Agenda item

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 for clearly highlighting positive benefits for residents and communities; and

·        the importance of the plan’s real-world benefits was highlighted, including reduced fuel bills, improved wellbeing, and better health outcomes for residents.

The Leader noted importance of wider assets and referenced risks seen elsewhere, such as Councils considering museum closures. He highlighted the alignment with the corporate plan and planning policy, particularly around housing retrofitting and welcomed the local development of 92 homes with 35% affordable housing using heat source systems instead of gas.

In response to questions raised by Executive Members, the Strategic Director for

Place advised that:

·        an example of a cost challenge would be in fully converting all Council homes from gas boilers to air source heat pumps (maximum scenario) would cost approximately £51 million;

·        this transition would significantly reduce carbon emissions but could increase short-term energy costs for residents;

·        the long-term ambition was for more sustainable and ultimately cost-effective heating solutions;

·        the benefits of external funding, citing Riverside as an example was where government funding enabled roof replacement and installation of solar panels;

·        the importance of identifying and bidding for available funding opportunities was highlighted;

·        the carbon reduction measures would be considered in all future capital projects, including Wonford, with further details coming in a forthcoming Council report;

·        he clarified that “red” ratings in the action plan indicated areas where work had not yet started, rather than severity or cost; and

·        explained the RAG colour coding system: Red = not yet started, Amber = in progress, and Green = completed.

An opposition group leader raised the following points and questions:

·        welcomed the report as helpful and informative but highlighted concern that RAG ratings may not reflect actual carbon reduction outcomes;

·        highlighted the importance of procurement data in driving genuine environmental change;

·        raised awareness of methane emissions from landfill sites as a relevant issue and the report may be missing consideration of greenhouse gas sources like methane;

·        requested clarification on whether the RAG rating measures showed progress of KPI implementation or actual impact on greenhouse gas reduction;

·        enquired how procurement data reporting linked to meaningful carbon reduction if responses did not reflect real change;

·        enquired on the shift from electric vehicles to Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for fleet, including reasons and environmental implications; and

·        asked why methane emissions were not included in the report.

In response to questions raised by opposition Members, the Strategic Director for

Place advised:

·        the RAG ratings reflected progress of individual projects or initiatives, rather than their overall impact on carbon reduction;

·        ratings were based on delivery status such as the  number of homes retrofitted;

·         measuring the actual carbon reduction impact would require a separate analysis;

·        further detail on the shift to HVO fuel for vehicles would be provided at a later date but advised that electric vehicle transition remained a success, supported by solar-generated electricity; and

·        HVO was being explored as an additional measure to further reduce emissions, with trials already underway.

The Leader moved the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor

Wright, voted upon, and CARRIED unanimously

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.