Agenda item

Purpose: To present the first progress report on the Environment Strategy covering the first year of the Strategy from July 2020 to July 2021.

Resolved that the Annual Progress Report on the Environment Strategy be approved for publication on the Council’s website.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 26 November 2021, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter summarised the report (Agenda item 6) which <AI5>

presented the first Annual Progress Report for the Environment Strategy, specifically covering the period from the approval of the Strategy in July 2020 through to July 2021. The report also demonstrated how the Council had listened to feedback received throughout the year, provided an update on the Council’s carbon footprint, and reported on the carbon emission data for the District.

Councillor Ardagh-Walter highlighted some of the actions delivered over the last twelve months in line with the strategy, with the activities having covered carbon neutrality, improving the natural and physical health of people and wildlife, as well as ensuring economic growth is environmentally responsible. Councillor Ardagh-Walter referred to the work still to do on the strategy and the part that everyone in the district can play in getting to carbon neutral. Councillor Ardagh-Walter also confirmed that the delivery team had recently appointed three new officers which had increased its capacity to deliver projects.

Councillor Lee Dillon spoke on behalf of Councillor Adrian Abbs who was not present. Firstly, Councillor Dillon noted Section 4.4 of the report, which stated a 16% reduction in carbon footprint, which he believed presented a false picture of hope. He referred to the Council Motion to make West Berkshire carbon neutral by 2030, and argued that percentages across the district needed to be understood first to then work out what that percentage is as a result of the Councils activities. Secondly, Councillor Dillon asked whether a visual representation could be provided of the carbon impact of each project, in addition to the financial details of the £12.5 million allocated for environmental projects. Finally, Councillor Dillon noted that Grazeley is big enough for 60 megawatts but the report stated only 10 megawatts was envisaged. He suggested that the Council’s level of ambition should be set higher. Councillor Ardagh-Walter responded by confirming that the Council was responsible for around 1% of emissions in the district and that it is far easier to measure what the Council was doing to reduce its carbon footprint than look at the district as a whole. The data for the district produced at a national level infers overall trends, and there has been a pronounced downward trend in carbon levels. He also confirmed that the Council is on track and has credible plans for achieving carbon neutrality, but that he did not think the government target of 2050 for the decarbonisation of the UK economy would be achievable given current lifestyles. Councillor Ardgah-Walter then advised that the carbon impact of the Council’s programmes are expected to be produced shortly by the consultants commissioned for the project, and that this could be shared once available. Finally, he agreed that Grazely could be bigger, and that the matter is being driven by officers’ advice and the specialist engineers working on designing the scheme. He believed that, collectively, members would have another opportunity to consider the plans for this.

Councillor Dillon queried whether the possibility and costs of the Council commissioning its own data study, rather than relying on national benchmarking data, had been investigated. Councillor Ardagh-Walter responded that he did not believe it would be possible to provide a more accurate picture of consumption than already done by academics given the complexity of the subject. He referred to the body of data recently produced by Leeds University which had proved to be an excellent resource, and stated that he felt that replicating this locally would not prove to be an efficient use of the Council’s resources.

Councillor Carolyne Culver commended the work done by officers on this and queried whether parish involvement in the Climate Forum had been increased since September given the importance of getting them involved and the quick wins that could be achieved once they are involved. Councillor Culver also asked about the liaison with large landowners in West Berkshire, noting that some of her constituents were unaware of ways to get involved with the scheme. Councillor Culver also asked whether the Council is helping to address the energy performance at schools it has an influence over, and the quick wins to be achieved if the Council persuaded the Berkshire Pension Fund to go carbon neutral. Finally, Councillor Culver highlighted how councillors could be used as ambassadors by raising awareness with the public via things like Facebook groups and parish newsletters. Councillor Ardagh-Walter responded that the latest figures on parish involvement would have to be checked but that he does want to increase this. He also advised that at last one landowner was involved at a fairly early stage on one project, and that more will be brought in. He noted that at last sixteen schools are in the eco-schools programme which is a great vehicle for enthusing children, and agreed that heating schools is difficult but that officers are aware of the issue. With regards to the Berkshire Pension Fund, Councillor Ardagh-Walter noted that its investment policy had been updated recently so that only energy companies with credible plans to transition away from carbon will be invested in. Finally, he agreed that councillors could be used as ambassadors and said he would encourage the team to look at member training.

