Issue - meetings

The material relevant to this item can be found in the supplement to the agenda of the Cabinet agenda pack for 5 January 2021.

The following recommendations were made to Council:

1.    That the Climate Emergency Detailed Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

2.    That the recommended Council responses to the consultation comments received as set out in Appendix 2 be approved for publication.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Director for Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to make any minor or editorial amendments to the final version of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Cllr Plant was invited to introduce the report. Cllr Plant then moved the recommendations which were seconded by Cllr Lintill.

A number of members spoke in support of the Plan.

Cllr Oakley explained that the council is limited on what can be achieved in line with Government guidance and legislation and cost. He requested clarification on the role of the Citizens Assembly.

Cllr Hobbs asked what could be done to help the public decipher the climate related grants available.

Mr Frost explained that the Citizens Assembly would be asked to consider and make recommendations to the Council. With regard to advice on grants funding he explained that the council’s Climate Emergency Officer would be tasked with identifying and signposting grant funding of this type.

Members voted virtually on the recommendations which were carried.

RESOLVED

1. That the Climate Emergency Detailed Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

2. That the recommended Council responses to the consultation comments received as set out in Appendix 2 be approved for publication.

3. That authority be delegated to the Director for Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to make any minor or editorial amendments to the final version of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Members took a 10 minute break.

Recommendation detailed in agenda supplement.

* RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the Climate Emergency Detailed Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

2.    That the recommended Council responses to the consultation comments received as set out in Appendix 2 be approved for publication.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Director for Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to make any minor or editorial amendments to the final version of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Cllr Plant introduced the item. She requested that the Cabinet vote on an additional third recommendation:

That authority be delegated to the Director for Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Chichester Contract Services to make any minor or editorial amendments to the final version of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

Mrs Evans responded to members comments and questions. She explained that all targets would be subject to review. With regard to the Citizens Assembly funding has been allocated for professional support to aid the recruitment process to oversee the demographic representation on the Assembly. Mrs Evans confirmed the intention to launch a behavioural change campaign in line with other districts, boroughs and the County Council. With regard to the target figures referenced on pages 9 and 10 of the Cabinet papers she explained that people are prepared to make the sacrifices required for the greater good with the decarbonisation of electricity already happening nationally.

Dr Smith then responded to further comments and questions. She explained that many of the actions that would contribute to achieving the district wide targets sit outside of the council’s control and are stimulated by government incentives, but the council has a role as community leader that could help others to make the needed changes. With regard to the small number of consultation participants she reported that the communication team said the pandemic which prevented face to face participation in locations such as the city’s markets had impacted the number. Consideration will be given to improve participation in the future including engaging with younger people either through university, college and/or social media.

Cllr Sharp was then invited to speak. She supported the retrofitting of housing and requested a representative spread of age ranges on the Citizens Assembly. She asked with reference to section 3.11 of the report why section C removed the proposal to set up a road transport group. Mrs Evans explained that there were other existing Groups/Forums in place and that further Group was unnecessary.

In a vote the following recommendations were made:

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the Climate Emergency Detailed Action Plan as set out in Appendix 1 be approved.

2.    That the recommended Council responses to the consultation comments received as set out in Appendix 2 be approved for publication.

3.    That authority be delegated to the Director for Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to make any minor or editorial amendments to the final version of the Climate Emergency Action Plan.