Next forum meeting- Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document

The Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD) which is part of the Leeds Local Development Framework: a collection of documents which guide decisions on planning applications and influences what will be built in Leeds and where (spatial land use planning).

The document covers a wide range of issues of immense importance to the environment and sustainable development in Leeds. Including:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city

- Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change

- Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste-resource management

- Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling)

- Contaminated land

- Water resources and flooding issues

- Air quality

The NRWDPD is currently out for public consultation. It is vital we support this document through our consultation responses in order to help Leeds manage natural resources and waste more sustainably. We can help to strengthen and improve the document through our responses to the consultation.

It is suggested you have a quick read through the sections of the document that most interest you prior to attending the meeting. The document can be found on the link below.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Planning/Local_development_framework/natural_resources_and_waste_dpd_
%E2%80%93_issues_and_alternative_options_%28ldf%29.aspx

‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ Environment Forum
19:00 – 21:00 3^rd June 2008
Leeds Civic Hall

1.0 Welcome and introductions

2.0 Coordinators Update
JH to briefly update on ‘Access to Nature’ funding application.

3.0 Introduction to the Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD)
“It is important that Leeds is able to manage its natural resources in a sustainable manner. The NRWDPD will explain the key issues affecting Leeds’ natural resources. It will provide a policy framework and guidance on themes relevant to the whole of the Leeds City Council area for the future management of existing natural resources.” Text taken from document.

4.0 Group Discussion and Question and Answer Session
We will discuss any aspect of this document which forum members take an interest in, this could include:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city - Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change - Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste resource management - Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling) - Contaminated land - Water resources and flooding issues - Air quality

5.0 Responding to the consultation
We will discuss how we will make a formal response to the consultation- either forming a focus group to work up a forum response, or using the minutes of this meeting to form the basis of a forum response or responding to the consultation as individual organisations. The deadline for responses is 5pm on 19/6/08.

6.0 Brief updates from the forums representatives on Aire Action Leeds and the Climate Change Strategy Group.
JH to feedback on Climate Change Strategy. IM, KS, DV, JH, RB to feedback on Aire Action Leeds. Reps: If you have feedback but cannot attend the meeting please forward your written feedback to me by 28^th May.

Next meeting: Tuesday 1^st July 2008. 19:00-21:00 Leeds Civic Hall.
Environment Forum Coordinating Group. Detailed reps feedback and action planning. We will discuss our Terms of Reference, Vision (work programme) and other issues related to the operation of our forum. All welcome.

Incineration? (EfW?) Autoclave? Mechanical and biological treament? Anerobic Digestion? Centralised Infrastructure or Modular/ local systems?

Text taken from email recieved from Andrew Mason, Chief Environmental Services Officer.

Please note: I cannot attach the letter/ questionnaire- contact me to get a copy. I forwarded it with the email giving the link to this post.

Leeds City Council is looking to work with a private company to develop new treatment facilities for waste that is not sorted for recycling. This will enable us to minimise environmental damage and recover the maximum value from the rubbish that would otherwise be buried in the ground.

We are now consulting about what the most important things are that we should consider when we decide how to deal with rubbish that is not sorted for recycling in order to choose the right treatment solution for Leeds and have attached a letter here (CONTACT: jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk to get a copy).

Please return your response to leeds.waste@leeds.gov.uk by 5pm on 15th June 2008.

Economic and regeneration (spatial planning) changes to who makes the decisions that affect Leeds...

In July 2007 the Government published the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). This provided the framework that will enable central and local government and other partners to work together to help maximise prosperity in all parts of England and tackle social deprivation and inequality.

This consultation sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the SNR for putting in place reforms that would:

- Streamline the regional tier, introducing integrated strategies and giving the regional development agencies (RDAs) (e.g. Yorkshire Forward) lead responsibility for regional planning; (this means the Regional Assembly would lose one of it's core roles- I am unsure whether the regional assembly will cease to exist)

- Strengthen the local authority role in economic development, including a new statutory duty to assess local economic conditions; and

- Support collaboration by local authorities across economic areas.

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reforms look forward to receiving your views (apparently).

see:
http://www.berr.gov.uk/regional/sub-national-review/page40430.html
and:
http://www.bmgresearch.co.uk/SNR-Consultation/KMS/news.aspx

Consultation on the draft Soil Strategy for England

Consultation on the draft Soil Strategy for England

This consultation invites your views on a draft Soil Strategy for England.

The purpose of the document is to provide a sound framework for policy making and delivery with the aim of ensuring the sustainable management of England’s soils.

The draft Strategy sets out the pressures on our soils and the priority work areas that we have identified on the basis of these pressures. It explains current policy measures which are in place to achieve sustainable soil management and then sets out in broad terms what it is that we hope to achieve and some initial steps we intend to undertake in the next few years.

Deadline for responses: 23 June 2008.

See: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/soilstrategy/index.htm

Consultation on draft Regulations and draft guidance for proposals for establishing Joint Waste Authorities in England

Consultation on draft Regulations and draft guidance for proposals for establishing Joint Waste Authorities in England

Defra is seeking views on draft Joint Waste Authorities (Proposals) Regulations 2008 and draft Guidance on proposals for Joint Waste Authorities in England.

Government introduced powers to establish joint waste authorities in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. This provides local authorities with another model for partnership working - one which allows them to put the partnership on a statutory footing. The powers allow two or more local authorities to submit proposals to the Secretary of State to transfer one or more of their waste functions (waste collection, waste disposal and/or street cleansing) to a new joint waste authority. Under the Act, the Secretary of State may make Regulations to make provisions as to matters to be included in a proposal and information that must accompany a proposal. The Secretary of State may also issue guidance as to what a proposal should seek to achieve and matters that should be taken into account in formulating a proposal. Local authorities will be obliged to have regard to any such guidance issued by the Secretary of State in making their proposals. Views are now being sought on draft Regulations and draft guidance.

