Members Code of Conduct – Part 4A of the Constitution)

To receive disclosures of interests from members and co-opted members on matters to be considered at the meeting. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

Notes:

(1)      Members must consider their interests, and act according to the following:

(2)      Disclosable pecuniary interests relate to the Member concerned or their spouse/partner.

(3)      Members in arrears of Council Tax by more than two months must not vote in decisions on, or which might affect, budget calculations, and must disclose at the meeting that this restriction applies to them.  A failure to comply with these requirements is a criminal offence under section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 

(4)      Officers must disclose interests in accordance with Council Standing Order 44.

The following interests were disclosed in the interest of transparency:

(i)             Cllr Watson stated that she worked for a charity involved in hazardous chemicals but not pesticides in relation to Minute No. 72.

(ii)            Cllr Steele stated that he was a member of Menston Parish Council which had a park affected by Glyphosate in relation to Minute No. 72.

Recommended –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2024 be signed as a correct record (previously circulated).

(Su Booth / Louis Kingdom – 07814 073884 / 07890 416570)

Resolved –

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2024 be signed as a correct record.

Any referrals that have been made to this Committee up to and including the date of publication of this agenda will be reported at the meeting.

There were no referrals to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(Access to Information Procedure Rules – Part 3B of the Constitution)

Reports and background papers for agenda items may be inspected by contacting the person shown after each agenda item.  Certain reports and background papers may be restricted. 

Any request to remove the restriction on a report or background paper should be made to the relevant Strategic Director or Assistant Director whose name is shown on the front page of the report. 

If that request is refused, there is a right of appeal to this meeting. 

Please contact the officer shown below in advance of the meeting if you wish to appeal. 

(Su Booth / Louis Kingdom – 07814 073884 / 07890 416570)

There were no appeals submitted by the public to review decisions to restrict documents.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “AG”) which presents an update on progress with regards the reduced use of Glyphosate for weed control in the district and includes information on the trial involving no use (or exceptional use) in 3 parks in the Shipley ward. The report also includes work undertaken to identify areas of highest environmental sensitivity to avoid when spraying in the future and information from other Local Authorities on how they are dealing with the issue in their parks and adopted highway. It also provides options and recommendations to further reduce glyphosate across the district including clear, easy to read information signs for the public at sites where it is proposed to stop using the chemical.

Recommended –

(1)           That option 1 be approved and that clear signs are placed in all areas explaining what the council is doing.

(2)           That officers continue to add areas of high sensitivity to be avoided in the use of glyphosate.

(3)           That officers continue to liaise with other Local Authorities re best practice and experiences in the reduced use of glyphosate.

(Damian Fisher – 01274 437146)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AG”) presented an update on progress regarding the reduced use of glyphosate for weed control in the district and included information on the trial that involved no use (or exceptional use) in 3 parks in the Shipley ward. The report also included work undertaken to identify areas of highest environmental sensitivity to avoid when spraying in the future and information from other Local Authorities on how they were dealing with the issue in their parks and adopted highway.

The report was summarised by the Shipley Area Co-ordinator and Members were informed of how areas of sensitivity were being identified by Biodiversity Officers. It was noted that one of the largest manufacturers of glyphosate had invested in the development of alternatives.

A Member asked about the mapped areas of sensitivity, specifically whether this included play areas and schools. The Biodiversity Officer explained that the mapped sites did not include schools at this stage but added that it would be possible to add more onto the list to incorporate child exposure to glyphosate.

The Committee asked about signage and if it would be possible to increase signage across the district with information about glyphosate. Officers stated that the cost would need to be considered.

A Member asked about mechanical weeding in relation to weed management and whether this was used by Bradford Council. The Committee were told that Bradford Council had trialled mechanical weeding although did not adopt the method due to the cost and environmental impact, as well as certain areas being unsuitable.

Concern was expressed regarding the lawsuits in America due to health impacts of glyphosate and officers were asked how risks were mitigated. The Committee were informed that robust risk assessments were completed, and that staff were provided with the necessary protective equipment and clothing.

Members sought clarification for what would qualify as exceptional use or exceptional circumstances and officers explained that this could be cobbled areas as alternatives would not be viable.

Officers were asked about the costs of signage and what savings would be made if glyphosate spraying was stopped across the district except in exceptional circumstances and Members were informed that this information could be circulated.

Members discussed the options set out within Document “AG” and it was stated that Option 2 would see an increased reduction of glyphosate usage across the district. Members also noted that the learning from the trial in the Shipley constituency should be carried forward.

Resolved –

(1)           That, following consideration the options set out in Document “AG”, that Option 2: All Area constituencies to stop using Glyphosate in all Parks and Cemeteries (except in exceptional use) using strimming as a control measure, in April 2024, be recommended to the Executive for adoption.  This would see the adopted highway continue to be weed sprayed but avoiding sensitive areas highlighted in Document “AG”.

(2)           That it be further recommended to the Execuitve that clear signs be placed in all relevant areas explaining what the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “AH”) which provides an update on the work of the Environmental Enforcement Team in relation to fly tipping and other waste related crime.

Recommended –

(1)           That the contents of this report be noted.

