ Annual Report to the attention of council. It looks at progress made over the last twelve months, outlines the changes which have taken place during 2017 to 2018 and gives examples of some of the work the community committees have carried out within their communities to improve the lives of local people.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Coupar, seconded by Councillor Dowson and

 

RESOLVED – That the report of the Director of Communities & Environment presenting to Council the Community Committees’ Annual report for 2017/18 be received and that the work now being progressed to further improve the effectiveness, community engagement role and improvement work of Community Committees be noted.

 

44.

Questions

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Q1  Councillor Harrison to the Executive Member (Environment and Active Lifestyles):-

 

Does the Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles agree with me that disposing of waste at household waste sites should be free of charge, and that this would help to reduce fly tipping and reduce the cost of cleaning up after people who may try to avoid charges?

 

The Executive Member (Environment and Active Lifestyles) replied.

 

Q2  Councillor J Bentley to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

 

Is the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning satisfied with the quality of the remedial surface dressing work that has recently been carried out on roads in north Leeds?

 

  The Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) replied.

 

Q3  Councillor Lowe to the Leader of Council:-

 

Please could the Leader of Council update members on Leeds response to the recent national debate about equalities?

 

The Leader of Council replied.

 

Q4  Councillor Hutchison to the Executive Member (Communities):-

 

Could the Executive Board Member for Housing confirm that she supports bringing council homes up to a decency standard across Leeds and specifically in Drighlington in the Morley North Ward and also confirm that the proposed works on the Kingsway Estate to replace rotten single glazed wooden windows and to introduce – in many cases for the first time – gas central heating systems on the same estate – will be completed in the current financial year?

 

The Executive Member (Communities) replied.

 

Q5  Councillor Tunnicliffe to the Executive Member (Resources & Sustainability):-

 

Will the Executive Member please comment on the impact of the 2019/20 Business Rates Pilot Announcement?

 

The Executive Member (Resources & Sustainability) replied.

 

Q6  Councillor Buckley to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

 

Given recent speculation about First Group’s future, and the extent to which this administration relies on this company for much of its current and future transport strategy, what discussions has the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning had with First and others about commitments and contingencies in the event that First is restructured?

 

   The Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning) replied.

 

Q7  Councillor C Gruen to the Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults):-

 

Would the Executive Member like to comment on the recent Neighbourhood Networks grants?

 

The Executive Member (Health, Wellbeing and Adults) 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 answers would be sent to each Member of Council:-

 

Q8  Councillor Leadley to the Executive Member (Regeneration, Transport and Planning):-

 

Q9  Councillor Heselwood to the Executive Member (Learning, Skills and Employment):-

 

Q10  Councillor Flynn to the Executive Member (Children and Families):-

 

Q11  Councillor Hamilton to the Executive Member (Communities).

 

Q12  Councillor D Blackburn to the Executive Member (Environment and Active Lifestyles).

 

Q13  Councillor Venner to the Executive Member (Children and Families).

 

Q14  Councillor C Anderson to the Executive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

45.

Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Executive Board pdf icon PDF 16 KB

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

 

RESOLVED – 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.

 

 

At the conclusion of this item Council adjourned from 16.20 to 16.50.

46.

Report on Devolution pdf icon PDF 116 KB

To consider a report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters related to the progress of Devolutionand matters regarding the Leeds City Region LEP and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

 

 

RESOLVED – That the report of the Chief Executive updating Members on matters in respect of devolution be received.

47.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Cohen) - Education Standards pdf icon PDF 53 KB

This Council believes that schools, teachers and pupils in Leeds are working hard to improve outcomes, and wishes to congratulate everyone who succeeded in their exams this year. However Council believes that there is a fundamental lack of ambition from the Council at a strategic level that is continuing to fail many young learners.

 

At Key Stage 2 the percentage of pupils in Leeds reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths has improved, but the pace of change is painfully slow, leaving Leeds still lagging behind national averages across many groups and measures.

 

Vulnerable learners in Leeds fare worse than their peers nationally. The attainment gap at Early Years between disadvantaged pupils in Leeds and non-disadvantaged pupils nationally was 26 percentage points in 2016 and 2017, whilst at Key Stage 2 the gap was even worse. SEN pupils in Leeds performed less well than SEN pupils nationally across all categories in 2016-17.

 

Council acknowledges the challenges involved in improving performance, but believes that for too long this administration has neglected the education side of children’s services. A Council aiming to be the best in the UK should be looking to exceed, not merely reach, national averages, yet a report card of the administration’s efforts over the last 8 years would surely read “must try harder”.