Responses should be received by Monday 9 June 2008.

See: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/jwa/index.htm

Biofuels (Agrofuels)- The false solution

Recieved via LUU Green Action email list.

There will be an anti agrofuels (biofuels) demo on May 2nd at 3pm at a location in Leeds as part of the May Day of Action on technofixes and false capitalist solutions.

The simple message is 'food not fuel' and 'greenwash/false solutions' so be creative with banners and placards

We hope to have street theatre with a cardboard car being fed food! plenty of banners and publicity and some hilarious 'greenwashing' action.

You can find out more in person at the climate camp yorkshire neighbourhood meeting on the 30th, or be at WHSmith at leeds train station at 2pm on May 2nd where there will be someone to meet you.

Yorkshire and Humber Environment Forum Newsletter

FOR MORE DETAIL ON ANY STORY BELOW SEE: http://www.yhref.org.uk/ click the links to 'yhref newsletter' or read the articles under the news section. You can subscribe to recieve the newsletter (which I would recommend as I can't always pass information on in time)

One Region Living - Advanced Notice of Workshop 3
Environmental Limits and Rural Areas will be the subject of the next seminar in the popular WWF / YHREF co-production. We are currently confirming the date and venue but read on for an outline of discussion topics.

Workshop Discusses Fund to Finance Land-Based Climate Change Works
A partnership of organisations in Yorkshire is working towards a climate change scheme to pay for enhanced carbon storage in land-based projects. The scheme should help businesses who want to help tackle climate change to finance organisations that restore damaged moorlands or plant trees to reduce carbon emissions and provide wider environmental benefits.

New from WWF: The Right Climate for Change
The transition towards a low-carbon economy requires a fundamental change in the way we think about climate change at a local level. This change needs to be about extending local authority action to include communities and behaviour change. It also needs to include a recognition of our global responsibility to act-not just on domestic emissions but also on indirect emissions.

Why Place Matters and Implications for the Role of Central, Regional and Local Government
This paper highlights some of the underpinning Communities and Local Government analysis which fed into - and supported a number of recommendations of - the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) July 2007.

Prosperous Places Consultation - 7th April to 20 June 2008
In July 2007 the Government published the Review of Sub-National Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR). This provided the framework that will enable central and local government and other partners to work together to help maximise prosperity in all parts of England and tackle social deprivation and inequality. This consultation sets out and seeks views on the proposals contained in the SNR. More details...

Have your say on the future of our countryside with CPRE
CPRE are looking to the future and we want to set out some of the challenges facing our countryside. The ambition is to provoke a national debate that will lead to a consensus on how we can all protect the green spaces that make England beautiful.

Independent online - The new age of the train
Britain is witnessing the dawn of a new era of rail travel as an unprecedented demand for environmentally friendly transport encourages people to take more train journeys than at any time since the Second World War.

Reduction Film Festival
The Reduction Festival is managed by Sheffield-based companies 'Sort Of.Films Ltd' and 'Environment Room' and is dedicated to film and video content with a green/environmental theme or agenda. Sponsorship opportunities are still available so read on if your organisation would like to be involved.

The West Yorkshire Travel Plan Network
The Travel Plan Network brings together Metro, the five local authorities of West Yorkshire and the Highways Agency, to support employers from West Yorkshire in promoting more sustainable ways of travelling to work and reducing the number of people who drive alone.

Residents of UK cities ranked in eco-debt index
The residents of UK cities will plunge into ecological debt over the next month having exceeded their fair share of the Earth's natural resources for 2008, new research from WWF-UK shows.

Full details of all storues via www.yhref.org.uk

Help make your group more 'green'

Changing the way you work – a green guide

Every Action Counts is hoping to convince 14,000 voluntary and community organisations to improve their green credentials. ‘Changing the Way You Work’, advises charities to produce environmental action plans to help staff and volunteers to be as green as possible. The guide shows a range of examples of how VCS groups are already making a difference and is free to download at:
www.everyactioncounts.org.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=230&n2=281

Yorkshire Forward taking on new roles. Yorkshire and Humber Assembly

Sub-national review proposals published

The government has released their plans for implementation of last summer's sub national review of economic development and regeneration. These include; a scrutiny role of regional policy for local government and a greater role for Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) (Yorkshire Forward) who will take on some functions of the Regional Assemblies (including regional spatial planning). The review also proposes putting Multi Area Agreements (MAAs) on a statutory footing and gives further details of how the new integrated regional strategies will work.

To download a copy of the implementation plan click here: http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file45468.pdf

The roles of Yorkshire Forward and the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly will be affected by the plans.

Local people to be given more say over spending decisions.

PB for All – a national Participatory Budgeting strategy

Communities and Local government are consulting over their plans for a national strategy to give local people a greater say over spending decisions. The Government wants Participatory Budgeting to be used in all local authority areas by 2012 and are seeking views on their plans. The consultation runs until 10th June.

Download at: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/participatorybudgeting

Empowerment White Paper

‘Power Pack’ launched to feed White Paper

A Community Power Pack has been created to help local groups to contribute to the forthcoming Empowerment White Paper. The pack is designed to help groups hold meetings and contains advice for facilitators and organisers as well as detailed information about key empowerment issues. Feedback will be used by Communities and Local Government to inform and shape empowerment activities, including the Empowerment White Paper.

See: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/powerpack

You can read Urban Forum’s briefing on ‘Unlocking the talent of our communities’ at: www.urbanforum.org.uk/pdf_files/unlocking%20talents%20brief%200308.pdf

Leeds Voice would like to hear your views on the empowerment white paper.

