Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Officer (Climate, Energy and Green Spaces) presenting the annual update on the work of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee and its working groups.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Climate, Energy and Green Spaces) presenting the annual update on the work of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee and its working groups.

The report included the draft Annual Report to Council attached at Appendix 1 and a schedule of the Open Forum submissions considered by CEAC and the Council’s response attached at Appendix 2.

Polly Cook, Chief Officer, Climate, Energy and Green Spaces, presented the report and highlighted the following information:

·  The report captured the work and impact of the Committee and associated working groups and did not cover every aspect of work involving climate initiatives enacted by the Council.

·  The key themes were policy development, project delivery and engagement with the public, partners and stakeholders.

·  The Open Forum had been beneficial and led to practical outcomes such as research into the effects of rubber crumb and developing best practise for engagement with the public.

·  The four working groups had been effective in directing policy and assisting in shaping provision and public feedback for projects such as the Community Hubs.

During discussions the Committee discussed the following:

• It was noted there was little reference to the work on lobbying and making requests to outside bodies in the report. In response, it was thought this had been reflected but further work on the report was proposed to sufficiently reflect this.
• A synopsis of lobbying and request to outside bodies was noted to be contained on page 26 at point 3.1.6, however, specific examples of this work were to be included in the report.
• To avoid confusion between this report and an additional annual report that was due for submission to the Executive Board, it was noted that, the contents of this report originated from Members of the Committee and would be useful if content of the report due for Executive Board were available. In response it was outlined that the report to Executive Board had been delayed until September 2024 in order to be linked to the Carbon Disclosure Project and a link to this report could be included for context.
• To demonstrate the success of the Council’s approach, to be net zero carbon by 2030, it was noted that this was to be included in the annual report for the Executive Board and current data stated a 63% reduction in carbon since 2005.
• It was noted that the report reflected some difficulties engaging with diverse communities and options to improve this were to be explored, particularly within areas of deprivation as actively having the time, capacity and facilities to address climate impact was more regularly associated with affluence. This was to be a topic raised at a working groups chairs meeting.
• As a further method to engage with residents, including text on ongoing climate initiatives and the impacts in Leeds, was proposed for letters that were sent out regarding elections. It was noted that Council tax bills and the Leeds by example website had previously been utilised to promote certain topics, however, depending on context and priorities the intention was not to overload residents with information on multiple subjects.
• A message of thanks was extended to all Committee Members, the working groups and all contributors to the report, noting, the city was making progress but had a long way to go.

RESOLVED – That the contents of the report and the work of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee throughout the 2022/23 and 2023/24 (to date) municipal year, along with Members comments, be noted.

(Councillor B Anderson left the meeting at the end of this item)