(2)           That a further update on activity be provided in 12 months’ time.

(Amjad Ishaq – 01274 433682)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AH”) provided an update on the work of the Environmental Enforcement Team in relation to fly tipping and other waste related crime. The report was summarised, and the Committee were informed that 4G cameras were being trialled which would improve coverage in rural areas.

Members asked about partnership work and noted the success of the work and intelligence sharing with Calderdale Council to combat fly tipping. The Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places added that the enforcement team worked across district borders and detailed the work completed with Leeds City Council.

A Member queried why there had been a reduction in vehicle seizures and prosecutions and was informed that it was due to a task force reorganisation combined with an increase in Fixed Penalty Notices (FPN’s) which were more efficient than taking a case to court.

Officers were asked how decisions were made regarding where cameras would be deployed. It was explained to the Committee that a matrix was used to decide, and consideration was given to the regularity of fly tipping, the amount and type of waste, location, and the ease of installation and maintenance.

A Member questioned whether CCTV from residents could be used for enforcement, and it was confirmed that it was possible to take it as evidence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and to try progress enforcement from there. It was added that residents were expected to engage out of civil duty and that residents often engage, and report fly tipping.

Officers were asked if it would be possible to see the data with a focus on wards in order to identify areas of high demand. Officers stated that this could be circulated and that the highest areas of demand were in wards such as City, Bowling and Barkerend, Little Horton and Manningham. Officers detailed the work done in problem areas and highlighted the importance of partnership working to engage with communities and educate people with the aim to reduce fly tipping.

A Member asked why there so few fly tipping cameras in Tong despite demand levels. Officers acknowledged this issue and told the Committee that 4G cameras were being invested in so there would be further expansion with an increase in the number of cameras and that they would be distributed according to demand.

The Committee discussed the concerns expressed by residents in response to the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) tip closures. Officers acknowledged the concerns expressed by residents and stated that fly tipping would continue to be monitored. The Portfolio Holder for Healthy People and Places added that it was important for residents to understand that sites were closed due to cuts from central Government which meant services had to be scaled back. It was also stated that residents should continue to use the alternative facilities that were available across the district. Officers added that plans were in place for sites that were to be decommissioned and that CCTV would remain in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

The Strategic Director, Place will submit a report (Document “AI”) which provides a description of the service provision and all Waste related activities during 2023 and those planned for 2024, to improve the management of waste to more sustainable levels in line with the Waste Strategy (Municipal Waste Minimisation and Management Strategy 2015). The report also includes details on the performance of Fleet Services and the “Managed Stores” contract.

Recommended –

(1)           That Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee consider the information presented in this report and request a further progress report in January 2025.

(2)           That a site meeting/plant tour be arranged for the Regeneration and Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee to visit AWM’s waste processing plant at Leeds and also the Ferrybridge FM2 waste to energy plant.

(Richard Galthen – 01274 431217)

The report of the Strategic Director, Place (Document “AI”) provided a description of the service provision and all Waste related activities during 2023 and those planned for 2024, to improve the management of waste to more sustainable levels in line with the Waste Strategy (Municipal Waste Minimisation and Management Strategy 2015). The report also included details on the performance of Fleet Services and the “Managed Stores” contract. It was noted that Beauparc had recently acquired Associated Waste Management (AWM) and that the existing contract would be unaffected.

The report was summarised and some of the key information contained within Document “AI” was highlighted mainly that, visit numbers at HWRC sites as well as tonnage received were lower than the previous year; the electric RCV was performing well and outperforming its diesel counterpart; funding had been secured for additional services in the city centre for City of Culture year.

The Committee were informed that there had been a downward trend nationally since Covid in waste being produced due to people spending less time at home. Members were told that the contractor was ahead of contract requirements.

A Member asked about the social value aspect of procurement and what had been added and was informed that there had been work with third sector organisations and litter pick kits had been provided.

It was noted that Waste & Fleet Services had achieved a £2m underspend although officers acknowledged that this could fluctuate due to demand and that trends would continue to be monitored.

A Member queried whether the income the Council receive from waste to be burnt conflicted with the target of reducing waste across the district. Officers explained that the waste hierarchy was followed, and that the Council actively try to reduce waste.

The Committee discussed waste energy carbon emissions and spoke about the possibility of carbon capture. The Committee were informed that plans were in place to explore this option at the Ferrybridge site and that new technologies were constantly explored and considered.

The additional funding secured for City of Culture preparedness was highlighted and the Committee questioned whether plans were in place after City of Culture year. Officers told the Committee that the funding was time sensitive, and that efficiency would be improved over this time, although further funding may be secured.

The Committee discussed the food waste collection service that would be required to be introduced under new regulations. Officers stated that other local authorities had been consulted to discuss plans for the service. It was highlighted that some of the main issues were associated with cost and contamination. Document “AI” detailed that additional fleet, staff, storage and contracts would be needed with initial estimates showing circa £3.6 needed for vehicles, bins and caddies and around £1.7m per year in operating costs. Members asked if this would be funded by Government and officers confirmed that this was correct.

Resolved –

(1)           That a further progress report be presented to the Committee in December 2024.

(2)           That a site meeting/plant tour  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.