Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors J Bentley, A Gabriel and A Garthwaite.

Notification had been received that Councillor M Harland was to substitute for Councillor A Gabriel and Councillor J Pryor for Councillor A Garthwaite.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th February 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To receive a report from the Director of Environment and Housing covering particular areas of environmental policy/activity as requested by the Scrutiny Board.

The Director of Environment and Housing submitted a report which provided an update on a series of waste issues presented to the Board in September 2016:

The appendices provided summaries in relation to the following main areas:

-  Appendix 1 – Recycling performance

-  Appendix 2 – Odour and air quality monitoring in relation to the RERF and wider Cross Green area

-  Appendix 3 – Engaging communities in the recycling agenda

-  Appendix 4 – Reviewing existing recycling services and recyclables collected

-  Appendix 5 – Maintenance of gullies.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Executive Member for Environment and Sustainability

-  Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Housing

-  Andrew Lingham, Head of Waste Strategy and Infrastructure

-  Tom Smith, Chief Officer (Waste Management)

-  Paul Spandler, Environmental Health Manager

-  Jason Singh, Head of Service, Environmental Action

-  Tim Price, Operations Director, Veolia UK Energy

-  Paul Fowler, General Manager, Veolia Leeds ES UK.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Confirmation that materials were either recycled or combusted at the RERF.  No materials were diverted to landfill. The Board was advised that there was some element of storage on-site linked to the overall waste input management processes.

·  An update on outage issues, planned maintenance and arrangements for the treatment of waste during this period.

·  Concern that Veolia had not met its recycling target.  The Board was advised that the mechanical pre-treatment equipment at the RERF had since been reviewed and that Veolia have agreed to replace a key piece of machinery (the ballistic separators) to help resolve the problem and are undertaking temporary repair work in the meantime.

·  The Board welcomed recent improvements that had been made, although there was some concern that 3 improvement notices had so far been served.  The Board was advised that sanctions were available if contract obligations were not met.

·  An update on arrangements for recycling garden waste.  The Board was advised that there were 8 household waste sites in Leeds for residents living in areas where kerbside recycling was not available.  Residents were also encouraged to use a composter.

·  A request that future reporting included numbers as well percentages to provide overall context.

·  The challenges obtaining data and information in relation to commercial waste when trying to provide an overall picture of how Leeds is managing its waste.

·  The need to raise awareness about what items could be recycled, with particular reference to plastics.  However, the Board also acknowledged the need to introduce national legislation to tackle the longstanding problems associated with packaging.  In the meantime, the Board suggested that further analysis be undertaken to determine the implications of the Council adopting an approach whereby all types of plastics are collected in the green bins for processing.

·  Concern about current emission permit thresholds, particularly in relation to oxides of Nitrogen (No_x) in view of the findings arising from the Board’s recent inquiry into Air Quality.  It was acknowledged Veolia had already installed the best available  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

To consider the Board’s work schedule for the forthcoming municipal year.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2016/17 municipal year.

The key points were:

·  Proposed date of working group in relation to reviewing the role of wider tenant involvement groups on Tuesday, 25 April 2017 (10am-12noon)

·  A suggestion that an additional Board meeting be arranged to take place on Tuesday, 23 May 2017, to consider any outstanding issues and sign off reports.

RESOLVED – That subject to any on-going discussions and scheduling decisions, the Board’s outline work schedule be approved.

Thursday, 20^th April 2017 at 10.00 am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30 am)

Thursday, 20 April 2017 at 10.00am (pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 11.35am)