Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces which sets out the meeting schedule for the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year and proposes that each meeting will progress one (or more) of the key climate change mitigation and adaptation themes as identified in the attached work programme.

The report of the Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces set out the meeting schedule for the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee for the 2024/25 municipal year and proposed that each meeting would progress one (or more) of the key climate change mitigation and adaptation themes as identified in the attached work programme.

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

·  The proposed items of business contained in the forward plan focused on a mix of topics across mitigation and adaptation, as well as outward and inward looking discussions and points of influence.

·  Member’s views, comments and amendments to the schedule were sought, including providing any topics and submissions for the Open Forum and Director’s updates.

During the discussions the following matters were considered:

• In order to address alternative views on climate change from external groups or individuals, it was suggested that a private sub-group meeting may be appropriate to address varied views, perception, misinformation concerns and confirming evidence which led the Council to conclude on specific policies. In response there was discussion as to whether this met with the aims and outcomes of the Committee, given its role to advise the Executive Board and entering re-discussion for the Committee’s direction may be time intensive with limited results for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Some support for the private sub-group approach was outlined as the more accurate information provided was beneficial for society so people can make more informed decisions and develop an understanding for individual responsibility and misinformation.
• A session on scrutiny of information and communication may be of use to Members in order to provide correct information to the public to support the Committee’s beliefs and pledges, as well as to disprove misinformation through evidence based conclusions.
• It was proposed and agreed that one of the working groups could cover communication and engagement to address common concerns and encourage carbon literacy.
• It was agreed that an item regarding air quality across the district of Leeds be added to the forward plan, this was also to include discussions on air quality issues stemming from Leeds and Bradford Airport.
• It was confirmed that discussions of pesticide use were relevant to, and were to be included in, the tree planting and maintenance update that had been scheduled.
• Further collaborative work with relevant organisations, such as WYCA and the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission, was suggested in order to streamline work and share learning and practise. The forward plan had allowed for topics that covered internal and external impact and it was noted that the Chair sat on a WYCA Climate, Energy and Environment Committee, which fed into the Committee’s plans and discussions.
• The WYCA transport plan scoping consultation had been paused during the pre-election period, but when the results had been published, the contents were relevant to the Leeds transport plans, with substantial funding expected to be provided by WYCA. This was also to be linked to air quality and outer area provision.
• Consideration of food security and cascading effects were proposed, along with the effects climate change had on local food production schemes. This was to be researched in order to understand the Committee’s remit of influence.
• The workshops were a good arena for private discussion and the invites were extended to all Leeds City Councillors; the more in attendance allowed for a better use of time and a wider scope of discussion.
• The Chair noted that meetings would regularly be 3-hour sessions. Members noted that some experienced clashes or short timeframes between other meeting commitments and may require some administrative changes which the Chair was open to discuss.

RESOLVED –

a)   That the proposed meeting schedule for the municipal year contained in Appendix 1, be considered.

b)  That the report, along with Members comments, be noted.