Issue - meetings

To receive the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

The Net Zero Project Manager presented the report making the following points:

·         recommendation 2.2 was needed in order to ensure activity could continue;

·         key activities, PSDS 4 was now open with the only viable building being the Riverside Leisure Centre with a bid submitted (heat pump and insulation of central roof – if successful would be submitted to Executive);

·         the Green Accord scheme had been launched in April 2023 and a recent sustainable supplier event had been held, with 70 companies and the Chief Executive in attendance and electric bicycles and vehicles on display;

·         carbon literacy training had continued with 132 staff and councillors now carbon literate;

·         Bronze status had been achieved;

·         the Housing retrofit programme continued;

·         SWEEG had been commissioned to carry out a fully costed Carbon Descent Report;

·         an EV strategy report would go to Executive in the future; and

·         Water Lane solar farm produced renewable energy and was a demonstrator project with a large battery funded through the European Development Fund.  There had been a visit, of 16 Officers from various public organisations across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth, to the solar farm during the week.

The Net Zero Project Manager and Portfolio Holder for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities answered Members’ questions making the following points:

·         new UK Climate Score card rankings would be expected in 2025;

·         that three costed scenarios for the decarbonisation of RAMM would be provided outside the meeting

·         the City Council’s Energy Manager was on the group to input into local energy discussions and work with the DNO;

·         in regards to PSDS4, the bulk supply point was one of the main issues at the RAMM;

·         there were different restrictions across the city but this was a similar picture nationally and the council would learn from other projects;

·         there was a need to understand future demand and now have dialogue with National Grid which wasn’t previously possible;

·         carbon literacy training would now be service specific where possible;

·         the Carbon Descent Plan would be put to SMB and committee for debate and discussion;

·         it would be hoped that actions would filter into the emerging corporate plan;

·         Portfolio Holders were working together and there may be external opportunities such as carbon literacy training; and

·         the council was highly ranked with the Climate Score Cards and other councils were looking at what was being done here.

It was noted that on page 36 6.4 there was a minor typographical error and should read Decarbonisation Plan.

Following a vote the recommendations set out in the report were CARRIED unanimously.