The Ecological Land Co-operative

Text taken from Permaculture Association e-bulletin. see: www.permaculture.org.uk

If you had to name the two biggest barriers to the ability of permaculture projects to achieve their objectives, I think it is a fair bet that the market in agricultural land - rigged in favour of the rich - and the planning system - structurally unable to accept low impact lifestyles - would come out near the top. A new co-operative business is trying to find solutions to both of these problems.

The Ecological Land Co-operative plans to buy agricultural land that is suffering from or vulnerable to intensive agriculture, and convert it into low impact, residential smallholdings with planning permission. It will then sell long leases to suitable users which will give them the security of landowners, but retain the ability of the co-operative to monitor land use and maintain high ecological standards regardless of how it changes hands in the future. The proceeds from the sale of leases will enable the purchase of further land, cover the costs of planning applications and improvements, and provide a fair return to the investors that provided the funds in the first place. Our intention is to create clusters, or hamlets, of between two and six smallholdings, sharing services and facilities.

How can you be involved? In several different ways:

- The ELC is keen to include among its steward members people and organisations that are already practicing ecological land management, from the level of allotments up to whole farms. They will be vital guardians of the organisations values as it builds up its membership, and can benefit from access to collective services and support.

- You might be interested in investing - however, at this stage it is not possible to make a share offer to the public. Instead, the only investors we can work with are self certified "high net worth" or "sophisticated" investors. If you think you might fall into this category, please do get in touch for a copy of our prospectus.

- You might want us to help you get land. By all means get in touch and tell us about your requirements - but please do bear in mind that there is unlikely to be any land available for almost a year, it may not come up in the location you would like, and to begin with demand will almost certainly exceed supply.

- You might be interested in working with us. There will certainly be opportunities for volunteers to be involved working on land we have bought, and helping with the administration and planning applications. There will also be some paid work available later in the year. By all means ask to be added to our mailing list to hear more about these opportunities as they arise.

You can contact us at info@ecologicalland.coop, or by phoning Alex Lawrie on 0845 458 1473.

Climate Camp- Yorkshire meeting

Please forward far and wide to groups you are in and lists that youare on that you think might be interested.

Hello All,

On 30th April there will be a meeting in Leeds for all those hoping to be at the Climate Camp in the summer who want to be involved in Yorkshire's very own corner of the camp: The Yorkshire Neighbourhood. We'll meet between 7.15 and 7.30 at the Common Place, but we'll be moving to a nearby pub, as No Borders have the building.

It's the area where folks from across Yorkshire camp together, in the middle of which is the Yorkshire Kitchen tent, where we all the cooking, eating and neighbourhood meetings go on.

Moreover, the neighbourhood needn't just be a bit of the camp, it can also be a process of engaging people within our region, coordinating our contacting of local groups and a chance for would-be and might-be campers to meet people before heading to Kingsnorth, and for us to organise mass-transport. If we want to see Yorkshire thoroughly represented in this
year's camp, nows the time to do something about it.

Yours,
Graham Martin
Neighbourhoods and Regions Working Group
Camp for Climate Action.

Eco-towns consultation paper

Eco-towns consultation paper

LEEDS HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED TO GET A NEW ECOTOWN. The Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) have published a shortlist of 15 possible sites for new Eco-Towns which are now open for consultation. The Government plans to establish five new Eco-Towns by 2016 and ten by 2020 which will provide affordable housing and high standards of sustainable living. The closing date for the consultation is 30^th June, 2008.

To find out more and download the consultation: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/ecotownsgreenerfuture

The Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) have been commissioned by CLG to carry out a study of the criteria for new Eco Towns and their incorporation in the Government’s ‘Growth Points initiative’.

For more about this go to TCPA’s website: www.tcpa.org.uk/ecotowns.asp

Climate Bill- Have you called for a strong climate bill?

The time of decision is at hand as to whether we will have a strong climate bill that addresses emissions from air travel or a weak climate bill that ignores the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Climate Change Bill - Leeds MPs

The Climate Change Bill is coming to the Commons, and at present, it still doesn't include aviation emissions, the fastest growing source of UK GHG.
All the Leeds MPs, bar Hilary Benn, have signed up to a Parliamentary petition (Early Day Motion) calling for the inclusion of aviation, but it's votes, not signatures, that count.
We need to put pressure on our MPs to keep their promises, and vote to get aviation in the Bill

An easy way of doing this is to email your MP today:
· thanking them for supporting EDM 736 calling for the inclusion of aviation emissions in the Climate Change Bill
· and urging them to stick to their guns, and vote for aviation emissions to be included, when the issue comes before the Commons

If you want to check out the Early Day Motion for yourself, you can do so here: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=34898&SESSION=891

If you're not sure who your MP is, or how to get in touch with them, you can use this site: www.writetothem.com/

Info recieved via Green Action (a student environmental group based at Leeds Uni).

Yorkshire and Humber Climate Change Scrutiny

now availible are the emerging findings of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Scrutiny Board looking at how Yorkshire Forward, the regional (economic) development agency, has performed in relation to climate change.

There is an opportunity for you to comment and encourage Yorkshire Forward to invest more of it's money in tackling climate chnage and sustainability issues. see:

http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk/Get%20Involved/Meeting%20the%20Climate%20Change%20Challenge%20Scrutiny%20Review/

Give your views before 21st April.

Aire Action Leeds Update

Communications and publicity working group.
- The waterfront festival will take place on 14th June- more details to follow in late April.
- Maps are needed to promote the heritage and environmantal attractions of the waterways.
- Producing a pack of information of use to people wanting to organise events on the waterways information will include: health and safety advice, advice on riparian ownership etc.
- There is an intention to work towards a waterways and waterfront communications strategy in the long term.

Stewardship working group.
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, BTCV and Groundwork Leeds are running corpoate volunteering days encouraging businesses with an interest in the waterways to release staff in work hours to volunteer on river clean ups. Other activities will be planned for community volunteers which might be of interest to your group.
- Long term plans for a stewardship service funded by contributions from businesses is being considered.

