Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors, Ms C Bainbridge and S Dugan.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 09 March 2022.

It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel held on the 09 March 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman made the following announcement –

I wanted to comment on today’s press release regarding UPOWA’s purchase of the new unit at the Faraday business park. The company’s Director was quoted as saying, that one of the main reasons for choosing the unit is due to its energy efficient and forward-thinking design. This is a testament to the investment in environmental technology that Fareham Borough Council has made in building the new units, consistent with the Climate Change Action Plan.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in accordance with the Standing Orders and Council’s Code of Conduct and disclosures of advice or directions received from Group Leaders or Political Groups, in accordance with Council’s Constitution.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

A deputation was received from Anne Stephenson from Fareham and Gosport Friends of the Earth on items 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Andy Rolfe attended the meeting to read the deputation out on Annes behalf.

To receive a presentation from the Director of Planning and Regeneration providing and overview of the purpose and priorities of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel.

The Panel received a presentation from the Director of Planning and Regeneration which provided an overview for Members on the role and functions of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel.

Members queried their ability to influence the Executive to make changes to the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP). The Director of Planning and Regeneration explained that the Panel has a unique function in that it directly influences the work within the CCAP. At every meeting an update on the CCAP is brought to the Panel to provide Members with the opportunity to comment on the scope of and priority given to future projects.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the contents of the presentation and made comments and raised questions for clarification.

To receive a presentation from the Policy, Research and Engagement Manager on the Council’s updated Carbon Footprint calculations.

The Panel received a presentation from the Policy, Research and Engagement Officer, Alex Jolley, on the Council’s Carbon Footprint. The presentation provided details on recent carbon footprint calculations and detailed analysis of the changes in the Council’s operational emissions.

Members raised concerns over the gas usage of some of the Council’s community buildings, and in particular the Leisure Centres, as this equates to large amounts of CO2 within the Borough. Officers explained that this is a key focus for both the Policy and Leisure and Community Departments. Leisure Centres use very high amounts of energy which is a national problem. Discussions are already taking place with Everyone Active, who run both the Holly Hill and Fareham Leisure Centres, to work with them in tackling this issue long term.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the contents of the presentation.

To consider an update from the Policy, Research and Engagement Manager on prevailing climate change matters. 

The Panel received a presentation from the Policy, Research and Engagement Manager providing an annual review of the Council’s The Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) which was approved by the 7 June 2020 Executive.

A public document providing an overview of the main areas of progress that have been made since the CCAP was first presented to the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel on the 27 May 2021 was presented to the Panel as Appendix A. Officers went through the document page by page and explained the content in detail allowing Members to ask questions for clarification.

Members agreed the annual review provided a positive overview and it is clear that the Council is moving in the right direction with the CCAP.

RESOLVED that the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel note and comment on the contents of the review document in Appendix A.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of Planning and Development Portfolio. This will include any decisions taken by individual Members during the same time period.

There were no items of Executive Business for the Panel to consider.

To provide an opportunity for Members to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Climate Change Panel.

The Panel considered the priorities for the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel for the new municipal year. Several items were discussed and at the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor K K Trott addressed the Panel to suggest that the Asset Management Team be asked to attend in order to provide Members with an overview of the work being undertaken to reduce the carbon footprint of the Civic Offices.

The Director of Planning and Regeneration addressed the Committee to summarise the items that had been discussed. The proposed agenda items are as follows: -

      i.        Building Control Partnership, to present information on the changes to the building regulations in relation to Climate Change.

    ii.        Climate Change Action Plan Programme: To provide a report on the timed project programme.

   iii.        Asset Management Team, to present details on the work to reduce the Civic Offices carbon footprint.

   iv.        Hampshire County Council, a scoping report will be brought to a future meeting of the Panel to allow Members to invite officers from Hampshire County Council to a future meeting of the Panel to explain the plans for carbon neutrality by 2050.

    v.        Streetscene, for the Head of Service to present information to the Panel on the Streetscene services work to reduce emissions across the Borough.

RESOLVED that the Panel considered the Scrutiny Priorities for the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel.