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.

Councillor G Hyde declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Financial Health Monitoring, due to his position as a Director with the East North East Homes ALMO.

Councillor G Wilkinson declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Financial Health Monitoring, due to his position as a Director with the East North East Homes ALMO.

Councillor J Hardy declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Financial Health Monitoring, due to his position as a Director with the West North West Homes ALMO.

Councillor R Graham declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Financial Health Monitoring, due to his position as a Director with the East North East Homes ALMO and a member of the Swarcliffe PFI Partnership Forum.

Councillor P Grahame declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8, Financial Health Monitoring, having chaired the Swarcliffe PFI Partnership Forum.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors J Marjoram and N Walshaw.  Councillor P Grahame was in attendance as substitute for Councillor N Walshaw and Councillor G Wilkinson was in attendance as a substitute for Councillor J Marjoram.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th January 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive an update report from the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods on Veolia’s pre-planning public consultation in relation to the Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility

In November 2011, the Executive Board appointed Veolia ES Aurora Limited as the preferred bidder to treat Leeds’ residual household waste for the next 25 years.  The report of the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods provided the Scrutiny Board with an overview of Veolia’s consultation activities undertaken to date and also the proposed activities for February and March prior to the submission of their planning application for the Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility, which is due to be submitted in late Spring 2012.

The following were in attendance for this item:

·  Andrew Lingham, Waste Strategy and Policy Manager

·  John O’Sullivan, Project Director, Veolia Environmental Services

·  Peter Scholes,Managing Director, Urban Mines

The Chair reported that Councillor Mark Dobson, Executive Member for Environmental Services, was unable to attend the meeting due to a recent family bereavement.  Scrutiny Board Members therefore passed on their condolences to Councillor Dobson and his family. 

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  The Scrutiny Board acknowledged the efforts made by Veolia to publicise information about the proposal and also engage with local residents. This included the development of a website (www.veolia.co.uk/Leeds); mail out of leaflets and flyers to 11,500 residents; a free telephone help line, an enquiry e-mail address; drop-in sessions; political briefings and presentations at Community Forum meetings.

·  Despite such publicity, Members were disappointed to note that the drop-in sessions in January only received around 85 visitors.  A brief analysis of the completed feedback forms from these sessions was tabled at the meeting for Members’ information.However, it was noted that there was a broader body of consultation feedback in relation to this initial phase of the consultation that could be made available.

·  Members sought further clarification of the types of issues raised by visitors at the drop-in sessions.

·  Particular reference was made to the health impacts surrounding the proposal.  Members acknowledged that an Environmental Impact Assessment will need be conducted in support of the planning application.  As part of the planning consultation, input will be required from the Environment Agency and the Leeds Primary Care Trust.

·  During the meeting, Councillor R Grahame provided the Chair with a copy of the Environmental Statement for the Knostrop Clinical Waste Incinerator, prepared by Environmental Resources Ltd in May 1991, and requested that a copy be forwarded onto the Waste Strategy and Policy Manager following the meeting.

·  Reference was made to the Community Liaison Group, established to help Veolia understand local needs and opinions.  The first meeting of this group was held on 2^nd February.  It was noted that this group will determine its own membership and is already made up of representatives from various community groups.  The Scrutiny Board requested details of the current membership.

·  It was acknowledged that Veolia are in regular email contact with NO2 Incinerator and they have already been invited to join the Community Liaison Group.  Veolia also contacted Friends of the Earth via their website and the Council’s Leeds Friends of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

To consider the financial position of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after 9 months of the 2011/12 financial year.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed Members of the financial health of the Environment and Neighbourhoods Directorate after nine months of the financial year 2011/12.

Richard Ellis, Head of Finance, Environment and Neighbourhoods, was in attendance for this item.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  Members sought clarification around the projected recycling rates.

·  It was reported that due to a short slippage in implementing the change in funding from Housing Benefit rather than Supporting People for support charges in Sheltered Housing, the actual saving realised was £948K (£51K less than projected the previous month).

·  Further clarification was sought regarding funding for a post to manage Swarcliffe environmental works (£24k) and also the details of this particular post.

·  Reference was made to Government funding grants being made available to improve shop frontages.  However, it was noted that such funding would need be accessed by the businesses themselves.

·  Members acknowledged that the views expressed by Scrutiny on the initial 2012/13 budget proposals had been taken into account by the Executive Board when it considered the budget proposals at its meeting on 10^th February 2012.

RESOLVED – That the financial health monitoring report in relation to month 9 and discussion be noted.

To consider and agree the Board’s work schedule.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development detailed the Board’s work schedule.  Also attached were copies of recent Executive Board Minutes and a copy of the Forward Plan relating to the Board’s portfolio.

As part of the work schedule, Members were asked to note the forthcoming working group meetings:

·  Inquiry into Private Rented Sector Housing – Wednesday 22^nd February 2012 at 10 am

·  Review of Health & Safety and Food Safety Regulatory Services – Monday 5^th March 2012 at 1 pm

·  Inquiry into Fuel Poverty – Tuesday 6^th March 2012 at 10 am

RESOLVED –  That the report and discussion be noted

Monday, 12 March 2012 at 10.00 a.m. (Pre-meeting for all Members at 9.30 a.m.)

Monday, 12^th March 2012 at 10.00 a.m. (pre-meeting for all Members at 9.30 a.m.)