 

This Council therefore calls on the Director of Children and Families to bring a report to Executive Board setting out the steps necessary to make urgent and sustained improvement to education standards at all levels in the city.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor Cohen, seconded by Councillor Lamb that this Council believes that schools, teachers and pupils in Leeds are working hard to improve outcomes, and wishes to congratulate everyone who succeeded in their exams this year. However Council believes that there is a fundamental lack of ambition from the Council at a strategic level that is continuing to fail many young learners.

 

At Key Stage 2 the percentage of pupils in Leeds reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths has improved, but the pace of change is painfully slow, leaving Leeds still lagging behind national averages across many groups and measures.

 

Vulnerable learners in Leeds fare worse than their peers nationally. The attainment gap at Early Years between disadvantaged pupils in Leeds and non-disadvantaged pupils nationally was 26 percentage points in 2016 and 2017, whilst at Key Stage 2 the gap was even worse. SEN pupils in Leeds performed less well than SEN pupils nationally across all categories in 2016-17.

 

Council acknowledges the challenges involved in improving performance, but believes that for too long this administration has neglected the education side of children’s services. A Council aiming to be the best in the UK should be looking to exceed, not merely reach, national averages, yet a report card of the administration’s efforts over the last 8 years would surely read “must try harder”.

 

This Council therefore calls on the Director of Children and Families to bring a report to Executive Board setting out the steps necessary to make urgent and sustained improvement to education standards at all levels in the city.

 

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

 

To amend the motion by:

 

Inserting an additional paragraph, after “must try harder” at the end of paragraph four, to read:

 

“This Council is dismayed that despite being urged strongly to do so voluntarily at Executive Bards in April 2017 and June 2018 in discussions on successive Annual Standards Reports, this administration has offered no policy initiatives to halt its worsening performance”

 

The amended motion would then read:

 

“This Council believes that schools, teachers and pupils in Leeds are working hard to improve outcomes, and wishes to congratulate everyone who succeeded in their exams this year. However Council believes that there is a fundamental lack of ambition from the Council at a strategic level that is continuing to fail many young learners.

 

At Key Stage 2 the percentage of pupils in Leeds reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths has improved, but the pace of change is painfully slow, leaving Leeds still lagging behind national averages across many groups and measures.

 

Vulnerable learners in Leeds fare worse than their peers nationally. The attainment gap at Early Years between disadvantaged pupils in Leeds and non-disadvantaged pupils nationally was 26 percentage points in 2016 and 2017, whilst at Key Stage 2 the gap was even worse. SEN pupils in Leeds performed less well than SEN pupils nationally across all categories in 2016-17.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

48.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor A Blackburn) - Plastic Waste pdf icon PDF 53 KB

This Council notes with concern that according to recent research, eight million metric tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans each year, endangering marine life, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050 the weight of plastic in the oceans will exceed that of fish.  There is also a growing understanding of the risks posed to human health by toxic chemicals present in plastics.  

 

This Council, therefore, resolves to:

 

1.  Phase out the use of single use plastics by this Council and its supply chain by the end of 2019, and ensure that any single use plastics still in use because of existing contracts have a definite end date for their use.

 

2.  End the sale and provision of single use plastic products, such as bottles, cups, cutlery, drinking straws and food containers, in council buildings.

 

3.  Investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at Council events to avoid single use plastics as a condition of their contract.

 

4.  Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by this Council to support the phasing out of single use plastic cups, bottles, cutlery, straws and food containers.

 

5.  Work with event organisers to create policy in which single use disposable plastic cups and glasses are replaced at all city events with reusable or deposit scheme cups and glasses, and that single use plastic food containers are not provided. 

 

6.  Bring a report to the Executive Board within 6 months highlighting the progress made.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

It was moved by Councillor A Blackburn, seconded by Councillor Elliott that this Council notes with concern that according to recent research, eight million metric tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans each year, endangering marine life, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050 the weight of plastic in the oceans will exceed that of fish.  There is also a growing understanding of the risks posed to human health by toxic chemicals present in plastics.  

 

This Council, therefore, resolves to:

 

1.  Phase out the use of single use plastics by this Council and its supply chain by the end of 2019, and ensure that any single use plastics still in use because of existing contracts have a definite end date for their use.

 

2.  End the sale and provision of single use plastic products, such as bottles, cups, cutlery, drinking straws and food containers, in council buildings.

 

3.  Investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at Council events to avoid single use plastics as a condition of their contract.

