Agenda item

The Committee is requested to consider the report and its appendix and make the following recommendation:

That the Committee considers the Council’s draft Capital Strategy for 2024-25 to 2028-29 and recommends it to Cabinet for onward approval at Council.

Mrs Belenger introduced the item and briefed Members on the Strategy’s’ objectives and function. In addition to the draft Capital Strategy document, Members were to consider the Treasury Management & Investment Strategies for 2024-25 to 2028-29 also on this meeting’s agenda, as these strategies are all interlinked.

The Chairman was pleased to note that the strategy outlines the importance of developing sustainable changes, across all Council projects in the district.

The Chairman asked Senior Officers whether the strategy in place is adequate to achieve the goal of reducing climate change and to provide further information on why this is the case.

Mrs Belenger advised that the Council has declared a climate emergency and has set up targets to reduce its own impact on the environment. This has been addressed in several ways, such as the decarbonisation of the Westgate Leisure Facility. Freeland Close and Westwood House have also undergone improvements to improve their energy efficiency.

Another key development is the trial of electric refuse freighters. Once this trial has concluded, the Council will be able to determine the most appropriate way to proceed. The local plan also plays an important role in maintaining the environment and areas of natural beauty.

Mrs Belenger added that the Treasury Management document provides further information on best practice and guidance in relation to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations for the Council’s cashflow management.

The Capital strategy gives information on the funding of the capital programme and asset replacement programme including the use of external grants and contributions plus the Council’s own resources.

The Chairman noted that the Commercial Services Division now includes electric waste collection vehicles in the fleet.

Mr Ward added that the trial period for electric refuse freighters had highlighted several areas of improvement. There are a range of other vehicles which are due to be replaced, additional information regarding these replacements will be provided at the next Cabinet meeting.

The 10% reduction in carbon omissions per annum target is monitored by the Environment Panel and the Climate Change Action Plan. In order to achieve this, the Council has to reduce its own carbon footprint, whilst also monitoring the public’s carbon footprint and behaviour. Mr Ward highlighted that the Council’s vehicle fleet has the largest impact on the Council’s carbon footprint, therefore addressing this area is of crucial importance. It’s always important for the Council to balance impact against cost, as the Council has finite resources.

The Chairman highlighted the Capital Expenditure table illustrating CIL monies. The Chairman asked Senior Officers whether the data for the total receipt of CIL monies has been published.

Mrs Belenger advised that Mr Davis previously reported on S106 & CIL monies to the Committee, and that this report includes this data.

The Chairman thanked the Senior Officers for answering questions.

RESOLVED:

The Committee is requested to consider the report and its appendix and make the following recommendation:

That the Committee considers the Council’s draft Capital Strategy for 2024-25 to 2028-29 and recommends it to Cabinet for onward approval at Council.