Issue - items at meetings - Eco Schools Programme Update

Report of the Acting Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached).

(1)       That the Sustainability Cabinet Committee note the report.

41.1       The Cabinet Committee considered a report of the Acting Director of Strategy & Governance concerning the council’s Eco Schools work and how it fits into a wider Environmental Education programme (for copy see minute book).

41.2       In response to queries from Councillor Steedman, the Head of Sustainability & Environmental Policy explained that while relatively few independent schools were signed up, the eco schools programme already seemed to favour those schools with the highest educational attainment and it was therefore important to consider issues around equalities. He added that school registration was visible the Eco Schools website and that any schools not registered may have chosen to take a different approach to sustainability.

41.3       The Cabinet Member for Housing identified that the east side of the city was particularly underrepresented and supported more work being done in the area to effect change.

41.4       The Chairman praised the work being done with the schools and maintained that it was essential that young people engaged in and understood the importance of sustainability at an early age.

41.5       RESOLVED - That having considered the information and the reasons set out in the report, the Cabinet Committee accepted the following recommendation:

(1)       That the report be noted.