Agenda item

To receive a report from the Chief Executive.

The Chairman invited Councillor Nick Holder, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, to present the report providing an update on the council's response to the climate emergency.

Councillor Holder stated this was the seventh update report which had been provided to the council since approving the motion to declare a climate emergency. He noted that Wiltshire Council had been rated as the 5^th best unitary authority for its response from the Climate Emergency UK Council, with the LGA Peer Review also providing positive feedback on the council’s extensive efforts to address climate issues.

Councillor Holder thanked the officers for their hard work, with support also having been received from the Housing and Highways departments to tackle the issues. Highlights of the report were outlined, including that the Council had secured funding of more than £3.6million from Government to improve the energy efficiency of 201 homes, and that the council had employed three extra members of staff to deliver further climate change work. He stated that 70 electric charging batteries were set to be installed across the county, and that the first carbon neutral school was set to be constructed in Bowerhill, Melksham Without. Reference was also drawn to how the council had worked with partners, particularly the Wiltshire Climate Alliance, and developed a positive engagement with them.

Councillor Holder proposed a motion to note the actions taken in response to the climate emergency following the last update in October 2022, which was seconded by Councillor Richard Clewer.

Comments were then received from Group Leaders as follows:

The Leader, Councillor Richard Clewer, emphasised that the council had taken an evidence led approach to its climate actions. He stated Wiltshire Council was seen as a national leader and that he was often approached by other Leaders and Cabinet Members seeking advice on how such work has been achieved, and that the Public Service Board and public sector partners were taking the work on board. He confirmed the council would continue to work with and lobby Government where needed. He provided his thanks to both Councillor Holder and the Climate Team.

Councillor Ian Thorn, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, also offered thanks to Councillor Holder and the Climate Team for their work. He considered that the upcoming new Local Plan would be a test for the Council’s commitment to the climate emergency. He stated that the council was now 7 years away from the county-wide target date and that a response was needed across the whole county and not just from Wiltshire Council, and though impressive achievements had been made in some cases it might not be enough. He noted the role of communications to generate further activity and engagement in communities as well as making use of roadshows to outline what communities should be doing to deliver on their climate change responsibilities. It was also suggested that there was more to be done through the means of partnerships and working together.

Councillor Ricky Rogers, Leader of the Labour Group, stated that he welcomed the report and though it was positive news it might not be as fast as desired. He stated he would look at the new charging points with interest to ensure that they would be properly maintained. He provided an example of the community project work of the Climate Team in respect of putting a solar panel company in contact with a local sports club.

Councillor Graham Wright, Chairman of the Global Warming and Climate Change Emergency Task Group, welcomed the report from Councillor Nick Holder, noting the discussion at Cabinet on 18 April 2023. He stated that though the Climate Team had expanded, the Council should not get complacent about achieving its goals.

The item was then opened up for wider debate. Comments made included discussing use of anaerobic digester plans to produce methane to fuel waste collection vehicles and supply homes, how to upscale smaller projects to share progress across the county, and working in partnership to delivery upgrades such as electric vehicle charging points.

Other matters raised included effectiveness of the mechanical biological treatment plant in Westbury, zero carbon standards for new homes, retrofitting of properties such as in Studley Green, Trowbridge, production of a green skills plan for Wiltshire, and recent reports around the potential of a railway station in Devizes. It was also stated a recent event had been attended by over 30 councils, and the Climate and Environment Forum, which met four times a year to provide feedback.

Councillor Holder responded to several points that had been raised during the debate, including how the Council aimed to be better engaged with organisations such as the Army, who faced their own issues in carbon reduction. Regarding communications it was stated that the Council was working alongside the Wiltshire Climate Alliance to contact people they previously would not have been able to reach, with the Alliance consisting of 40 different groups and over 500 members.

Additionally, clarification was provided about recycling and that there had been a ‘Recycle for Wiltshire Campaign”’ to reinforce to residents what could and could not be recycled as currently 20% of material sorted at recycling centres could not be accepted due to being either incorrect or soiled. Furthermore, the Council would have an opportunity to ensure that new waste collection vehicles would be more carbon neutral, and that he would discuss the potential of a green skills plan with officers.

At the conclusion of the debate, it was:

Resolved:

That Council note the actions taken in response to the climate emergency following the last update in October 2022.