Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Michael Holt.

There were no declarations of interest declared.

There were no questions received from Councillors.

Cabinet Member for the Environment.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1      That the Cabinet’s Carbon Reduction Management Plan, as informed by the Environment & Climate Change Task Force, be approved in principle.

1.2      That the Cabinet Member for Environment be given delegated authority to consider the business case for each proposal and to present options to either: the Cabinet to agree funding from the Transformation and Innovation Fund; or the Council to agree funding from the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

Reason for Decision: The Council(s) have agreed a climate change emergency in recognition of the urgent need to take action to address global warming and the crisis being created by climate change. This decision will enable the Council(s) to work towards their goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1      Option One: To use the proposals of the Environment & Climate Change Task Force to inform the Carbon Reduction Management Plan to be agreed by the respective Cabinets. This option utilises the opinions and proposals of the Task Force and allows the Cabinets to amend the proposals as set out in Appendix A of the report.

1.2      Option Two: To adopt all the proposals recommended by the Environment and Climate Change Task Force without change. This option is not recommended for the reasons set out in Appendix A of the report.

1.3      Option Three: To do nothing. This option is not recommended as it will not achieve the Councils’ ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None

The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report and thanked the Officers involved for their hard work and commitment, and the task force members for embracing digital processes.

Councillor Malvisi proposed the recommendations in the report. The recommendations were seconded by Councillor Ward.

The Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships provided a presentation to Members.

In response to a query from Councillor Busby, the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships advised Members that a number of options were being considered with regard to the provision of used oil for vehicles.

Councillor Osborne queried the arrangements regarding the approval for funding detailed in the report and suggested that the Cabinet Members for Finance and Housing be involved in consideration of funding for the business case proposals.

Following a request from Councillor McCraw it was clarified that any final decisions would be made by Council or Cabinet.

Councillor Lindsay raised a query regarding CIFCO’s business strategy of  increasing investment in drive thru restaurants and asked how this was compatible with reducing carbon levels. The Assistant Director for Assets and Investments confirmed that the board of CIFCO had reviewed their strategy and agreed to remove reference to drive thru restaurants.

Cabinet Members and the Assistant Director for Environment and Commercial Partnerships responded to questions on issues including timescales and the importance of implementing the proposals quickly, the implications of the proposals on the Joint Local Plan, the importance given to social dimensions of the proposals, the funding of joint projects with other Local Authorities, and renewal of the vehicle fleet.

Members discussed various issues including Citizens’ Assemblies, and the reference in the report to use of  the term emerging technologies and whether this was the correct term to use.

Councillor Ward suggested a change to the wording of recommendation 3.3 of the report to include ‘and Housing Revenue Account’ which was accepted by Councillor Malvisi.

It was RESOLVED:-

1.1          That the Cabinet’s Carbon Reduction Management Plan, as informed by the Environment & Climate Change Task Force, be approved in principle.

1.2          That the Cabinet Member for Environment be given delegated authority to consider the business case for each proposal and to present options to either: the Cabinet to agree funding from the Transformation and Innovation Fund; or the Council to agree funding from the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

Reason for Decision: The Council(s) have agreed a climate change emergency in recognition of the urgent need to take action to address global warming and the crisis being created by climate change. This decision will enable the Council(s) to work towards their goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.