Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against the inspection of documents.

1)  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2)  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3)  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

The agenda contained no exempt information.

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

No late items of business were added to the agenda.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Downes and Councillor O Newton.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 27^th November 2023 as a correct record.

The Committee noted amendments to the minutes of the meeting held 27^th November 2023:

Minute 19 Open Forum – to be amended to reflect that the Chair reported on discussions held with contributors to previous meetings, particularly on the approach to consultation. With the agreement of the Committee, the Chair undertook to write to senior officers and leadership team to highlight that all public consultations are as inclusive and accessible to residents as possible.

The Chair also reported that responses had been sent to contributors to the October 2023 meeting Open Forum on the following issues:

• Hydro electricity
• Roof top Gardens
• Zero Carbon Energy Markets

Minute 22 Directors Update – the phrase ‘It was confirmed that the White Rose station did have connectivity through to the bus station” be amended to read “It was confirmed that the White Rose station did have connectivity through to the White Rose bus station.”

RESOLVED – That, subject to the amendments above, the minutes of the meeting held 27^th November 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

The following matters arising were raised:

Minute 20 Working Groups Update - Dates had been confirmed for all working groups with Members encouraged to attend:

Biodiversity, Food and Waste – 29^th January 2024,

Economy and Finance - 30^th January 2024,

Community and Business Engagement – 5^th February 2024,

Planning and Buildings – 6^th February 2024.

Minute 22 Directors Update – With the Leeds car sharing scheme having ceased, it was noted the West Yorkshire scheme still existed. An update on the West Yorkshire scheme was usually contained within the Transport Strategy Committee Annual Report which was to be brought to a future meeting of this Committee.

Minute 24 Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission and Leeds Climate Commission – The Committee noted that a Ward Member for Killingbeck and Seacroft will make contact with the representatives of the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission to seek their attendance at the next Climate Action Seacroft Community Forum.

No matters were raised under the Open Forum item.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Climate, Energy and Green Spaces) presenting the annual update on the work of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee and its working groups.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Climate, Energy and Green Spaces) presenting the annual update on the work of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee and its working groups.

The report included the draft Annual Report to Council attached at Appendix 1 and a schedule of the Open Forum submissions considered by CEAC and the Council’s response attached at Appendix 2.

Polly Cook, Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces, presented the report and highlighted the following information:

·  The report captured the work and impact of the Committee and associated working groups and did not cover every aspect of work involving climate initiatives enacted by the Council.

·  The key themes were policy development, project delivery and engagement with the public, partners and stakeholders.

·  The Open Forum had been beneficial and led to practical outcomes such as research into the effects of rubber crumb and developing best practise for engagement with the public.

·  The four working groups had been effective in directing policy and assisting in shaping provision and public feedback for projects such as the Community Hubs.

During discussions the Committee discussed the following:

• It was noted there was little reference to the work on lobbying and making requests to outside bodies in the report. In response, it was thought this had been reflected but further work on the report was proposed to sufficiently reflect this.
• A synopsis of lobbying and request to outside bodies was noted to be contained on page 26 at point 3.1.6, however, specific examples of this work were to be included in the report.
• To avoid confusion between this report and an additional annual report that was due for submission to the Executive Board, it was noted that, the contents of this report originated from Members of the Committee and would be useful if content of the report due for Executive Board were available. In response it was outlined that the report to Executive Board had been delayed until September 2024 in order to be linked to the Carbon Disclosure Project and a link to this report could be included for context.
• To demonstrate the success of the Council’s approach, to be net zero carbon by 2030, it was noted that this was to be included in the annual report for the Executive Board and current data stated a 63% reduction in carbon since 2005.
• It was noted that the report reflected some difficulties engaging with diverse communities and options to improve this were to be explored, particularly within areas of deprivation as actively having the time, capacity and facilities to address climate impact was more regularly associated with affluence. This was to be a topic raised at a working groups chairs meeting.
• As a further method to engage with residents, including text on ongoing climate initiatives and the impacts in Leeds, was proposed for letters that were sent out regarding elections. It was noted that Council tax bills and the Leeds by example website had previously been utilised to promote certain topics,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Climate, Energy and Green Spaces) providing an update on the progress of the community climate grants fund, which is a West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) funded project providing funding of up to £50,000 for community projects that reduce carbon and have a positive impact on equalities and/or deprivation.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Climate, Energy and Green Spaces) which provided an update on the progress of the community climate grants fund, which is a West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) funded project providing funding of up to £50,000 for community projects that reduce carbon and have a positive impact on equalities and/or deprivation.

George Munson, Senior Project Manager, outlined the following information to Members:

·  When compiling the report, the assessment process for the determination of climate grants was ongoing. The outcome for grants had been provisionally determined at the time of the meeting but as the bidders had not been notified, specifics were not reported.

·  Members views on the process for engagement on seeking community climate grant applications, for the second wave, were sought.

·  The community climate grant funding originated from WYCA and was to be allocated to community proposals for greener, cleaner and climate ready neighbourhoods and must target one of the four priority areas – a. Green and climate ready nature solutions, b. Healthy affordable and efficient buildings, c. Local, clean and renewable energy and d. Walking, cycling and public transport.

·  Bids had to evidence how the project reduced carbon, helped tackle deprivation and inequality, and projects were to be completed by December 2024.

·  £544,000 was available for community and voluntary sector organisations, with an open application process. The first wave of the application process had closed on the 3^rd of November 2023.

·  29 bids had been received for the first wave, with 9 being provisionally approved, which were predominantly larger bids, totalling £285,231.

·  The main reasons for non-successful bids were outlined as insufficient evidence for build costs, staffing costs and general finances, as well as weak targets to measure outcomes. It was noted the capacity for some organisations to provide all the required information raised difficulties and there were some bids that may be approved on receipt of further clarification.

·  There were several fundamentally good ideas which lacked fulfilment of all required criteria.

·  The forecast was that there will be around £265,000 available for the second wave of bids, with an additional £100,000 comprising a reserve pot, and a lottery bid anticipated by WYCA. The second wave and the announcement of successful bids was aimed to be completed before Purdah.

·  Four options were proposed for the second round of the process, which were, 1. to run a fully open process, 2. offer bids to previous applicants only, 3. invite applications from underrepresented groups and areas only or 4. a combination of options 2 and 3.

During the discussions the following matters were considered:

• There had been one bid for a transport project, however, it had not been approved for funding.
• As there were no applications received from groups or organisations from specific Wards, with particular reference to some more deprived Wards, it was noted the second wave of bids could prioritise this.
• The requirement for an application to demonstrate a positive impact on an area of high deprivation or reduce inequality  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 22^nd January 2024 at 10.00 am

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday 22^nd January 2024 at 10.00 am