Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services.

The Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development referred to the topical stories in the media around climate change and advised that the Energy Prospectus demonstrated the proactive approach being taken by the Council to be on the forefront of the reduction of the Authority’s carbon footprint. The Executive Member expressed his thanks to officers who had produced the Energy Prospectus and commended their investigations into the available sources of energy.

The Executive Member added that the project linked to the Bridging the Gap project and work undertaken around the Council’s Carbon Footprint by the Managing Director. The Energy Prospectus would also feed into the Refit Programme and would provide further regeneration opportunities working with Welsh Government, Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and Tech Valleys. The Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development felt that there was a need for engagement with partners and constituents on the Prospectus which could be linked into the Authority’s aspirations for the new Household Waste Recycling Centre.

In conclusion, the Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development stated that the Council was at the forefront of this significant project with some of the best officers in Wales leading on the project. He suggested a launch of the project be pursued as there were a number of opportunities to be explored in communities and with schools, businesses and residents.

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services concurred with the comments raised and also expressed thanks to Welsh Government who had supported the Authority on this journey. The Corporate Director added that the Council had worked hard and the Energy Prospectus demonstrated the Authority’s commitment.

The Leader advised that the Energy Prospectus was an excellent project and concurred that a launch would be beneficial to inform people of the work being taken forward by the Authority. The Leader referred to visits made by himself and the Executive Member for Education to School Councils in both primary and secondary schools and advised that at all these meetings pupils had raised climate change and recycling matters. It was encouraging that our younger people in communities are aware of such significant issues. An Education Centre to work with schools would be a superb initiative to be aspired to in the Authority’s future plans.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 2 namely:- the energy prospectus (including associated communication plan), be approved enabling a proactive approach in the councils efforts to increase the reliance on renewable sources of energy and associated business and community energy models developed.