Agenda for General Purposes Committee on Friday, 2nd July, 2021, 11.00 am

General Purposes Committee - Friday, 2nd July, 2021 11.00 am

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds, LS1 1UR

Contact: Email: harriet.speight@leeds.gov.uk

Link: to View Meeting Recording

Items
No.	Item
1.	Election of Chair Minutes: Due to the absence of Councillor James Lewis, a nomination was sought to appoint a Chair for the meeting. A nomination was made and seconded on behalf of Councillor Deborah Coupar. RESOLVED – That Councillor Coupar be elected as Chair for the meeting.
2.	Appeals against refusal of inspection of documents To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an appeal the press and public will be excluded). (*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting) Minutes: There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.
3.	Exempt Information - possible exclusion of the press and public 1 To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report. 2 To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information. 3 If so, to formally pass the following resolution:- RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:- Minutes: There were no resolutions to exclude the public.
4.	Late items To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration (The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes) Minutes: There were no late items.
5.	Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Interests To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2000 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest.
6.	Apologies for absence To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.
7.	Minutes of the last meeting PDF 190 KB To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2021. Minutes: RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 15^th March 2021 be approved as a correct record.
8.	Proposal to Amend the Schedule of Sites Governed by The Council's Byelaws for Pleasure Grounds, Public Walks and Open Spaces PDF 179 KB To consider the report of the Director of City Development that advises of the outcome of public consultations and the outcome of an application by the Council to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to amend the Council’s byelaws and to make a recommendation to approve the amendments detailed in respect of nine Council owned properties subject ratification, as required in law by the Full Council. Additional documents: Byelaws APPENDIX 1 (002) , item 8. PDF 93 KB Byelaws Appendix 2-Site Plans , item 8. PDF 2 MB Minutes: The report of the Director of City Development advised the Committee of the outcome of public consultations and the outcome of an application by the Council to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to amend the Council’s byelaws and to make a recommendation to approve the amendments detailed in respect of eight Council owned properties subject to ratification, as required in law by Full Council. Approval of the Committee was sought to the proposed amendments to the byelaws being taken forward by the City Solicitor to Full Council for consideration seeking approval, as required by statute, to the amendments detailed. RESOLVED – (a) That the statutory assessment following the consultation responses be noted. (b) That support for the amendments of byelaws as outlined be noted. (c) That the amendments of the byelaws be recommended to Full Council with a recommendation that they be approved.
9.	Changes to Council Functions following Directorate Changes PDF 409 KB To consider the report of the City Solicitor that seeks approval of amendments to the Constitution to transfer responsibility for the regulatory functions in respect of caravan sites to the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment from the Director of Resources in line with recent organisational changes. Additional documents: Appendix 1 - pt3s2Cc DR council deleg , item 9. PDF 81 KB Appendix 2 - pt3s2Cf DCHE council deleg , item 9. PDF 144 KB Minutes: The report of the City Solicitor proposed amendments to the officer delegation scheme. The proposed amendments were highlighted in the appendices to the report. The amendments would transfer responsibility for the regulatory functions in respect of caravan sites to the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment from the Director of Resources in line with recent organisational changes. Both Directors had been consulted and were content with the proposal. RESOLVED – That a recommendation be made to Full Council that the amendmenet to the following documents (as set out in the report and shown in the appendices) should be approved. a. Part 3 Section 2C Officer Delegation Scheme (Council (non-executive) Functions) i. Director of Resources (appendix 1) ii. Director of Communities, Housing & Environment (appendix 2)
10.	Local Authority Meetings PDF 441 KB To consider the report of the City Solicitor that provides and update on the position in respect to formal meetings of Committees, Boards and Panels of the authority following the curtailment of Regulations to permit Remote meetings. Additional documents: Appendix A Remote meetings response , item 10. PDF 162 KB Minutes: The report of the City Solicitor updated the Committee on the position in respect to formal meetings of Committees, Boards and Panels of the authority following the curtailment of regulations to permit remote meetings. The report summarised guidance presented to all Chairs and Lead Officers of Committees on how committee business could be safely transacted. The report also sought endorsement for the extension of live webcasting for all meetings of committees held in Committee Room 6/7 and the Council Chamber and the option for remote consultative meetings, held in lieu of formal meetings, to also be webcast. The report presented Leeds City Council’s response tp the Government ‘Call for Evidence’ on the use of arrangements which have allowed local authorities to hold meetings remotely or in a hybrid format during the coronavirus pandemic. RESOLVED – a) That the current position with regards to meetings of the Authorities Committees, Boards and Panels be noted. b) That the approach set out in respect of the permanent extension of Webcasting as set out in the report be endorsed. c) That the submission made by Leeds in response to Government ‘Call for Evidence’ be noted.
11.	Date and Time of Next Meeting The next meeting will be held Friday 3^rd September at 11.00 a.m. Minutes: Friday, 3 September 2021 at 11.00 a.m.