Agenda item

Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee are asked to note that the Climate Programme Cabinet report is yet to be finalised.

Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee are asked to consider and comment on the three drafted supporting appendices:

·        Annual Report 2021/22

·        Draft Climate Strategy 2023 – 2028

Draft Action Plan 2023 - 2025

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Net Zero and Transport presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Committee was asked to comment on the following supporting documents:

·       Annual Report 2021/22

·       Draft Climate Strategy 2023 – 2028

·       Draft Action Plan 2023 – 2025

It was noted that a BCP Council Climate Strategy will be forthcoming to a future Cabinet meeting. The Committee raised a number of issues which were responded to by the Portfolio Holder and officers, including:

·    Whether targets were going to be missed because we were focused on the wrong things. It was suggested that targets should be realistic and measurable.

·    It would be useful to have targeted, impactful training for Councillors.

·    The Committee, Cabinet members and officers were reminded of the urgency in reaching the wider 2050 ambition.

·    Why diesel use had increase if vehicle use had gone down.

·    The Climate partnership was launching in 2023. The Committee sought confirmation of who had been invited and comments on whether these were the right groups and if there was sufficient community involvement.  The partnership was bringing together large local organisations and business to see how best to collaborate and share resources. However, it was noted that this was not a comprehensive group of stakeholders. Officers advised that they wanted to open up further to other businesses and special interest groups. In order to achieve there was a need to utilise each other’s strengths as much as possible.

·    The significant cost of flood improvements and who would lead on this as neither the government nor water companies appeared to have solutions.

·    The Committee commented that the Council should ensure that it realises opportunities to catalyse low carbon developments through the Local Plan and Big Plan. The Portfolio Holder advised that they were trying to integrate the green infrastructure design guides into the Local Plan.

·    It was noted that a significant amount of information on the Website was no longer up to date and the Committee sought assurance that someone would take responsibility for this.

·    The Committee asked about partnership involvement with Trees for Streets. It was noted that over 10,000 trees had been planted in Upton Country Park but more needed to be done in the right streets and a partnership may be helpful.

·    It was noted to be on target for carbon reductions further massive reductions were needed. Comments were made that the graph within the report was misleading and needed more data to be able to draw any conclusions.

·    Coastal works and sea flooding works. The carbon footprint created by this, including the use of lots of diesel vehicles and whether it was all necessary. The Portfolio Holder acknowledged he comments and advised that they may be work coming through in the future to do this work in a more carbon efficient way.

·    The Committee raised concerns that every areas of urban density within the conurbation reached or exceeded the WHO guidelines for air quality. 

·    Concerned that this wouldn’t end up even coming to us in the future. See climate and action on climate as beyond politics. Concerned that someone will come in and change the work which has been done on this.

·    Green futures fund – Whether this was for defined projects or was there the possibility it could be used for things which may be required to be done anyway.

·    Renewables – There was concern raised about where the Council was sourcing its energy from and the impact this had on suggestions for residents to use renewable energy tariffs. It was noted that residents were generally very supportive of carbon reduction measures.

·    Accessing electric vehicles especially for homes without parking spaces. It was noted there had been a significant increase in public charging points.

·    It didn’t appear that there was anything within the report on food. It was suggested that this should be explored, and it would be useful to have an impact assessment on a move towards the plant based treaty.

·    There were some concerns raised regarding consultation and engagement and how this would be followed through. The Portfolio Holder advised that there were references to the report on engagement and the extensive consultations.

·    That partnership working was required to resolve issues concerning drainage and flooding. The Portfolio Holder commented that there were lots of issues surrounding this which would need to be considered.

·    Issues were raised regarding the carbon footprint of the workforce and the impact of people working from home and also how the Council operates its own buildings. It was noted that there was a need to think about better ways of addressing this.

The Committee requested a list of those projects being considered for the green futures fund.

The Chairman thanked the officers and Portfolio Holder for their work and enthusiasm for this issue.

The meeting adjourned at 7:52 pm and resumed 8:01pm