Agenda item

To consider the Climate Change Annual Update – October 2023.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the annual Climate Change update – October 2023.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the progress being made to deliver the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan be noted.

2.          That the approaches to the three SBC Pathways, Fuel & Fleet; Buildings & Assets and People & Process, as outlined in Paragraphs 3.50 – 3.91 of the report, be agreed.

3.          That officers be requested to prepare a business case for the Executive to consider relating to switching as much as possible of SBC’s fuel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), as detailed in Paragraphs 3.59 and 3.60 of the report.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the annual Climate Change update – October 2023.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance advised that it was exactly a year since the Climate Change Strategy had been revised.  Over the last year the Council had not only sought to address the top-down issues, but also bottom-up issues that affected residents on a more regular basis.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance referred to the nine levels set out in the Strategy, and drew attention to levels 7 to 9, namely neighbourhoods; street level; and individuals and families.  He felt that substantial gains had been made in these areas over the past year, including formalising user engagement with walking, cycling and disability groups through the ATLEE Group.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance welcomed the support of the Overview & Scrutiny, Environment & Economy Select and Planning & Development Committees, which all had key roles in developing Climate Change policies in order to bring about positive action throughout the Borough.

The Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) gave a brief slide presentation in respect of the Climate Change update.  He referred to the nine levels previously mentioned by the Portfolio Holder and commented that the Council had been actively involved in lobbying activities at the national level.  The Council had also worked with larger businesses to enable the sharing of best practice in climate change initiatives and measures.  At regional level, the Council’s Chief Executive had worked extensively across the East of England as Hertfordshire lead for Climate and Sustainability.  This including working with all 11 Councils in Hertfordshire to work more effectively together to tackle climate change issues.

The Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) stated that, in terms of SBC, the three work pathways concerned greening fuel and the vehicle fleet; assessing all buildings; and people and processes.  He added that a number of Ward level projects had been identified through the “Dragon’s Den” process, and the Portfolio Holder had previously referred to the ATLEE Group.

The Assistant Director (Planning & Regulation) concluded by presenting slides relating to the decarbonisation of Stevenage and the various local climate change schemes forming part of the Dragon’s Den initiative.

The Executive was pleased to learn that the refurbished Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) building had achieved BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification to ensure that construction had been carried out sustainability, and that the Council was working with them to share best practice and learning.  Members were also pleased that 94 local businesses had signed up to the Wenta-run net zero programme, aimed at supporting small and medium sized enterprises in climate change initiatives.  He also announced that the Council would be funding another 100 local business sign-ups to the Wenta-run scheme.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance stressed that it was important that the Council acted as an exemplar to other local organisations and businesses in the field of Climate Change.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the progress being made to deliver the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan be noted.

2.          That the approaches to the three SBC Pathways, Fuel & Fleet; Buildings & Assets and People & Process, as outlined in Paragraphs 3.50 – 3.91 of the report, be agreed.

3.          That officers be requested to prepare a business case for the Executive to consider relating to switching as much as possible of SBC’s fuel to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), as detailed in Paragraphs 3.59 and 3.60 of the report.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.