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. However, Councillor Illingworth wished for his involvement with the Kirkstall Development Trust to be noted.

To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Groves, Wadsworth and Anderson. Councillors Heselwood, Collins and Stephenson were in attendance as substitutes.

To receive the Chair’s opening remarks.

The Chair welcomed all present to the first meeting of the Committee.

In his opening remarks, the Chair assured those present that the significance and urgency of the issue was recognised by the Council. In doing so, the Chair highlighted the declaration of a Climate Emergency in Leeds in March 2019, as well as the Council’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030. The Shadow Chair supported the Chair’s comments.

To consider the report of the City Solicitor that presents the terms of reference for the Climate Change Advisory Committee for Members’ information as, approved by Council 22 May 2019.

The City Solicitor submitted a report that presented the terms of reference for the Climate Change Advisory Committee for Members’ information as, approved by Council 22 May 2019.

The Chair sought Members views on a potential name change of the Committee to the ‘Climate Emergency Advisory Committee’, in line with the Climate Emergency declared by Full Council in March 2019. The Chair also noted the intention to introduce a regular ‘Open Forum’ item to formal Committee meetings, to allow members of the public to contribute formally to the meeting and express their views. All Members were supportive of the changes.

Members also discussed the importance of regular submissions to Full Council and Executive Board, along with opportunities to lobby central government where the decision making powers of the local authority are limited.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the proposal to change the name of the Committee to the ‘Climate Emergency Advisory Committee’ be approved;

b)  That an ‘Open Forum’ item be added to all future agendas for meetings of the Committee;

c)  That the terms of reference be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing which details an overview of the presentation that will be given to the inaugural meeting of the Climate Change Advisory Committee to help to provide the background to the Climate Emergency and the actions which have taken place to date.

The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report that detailed an overview of the presentation given to the inaugural meeting of the Climate Change Advisory Committee to help to provide the background to the Climate Emergency and the actions which have taken place to date.

Polly Cook (Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality, Leeds City Council) provided a PowerPoint presentation that included more detail on the following areas:

·  High level summary of the current emission levels, progress to date and the targets;

·  Process changes since the declaration of the climate emergency;

·  Internal communications currently underway;

·  Key actions linked to the Council’s own building stock, including housing;

·  Launch of top ten energy user group;

·  Overview of approach to both fleet and the challenges related to ‘grey fleet’;

·  Approach to biodiversity.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing which provides an overview of the presentation that will be given to the Climate Change Advisory Committee with the aim of providing an overview of the proposed ‘conversation’.

The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report that provided an overview of the presentation given to the Climate Change Advisory Committee with the aim of providing an overview of the proposed ‘conversation’.

Polly Cook (Chief Officer for Sustainable Energy and Air Quality, Leeds City Council) and Kate Lock (Communications and Engagement Officer, Leeds Climate Commission) provided a PowerPoint presentation. The Committee were informed that the ‘City Conversation’ was intended to be a far reaching consultation to establish the baseline of understanding amongst the population of Leeds, along with the barriers and concerns faced by communities and businesses. This would also involve teams visiting various groups, forums and events to raise awareness of issues and promote volunteering opportunities, as well as hosting a number of events as part of the conversation. Members were informed that the consultation would take place from 16^th July 2019 until the end of October 2019, and that a report detailing the findings would be submitted to Executive Board in December 2019. The launch event would be held at the University of Leeds on Tuesday 16^th July 2019 from 6 – 9 pm.

Members discussed a number of matters, including:

·  Neighbourhood plans. It was noted that the approach to development of neighbourhood plans across the City would require significant considerations in line with the Climate Emergency. The Chair noted that the implications of the climate emergency on neighbourhood plans would be communicated to the Neighbourhood Planning Team as part of the conversation.

·  Consultation approach. Members welcomed the consultation approach, and upon queries around participation from underrepresented groups, were assured that the work was ongoing with the Communities teams within the Council to seek the most effective ways of involving those who are currently disengaged in Leeds. Members were also informed that a proportion of tickets for events held would be reserved to ensure that the events are representative.

·  Supporting families and local businesses. Members commented that the cost implications of environmentally friendly initiatives for local businesses and families often acted as barriers to their engagement, and that the consultation should endeavour to bring to light ways in which the Council is able support families and local businesses to make affordable changes. Members suggested that the Leeds Business Improvement District (BID) could support links with businesses.

·  Reporting styles. Members noted the reporting style used in the Children and Families directorate, based on three ‘obsessions’, and suggested that a similar methodology be developed for measuring progression following declaration of a climate emergency.

·  Climate justice. Members suggested thatthe priorities to reduce the carbon footprint of the city should be balanced with other Council priorities, such as the Inclusive Growth Strategy, which relies on building of transport and technological infrastructure.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and presentation be noted.

Councillor Heselwood left the meeting at 3:00 pm during discussion of this item.

To consider the report of the Director of Resources and Housing that provides a proposal for the forward plan for future meetings of the Climate Change Advisory Committee.

The Director of Resources and Housing submitted a report that provided a proposal for the forward plan for future meetings of the Climate Change Advisory Committee.

Members were informed that the schedule for future meetings in 2019/20 had been amended to reflect the following:

Specific suggestions for focus from Members within the themes outlined in the schedule included:

·  Change in the Workplace;

·  Analysis of electric vehicles;

·  Highways and bus routes;

·  Small and Medium Enterprise (SME);

·  Partnership working with other West Yorkshire Authorities;

·  Land supply and the Site Allocations Plan (SAP).

The Chair noted the intention to hold working groups outside of the formal meeting, which would be organised in line with the above schedule, along with suggestions provided by Members during discussions.

RESOLVED – That the draft schedule of meetings for 2019/20 be approved.

Councillor Wray left the meeting at 3:20 pm during discussion of this item.

The meeting ended at 3:30 pm.