Agenda and minutes

Venue: This will be a virtual, online meeting.

Contact: Candida Mckelvey, Democratic Services Officer 

Items
No. Item

40.

Chair's announcements

To receive any announcements from the chair and general housekeeping matters.

Minutes:

The chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

The chair updated the committee on some news regarding Faringdon Leisure Centre – independent external funding had been secured for green works. Replacement of the gas boilers with heat source pumps and potentially solar. Work had started quickly with the council’s leisure team, starting in March 2021.

 

The chair informed the committee that at Vale scrutiny committee, a joint task and finish group had been agreed to with South scrutiny committee. This will be focussed on investigating how we can source the retrofit skills needed locally for carrying out works for the ‘Green Home Grants’. These were extended and have now stopped, but due to be replaced with something else.

 

From now on, reports sent to committees, Cabinet and Council would include a section on environmental implications, just as there was a section for legal and financial implications.

 

The Town and Parish Council Forum on 24th May would have a focus on the environment, to share ideas and what worked well.

 

Chair added that the committee were due to review the trees policy in the next meeting planned for 14 June 2021. There could be a subset to the Biodiversity Working Group.

 

 

41.

Apologies for absence

To record apologies for absence and the attendance of substitute members.

Minutes:

Councillor Amos Duveen sent apologies.

Cabinet member, Councillor Debby Hallett, intended to introduce an item but had to send her apologies.

42.

Declarations of interest

To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

43.

Urgent business

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

44.

Minutes of the last meeting pdf icon PDF 113 KB

To review the minutes of the meeting on 14 December 2020, and if agreed as a correct record, for the chair to sign them as such.

Minutes:

The minutes of 14 December 2020 were agreed to be a correct record of the meeting, and the chair will sign them as such.

45.

Public participation

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

Minutes:

There was no public participation.

46.

CEAC review pdf icon PDF 743 KB

A review of Committee and Cabinet feedback on the effectiveness of the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee (CEAC) to date, and its alignment to the Vale of White Horse District Council Corporate Plan 2020-2024. Make any recommendations to Cabinet.

Introduced by Councillor David Grant

Officer – Michelle Wells

Minutes:

Councillor Grant introduced the report, which is a review the CEAC’s effectiveness a year from establishment.  What worked, and what would you change? The report presented today had been produced by council officers to analyse the results of the Vale CEAC review surveys. There were two surveys - one for committee members and another survey for Cabinet members.

 

Councillor Grant explained that tonight, the focus was on reviewing the output of the surveys, and in particular, the recommendations within. It was mentioned that we now have two Climate Action Lead Officers – Elizabeth Kingdom had joined the Insight and Policy team, so there was an increased resource for this work.

 

The information gained would be used to help shape the recommendations, thus improving the effectiveness of the committee. Ensuring that the work of committee aligned with the aims and objectives of the Vale Corporate Plan.

 

Vale CEAC did not favour a change of name. The committee also felt that quarterly meetings were sensible. However, the dates would need to be planned to fit in with key Corporate Plan milestones. Potentially, any key consultations that fall outside of CEAC meeting dates, could be picked up through Task and Finish groups.

 

Summary of key findings of the surveys, as listed in the report:

  • “The majority of contributors to both the CEAC and Cabinet surveys believed that the committee had fulfilled most aspects of its advisory role effectively.
  • CEAC members consistently highlighted the need to increase the level of resource given to both the work of the committee and the wider climate change agenda if meaningful progress was to be achieved.
  • The overwhelming majority of respondents to the CEAC survey considered that the meetings of the committee had been productive and well structured.
  • Most contributors did not want the name of the committee changed from CEAC to CEEAC.
  • Contributors wished to see the CEAC be kept informed about the advancement of the Corporate Plan – with possibly an enhanced scrutiny role in relation to relevant projects and themes.

 

The committee reviewed the key findings and agreed with the recommendations proposed within.  These included the following recommendations to Cabinet. 

 

Recommended to Cabinet:

 

·       That the committee plays a formal role in the monitoring of the Corporate Plan 2020-24 and reviews the quarterly performance reports that are part of the council’s performance management framework.  (This will allow the committee to provide advice and guidance to Cabinet on the delivery of projects in relation to the tackling the climate emergency.  The Corporate Plan 2020-24 has been designed to be agile, so projects within the plan will bend, flex and evolve, which further supports the need for the committee to play a key role in advising on its delivery.  The committee’s meetings calendar will align with the corporate plan’s quarterly performance monitoring cycle.) 

