Agenda item

To consider the Climate Emergency Action Plan Annual Progress Report 2022 July.

RECOMMENDATION: That Council notes

1)    The progress made in the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) third progress report;

2)    The updates made from previous reports to demonstrate the expected trajectory that we calculate existing projects will deliver;

3)    That a more ambitious approach will be required going forward to enable WBC to play as full a role as possible in achieving a net-zero carbon borough by 2030;

4)    That this remains a live document and will continue to be updated as more details become available to support decision making. 

Council considered the Climate Emergency Action Plan Annual Progress Report 2022 July, as set out on Agenda pages 45 to 178.

It was proposed by Sarah Kerr and seconded by Andrew Mickleburgh, that the recommendations set out within the report be approved.

Sarah Kerr thanked Members and those who had been Members in 2019 when a climate emergency had been unanimously declared, and Gregor Murray, the previous Executive Member, and the officer team for their hard work.  She also thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and Andy Croy for their involvement.

Sarah Kerr reported that there was still work to do including the incorporation of a roadmap but that the comments from scrutiny and previous Task and Finish Groups had been taken on board and SMART targets developed with a clear review of what the projected carbon savings would be, with actions within the plan. There was a significant gap which still needed to be addressed. There were three ways in which this could be done - do more as a local authority directly; work in partnership to form a one Wokingham approach; and lobby government to remove the existing barriers.  Business cases were being put together for new initiatives.

Andrew Mickleburgh commented that there was much to be pleased about.  The Action Plan would not currently achieve net zero by the target date and meaningful action was required.  He supported the call to lobby for greater government support and referred to the Climate Emergency Overview and Scrutiny Committee which had been proposed.  Andrew Mickleburgh emphasised that Overview and Scrutiny’s concerns were being addressed and a road map was under consideration for future iterations of the Plan.

Gregor Murray commented that there were very few dedicated Climate Officers within the Council.  He indicated that recently Climate Emergency UK had undertaken an independent 6 month review of the Climate Action Plans of every authority in the UK.  Initially the Council had been rated 8^th out of 400, an excellent achievement.  However, this had been downgraded to 22^nd following consideration of information provided by an unknown individual.  He felt that this had undermined the officers’ hard work.

Prue Bray commented that last year Members had not been satisfied with the content of the Plan as it had not covered all it had needed to. She stressed that it was time to act as a Council and a Borough and the Plan needed to be taken to the next level.  It was still a work in progress.

Andy Croy commented that he appreciated the openness and transparency.  He felt that a key recommendation was that a more ambitious approach be taken as measures still fell short.  It would be vital to persuade more people to use public transport.  He emphasised the need for a Citizen’s Assembly.

Stephen Conway stated that it was fundamental to all residents and less progress would be made, the more the issue was politicised. 

Keith Baker sought clarification around the funding of the Local Cycling, and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

Pauline Jorgensen clarified that the proposal for the BSIP funding included bus priority at lights and other bus priority schemes.  Bus lanes had not been included.  With regards to the Local Cycling, and Walking Infrastructure Plan, she commented that it contained many positive measures but also some that would increase pollution and carbon emissions.

Gary Cowan stated that he had some issues with the Plan and that it did not adequately address the Council’s plan for future housing development and its impact on climate emergency.

Lindsay Ferris indicated that the second session of the Local Plan Update Working Group had recently been held, the topic of which had been climate change. 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

RESOLVED That:

1)             The progress made in the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) third progress report be noted;

2)       it be noted that updates made from previous reports to demonstrate the expected trajectory that we calculate existing projects will deliver;

3)       it be noted that a more ambitious approach will be required going forward to enable WBC to play as full a role as possible in achieving a net zero carbon borough by 2030;

4)       it be noted that this remains a live document and will continue to be updated as more details become available to support decision making.