Agenda item

To receive information on the Council's current eco policies, in light of Full Council's resolution on the Business Plan in July 2017 to: ‘To reaffirm our commitments to continue working within our policies on the Environment and Carbon reduction’.

The Committee considered the report of the Director for Economic Development and Planning about the Council’s Energy Change and Opportunity (ECO) Strategy and current Eco policies.

The Director explained that the Council have developed an ECO Strategy to meet the challenge of climate change in Wiltshire. The Strategy set out the Council’s ambition to reduce its carbon emissions and lead the county’s low carbon transition, and prepare for unavoidable climate change. Cabinet approved the Strategy and agreed that the ECO Board would oversee the delivery of the Strategy, and approve and monitor the delivery of Action plans listed in the report. It was noted that much of the delivery work coming out of the Action Plans would be resourced and taken forward by relevant service directorates.

It was noted that the Council is committed to work with partners through the Energy Resilience plan to reduce Wiltshire’s carbon footprint, and promote Low Carbon Developments through planning policy. It was also noted that the Council aimed to meet and exceed household recycling targets, continue to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, and continue to reduce organisational energy demand through energy efficiency projects and renewable energy projects in managing its facilities.

Initially an ECO Team, accountable to the ECO Board, was established and responsible for strategic development, coordination, and administration of the ECO Board.  With the ECO Strategy now embedded within the organisation and the administrative overhead of managing the Board being modest, there was no longer a requirement to maintain a dedicated ECO Team.

The Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property reported that ten years ago the Council had an average performance level in relation to the reduction of carbon emissions. Since the ECO Strategy has been embedded within the organisation, the Council has moved up to 2^nd place in the South West local authority ratings produced by Regen South West. A copy of the Regen report can be found here.

The Director for Economic Development and Planning and Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property responded to the following issues and questions raised by the Committee:

·         The Council’s response to the Government's carbon reduction targets.

·         The Council’s strategy for the next stage of carbon reduction.

·         Addressing the low carbon agenda more widely in Wiltshire through the influence of the ECO Strategy, for example in terms of planning and transport. 

·         Engagement with the Government’s Industrial Strategy and other strategies.

·         The leadership provided within directorates on eco issues compared to other local authorities.

·         The frequency of Cabinet considering climate change issues.

·         The use of Government grants to increase the availability of electric vehicle charging points.

·         Government policy on climate change and how it influences the council’s strategies and action plans.

·         Frequency of ECO Board meetings and potential for attendance by the public at future meetings. 

Resolved:  

i.              To thank the Director for Economic Development and Planning and Cabinet Member for Spatial Planning, Development Management and Property for attending the meeting and responding to comments and questions from the Committee.

ii.            To receive annual updates from the ECO Board commencing in 2019.