Issue - meetings

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Community Development Manager presented the report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods which contained a draft of the Council’s Carbon Reduction Action Plan for consideration and discussion to further inform development prior to adoption as a working document. It was proposed that the action plan be scrutinised and updated annually. It was explained that although it was not currently possible to quantify the full level of investment required to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030, the Communities Scrutiny Group was asked to consider recommending to Cabinet that this target should be adopted and a budget established to support delivery.

The Environment Sustainability Officer delivered a presentation to the Group which covered:

• Carbon Reduction Action Plan Structure
• How each theme is addressed
• Suggested actions

Following the presentation members of the Group were pleased that the action plan would be scrutinised annually. The Group suggested that traders at Council events could use battery packs rather than generators and that it was noted that a transition time was required for the introduction of new technologies. The Group also asked to be provided with information about how the Council could influence the carbon management policies in planning applications. The Group were pleased that large housing developments such as Fairham and Sharphill had provision for allotments.

The Group advised the officers that the Council should promote local produce and businesses using the ‘carbon clever’ accreditation scheme. The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods confirmed that the communications team were currently working on a communications strategy for this initiative.    The Group suggested further research to consider opportunities through the Nottingham City Council Energy Services website which delivers projects support a secure and affordable energy supply; reduce operational costs, risks and environmental impacts.

Some concerns were raised about the financial impact of the Council aiming to become carbon neutral. For example, it was stated that the construction of Bingham Leisure Centre was going to cost an extra £370,000 in order to greatly reduce carbon emissions. It was agreed that the target for the Council to be carbon neutral by 2030 was a challenging aim and would require resources, but the cost of not setting this target to focus work on tackling the issue was unacceptable.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods was noted and the draft action plan was supported;

b)    The Group requests that Cabinet sets a target for becoming carbon neutral for the Council’s own emissions by 2030;

c)    Cabinet be requested to support budget provision within the Council’s Medium-Term financial strategy to deliver carbon reduction actions.

d)    The Group be provided with additional information about the Nottingham City Council Energy Service.