Agenda item

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 that the approximate life span for a wind farm was 20 years.  He asked what would happen to these sites when they are no longer in working order.

In response the Managing Director said this was all part of the decarbonisation journey, and work was being done to review procurement strategies to ensure that the carbon impact was taken into account when purchasing goods and services.  In terms of wind farms, they were currently providing a valuable source of renewal energy for Wales, however, advances in technology may mean that renewal energy could be achieved in different ways.

A Member referred to the planning restrictions in place to protect listed buildings and the impact of this when trying to decarbonise these buildings.

The Corporate Director Regeneration & Community Services said this was challenging, and it may be that legislation would have to change in the future to align with the climate change agenda.  A pragmatic approach was taken in relation to any works undertaken on listed buildings without changing the character of the building, however, some buildings would not achieve carbon zero.  Welsh Government have issued guidance around planning applications for listed buildings, and each site would be considered individually.

A Member asked whether it was intended to designate land within the Local Development Plans for tree planting to help reduce our carbon footprint, and also help to prevent flooding, and also whether peat bogs were being considered.

In response the Managing Director confirmed that this was being considered as part of the PSB response, with specific actions and work streams in relation to the environment.

In relation to peat bogs, the Corporate Director said these were an important resource in capturing carbon.  There was some land within Blaenau Gwent that could become peat bogs, and moving forward it may be necessary to reconsider some of our previous land allocations within the Local Development Plan.

A Member asked how it was intended to relay the challenges of net Zero to the community.

The Managing Director said one of the positive outcomes from the Climate Change Citizens Assembly was that the community are up for the challenge.  Part of our response to the Assembly is to harness that enthusiasm and work in partnership to identify actions moving forward.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted andthe Committee support presentation of the report to the Executive Committee. (Option 1)