Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies of absence received at the meeting from Panel Members.

Councillor S Martin, Executive Member for Planning and Development tendered apologies.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 12 October 2021.

It was AGREED that the Minutes of the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel held on the 12 October 2022 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman made no announcements at the meeting.

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 this meeting.

To receive any deputations of which notice has been lodged.

A written deputation was received from Anne Stephenson for items 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

At the agreement of the Chairman, the relevant sections of the written statement were read out as appropriate at each agenda item.  

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

The Panel received the deputation as referred to at Minute 5 above.

The Panel received a presentation from the Policy, Engagement and Research Manager providing an overview of the main areas of progress that have been made since the last meeting. The presentation included the projected potential carbon savings from current projects, feedback from the recent Senior Managers’ Workshop and an overview of the carbon footprint calculation for the whole of the Borough. A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

Members enquired about the size of the potential opportunity for a Solar Farm at Hook tip and how this compared with Solar Farms in the Borough. Officers confirmed that the Hook site is smaller. Officers agreed to provide Members with accurate data on how the sizes compare outside of the meeting.

Members also enquired about the proposed switch to a Renewable Electricity Tariff by the Council specifically around what guarantees are offered by the energy provider in the terms of this type of tariff. Officers agreed to look into this further and provide this information to Panel Members in due course.

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

To consider a presentation from the Housing Policy and Development Officer on the environmental upgrades being made to some of the Council’s housing stock.

The Panel received the deputation as referred to at Minute 5 above.

The Panel received a presentation from the Housing Policy and Development Officer detailing the progress that the Housing team has made in making its housing stock more environmentally friendly. A copy of the presentation is appended to these Minutes.

Members enquired as to the percentage of Council houses that are registered as EPC (energy performance certificate) E or lower. Officers explained that EPC ratings are not available on all properties as this the certificate is only obtained on vacant properties and some Council houses have not been empty for many years. The Housing Policy and Development Officer agreed to analysis that data that is available and provide this to Members for information.

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

To consider a presentation from the Policy, Resources and Engagement Manager on the Sustainable Warmth Scheme which can give eligible households access to funding to help provide renewable heating systems and energy efficiency measures to their property.

The Panel received the deputation as referred to at Minute 5 above.

The Panel received a presentation from the Policy, Engagement and Research Manager providing an overview of the Sustainable Warmth Scheme, including the role the Council has and details on how residents can apply for funding.

RESOLVED that the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel note 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 the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel. This will include any decisions taken by individual Members during the same time period.

The Panel received the deputation as referred to at Minute 5 above.

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

The Director of Planning and Regeneration addressed the Panel to remind members that the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel sits within the Planning & Development executive portfolio. All relevant decisions pertaining to the Climate Change Action Plan (performance, monitoring, review and updates) would therefore be brought directly to this Panel for scrutiny.

However, Officers will additionally ensure that all Executive decisions relating to projects associated with the delivery of the Climate Change Action Plan, for example the recent Executive decision - Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) Fuel Pilot, will be highlighted to Members of the Panel within the presentation update at each meeting of the Panel.  This will allow Panel Members to discuss these topics by way of an update, rather than in a formal scrutiny role which will be the function of other Scrutiny Panels.

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

The Panel received the deputation as referred to at Minute 5 above.

The Chairman asked Members of the Panel to consider the scrutiny priorities for the Climate Change Scrutiny Panel.

Members asked that Officers consider the impact that the real Christmas Tree collection service has on the Council’s carbon footprint and if this could be brought to the Panel by way of an update. Officers explained that this matter is already being explored by the Streetscene Service. Once the data has been gathered this will be brought to the Panel through a Climate Change Action Plan Update as appropriate.

Members enquired about the Solent Airport’s progress on reducing its carbon footprint and asked that further details be brought to the Panel. The Director of Planning and Regeneration explained that the Council is in active dialogue with RCA (Regional City Airports) who run the Solent Airport on their plans to reduce their carbon footprint. The Daedalus Scrutiny Panel will receive updates and officers will include this through a Climate Change Action Plan Update as appropriate.

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