RESOLVED:

1.    That the Climate Delivery Plan – Year 1 be adopted.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, Chris Lee in consultation with Cllr Martin Whelton, the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Housing and Climate Change to make minor amendments.

The Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and the Climate Emergency presented the item which set out a delivery plan for year 1 of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy, with 8 work streams working towards a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the effects of climate change, within the borough and within the Council’s buildings and services in 2021.  The plan set out foundations upon which further actions could be built and accelerated the rate of change in response to the climate emergency.  In recognition that many of the actions required to achieve the net zero target by 2050 were dependent on others, an extensive communications plan had been drawn up with a community based climate action group to shortly hold its first meeting.  The report also acknowledged the funding gaps that the Council was not expected to fill but would be needed by others to meet the 2050 net-zero target. 

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health congratulated the Cabinet Member and the officers involved for an ambitious plan to tackle climate change and reduce emissions and it was timely that the report preceded one of the tangible actions to do so elsewhere on the agenda.  Merton recognised the link between the climate emergency and public health and therefore actions were embedded into the public health approach.

The Cabinet Member for Finance welcomed the report and thanked all those involved.  He emphasised the importance of cross party work on the development of the plan and encouraged all Members to engage in the next stage of the delivery plan and to work with their communities to encourage the behaviour change required to meet the net zero target.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Education welcomed the report and that children and young people had been involved with the drafting of the plan, due to the impact that climate change had on children and young people.

The Cabinet Member for Women and Equalities expressed concern over the impact of climate change and emissions on a range of groups with protected characteristics and the evidence of the disproportionate impact on people from ethnic minorities.  The delivery plan would play an important role in promoting equalities.

The Chair thanked all for their contributions and welcomed the report which demonstrated the commitment to this priority area and the cross party working.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Climate Delivery Plan – Year 1 be adopted.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Director of Environment and Regeneration, Chris Lee in consultation with Cllr Martin Whelton, the Cabinet member for Regeneration, Housing and Climate Change to make minor amendments.