Agenda item

CM 23

Consideration was given to a report that sought adoption of the draft Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

In discussion, the following points were raised:

(a)    Some Members stated the importance of progress being made on the establishment of a Cycle Route along the A386;

(b)    Officers confirmed that the Plan had been produced in close liaison with colleagues at Devon County Council;

(c)     A Member felt that the Plan did not necessarily reflect the key role that could be played by South West Water in investigating the issues and capacity for hydropower in the Borough area;

(d)    In response to a request, the proposer and seconder of the motion agreed to include the following additional wording within part 1 of their recommendation:

‘That the Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy (as set out at Appendix 1 of the presented agenda report and including an updated Action Plan) be adopted, subject to point 1 on page 70 of the presented agenda report being amended to read:

‘Encourage individuals to look at the impact of their diet and support the increase in the consumption of in season, locally produced food across Devon.’

(e)    The close linkages to the Council’s now adopted Recovery Plan were noted by a number of Members;

(f)      In recognition of the rural nature of the Borough and the lack of public transport provision, a Member welcomed the emphasis in the Action Plan being given to Fuel Poverty;

(g)    A number of Members commended the role played by the Working Group and lead officers in producing the draft Strategy and Action Plan.  In terms of next steps, it was recognised that the Working Group would need to now focus on the delivery of some quick achievable outcomes from the adopted Action Plan.

      It was then moved by Cllr M Davies, seconded by Cllr S Hipsey and upon being submitted to the Meeting was declared to be CARRIED and “RESOLVED that:

1.      the Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy (as set out at Appendix 1 of the presented agenda report and including an updated Action Plan) be adopted, subject to point 1 on page 70 of the presented agenda report being amended to read:

‘Encourage individuals to look at the impact of their diet and support the increase in the consumption of in season, locally produced food across Devon.’

2.      it be noted that the Action Plan will be a continually evolving document and that delegated authority be granted to the Director of Governance and Assurance to make revisions to the Plan as and when deemed necessary;

3.      the Terms of Reference of the Hub Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be updated to enable for the Strategy and Action Plan to be updated (by the Hub Committee) and reviewed (by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) on a six-monthly basis;

4.      officers be instructed to establish an officer led Community Forum and hold a quarterly Community Forum meeting with each session focused around a Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy theme; and

5.      the Council puts on record its thanks to the Members of the Climate Change and Biodiversity Working Group for developing the draft Strategy and Action Plan.”