Agenda item

Councillor Learney introduced the report, emphasising the climate emergency as the council’s overarching priority, with preventing climate change through carbon reduction being the main focus. She made reference to the climate risks and impacts, due to the escalating severity of global warming and set out the need to protect residents and adapt to changes for the future. The report provided a progress update on the climate adaptation work carried out to date. The views of the committee and feedback on specific areas were sought to help inform and shape the development of the Climate and Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA), as set out within the report. 

The Sustainability Manager and Sustainability Programme Manager gave a presentation setting out the context, identifying the risks and hazards and the changes in patterns across the district. Several questions were asked which were responded to by the Cabinet Member and relevant officers, including the following:

1.       Further clarification was sought on why marine and coastal risks were    excluded from the assessment given that the Winchester district       contained a small section of coastline and neighbouring authorities    faced high exposure to rising sea levels. In response, it was noted that           the exclusion resulted from a materiality assessment based on a           premise of limited impact, though the risk could be re-evaluated if   members considered it was necessary.

2.       A question was asked regarding the omission of the National Farmers'    Union (NFU) and the Countryside Land and Business Association (CLA) from the list of stakeholders, as farmers were significantly        impacted by extreme weather events. Officers confirmed that these      organisations would be noted for future engagement.

3.       Further clarification was sought regarding the engagement of smaller      family farms in river valleys which were at higher risk of flooding       compared to larger farm clusters. It was noted that these stakeholders   needed to be engaged as the work moved forward.

4.       An enquiry was made concerning errors in the consultation table,   specifically the listing of Hampshire twice and the omission of Portsmouth Water and the Environment Agency Southern Regional           Flood Committee. It was agreed that these bodies would be included in the stakeholder list.

5.       A question was asked why air quality was not listed as a top-level risk category in the assessment. It was responded that air quality factors         were considered within the health and wellbeing category under risk           H07.

6.       Further clarification was sought on which climate risks would have the        greatest impact on the district. Suggestions included flooding, drought,           heatwaves, wildfires, and prolonged poor air quality, with some noting      that the impact of high winds on infrastructure could affect thousands of           residents. In addition, the creation of a matrix not only setting out the         risks, but how these risks may affect different groups of people (such   as those with vulnerabilities) was also suggested, setting out the        measures of resilience and infrastructure in place to respond.

7.       A question was raised regarding which council services would be most         impacted by climate change. Suggestions included emergency          planning, housing services, public protection, and communications.

8.       An enquiry was made as to whether other local authorities in Hampshire were following similar models and timescales for their climate adaptation work. It was responded that several other authorities        were leading on this work and that the council followed a model set by     the national Local Partnerships toolkit.

9.       A recommendation was made that councillors and staff should          undergo water safety training provided by the Fire and Rescue service.

10.      Further clarification was sought on the resilience of the district to once-        in-a-generation events, such as significant snowfall, which could         impact food and water supplies.

In conclusion, the committee thanked officers and the Cabinet Member for an informative update.

          RESOLVED:

                     That the report and presentation be received and the comments         raised by the committee, as summarised above, be noted.