Democracy in Crawley

How decisions are made and who represents you

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Barnham - The Charis Centre. View directions

Contact: Democratic Services  Email: democratic.services@crawley.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Disclosures of Interest & Whipping Declarations

In accordance with the Council's Code of Conduct, Councillors of the Council are reminded that it is a requirement to declare interests where appropriate.

 

Councillors must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

 

Minutes:

No disclosures of interests were made.

2.

Introduction to the Review and Setting the Scoping Framework and Timescales pdf icon PDF 402 KB

To include:

·         Brief introduction to the Review

·         Agree the draft Scoping Framework as attached.

·         To be followed by a discussion on any background information and the Review timescales.

Minutes:

Councillor Jaggard welcomed the Panel to the first meeting of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel that recognised the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report together with the consequences of climate change.  It was noted that there was a responsibility on every individual to make changes, but that local government had a duty to lead the way.

 

The Democratic Services Officer explained that Overview and Scrutiny Commission had been requested to set up the Scrutiny Panel and highlighted the composition of the Panel. The Chair then explained that the first meeting was an administrative one and its focus was to agree the Scoping Framework and there would be no public question time. Disappointment was conveyed from the public gallery at the lack of public question time. The Chair emphasised the format of the first meeting, and at future meetings it was Chair’s discretion to allow for this (for which there would be a set format).

 

Councillor Jaggard reminded that Panel that its remit was quite specific. The purpose of the Panel was “to investigate and make recommendations focusing on the council’s workings and activities relating to carbon emissions and report to Council as soon as practicable” in order to reduce carbon emissions from the council’s activities by 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050.

 

Whilst the Full Council notice of motion included 7 clear points, it was specific in that the scrutiny panel should focus on the activities and workings of the council relating to the reduction of carbon emissions.

 

Panel Members discussed the draft scoping framework. The key objectives had been documented as follows:

1)    Audit the Council’s workings and activities across the various services in relation to reducing carbon emissions.

-       Work is currently underway in producing an audit surrounding the council’s current facilities and it would be important to identify a baseline. It was acknowledged this current audit work would be finalised early in 2020. 

-       Annual government data is broken down into 3 key areas (industry/commercial, domestic, transport) for each authority and is comparable with others.  Whilst aviation currently is not included (due to flight destination), the effects on local infrastructure could be incorporated to demonstrate the impact.

 

2)    Establish a carbon emissions baseline for the town and review data to quantify the challenges that Crawley faces as it progresses towards the 2030 target and beyond.

3)    Investigate best practice across other local authorities, learn from best practice in other towns and cities.

-       There was a Sussex wide group already established representing districts and boroughs across East and West Sussex (Sussex Climate Emergency Local Authorities Group). This currently shares best practice and it was suggested that perhaps the Panel could either feed into this or perhaps the Group could share presentations or reports to the Panel.

 

4)    Research and engage with key officers and partners, particularly regarding the future establishment of “green infrastructure”.

-       It was commented that green open spaces were paramount and balance was needed between green space and maintaining housing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

3.

Further Meetings

To confirm dates for further meetings. (Please bring diaries to the meeting). 

 

It is proposed that potentially the Review be undertaken as a “themed” approach in order to cover the work – along with witness sessions (initial proposals for discussion and agreement are listed below).  However, as documented below there are “cross-overs” with the majority of areas so careful thought will be required to ensure the Panel’s work adds value and does not duplicate. 

 

1.     Building usage/development and energy

2.     Transport and vehicle usage

3.     Business and local economic growth

4.     Community and green infrastructure

 

January 2020

 

February 2020

March 2020

April 2020

June 2020

 

 

 

Minutes:

With the scoping framework agreed, future meetings of the Panel were discussed.  These future meetings were agreed as follows:

 

28 January 2020

Data/Audit & Local Plan

Sustainability Manager

Head of Economy & Planning - CBC

Planning Policy Manager - CBC

27 February 2020

Transport

Metrobus

Cabinet Member for Planning & Economic Development

25 March 2020

Commercial & Business

Executive Director Manor Royal Business District

Hawth

K2 Crawley

Tilgate Park

Partnership Services Manager – CBC

Head of Major projects & Commercial Services – CBC (new Town Hall & DHN)

15 April 2020

Domestic Buildings

Residential

Head of Crawley Homes - CBC

Housing Enabling & Development Manager – CBC

30 June 2020

Community & Green/Blue infrastructure

July 2020 (TBC)

If required – Finalise report

                                               

 

Whilst the individuals named above identifies those witnesses anticipated to speak, this may change subject to availability and, at the discretion of the Chair. Further witnesses may be called in addition or instead of those listed above should they be unavailable.

