|
Subject: |
2030 Carbon Neutral Programme – Extract from the proceedings of the Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on the 18 March 2021 |
|||
|
Date of Meeting: |
25 March 2021 |
|||
|
Report of: |
Executive Lead Officer for Strategy, Governance & Law |
|||
|
Contact Officer: |
Name: |
Mark Wall |
Tel: |
01273 291006 |
|
|
E-mail: |
|||
|
Wards Affected: |
All |
|||
For general release
|
Action Required of Council: To receive the report from the Policy & Resources Committee for information. |
|
Recommendation: |
|
That the report be noted.
|
Brighton & Hove City Council
Policy & Resources Committee
4.00pm18 March 2021
Virtual teams meeting
MINUTE EXTRACT
|
Present: Councillor Mac Cafferty (Chair) Druitt (Joint Deputy Chair), Gibson (Joint Deputy Chair), Platts (Opposition Spokesperson), Allcock, Clare, Miller, Simson, Wilkinson and Yates. |
|
Also present: Dr Anusree Biswas Sasidharan, Standing Invitee. |
PART ONE
161 2030 CARBON NEUTRAL PROGRAMME
161.1 The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture, which outlined the 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme that was a co-ordinated programme of projects that aimed to help the city address the climate crisis.
161.2 The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture stated that the report sought approval for the programme which sought to achieve a carbon neutral city by 2030. He noted that there were five thematic areas which were supported by six cross-cutting themes and that engagement from organisations both within and outside of the city would be required if the objective was to be achieved.
161.3 Councillor Miller moved an amendment to the recommendations on behalf of the Conservative Group, which sought the deletion of recommendation 2.5. He stated that given the significant level of spend that would be required it was felt that the committee should have closer oversight and therefore regular reports to future meetings.
161.4 Councillor Simson formally seconded the amendment.
161.5 Members of the committee welcomed the report and sought clarification on various points including the impact on greenhouse emissions with the improvements to the built environment and the Warmer Homes programme. Members also queried whether there were sufficient resources to take the programme forward and noted the need to bring other organisations on board if the target of 2030 was t be achieved.
161.6 The Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture stated that there was an aim to reduce emissions and this was detailed under the energy theme rather that built environment, although it would cut across both themes. He also noted that there would be a new Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that would be reported on regularly and that all Directorate Plans incorporated the objective to achieve a carbon neutral city by 2030. The recent Budget Council meeting had also approved resources for additional posts to support the programme and these were being recruited to. In regard to the amendment he noted that no changes to the current arrangements were being proposed and that the Carbon 2030m Working Group would have oversight. However, if carried it would mean some reports having to come to committee for project approval which would add a potential delay and more work for officers.
161.7 The Chair thanked everyone for their comments and then put the amendment to the vote which was carried by 6 votes 3 with 1 abstention.
161.8 The Chair then put the recommendations as amended to the vote which were agreed,
161.9 RESOLVED:
(1) That the 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme be approved;
(2) That the oversight of the Sustainability & Carbon Reduction Investment Fund (SCRIF) is transferred from the cross-party SCRIF Member Oversight Group (MOG) to the cross-party 2030 Carbon Neutral Member Working Group, and the SCRIF MOG is stood down;
(3) That the 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme which is attached in Appendix 1 be approved;
(4) That the transfer of oversight of the Sustainability & Carbon Reduction Investment Fund from the cross-party SCRIF Member Oversight Group (MOG) to the cross-party 2030 Carbon Neutral Member Working Group and the ending of the SCRIF MOG be approved;
(5) That the updated draft Terms of Reference for the 2030 Carbon Neutral Member Working Group, which is attached in Appendix 2, and the ending of the SCRIF MOG be approved;
(6) That the overall unallocated SCRIF resources to support the 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme is £7.118m, of which £3.9m will be allocated alongside the Local Transport Plan investment programme and £3.218m will be allocated through the SCRIF be noted; and
(7) That the establishment of the Climate Assembly Action Capital Investment Fund of £1.404m to support the 2030 Carbon Neutral Programme be noted.