Issue - meetings

To consider a report and associated presentation of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides all Area Committees with an overview of how Stockport Council are progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit, an online event being held on 9th November 2021, and the CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for microprojects that will directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The Area Committee is recommended to

·         comment on the report, including feedback on plans for both the Stockport CAN funding and Climate Summit.

·         submit suggestions for representation and invitation to the climate summit on 9th November.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Nick Leslie (Head Of Climate Action Now) attended the meeting and made a presentation providing an overview of how Stockport Council was progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit (an online event being held on 9 November 2021) and the CAN Funding which was a new funding scheme for microprojects that would directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposal to allocation funding for micro-projects through the area committee was welcomed.

·         Members suggested that to would be helpful to provide a copy of the award criteria as soon as possible.

·         It was noted that there was proposed to be no upper limit on the amount that could be allocated.

·         It was important that the scheme was publicised as widely as possible.

·         The desire to reduce bureaucracy was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That Nick Leslie be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

To consider a report and associated presentation of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides all Area Committees with an overview of how Stockport Council are progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit, an online event being held on 9th November 2021, and the CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for microprojects that will directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The Area Committee is recommended to

·         comment on the report, including feedback on plans for both the Stockport CAN funding and Climate Summit.

·         submit suggestions for representation and invitation to the climate summit on 9th November.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Lisa Wright (Stockport Climate Action Now Team) attended the meeting and made a presentation providing an overview of how Stockport Council was progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit (an online event being held on 9 November 2021) and the CAN Funding which was a new funding scheme for microprojects that would directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport..

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

•              Members suggested that areas with a high level of social capital may have more applicants for CAN funding, and questioned how unspent funds would be reinvested. It was noted that unspent funds would go towards the ambitions outlined in the CAN plan, and Members were encouraged to make suggestions as to how unspent funds could be used.

•              Concerns were raised that organisations who were not in properly constituted groups may lose out on CAN funding. It was highlighted that CAN Funding differed from Ward Flexibility Funding in that applicants were not required to be part of a constituted group as a prerequisite for applying for funding.

•              The view was expressed that the engagement of people who had not previously been involved with climate change or community groups previously was crucial to the success of the CAN project.

RESOLVED – That Lisa Wright be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

To consider a report and associated presentation of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides all Area Committees with an overview of how Stockport Council are progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit, an online event being held on 9th November 2021, and the CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for microprojects that will directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The Area Committee is recommended to

·         comment on the report, including feedback on plans for both the Stockport CAN funding and Climate Summit.

·         submit suggestions for representation and invitation to the climate summit on 9th November.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Nick Leslie (Head of Climate Action Now) attended the meeting and made a presentation providing an overview of how Stockport Council was progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit (an online event being held on 9 November 2021) and the CAN Funding which was a new funding scheme for microprojects that would directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Welcomed the report and the appointment of the Head of CAN and the actions identified, but local residents would need assistance to submit their bids and calculate their carbon savings.

·         It was suggested that for the launch given the nature of the CAN it would be good to have a ‘personality’ and someone well known in the area to attend and promote the launch.

·         The report omits ‘what the Council would be doing’ to focus on the actions etc which would provide the young people with an opportunity to understand what the Council would be doing and to get that ‘buy in’ from the young people.

·         There needs to be an actions review included in the CAN.

·         Marple has an active climate group who would want to be involved including Park Groups and other active groups in the area and it was important to engage with those established groups.

·         Marple South and High Lane would be encouraging the local residents to attend an Eco Awareness Day on 30^th October 2021 from 11.00am – 2.30pm at St Thomas’s Church in High Lane to discuss their solar panels, insulation, carbon footprint, wildlife and bees with specialists in the field.

·         It was suggested that any documentation that would be circulated in the community should be easy to read and follow so that local residents can be engaged in the process and not be put off by the ‘jargon’ or difficult process.

·         Would like to endorse the focus of outcomes and actions as part of the CAN.

·         Clarification was sought regarding the ideas that would be uncovered through the process and the funding. In response, it was stated that there were micro-projects to inspire and provide case work for others as exemplars to others.

·         It was commented that previous projects involving ‘sowing bulbs’ in the community and encouraging wildlife and bees worked well, but what would be the follow up to this. In response, it was stated that the focus was on “green-house gas emissions” reduction and funding would be available, but hoping that it runs out which would reflect the take up of the project.

·         It was suggested that the funding was the incentive and could involve “streets” across the areas of the borough.

·         Members were encouraged to submit their feedback directly to the CAN team.

RESOLVED – That Nick Leslie be thanked for his attendance and presentation and was invited to provide the Committee with an update over the next 6-12 months.

To consider a report and associated presentation of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides all Area Committees with an overview of how Stockport Council are progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit, an online event being held on 9th November 2021, and the CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for microprojects that will directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The Area Committee is recommended to

·         comment on the report, including feedback on plans for both the Stockport CAN funding and Climate Summit.