·       That task and finish groups are established to work alongside officers on the Corporate Plan, communications and engagement, Zero Carbon definition, and relevant consultations.  (They will report to the Climate Emergency Advisory Committee on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

47.

CEAC Climate Action and Biodiversity Work Programme 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 218 KB

For committee to note the contents of the report and progress of the work programme, and to make any recommendations to Cabinet.

Introduced by Councillors Catherine Webber and Debby Hallett.

Officer – Michelle Wells

Minutes:

Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Catherine Webber, introduced the Biodiversity Work Programme 2021-22.

It was a strategic response to the Corporate Plan, the carbon neutral target set by the council, and the climate emergency declaration. To bring performance reports to the CEAC to review, check and challenge against CEAC projects.

 

The committee reviewed the report and asked a few questions on the formatting of the report which was explained.

 

The committee noted the progress to date on the climate action and biodiversity work programme for 2021/22. 

 

Recommended to Cabinet to approve the 2021/22 climate action and biodiversity work programme. 

 

 

 

48.

Climate Action Plan Development pdf icon PDF 544 KB

For the committee to review the proposed development process for The Vale of White Horse Climate Action Plan 2021-24 and internal governance structure to support development and implementation once the plan is approved.

CEAC to make recommendations to Cabinet regarding the proposed developed process for the Climate Action Plan.

Introduced by Councillors Catherine Webber and Debby Hallett

Officer – Andy Egan

Minutes:

Cabinet member, Councillor Webber, introduced the Climate Action Plan Development. Year one focussed on the carbon baseline. Up to 2024, the action plan is a named commitment in the Corporate Plan.

 

A discussion was had regarding ensuring data is meaningful. It was expressed that involving County was important and keeping up good communications. Good work was happening. The framework was welcomed.

Committee asked how the “green champions” would work. Andy Egan, Climate Action Lead, explained that there would be genuine ownership – champions would have passion, knowledge, and the skills to lead and motivate.

 

The development of the Climate Action Plan will be informed by carbon emissions modelling to provide the council’s roadmap to achieving their carbon reduction targets. 

 

Committee decided to agree to the proposed methodology.

 

Recommended to Cabinet to adopt the proposed methodology/developed process for the Climate Action Plan. 

49.

Biodiversity Action Working Group pdf icon PDF 153 KB

For Committee to note the report on the establishment of a joint South and Vale member and officer Biodiversity Working Group to assist the Council in scoping Corporate Plan 2020-24 biodiversity projects to tackle the climate emergency. To make recommendations to Cabinet.

 

Introduced by Councillor David Grant

Officer – Andy Egan

Minutes:

Councillor Grant introduced this item and explained that the “working” part of the title was important, as was preferred to the previously used “steering”.

 

Rewilding was best to lock up carbon. Joint working with South CEEAC was proposed, with officers and members. Bring expertise together. There would be three nominated Councillors per district, nominated by Cabinet, and select officers.

 

The tree planting policy may be ready for Autumn 2021 and is important to residents.

 

The committee were supportive of joint working and welcomed an increase in this.

 

Recommended to Cabinet to establish a joint South and Vale member and officer Biodiversity Working Group to assist the council in scoping Corporate Plan 2020-24 biodiversity projects to tackle the climate emergency, which are currently subject to future discretionary growth. 

 

CEAC members should contact Councillor Webber if they are interested in getting involved.

50.

DEFRA Consultation on environmental principles

For the committee to review the consultation documents at the following link:

DEFRA Consultation launched on environmental principles

 

For the committee to appoint a task and finish group for this workstream.

 

Introduced by Councillor David Grant

Minutes:

The consultation will start on 17 May 2021, and Councillor Grant envisaged a task and finish group for this task. The end date for consultation was 02 June. The committee would be invited to attend to provide their input.

51.

NPPF Task and Finish Group

Councillor David Grant will update the committee on the NPPF Task and Finish Group.

Minutes:

Councillor Batts introduced the item and expressed that there was a positive and proactive approach from the District. The recommendations had been sent to Cabinet to include in the response to Government.

 

Councillor Grant, before closing the meeting, mentioned that the intention was to keep the meeting set for 14 June 2021. The tree planting policy will be an item at this meeting. Future meetings would reflect the Corporate Plan timetable.

 

Contact us - Democratic services

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Vale of White Horse District Council
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OX14 3JE