Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Officers on what was being planned to address Climate Change.

The Environmental Health Officer presented Members with information on how the Council was addressing Climate Change issues (as attached).  He explained that going forward, updates on progress would be presented to the Panel as appropriate and the Panel would be involved in developing the relevant Policies.

The Chair thanked officers for their report and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

The Assistant Director clarified that the Single Use Plastics Informal Working Group had been established by the Environment and Community Panel and was made up of Councillors, with officer support.  There had also been some officer groups set up to look at climate change and recycling.  Updates on their work would be provided to the Panel as appropriate. 

Councillor de Whalley felt that it was important that there was central co-ordination, which would be undertaken by the Major Projects Board.  He suggested that there should also be a dedicated officer contact.  He asked if the officer groups would have Member input.  The Environmental Health Officer explained that the first task of officers would be to conduct the Council’s Carbon Footprint Audit.  Then the Panel would look at developing policy and strategies as required and considering any decisions prior to their submission to Cabinet.  The Environment and Community Panel could also request updates from the officer groups as required.

Councillor de Whalley also commented that he was concerned about transport emissions as the report had indicated that they had increased.  He stated that the King’s Lynn Transport Study did not consider climate change mitigation and he asked how the Council would work to reduce transport emissions.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that the King’s Lynn Transport Study was addressing issues with the highways networks, capacity and congestion in King’s Lynn and the wider climate change transport impacts of this would be considered as part of the whole district review.

Councillor de Whalley asked for timescales for the work required.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that it was anticipated that the Council’s Audit would take approximately four months to complete and an intern from the UEA would be brought in to lead on the Audit process.  Timescales for the Local Enterprise Partnership work was unknown at this stage.

Councillor Squire asked why the Council’s Local Plan did not require all new builds to be fitted with solar panels.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that the Local Plan Task Group was looking at the impact of climate change and potential policies.  The Environmental Health Manager suggested that Councillor Squire could ask the Local Plan Task Group what was being done to address climate change, and now was the opportune time as the plan was currently under review.  The Chair stated that the requirement of solar panels could make the cost of development too high for some developers and too expensive for some purchasers. 

Councillor Squire also commented that there was a lack of forestry and more planting should be carried out.  The Senior Policy and Performance Officer explained that the Council had adopted a Tree and Woodland Strategy and this would be looked at as part of the Audit work.  The Greenspace Officer also commented that the Council did work with the local community on initiatives such as community projects and tree planting.

Councillor Kemp referred to a report from the Department of Business which stated that King’s Lynn and West Norfolk had the largest increase in emissions because of considerable gas installations.  She also commented that another power station was planned which would increase the impact.  The Environmental Health Officer commented that British Sugar was the current largest point source, with emissions from the power station likely to add going forward, also with Centrica B which was yet to be built.  The Environmental Health Officer explained that these were national infrastructure projects over which the Council had no control.

Councillor Kemp asked how the Council could reduce emissions going forward.  The Environmental Health Manager explained that the first stage would be to look at the Council’s carbon footprint and then the District impact.   Consideration would need to be given to what the Council could control and influence.

Councillor Kemp referred to the King’s Lynn Transport Study and asked why the Council was not considering more park and ride facilities.  The Environmental Health Manager commented that park and ride was being looked at as part of the study.  A car parking study would also be conducted.  The Chair informed Members that they had been invited to a Stakeholders Forum for the King’s Lynn Transport Study and the Regeneration and Development Panel would receive another update on the Study.

Councillor Kemp commented that Members needed to be able to influence the Policies and the Environmental Health Manager explained that the Audit would be made available to Councillors and the Environment and Community Panel would have the opportunity to shape and develop policies and strategies as well as considering and decisions prior to their consideration by the Cabinet.

Councillor Parish addressed the Panel under Standing Order 34.  He informed those present that he was a Member of the Single Use Plastics Informal Working Group, which was meeting later in the week.  He also was a Member of the Local Plan Task Group and he explained that the reason solar panels were not included on all new builds was because it would make the costs of development too high.  He felt that the Council should set an example by considering things such as solar panels on their own housing development.

Councillor Parish also commented that he was the tree warden for Heacham, but did not feel that this was acknowledged by the Council.

RESOLVED: The Panel noted the presentation and that updates would be presented to the Panel as appropriate.