Decision details

The report of the Head of Environmental Health Services was submitted, presenting the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and seeking approval for the revised Strategy and action plan. The report also summarised the changes made to the strategy as a result of the research undertaken by the University of Exeter and the outcomes of a public consultation exercise.

Scrutiny Committee – Community considered the report at their meeting on 15 January 2008 and the support and comments of Members were noted.

Executive acknowledged the extensive work undertaken by the University of Exeter and were interested to note the findings of their analysis of Exeter’s carbon dioxide emissions. The Director Community and Environment assured members that funding from the City Council’s car parking climate change levy would be used to encourage innovative schemes and all proposals would be judged on their merit. A wide debate on the issue would be encouraged to bring forward ideas and members would have the opportunity to contribute their views on the use of the levy at the briefing on 6 February. In response to a question regarding the Council’s own vehicle fleet, Members were advised that the use of alternative fuels was already being explored for appropriate vehicles.

RECOMMENDED that: -

(1)        the Exeter Climate Change Strategy and action plan be approved;

(2)        general progress towards meeting the aims of the Strategy be monitored on an annual basis and reported to Scrutiny Committee - Community;

(3)        the action plan be revised in Spring 2009 and thereafter every three years; and

(4)        a commitment be made to undertaking a full review of the Strategy in five years time (2013).

                                                       (Report circulated)