Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* 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 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing 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:

No exempt items have been identified.

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 formal late items.

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

Members did not declare any interests at the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor K Brooks and Councillor P Wadsworth. Councillor A Garthwaite attended in place of Councillor K Brooks as substitute.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 2^nd February 2023, be approved as an accurate record.

Members are asked to note and comment upon the appended annual Climate Emergency Report and its associated appendices ahead of these being considered by Executive Board on 15 March 2023.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services provided an update against this target at both a council and city level. It also updates and reflects on wider changes relevant to the city’s decarbonisation that have happened both regionally and nationally.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Councillor H Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate

·  Councillor K Dye, Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) Chair

·  Polly Cook, Chief Officer, Sustainable Energy & Air Quality

The Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate introduced the item and provided an overview of the extensive amount of work that has gone into Scope 1: direct emissions, 2: indirect emissions from grid-supplied energy and 3: emissions: that organisations are indirectly responsible for. The report also touches on energy security and making homes affordable for residents in Leeds, as well as de-carbonisation schemes.

The Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy & Air Quality) provided some key highlights from the submitted report, on the delivery of next steps and successes with grant funding, with acknowledgement that funding plays an important role in meeting net zero ambitions. An update was also provided on the energy strategy in terms of energy prices and the support of ongoing expansion of decarbonisation measures across the council’s buildings, the Final Food Strategy and Net Zero Housing Plan.

Board members discussed the following matters:

·  Clarity on energy security. Members were informed that the council do not enter into any fixed term energy contracts.

·  The position on meeting net zero ambitions by 2030 and whether the council have considered contingencies. It was noted that meeting such ambitions are dependent on technologies and buildings. Challenges were acknowledged in terms of the council’s fleet, retrofitting houses, and encouraging more environmentally friendly new developments.

·  Clarity on grant funding for energy efficiency schemes for the most deprived areas in Leeds. It was confirmed that schemes are available with certain criteria in terms of income and EPC ratings albeit it is limited in terms of who you can offer these low-level interventions to. It was noted there are additional schemes in the pipeline.

·  Education and working with residents and young people in Leeds. A number of face-to-face events have taken place, as well as the promotion of materials across social media channels. Universities and schools have also been attended. The CEAC Chair added to this and explained work is on-going with the third sector and local organisations to work with schools and providing education packages. Children were also engaged with at the Youth Summits with climate activities. The Executive Member also added that schools have been involved with the Food Strategy from the beginning, as well as on-going work with colleges around food. The Chair acknowledged the importance of councillors discussing and engaging such matters with children across schools, as well as officers and schools on educating children.

·  Clarity on the expansion of EV charging infrastructure across the city. The team are looking at options in terms of on-street charging. It was confirmed that West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) have recently  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Members are asked to note the appended 2022/23 end-of-year statement for the Scrutiny Board (Environment, housing & Communities) and, subject to any agreed amendments, approve its publication.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services highlights the work of all five Scrutiny Boards over 2022/23. The report also includes details of the full work programme for each Scrutiny Board for the last municipal year, with links to the associated agenda packs, minutes, and webcast recordings. The document also includes a statement from the relevant Scrutiny Chair reflecting on the key priorities for the Scrutiny Board over the last year.

Appended to the report includes a 2022/23 summary for the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the contents of the report.

b)  To approve publication of the 2022/23 summary, prior to publication on the Council’s website.

Members are asked to note the following recommendations for the 2023/24 successor Scrutiny Board:

- the proposed dates for the 2023/24 municipal year.

- an initial draft work schedule for 2023/24

On 20 January 2023 members of the Scrutiny Board held a consultative meeting at which the local approach to reducing gambling harm was explored. The recommendations and conclusions of that meeting are summarised in the statement appended to this agenda item. However, the statement requires approval at a formally constituted meeting before it can be submitted to the Executive Board. Members are therefore asked to consider the appended statement with a view to providing that approval.  

The report of the Head of Democratic Services set out the proposed dates for 2023/24 for the successor Scrutiny Board and an initial draft work programme.

Appended to the report included a copy of the Scrutiny Board’s recommendations and conclusions in relation to Reducing Gambling Harm.

RESOLVED –

a)  To note the successor Scrutiny Board’s draft work schedule for the 2023/24 municipal year.

b)  To note and formally endorse the appended statement on Reducing Gambling Harm and approve the submission of the final document to the Executive for a formal response.

Subject to the provisional 2023/24 committee dates being approved at the Annual General Meeting in May, the next public meeting of the successor Scrutiny Board will take place on 22 June 2023 at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meeting for all board members at 10.00am.

RESOLVED – The date and time of the next meeting is proposed to be held Thursday, 22^nd June 2023 at 10.30 am (a pre-meeting for Board members will be held at 10.00 am)

The meeting concluded at 12:20.