Agenda item

To submit a report by the Deputy Chief Executive.

Submitted – a report by the Deputy Chief Executive in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Public Protection said that the climate crisis is relevant corporately within every services of the Council with a target of being carbon neutral by 2030. There will be expectations of residents, communities and businesses for the Council to take specific action to respond timely and effectively will increase. He noted that to respond effectively to the climate crisis there will be a need for leadership, policies and the change of practices together with financial and technical solutions and there will be a need to start to adapt to the ways of working by the Authority.

The Deputy Chief Executive reported that the County Council declared a climate emergency at the full Council held on 8th September 2020 and committing the Authority to become carbon neutral by 2030. There are several National and Regional Strategies that have since been drafted to respond to the challenges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Whilst the authority is fully committed to continue engagement and collaboration with all partners, at all levels, there is also a recognition that all delivery is local. The authority is committed to providing local leadership on the Island, and to act corporately to deliver decisive changes to enable the effective transition into being a carbon neutral organisation. Whilst some decisions and actions are within the authority’s control, others will need assistance and additional resources form the Welsh Government and UK Government to co-ordinate, develop and deliver. Together with UK Climate Change Act (2008), the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Environmental Act (Wales) 2016 provide the legal framework for action on climate change and sustainable management of Wales’ natural resources, with each underpinned by strategies and frameworks. Local Government is recognised as being fundamental to delivering decarbonisation, particularly in providing local leadership and championing ambitious sustainable solutions and behavioural change.

The Deputy Chief Executive further reported that the Local Government Decarbonisation Strategy Panel has been set up to help lead, support, encourage and give a strategic overview. The establishment of the Panel was agreed by the Partnership Council for Wales in June 2020, with representation by local authority Chief Executives, WLGA, other public sector organisations, Welsh Government and relevant advisors. It reports to the Partnership Council who provides political direction and leadership for the work. North Wales local authorities are represented by the Chief Executive of Conwy County Borough Council. Each local authority is committed to :-

·      Understanding their carbon footprint, in line with guidance for public sector greenhouse emissions reporting;

·      Agreeing to set of net zero commitments/pledges for COP26 (scheduled to be held in Glasgow in November 2021);

·      Closely monitoring and reporting on their current and future carbon emissions;

·      Ensuring there is a robust, evidence-based net zero action plan in place, as a living document by March 2021;

·      Working with the new Decarbonisation Strategy Panel

It was further reported that the authority does not currently have a dedicated corporate (or political lead) for climate change. Whilst some expertise exists on decarbonisation within specific services, this is aligned with construction and building improvements. Other authorities have demonstrated their commitment to this critical thematic area by allocating dedicated resources. It is hoped that over time Welsh Government will recognise that activity to tackle climate change and decarbonisation must be reflected and incorporated into local authorities’ annual settlements. There is no alternative but to allocate core funding to create dedicated capacity/expertise to lead on progressing and co-ordinating the initial stages of development and delivery. This would be utilised to cover the employment costs of a Senior Corporate Climate Change Programme Manager for a two year period, with an operational budget that would be utilised to prepare a carbon baseline, monitoring framework, dashboard, formulate accosted action plan, and procure training. The dedicated capacity would also co-ordinate cross service activities, represent the authority in relevant regional and national groups and events, report on progress, influence service activities, identify good practice, and ensure there is a sense of purpose, leadership and momentum.

The Committee welcomed that a Senior Corporate Climate Change Programme Manager was to be appointed as it will enable the Authority to move forward the programme of climate change within the Council. Reference was made that the Authority should be promoting the work that has currently been undertaken in addressing climate change and carbon footprint as part of contracts for building social housing, street lighting having been change to solar and low carbon facilities.

The Committee considered the report and made the following main points:-

·      Reference was made to the school meals contract and the need for the contractors to be sourcing produce locally as part of school meal contract. The Deputy Chief Executive responded the school meals contract is coming to an end and the procurement process is currently been undertaken in respect of the school meals contract;

·      Reference was made that heating of home uses a lot of energy. Questions were raised as to how the Council is to address future requirements of reducing costs of heating homes . The Head of Housing Services responded that 4 dwellings have been built in Holyhead which are classed as passive housing which are insulated structures. He further said that a further 6 dwellings have been built in Caergeiliog which are a modern sources of construction and to improve the heating capacity of such dwellings is important to residents due to energy costs. There will be a challenge to improve the current housing stock to comply with the requirements but a grant of £500k was afforded by Welsh Government to heat homes with solar panels and air source facilities.

It was RESOLVED to support and endorse:-

·           the development and implementation of a new corporate Climate Change Programme to enable the authority to transition into a carbon neutral organisation by 2030;

·      the recruitment of a corporate Climate Change Programme Manager to lead on development and delivery;

·      the establishment of a Climate Change Working Group (with political representation) an advisory, non-decision making group to make recommendations and requests.

ACTION : As noted above.