Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

Cllr Phil Alford Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets and Asset Transfer presented a report which introduced an Environmental Mitigation Land Asset Management Framework enabling a robust and structured approach to the assessment of Council land for environmental bases schemes.

Cllr Alford reported that the Council has a significant land holding and with an increase in pressures on the use of the land for environmental purposes, a structured approach to the review and potential reuse of land needed to be adopted. He explained that the report provided detail of an Environmental Mitigation Land Asset Management Framework, including an approach to the review of land and governance structure to determine the most effective and

efficient use of the Council’s assets.

Cllr Christopher Williams, Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, speaking on behalf of Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of the Climate Emergency Task Group, confirmed that the report was discussed with the Task Group, who reported into Environmental Select Committee, on 16th September 2022. The Task Group welcomed the development, particularly the creation of a framework to assess the options for using council land for often competing mitigation opportunities. The Task Group would support and encourage the council to work with its tenant farmers to support environmental farming practices and would continue to monitor progress with the implementation of this framework.

Cllr Ian Thorn welcomed the initiative and commented on the following:

·       Parts of the Council estate that were not being utilise to their full extent for example county farms, highways and HRA.

·       Small parcels of Council land where nutrient neutrality exists

·       The need to map mitigating activities

Cllr Jackson commented on the potential for use of hydro-electric alongside wind and solar energy schemes. In response, Cllr Alford and the Leader confirmed that they were not opposed to such schemes if supported by a business plan however previous scheme proposals proved difficult to achieve.

Resolved:

1. That Members agree and adopt the Environmental Mitigation Land Asset Management Framework, as including in Appendix 1.

2. Authorise the Director for Assets and Commercial Development to determine the most appropriate use of assets when considered through the Framework, via the Asset Gateway & Capital Programme Board, after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets, Asset Transfer.

3. Authorise the Director for Assets and Commercial Development to make any changes to the Framework in circumstances where criteria for assessment, legislation or land ownership changes, via the Asset Gateway & Capital Programme Board and in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Assets, Asset Transfer

Reason for decision:

To provide a clear review and governance approach to the assessment and allocation of Council land for environmental mitigation opportunities.