Agenda item

Report by Chief Executive Officer – Terence Herbert

Cllr Richard Clewer, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Heritage, Arts & Tourism, Housing, Communities presented the report which provided an update on the actions taken in response to the climate emergency and to include this priority as an addendum to the council’s Business Plan 2017-2027.

Questions were received from Cllr Nick Murry and Bill Jarvis about the climate emergency.

The Leader acknowledged that the questions had received written responses which had been published on the Council’s website prior to the meeting. He indicated that supplementary questions could be asked and these would receive a written response following this meeting.

Cllr Clewer commented on the three work streams, Wiltshire Council to become carbon neutral by 2030, making the county of Wiltshire carbon neutral by 2030 and community engagement. He spoke in detail about the council’s commitment to building 1,000 new council homes over the next 10 years to a zero carbon standard, the conversion of streetlights across Wiltshire to LEDs, Salisbury Reds three new electric buses for the city’s park and ride services, the Council becoming a founder member of the Countryside Climate Network as part of UK100, and the need for a thorough review of the Council’s Business Plan following local elections in May 2021.   

Cllr Graham Wright, Chair of the Global Warming & Climate Emergency Task Group welcomed the appointed of the Head of Carbon Reduction, reported that the Task Group had a close working relationship with the Cabinet Member. The Task Group had considered the draft addendum to the Business Plan 2017-2027 and had submitted suggestions for improvement, these were reflected in the final version proposed.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrats indicated that he would have welcomed an opportunity to review the financial implications of the programme. Cllr Clewer explained that the Housing Board minutes contain the financial detail that Cllr Thorn referred to and further detail will become available as the programme progresses.

Cllr Wayman indicated that the road reallocation project linking Purton with Swindon’s Lydiard Park detail at paragraph 32 of the report looked unlikely to proceed.

In response to comments and questions about solar panels at the Salisbury Park and Ride; cycle racks being included in the recovery phase for CATG funding; resources being deployed to the Carbon Reduction Team; and consideration of opportunities to build cycleways between communities; Cllr Clewer and Cllr Wayman reported that the use of energy from the solar panels at Salisbury Park and Ride had not commenced at this stage; cycle racks would be included in the recovery phase for CATG funding; the approved budget for the Carbon Reduction Team was £350,000; and the Council will continue to consider opportunities to build cycleways between communities.

Resolved:

1.    That the Cabinet recommend Council to amend the Business Plan 2017- 2027 to include a Climate Emergency addendum as detailed in paragraph 8 and Appendix 1 of this report.

2.     That Cabinet notes the actions taken in response to the climate emergency since November 2019.

Reason for Decision

1.    To ensure that the current Business Plan reflects the council’s acknowledgement of the climate emergency and its commitment to addressing climate change.

2.    To provide Cabinet with an update on actions taken in response to the climate emergency.