Issue - meetings

Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy

 

 

Meeting: 15/07/2021 - Dorset Council (Item 24)

24 Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy pdf icon PDF 63 KB

(a)  To consider a recommendation from Cabinet.

(b)  To consider a report from the Executive Director of Place concerning the response of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Executive Advisory Panel to Notices of Motion tabled by Cllr Daryl Turner and Cllr Kelvin Clayton.  Pages 183 - 199

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment presented the recommendation to adopt the Climate and Ecological Strategy & Action Plan and associated response to the notice(s) of motion of 18 July 2019. This was following Dorset declaring a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019. 

 

In presenting the strategy he advised that it set out key areas where Dorset Council would need to take action to directly reduce carbon emissions to become a carbon neutral Council by 2040 and working with Dorset residents and organisations towards achieving a wider carbon neutral County by 2050. As technologies advanced, he hoped to be able to shorten some of those target dates.  He also thanked officers and the Executive Advisory Panel for their work on the document and consultation process.

 

The Portfolio Holder referred to the report on Climate Change notice(s) of motion tabled by Cllr D Turner and Cllr K Clayton at Dorset Council on 18 July 2019. These were referred to the Climate Change Executive Advisory Panel for consideration. He confirmed that the Strategy and accompanying action plan had been thoroughly researched and costed and set out how all the issues raised in the notice of motions would be addressed.

 

The Portfolio Holder advised that the strategy and action plan had been considered by the informal meetings of Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 12 May 2021 and Cabinet on 18 May 2021. He reminded members that the strategy was a living document that would be constantly amended and updated.

 

The Strategy, Action Plan, and the response to the notices of motion was supported and seconded by Cllr R Hughes.

 

Members spoke largely in support of the strategy as a realistic approach to climate change and carbon emissions in Dorset and acknowledged that there was still much more to do. The following points, comments and questions were raised: -

 

·       Concern was expressed about the lack of ambition of the document, in response the portfolio holder confirmed that the transforming cities fund would be used to encourage people back to cycling and walking.

·       Officers were also engaged with central government to develop a public transport campaign which was at the centre of the ambition for the Dorset Council area. 

·       Grant funding was time limited, but much work had started and an extension to the time limit has also been sought.

·       The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment was working closely with the Portfolio Holder for Planning to address climate issues in the remit of the planning portfolio.

·       Recognised that target dates were realistic, but wherever possible dates would be brought forward.

 

Following discussion, the Chairman asked that the vote be taken on both recommendations together. Upon being put to the vote the “minded to” motion was carried.

 

The Executive Director for Place advised that he noted the result of the “minded to” vote and confirmed that he had read and considered the report before members. He also acknowledged the comments made by the original proposers of the notices of motion of 18  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24

Meeting: 18/05/2021 - Cabinet (Item 10)

10 Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy pdf icon PDF 62 KB

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment set out the recommendation to Full Council in respect of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Consultation Results. In presenting the strategy he referred to the following: -

 

·       The main area of concern remained around the target for the Council to achieve a Carbon neutral position.

·       This was set at an achievable and realistic date of 2040.

·       Where appropriate and in response to public consultation, discussions with Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee and individual members, the strategy and action plan documents had been amended.

·       Highlighted that the strategy was a living document and a short survey remained open for the public to continue to make comments.

·       Further investigations and developments would continue as technologies developed.

·       There was a growth in the detail in respect of Hydrogen energy

·       If adopted and as set out in the Council Plan, the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy document would impact on what and how the council provided its services in the future.

  • The Council was awarded £19 million by Government to spend on properties within the Dorset Council area to reduce carbon emissions and running costs.

·       He thanked officers for their work on the document and consultation process.

 

Following discussion at Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee on 12 May 2021 and having heard the committee debate, the Executive Director for Place confirmed that he was making the following recommendation:

 

“That Cabinet consider the outcomes of the consultation and amendments to the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan and recommended its final approval to Full Council”. 

 

In making this recommendation, the Executive Director confirmed that the recommendation sheet and the extract notes of the informal meeting of Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee were circulated to Cabinet as a supplement to this meeting.

 

The Chairman invited the Chairman of the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee to address the meeting:

 

·       He confirmed that the scrutiny committee discussed the report, acknowledging the budget implications and potential impact on the council tax for the residents of Dorset.

·       If the targets of the strategy were brought forward on a quicker timeframe, that cost burden on the taxpayer could be quite significant.

·       Overall, the scrutiny committee was satisfied the target dates were achievable.

·       Funding needed to be timetabled with performance deadlines and strategic project dates for officers to be able to deliver the strategy.

·       He suggested that the scrutiny committee carry out quarterly performance reviews. 

 

The Chairman invited non-executive members to ask questions of the Portfolio Holder: -

 

  • Misgivings were expressed that further work was required on adaptions, other greenhouse gases and ecology. But minor changes had been welcomed.
  • Most consultees were content with the overall targets.

 

Following debate and the opportunity to ask questions, the Portfolio Holder advised that he intended to recommend that the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy be considered by Full Council for adoption.

