Agenda item

To receive the report of the Localities Officer which invites the Committee to discuss Climate Action and appoint Councillor I Wilson as the Committee’s Climate Champion.

The Committee received the report of the Localities Officer which invited the Committee to appoint a Climate Champion, as well as inviting the Committee to have a wide reaching discussion regarding climate action in the Inner North West area.

In attendance;

Mike Eakins – Head of Policy

Councillor K Dye – Chair of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee

The Chair outlined the structure of the item, and invited the community members in attendance to participate, through either contributing to the discussion or by filling in a survey provided.

Leeds Bradford Airport’s recent certificate applications were acknowledged, and residents were informed of a separate meeting where they could come and discuss this in more depth.

The Committee appointed Councillor I Wilson as the Climate Champion.

The climate discussion included the following highlights;

The Head of Policy outlined the council’s Best City Ambition (BCA), a vision document to replace the previous council focused Best Council Ambition. The BCA has three pillars; inclusive growth, health & wellbeing and zero carbon.

Retrofitting – Several residents highlighted the issue of accessing high quality information regarding retrofitting their homes. Councillor K Dye informed the Committee of ongoing work to launch a retrofit hub in Leeds which will showcase technologies, connect consumers with fitters and provide a finance product which can be added to existing mortgages.

The issue of retrofitting housing in the privately rented sector was identified as key, with students suggested as a way of exerting influence on landlords as a consumer group. A landlord accreditation scheme was developed by Zero Carbon Headingley in partnership with Unipol to help students find accommodation from landlords who have invested in their properties to reduce carbon emissions.

The challenges of retrofitting the Headingley areas stock of Victorian and Edwardian housing was noted.

Parking & Car Use – There were a range of views regarding car use, with some preferring policies which reduce the number of cars over time, whilst others wished to maintain the freedom to drive, especially as this relates to disabled people.

Parking was noted as an issue especially around the Headingley and Hyde Park area, with parking permits suggested numerous times. The Committee discussed elements of the Hyde Park parking situation, as it was suggested that most of  the cars were from university staff or from students and not from long term residents. In regards to suggestions that students and those living in HMOs ought to be banned from owning cars, Councillor A Garthwaite advised the Committee that legal opinion on this had previously been sought, and it was found to be unlawful.

Walking & Cycling – The A6660 development was agreeable to residents particularly cyclists,, and the Chair noted that the area around Hyde Park corner has been especially dangerous for cyclists. Cycling and walking were both noted as having proven health benefits, as well as benefits for wider society as less people in cars will reduce congestion and pollution, so that those who remain driving will have better journeys.

The benefits of walking were repeatedly put forward, and it was felt that this needs to be better prioritised as cycling is not accessible for many especially those with mobility issues. The Chair noted that new pedestrian crossings was often the go to response to support pedestrians, but that less costly measures such as signs and keeping pathways clear of bins need to be considered as well.

There was discussion regarding the differing needs of cyclists and pedestrians, The cycling of delivery cyclists was particularly noted as posing a hazard for pedestrians. There was a suggestion of working to ensure walking and cycling paths are kept separate for safety.

Councillor A Garthwaite advised the Committee that of plans to install ‘smart’ crossings, which can detect when a pedestrian is waiting and crossing and update its control of traffic accordingly.

Public Transport – Comparisons of Leeds trains with train provision in the south were made, where trains run as often as every ten minutes. Councillor K Dye informed the Committee that the challenges facing Leeds Station include capacity, and for trains to be increased there would need to be an entirely new Leeds city centre train station.

Community – One resident highlighted the work that has been done on her road, Quarry Street in Woodhouse. The residents have developed glass collection, compost bins, artwork and gardening using reclaimed materials. This resident felt that tackling the climate crisis needs to be ambitious and used to also address social inequality and food poverty.  There is a culture of welcoming students to the area and getting them involved as well.

The issue of the student changeover in Hyde Park was noted, with Cllr A Hannan advising the Committee of last year’s waste divertion.

Participation – Buy Nowt LS6, was highlighted, a community lending scheme. The opening hours are Fridays 4pm – 6pm and Saturdays 1pm – 4pm at Headingley Methodist Church, Centenary Room, 1-3 Chapel Street, Leeds, LS6 3HZ.

The Co-Chair of Zero Carbon Headingley informed the Committee of their group’s attendance at recent car free events during which they received input from around 250 on their priorities which will be provided to the Chair. The Co-Chair of Zero Carbon Headingley also suggested a workshop with all the different relevant groups in the Inner North West area, in order to carry out mapping work to join together their work. The Chair confirmed that this meeting would not be the only piece of work in this area.

A member of St Chad’s informed the Committee of an annual environmentally focused service, with the next due to take place on 22^nd October at 9.30am, with all welcome. The service has been taking place for around twenty years.

The Chair requested that those in attendance get in touch with the Inner North West Councillors regarding possible sites for tree planting.

Councillor I Wilson was asked to outline how he intended to carry out his new role as Climate Action Champion. He informed the Committee that he sees the Councillor role in general as being a dual-role, both to support community groups, as well as to lead policy within Leeds City Council. The Champion role will provide him with the opportunity to meet with key decision makers and to inform them of community opinions and priorities.

RESOLVED – That Councillor I Wilson is appointed as Climate Action Champion and that the contents of the discussion are noted.