Agenda item

E.12/21           

In line with the Council resolution to adopt the Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan at its meeting held on 17 December 2020, the Executive received a report that set out the progress that had been made on the Action Plan in the last six months (Minute 28/20 refers).

In discussion, reference was made to:-

(a)  the progress being made by the Council in comparison to other local authorities.  When questioned, the Leader informed that the Council was comparing favourably in its progress in the delivery of its Climate Change and Biodiversity Action Plan.  To expand upon this viewpoint, the Leader advised that a number of local authorities were struggling to recruit a lead officer.  As a result, a number of Members paid tribute to the efforts being made by the Council and thanked the lead officer for his work in this regard;

(b)  the £3,000 per Member Sustainable Community Local Fund expenditure for local Climate Change and Biodiversity projects.  When questioned on progress towards a launch date, the lead officer informed that he was to meet with colleagues who were finalising a web based application scheme later in the week.  Following this meeting, it was his intention to provide an update on both the Fund and the Crowdfunder Platform to all Members via the weekly Bulletin newsletter.  Nonetheless, it was his hope that both the Fund and Crowdfunder initiative would be formally launched within the next few weeks;

(c)  information published on the Council website.  Officers committed to ensuring that more up to date information was uploaded on to the Council website.  In addition, it was also agreed that the details of the Community Forum representatives would also be included on the website.  Specifically regarding the Community Forum, a request was also made for consideration to be given to developing a means by which elected Members could be involved in the Forum;

(d)  the feasibility study into solar over Council Car Parks and other assets.  In welcoming the study, a Member asked if he could be in receipt of a copy of the Terms of Reference that would accompany this study;

(e)  the carbon literacy training proposed for the Council’s Senior and Extended Leadership Teams.  A Member questioned whether the proposed training could be extended to a wider audience that could include interested elected Members.  In reply, officers confirmed that they would check with the provider of the training and inform the interested Member accordingly;

(f)   the measuring of carbon reductions.  A Member expressed his long held concern that the current Action Plan was lacking both how the Council proposed to reach its target of net zero for carbon and how such reductions were proposed to be measured;

(g)  Action Plan 3.5 ‘ring fencing and promoting a percentage of Members Grant schemes towards tree planting schemes’.  Given the amount already taking place in the South Hams, a Member questioned the need to ringfence monies towards tree planting schemes.  In debate, the Executive agreed with this comment and it was agreed that the Action Plan would therefore be amended;

(h)  simplifying the terminology around the Climate Change and Biodiversity agenda.  A Member felt that there was a current disconnect between public interest and public engagement in Climate Change and Biodiversity.  As a consequence, there was considered to be a need to simplify some of the language and terminology in an attempt to improve public engagement across the district.  In agreement, the Leader cited the recent Carbon Savvy campaign as an example of the need for more understandable language to ensure a greater level of consultation responses were obtained and asked that the lead officer reflect this point back to those who had led the campaign.

It was then:

rESOLVED

That the progress made against delivery of the adopted Climate Change and Biodiversity Action Plan be noted.