Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Operational Director – Planning, Policy and Transport, that provided an update on activities relating to the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan. The Action Plan for 2022-2027 provided a clear direction for the Council and:

·       set a target to be carbon neutral by 2040 which included both short term and longer term action;

·       provided an initial focus on decarbonising energy use by buildings, transport, waste and enhancing the Borough’s blue/green infrastructure; and

·       sought to embed climate change in Council decision making and develop partnership working as a lead into a borough wide approach to tackling climate change.

          Members were advised on the action taken by the Council to reduce its carbon emissions, the introduction of electric vehicle charging, steps taken to embed climate change into decision making, the Big Halton Forrest Project, progress on Council climate change web pages and climate change training for members and officers. In addition, the report provided information on how the Council was facilitating to help climate change projects relating to private and social housing and green growth projects in the business and public sector.

          It was noted that at this stage there were elements of the plan which were difficult to cost and a careful balance would need to be struck between the Council’s carbon ambitions and the requirements it had placed on it delivering its statutory responsibilities. It was clear that significant resources would be required to enable the Council to reach its 2040 objective, much of which it did not have presently at its disposal. For these reasons actions would need to be prioritised in terms of resourcing, deliverability and cost.

          In addition, the Council was also part of the Liverpool City Region Hydrogen Strategy for the region. Members received a presentation from *** representatives from Cadent, who advised the Board on Cadent’s HyNet North West Hydrogen Pipeline. The presentation updated Members on the project work to date and the statutory consultation process which would run from 29 September to 10 November 2022.

          RESOLVED: That

1.     the Board receives the update on progress towards the Corporate Climate Change Action Plan 2022-2027 to be provided at the meeting; and

2.     the set of priority actions set out in Section 5.0 be endorsed.