Appendix

Scoping Framework

 

Title of Review:        

Climate Change Scrutiny Panel

 

PART 1: THE REVIEW

 

Section 1 - Terms of Reference

 

To investigate and make recommendations focusing on the council’s workings and activities relating to carbon emissions and report to Council as soon as practicable in order to reduce carbon emissions from the council’s activities by 45% by 2030 and to zero by 2050.

 

 

Section 2 – Reasons for the Review

 

At the Full Council meeting in July 2019, a notion of motion was passed that recognised the 2018 Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report was an alarming reminder of the consequences of climate change and the urgent need to ensure that global temperatures do not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.  The report demonstrated that the global warming target is increasingly likely to be missed, with the 1.5 degree Celsius temperature "guard rail" expected to be exceeded in just 11 years. 

 

The Borough Council’s corporate priorities 2018-22 within the “protecting the environment’ section includes: ‘Protect and enhance our environment by reducing the Council’s and the town’s Carbon footprint.’

 

CBC has a good record to date in terms of carbon reductions for instance in terms of PV panel installation, insulation of Crawley Homes’ properties, planning for an energy-efficient new town hall, the encouragement of sustainable transport etc. However, this record needs to be sustained and efforts enhanced in the coming decade if targets agreed globally are to be achieved locally.

 

 

Section 3 - Key Objectives of Review

 

Whilst the Full Council notice of motion included 7 clear points, it was specific in that the scrutiny panel should focus on the activities and workings of the council relating to the reduction of carbon emissions.

 

1)    Audit the Council’s workings and activities across the various services in relation to reducing carbon emissions.

2)    Establish a carbon emissions baseline for the town and review data to quantify the challenges that Crawley faces as it progresses towards the 2030 target and beyond.

3)    Investigate best practice across other local authorities, learn from best practice in other towns and cities.

4)    Research and engage with key officers and partners, particularly regarding the future establishment of “green infrastructure”.

5)    Consider how recommendations would reduce carbon emissions, to be developed in the context of environmental and social responsibility, economic prosperity and development management in the context of the emerging Local Plan.

 

 

 

 

Section 4 - What will not be included in the scope (and why)

 

Potentially this could become a huge review but it is proposed to keep this review more proportionate, by focusing on where it can add most value in relation to the reduction of carbon emissions. 

 

 

 

PART 2: EVIDENCE GATHERING AND PLANNING

 

Section 5 - Key Documents and Background Information the Panel may find useful for research.

 

1.    IPCC Global Warming of 1.5 ºC Special Report

2.    Bath & North East Somerset Council Climate Emergency Study Discussion Pack

September 2019

3.    Liverpool BID Green Infrastructure Action Plan April 2017.

4.    Kensington and Chelsea Air Quality and Climate Change Action Plan January 2019.

5.    Manchester Climate Change Delivery Plan 2010-2020

6.    Tunbridge Wells Climate Action Plan

7.    York Climate Change Action Plan

8.       Friends of the Earth 33 actions local authorities can take on climate change.

9.    Friends of the Earth Climate Action Plan Template.

10.  Local.gov Commitments & Actions Plan Template

11.  Information and evidence from key CBC Officers.

12.  Potential witness sessions from Cabinet Members.

13.  Potential witness session or request for update from Executive Director of MRBD.

14.  Potential witness sessions with community partners.

 

It will be necessary to take into consideration current and proposed policy documents

when undertaking this Panel’s work to ensure work is in line with Council policies and

priorities.

 

It is proposed that the Review be undertaken as a “themed” approach in order to cover the work – along with witness sessions (initial proposals for discussion and agreement are listed below).  However, as documented below there are “cross-overs” with the majority of areas so careful thought will be required to ensure the Panel’s work adds value and does not duplicate. 

