Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 22 July 2021, be

received and approved as a correct record.

The Chairman welcomed everyone present to the meeting and introduced the Council’s Assistant Director for Assets & Investments, Ian Bailey and the Strategic Asset Manager, Darren Wardale, who were in attendance at the meeting to offer advice and assistance to Members as part of any ensuing discussions.

The Scrutiny Research Officer summarised the current position in relation to the Climate Change Mitigation review including the outcomes from the recent Informal Working Group meeting held on 5 October 2021.  The report also presented the Council’s draft Climate Change Strategy document and the emerging Net Zero Strategy as set out by the Government.

To enable the review to progress to a successful conclusion, it was suggested to the Panel that it would be prudent for Members to start formulating some draft responses and recommendations to Cabinet following receipt of the above documents and the evidence gathered and considered to date by Members.

Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener

Published by Government on the 19 October 2021, the Net Zero Strategy: Build Back Greener policy paper set out policies and proposals for decarbonising all sectors of the UK economy to meet a net zero target by 2050.  Members’ attention was drawn to the section regarding ‘Local Climate Action’ which outlined in more detail how the Government would be supporting decarbonisation and regeneration in local areas and communities.

The following key commitments were outlined:

·       setting clearer expectations on how central and local government will interact in the delivery of net zero

·       building on existing engagement by establishing a Local Net Zero Forum to bring together national and local government senior officials on a regular basis to discuss policy and delivery options on net zero

·       continuing the Local Net Zero Programme to support all local areas with their capability and capacity to meet net zero including provisions to continue with Local Net Zero Hubs, promoting best practice and support for local authorities to develop net zero projects (to attract commercial investment) and increase knowledge sharing to demonstrate and share successful net zero system solutions.

It was envisaged that the Government would be working with local authorities to support and aid the transition to net zero by financing strategic infrastructure projects (as led by local authorities) whilst providing advice and expertise in order to strengthen the pipeline of investable projects.

It was also hoped that an array of funding streams would become available to enable local authorities to build capacity and capability locally whilst managing expectations for the local economy during the transitional phase.

In relation to the Council, local priorities would be in relation to the following:

·       energy provision and heating/maintenance of Council assets and buildings

·       greener solutions to upgrade and maintain Council housing stock

·       transport and fleet provision

·       District-wide green infrastructure

·       environmental improvements.

Climate Change Committee: 2021 Progress Report to Parliament

Members were also asked to note the Government’s response to the Climate Change Committee’s 2021 progress report to Parliament regarding progress being made nationally in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for and adapting  ...  view the full minutes text for item SB.6