Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Managing Director.

The Managing Director presented the first progress report since adoption of the Council’s Decarbonisation Plan and the declaration of a Climate Emergency on 24th September, 2020. The Plan sets out how we intend to deliver our commitment to the ambition of the Welsh Public Sector to achieve net Zero by 2030. It outlined how we could reduce our organisational emissions across nine transitions, and these were highlighted at section 2.3 of the report.

The Managing Director said a lot of work had been done during the last year to try and embed decarbonisation into how we think and operate as an organisation, and the summary at section 2.4 of the report highlighted that whilst we are making good progress there was still a lot of work to be done. 

The Managing Director then went through the report and highlighted points contained therein.

A Member asked whether there would be opportunity for financial support from WRAP to adapt our fleet and practices at our HWRC sites.

The Managing Director said good work had been done over the last few years and the Council had been successful in increasing its recycling rates and this was having a positive impact on the decarbonisation agenda; and was recognised by the Climate Change Citizens Assembly.  In terms of next steps and decarbonising our fleet, the Managing Director pointed out that WRAP was a facilitator, so any potential funding would come from Welsh Government.  She looked forward to publication of the Zero Wales Plan in the coming weeks, to see what financial support Welsh Government intended putting behind the Plan to help us achieve its targets.

The Team Leader Regeneration Opportunities confirmed that work had been done with Community Services to review our fleet, and an analysis had also been undertaken of vehicles / technology currently on the market that would be suitable for the Borough.  She felt the Council were in a good position to present proposals and a business case when funding becomes available.

A Member said he was pleased with the progress made since the Plan was adopted by the Council, and felt the Council was being pro-active and commended everyone involved in the BG Climate Change Citizens Assembly.  He asked how the Council intended to develop the recommendations made by the Citizens Assembly.

The Managing Director said the response and enthusiasm of Officers to be involved was excellent.  The Council’s response to the Assembly’s recommendations would be reported in due course, and a special Wider CLT meeting was being convened to consider the recommendations and look at what we are currently doing and where more action was needed in response to what our residents are telling us.  Work was also being done through the Public Services Board and collectively across the public sector in Blaenau Gwent, and she was confident that that work would provide good outcomes and actions for the future.

A Member referred to renewable energy technology, and pointed out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8