Planning and Policy working group.
- Eric Cowan of the Wyke Beck Way Community Forum attendedand gave a very interetsing presentation on the apparent lack of a joined up apporach between the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan and East and South East Leeds Area Action Plan with regards to habitat connectivety and green corrdior connections (for people and wildlife). Eric made a strong case for the need for a Landscape Plan for the Wyke Beck valley to tackle issues with flooding, future development of the land, greenspace, accessibility and other issues- no decision was made to support or resource this Landscape Plan but many agreed it would be useful.
- We worked towards a position on fencing and water safety and were surpised to discover the extent of existing fences and guardrails along the waterfront in the city centre which are relatively unobtrusive.
- A large flood defense scheme is being planned for Leeds City Centre and it will entail major engineering work that could have dramatic effects on the aesthetics of the river and could either imporve or reduce the potential for better wildlife habitats- the proposals will go through Aire Action Leeds.
- Working to identify 'character areas' highlighting there is a lot of difference between the city centre and the more deprived inner city areas that neighbour it and that a strategic apporach to making imporvements will need to reflect this.
- There is a long term aim to develop a common vision for the waterfront.
- Activity is underway to collate all the strategies, policies and action plans relevant to the waterways and to undertake an evidence base mapping process looking at riparian ownership, wildlife hotspots and other information.

Climate Change Strategy Group Update

The Climate Change Strategy Group met on 7th April.

We discussed data on the responses to the consultation- I'm pleased to report 17 responses were recieved from voluntary and community groups and charitable organisations. 10 responses were recieved from private individuals- some of these responses will have been as a result of voluntary sector activity. Respondants were supportive of meaningful action.

The response rate was quite high but not enough people answered the questions about how they or their organisation can contribute to delivering the strategy. While this is disappointing it presents an opportunity for us in the 3rd sector to step into the gap and gain increased recognition of the work we already do and highlight that with support we could deliver more work to help tackle climate change.

We agreed that the new target for greenhouse gas emissions reductions would be 80% (from the 1990 baseline) by 2050 in line with government targets.

The final version of the strategy will be published around september time. Each of the 8 themed subgroups (natural environment, built environment (domenstic and non-domestic), planning and development, education and awaresness, procurement, waste, and transport) will be arranging a meeting in the near future to discuss the consultation responses relevant to their chapter and to finalise amendments to their chapters.

It was agreed that more work needs to be done on the Education and Awareness chapter because each of the subgroups has an education and awareness or communications element to their priorities. Work will continue to develop climate change education and awareness activities that get key messages to key target audiences using every channel of communication possible.

Amenities Competion- Allotments

Information recieved from Tom Maynard Hon. Secreteray of the Leeds and District Gardeners Federation.

Do you have an allotment plot or site that you would like to enter into Leeds and District Gardeners Federation (in association with Leeds City Council) Amenities Competion?

Application forms can be downloaded from: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/philip.gomersall/leeds-gardeners/competitions.html
or contact leedsdgf@hotmail.com or phone Tom Maynard on 0113 279 1034

Application forms should be returned by Monday 16th June to: Tom Maynard, 223 Green Hill Road, Bramley, Leeds, LS13 4AJ. Please remember all plots to be judged need to be numbered clearly. The Show Committee will meet to discuss the judging route and times, entrants will be informed.

Can you help improve peoples access to nature in Leeds with extra funding?

Dear Environment Forum Member,

Can you help improve peoples access to nature in Leeds with extra funding?

I am going to apply to Natural England's 'Access to Nature' funding to continue the work of the forum on natural environment, wildlife, green infrastructure and biodiversity issues to ensure your group has the opportunity to influence strategic decision making in Leeds. Working together we have a good chance of accessing this money to support your natural environment projects to undertake new activity to improve greenspaces and ensure people benefit from them.

If you think you can help deliver one or more of the aims below and you need a relatively small amount of funding to deliver a new project, piece of work, or activity please express your interest to get involved and I will see if I can link your project with my application.

Please let me know which of the following aims of the funding you are interested in delivering:

• A greater number and diversity of people benefiting from the natural environment.
• More people learning about the natural environment and gaining new skills.
• More people able to enjoy the natural environment as a result of improvements in access to natural places and more connections between sites.
• More wildlife-rich natural places that are sustainably managed and meet the needs of local communities.
• An increased sense of community ownership of local natural places, by the creation of strong partnerships between communities, voluntary organisations, local authorities and statutory bodies.

My application will be strengthened if I can demonstrate we will deliver on the ground improvements and community focused local projects to engage people in enjoying nature. Your projects will be strengthened by joining a city-wide network of groups all working to improve access to nature in Leeds. Securing this funding will help me continue in my role to help build partnerships between community and voluntary groups and our Leeds Initiative partners so that the voluntary and community sector work together to influence strategic decision making in the city and, with increased support, deliver an improved environment that everyone in Leeds can benefit from.

If you know of any groups who may be interested please forward this information on.

At the ‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ meeting on Tuesday 6^th May 19:00-21:00 at Leeds Civic Hall we will discuss what individual groups will be delivering and what the overall aims of the partnership bid will be. Please inform me if you want to get involved but are unable to attend.

PLEASE NOTE: For more on what types of activity or projects will be funded see:

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/grants-funding/outcomes.htm

For more general information see:
http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/leisure/grants-funding/default.htm

The size of grants is between £50,000 and £500,000 so will not be suitable for most groups in the forum to bid individually.

Please contact me to get an expression of interest form which provides detail on the type of work that is likely to be funded. Please complete and return the expression of interest form by 28^th April or inform me before 24^th April if you are developing your proposal but won’t be able to return the form to me by 28^th April.

