Agenda and draft minutes

No apologies of absence were received at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 04 July 2023.

It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel held on the 04 July 2023 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman made the following announcement –

I wanted to share an interesting article from todays press that I thought was topical to share with the Panel. Climate Change has been chosen as the Children’s Word of the Year following a survey by Oxford University Press of more than 5,000 children across the UK.

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.

No declarations of interest were made at this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

No deputations were received at the meeting.

To receive a presentation from Hampshire County Council to explain to the Panel the County’s plans for carbon neutrality by 2050.

The Panel received a presentation from Chitra Nadarajah, The Head of the Climate Change and Environmental Strategy at Hampshire County Council which provided an overview of what is included in the County’s Climate Change Strategy. The presentation provided details on the progress made so far in reaching the target for Hampshire County Council and Hampshire as a whole, to be carbon neutral by 2050. A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

At the invitation of the Chairman, both Councillor S Martin and Mrs K Trott addressed the Panel during discussions on this item.

Members asked several questions pertaining to the contents of the presentation. One of the main areas of focus for Members was around the budget constraints, with the County facing significant financial pressures. Chitra explained that, service areas are responsible for enabling the delivery of the Strategy and the Strategic Framework to meet the targets set, but as central government doesn’t recognise Climate Change as a Statutory function within local authorities, funding is a challenge. Chitra explained that she and her team of four are tasked with ensuring the Climate Change Strategy is embedded across the Council and this work is set to continue moving forward.

The other topic discussed in detail was transport emissions. Fleet emissions is a key area for both the County and Fareham Borough Council in reaching carbon neutrality in their operations. The County are also committed to reducing emissions from the wider transport network in its boundary. Questions were asked about the cuts to public transport and how this effects the targets set in the Strategy. With the County’s Climate Change Strategy mirroring the targets set by central government, Chitra advised these targets will only be reviewed in line with national policies.

Members of the Panel thanked Chitra for her informative presentation and for the excellent work that she and her team are doing.

RESOLVED that the Panel notes the contents of the presentation.

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

The Panel received an update on the Climate Change Action Plan from both the Policy, Research and Engagement Manager and Officer. The presentation provided an overview of the main areas of progress that have been made since the last update to the Panel in July 2023.

Members enquired about the electric vehicle charging points that are to be installed at the new Fareham Live car park and asked if consideration had been given to increasing the number of spaces as more and more people move over to using electric vehicles. Officers reassured Members that although, initially only four spaces will be provided, this can increase to sixteen if demand changes over time. It was highlighted that with the potential increase in public transport and change to people’s car habits, this type of infrastructure does need to be monitored and evolve over time.

Questions were also raised by Members about the proposed Hook Solar Farm as this is a significant project and a new area for the Council. Officers advised that although the Executive report, once published, will provide a lot more details, the project will take several years to develop with Officers undertaking robust research into technology available to ensure the best return for the Council.

Members also asked if further consideration had been given to encouraging residents to take part in the Greening Campaign. Previous attempts to engage with the community had not been successful but Members asked that a new approach be investigated. Officers agreed that this would be explored.

RESOLVED that the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel notes the contents of the presentation.

To consider any items of business dealt with by the Executive since the last meeting of the Panel, that falls under the remit of Climate Change Scrutiny Panel. 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. All recent Executive Decision of interest were highlighted to Members within the presentation at item 7.

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

The Panel were asked to consider the Scrutiny Priorities for the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel.

Members asked that Everyone Active be asked to present to the Panel to provide details on both the Fareham and Holly Hill Leisure Centre’s roles in reducing the Council’s scope 3 emissions. Officers agreed that this would be considered for the 2024/25 municipal year.

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