Issue - meetings

Environmental Services and Sustainability Portfolio

To consider report PES/390 of the Head of Economy and Planning, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission held on 22 November 2021.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         approves the ‘Core Principles for Action’ document (Appendix A) to report PES/390  which underpins the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

b)         approves the Climate Emergency Action Plan delivery programme for 2022/23 (Appendix B) to report PES/390  , to enable the council to start delivery of the carbon reduction measures identified.

c)         approves in principle the overall Climate Emergency Action Plan to 2030 (Appendix B) to report PES/390 to enable the Council to reduce the carbon emissions generated by its activities by at least 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050, subject to consideration next year of a full funding plan being developed for continued delivery from 2023/24.

Reasons for the Recommendations

a)         In July 2019, Full Council declared a Climate Emergency and made a commitment to reduce the council’s carbon emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050. 

b)         The Council believes that all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to limit the negative impacts of Climate Breakdown; and has committed to aim for zero carbon emissions as soon as possible and, in doing so, to show leadership and encourage local residents, stakeholders and businesses to do the same.

c)         The Council has recognised that as a society we are now beyond taking small measures while generally carrying on with ‘business as usual’. Deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are needed quickly to stabilise rising temperatures alongside rethinking agriculture and land use to restore ecosystems. This will impact on all aspects of our lives.

d)         Decisions made across national, regional and local authorities now will determine whether or not we are subject to catastrophic climate and ecological impacts or can transition to a stable and sustainable world.  Although these decisions have to be taken at all levels of society, they need to be taken significantly by local authorities like the council, which has a critical lead role to play in driving down carbon emissions at the local level. 

e)         The Climate Emergency Action Plan outlines the actions the Council needs to set in motion now in order to deliver on this commitment.

The Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability presented report PES/390 of the Head of Economy and Planning.  The report sought approval for the Climate Emergency Action Plan to enable the council to reduce the carbon emissions generated by its activities in line with the commitments made in the Climate Emergency Declaration of July 2019; that is to reduce carbon emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050 as recommended by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Councillor T Belben presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 22 November 2021, which included the request to Cabinet that the Climate Change Emergency Action Plan be complemented with a public educational programme, because the Commission felt that further publicity would be beneficial in order to encourage the wider community to participate in carbon reduction.

Councillor Crow was invited to speak onthe item. He commented that he was very supportive of the Action Plan as was his party. The only concern  was the timescales could be seen as unambitious and other Councils were setting their targets at net zero by 2030. Councillor Crow requested that the Cabinet consider bringing the report to Full Council for a wider debate as it was an issue that affects the whole Borough. He emphasised that there would be no vote to bring down the Action Plan, should it go to Full Council only over the timing element. It was noted that the Call-in function was considered, but it was felt it was not a viable option as this could delay the work on the Action Plan until next year and fundamental support for the majority of it.  

Councillors Lamb, P Smith, Jones and C Mullins also spoke in support of the report and the positive proposals contained within the Action Plan.

In considering the two additional requests before them, firstly on the Commission proposal, Councillor Jhans emphasised to the Cabinet that he considered that the public educational programme did not need to be an aspect as it was already a key element covered within the communications and engagement plan and thus there wasn’t a need for the additional wording, which the Cabinet fully agreed with. Regarding Councillor Crow’s request, the Cabinet felt that the current targets were ambitious yet achievable and realistic and the Council was far ahead of other authorities in terms of achieving reach net zero and being carbon neutral. As such the request was rejected .

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet:

a)         approves the ‘Core Principles for Action’ document (Appendix A) to report PES/390  which underpins the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

b)         approves the Climate Emergency Action Plan delivery programme for 2022/23 (Appendix B) to report PES/390, to enable the council to start delivery of the carbon reduction measures identified.

c)         approves in principle the overall Climate Emergency Action Plan to 2030 (Appendix B) to report PES/390 to enable the Council to reduce the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11

To consider report PES/390 of the Head of Economy and Planning.

The Commission considered report PES/390 of the Head of Economy and Planning. The report sought approval for the Climate Emergency Action Plan to enable the council to reduce the carbon emissions generated by its activities in line with the commitments made in the Climate Emergency Declaration of July 2019; that is to reduce carbon emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050 as recommended by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 

During the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability, the Head of Economy and Planning and the Sustainability Manager, Councillors made the following comments:

·         Acknowledgement that the carbon dioxide emissions reduction target was at least 45% by 2030 and zero by 2050.  It was highlighted that this was a target and it was hoped to reach this prior to this date.

·         It was noted that a funding plan would need to be brought forward to ensure the action plan would be fully budgeted and costed. This would build on future investigations and audits to inform the full costs of driving down emissions.

·         Recognition that procurement plays a key role in carbon dioxide emissions equating to the supply chain, construction, manufacturing, goods and services.

·         It was commented upon that it was a useful intention to review the essential car user policy but it was commented that it may be difficult to revise staff terms and conditions.  

·         Other options should be considered for improving the waste fleet, together with waste services in general.  It was felt that the reduction in emissions for waste collection could be instigated by implementing food waste collection ahead of the timescales indicated in the plan and fortnightly rubbish collection.

·         Acknowledgement that under provision on car parking, particularly in the town centre, was a deterrent for take up of electric vehicles as only a small percentage have off-street parking.  It was noted the infrastructure was important and the EV charging network contract was in place in partnership with WSCC to install a network of charging points across the town.  In addition, some petrol stations had installed EV charging points. Compressed natural gas was not an alternative as it still produced carbon dioxide and consequently its use had not fully materialised. 

·         It was noted that through government policy and Local Plan policy there could be significant influence on planning applications in the future to assist in achieving sustainability.  Recognition that there was a balance between residents’ perception, feasibility and achieving net zero.

·         Recognition that there was a need to encourage modal shift and behaviour change and the council should be leading on this and had a moral obligation.  The Core Principles for Action (appendix A) stated the Carbon Emergency communications and engagement plan would engage and influence staff, councillors and externally with residents and stakeholders. However the Commission felt that further publicity would be beneficial in order to encourage the wider community and following a unanimous vote it was agreed that the Cabinet be requested to consider this additional recommendation:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9