This page lists the key decisions due to be taken within Leeds City Council over the next few months. Details of each key decision will be published below at least 28 clear days before the decision is due to be taken
What is a 'Key Decision'?
A key decision is an executive decision which is likely to:
Article 13 of the Council's Constitution provides more details about which decisions will be treated as key decisions.
How to get more information about a particular key decision
The agenda papers for Executive Board meetings, and the documents being considered by officers taking key decisions, are available five working days before the decision will be made through the Council's website.
The contact details of a lead officer are provided for each key decision listed below. Please contact the lead officer directly if you wish to obtain copies or extracts of any other listed documents, or if you wish to receive details of further documents as they become available. Sometimes the papers you request may contain exempt of confidential information. If this is the case, the lead officer will explain why it will not be possible to make copies available.
Leeds City Council is proposing to close Queensway Primary School when term ends in July 2025 - legally the school would close on 31 August 2025.
The decision on the proposal has been classed as a “key decision” as the outcome would have a significant effect on primary school aged children in the Guiseley and Yeadon areas of Leeds.
Decision Maker: Executive Board
Decision due date: 12/03/2025
Wards affected: Guiseley and Rawdon; Otley and Yeadon;
Lead officer: Tracy Waud
Notice of decision: 05/02/2025
Current contract end on 31 October 2025, new compliant contracts are required. Estimated value £200k per annum (£800k for 2 year with up to 2 year extension)
Decision Maker: Director of Strategy and Resources
Decision due date: Not before 05/03/2025
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Mandy Snaith
Notice of decision: 04/02/2025
Key Delegated Decision to approve expenditure over £500k in respect of the 2025/26 Planned Maintenance Programme.
Decision Maker: Director of Children and Families
Decision due date: Not before 05/03/2025
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Sally Lowe
Notice of decision: 04/02/2025
Current contract ends on 31 October 2025, new compliant contracts are required. Estimated value £200k per annum (£800k for 2 year with up to 2 year extension)
Decision Maker: Director of Strategy and Resources
Decision due date: Not before 05/03/2025
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Mandy Snaith
Notice of decision: 04/02/2025
In 2024 new types of technical qualifications were approved by Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, for delivery from 2025. These are funded nationally under section 100 (1B) of the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009.
To enable Combined Authorities and Combined County Authorities to use their Adult Skills Fund budget to fund the new technical qualifications from 2025, the Government will need to transfer this funding power to them via a statutory instrument.
The Department of Education has indicated that a draft order will be provided in early February 2025, once it has gone through the various internal checks and procedures. The consent of the Combined Authority and each of its constituent councils is required before the Order can be made. The Department of Education is seeking consent as quickly as possible in order that the Order can be enacted in time for the 2025/26 academic year.
Decision Maker: Executive Board
Decision due date: 12/02/2025
Lead officer: Fiona Bolam
Notice of decision: 30/01/2025
Explanation of anticipated restriction:
Key Decision being taken under the General Exception provisions (5.2 of the Executive & Decision Making Procedure Rules) ‘due to the Department of Education needing to enact the order in time for the 25/26 academic year .
Re-procurement of the Over the Counter Payment Services contract which enables Leeds City Council to receive income via over the counter methods. The value of the contract over 4 years depends on levels of activity but is approximately £900K. The services are required to enable the council to continue to collect revenue through 3rd parties such as Post Offices and Paypoint where the public can continue to make cash and cheque payments at nil cost to the member of the public. Although the number of transactions through these methods has decreased recently, they remain a means of payment for a substantial number of residents. Continuity of Bill Payment Services continues to be essential.
Decision Maker: Director of Strategy and Resources
Decision due date: Not before 27/02/2025
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Robin Thornton
Notice of decision: 29/01/2025
To give authority to spend and to procure in relation to the development of one new Parent & Child residential provision; to incur revenue expenditure necessary to the operation of the Parent & Child residential provision; and to establish and recruit to necessary associated staffing structures.
Decision Maker: Director of Children and Families
Decision due date: Not before 26/02/2025
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Ben Finley
Notice of decision: 28/01/2025
The Council undertakes an annual review process to consider fee and allowance levels for foster carers. The annual review process is likely to lead to increased fees and allowances (reflecting continued cost pressures faced by foster carers and the need to ensure that LCC at least matches statutory levels of fee and allowance) with an expected cost greater than the key decision threshold.
Recruiting and retaining foster carers is a key issue for the Council in being able to deliver beneficial outcomes for children and young people but also in relation to help manage the financial challenges of more costly external residential which would be required if foster carers levels are not (at least) maintained at existing levels. It is noted however that fee and allowance levels is not the primary motivating factor for the overwhelming majority of foster carers.
Decision Maker: Director of Children and Families
Decision due date: Not before 26/02/2025
Wards affected: (All Wards);
Lead officer: Ben Finley
Notice of decision: 28/01/2025