Please contact Jon to Recieve:

1) Agenda for ‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ meeting on 6^th May where we will discuss our application, please let me know if you are unable to attend.

2) Expression of interest form. Please complete and return the attached form by 28^th April or let me know if you need more time to work on your proposal.

I look forward to hearing your ideas for what you want to deliver. Contact me on 0113 277 2227 or jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk if you have any questions or want to talk about what your group plans to deliver.

Environmental Limits and One Region Living in Yorkshire and the Humber

The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Environment Forum report of the seminar, 'Environmental Limits and City Regions', held in Leeds on 6 February, is now available.

You can view the report by visiting www.yhref.org.uk/policy and looking for 'One Region Living'. Links to related research, case studies etc will also gradually amass on the website.

Climate Change Bill Week of Action- please get involved.

Text taken from Stop Climate Chaos Leeds circular emails.

Saturday 5^th April, 11am

Climate Bill Week of Action Demonstration

This week, April 1-5, is a week of action on climate change. Campaigners across the country are taking action to publicise the importance of including international aviation emissions in the Climate Change Bill.

Friends of the Earth Leeds group will now be holding a lobby/photo stunt on Briggate in Leeds of Saturday 5th April - If you're free please pop along, the more people that turn up, the bigger the effect!

The details are as follows...

We'll be meeting outside the Leeds church institute (www.leedschurchinstitute.org/) in Leeds city centre at 11am on Saturday morning.

We'll sort ourselves out, take the photos, hopefully with the press in tow, and it will all be done by noon! Please bring banners/leaflets/action cards, etc.

For more information contact James McKay on 07968854696 or email j.mckay690@btinternet.com

FoE have the mask, and the planes, and I am more than happy to dress up in a dark suit and red tie to play Gordon, unless anyone else is very keen! I will also be bringing things to hand out to the public, if we have lots of people, and a digital camera, so we can take our own photos.

The more the merrier!

All the best,James

Tell Gordon and David to make the Climate Change Bill Count

With your help and support we won at getting the government to concede on annual milestones – one of our top 3 changes to the Climate Change Bill! So that’s one down and two to go – and there’s still time to see our two remaining changes made to the bill, which are…

- an increase in the emissions reductions target to at least 80% by 2050

- the inclusion of the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions.

Go to http://www.icount.org.uk/personal_actions/459.asp

(To check who your MP is go www.theyworkforyou.com and type in your postcode)

On a related theme:

Wednesday 9^th April – Climate Chaos Café

Leeds/Bradford Airport expansion (Leeds/Bradford Airport Campaign)

The Common Place, 23-25 Wharf Street, LS1 7ED. Climate Chaos Cafe is all about discussion, information, food, chat and action on climate change in friendly and informal surroundings. We open at 6.45pm, with then about an hour of talk/open discussion from 7pm with a cheap, delicious (vegan) meal.

For more about what is currently happening on local action on climate change see:
http://www.leedstidal.org/sccleeds/sccnewspage.php

Transition Town Leeds- 19th April.

Securing the future of allotments

There is a national petition to the government on turning temporary allotment sites into statutory sites so they are better protected in the planning system and to more generally keep allotments ‘alive and well’. Most allotment groups on the Leeds Voice database don’t have an email address so I would be grateful if you could circulate this as widely as possible and raise it with any contacts you have from other sites/ groups. You can also encourage your contacts to sign.

See: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Keep-allotments/

Leeds Climate Change Strategy Consultation- LAST CHANCE TO RESPOND

If you haven't yet taken the chance to give your feedback on Leeds City Council's draft Climate Change Strategy, now's your last chance. The deadline is on Monday.

Remember, only 50 returns are expected. So your response could make a big difference.

If you only have 2 minutes, just edit and copy and paste this message:

The draft Climate Change Strategy is to be welcomed insofar as it is based on the best scienctific understanding to date. In respect of this:

- the headline target of 60% by 2050 is out of date and will not help to mitigate the worst effects. The overall target should be at least 80% by 2050.
- 550ppm should never be associated with "stabilisation" as it represents less than a 10% chance that warming will remain under human control.
- The headline target should be worded in such a way as to respond to scientific understanding and never give us less than a 50% chance of avoiding "runaway" warming.

Many of the headline actions are excellent and the draft is comprehensive in its range, however
- a far more urgent and radical educational programme will be needed if any of these measures are to avoid being undermined by an ignorant electorate.
- I would also question the involvement of any private companies in the consultation process who are unwilling to sign up to the pledge to cut their own emissions. In particular, it is very clear that the financial interests of the newly privatised airport are directly contrary to the needs of the people of Leeds in the light of the science of climate change.

And send it to climate.leeds@leeds.gov.uk

PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR CONTACTS NOW!

And thanks for taking the time to do this

Matt Carmichael and Mary Keynes
Stop Climate Chaos Leeds

Waste Resource Management- Important Decisions Being Made in Leeds

I hope you read the waste suppliment in the Spring edition of About Leeds. If not please see:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/files/Internet2007/2008/week10/inter__
6CF2AEB1C618150680256E16003E382D_9a645bc5-4d87-4356-9aa9-420e30795de6.pdf

The council are undergoing a process to decide what technology they want to use to treat our waste.

If you have an interest in waste resoure management and want to help arrange a meeting to discuss what view the forum should take on the proposed options please contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk

Please also complete the waste survey.

The Climate Bill- Week of Action

The Climate Bill campaign is hotting up! Annual milestones have been added to strengthen the Bill. We need to keep the pressure up (we've got two more demands, see below), and I hope that you will be taking part in iCounts Climate Change Bill Week of Action: Sunday 30th March - Saturday 5th April.

