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.

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:-

There were no exempt items.

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 2000 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Councillor L Mulherin submitted her apologies to the meeting, and Councillor H Hayden was in attendance as substitute.

To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th January 2021.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held 18^th January 2021 be approved as an accurate record.

At the discretion of the Chair, a period of up to 15 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Committee. No member of the public shall speak for more than five minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.

Please note: Members of the public are asked to submit a video of their question or statement to climate.emergency@leeds.gov.uk by 4 p.m. on Wednesday 12th March 2021.

Members of the public were asked to submit a video recording of their open forum submission in advance of the meeting.

The Leeds Cycle Campaign submitted a video, which can be viewed here, highlighting the need for urgent action to provide safe access for cyclists, runners and walkers to the Aire and Calder canal at Skelton Grange Road Bridge.

Members noted their shared concerns on the matter, and advised that further discussions with stakeholders had been arranged later in the week to move the issue forward.

To receive a verbal update on the progress of the Committees’ working groups to date.

The Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality, Polly Cook, provided an update to Members on the progress of the working groups to the Committee as follows:

·  Biodiversity and Food – At the most recent meeting, guest speakers from the University of York and the University of Leeds presented the benefits of soil management, the Vulnerability Index and how this can be used to protect communities, and the benefits of vertical farming. At the next meeting, guest speakers are scheduled to attend to present recent research to develop a new food system across the city. The group have also started to develop a low-carbon food action plan.

·  Planning, Buildings and Energy – The group have continued to review existing climate related planning policies with a view to these being updated and their implementation strengthened. Recent meetings have also focused on developing new and enhanced climate related policies within the Local Plan update ahead of public consultation. At the next meeting, the group will focus on the Domestic Energy Strategy for the city.

·  Transport – The group has not met since the last Committee meeting, however, plans to meet in coming weeks to look specifically at behaviour change related to the draft Transport Strategy consultation.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) that introduces a presentation from the Leeds Climate Commission on the recently published Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap for Leeds, which has been developed in response to the recommendations of the Leeds Climate Change Citizens’ Jury.

The Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) that submitted a report that introduced a presentation from the Leeds Climate Commission on the recently published Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap for Leeds, which has been developed in response to the recommendations of the Leeds Climate Change Citizens’ Jury.

Professor Andy Gouldson, Chair of the Leeds Climate Commission, delivered a PowerPoint presentation setting out the Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap for Leeds. The key messages were presented as follows:

·  Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions from Leeds have fallen by 40% since the turn of the Millennium. With on-going decarbonisation of grid electricity, and taking into account population and economic growth within the city region, we project that Leeds’ 2000 level of annual emissions will have fallen by a total of 45% in 2030 and 49% in 2050.

·  The periods of lockdown throughout the pandemic will have had an impact, particularly due to changes in working patterns with most people working from home, however, it is not expected to change the broader scale of the challenge.

·  Leeds has a clear opportunity to become a leader in how it shapes consumer behaviour, by addressing the carbon reduction opportunities set out within the Roadmap and introducing low carbon measures for:

o  Households and for both public and commercial buildings (including better insulation, improved heating, more efficient appliances, some small scale renewables);

o  Transport (including more walking and cycling, enhanced public transport, electric and more fuel efficient vehicles);

o  Industry (including better lighting, improved process efficiencies and a wide range of other energy efficiency measures).

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Finance and Investment. Members recognised the financial barriers to families and private landlords making sustainable investments in their homes, particularly for a large proportion of housing in Leeds built in the Victorian era. It was noted that the recently announced National Infrastructure Bank to be situated in Leeds will provide opportunity for more green investment options. Members highlighted that the financial benefits to investments need to be calculated and presented through easy to understand communications to Leeds residents to evidence the value of eco-retrofit.

·  Changing travel behaviour. In response to a query, Members were advised that electric aviation models are very unlikely to be commercially available by 2030, and therefore behavioural change is necessary to change travel habits, and encouraging residents to reduce plane travel, for example, from one week-long trip abroad every year to a 2 week trip every other year. Members noted the ambitions set out within the draft Transport Strategy that promote active travel and the benefits of ‘15 minute neighbourhoods’ – meaning that neighbourhoods include all necessary amenities within 15 minutes walking distance and therefore reducing the need to travel by car.

·  Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission. Members queried whether the Leeds roadmap is consistent with neighbouring local authorities, and were advised that the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission has been established in recognition of the need for joined up thinking across the region, and is to be launched in the coming  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) that introduces the annual Climate Emergency report considered at the Executive Board meeting held 10^th February 2021, which provides an update on the progress being made towards reducing emissions at both a national and local level, setting out key actions that have been undertaken. The report also reflects upon the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both emissions and how the road to recovery can be founded in the green economy.

The Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) submitted a report that introduces the annual Climate Emergency report considered at the Executive Board meeting held 10th February 2021, which provides an update on the progress being made towards reducing emissions at both a national and local level, setting out key actions that have been undertaken. The report also reflects upon the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both emissions and how the road to recovery can be founded in the green economy.

The Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) presented the report, highlighting the range of work streams currently taking place along with successful funding bids.

Members noted in regards to the tree planting agenda, that there could be an opportunity to change residents’ attitudes towards large scale tree planting by being more flexible around tree removal in individual gardens – an issue Members are frequently contacted about by ward residents.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and appendices, along with Members comments, be noted.

The Chair noted that following the close of the recent planning application relating to Leeds Bradford Airport, an item will be scheduled for a future meeting of the Committee to discuss aviation policy and any further lobbying action to be taken.

To be confirmed.

To be confirmed.