Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations on interest declared at this point in the meeting.  (Refer to Minute 63).

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillors A Gabriel and

L Rhodes-Clayton.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st  November 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14^th November 2007 be approved as a correct record.

To receive and note the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 14^th November 2007.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 14^th November 2007 be received and noted.

To consider a report by the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development as part of the Inquiry into waste and recycling.

At the beginning of the municipal year Members identified ‘waste’ and ‘recycling’ as key issues for the Board to consider: In this regard, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report outlining the Executive Board decision in relation to the Outline Business Case for the Residual Waste Treatment Project.

The following documents were appended to the report for consideration:

(a)  Waste Solution for Leeds – Submission of the Outline Business Case for the Residual Waste Treatment Project – Executive Board – 14^th November 2007 – Report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods (Annex 1 refers)

(b)  J E Jacobs – Leeds City Council – Site Selection Study for Major Waste Facilities – Final Report – September 2007 (Annex 2 refers)

The following officers were in attendance:-

• Neil Evans, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods;
• Pippa Milne, Recycle and Waste Manager, Environment and Neighbourhoods Department;

When introducing the item, the Director outlined that the Outline Business Case (OBC) had been submitted to DEFRA for consideration and the Council was now waiting to receive feedback.  It was hoped that feedback would be received early in the New Year.  It was intended to issue notice to the market in July 2008.  The Director went on to outline that development of the evaluation criteria was currently taking place in readiness for the next stage of the procurement process.

Detailed discussion ensued on the content of the report and appendices, with the following key issues being raised:

·  Further request to provide Members with a list of the 100 possible sites as identified in the report.

·  Request to provide Members with further details of the final 42 proposed sites taken forward for assessment.

·  Clarification sought regarding the vicinity of residential areas in relation to the proposed sites. 

·  Request for a map of the Leeds metropolitan district detailing the geographical location of the 42 proposed sites.

  In response, the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods undertook to provide Members with the information requested above.  The Director also outlined that while the site selection study, (which had been informed by the Council’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP)) provided a framework for potential sites, this did not preclude any potential bidder from suggesting an alternative site.

·  Queries regarding the need for environmental impact analyses for any proposed technology on relevant proposed sites. 

  In response, the Director informed the meeting it was anticipated that full environmental impact assessments would form part of any submitted proposal.

·  Clarification sought with regard to the funding and affordability of the project. 

  In response, the Director outlined that the impact of dealing with waste was likely to have significant financial consequences for the Council, irrespective of the agreed way forward.

·  Assurance that the Council was on track to meet it’s recycling targets.

  In response, the Director outlined that the Brown Bin Scheme was having a positive impact on recycling and that the proposed roll out of the scheme would see a 3% to 4% improvement in this area.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the Board’s work programme.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the Board’s work programme.

Appended to the report was a copy of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

(a)  Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) – Work Programme – December 2007 (Appendix 1 refers)

(b)  Forward Plan of Key Decisions – 1^st December 2007 to 31^st March 2008 (Appendix 2 refers)

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted

(b)  That, subject to the amendments highlighted at the meeting, approval be given to the amended work programme as now reported.

(c )  That consideration be given to the cancellation of the 23^rd April 2008 meeting of Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods).

Wednesday, 30^th January 2008 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30 a.m.)

RESOLVED – That the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Environment and Neighbourhoods) be held on Wednesday 30^th January 2008 commencing at 10.00 am in the Civic Hall, Leeds (Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30 am)

The Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and wished them all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

(The meeting concluded at approximately 11.40 a.m.)