Agenda item

1.            That the adoption of the Winchester Carbon Neutrality Action Plan 2020-2030 be approved.

2.            That the Strategic Director - Services be given delegated authority to develop a detailed Implementation Plan.

3.            That a supplementary budget estimate of £100,000 be approved, to be funded from the proposed Transition Reserve for:

·         re:Fit programme                                                                                   £80,000

·         project feasibility research with University of Southampton         £20,000

(CAB3203 and audio recording refers)

The Leader stated that the Plan had been developed following declaration of a climate emergency in June 2019 through consultation, with key groups, the public and other councillors both through a Member Briefing and the Health and Environment Policy Committee.  The Plan concentrated on three key areas, namely: transport and energy and housing. It was recognised the Plan would require partnership working but the overall aim was to put the environment at the heart of all council decisions.

Four members of the public/representatives of local interest groups spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

Bob Whitmarsh (WinACC)

Generally supported the Plan and offered further assistance from WinACC as it developed.  However, sometimes there was confusion regarding the two target dates of trying to make the council’s own emissions carbon neutral by 2024 and making the district carbon neutral by 2030 (and the latter was a far greater challenge). With regard to the district’s emissions, the government data available was incomplete.  Offsetting should not be regarded as a “cure” for climate change.

Rupert Pitt (Winchester Friends of the Earth)

Thanked the council for the opportunity to contribute to the Plan whose contents were generally welcomed.  Tackling the district’s carbon emissions was a vital importance, particularly addressing emissions from transport. Tackling emissions from housing was also vital but retrofitting existing stock could prove difficult.  The council should adopt a clear pathway for how the district’s emissions would be reduced.

Geoff Wright

Commented in respect of the new leisure centre, green electric tariff, monitoring the Plan and proper engagement with the Climate Emergency Open Forum.

Peter Tod (Extinction Rebellion – Winchester)

Tackling the Climate Emergency must take precedence over all other council actions. The council should be brave, invest and be specific in how it would reduce the district’s carbon emissions to zero by 2030.

The council must work with other bodies and should, for example, oppose any further monies being spent on motorway expansion together with opposing the current plans to expand Southampton Airport.

At the invitation of the Leader, three Councillors addressed the meeting as summarised briefly below.

Councillor Brook

General support for the Plan but did not believe it went far enough and emphasised that the cabinet should lead by example. Further work was required on education.

Councillor Godfrey

The Plan lacked any sense of urgency and did not include any new actions or clear measurable targets and comments around waste collection and the new contract.

Councillor Pearson

Generally welcomed the Plan which was well written and easy to understand.  Agreed with previous councillors that the Plan lacked urgency and there was a requirement for further education of residents. Wary of solutions using offsetting proposals.

Cabinet Members responded to comments made.

In summary, the Leader thanked those attending for their contributions and emphasised that the Plan would be a “living” document and further ideas for improvements were welcomed.

Cabinet agreed to the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the Report.

RESOLVED:

1.           That the adoption of the Winchester Carbon Neutrality Action Plan 2020-2030 be approved.

2.           That the Strategic Director - Services be given delegated authority to develop a detailed Implementation Plan.

3.           That a supplementary budget estimate of £100,000 be approved to be funded from the proposed Transition Reserve for:

- Re:Fit programme                                                                               £80,000

- Project feasibility research with University of Southampton      £20,000