Agenda item

Purpose: to present the Annual Progress Report on the Environment Strategy covering the fourth year of the delivery of the Strategy from July 2023 to July 2024, and to propose for approval the Environment Strategy 2025 Refresh which aims to focus activity on meeting the target of net zero emissions by 2030 for the Council.

Resolved that: Executive

·         Note the Annual Progress Report on the Environment Strategy (as included in Appendix C) and agree its publication on the Council’s website, and;

·         Approve the Environment Strategy 2025 Refresh (as included in Appendix D) and agree its publication on the Council’s website including the associated Delivery Plan (Appendix E) and Carbon Definitions Report (Appendix F).

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 2 June 2025, then it will be implemented.

Councillor Stuart Gourley introduced and proposed a report (Agenda Item 6), which presented the Annual Progress Report on the Environment Strategy covering the fourth year of the delivery of the Strategy, and proposed for approval the Environment Strategy 2025 Refresh which aimed to focus on meeting the target of net zero emissions by 2030 for the Council.

Councillor Nigel Foot seconded the recommendations made within the report and commented that reaching net zero was a realistic possibility and that the Council had made good inroads into achieving that. Councillor Foot further emphasised the health in all policies aspect of the Strategy and applauded its aspirations.

Councillor Dominic Boeck was pleased to hear about the achievements made and requested clarification and assurance that carbon sequestration would be delivered. Councillor Gourley responded that the sequestration was based on a study undertaken by Future Nature, the consultancy aspect of the Berks, Bucks, Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), and was based on the total annual carbon sequestration across the whole of West Berkshire Council’s land holdings for the existing established habitat.

Councillor Boeck queried who was undertaking the sequestration. Councillor Gourley explained that the land was owned by West Berkshire Council but leased to BBOWT to conduct and manage.

Councillor Richard Somner commended officers for their hard work and appreciated the acknowledgement of local volunteer groups within the Strategy. Councillor Somner suggested that Members should recognise the level of learning that officers had undertaken, and their creation of an exceptional department which was leading the way for other local authorities.

Councillor Somner commented that it was a shame to see the wildflower verges stop, as they had been well received in most areas. Councillor Gourley commented that a lot of data had been gathered in respect to verges and that there would be a review to see what else could be done with them. Councillor Gourley agreed with the praise for volunteers and commented that it would be impossible to achieve and deliver without them. 

Councillor David Marsh commented that during 2023-24 he had successfully proposed funds for watering trees in drought conditions. Councillor Marsh suggested that there would almost certainly be a drought in the summer and queried whether the Council would continue to water trees.

Councillor Marsh agreed with Councillor Somner that the wildflower verges were important and appreciated by residents, and requested that they continue. 

Councillor Marsh suggested that the current government had launched an attack on the natural world through the planning system and queried whether the Council had a robust plan to counter it. 

Councillor Gourley responded that he would consult with officers in relation to the drought query.

Councillor Gourley commented that the draft Local Plan would be discussed at Council soon and that he supported the environmental aspects of the Plan which would help to protect the Council.

Councillor Nigel Foot commented that there were just over 1,200 km of rural roads within the district which would amount to a significant amount of carbon sequestration. Further Councillor Foot reported that he met regularly with the grounds maintenance contractors and that they were working to only cut the top layer of verges to allow for self-seeding and natural growth.

RESOLVED that: Executive

·       Note the Annual Progress Report on the Environment Strategy (as included in Appendix C) and agree its publication on the Council’s website, and;

·       Approve the Environment Strategy 2025 Refresh (as included in Appendix D) and agree its publication on the Council’s website including the associated Delivery Plan (Appendix E) and Carbon Definitions Report (Appendix F).