Issue - meetings

Option 1: Agree to adopt and support the Climate Change and Environment Strategy and Action Plan with the following commitments:

(a)  The aim to meet the target dates, as set out in the Strategy, to be net-carbon zero:

          •         as a council by 2030,

          •         across the school estate by 2035 and

          •         as an Island by 2040;

(b)  To provide for the required staff resources to manage the co-ordination and the delivery of the Action Plan, of £94,314 (through the 2021/22 budget process).

(c)   The resources already committed within existing council service plans and budgets.

(d)  The development of business cases, applications for grants and other external funding for future projects to fulfil other council and community led actions.

(e)  A full Strategy review and update, for publication every two years.

(f)    The Action Plan is reviewed as and when required and in the first instance within the first nine months.

(g)  The delegation to commence the projects within the Action Plan, subject to available resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Heritage and Waste.

The Strategy was the result of a motion to Full Council in 2019 and was a very comprehensive document. The accompanying action plan contained 160 actions. Both documents would be continually reviewed and amended to correspond with scientific developments. Some of the actions were due to be completed prior to the first review after 9-months. The strategy was seen as part of a wider process ensuring sustainability for the island, fitting in with other existing and forthcoming strategies and plans, which would improve health, the environment and economic opportunity. Members hoped that any opportunity for offset would be dealt with locally, and it was suggested that offset arrangements for new home builds should be included in the Island Plan.  Grant funding and joint working would be necessary to achieve some of the actions proposed. It was believed that the target of 2035 for schools was realistic. Funding had already been obtained for upgrading some council buildings which would fulfil the commitment made. Branstone Farm was a good example of sustainability and it was hoped that there would be more mixed-use developments in the future.

Thanks were recorded to staff members Natasha Dix and Holly Jones for their work on the strategy.

The Corporate Scrutiny Committee had fully supported the strategy.