 

Cabinet confirmed that they supported this recommendation.

 

Recommendation to Full Council from the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment

 

That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10

Meeting: 12/05/2021 - Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee (Item 14)

14 Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Consultation results and recommended changes to final draft pdf icon PDF 128 KB

To consider a report of the Sustainability Team Manager.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Sustainability Team Manager, which set out the findings of the recent consultation exercise and proposed changes to the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action plan for approval by Cabinet and Full Council.

 

The Sustainability Team Manager gave a presentation which provided an overview of the outcomes from the consultation and the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment made particular reference to the targets within the action plan and thanked officers for their work in this area.

 

The Chairman provided the opportunity for non-committee members to ask questions and discussion was held in the following areas:

 

·            The targets set in the action plan and whether the Council should be more aspirational

·            Use of alternative energy such as hydrogen and discussions being held with energy providers

·            How the Salix funding would be used – further information on projects could be provided as details were confirmed

·            This was a dynamic area of work over a 30 year period – further investigation would continue as technologies developed.

 

The committee considered the issues arising from the report and points were raised in the following areas:

 

·            Changes had been made to the response document based on previous discussions

·            Monitoring of relevant areas would be undertaken through the council’s performance system and there could be a role for scrutiny in monitoring progress

·            The role for the Council in working with and influencing partners such as registered social landlords, and working with communities to provide assistance and guidance where appropriate

·            How work fitted in with the Local Plan process

·            Links to work being undertaken by the committee on grid capacity

·            Budget implications of advancing targets and the potential impact on Council Tax levels.  Financial information had been included in the consultation document

·            How work in this area would be supported financially and funding options to be considered

·            Targets may be able to be advanced if future technology allowed.

 

In order to provide further information to Cabinet and Full Council on the issues in this area, it was proposed by B Heatley that the following wording be added to the recommendation contained in the officer report;

 

‘but noting that

  1. A one page document be produced giving the reasons for and against a target of zero emissions by earlier dates as compared to the dates in the plan; and
  2. There is recognition that within this living document further work will be required on adaptation, other greenhouse gases and ecology, and in response to future technological change.’

 

The proposal did not receive a seconder.

 

The Chairman suggested that some of this information could be considered through future reports to the committee.

 

A comment was made that the strategy was a living document and would need to be regularly reviewed, including target dates.

 

It was proposed by M Roberts seconded by R Adkins

 

The Chairman reminded the committee that they would be making a ‘minded to’ recommendation in accordance with the decision of the Annual Meeting of Council on 4 May  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14

Meeting: 06/04/2021 - Cabinet (Item 123)

123 Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy pdf icon PDF 43 KB

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to report on the recommendation from the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee of 25 March 2021. (The recommendation from Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee is to follow).

Additional documents:

Decision:

Decision

 

That the report be deferred until the next meeting of Cabinet on 18 May 2021.

 

 

Reason for the decision

 

To consider the comments and issues raised by  the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee of 25 March 2021 and the (withdrawn) question received from Cllr B Heatley.

Minutes:

Decision (unanimous)

 

That the report be deferred until the next meeting of Cabinet on 18 May 2021.

 

 

Reason for the decision

 

To consider the comments and issues raised by  the Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee of 25 March 2021 and the (withdrawn) question received from Cllr B Heatley.

Meeting: 25/03/2021 - Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee (Item 44)

44 Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Consultation results and recommended changes to final draft pdf icon PDF 126 KB

To consider a report of the Sustainability Team Manager.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The committee considered a report of the Sustainability Team Manager, which set out the findings of the recent consultation exercise and proposed changes to the Dorset Council Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action plan for approval by Cabinet and Full Council.

 

D Tooke declared an interest as he had been a member of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy Executive Advisory Panel.

 

The following issues arising from the report were raised, which included:

 

·                How the consultation had been undertaken including the use of the short survey, engagement with younger persons and lessons to be learnt

·                The need to consider qualitative information from the survey

·                The future role for Place and Resources Overview Committee in this area

·                Ensuring the timeframe for actions were both realistic and achievable

·                Request for further information to be available for Cabinet to consider.

 

It was proposed by B Heatley seconded by M Roe

 

1)    That Cabinet consider the outcomes of the consultation and amendments to the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan and recommend its final approval to Full Council

2)    That a one page document be produced giving the reasons for and against a target of zero emissions by earlier dates as compared to the dates in the plan

3)    That there is recognition that the plan is incomplete on adaptation, other greenhouse gases and ecology.  The Council should resolve to complete these areas by mid 2023.

 

The committee discussed the timescale proposed in recommendation 3 above and with the agreement of the proposer and seconder, the wording ‘The Council should resolve to complete these areas by mid 2023’ was removed from the recommendation.

 

Recommendation to Cabinet

 

1)    That Cabinet consider the outcomes of the consultation and amendments to the Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy and Action Plan and recommend its final approval to Full Council

2)    That a one page document be produced giving the reasons for and against a target of zero emissions by earlier dates as compared to the dates in the plan

3)    That there is recognition that the plan is incomplete on adaptation, other greenhouse gases and ecology.