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 against refusal of inspection documents.

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’.

No members made any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests.

However, two members requested that non-pecuniary interests be noted in relation to item 8 Food Strategy Progress Update:

·  Cllr Cunningham is a Director of Armley Action Team – a hub that set up a community fridge and food pantry, alongside Climate Action Armley.

·  Cllr Golton is Vice President of Leeds Allotment Federation.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies were received from the following Scrutiny Board members:

·  Cllr Barry Anderson (Cllr Caroline Anderson attended as a substitute)

·  Cllr Norma Harrington (Cllr Simon Seary attended as a substitute)

·  Cllr Mohammed Iqbal (Cllr Raymond Jones attended as a substitute)

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2024 and the minutes of the call-in meeting held on 31 July 2024.

RESOLVED: The minutes of the meetings that took place on 18 July and 31 July 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

To receive an update from the Chief Officer (Environmental Services) in relation to Leeds’ Household Waste Strategy.

ndividuals in attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Mohammed Rafique (Executive Board Member for Climate, Energy, Environment & Green Space)

·  James Rogers (Director, Communities, Housing & Environment)

·  John Woolmer (Chief Officer Environmental Services)

·  Phil Turpin (Senior Business Officer)

·  Matt Birkett (Service Manager)

The Chair welcomed the early engagement with the Scrutiny Board on proposals relating to the introduction of food waste collections and an associated ‘3 bin solution’ for Leeds.

John Woolmer was invited to introduce the paper. He provided an overview of progress in the development of national policy and legislation, including information relating to extended producer responsibility, deposit return schemes and separate collections of household waste.

He went on to set out proposals for managing household waste in Leeds in a way that seeks to meet recently introduced national Simpler Recycling requirements and helps Leeds residents to reduce the amount of waste they produce that is not re-used or recycled.

An update was provided in relation to the recent introduction of glass into green bins. It was confirmed that, measured by weight, the amount of waste being collected in the first few weeks is up by 30%, with around 700 tonnes of glass being separated for remelt and recycling in August. This is anticipated to increase as awareness improves. Further analysis will be required to determine the proportion of glass being diverted from black bins or bottle banks. John explained that the greater environmental and financial benefits would be achieved through diverting glass from the black to the green bin, as incineration would have no recycling or energy recovery benefit. He outlined plans to focus on changing customer habits in the areas of the city where glass is predominantly placed into black bins and said the service would welcome help from ward members in sharing this message.

Concern was raised about the spillage of glass on the road in some areas of the city. Members were asked to highlight examples of this with the team to help identify the cause of the problem – for example, this may be related to  specific collection vehicles.

John specifically sought the views of the Scrutiny Board in relation to a proposed ‘3 bin’ approach to enable residents to recycle more at home while minimising the need for more bins.

John confirmed that no further information has been received about annual, revenue funding for a new food collection service. However, Leeds has been allocated £7.1m capital monies via DEFRA to support the purchase of infrastructure such as new vehicles, bins and caddies.

John informed members that the expectation from DEFRA has moved towards comingling of food and garden collections where that makes most sense locally and supports the Simpler Recycling aims. However, weekly collections still currently remain a future national requirement for food waste. It was noted that this is despite mixed garden and food waste collections being successfully delivered on a fortnightly basis in other places such as Hull and the East Riding. John confirmed that initial proposals for Leeds would therefore represent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

Members are asked to consider Leeds Food Strategy Progress Report.

Members are asked to note that the full report is provided in the agenda pack for context and information. However, it is anticipated that this will inform a discussion focused on the elements of the strategy associated with the remit of the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing and Communities) – particularly the theme of sustainability and resilience in the context of the Council’s climate action plan.

 Individuals in attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Mohammed Rafique (Executive Member for Climate, Energy, Environment and Green Space)

·  Polly Cook (Chief officer Climate, Energy & Green Spaces)

·  Andrew White (Senior Project Manager)

·  Claire Dalton-Nobbs (Senior Project Officer)

The Chair introduced the item, noting that the full Food Strategy Progress Update had been considered by the Executive Board on 18 September, and has previously been considered by the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee.

Andrew White was invited to provide an overview of the report highlights, noting that the Food Strategy was introduced in 2023 in collaboration with partners and stakeholders.  He highlighted that the Scrutiny Board was being asked to consider the report so far as it related to the remit of the Scrutiny Board including matters linked to food poverty, sustainability and resilience in the context of the Council’s Climate Action Plan.

Andrew set out the aims of the strategy, key areas of progress over the first twelve months and anticipated next steps, noting the key performance indicators designed to measure delivery and outcomes. He highlighted the cross-council approach to the food strategy and the extensive collaborative with partners across the city.

Members sought clarification about the data that underpins the concerns raised in the report about lower income households struggling to access healthy food.

In response, the Scrutiny Board considered the impact of limited access to supermarkets in some communities, particularly where car ownership is low.

Members noted that it would be helpful to understand whether a reduction in the number of adults meeting the ‘5 a day’ fruit and vegetable target represents an ongoing trajectory or a short term event.

Cllr Rafique emphasised the importance of collaboration and influence as many of the levers for achieving the overall ambitions for the city are outside of the Council’s control.

Concern was raised about access to unhealthy foods including take aways for children and members sought advice about whether any national legislation is anticipated to regulate access to these products.

Andrew White informed Board members that there is an appetite to regulate where possible. The Government recently announced a ban on junk food advertisements before 9pm and online adverts for products high in fat, salt and sugar will be banned altogether.

In response to member concerns, Andrew outlined work between planning services and public health colleagues to review the Council’s Supplementary Planning Document on Hot Food Takeaways.

Members endorsed the cross-council approach to the Food Strategy given the way in which priorities are connected to the ambitions of different service areas.

Members sought clarification about support to reduce food waste, citing the Real Junk Food Project as an example of that approach.

In the context of food inequalities members highlighted concerns about access to fresh foods via food banks and challenges with access to white goods.

The Chair sought further information about how the principles of Asset Based Community Development are informing the approach to the Food Strategy. Members recommended exploring relationships with community committees with a view to them helping  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

To consider the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for the 2024/25 municipal year.

Members were asked to note and provide comment on the draft work schedule at page 119.

The Principal Scrutiny Advisor highlighted the additional working groups taking place in the Autumn:

• 09/10/24: Sim Spec Walk
• 17/10/24: Social Progress Index update
• 23/09/24: Budget working group (all scrutiny members), providing context ahead of individual board consultation process.
• 12/12/24: budget consultation working group, focusing on proposals that fall within the remit of this Scrutiny Board.

It was noted that a further working group is due to be confirmed in relation to a post consultation update on Housing Allocation Policy.

RESOLVED: Members noted the work schedule.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing & Communities) will take place at 10.30am on 23 October 2024. There will be a pre-meeting for Scrutiny Board members at 10.00am.

The next meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing & Communities) will take place at 10.30am on 23 October 2024. There will be a pre-meeting for Scrutiny Board members at 10.00am.