Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development which updated members on the delivery of the actions within the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP).  This followed on from the previous report to the Committee in October 2021.

The annex to the report provided an action by action update on the CEAP.  This was collated through bringing together information from across the Council’s Services, reflecting the way we have been embedding climate change across the organisation.  It brings together key points from previous updates alongside the latest information.  This report focuses on the key changes since the last report to this Committee, in October 2021, and changes that are anticipated in the coming months.

In response to a query about the advertisement of the Thermal Imaging Workshop held on 4 November 2021, the Principal Planning Officer (Environment) responded that this was advertised on the Council’s website and shared through social media and appeared in the Members’ Information Bulletin.

Members discussed the following;

·  Tree Strategy being delayed and targets and milestones need better reporting.

·  Tree planting – Most of the trees are mixed species and are planted on Test Valley land by volunteers and staff.  The Council are also working with 3^rd party land owners.

·  Fleet numbers and plan for replacement.

·  Requested sight of the climate emissions report.

·  Green Homes Grant and the approach to making the request for funding.

·  Number of charging points and the uptake – The use of the charging points is likely to be relatively low at present due to the number of electric vehicles and people charging at home. 

·  Handheld equipment batteries – in relation to the Council’s owned equipment.

·  Disposal of end of life vehicles – auction sites.

·  Hampshire Council’s Climate Officer’s Group.

·  Members would like to see greater communication regarding climate change across Test Valley - using social media and Test Valley News and looking at expanding content and branching out partnerships. Opportunity through survey on the new Corporate Action Plan.

Members were concerned on the lack of progress and also raised the issue of the Climate Emergency Action Plan Panel’s (CEAPP) endorsed Committee recommendations not being progressed through a review of the CEAP in the timescales sought.  The Principal Planning Officer (Environment) explained that a key source of information is from an external provider and together with the CEAPP’s recommendations this will bring the update together and move the CEAP forward.

Members appreciated the hard work by officers and the challenges they faced.

The Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development reported he will work together with the Head of Strategy and Innovation to explore how communication of climate change initiatives could be broadened.  He also reported that he will seek to bring a draft of the next iteration of the CEAP to the Committee in 6 months’ time. This would be dependent on a number of factors, including the timescales for the receipt of the external advice on emissions reporting and decarbonisation options

Resolved:

1.  That the progress update on the Climate Emergency Action Plan be noted.

2.  That the proposal to deliver a revised Climate Emergency Action Plan including the recommendations of the Climate Emergency Action Plan Panel be presented in draft to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in the next 6 months.