As well as emailing the three Headingley and Hyde Park councillors to ask their approval for scalping Cinder Moor, officers at Parks and Countryside will have obtained the approval of Councillor Mohammed Rafique. Councillor Rafique is the Executive Member with responsibility for the Environment and Active Lifestyles. This portfolio includes Parks and Countryside. Even though Councillor Rafique is responsible for protecting the environment, this does not extend to protecting the environment on Woodhouse Moor. In addition to allowing the scalping of Cinder Moor, he is quite content to allow the annual bonfire to go ahead, despite the appalling air quality and much higher than average death rate in the surrounding area. The reasons he gives for his sanguine attitude to the bonfire are (1) it’s popular, and (2) it helps to prevent anti social behaviour elsewhere.