Agenda item

Resolved to note the report.

This decision is not subject to call in as:

·      Report is to note only

therefore it will be implemented immediately.

The Executive considered a report for information (Agenda Item 12) which summarised the actions that had been taken since the Council formally made a Climate Emergency Declaration on 2 July 2019, committing the Council to a carbon neutral district by 2030. This interim report was provided in line with the resolution made at the Council meeting.

Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter explained that suitable governance arrangements to ensure delivery had been embedded. This included meetings being held of the Environment Board and Environment Advisory Group.

Work was ongoing for the delivery of an Environment Strategy, largely through the above groups. Councillor Ardagh-Walter gave thanks for the comments received on that to date which would be incorporated where appropriate. Public consultation would take place on the Strategy in the autumn. This would coincide with the Climate Conference being held on 28 October 2019. Free tickets would be available for the conference from 16 September 2019. Further details would be shared as and when they became available.

It was the aim to finalise the Strategy by December 2019/January 2020.

Councillor Ardagh-Walter also drew attention to the number of projects, many of which were already in operation, listed in the report. He concluded his presentation of the report by acknowledging that work to achieve a carbon neutral district by 2030 needed to be well advanced by the time the Council Strategy 2019-2023 reached its conclusion.

Councillor Lynne Doherty gave thanks for the work undertaken thus far and the progress made in a relatively short timeframe. It was very important to have the governance structures in place.

Councillor Steve Masters was aware that Newbury Town Council and Thatcham Town Council were looking to commission a full audit of its carbon emissions. He queried if West Berkshire Council would be involved in that and, if so, whether the delivery of the audit had been discussed.

Councillor Ardagh-Walter was aware of discussions held at Thatcham Town Council. West Berkshire Council would also be looking at a relatively light touch approach to an audit alongside a much more detailed piece of work that adhered to the Government guidance for information on carbon emissions. Councillor Ardagh-Walter made it clear that work to produce this detailed information would be balanced with the ongoing work listed in the report to ensure projects were not delayed.

Councillor Carolyne Culver queried when an itinerary for the conference would be available. Councillor Ardagh-Walter explained that it was the intention to provide that as soon as detail on the speakers to be attending had been confirmed.

Councillor Adrian Abbs commented that the cross-party Environment Advisory Group had only met once to date and was therefore concerned at the ability to be involved. The Advisory Group should be able to assist, i.e. with the shaping of the Climate Conference agenda.

Councillor Ardagh-Walter agreed with this point. It was the aim to hold regular meetings of the Advisory Group to enable relevant Members and Officers to take work forward. There had been a slight delay to doing so over the summer holiday period.

Councillor Lee Dillon added that the Advisory Group should have been more closely involved in the itinerary for the conference. He noted that the conference was scheduled for a Monday, but he felt that a Saturday would have been preferable to encourage greater attendance from members of the public. The scheduling was something the Advisory Group should have discussed.

In response, Councillor Doherty explained that this date had been chosen so that young people could attend during half term week and this was based on the feedback of young people themselves. Saturdays were not necessary suitable for many people. She had also asked Councillor Ardagh-Walter to ensure that information provided for and at the conference was made publicly available.

Councillor Abbs queried why meetings of the Environment Agency Group, or at the very least its outputs, were not made public. Councillor Doherty stated that advisory groups were formed to support Portfolio Holders. They provided a safe environment for Members and Officers to work together and develop ideas. These meetings were therefore held in private. As already explained, there was no meeting held over the summer holiday period but a meeting was arranged for 11 September 2019. Councillor Doherty did not feel that outputs from Advisory Groups meetings should be made public. However, the public would be consulted ahead of agreeing future plans, for example the delivery of the Environment Strategy.

RESOLVED to note the report.

Other options considered: not applicable.