Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Communities.

1.         To note the work undertaken by the cross-party Climate Emergency Task Group.

2.         To note the current carbon footprint of both the Council and the borough.

3.         To approve and adopt the revised Climate Emergency Strategy

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing), Councillor Mick Titherington, presented a report of the Director of Communities providing members an update on the work undertaken on this hugely important issue and seeking their approval to a revised Climate Emergency Strategy and updated Carbon footprint for the Council operations and the borough.

It was proposed by Councillor Mick Titherington, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing), seconded by Councillor Paul Foster, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Strategy and Reform) and

Resolved (unanimously)

1.         To note the work undertaken by the cross-party Climate Emergency Task Group;

2.         To note the current carbon footprint of both the Council and the borough;

3.         To approve and adopt the revised Climate Emergency Strategy.

Report of the Director of Communities enclosed.

Decision made

1.     That members note the work undertaken by the cross-party Climate Emergency Task Group;

2. That members note the current carbon footprint of both the Council and the borough; and

3.     That Council be recommended to approve and adopt the revised Climate Emergency Strategy.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing) presented a report of the Director of Communities updating members on the work undertaken on this hugely important issue and seeking approval to a revised Climate Emergency Strategy and updated Carbon footprint for the Council operations and the Borough.

A question was asked about whether the “One Carbon World” report had yet to be received and with regard to the accuracy of the data, given the accuracies in 2018/19. Councillor Titherington indicated that the report had yet to be received and he would expect that any data produced by consultants would be accurate. Neil Martin, Senior Environmental Health Officer clarified that council officers would now be calculating the figures and therefore ensure the figures presented will be accurate.

Decision made

1.     That members note the work undertaken by the cross-party Climate Emergency Task Group;

2. That members note the current carbon footprint of both the Council and the borough; and

3.     That Council be recommended to approve and adopt the revised Climate Emergency Strategy.

Reasons for decision

In July 2019 the Council declared that the effect of climate change within the borough poses an immediate danger to the Health and Wellbeing of our residents. To combat this threat the Council set a goal of rendering the borough carbon neutral by the year 2030.

A cross-party Climate Emergency Task Group was formed to work with officers to achieve this goal. The Task Group have met regularly to move this agenda forward.

In July 2020 members approved and adopted a Climate Emergency Strategy. The Strategy provided background to the Climate Emergency issue, our

current position in terms of the Council and the borough and identified categories of areas to concentrate on to achieve the overall goal of net-carbon neutral by 2030. Members were also given a commitment by the Task Group that the Strategy would be reviewed and revised each year, including an update on the current carbon footprint and work undertaken.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None, because a commitment was given by the Task Group and accepted by Full Council that the Strategy would be reviewed, and an update given.