Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the Meeting held on 7^th September, 2022 (previously circulated). 

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7^th October 2022 were signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Members are reminded that the Committee agreed to look at the 4 Corporate Plan priorities for 2030, with a meeting being arranged for each priority.  To add value by considering to what extent the Council has delivered on the outcomes.

The Chair welcomed the Director of Communities & the Environment, the Head of Public Realm and the Business Improvement and Project Lead to the meeting.

The Committee was given details on the City Council’s progress in tackling Climate Change since the Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 with the aim to be Zero Carbon by 2030.

With regard to Public Realm, the introduction of route optimising had seen a reduction of 37 tons in CO 2 emissions with the Council now owning 2 electric bin wagons. Recycling continued to increase and a pilot in Heysham introducing recycling wheelie bins was about to start.

It was reported that the Council had planted 12,000 trees and was working with Community Interest Companies to introduce more biodiversity within the district. The Council was also working with local communities to have flood plans in place with 15 now established across the district.

The Committee then received a presentation which gave details of the many innovations that had been implemented across the Council. When the Climate Change Emergency had been declared the Council’s emissions were :-

59.5% from heating buildings (gas)

39.4% generated from fleet (diesel)

1% from casual business travel

Total: 3,370 t(CO2e) p/a

It was reported that Salt Ayre Leisure Centre emissions comprised of 30-35% of the Council’s energy consumptions therefore was the first building to be reviewed. £6.8 million of Government funding was secured to install a heat pump, a 1 MW solar array, glazing and LED lighting successfully making the building carbon neutral. As there was an underspend on the project, work was undertaken on ten other buildings to provide improvements such as glazing and LED lighting.

Members were given details of the Co-Wheels project which was open to the public who could book an electric car out of hours. Three more cars were about to be introduced which could be booked 24/7.

Information on future projects was given such as a dollar array at Burrow Beck, replacement boilers, heat networks and work on the Council Housing stock.

Members asked questions relating to planning permissions and community pools.

Resolved :-

That the Director of Communities & the Environment, the Head of Public Realm and the Business Improvement and Project Lead be thanked for their attendance at the meeting.

The updated Work Programme is attached.

Members of the Committee noted the updated Work Programme. The Chair advised that the Investment Strategy Task Group had yet to meet as officer support was currently unavailable due to the budget setting process.

It was noted the Planning Informal Task Group would be meeting next month.

It was agreed that the work of the Sustainable Investment Strategy Task Group be postponed until after May 2023.

Resolved :-

(1)   That the updated Work Programme be noted.

(2)   That the work of the Sustainable Investment Strategy Task Group be postponed until after May 2023.