Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillors Anderson and Blackburn declared personal interests in Agenda Item 93, Environment and Neighbourhoods Revenue Budget Implications due to their positions on the West North West Homes ALMO.  Councillor Coupar also declared a personal interest in this item due to her position on the Belle Isle Tenants Management Association as did Councillor Rhodes Clayton as she was a Council tenant. (Minute No.93 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors A Gabriel, G Hyde and R Lewis.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27^th February 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 27 February 2008, be confirmed as a correct record subject to the inclusion of Councillor Robinson under Minute no.19 – Apologies for Absence.

To receive and note the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 5^th February 2008.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 5 February 2008 be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the implications of the agreed budget within Environment and Neighbourhoods for 2008/09.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which set out details of the Environment and Neighbourhoods, both General Fund and Housing Revenue Account, for the financial year 2008/09.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Pippa Milne, Recycling and Waste Manager
• Neale Cooper, HRA Finance Manager
• Mark Forbes, Chief Support Services Officer

In brief summary, the following issues were discussed:

• Pressure on housing, social and private rented due to the backlog of unresolved asylum cases and the need to address this.
• Reduction in income from the licensing of high risk houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) – it was reported that some properties were still being assessed for licensing purposes and that this would lead to extra income.
• Additional resources allocated towards the Waste Strategy – it was reported that a further 8 routes for the garden waste collection scheme would be introduced.  This would cover between 40 and 45 thousand properties.  There would also be further work on education and awareness.
• How savings could be made – areas identified included the use of consultants, reducing the number of long term agency staff and holding vacancies that did not impact on service levels.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Waste Solution Programme for Leeds.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report regarding the Waste Solution Programme for Leeds.  The report referred to the Waste Strategy Implementation Working Group (Leaders’ Working Group) and the scrutiny role.

In brief summary the following issues were discussed:

·  The involvement of the Scrutiny Board with the Leader’s Working Group.

·  Waste treatment options.

·  Visits to Waste Treatment sites – it was reported that dates had been sought for this.

RESOLVED – That the Scrutiny Board continue to work in conjunction with the Leader’s Working Group on the Waste Solution Programme.

To consider a report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on the role of the Community and Voluntary Sector in developing the Integrated Waste Strategy for Leeds.

The Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods submitted a report which outlined the role of the Community and Voluntary Sector in delivering the Integrated Waste Strategy for Leeds.  The report highlighted some of the organisations that contributed to recycling and waste management and outlined the work that they undertook.  The report also detailed the Recycling Credits Scheme which  provided incentives to Community and Voluntary Sector Organisations.

The Chair welcomed the following to the meeting:

• Richard Veitch – Leeds Organic Growers
• Kate Moore – Seagulls Re-use Ltd
• Terry Kelly – Moortown Furniture Store
• Terry Minshall – Moortown Furniture Store

In response to Members questions and comments, the following issues were discussed:

• Further to a question regarding health and safety issues with the donation and exchange of furniture, it was reported that Leeds and Moortown Furniture Store required all items to meet the 1988 requirements for Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations.  It was reported that furniture not meeting these would be disassembled and recycled or in some instances could be re-upholstered by other organisations for further use.
• The Moortown and Leeds Furniture store had previously carried out  the refurbishing of large electrical goods and furniture for re-use.  This was no longer possible due to reduction in funding.  It was reported that the Council was hoping to develop a scheme with a Voluntary or Community to organisation to re-use electrical goods.
• Richard Veitch reported on the garden waste collection scheme that was to be carried out by Leeds Organic Growers.  The scheme was to be carried out in Kirkstall and Weetwood and collected waste would be composted and sold back to scheme members or the general public.  Food and kitchen waste would not be collected as there was not the facility to process this waste.  Members raised concern that people paying to participate in this scheme were not receiving the same service as others across the City who had their garden waste collected by the Council.
• Green waste created by the Parks.  It was reported that this was dealt with by  a number of contractors.
• The provision of large shared recycling bins in communal living areas such as blocks of flats.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s Work Programme.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which detailed a copy of the Board’s current Work Programme and meetings of Working Groups.  Members’ attention was also brought to the Forward Plan of Key Decisions and any areas of interest that the Board may wish to consider.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To discuss arrangements for a Board meeting to be held in April 2008.

RESOLVED – That an additional meeting be held on Wednesday, 9 April 2009 at 1.00 p.m.

n.b. Subsequent to the meeting this was postponed.