Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy McGuinness and Nigel Williams.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2024 as a correct record.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Economy Select Committee, held on 8 October 2024, be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Members are invited to interview the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance and the Climate Change Officers regarding an update on the Council’s Climate Change performance and delivery against the Committee’s previous review recommendations.

The Chair introduced the Climate Change Update, a biannual review typically taken in November and March of each year, and highlighted the Committee's long-standing commitment to monitoring progress in this area due to its critical importance.

The Chair welcomed the guest speakers to the Committee. Matt Partridge (Chief Executive), Simon Speller (Portfolio Holder, Environment and Performance), Zayd al Jawad (Assistant Director, Planning and Regulation) and Fabian Oyarzun (Head of Climate Action).

The Chair opened the discussion with a reflection on the global urgency surrounding climate change. Recent events such as flooding in Central Europe and Spain, and high temperatures across the Mediterranean, were noted as stark reminders of the ongoing crisis. While these events were not directly attributable to local action or inaction, they underscored the importance of the Council’s efforts in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and encouraging behavioural change.

The Cabinet was presented with a report and received a presentation from the Head of Climate Action which provided an overview of the measures the Council was implementing to address climate change. Specifically, the report detailed the most significant climate action efforts undertaken across the themes identified in the 2020 Climate Change Strategy.

The Committee were informed about a Climate Action Framework that considered 9 levels of climate action ranging from a macro global and national levels, through to a micro community, family and individual levels.

The Head of Climate Action advised the Committee of ongoing participation in regional initiatives including the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) and the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership (HWP).

The Committee heard that Stevenage’s 2022 emissions had decreased by 18% against 2018 levels, while the Council’s organisational emissions had dropped by 39%. A switch to hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) for fleet fuel was projected to yield further reductions.

The Head of Climate Action informed the Committee tat an online portal had been launched, detailing over 50 climate actions and offering citizens opportunities to provide feedback.

Addressing the ongoing efforts of local businesses, the Head of Climate Action advised members that large local companies were actively pursuing net-zero targets, while small and medium-sized businesses were supported through schemes such as the Green Business Grant and the WENTA Zero Action Plan.

The Committee heard that The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund had enabled retrofitting of 446 homes, with ongoing projects supporting improved energy efficiency in social and private housing. While transport initiatives included the Council’s fleet decarbonisation, deployment of electric vehicles, and public schemes like a cycle hire programme and enhanced EV charging infrastructure.

Addressing waste and recycling, the Head of Climate Action advised Members that targets included transitioning entirely to energy-from-waste facilities by 2030 and increasing recycling rates from the current 39.1% to 60% by 2035.

The Committee were informed that a Biodiversity Action Plan had been adopted, focusing on habitat conservation and enhancement, with 63 actions identified. Plans included increasing Stevenage’s tree canopy cover to 19% and planting 4,000 trees by 2030.

The Committee heard that eight community-led initiatives had been funded under the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was none.

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was none.