Issue - meetings

To provide an update on the implementation of the Climate Emergency Action Plan (2020) and related projects that have been identified subsequently (20 minutes).

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development which provided an update on the delivery of the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) following the previous update to Overview and Scrutiny at its meeting in November 2022.

The Principal Planning Officer (Environment) advised that the Council’s new Corporate Plan had been adopted by Council at its meeting on 5 April and contained five strategic priorities, one of which was the environment. The priority reflects on the importance people place on the natural environment and tackling climate change. It was noted that the corporate plan would provide the framework for ensuing that the Climate Emergency Action Plan was embedded in service delivery and decision making.

The Committee noted that the greenhouse gas emissions from the Council’s fleet fuel use is a significant component of the reported figures for the organisation. At its meeting on 12 April, Cabinet had approved additional funds to switch to using hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel to run fleet vehicles that currently use diesel. This was anticipated to reduce the Council’s direct reported emissions for the fleet fuel use in the order of 95% and have a substantial impact on the overall reported emissions for the organisations.

Members of the committee asked a number of questions about progress against actions contained within the CEAP and the scale and speed of work that had been undertaken against actions recommended by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel on the Climate Emergency. It was noted that work to update and refresh the Climate Emergency Action Plan is underway.

Members discussed electric vehicle charging point across the borough. It was noted that the installation of electric vehicle charging points at Council offices was kept under review.

Resolved:

That the update and progress on the implementation of the Climate Emergency Action Plan is noted.