 

4.  Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by this Council to support the phasing out of single use plastic cups, bottles, cutlery, straws and food containers.

 

5.  Work with event organisers to create policy in which single use disposable plastic cups and glasses are replaced at all city events with reusable or deposit scheme cups and glasses, and that single use plastic food containers are not provided. 

 

6.  Bring a report to the Executive Board within 6 months highlighting the progress made.

 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Wadsworth, seconded by Councillor Stephenson

 

Insert the following bullet point between ‘are not provided’ and ‘Bring a report to’:

 

Investigate what more the Council can do to ensure it recycles more plastic and provides opportunities for businesses and the public to recycle plastic.’

 

Motion will read:

 

‘This Council notes with concern that according to recent research, eight million metric tonnes of plastic waste ends up in the world’s oceans each year, endangering marine life, and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates that by 2050 the weight of plastic in the oceans will exceed that of fish.  There is also a growing understanding of the risks posed to human health by toxic chemicals present in plastics.  

 

This Council, therefore, resolves to:

 

1.  Phase out the use of single use plastics by this Council and its supply chain by the end of 2019, and ensure that any single use plastics still in use because of existing contracts have a definite end date for their use.

 

2.  End the sale and provision of single use plastic products, such as bottles, cups, cutlery, drinking straws and food containers, in council buildings.

 

3.  Investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at Council events to avoid single use plastics as a condition of their contract.

 

4.  Work with tenants and operators in commercial properties owned by this Council to support the phasing out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

49.

White Paper Motion (in the name of Councillor Blake) - Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme pdf icon PDF 51 KB

“This Council and everyone in Leeds remembers the devastating impact of the Storm Eva floods in Leeds over the Christmas period in 2015 and in particular the destruction caused to thousands of residential and business properties. 

 

Council recalls commitments made at that time by Government Ministers to ensure delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme to prevent a repeat of the damage and misery caused by Storm Eva.

 

Council is therefore deeply concerned by a letter received from the Environment Agency rejecting the Council’s proposed flood defence scheme and only offering to fund a lower cost scheme with a reduced level of protection that would not prevent a reoccurrence of the 2015 floods.

 

Council calls for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to meet Council representatives as soon as possible to ensure sufficient Government funding is provided to deliver Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme in its entirety to a 1 in 200 year standard.”

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 14.9 (a) leave of Council was given to Councillor Blake to alter the motion in her name by the inclusion of the amendment in the name of Councillor Andrew Carter.

 

The amended motion is set out below;

 

It was moved by Councillor Blake, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter that this Council and everyone in Leeds remembers the devastating impact of the Storm Eva floods in Leeds over the Christmas period in 2015 and in particular the destruction caused to thousands of residential and business properties. 

 

Council recalls commitments made at that time by Government Ministers to ensure delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme to prevent a repeat of the damage and misery caused by Storm Eva.

 

Council is therefore deeply concerned by a letter received from the Environment Agency rejecting the Council’s proposed flood defence scheme and only offering to fund a lower cost scheme with a reduced level of protection that would not prevent a reoccurrence of the 2015 floods.

 

Council calls for the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to meet Council representatives on an all-party basis as soon as possible to ensure sufficient Government funding is provided to deliver Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme in its entirety to a 1 in 200 year standard.

 

In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 13.2(d) and 14.10 and with the consent of the seconder leave of Council was given to Councillor Andrew Carter to withdraw the amendment in his name.

 

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

 

To move an Amendment:

 

To include “in all areas of the City” at the end of the first paragraph and

 

To include “plus a commitment to fund an alleviation scheme in Otley to help” after “Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme” in paragraph two and

 

To include “along with Otley” after “Phase 2 of the Leeds” and replace “its” with “their” after “Flood Alleviation scheme in” in the fourth paragraph and

 

Remove “to a 1 in 200 year standard” at the end of the fourth paragraph.

 

The amended motion will then read:

 

“This Council and everyone in Leeds remembers the devastating impact of the Storm Eva floods in Leeds over the Christmas period in 2015 and in particular the destruction caused to thousands of residential and business properties, in all areas of the City.

 

Council recalls commitments made at that time by Government Ministers to ensure delivery of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation scheme, plus a commitment to fund an alleviation scheme in Otley, to help prevent a repeat of the damage and misery caused by Storm Eva.

 

Council is therefore deeply concerned by a letter received from the Environment Agency rejecting the Council’s proposed flood defence scheme and only offering to fund a lower cost scheme with a reduced level of protection that would not prevent a reoccurrence of the 2015 floods.

 

Council calls  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.