Public Debate on the Future of the Airport is Right (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Public Debate on the Future of the Airport is Right

March 25, 2004 12:00 AM

But Councillors must have the full facts in front of them……………… At a meeting of the Council in the 24th March Labour Members of Leeds City Council this evening voted down a call for a proper debate on the future of the ownership of Leeds Bradford Airport. Voting on a Lib Dem amended motion which called for a report on the financial and other implications of local councils ownership of the Airport the Labour Group won the vote by 45 votes to 42.

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Cllr Stewart Golton, moving the amendment said it would be ridiculous for Councillors to make a decision on the future ownership of the Airport without having all the facts in front of them.

Cllr Golton said "There are differences in the valuation of the Airport ranging from £50 million (LCC Officers) to £200 million (Tory press release). It would be stupid to make a decision without the real facts. The City Council should be concerned with efficiency and value for money for the people of Leeds, not approaching such a decision from a particularly ideological stance.

"The future development of the Airport is of major interest to all the citizens of Leeds, particularly in terms of the economic strength of the City, and the access the Airport gives the people of Leeds to business and holiday destinations. Local residents in Horsforth, Otley, Yeadon and Rawdon have particular interests as neighbours, and often as employees, of the Airport. Any change in the ownership of the Airport should only be made if proved to be of significant benefit to the City"

After criticism of bringing this issue forward in public Cllr Mark Harris, Leader of the Lib Dem Group in responding to the debate , told Councillors they had a duty to consult widely and not take decisions behind closed doors.

Cllr Harris said "I am amazed that the Deputy Chair of the Airport Board said opposition groups were wrong to discuss the future of the Airport in public. Local people should be fully involved in any discussion and properly consulted. Unlike the Conservatives we did not bring forward a motion calling for the immediate disposal of 51% the Council's financial interests in the Airport, but unlike Labour we have not stuck our heads in the sand and said the sale of the Council's interests should never be considered. We asked for a proper look at the issues concerned, then that information could inform a proper debate. I am sorry Council was unable to consider what would be in the best interests of the people of Leeds rather than in the best interests of their party political stances."

Notes

The vote took place on the amended motion, following its acceptance by Council. The amended motion read as follows:-

"THAT this Council believes that it may not be in the best interests of the people of Leeds that the Council should be a major shareholder in an Airport (Leeds/Bradford Airport).

This Council also recognises that the city receives little by way of dividend from Leeds/ Bradford Airport.

That this Council instructs Officers to provide a report to the Executive Board setting out :

· an assessment of the current value of Leeds Bradford Airport as a whole;

· the amounts received in dividends over the last ten years, and anticipated future dividends over the next ten years;

· the implications of the sale of the Airport for future approval of planning proposals to expand the Airport, or any other developments on the current land owned by Leeds Bradford Airport."