 

1.    Transport (Witness = Cllr P Smith, Metrobus)

2.    Business / Commercial  (Witness = Partnership Services Manager / Executive Director MRBD)

3.    Domestic  (Witness = Head of Crawley Homes, Housing Enabling and Development Manager)

4.    Community and green/blue infrastructure (Witness = Head of Community Services, Neighbourhood Services Manager)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 6 - Witnesses to be invited

(some initial suggestions listed below – but probably will need to be more focused and selective)

Organisation

 

CBC

Economic Development and Sustainability

 

 

 

 

 

 

Major Projects and Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cabinet Member for Environmental Services and Sustainability

 

 

 

Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development

 

 

Housing Enabling and Development Manager

 

 

 

Planning Policy Manager

 

 

External

 

Potentially Executive Director of MRBD (either witness session or update)

 

Potentially witness sessions with community partners

 

 

Public – web survey? TBC

Name/Position

 

 

Head of Economic and Planning

Sustainability Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services

Partnership Services Manager

 

 

 

 

Witness session

 

 

 

 

 

 

Witness session

 

 

 

 

 

Witness session

 

 

 

 

Witness session

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Sawyer – Executive Director of MRBD

 

 

 

 

Potentially other local authorities through West Sussex

 

 

TBC

Reason for Inviting

 

 

·         Update on Sustainability programme, including green infrastructure, sustainable energy and sustainable transport schemes. 

·         This should include update on Development Management and future build design.

·         Also working in partnership with MRBD.

 

·         Update on work with contractors generally and sustainability links/findings.

·         This should include update on Built Environment Team and future “energy saving” builds.

·         Update on council facilities and workings on projects to include new town hall and district heat network

 

·         As lead member for climate change and sustainability - attend witness session to discuss their assessment of current situation.

 

 

·         As lead member for transport planning, economic development & regeneration and local planning policy – attend witness session to discuss their assessment of current situation.

 

·         Update on the work of Crawley homes and residential properties from a strategic perspective.

 

 

·         Have discussions on Strategic Planning aspects through the 6 week consultation on the Local Plan.

 

 

 

·         Update on working in partnership and the green infrastructure for the MRBD as this can be a key asset in helping to promote and enhance the image of commercial areas.

 

·         What is their assessment of the current situation

 

 

 

·         TBC

 

 

 

 

Section 7 - Site Visits and Attendance at Events

Location/Event

 

NA

Date

 

Purpose of Visit

 

 

Section 8 - Community Engagement Proposals

 

TBC

 

 

PART 3: ADMINISTRATIVE CHECKLIST

 

Section 9 – Planning the Panel’s Work Programme

 

Date (prov)

Details: (e.g. witnesses, objectives etc.)

Projected start date

Oct 2019

 

1 panel meeting

20 Nov 2019

Background report and scoping framework

2 panel meeting

28 Jan 2020

Data/Audit

3 panel meeting

27 Feb 2020

Transport

4 panel meeting

25 March 2020

Commercial

5 panel meeting

15 April 2020

Domestic Buildings

6 panel meeting

30 June 2020

Green/Blue infrastructure

IF REQUIRED – or by email

July 2020

Finalise recommendations

 

Section 10 - Resources and Responsibilities

Chair of Scrutiny Panel

Cllr K L Jaggard

Other Members of Scrutiny Panel

Cllrs

J Hart, K L Jaggard, G S Jhans, T Lunnon and

A Pendlington

Lead Officer(s)

Clem Smith

DSO

Heather Girling

Cabinet Member

Cllr G Thomas

Head of Service

Head of Economy & Planning

 

 

Section 11 - Reporting Arrangements

Committee/Body

Date (prov.)

Final report of Panel to Overview and Scrutiny Commission

TBC

Final report to Cabinet (as appropriate)

TBC

Final report to other Committee, full Council or Body (as appropriate)

TBC

 

 

Section 12 - Approvals

Details

By whom

Date

Terms of reference/Panel agreed

OSC

24.9.19

Scoping Framework - drafted

Democratic Services

24.9.19

Scoping Framework - first agreed

Panel

20.11.19