Issue - meetings

Report of Director for Environment and Place

Purpose of report

To update Executive on the progress in delivering the Climate Action Programme and the reduction in the council’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020/21.

Recommendations      

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the progress and next steps in the Climate Action Programme.

1.2       To approve the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2020/21 (Appendix 1) for publication on the Council’s website.

1.3       To approve sending this report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Resolved

(1)          That the progress and next steps in the Climate Action Programme be noted.

(2)          That the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2020/21 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication on the Council’s website.

(3)          That approval be given for this report to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Director for Environment and Place submitted a report to update Executive on the progress in delivering the Climate Action Programme and the reduction in the council’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2020/21.

At the discretion of the Chairman, Councillor Woodcock, Leader of the Labour Group, addressed Executive. In response to Councillor Woodcock’s address, the Lead Member for Clean and Green confirmed that the climate agenda would be included as part of the Local Plan review.

Councillor Middleton and Councillor Broad addressed Executive.

In response to Councillor Middleton’s address, the Lead Member for Clean and Green undertook to provide further information regarding climate impact assessments and the green grid electricity contract.

In response to Councill Broad’s address, the Lead Member for Clean and Green undertook to provide information regarding the membership of the Environment Advisory Group.

In response to Councillor Middleton and Councillor Broad’s comments regarding the need for speed in this area, the Chairman highlighted the importance of ensuring that there was not action before feasibility checks as to lead by example, the council needed to ensure it had its own house in order.  

Resolved

(1)           That the progress and next steps in the Climate Action Programme be noted.

(2)           That the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2020/21 (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved for publication on the Council’s website.

(3)           That approval be given for this report to be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons

Cherwell District Council committed to being carbon neutral by 2030 and to enabling the district’s transition to a zero-carbon future. This paper provides an update on the work being done through the joint Climate Action Programme across its three areas: Becoming a climate actions council; Operating at net-zero by 2030; and, Enabling a zero-carbon future for Cherwell.

Annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting of the councils own carbon footprint is expected as good practice by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Cherwell District Council (CDC) has produced GHG reports in most years since 2008/09 and will report annually in line with its climate action commitments.

Alternative options

Option 1: Executive do not approve the publication of the Greenhouse Gas reporting on our website. This is not recommended as the council has committed to publish progress on carbon reduction as part of our climate framework.