1. WHY A WEEK OF ACTION
Piling the pressure on MPs to publicly pledge their support for a 'Climate Bill with Bite' is what the Week of Action is all about. We've produced everything you need to take part including Action Guides, Pledge Cards, Sample Letters and icount.org.uk

2. WHAT YOU CAN DO
We'd love to see as many activities as possible. Whether it's lobbying MPs, organising a photo stunt, public meeting, or letter writing, it all counts and adds up to more pressure on MPs, and therefore a higher chance of us winning the changes we want to the Bill, and helping to stop climate chaos.

3. ACTION GUIDES
Attached is an Action Guide full of top tips on how to get your MP to publicly support a Climate Bill with Bite. Even if your MP has already signed the EDM (EDM No. 736), please follow up and get them to sign the Pledge Card.

4. PLEDGE CARD: 'I love a Climate Bill with Bite'
The Pledge Card is the tool you need to use to draw out your MP's support. What's key is that your MP signs it, going public with their support for our demands. Once your MP has signed the Pledge Card please send it to us at the address below. We want to see lots of signed Pledge Cards!

5. ICOUNT.ORG.UK
The site is jam packed with everything you'll need to get active on the Bill (and if there's anything you'd like us to add, let us know). Log on and you'll find:

- a fantastic map showing every single event that's planned for the Week of Action. If your event isn't up there yet, please add it!

- Action Guides & Pledge Card
- Bill background & latest news
- I Count's very own podcast
- and coming soon, a viral film…

6. I COUNT COMMUNITY GROUPS MAP UPDATE
Since we launched the map in September 2007 we've made a few changes to it based on your feedback. We've hidden the message boards - sadly they seemed to be a greater source of frustration than of use! (They are still accessible if you were a fan: http://forums.icount.org.uk/forum) More positively we've added a whole brand new layer for events. Whether you're organising an event for the Week of Action or another time, post details of your event to publicise what's going on where you are. We hope that you like these changes.

A massive thank you to everyone who's getting active on the Bill. Our campaign success shows we really can make a difference. Now we need to keep the pressure up on our remaining two demands to it (see above). If you have any questions please don't hesitate to get in touch.

I Count is the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition which brings together over 70 organisations, from environment and development charities to unions, faith and women’s groups.

I Count backs a Climate Change Bill which commits the UK to at least an 80% reduction in CO2 by 2050.

Make the Climate Change Bill count

www.icount.org.uk

Aire Action Leeds- preliminary feedback fro first working group meetings

I attended the first post-launch meeting of the Communications and Publicity working group along with Ian Moore of the Inland Waterways Association.
A waterways festival is being planned for 14^th June (provisional date) and AAL would welcome your input, also working on a pack of advice and guidance for people who want to hold public events on or around the waterways.

I also attended the 1st post-launch meeting of the Planning and Policy working group along with Kevin Sunderland of the Aire and Calder Rivers Group and Ian
Discussed: infrastructure, reviewing and improving the waterfront strategy, flood risk management (as reported on my blog a big flood defence capital investment scheme is planned for Leeds which we will be kept informed of via Aire Action Leeds) and other issues were discussed.

Full feedback from the above meetings will be provided at the Keeping an Eye on Leeds March meeting and will be published in the minutes.

I am unable to attend the first meeting post-launch meeting of the Stewardship Working Group. If you have an interest in encouraging, residents, communities and the local workforce to volunteer to improve the river corridor for people and wildlife then we would welcome you attending on our behalf (please confirm with me first so I can arrange a place for you and induct you into our system of representation).

Kevin and Ian will be focussing their efforts on the Planning and Policy working group as they feel this is where their skills are best utilised. If you would like to represent the sector on any of the working groups please contact jon.holland@leedsvoice.org.uk

Leeds Strategic Plan (aka Local Area Agreement)- last chance to influence (although I expect not a lot will change now)

N.B. the latest copy of the Leeds Strategic Plan has been uploaded to the website: www.leedsvoice.org.uk see the right-hand column of the screen.

I have a copy of the latest (at the time of writing) version of the Leeds Strategic Plan. I will be submitting my final comments to the VCFS Strategy Group on 5th March which will then feed into the Leeds Voice response. Please contact me if you want to see the latest document and contribute to any response that is submitted on behalf of the sector.

Apologies if you are new to Leeds Voice and the above sentence is meaningless. For more information (bearing in mind due to high-pressure timescales info goes out of date very quickly) see: http://www.leedsvoice.org.uk/Current%20Issues/LAA.htm

In a nutshell: Local Area Agreements (in Leeds- the Leeds Strategic Plan) are the governments idea for getting places to select 35 (or less) key 'improvement priorities' from a list of 138ish. These priorities will then guide where pooled bugets are spent- so they are very important.

Events on the Calendar.

The Leeds Voice calander has a massive range of events on strategic decision making, better governance structures, community empowerment, representing the sector at Local Strategic Partnerships and more. I can't keep up with it all and I just add the environment-specific stuff to my blog. Please remember to check the calander, add your events and read the Leeds Voice Bulletin. The events below give a general idea of the events that are relevant to the forum but are not environment-specific. see: http://freecal.brownbearsw.com/VoiceEvents or via http://www.leedsvoice.org.uk/

Thursday, March 6 2008
09:00 - 13:30

Networking Event

Archway, 95 Roundhay Road, Leeds LS8 5AQ

InformLeeds is organising this event which will introduce you to some useful tools that can be used with groups, when advising them about the following:

· Helping groups to think strategically
· Getting Ready for Paid Staff
· Recruiting a Worker
· Agreeing a Mission
· Agreeing Aims

The tools will be demonstrated by Dave Carr from SKiLD, a national learning project for development workers based in local infrastructure organisations across England.

By the end of the event, you will have learnt some practical and creative ways to work with groups and have the tools to help you.

