Leeds Council accused of secrecy over Covid-19 decision-making

Leeds City Council has been accused by some of its members of being “secretive” in its decision-making around its Covid-19 response.
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The comments came during a debate on the city’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular in the council’s use of the Covid Outbreak Board, which regularly meets to discuss the city’s response to the disease.

The ruling Labour administration had introduced a paper calling on councillors to note the work being undertaken at a local level to ensure businesses and individuals were being looked after during the pandemic.

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But a proposed amendment to the bill, from the opposition Conservatives group, referred to the Covid Outbreak Board as “not fit for purpose” and “lacking democratic accountability” – a sentiment echoed by councillors from independent groups.

Leeds City Council's Covid-19 response has been put under the spotlight. (Pic: PA)Leeds City Council's Covid-19 response has been put under the spotlight. (Pic: PA)
Leeds City Council's Covid-19 response has been put under the spotlight. (Pic: PA)

Leeds City Council leader Coun Judith Blake angrily hit back at the accusations, adding the council had been receiving “last minute” Covid-related instructions from the Government with little time to consult with members.

Leader of the opposition Conservatives group Coun Andrew Carter told a full Leeds City Council meeting: “I listened to President-elect Joe Biden yesterday on the US response to track and trace and Covid in general. He said we would follow the science and change course to wherever the science dictates.

“Here in Leeds we have the same approach taken by the British government criticised continuously – it’s not helpful.

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“This is not a criticism of our partners or our officers whose briefings have been exceptional.

“The outbreak board serves a useful purpose, but it is simply a briefing and it is good, but it is not a political consultation.

“We have to minimise the democratic deficit. We have Covid outbreak board – this should be used as a vehicle for proper democratic input – we can’t go on for months without a more robust mechanism for political input.

“Discussions after the event are not acceptable.”

Coun Mark Dobson (Ind) said: “We all know what Covid 19 is. It does not know ward boundaries – it is not political in nature.

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“I have watched the debate at the national level and Sir Kier Starmer has been right to call for greater cross-party involvement at the time of a national emergency – as a city, we must expect no less.

“In terms of this administration it has been a slow response.

“There is a lot of talent among the 99 members of this council, and there are people who are ready to help with the response and going forward in negotiations with government.”

Coun Robert Finnigan (MBI) added: “Central government makes decisions secretively without consultation and with little explanation, and is selective in the information given.

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“Leeds City Council makes decisions secretively without consultation and with little explanation, and is selective in the information given.

“That leaves a democratic deficit and Leeds deserves better.”

Coun Blake responded: “To suggest that information has not been passed on to people as soon as it has been available to us is undermining the extraordinary work that people are doing.

“We have had email updates on a daily basis, we have member briefings, we have the Leeds outbreak board, and that is our way, which came down from government, to make sure we can have a one-city response.

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“It isn’t just a briefing session, it is people coming to the table to tell us exactly what they’re doing and to learn on how to work together more effectively.

“You make the assumption that we get information from Government with time to consult, with time to go out and make decisions.

“This is not the way it works. We get information from Government, sometimes through the media, via leaks, and we have to make sense of it.

People get guidance at the last minute, trying to run around and make sense of what the Government is asking of them

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“Do you know what? I don’t think the people of Leeds would appreciate us having all this time to talk about the impact of the pandemic on their lives, their loved ones, their futures, by talking about the internal workings of this council.

“Let’s do that in the appropriate place – this is where we come together to talk about the impact on our people.”

According to Leeds City Council’s Outbreak Control Plan, the Outbreak Control Board’s purpose is described: “To ensure that there is effective communication and public oversight of the implementation of the test, trace and contain stage for Leeds.”

The proposed amendment was voted down, with the original bill was voted through.