Agenda item

This Council notes and endorses the following Resolution to Leeds City Council from the Save Our Homes LS26 Campaign representing the community of the Sugar Hill estate in Oulton:

“We the undersigned confirm our support for the SOH LS26 Campaign and recognise that only the City Council can protect this community from the profit-motivated threat of eviction by the current landlord.

We call upon the Labour Group of the Council to support the immediate initiation of negotiations with the owner for the purpose of buying the houses, backed by the willingness to resort, if necessary, to the exercise of the Council’s powers of compulsory purchase.

Whilst recognising the financial and practical challenges implicit in this course of action, we note that it is entirely consistent with the Council’s established policies, which are fundamental to the ‘Best Council’ strategic plan. We also consider that this step is essential to creating conditions conducive to the development of a partnership approach with other providers, such as housing associations, to secure the retention and refurbishment of these homes and the survival of this community.”

Council therefore calls upon the Chief Executive to immediately implement the necessary arrangements for such interventions to take place.

It was moved by Councillor Golton, seconded by Councillor Drinkwater that this Council notes and endorses the following Resolution to Leeds City Council from the Save Our Homes LS26 Campaign representing the community of the Sugar Hill estate in Oulton:

“We the undersigned confirm our support for the SOH LS26 Campaign and recognise that only the City Council can protect this community from the profit-motivated threat of eviction by the current landlord.

We call upon the Labour Group of the Council to support the immediate initiation of negotiations with the owner for the purpose of buying the houses, backed by the willingness to resort, if necessary, to the exercise of the Council’s powers of compulsory purchase.

Whilst recognising the financial and practical challenges implicit in this course of action, we note that it is entirely consistent with the Council’s established policies, which are fundamental to the ‘Best Council’ strategic plan. We also consider that this step is essential to creating conditions conducive to the development of a partnership approach with other providers, such as housing associations, to secure the retention and refurbishment of these homes and the survival of this community.”

Council therefore calls upon the Chief Executive to immediately implement the necessary arrangements for such interventions to take place.

An amendment was moved by Councillor B Anderson, seconded by Councillor Buckley

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“notes the Save Our Homes LS26 Campaign representing the community of the Sugar Hill estate in Oulton and understands the concerns of residents in this community who are facing the threat of eviction.

“Council notes that the condition of the properties on this estate has deteriorated significantly, meaning that residents are living in accommodation that is sub-standard and which does not meet the city’s ambitions on being the Best City for Health and Wellbeing, nor the city’s aspirations for tackling Climate Change, particularly around energy efficiency and sustainability.

“Council regrets that the administration failed to take the advice of opposition groups, over successive budget meetings, to set up a housing company, which would have presented a greater range of options to help residents of the Sugar Hill estate in the current circumstances.

“Council calls for a report to be brought to Executive Board outlining how this administration intends to use its influence to engage with the owners, residents and other housing providers on a plan to try to ensure the refurbishment of the homes and the survival of this community.”

A second amendment was moved by Councillor Hayden, seconded by Councillor Lewis

Delete all after “This Council” and replace with:

“…notes the distressing position the community of Sugar Hill Has been put in by the private developer Pemberstone.

Council notes a Government Planning Inspector approved the application for the redevelopment of the site submitted by Pemberstone, overturning a Leeds City Council decision.

This council remains committed to working with the community and all parties to find an outcome to this situation and will bring forward an Executive Board report on this matter.”

The amendment in the name of Councillor B Anderson was declared lost, the amendment in the name of Councillor Hayden was carried and upon being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED – That this Council notes the distressing position the community of Sugar Hill Has been put in by the private developer Pemberstone.

Council notes a Government Planning Inspector approved the application for the redevelopment of the site submitted by Pemberstone, overturning a Leeds City Council decision.

This council remains committed to working with the community and all parties to find an outcome to this situation and will bring forward an Executive Board report on this matter.

On the requisition of Councillors Golton and Finnigan the voting on the substantive motion was recorded as follows;

YES – 51

Akhtar, Almas, Arif, Brooks, Burke, Carlill, Charlwood, Coupar, Cunningham, Dowson, Dye, Flint, Gabriel, Garthwaite, Gibson, Goddard, P Grahame, R Grahame, Groves, C Gruen, Harland, Hayden, Heselwood, A Hussain, Z Hussain, Illingworth, Iqbal, Jenkins, Lennox, Lewis, Maqsood, Marshall-Katung, Martin, McKenna, Midgley, Mulherin, Nash, Pryor, Rafique, Ragan, Renshaw, Ritchie, Scopes, Shahzad, Sharpe, Smart, E Taylor, Truswell, Venner, Walshaw and Wray.

NO - 35

Alderson, B Anderson, C Anderson, Bentley, A Blackburn, D Blackburn, Buckley, Campbell, Chapman, Cohen, Collins, Dobson, Downes, Drinkwater, Field, Finnigan, Firth, Flynn, Foster, Gettings, Golton, Harrand, Harrington, Hart-Brooke,  Hutchison, Lamb, G Latty, Lay, Richards, Robinson, D Seary, S Seary, Stephenson, J Taylor and Wadsworth.

ABSTAIN  - 1

McCormack