We will also be looking at ways of working more effectively together and it will be a good opportunity to meet other people in Leeds that are doing the same kind of work as you.

To book a place, please contact Carlos Chavez at Leeds Community Foundation on 0113 2422426 or carlos@leedscommunityfoundation.org.uk
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Monday, March 10 2008
10:00 - 16:00

Sharing our practice - Empowerment!

St. Georges Centre

A practice exchange workshop and Action Learning Session on skills for effective representation in communities
Community Empowerment Workshop: in this workshop we will be looking at the skills and abilities needed to be an effective representative of the voluntary and community sectors on Local Strategic Partnerships and other strategic groups. To do this we will be sharing our own experience and make use of a set of skills developed through recent research. The National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA) has developed a set of competencies for effective representation and we'll be drawing on these to help us look at our own roles. The workshop will also focus on empowerment - how can we act as empowering representatives and leaders? How can we build skills and confidence in others as well as our selves? We'll use look at the idea of 'empowering leadership', again drawing on our own experience, as well as recent work on this carried out by NAVCA. see also Maximum 20 participants.

The Action Learning Session:
17 March, 10 to 1.30 including lunch - in Leeds (venue to be confirmed)

This informal half day session will be an opportunity for people to go into more depth to share their experiences. Using 'action learning' methods we will work in small groups to explore problems and challenges, again drawing on the NAVCA research on skills for effective representation as a broad framework. In comparison to the workshop, this session gives you more time to reflect on your own work in a supportive environment. Maximum 15 participants Both events are open to anyone from the voluntary and community sectors who are involved as representatives on LSPs, either the executive board or thematic partnerships, as well as anyone from the public sector who is interested or involved in supporting representatives.

Booking: Priority will be given to participants who can attend both sessions - complete the form attached or accessible at: www.regionalforum.org.uk/publications_resources/news/662.doc <www.regionalforum.org.uk/publications_resources/news/662.doc> We can pay travel expenses by public transport where necessary.

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Tuesday, March 11 2008
10:00 - 15:00

Improving Reach

Priory Street Centre, York

Empowering rural communities - a workshop for people who support rural community groups The Regional Empowerment Partnership is part of the National Empowerment Partnership which has been established by the Department for Communities and Local Government. The central aim of the national strategy is to improve the quality and functioning of relationships between citizens and government in order to increase the ability of people to influence to decisions which affect their lives. The main purpose of the National Partnership is to improve community empowerment and engagement by showing where they are taking place, how well they are working, what makes them work well and disseminating and applying those lessons widely. This should bring about, over a period of time, an improvement in the quality of community empowerment across England. The regional partnership will carry forward much of the practical work and the relationship with local authorities and their partners. The principal outcome being looked for is an increase in the number of people, especially people in disadvantaged areas, who participate in public issues, press for and contribute to the improvement of public services and help to shape the future of their locality. There is a particular concern about the level of involvement in decision making of people living rurally and about the opportunities available to them. It is important that the experiences of people working rurally are included in this exercise. The Yorkshire and Humber Community Development Network is a member of the regional consortium and is organising a forum for rural community development workers to look at gathering examples of good practice in empowerment and identifying gaps in strategy, provision and impact and looking at ways in which they might be filled. This workshop is free but there will be a £20 deposit, returnable on attendance - please see booking form for details. Please see <www.fcdl.org.uk/events> for a booking form, or contact Sue Leach, Admin Support Officer at the Federation: email admin@fcdl.org.uk> admin@fcdl.org.uk or tel. 0114 253 6770. If you would like to find out a bit more about the workshop, please contact Ann Hindley at ann@hindley.gn.apc.org>

What Planet Are You On? Linking Community Development and Environmental Justice- an Ideas and Action Swapshop

I am planning to go to the event below and would encourage everyone to send at least one representative from their group. Good networking opportunity and a chance to get some grassroots partnerships set up to help different groups work together on common issues.

Booking essential, via www.fcdl.org.uk

Further info from Dhara: equalitystreet@post.com or Federation for Community Learning, 0114 253 6770, info@fcdl.org.uk

What planet are you on?

Ideas and action Swap Shop

Linking Community Development & Environmental Justice
The Carriageworks, Millennium Square, Leeds - Please note this change of venue -
10.30am - 4.00pm, 2nd April 2008

Opening Comments from Capacity Global (www.capacity.org.uk)

Keynote Listener: Kathy Kudelnitzky, Director, Leeds Initiative

Why are the largest carbon footprints being paid for by people with the smallest footprints?

We need affordable housing, but not on floodplains?!

How does what’s happening to the planet connect with what’s happening in my community?

Bring your questions, find some practical answers.

Meet people working on social and environmental justice.

Take inspiration for future actions in your groups

Please see www.fcdl.org.uk for booking forms and further information, as well as details of our other events taking place this Spring, or contact us: 0114 253 6770 / info@fcdl.org.uk / equalitystreet@post.com

Free Every Action Counts event for Community Development Trainers, Workers and Activists

Wheelchair accessible venue

Help with childcare may be available - see booking form

West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan- Preferred Options

If anyone responds please forward your comments to me so I can use them in any response I, or my colleague might make.

Leeds City Council is working on an area action plan for the West Leeds Gateway area, which covers Armley, Lower Wortley, Upper Wortley, New Wortley and the Heights. The plan, which is being prepared in consultation with local communities, businesses and organisations, will guide regeneration and development over the next 15-20 years.

Previous consultation – issues and options – Autumn 2006
A public consultation on the issues and options for West Leeds Gateway was undertaken during November/December 2006. Three alternative options were considered: minor change, moderate change and major change. Information is available about the West Leeds Gateway issues and options consultation.

