Agenda item

a period of up to 15 minutes is available to deal with questions submitted to the Council in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules;

E.49/20

It was noted that five public questions had been received in accordance with the Executive Procedure Rules for consideration at this meeting.  These were as follows:

1.    From Barbara Phillips:

In anticipation of the Council's adoption of its Climate and Biodiversity Strategy today, what measures will you now take to ensure that all the Council's policies and actions align with and are consistent with this Strategy?

2.    From Caroline Snow:

In the South Hams, 33% of carbon emissions are produced by business, including farming, which also has the capacity to remove atmospheric carbon. When and how will the Council discuss with landowners, farmers and farming organisations, including the NFU, the best way to reduce emissions in this sector?

3.    From John Cummings:

Will the Council consider a motion to support the Climate & Ecological Emergency Bill, now before Parliament? ceebill.uk  This will legally require central government to give local councils the support they need to help keep average global warming below 1.5°C.

Combined Response to Questions 1 – 3:

As set out in detail in the report to Council later today, the Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy sets out the background and context and the Action Plan sets out how the Council will, initially, approach achieving its declared aims. The report also clearly states that the Action plan will be continually evolving. In order to work towards the aims, it is recognised that consideration will need to be given to the impacts on climate change and biodiversity of both existing policies and proposed actions. This assessment will be undertaken through implementation of the Action Plan. In a similar way, and specifically through development of the Devon Carbon Plan and its associated Action Plan, the Council and its partners will work closely with the Agricultural Sector to secure carbon reductions in this key area. The Strategy, and covering report, recognises the need for the Council to work with partners locally, regionally and nationally to meet the complex challenges that we all face but also recognises where the Council can have the most influence and where other partners are better placed to take the lead. In terms of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, the Council supports the high level principles but will need to properly assess the contents and implications of the Bill further before making an informed decision in this regard.

4.    From Peter Scott:

How will SHDC ensure that there will be enough skilled workforce to deliver the Green Homes scheme locally and ensure the necessary retraining is done, given the current national failure on this? Does SHDC take retrofitting seriously, given the immense task ahead?

Response:

The Council fully recognises the benefits and importance of retrofitting and improving the energy efficiency of existing housing stock and has been active in this area for a number of years now improving thousands of properties during this time. It is also recognised that the nature of the housing stock in the area and the national demand for qualified installers increases the size of the challenge that we face as a community. The Council is actively working with Community Energy Groups and other partners to develop local supply chains and will be working with partners through ongoing Economic Recovery Plans to identify skills shortages and opportunities in this area.

5.    From Angie Greenham:

(Ref. the Draft Housing Strategy and ‘utilising modern energy efficient methods of construction’)

What contractual commitments, memoranda of understanding or other written or verbal undertakings have been entered into, if any, with manufacturer(s) of modular housing and, if so, on what basis and by what process was a manufacturer selected and when were these agreements reached?

Response:

We are very interested in modular technology, recognising the quality of build and speed of construction benefits.  We have visited multiple manufacturers factories and spoken with others, including Ideal Modular, Premier Modular, Hexxhome and Caledonian.  However, at the current time, we have no contracts or undertakings with any manufacturers.  Should we wish to enter into any contracts in the future we would do so in accordance with procurement regulations and policies.