Agenda item

Report of the Director of Communities attached.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing (Councillor Mick Titherington), Lead Member for Climate Change (Councillor Keith Martin), Director of Communities and Senior Environmental Health Officer presented the Climate Emergency Action Plan and responded to members’ queries and comments.

It was acknowledged in response to members’ questions that consultation on the action plan had not been as extensive as hoped due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other time constraints. However, reassurances were provided that the action plan was a ‘live document’ and that consultation would remain ongoing.

Further information on the financial implications of the action plan was requested and members were informed that there would need to be significant investment in the projects highlighted within the plan. Each individual scheme would be costed and officers would submit bids for grant funding.

A commitment to reviewing each action to ensure it is SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely) was welcomed.

Members queried how the action plan will be monitored to ensure delivery and were advised that performance indictors and potential risks would be developed and identified.

The schemes within the action plan also contribute to the green agenda project within the Corporate Plan and would be incorporated into quarterly performance monitoring reports considered by the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel.

Progress would also be reported to the Climate Emergency Task Group.

In response to a question regarding how members can champion the action plan and help to tackle the climate emergency, it was suggested that they could broadcast and promote the action plan; petition the government for change; scrutinise the work on climate change undertaken by external partners; and create their own climate emergency action plans within their My Neighbourhood Community Hub areas.

Members also noted that discussions were underway with the council’s procurement team to incorporate consideration of climate change impacts when awarding procurement contracts.

Reassurances were provided that the council has the knowledge, skills and capacity to deliver the action plan and it was acknowledged that any additional resources would be reliant on receiving funding.

A query was also raised about how the council would enforce the measures identified within the action plan without any real legal power. In response, it was stated that the council would endeavour to promote the action plan and persuade residents to engage with the projects within it.

Members also welcomed confirmation that there would be a Member Briefing on the action plan prior to it being considered at Full Council and that a report on the successes of the Air Quality Action Plan from 2018 would be provided. 

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the Scrutiny Committee

1.     thanks the Cabinet Member, Lead Member, Director and Officers for attending the meeting and for their report;

2.     commends the Climate Emergency Member Working Group for developing the Climate Emergency Action Plan;

3.     welcomes the reassurance that partners have been engaged in the development of the action plan;

4.     looks forward to more information on each of the actions, including financial appraisal SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) indicators being drawn up;

5.     encourages Members to take personal responsibility in helping to tackle the climate emergency;

6.     requests an update on the progress being made with the Air Quality Strategy; and

7.     is grateful for the offer of a Member briefing on the climate change action before the Council meeting on 21 July 2021.