Current consultation – preferred options - 26 February to 8 April 2008
From the consultation undertaken at the issues and options stage it is clear that there is little support for major change in the area and that the area is valued as a place to live and work by local residents and businesses. It was also apparent that the minor option would not produce the changes needed to take the Gateway forward to a viable long term future. In view of this the Preferred Options have been developed based on the medium change option. The Preferred Option concentrates on seven strategic themes and seven character areas.

The seven strategic themes are:
- Design and the Environment, Landscape, Biodiversity and Sustainability.
- Greenspace, Linkages and the West Leeds Country Park
- Outdoor Advertising
- Design, Signage and Identity
- Transport
- Health
- Employment and Training

The seven character areas are:
- Central Armley
- Armley Mills
- Canal Road and Ledgard Way
- Canalside
- New Wortley and the Gyratory
- Oldfield Lane Centre
- The Tong Road/ Wellington Road Cooridor.

Public exhibitions are being held at:

Armley Library	26 February - 8 April
Somerfield Supermarket, Armley Town Street	26 February - 1 March
New Wortley Community Centre, 40 Tong Road	3 March - 8 March
Netto Supermarket, Oldfield Lane, Wortley	10 March - 15 March
Armley Leisure Centre, Carr Crofts, Armley	17 March - 22 March
Armley Moor Health Centre, 95 Town Street	26 March - 28 March

Documents available on the consultation page:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Planning/Planning_consultations/
West_Leeds_Gateway_area_action_plan__preferred_options_consultation
_(LDF).aspx

Preferred Options - full document	Introduction; 7 strategic themes; 7 neighbourhood proposals; funding, monitoring
Preferred Options - summary document
Poster publicising the exhibitions
Proposals maps including the seven character area insets
Sustainability Appraisal report on the Preferred Options
Statement of Proposals Matters
Report on the public consultation on the Issues and Options
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment	Link to the SFRA webpage
Online questionnaire	Complete the questionnaire online
Questionnaire seeking views of the Preferred Options	Print out and return to the address given

If you have any queries on this consultation, or would like a copy of the questionnaire in Word format, please contact us at ldf@leeds.gov.uk

All comments should be received by 5.00pm on Tuesday 8 April 2008

Climate Change- convincing sceptics and the basics

How to convince sceptics and answer some of the frequent (and often amusing questions) that people ask....

http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/climate_change/problems/cause/climate_sceptics/index.cfm

The BBC have a good basic guide: http://www.bbc.co.uk/climate/

List of environmental and voluntary sector events

Every Action Counts have produced this list, bookmark the page and the you can check regularly for events that might interest you. Hopefully I will be made aware of anything happening in Leeds and I will pass information on.

http://www.everyactioncounts.org.uk/en/fe/page.asp?n1=139&n2=167&n3=278

Regional Environmental Enhancement Plan

The thoroughly-updated Regional Environmental Enhancement Strategy is availible via http://www.yhref.org.uk/. It contains a 5 year Manifesto and Action Plan for the Region's Environment.

The new Strategy has arrived through a 2 year review of the original 2003 version, with several consultations. The most important things people wanted to see were a clearer statement of the region's environmental agenda, that everyone else's strategies could contribute to, and a unifying aim for the whole strategy of 'living within environmental limits'.

Action Central at the Common Place

Ever felt like it is hard to know how to take action? Ever had a good idea for an action but not had enough people to do it with? Want to know more about direct action and ongoing
campaigns in Leeds?

On Sunday 16th March 2008 The CommonPlace will be hosting
Action Central 6.30 - 8.30pm (ish)

A monthly sunday evening meal and get together to chat, share information about upcoming actions and campaign meetings and inspire each other to take action about the problems around us.

Everyone welcome, please send this to any action or campiagn group you are involved in, or individuals who might be up for it.

If you are interested in helping this happen monthly please let me know on: tummyfiller@riseup.net

Yorkshire and Humber Assembly - Climate Change Scrutiny

If anyone from Leeds plans to go please let me know. I am attending a 'key stakeholdr' focus group on 3rd March so will be feeding in to the consultation. If you have a question or comment please contact me to raise it on your behalf.

Whose responsibility is it to tackle climate change in the region?

Are we making the right interventions at a regional level? And are they having an impact on hitting the regional target?

What else could/should we be doing?

What do you think are the challenges and opportunities that climate change presents to the region's economy?

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly would like to hear your views about tackling Climate Change and the role that Yorkshire Forward and the Regional Economic Strategy can play. The Assembly's Scrutiny Board, supported by regional Sustainable Development expertise, will be reviewing the progress that has been made in achieving the regional greenhouse gas emission target of 20-25% between 1990 and 2016. They will look at the role that Yorkshire Forward plays and focus on the challenges and opportunities that Climate Change can offer the region. Your involvement is vital to the success of the scrutiny.

Over the next month the Assembly's Scrutiny Board will be speaking with key partners in the region and would like to hear your views. There are a number of ways to do this:
*Come to the public discussion and pose your questions to Yorkshire Forward on Tuesday 18 March 2008, The Courtyard, Boothferry Road, Goole 10.30- 3pm. Booking online at http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk

*Write to us or email us with your views and experiences to mailto:scrutiny@yhassembly.gov.uk by Thursday 20 March 2008.

*Log onto the Assembly website to access key documents and feed in your
views - http://www.yhassembly.gov.uk

What Jon is planning to ask:

Can we simultaneously aim for economic growth and greenhouse gas emission reductions?- what takes priority?

How are we going to decouple economic growth from greenhouse gas emissions increases?

How have the findings of Stern Review informed regional economic decision making? (I think Stern is overly optimistic- but embedding the findings would be better than business as usual)

Can we refocus on quality of life and sustainable development (sustainable livelihoods and 5 types of capital) as a measure of success/as a goal instead of economic growth?

I've got papers for the 'key stakeholders' meeting in Barnsley if anyone wants me to forward them please get in touch.