Agenda item

To receive a Referral to Scrutiny in the name of Cllr W Dixon regarding the impact of radon gas on social housing tenants.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services presented details of a referral to scrutiny that falls within the remit of the Scrutiny Board (Environment, Housing & Communities). Cllr Wayne Dixon had requested that members consider a request to schedule detailed future scrutiny of issues relating to the impact of radon gas on the health of social housing tenants.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Lennox - Executive Member for Housing

·  Cllr Wayne Dixon – Referrer

·  Gerard Tinsdale - Chief Officer Housing

·  Adam Crampton - Head of Property Management

·  Dawn Bailey - Chief Officer Public Health

Cllr Dixon attended the Scrutiny Board as the referrer of this item to raise his concerns in relation to radon gas and its effects on residents of Leeds particularly in social housing in Middleton Park, Belle Isle, Morley and Rothwell.

Cllr Dixon highlighted the following points:

·  Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas which occurs naturally in all rocks and soils.

·  The impact of exposure to radon is a risk to health and can cause cancer. Maps had been provided in the submitted report for Members information.

·  It was noted that a resident of Kirkstall had highlighted the issue of radon gas to Cllr Dixon after they had done some research following the death of a family member from lung and ovarian cancer. It was noted that testing by Yorkshire Water had highlighted that radiation was above normal in the drinking water to the property.

·  It was acknowledged that the Head of Leeds Property Management and the Director of Housing and Environment had sought testing from UKHSA and the British Geological Survey in 2022. It had highlighted that 52,000 social houses across Leeds were affected by radon gas. Morley was one of the worst affected wards and testing had been carried out there.

In response to this referral officers from Housing, Property Management and Public Health attended the meeting to provide the following information for the Board:

·  UKHSA has advised that the risk from radon gas in the city is low. However, the Council wanted to take a lead role on confirming this position, and not rely on generic information. Therefore, the Council wanted to carry out further testing.

·  It was recognised that Leeds is not the only area to be affected by radon gas, but it affects areas such as South Wales and the South West of the country to a greater degree.

·  Clarification was provided on some of the information presented in the report. In the report it had suggested that 52,000 homes were potentially at risk from radon gas. However, 45,000 council homes are in the low banding of less than 1% risk category, which effectively means no risk. 9,136 homes are in the 1-3% and 3-5% risk category.

·  The Council had commissioned an assessment through UKHSA which was the information provided in the report and had been in relation to action on a Freedom of Information request.

·  The 9,136 properties are the properties being tested. Middleton and Belle Isle are at the top of the list in the 1-3% category and Morley being in the 3-5% category. Although, these are the higher-risk areas in the city, the risks in Leeds are still low.

·  In consultation with UKHSA, Leeds have run through a testing methodology and programme, and this has been endorsed by the UKHSA.

·  It was noted that testing was not limited to Morley, this was where starting, as this is the highest risk area in terms of radon rating and volume.

·  Public Health are working closely with UKHSA and National Radon Cell who are advising on all the steps the Council are taking. It was recognised that radon gas is one of the gases that impact on our health along with other things such as smoking particularly on respiratory health. It was noted that smoking is still one of the biggest causes of lung cancer in this country. It was acknowledged that where people are exposed to high levels of radon for a very long period this can increase the risk of lung cancer.

·  The Council are taking this issue seriously and Public Health are working closely with colleagues in Housing and UKHSA. The UKHSA validated that the Council was taking a sensible, measured approach which was proportionate.

·  It was noted that more information on radon had been made available in December 2022, which was more detailed than the maps provided as part of the report, and this had assisted the Council to understand where testing needed to be targeted.

The Boards discussions included:

·  Research on radon undertaken by other Local Authorities was required for comparison.

·  The Board understood the concern caused by the impact of this gas, but members welcomed the fact that the Council had a clear plan and procedures in place to address the concerns raised.

·  More information was required to determine ‘next steps’ with regard to potential further testing.

·  That the testing on social housing should be considered as a baseline for other residents of the city.

·  It was the view that the report had been useful to assure the Board that investigations into this issue were already taking place.

Members requested a written briefing on the current work being undertaken to establish the extent of the risk in Leeds, and would welcome a further update on the outcome of initial testing, in order to inform a decision on whether detailed future scrutiny of this matter should be carried out by the Board.

Cllr Lennox (Executive Member for Housing) thanked Cllr Dixon for the referral, which had provided an opportunity to explain and respond on the detailed assessments and the Action Plan to mitigate the risks.

RESOLVED – To:

a)  The Chief Officer for Housing and the chief Officer for Public Health to provide a written briefing to Board members setting out the current work that is underway to assess the risks of radon gas to residents in Leeds.

b)  Members agreed to consider whether to conduct detailed scrutiny of this issue once further information had been received.