Issue - meetings

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

This report outlines the progress made in line with the Climate Action Now (CAN) Strategy since its launch in 2020 and goes on to propose further plans to enhance   the Council’s approach to responding to the Climate Emergency.

The CAN Strategy encompasses all areas of Council operations and influence. There are many actions taking place across the Council but due to the nature of the Climate Emergency it is evident that more needs to be done, hence the need for further plans to enhance the CAN Strategy.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note and comment on the progress achieved since the implementation of the CAN strategy across the borough.

Officer contact: Nick Leslie at nick.leslie@stockport.gov.uk

The Corporate Director (Place) & Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) outlining the progress made in line with the Climate Action Now (CAN) Strategy since its launch in 2020 and proposing further plans to enhance the Council’s approach to responding to the Climate Emergency.

The Cabinet Member for Sustainable Stockport (Councillor Sheila Bailey) attended the meeting to respond to questions from the Scrutiny Committee.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The proposal to create further areas as grassland meadow was welcomed, but it was emphasised that this needed to be accompanied by communication with local residents so that the benefits were more widely known and understood.

·         The holding of the first Climate Action Now Summit and launch of the Stockport CAN Funding Scheme on 9 November 2021 was considered to be a success, but it was suggested that consideration be given to holding future such events during the evening or at weekends to broaden participation.  In response, it was stated that consideration would be given to how these type of events would be held in the future, however it was stated that videos would be made available for those who were unable to attend.

·         The timeframe for establishing an external CAN advisory panel was discussed and it was stated that proposals in this area would be progressed during early 2022.

·         It was reiterated that the scrutiny committee should receive a report in relation to the EPC rating of properties that it had developed.

·         There was a gap between what was necessary and what could be achieved, noting that many residents in the borough’s older properties would be unable to afford the work required to make them energy efficient.

·         Recent initiatives were commended such as the introduction of LED street lighting, the appointing of a Head of CAN and the launch of a micro-funding scheme.

·         The next meeting of the CAN Working Group would consider the implementation of measures agreed by the Council Meeting as part of the ‘Making a Climate Action Now Step Change’ motion adopted on 7 October 2021.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.