Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N Harrington and Councillor O Newton.

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

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive and note the minutes of meeting for the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee held on the 22^nd of July 2024.

RECOMMENDED - To agree the meeting notes of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee held on the 22^nd of July 2024, subject to the following amendments:

Minute 21 – To confirm whether Calverley Flood Storage held back up to 1million meters² should be metres³ and to update accordingly, and to correct meters to metres.

The following points were raised under matters arising from the notes of the previous meeting:

Minute 18 – As previously raised under matters arising, there was outstanding information that had been requested by Members that was to be followed up with relevant Officers again, and it was hoped to be available for the next Committee meeting.

Minute 20 – As part of the Leeds Food Strategy Update, Members were reminded that suggestions were encouraged to connect the service with local growers and farmers.

At the discretion of the Chair, a period of up to 15 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Committee. No member of the public shall speak for more than five minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.

Please note: Members of the public are asked to submit a video of their question or statement to climate.emergency@leeds.gov.uk by 5pm on the 19^th of September 2024.

At the discretion of the Chair, a period of up to 15 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Committee. No member of the public shall speak for more than five minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.

The following submissions were made as part of the Open Forum:

Boston Spa Energy Efficiency Trial (BEET)

The issue of high voltage management within Boston Spa had previously been presented to the Committee as part of an Open Forum submission and had significantly developed, leading to the establishment of BEET. The local resident providing the deputation had served within the electricity industry, including roles in voltage management and designing networks. Upon identifying that households within Boston Spa had been experiencing high voltage levels, a challenge had been posed to the industry and electricity providers that needed to be addressed. Following research and dialogue BEET was developed which currently covered over 10,000 buildings across the Wetherby Ward, to safely decrease the voltage levels and overall energy usage. BEET had created an average of 4% savings on electricity bills for local homes and businesses, as well as reducing emissions through reduction in power usage and increased network capacity. Regulations did not include a requirement for providers to monitor voltage levels unless complaints were received but the issue had become apparent, assisted by the rollout of smart meters. The issue had been revealed to the regulator and the Northern Power Grid, with a project team developed in response in order to feed data back to primary sub stations where alterations can then automatically made. BEET had been commissioned on the 15^th of January 2024 and so far, had been successful. The programme was to be built into Northern Power Grid business plans with a further roll out across the grid; it was hoped that the trail would influence other providers and amend regulations.

To supplement the deputisation, a video was played for Members to outline the rollout and processes for the BEET programme through the Northern Power Grid.

The Chair gave her thanks for the fascinating work and would be in contact to assist with further questions and promotion of the programme, alongside other Committee Members.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS)

As part of the National Education Nature Park programme, the Senior Programme Officer for Yorkshire and the Humber RHS, and local contact for the institution, provided details for upcoming events and ways to promote and engage with the events. The programme was launched on the 4^th of October 2023 and was partnered with a number of larger organisations, being led by the Natural History Museum and commissioned by the Department for Education. The broad goals for the programme were to increase bio-diversity within the sites of educational institutions, facilitating climate based learning and outdoor education for children of all school ages. There were over 3000 education institutions  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive a verbal update on the progress of the Committees’ working groups to date

As Rachel Wainwright, Policy Officer (CEGS) was unable to attend the meeting, the Chair noted discussions had been held regarding date and topics for future Working Groups and upcoming dates were to be provided to Members via email.

The report of the Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces provides an update on woodland creation and on the programme of tree planting related initiatives. In addition, an update is provided on biodiversity net gain as well as an update on practical initiatives such at the establishment of wildflower areas in collaboration with Butterfly Conservation in Roundhay Park using seed sourced through Natural England in order to provide areas of managed habitat for native butterflies and other invertebrates which links to the conservation work undertaken at Tropical World.

44  The report of the Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces provided an update on woodland creation and on the programme of tree planting related initiatives. In addition, an update was provided on biodiversity net gain as well as an update on practical initiatives such at the establishment of wildflower areas in collaboration with Butterfly Conservation in Roundhay Park using seed sourced through Natural England in order to provide areas of managed habitat for native butterflies and other invertebrates which linked to the conservation work undertaken at Tropical World.

Tony Stringwell, Parks Operations Manager, Climate, Energy & Green Spaces, highlighted the following information for Woodland Creation:

·  In response to the Council’s 2019 climate emergency declaration there was a need for significant tree planting, woodland creation and improvements to existing woodland. Submissions to and agreements from the Executive Board had doubled the proposed number of trees to be planted through corporate funds, with a target of 5.8 million trees over 25 years.

