Agenda and minutes

Venue: Meeting Room 2-4 - Second Floor, King's Court, Chapel Street, King's Lynn. View directions

Contact: Wendy Vincent, Democratic Services Officer, 01553 616377, Email:  wendy.vincent@west-norfolk.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C J Crofts and J Moriarty.

 

2.

Notes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

The notes of the previous meeting held on 15 July 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

 

3.

Matters Arising

Minutes:

There were no matters arising.

 

4.

Declarations of Interest

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Members should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

 

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

5.

Urgent Business

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Minutes:

There was no urgent business.

 

6.

Members Present Pursuant to Standing Order 34

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.  Any Member attending the meeting under Standing Order 34 will only be permitted to speak on those items which have been previously notified to the Chairman.

Minutes:

Councillor I Devereux, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Councillor A Tyler.

 

 

7.

Chairman's Correspondence (if any)

Minutes:

There was no Chairman’s correspondence.

 

8.

Local Plan Review approach to environmental matters - Presentation from Klimate Concern pdf icon PDF 164 KB

Minutes:

The Chair, Councillor Blunt invited those present to introduce themselves and explained the purpose of the meeting.

 

The Planning Policy Team provided an overview of the current position with the Borough Council’s Local Plan with regard to climate change, which included an explanation of understanding the SCATTER model (setting, city, area, targets and Trajectories for emissions, reduction).  A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes.

 

The Task Group received a presentation from KLimate Concern which covered the following:

 

·         The climate change challenge for West Norfolk, its communities, businesses, environment and transport infrastructure.

·         Why we need a revised local plan with a clear strategy for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

·         Why we need a local climate change partnership to develop and test solutions and inform the plan.

 

In response to a question whether the boundaries of the AONB could be extended to improve green space, the Portfolio Holder for Environment referred to the Glover report which undertook a review of AONBs and national parks and advised that he sat on the member group which did good work and ensured that the Council’s voice was heard at a national level.  Those present were also provided with details on the Habitat Regulation levy which every new house built had to pay.  The levy generated income which was used to protect identified sensitive European sites (SACs, SPAs, NNRs).

 

The Chair/Planning Policy Team responded to questions in relation to:

 

·         The council’s Climate Change Strategy adopted in 2008.

·         Business Industry data 2005.

·         Borough Council potential mandatory requirement could be to request a statement of climate change with all planning applications.  It was highlighted that mechanisms would need to be put in place on scoring, targets and monitoring arrangements.

·         Importance of bringing key stakeholders and the general public together by a combination of education and encouragement.

·         Aim of the Local Plan Task Group to be able to deliver climate change proposals/initiatives.

·         The Local Plan Review timetable which was available on the Borough Council’s website.

·         Benefits of using the SCATTER model.

·         Habitat Regulations levy (currently £50 per new property) which was used for mitigation purposes.

·         Steps required to address climate change issues which would include encouragement and education.

·         Legal requirement for the Borough Council to have a climate change policy within the Local Plan and monitoring arrangements to be established.

·         Role of the Local Plan Task Group to identify realistic measures which could be taken and delivered to achieve required targets to reach the Government zero carbon target by 2050.

·         Borough Council’s interest in identifying a national solution and understanding what the council could do to reduce the carbon footprint in the Borough.

·         Variety of solar panels that could be placed on residential properties.

·         Role of the Neighbourhood Plan.

 

Under Standing Order 34, Councillor A Tyler addressed the Task Group and commented that he had read articles relating to climate change and added that climate change did not just relate to scientific matters, but included political structures, economic and social factors.

 

Councillor Joyce asked if  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 4 September at 11.15 am in the Kempe Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.

Minutes:

4 September 2019, 11.15 am, Kempe Room, Town Hall, King’s Lynn.