Agenda item

A report from the Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Operations is attached.

Councillor Alan Quinn, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Operations, presented the report which outlined the proposed arrangements to oversee the implementation and governance of the Climate Action Strategy and Action Plan developed in response to the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency in 2019.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.   Noted the findings of the public consultation and the post consultation revisions, comments, and updates;

2.   Adopted the updated Climate Action Strategy with a target of achieving carbon-neutrality by 2038;

3.   Adopted the Climate Action Plan, which will be reviewed annually;

4.   Approved the proposed arrangement for implementation and governance as set out in this report and delegate authority to the Director of Operations in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Climate Change and Operations and Monitoring Officer to agree amendments to the governance arrangements if needed to ensure effective delivery; and

5.   Approved the method outlined for distributing the Community Climate Action Fund and delegate authority to the Director of Operations in consultation with the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Climate Change and Operations to agree amendments to the arrangements if needed to ensure effective delivery.

Reasons for the decision:

We have declared a Climate Emergency and have committed to achieving carbon neutrality in the Let’s do it strategy by 2038.

Other options considered and rejected:

The Council could attempt to achieve carbon neutrality by 2038 without a Strategy or Action Plan. This option has been considered and rejected as the Council and its partners would be unclear on their priorities and how to deliver them.