Issue - meetings

That the following be noted and approved:

1.    The progress on actions and approach to key issues as set out in the report with the inclusion of any changes and additions that Cabinet are minded to accept following the feedback from the September 29 Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meeting (shown as Appendix 1).

2.    That a further progress report be submitted to Cabinet in February 2021.

3.    That the proposal to establish a Green Community Grant scheme, as set out in paragraph 6.3.3 of the report, be approved to be funded from the £75,000 Climate budget already established.

Decision

That Cabinet note and approve:

1.     The progress on actions and approach to key issues as set out in the report with the inclusion of any changes and additions that Cabinet are minded to accept following the feedback from the September 29 Strategic Planning and Environment Overview and Scrutiny meeting (shown as Appendix 1).

2.     That a further progress report be submitted to Cabinet in February 2021.

3.      That the proposal to establish a Green Community Grant scheme, as set out in paragraph 6.3.3 of the report, be approved to be funded from the £75,000 Climate budget already established.

Corporate objectives

The Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan will help to support all 5 corporate objectives:

·        Safe and clean environment: e.g. contains actions relating to the quality of existing environments and design and layout of new development that promote security and safe access;

·        Community Capacity: e.g. provide a framework for local communities to be better informed and involved in climate emergency mitigation;

·        New and Affordable housing: through both direct delivery and setting improved sustainability requirements in new homes would help to reduce both the cost of energy and water and the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions the homes would produce;

·        Dacorum delivers: fulfilling the zero carbon pledge will make a huge contribution to local sustainability and assist in the national target to reach zero carbon as a nation by 2050;

·          Regeneration: the strategy and action plan will provide improvements to air quality, biodiversity, and opportunities for cycling and walking as well as major economic potential for ‘green’ businesses.

Monitoring Officer

No comments to add to the report.

S151 Officer

The initiatives recommended within this report can be met through existing budgets.

Advice

Councillor Williams introduced the report to members. This report has been to the relevant overview and scrutiny committee and was well received. It is positive in taking forward and establishing policies to deal with our own emission and meeting targets by 2030.

M Gaynor added that the report covers the progress already made and what is being worked towards. The climate change strategy stretches across the whole council but there will need to be an aspect of involving the community and wider borough as the motion agreed by council concerned council activity but there is also a national target to reach of zero carbon emissions by 2050. This is a challenging target but making rapid progress.

There were no questions.

Recommendations agreed.