Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director Environment Services

***Please note this report will be to follow***

Resolved

(1)          That the significant progress in the Council moving towards net zero by 2030 be noted.

(2)          That the proposed carbon management plans (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) in making further steps to reach net zero by 2030 be supported and approved.

The Assistant Director Environmental Services submitted a report which set out the Carbon Management Plans for the period of 2022-2025 to guide the Council towards its net zero target.

Councillor Broad addressed Executive acknowledging and commending the work that had been done the council’s estate to date. His understanding however, when the council declared a Climate Change Emergency in 2019 was that the intention was to bring the district to net zero by 2030 and the report only referred to the council’s actions. Councillor Broad commented that achieving net zero across the district was closely linked to planning developments in the Local Plan review and in the future. He had hoped the Local Plan review would address these issues however the Member advisory sub-group, of which he was a member, had not been engaged in the review process to date and it now seemed too late which was disappointing as he was keen to be involved.   

In response to Councillor Broad’s address, the Chairman explained that with regards climate change, the council had no direct control over district wide emissions and could only change the way it did things for its own climate management and 2030 net zero commitment. The council did however have a duty and responsibility to be a facilitator  encouraging stakeholders, businesses and residents to move forward district wide carbon management. With regards the climate change agenda within the Cherwell Local Plan, this could be built on and there would be a role for engagement with Members at different stages in the process.

The Portfolio Holder for Cleaner and Greener Communities added that whilst the council could not commit the district to carbon zero, as the Chairman had highlighted it had a facilitating role and was already leading by example.

In relation to the Local Plan Advisory Sub-Group, the Portfolio Holder for Planning confirmed that the sub-group would meet well in advance of Executive considering the Cherwell Local Plan for consultation at its 7 November meeting.

Resolved

(1)          That the significant progress in the Council moving towards net zero by 2030 be noted.

(2)          That the proposed carbon management plans (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) in making further steps to reach net zero by 2030 be supported and approved.

Reasons

The Carbon Management Plans set out plans for this year and future years to reduce the overall emissions of the Council in its journey to reach net zero by 2030. 

Alternative options

Option 1: To adopt the proposed carbon management plans.

Option 2: To reject the proposed carbon management plans and ask officers to reconsider the overall management plans