Issue - meetings

The report of the Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods is attached.

The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods introduced a report, which summarised the work previously undertaken to bring the Carbon Management Plan forward, including the annual scrutiny of the Plan by this Group.

The Executive Manager – Neighbourhoods advised the Group that the report provided an update on the various workstreams, which had continued to be brought forward, in spite of the Covid pandemic.  Reference was made to the development of a Carbon Clever Progress Dashboard, which provided a snapshot of progress in respect of the Council’s carbon reduction commitments, and moving towards its goal of becoming net zero by 2030.  The Group was advised that going forward, the Dashboard would be updated and shared regularly with all Councillors, other interest groups and the public, to ensure transparency.   

The Team Manager Environment delivered a presentation on the Carbon Management Plan Progress Update, which provided details on the following issues, and members of the Group were invited to make comments and observations on the presentation and report:

·       Understanding different greenhouse gas emissions and their impact on the climate.

·       Explaining what the different Carbon ‘scopes’ mean.

·       How the Council was performing.

·       Emerging opportunities

·       Priorities for 2021/22.

Members of the Group thanked the Team Manager Environment for the comprehensive and informative presentation, which was extremely positive and in particular, welcomed the introduction of the Carbon Clever Progress Dashboard.

In answer to a question regarding the availability of the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Phase 2 Funding, the Team Manager Environment advised that the allocation was available throughout the Midlands, and all the Nottinghamshire districts had accepted that allocation.  The funding was to promote ‘green’ recovery, and to improve energy measures in owner occupied properties that had an E, F or G rating. Currently an area in East Leake was being considered, as it was easier to deliver a project in a more concentrated area of similar type housing.

In respect of the three Carbon Emission Scopes, the Group was advised that the Council had already made a commitment in relation to Scopes 1 and 2.  In relation to Scope 3, which were indirect emissions and not under the Council’s control , there was already some understanding of that; however, as the Council gained a better understanding, initially the amount of emissions would increase,  as currently no data had been captured for the supply chain, and that would be the largest contributor.

In answer to a question regarding the importance of ensuring that residents continued to be made aware of the important role that everyone needed to play to reduce carbon emissions, the Team Manager Environment advised that a comprehensive Communications Plan was in place, which would highlight both the Council’s carbon neutral activities and the progress being made, together with an emphasis on promoting behavioural change and ensuring that residents understood the important role that they must also take.  

In respect of the 2019/20 data for the Dashboard, the Group was advised that although there had been some delay in collecting data due to Covid,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37