Councillor Tony Vickers commended the work done by officers on this and referred to what he saw as missed opportunities to include solar panels during the build of community assets. Councillor Vickers mentioned the pilot on-street electric vehicle charging points but noted that he had not seen an advert for the TPO to make them used for the purpose they were built. Councillor Vickers also referred to the big community switch and stated it was not clear if this was saving resident’s money, and queried if it was switching to greener energy and not just cheaper energy. Finally, Councillor Vickers commented that it seemed that the general public were more enthusiastic about the climate crisis than the Council, with the exception of dedicated officers. Councillor Steve Ardagh-Walter responded that there were always complications with solar panels but that it was an ongoing rolling programme with more being built in the coming year. Councillor Ardagh-Walter advised that a consultation regarding the charging points would be undertaken shortly, and of the need to establish demand for power points from that survey. Finally, he advised that only green tariffs had been included in the Big Community Switch and that it had helped to financially motivate switching and decarbonise the district.

Councillor Alan Macro queried what was being done in the interim to get new housing to be carbon neutral as soon as possible given the local plan review was put on hold. Councillor Macro then queried why the Council is not sourcing its asphalt from a local supplier in Theale. Councillor Ardagh-Walter responded that he agreed with the aspiration to improve the building regulations but could not comment in detail on the asphalt supplier beyond stating his belief that the sub-contractors have clearly committed to carbon neutrality.

Councillor Erik Pattenden referred to the 16% reduction in carbon emissions over the last two years for the Council, and the 1% reduction across the district, and asked whether the Council is where it wanted to be at this point, noting the 23.6% reduction achieved by Newbury Town Council. Councillor Pattenden then queried whether a simple to read document showing progress in a graph or chart form could be provided. Councillor Ardagh-Walter responded that he had a good level of confidence that the Council will achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, given the projects that would drive it towards this target, but that comparisons to Newbury Town Council were not useful due to the difference in scale between the two councils’ operations. Councillor Ardagh-Walter agreed with the need for a progress indicator in the form of a visual dashboard, and confirmed that work is ongoing to implement one.

Councillor Steve Masters asked the Portfolio Holder if he believed infinite growth on a finite planet is possible, and suggested that not all aspects of modern life have to be removed to achieve carbon neutrality. He questioned if the Council is doing everything possible to achieve its target, or if it was placing responsibility on to individuals instead, and also whether anyone was contacting businesses on this matter. Councillor Ardagh-Walter responded to say he could not comment on infinite growth, but that it is about balancing decarbonisation along with better health and wellbeing, improving the ecological environment, maintaining a level of prosperity and making sure growth is zero carbon to drive down the overall footprint. The council needs to take a lead on delivering projects which enable others to do their part. He invited councillors to spread the message that the biggest change will come from people and their choices and market forces.

Councillor Lynne Doherty commended the work done by officers and the Portfolio Holder on this and noted the positive impact and delivery against actions arising from the Council having declared a climate emergency.

Councillor Richard Somner also commended the work done by officers and noted that the report and its initiatives demonstrated a great boost to the ongoing programme of work that the Council was doing. It also evidenced a great amount of collaborative work, and engagement and partnerships that were essential. Councillor Somner responded to Councillor Tony Vickers that electric charging points were advertised online, but that he would pick up on this point and make sure that the information was made available.

RESOLVED to: Approve the Annual Progress Report on the Environment Strategy (as included at Appendix C to the report) for publication on the Council’s website. 

Other options considered:There is a commitment to report on an annual basis on progress delivering the Environment Strategy.  Future reporting periods could be from first approval of the Environment Strategy (July 2020) or it could be aligned to the financial year for future reporting years which is how much of the Council’s reporting is structured. Discussions around this can be had at Environment Board.