Agenda item

Councillor B Deering, Chairman of the Climate Change Task and Finish Group provided Members with a summary of the work of the Task and Finish Group.  He thanked the Environment Sustainability Co-ordinator for his in depth knowledge and expertise during the Council’s process of reviewing climate change activity within East Herts.  Councillor Deering commented that it had been a very interesting area of work to review and of the need to give consideration to what could continue to be done.  He suggested that the Council might work more closely with local environment groups to promote energy efficiency measures and carbon reduction generally and that  consideration might be given to:

·       Holding a yearly local environment conference and inviting community groups;

·       Sending out further general information to the public;

·       Development of a promotional exemplar home energy show facility;

·       Investigate use of battery storage amongst other alternative energy technology on land owned by the Council and which could become a source of revenue;

The Environment Sustainability Co-ordinator provided a summary of the report in the context of:

·       Carbon reduction

·       Clean growth, carbon efficiency and energy generation;

·       Community development and communication;

·       Cleaner transport; and

·       Energy affordability and home energy efficiency

The Environment Sustainability Co-ordinator drew Members’ attention to Essential Reference Paper “C” which summarised the on-going work which the Council was undertaking to tackle climate change and also what could be done (Essential Reference Paper “D”) in terms of new ideas and proposals, to tackle climate change.  The Environment Sustainability Co-ordinator also referred to Essential Reference Paper “E” which set out additional policy principles that should be adopted and which could recommended to the Executive. 

The Chairman, on behalf of Members thanked all those who had been involved in the process and stated that the Council’s ongoing target to reduce carbon emissions remained ambitious.

Councillor N Symonds sought and was provided with clarification regarding buses automatically cutting out and being manually re-started by drivers.  She also referred to the need to publicise oil buying clubs and for Members to communicate this in their wards. 

The Environment Sustainability Co-Ordinator commented that leisure facilities were among one of the Council’s largest users of energy and as such, further improvements in efficiency of those premises would contribute to reducing the Council’s’ carbon emissions. He also commented on what domestic energy efficiency grants had in the past, as well as currently, been available to home owners.  Additionally he confirmed that information was available on the East Herts website about local oil buying clubs.

Councillor H Drake referred to wasted energy by shops keeping their doors wide open and that developers needed to be pressed to future proof developments and ensure energy capacity was sufficient in new developments to allow for expansion of electric vehicle charging points at a later stage. 

The Environment Sustainability Co-Ordinator acknowledged the problems with shop doors and energy wastage.  He referred to the process developers had to go through in terms of applying to the District Network Operator for a level of energy provision on new developments and how some areas had sufficient energy provision but in others there were problems of grid constraint and insufficient on-site power to facilitate adequate electric vehicle charging points. It was acknowledged that the use of domestic Smart Meters might go some way to controlling energy usage.

Councillor M Stevenson felt that the climate change strategy provided a good example to the public generally. 

The Chairman drew Members’ attention to the fact that Essential Reference Paper “E” set out additional policy principles that should be adopted and recommended to the Executive.  Councillor G Cutting referred to E2 (Proactively promoting energy efficiency measures and demonstrating tangible benefits), he suggested a stand Hertfordshire Agricultural Show, using a market stall to promote information or demonstration home. 

Councillor B Deering commented that it was important to do something and ensure that the public was involved.

The Chairman, on behalf of Members, thanked all those involved in the work of the Task and Finish Group.

It was moved by Councillor B Deering and seconded by Councillor G Cutting that the recommendations, as detailed, be supported.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the recommendations were declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that the Executive be advised that given the importance of the climate change policy principles as detailed in Essential Reference Paper “E”, to the health and well-being of East Herts residents, the Council adopt the matters as over-arching policy principles; and that

(A)   the ongoing work of the Council in tackling climate change, as detailed in Essential Reference “C” be acknowledged and that the continuation of these activities be endorsed by Members; and

(B)     new ideas and proposals to tackle climate change as detailed in Essential Reference Paper “D”, and deemed worthy of more detailed consideration be supported and proposals forwarded to Lead Members and Heads of Service for consideration when drawing up revised service plans and priorities.