Agenda and minutes

To note the names of apologies given and deputy members who are attending the meeting in place of appointed members.

All members were in attendance.

RESOLVED:

            That Councillor Williams be appointed Vice Chairperson of the Committee for the 2021/22 Municipal Year.

To receive any disclosure of interests from Members and Officers in matters to be discussed.

Note:  Councillors are reminded of their obligations to declare disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and/or prejudicial interests in accordance with legislation and the Council’s Code of Conduct.      

If you require advice, please contact the appropriate Democratic Services Officer, prior to the meeting.

Councillor Warwick declared a personal (but not prejudicial) interest due to her role as Executive Member for Environment at Hampshire County Council. She took part in the consideration of reports thereon.

There were no Chairperson’s announcements.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 March 2021.

RESOLVED:

            That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 March 2021, be approved and adopted.

·         Tuesday 6 July 2021

·         Thursday 30 September 2021

·         Tuesday 7 December 2021

·         Wednesday 2 March 2022

RESOLVED:

That the timetable of meetings for 2021/22 be agreed, as set out on the agenda.

To receive and note questions asked and statements made from members of the public on matters which fall within the remit of the Committee.

NB members of the public are required to register with Democratic Services
three clear working days before the meeting

(contact: democracy@winchester.gov.uk  or 01962 848 264).

No members of the public were present to make representations.

The Chairperson announced that while the committee had previously considered the carbon neutrality report in its entirety, during the course of this municipal year the carbon neutrality programme would be considered on a thematic basis having regard to those policies that underpin the different elements of the programme. 

It was reported that a six month review of the Winchester Sports and Leisure Park provision and its impact on the district would be added to the December 2021 work programme and that a similar update would be included in due course to review the impact of sports and wellbeing provision at Meadowside Leisure Centre in Whiteley. 

In response, the Strategic Director clarified that he was reviewing the best approach to bring this matter forward for consideration in order to avoid any duplication that was currently taking place at Cabinet and Open Forums in respect of the Winchester Sports and Leisure Park. 

Lastly, the Chairperson announced that several Members had raised a request that the broader issue of Air Quality across the district be considered at a future meeting, particularly in relation to the monitoring of small particulates.

In response, it was reported that the Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and the Service Lead: Public Protection would consider how this report would be brought forward, in consultation with the Chairperson, and be added to the work programme in due course.

RESOLVED:

            That, subject to the inclusion of the item outlined above, the work programme for 2021/22 be noted.

Councillor Clear introduced the report which set out a review of the initial assumptions and a reset of the parameters of work by utilising consultation and research recently completed for the Community and Wellbeing Strategy to progress, following a delay to its development due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Service Lead: Communities and Wellbeing summarised the contents of the report, the cumulative community support in response to the pandemic and the Council’s collaborative working processes and the timescales for the development of the Strategy allowing for community involvement. The committee were asked to note the evidence and suggested timescales for work and respond to various points, as set out in the report.

Members asked questions and raised comments regarding the establishment of an effective mechanism to engage with all parish and town wards, community groups, churches and charities across the district, the long term health effects of Covid-19, continuing positive community spirit, support and engagement, the utilisation of foodbanks and community pantries and prioritising grant support and advice.   Officers and the Cabinet member provided responses accordingly.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the comments of the Committee be noted; and

2.         That the report be received and the evidence base and timescales set out in the report, be noted.

Councillor Murphy introduced the report which provided a review of the council’s Winchester District Carbon Neutrality Action Plan 2020-2030 published in December 2019.  Councillor Murphy outlined the progress made over the last two years and proposed a set of ten priority actions as the focus of the council’s efforts for the carbon neutrality programme delivery for 2021/22.

The Corporate Head of Economy and Community summarised the content of the report setting out the first review of the action plan covering the period January 2020 to March 2021 and included details of the challenges faced as a result of Covid-19 and the impacts and benefits of this, new carbon emission data for the council and the district, the funding secured from external sources, resources deployed, targets and expenditure.

Members asked questions and raised comments regarding the retro fit of housing stock, the upgrade of council buildings, electrifying the public transport fleet, funding bid programmes, the impact of council housing stock communal areas on carbon footprint data, the need for robust partnership engagement and strategies, sustainable transport changes to support climate change and reduce emissions, responsibility within parishes and communities for carbon footprint, biodiversity and key measures required in the road map to meet carbon neutrality targets. The questions and comments raised were responded to by relevant officers and the Cabinet member accordingly.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be received and the comments and feedback of the committee be noted.