Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Strategic Director for Place.

Agreed:

RESOLVED that:

(1)   the Carbon Reduction Plan, as set out in Appendix A, be approved; and

(2)   the work undertaken to incorporate Positive Current Trajectory measures into Service Plans, and to align these with Corporate Plan outcomes and the Corporate Performance Dashboard, be noted.

Reason for Decision: As set out in the report.

The Executive received the report which summarised the Council's response to research undertaken by the University of Exeter, which for the first time estimated the full cost of carbon emissions across its services. Using this, the Council had developed a carbon reduction plan. Particular points raised included:

·        the plan showed positive current trajectory measures in line with the recommendations and included business as usual measures to reduce greenhouse emissions which had been built into all service delivery plans for all Council services;

·        known costs, were included and each action had performance metrics for monitoring progress;

·        additional mid-term and maximum scenario measures had been incorporated;

·        some projects were currently unfunded but had been included to demonstrate ambitions, if funding became available;

·        there were funding constraints highlighted as a key challenge to delivery;

·        there were seven service areas covered, with housing, buildings, and transport identified as having the highest impact;

·        the Carbon Action Plan would be a live document, which would be reviewed and updated every six months, with regular progress reports submitted to the Strategic Scrutiny Committee every six months, starting in June 2026; and

·        numerous projects had already been completed or were underway, with a full list included in the report and appendix.

During the discussion, Executive Members raised the following points and

Questions:

·        the high-quality work undertaken was commended;

·        the contribution of the South West Energy and Environment Group and partnerships with other local authorities was important;

·        the report was pioneering in estimating Council-wide carbon impacts;

·        the service-wide approach and inclusion of measurable metrics to track progress was welcomed;

·        the range of projects underway, included the Riverside initiatives and retrofitting of Council properties were highlighted;

·        the overall direction of travel, showed how the Council was on a positive trajectory;

·        additional funding would be required to go further;

·        further detail from Strategic Directors and Service Leads on funding challenges would be required for future projects;

·        the Portfolio Holder for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities indicated his  intention to engage with the local MP’s and government ministers regarding funding opportunities, which would be carried forward as an action arising from the report;

·        the report helped bridge the gap between ambition and delivery, providing a clear roadmap and outlined challenges;

·        the Council had set a challenging target and was working towards it;

·        the Portfolio Holder for Leisure Services & Healthy Living highlighted the progress made within the leisure portfolio, including St. Sidwell’s Point which demonstrated strong carbon reduction performance;

·        improvements at Riverside leisure centre, included energy efficiency works and an ongoing funded roof project and further opportunities, including heat recovery and solar panels were highlighted;

·        upcoming works at Wonford were referenced and clarification was sought on associated environmental benefits and carbon savings;

·        the Isca Centre was noted as a site with potential for future carbon reduction improvements;

·        the report was clear, accessible, and a helpful summary of current and future actions;

·        some items marked red including procurement data investigation could be reclassified as amber to better reflect progress;

·        the impact assessment was commended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117