Issue - meetings

Report of Head of Environmental Services

Summary

This report considers the newly drafted Low Carbon Environmental Strategy 2012 as well as the progress of the Use of Natural Resources Group in delivering the Council’s Low Carbon Management Plan.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To approve the Low Carbon Environmental Strategy 2012 and its action plan.

(2)               To note the achievements of the Use of Natural Resources Group in delivering the Carbon Management Plan in 2011/12.

(3)               To note future initiatives of the Use of Natural Resources Group in delivering the Carbon Management Plan in 2012/13.

Recommendations approved, subject to the following additional resolution:

(4)       That officers be requested to include the Low Carbon Energy Strategy 2012 on the agenda of meetings of the Banbury Chamber of Commerce and Bicester Chamber of Commerce.

The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report which sought consideration of the newly drafted Low Carbon Environmental Strategy 2012 as well as the progress of the Use of Natural Resources Group in delivering the Council’s Low Carbon Management Plan.

In introducing the report, the Lead Member for Clean and Green explained that Low Carbon Environmental Strategy 2012 built on the Council’s previous Environmental Strategy. It would help further the success of carbon reduction and energy saving work internally as well as across the district. The Strategy was divided into three main sections “Leading by Example”, “Sustainable Communities – Our district – Our future” and “Working in Partnership and encouraging low carbon initiatives” and an action plan. The Lead Member for Clean and Green advised Executive that a one page summary would be circulated to all Members.

Councillor Patrick Cartledge, Leader of the Labour Group, addressed Executive and welcomed the report and the work being taken to address climate change. He commented that the Strategy focussed on Cherwell District Council and stressed the importance of encouraging local businesses to tackle climate change.

In response to the Labour Group Leaders’ comments, the Lead Member for Clean and Green explained that the focus had been on Cherwell District Council and the Council had been leading the way. It was acknowledged that it was difficult to assess the impact and agreed that officers be requested to request the inclusion of the Low Carbon Energy Strategy 2012 on the agenda of meetings of the Banbury Chamber of Commerce and Bicester Chamber of Commerce.

Executive requested that their thanks to officers for their hard work in producing the Low Carbon Energy Strategy 2012 and their work as part of the Use of Natural Resources Group.

Resolved

(1)               That the Low Carbon Environmental Strategy 2012 and its action plan be approved.

(2)               That the achievements of the Use of Natural Resources Group in delivering the Carbon Management Plan in 2011/12 be noted.

(3)               That future initiatives of the Use of Natural Resources Group in delivering the Carbon Management Plan in 2012/13 be noted.

(4)               That officers be requested to request the inclusion of the Low Carbon Energy Strategy 2012 on the agenda of meetings of the Banbury Chamber of Commerce and Bicester Chamber of Commerce.

Reasons

Key to the internal and external environmental performance of the Council is the Low Carbon Environmental Strategy

The excellent work already achieved by the Use of Natural Resources Group needs to continue to deliver the Carbon Management Plan

Key to reducing energy costs and emissions is the Low Carbon Environmental Strategy as well as the Carbon Management Plan

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