Minutes:
The Cabinet Member for Local Environment, Green Spaces and Climate Change gave an overview of the report submitted to Scrutiny which provided an update on climate action in Merton.
A panel member asked for an update on Merton’s Climate Delivery Plan for Year 2 and how we are performing against priorities. The Climate Change Officer said the Scrutiny report provides an overview of progress against the key priorities, and noted that with the Cabinet Member, officers are currently reviewing progress to inform the allocation of £2 million climate funding allocated by Cabinet this summer. Officers recognise the need for increased engagement with businesses. The Climate Change Officer also said that recruitment has been challenging this year across the sector and highlighted that officers are currently recruiting for a number of roles and asked councillors to share job adverts via their networks.
Panel members asked about Merton’s Climate Action Group and how the Council is looking to promote and increase participation in the community-led climate projects in Merton. The Cabinet Member noted the importance of engaging with those not already involved in the climate agenda by highlighting the co-benefits of climate action, in part through the Climate Action Group’s community-led initiatives such as Merton Garden Streets and the Energy Matters project. Officers are also looking to run a Climate conference in the autumn where the Council hopes to launch an eco-leads network for schools.
The Climate Change Officer highlighted Merton’s climate action newsletter, events this summer and autumn to engage with residents, and opportunities to build on community networks developed through the Climate Action Group initiatives to enable greater engagement with and participation from Merton residents. A Climate action engagement strategy is being developed to identify how the Council can reach residents who don’t already engage with the Council’s communications channels; an online consultation will run this autumn to inform this strategy.
A panel member asked how we are increasing participation and engaging with businesses regarding waste minimisation and disposal from businesses, and what role councillors could play to help with this awareness raising piece. The Cabinet Member agreed that increasing engagement with businesses would need to be a focus moving forward.
Panel members asked about progress with retrofitting. The Climate Change Officer highlighted that a number of projects are already underway.
The Climate Change Officer also noted that once Community Retrofit Officers have been recruited, the Council will look to develop a retrofit strategy and energy masterplan for the borough, and increase engagement with residents, landlords, businesses, housing providers and schools. Panel members were encouraged to contact the Climate Change Officer if they wanted to invite representatives from the GLA to attend local events to talk to residents about the Mayor’s Warmer Homes programme.
In response to questions on UV charging, the Head of Future Merton reported there are 250 charging points and bid for further funding, EV charging strategy is being developed and rise in electric vehicles in the borough. Mapping out demand for new chargers.
RESOLVED
The chair thanked officers for their report
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