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 was 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.)

There were no late items.

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

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received on behalf of Cllrs Blackburn, Charlwood, Collins, Finnigan, Gabriel, Grahame, Howley and Ritchie.

Cllr Ritchie asked that it be noted that he was unable to attend due to a requirement to self-isolate after having tested positive for Covid-19.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2022.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2022 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive an update from the Chief Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality) on progress in reducing fuel poverty in Leeds over the last 12 months.

Agenda Items 7 – Fuel Poverty in Leeds, 8 – Energy Efficiency in Council Housing Stock and 9 – Carbon Reduction in the Private Rented Sector, were  considered together by the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and  Communities).

The report of the Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality provided the Board with an update on progress to reduce fuel poverty in Leeds over the last 12 months.

The report of the Head of Strategy and Investment set out details of a 5-year investment programme that will contribute to improving energy efficiency and decarbonising council housing in Leeds.

The report of the Head of Private Sector Housing highlighted key areas of Private Sector Housing activity during the last 12 months.

The following were in attendance for this discussion:

·  Councillor Rafique, Executive Member for Environment and Housing

·  Councillor Hayden, Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport

and Sustainable Development

·  James Rogers, Director Communities, Housing and Environment

·  Tom Cowen, Senior Project Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality)

·  Robert Curtis, Programme Officer (Sustainable Energy and Air Quality)

·  Nahim Ruhi-Khan, Head of Strategy and Investment

·  Gerard Tinsdale, Chief Officer Housing

·  Mark Ireland, Head of Private Rented Sector

Members highlighted the increasing challenge of tackling fuel poverty in Leeds, in the context of increasing energy bills and the national “cost of living crisis.”

Tom Cowan delivered a presentation on fuel poverty, noting the most recent data relates to 2019. The Board was advised that it is anticipated that fuel poverty rates will have increased since that time given rises in energy costs.

The latest figures show fuel poverty rates in Leeds at 17% in comparison to an English average of around 13.5%. Unlike in previous years the local data has diverged from national English average.

The Board was advised of a new Government definition of fuel poverty – moving from a “low income, high cost” measure to “low income, low energy efficiency.”

An overview of the “cost of living crisis” was provided, with members asked to note that the energy cap has almost doubled in two years, inflation is at 7% and wages and benefits have increased at below-inflation rates.

It is anticipated there will be a further increase of the energy cap in October.

An overview of support available in Leeds was presented, with attention drawn to Home Plus Leeds and funding available via the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.

It was noted that the Government has announced it is raising the National Insurance threshold from July 2022, introducing a £150 Council tax rebate for households in bands D and below, and providing a £200 fuel bill rebate repayable over four years. It is anticipated this will have the greatest impact on low income, working households and less impact on those in receipt of benefits.

It was suggested that the most effective long-term solution to fuel poverty is to improve energy efficiency through insulation and other home improvements.

Leeds has been successful in recent years in securing external funding for capital investment in energy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To receive an update from the Head of Strategy and Investment on the 5-year investment programme including details of specific projects that will contribute to improving energy efficiency and decarbonising council housing.

Agenda Items 7 – Fuel Poverty in Leeds, 8 – Energy Efficiency in Council  Housing Stock and 9 – Carbon Reduction in the Private Rented Sector, were  considered together by the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and  Communities).

To receive an update from the Head of Private Sector Housing on key areas of Private Sector Housing activity during the last 12 months.

Agenda Items 7 – Fuel Poverty in Leeds, 8 – Energy Efficiency in Council  Housing Stock and 9 – Carbon Reduction in the Private Rented Sector, were  considered together by the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and  Communities).

To consider the work schedule for the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Principal Scrutiny Advisor outlined the main issues of note under the work schedule, namely:

·  Provisional dates for 2022/23

·  A summary of Network Rail Vegetation Management Site Visit as discussed in February 2022.

·  A Statement of Progress regarding the inquiry into the Future of Waste Services, which includes a recommendation that the inquiry is continued in the next municipal year when the outstanding areas of information become available.

·  A copy of a joint letter with Chair of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board to George Eustice MP, highlighting the importance of bringing forward further detail of the delayed National Resources and Waste Strategy.

RESOLVED – Members of the Board noted and approved:

a) The Scrutiny Board’s 2021/22 work schedule

b) The summary of the site visit Cllr Anderson undertook with Network Rail at Headingley Station

c) The interim statement of progress in relation to the inquiry into the future of waste services and the associated letter to George Eustice MP.

Members further noted the Executive Board minutes from 16 March so far as they relate to the remit of the Scrutiny Board.

CHAIR’S CLOSING REMARKS

The Chair formally noted his thanks to Cllrs Gabriel and Charlwood, who are both standing down at the local elections taking place in May 2022, for their work over the years.

He also thanked the officers present for their time and effort, and asked that the Director for Communities, Housing and Environment pass on the thanks of the Scrutiny Board to his teams for their engagement on a wide range of issues over the last municipal year.

The Chair extended his thanks to Scrutiny Board members and the Principal Scrutiny Advisor for their work over 2021/22.

The next meeting of the Board will take place at 10.30am on 23 June 2022 at 10.30am. There will be a pre-meeting for all members of the Board at 10am.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as 23 June

2022, at 10.30 am (there will be a pre-meet for members at 10 am)

(The meeting concluded at 11.50am)