·  The Arium supported the programme, with trees grown there before being replanted by the operations team, as well as supporting public engagement and volunteering schemes.

·  Infographics were shown to outline the scope of benefits provided through tree planting which were available to Members for promotion of the programme.

·  The progression of tree planting since 2019 had been steady and for every 75 sites that were to be planted on, around 150 to 200 required prior identification as sites coming to fruition were often impacted by other service and utility requirements.

·  Progress for the planting season for 2024/25 was outlined as 39 current schemes with 16 whip planting sites and 23 new standard tree installation sites comprising of 27.4 hectares.

·  Internal and external consultations were held in order to seek opinions on sites planned for tree planting. The public consultation had closed on the 16^th of September 2024 and results were 79% positive, 14% negative and 7% neutral out of the 327 responses.

·  Beat-up surveys were used to assess the number of trees surviving at the end of the maintenance period and following surveying trees planted in 2022/23 an additional 37,039 trees were required to bring these sites up to standard. Significant rainfall had impacted upon tree survival rates.

·  1558 trees had been surveyed and audited with a fairly good success rate with 69% being healthy, however issues of vandalism were noted.

·  A GIS platform was used to for data analysis and quality assurance to monitor sites across the city. The mapping system was also used as a tool for the public to suggest potential sites, with 216 being received.

·  In order to limit the use of glyphosate, mulch matting trials were being run, including at a site Morwick Terrace, however, it was expensive, and glyphosate was often essential to meet targets. The trial had been positive, with a 68% survival rate and a further trial was proposed at a site in a more urban setting.

·  Seed collection schemes had engaged with young people and received good publicity, with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive a verbal update/presentation regarding relevant national policy, strategy and legislation; together with a draft strategy for managing household waste in Leeds in a way that meets national Simpler Recycling requirements and helps Leeds residents to reduce the amount of waste they produce that is not re-used or recycled.

The report of Chief Officer (Environmental Services) that was submitted to the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Communities) for the meeting on the 19^th of September 2024 is appended for information.

A verbal update regarding relevant national policy, strategy and legislation; together with a draft strategy for managing household waste in Leeds in a way that met national Simpler Recycling requirements and helped Leeds residents to reduce the amount of waste they produced that was not re-used or recycled was presented to the Committee.

John Woolmer, Chief Officer for Environmental Services, Communities, Housing & Environment, outlined the following information to Members:

·  Environmental services covered refuse, fly tipping, litter bins and street cleansing and managed the Leeds Household Waste and Recycling Collection Strategy.

·  The strategy had been presented in the previous week to the Environment, Housing and Communities Scrutiny Board, with that reported contained in the agenda for Member’s information, which outlined the current national position for waste management, applied to the context and ongoing work within Leeds.

·  The Environment Act 2021, as agreed by Parliament, had brought new requirements for kerb side collection of glass, garden and food waste. The Act was underpinned by additional legislation and processes, including, extended producer responsibility for packaging (EPR), food waste policy and deposit return schemes (DRS) for plastic and metal beverage containers, which was also noted to potentially decrease litter. This reduced waste by changing regulations and with the incentive held at the top of the supply chain on producers, through associated fees.

·  A full update on processes were provided to Local Authorities by the Government in 2023, in attempt to create clearer, simpler waste management programmes, with additional information on ‘Simpler Recycling’ outlined in May 2024.

·  The update noted Local Authorities should focus on reducing overall waste and the number of bins provided to residents, as well as directing legislation to reduce the number of black bin collections.

·  The new legislation was clear on emphasis on co-mingling where possible and expectations for the implementation of kerb side collection of glass, metal, garden, and food waste, with specific splitting of different recyclable materials, by 2026 and DRS by 2027.

·  Leeds was in a good position in light of the forthcoming changes and future models, as there was already a low bin count, with just black, green and brown. Leeds had the largest garden waste collection within the UK, with 60% of houses having a brown bin, free of charge.

·  Glass was now collected at kerb side within green bins as on the 1^st of August 2024, with initial success as a proof of concept. 700 tonnes of glass had been collected in August, with 80% suitable for remelting, this was above the current national target of 72%.

·  A contract had been procured with HW Martin to implement their glass collection technology infrastructure, which had been successful. Current data forecast that 8,500 tonnes of glass was to be collected per year, but it was hoped to increase further, as well as the remelt percentage.

·  The next steps, prior to Government funding agreements, for the strategy was exploring options for food waste processes, with agreement from the Executive Board. An interim method for food waste in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday the 4^th of November 2024.

RECOMMENDED - To note the date and time of the next meeting as Monday the 4th of November 2024 at 2.00 pm