·         submit suggestions for representation and invitation to the climate summit on 9th November.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Lisa Wright (Stockport Climate Action Now Team) attended the meeting to report on the Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit on 9^th November 2021, and to provide an overview of CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for micro projects intended to directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The following comments were made/issues raised:-

·         Concerns were raised that people who were not in constituted groups may lose out on CAN Funding. It was highlighted that CAN Funding differed from Ward Flexibility Funding in that applicants were not required to be part of a constituted group as a prerequisite for applying.

·         Members questioned whether the prerequisite for CAN funding to be used on private property could leave the scheme open to abuse and introduce a lack of accountability.  In response, it was commented that there was a stipulation that CAN funding must benefit more than one person or household, and that applicants would be required to provide proof of purchase for the costs of their projects.

·         Information provided about CAN to schools must be simple so that busy teachers have time to easily digest and then discuss the issues with their students.

·         Members requested further guidance on what considerations they should make when deciding on CAN funding applications in the future.

·         Members noted that unused CAN funds would be used for other aspects of the CAN project, and consequently suggested that by scrutinising applicants too closely, they would lose out as they would not retain the funding within their locality.

·         In only providing capital funds for a single year to the Area Committee, the CAN project may not actually encourage sustainability on climate issues.

·         CAN funding may encourage small, positive changes that are driven by local communities.

RESOLVED – (1) That Lisa Wright be thanked for her attendance.

(2) That the Chair write to the Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport to appraise her of the Area Committees position on this issue.

To consider a report and associated presentation of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides all Area Committees with an overview of how Stockport Council are progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit, an online event being held on 9th November 2021, and the CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for microprojects that will directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The Area Committee is recommended to

·         comment on the report, including feedback on plans for both the Stockport CAN funding and Climate Summit.

·         submit suggestions for representation and invitation to the climate summit on 9th November.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Nick Leslie (Head of Climate Action Now, Stockport Council) attended the meeting and made a presentation providing an overview of how Stockport Council was progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit (an online event being held on 9 November 2021) and the CAN Funding which was a new funding scheme for microprojects that would directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposal to distribute funding through area committees was welcomed. It was clarified that money not spent would go back into the pot.

·         It was queried whether the money could be used to fund electric vehicle charging points.

·         The document was welcome and aspirational, but there was a lot of things that would cause problems such as the building of new houses necessitated by the Local Plan.

·         The Friends of Parks group should be involved in the scheme

·         It was clarified that the purpose of the scheme was for the Council to act as a catalyst in the reduction of emissions in the borough, aim to influence residents to adopt best practice and encourage changes in lifestyle.

RESOLVED – That Nick Leslie be thanked for his attendance and presentation.

To consider a report and associated presentation of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides all Area Committees with an overview of how Stockport Council are progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit, an online event being held on 9th November 2021, and the CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for microprojects that will directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The Area Committee is recommended to

·         comment on the report, including feedback on plans for both the Stockport CAN funding and Climate Summit.

·         submit suggestions for representation and invitation to the climate summit on 9th November.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Lisa Wright (Programme Manager, Strategy and Design) attended the meeting and made a presentation providing an overview of how Stockport Council was progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit (an online event being held on 9 November 2021) and the CAN Funding which was a new funding scheme for microprojects that would directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposal to distribute of funding through area committees was welcomed.

·         Consideration should be given to providing an online carbon calculator tool that would allow residents to calculate the likely impact of any intervention that they proposed.

·         In the eventuality that the funding for a particularly ward was allocated prior to the end of the of the scheme, members could give consideration to allocating additional resource from the ward flexibility budget.

·         It was suggested that an art competition should be run in addition to the planned poetry competition to make the event as inclusive as possible.

·         In response to a query in relation to the kind of groups that might be excluded from the scheme, it was stated that the criteria was still being developed, however it was aimed at being as open as possible.

RESOLVED – That Lisa Wright be thanked for her attendance and presentation.

To consider a report and associated presentation of the Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive.

This report provides all Area Committees with an overview of how Stockport Council are progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit, an online event being held on 9th November 2021, and the CAN Funding, a new funding scheme for microprojects that will directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The Area Committee is recommended to

·         comment on the report, including feedback on plans for both the Stockport CAN funding and Climate Summit.

·         submit suggestions for representation and invitation to the climate summit on 9th November.

Officer contact: Mark Glynn on 0161-474-3700 or email: mark.glynn@stockport.gov.uk

Nick Leslie (Head of Climate Action Now) attended the meeting and made a presentation providing an overview of how Stockport Council was progressing a Stockport Climate Action Now (CAN) Summit (an online event being held on 9 November 2021) and the CAN Funding which was a new funding scheme for microprojects that would directly reduce or mitigate carbon emissions in Stockport.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Welcomed the report and the actions identified, but local residents would not recognise the ward boundaries and there would need to be a flexible approach to engage with already established groups early in the process.

·         Working closely with schools regarding their involvement and looking at mechanisms to engage with all schools across the borough.

·         It was suggested that engagement with green spaces and allotment groups would be key.

RESOLVED – That Nick Leslie be thanked for his attendance and presentation.