Agenda item

This Council notes the recommendations made in the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report, approved at Executive Board in September 2015, particularly around planning and engagement with communities.

Council is concerned that the proposal to deliver 70,000 new homes in Leeds, with a possible increase in population of 150,000, could lead to an adverse impact on public health in the city. It could affect the ability of residents to access already stretched GPs and dental surgeries but also impact negatively on communities through increased road congestion, reduced air quality and loss of Greenbelt and open space. Council further notes the existing problems the Council is dealing with in relation to air quality and possible associated financial penalties.

The Public Health Annual Report goes on to set out how the Council aims to engage with communities. This Council is concerned that the consultation on the site allocations process does not meet those aims. Namely it does not:

• make it easy for everyone to take part

•  make the engagement meaningful and honest

•  involve people at the earliest possible stage

•  show everyone the impact the engagement has had

This Council remains concerned about the plan to deliver 70,000 new homes and the process of consultation that underpins it.

It was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor Andrew Carter  that  this Council notes the recommendations made in the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report, approved at Executive Board in September 2015, particularly around planning and engagement with communities.

Council is concerned that the proposal to deliver 70,000 new homes in Leeds, with a possible increase in population of 150,000, could lead to an adverse impact on public health in the city. It could affect the ability of residents to access already stretched GPs and dental surgeries but also impact negatively on communities through increased road congestion, reduced air quality and loss of Greenbelt and open space. Council further notes the existing problems the Council is dealing with in relation to air quality and possible associated financial penalties.

The Public Health Annual Report goes on to set out how the Council aims to engage with communities. This Council is concerned that the consultation on the site allocations process does not meet those aims. Namely it does not:

• make it easy for everyone to take part

•  make the engagement meaningful and honest

•  involve people at the earliest possible stage

•  show everyone the impact the engagement has had

This Council remains concerned about the plan to deliver 70,000 new homes and the process of consultation that underpins it.

An amendment was moved by Councillor R Lewis, seconded by Councillor Mulherin

Delete all after “with communities” and replace with:

Council further notes that the consultation on the draft Site Allocation Plan and Aire Valley Action Plan are ongoing- and suggests that anyone wishing to make a comment is able to do so at www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcity or using the other contact methods available. Council notes the end date of this consultation is 16 November 2015.

Council is committed to ensuring that public health is a key focus for action in planning in Leeds, with a clear need to consult with all stakeholders on new planning applications and guidance.

Council appreciates the recognition within the Director of Public Health’s report that the environment in which we live is a major determinant of health and wellbeing. Council recognises that health considerations are part of both the adopted Core Strategy and the Leeds Standard for Housing, showing commitment to Public Health for new developments in Leeds. Council further notes the work being done to improve air quality, including the promotion of cycling and walking both for new developments and as part of existing infrastructure.

Council is therefore deeply concerned that the ambitions set out in the report are put at risk by the proposed Housing and Planning Bill 2015-16, especially the provisions to:

• Give automatic planning permission on brownfield sites, without detailed local planning decision making on whether these sites are suitable.
• Place “Starter Homes” on equal footing with truly affordable Council and Housing Association homes.
• Impose Right to Buy on Housing Associations.
• Demand Local Authorities sell “high value” Council homes, with the potential to remove social housing from many areas.
• Give powers to the Secretary of State to impose rental increases on “high income” tenants, with the potential to keep any additional funds himself.

Council calls on Central Government to reconsider these provisions, which appear to have the potential to dramatically reduce Council’s abilities to plan and create healthy, vibrant, mixed communities in Leeds. Council asks the Executive Members responsible for Health and Planning to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to inform them of this resolution.

Council also requests that the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning keeps Council up to date about responses to the draft Site Allocations Plan and Aire Valley Action Plan consultations.

The motion would read:

This Council notes the recommendations made in the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report, approved at Executive Board in September 2015, particularly around planning and engagement with communities.

Council further notes that the consultation on the draft Site Allocation Plan and Aire Valley Action Plan are ongoing- and suggests that anyone wishing to make a comment is able to do so at www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcity or using the other contact methods available. Council notes the end date of this consultation is 16 November 2015.

Council is committed to ensuring that public health is a key focus for action in planning in Leeds, with a clear need to consult with all stakeholders on new planning applications and guidance.

Council appreciates the recognition within the Director of Public Health’s report that the environment in which we live is a major determinant of health and wellbeing. Council recognises that health considerations are part of both the adopted Core Strategy and the Leeds Standard for Housing, showing commitment to Public Health for new developments in Leeds. Council further notes the work being done to improve air quality, including the promotion of cycling and walking both for new developments and as part of existing infrastructure.

Council is therefore deeply concerned that the ambitions set out in the report are put at risk by the proposed Housing and Planning Bill 2015-16, especially the provisions to:

• Give automatic planning permission on brownfield sites, without detailed local planning decision making on whether these sites are suitable.
• Place “Starter Homes” on equal footing with truly affordable Council and Housing Association homes.
• Impose Right to Buy on Housing Associations.
• Demand Local Authorities sell “high value” Council homes, with the potential to remove social housing from many areas.
• Give powers to the Secretary of State to impose rental increases on “high income” tenants, with the potential to keep any additional funds himself.

Council calls on Central Government to reconsider these provisions, which appear to have the potential to dramatically reduce Council’s abilities to plan and create healthy, vibrant, mixed communities in Leeds. Council asks the Executive Members responsible for Health and Planning to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to inform them of this resolution.

Council also requests that the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning keeps Council up to date about responses to the draft Site Allocations Plan and Aire Valley Action Plan consultations.

The amendment in the name of Councillor R Lewis was carried and upon being put to the vote it was;

RESOLVED – That this Council notes the recommendations made in the Director of Public Health’s Annual Report, approved at Executive Board in September 2015, particularly around planning and engagement with communities.

Council further notes that the consultation on the draft Site Allocation Plan and Aire Valley Action Plan are ongoing- and suggests that anyone wishing to make a comment is able to do so at www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcity or using the other contact methods available. Council notes the end date of this consultation is 16 November 2015.

Council is committed to ensuring that public health is a key focus for action in planning in Leeds, with a clear need to consult with all stakeholders on new planning applications and guidance.

Council appreciates the recognition within the Director of Public Health’s report that the environment in which we live is a major determinant of health and wellbeing. Council recognises that health considerations are part of both the adopted Core Strategy and the Leeds Standard for Housing, showing commitment to Public Health for new developments in Leeds. Council further notes the work being done to improve air quality, including the promotion of cycling and walking both for new developments and as part of existing infrastructure.

Council is therefore deeply concerned that the ambitions set out in the report are put at risk by the proposed Housing and Planning Bill 2015-16, especially the provisions to:

• Give automatic planning permission on brownfield sites, without detailed local planning decision making on whether these sites are suitable.
• Place “Starter Homes” on equal footing with truly affordable Council and Housing Association homes.
• Impose Right to Buy on Housing Associations.
• Demand Local Authorities sell “high value” Council homes, with the potential to remove social housing from many areas.
• Give powers to the Secretary of State to impose rental increases on “high income” tenants, with the potential to keep any additional funds himself.

Council calls on Central Government to reconsider these provisions, which appear to have the potential to dramatically reduce Council’s abilities to plan and create healthy, vibrant, mixed communities in Leeds. Council asks the Executive Members responsible for Health and Planning to write to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government to inform them of this resolution.

Council also requests that the Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning keeps Council up to date about responses to the draft Site Allocations Plan and Aire Valley Action Plan consultations.