Agenda item

5.1.                The Chair highlighted the successful work being undertaken by the Climate Response team and others across the council to bring in funding for climate change initiatives.

5.2.                The Climate Response Officer echoed the Chairs comments that Teams across the council have been horizon scanning and identifying opportunities. A Climate Emergency Funding subgroup has met several times and is working to consolidate efforts on funding opportunities.  The Council is also working closely with Kent County Council (KCC) on bids such as on the current Behavioural Insights Project.

5.3.                The Chair noted that Kent wide bids were always envisaged and suggested raising the attention of this in discussions with KCC.

ACTION: Climate Response Team to discuss and seek Kent wide bids with KCC

5.4.                The group noted that KCC have secured funding for zero emission buses along with some other local authorities and enquired as to if there might be further opportunities for zero emission bus bids in Medway following the unsuccessful bid in 2019. The group also asked if Medway could link into the successful KCC scheme.

ACTION: Head of Transport and Parking to enquire about potential links with KCC on their zero-emission bus scheme.

5.5.                The group asked if there was an update on the Levelling Up Fund bid which could provide active travel funding.  The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place agreed that the round 2 bid (Gillingham Open Lines) will be helpful for active travel.  It was noted that the timescales for a number of Government funding steams have been delayed but that Medway is seeking every opportunity for further clarity including at a ministerial level.

5.6.                The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place also noted with regard to the zero-emission bus funding, that KCC were successful in the same round that Medway was not and that Medway would seek to progress bids at every opportunity.

ACTION: Head of Transport and Parking to continue to seek funding for zero emission buses.

5.7.                The Chair noted seeing a number of new buses in Medway that did not appear to be electric and that the aspiration would be that any new bus should be zero emission.

5.8.                The group highlighted their disappointment that Medway’s biggest bus provider appears to have sent their most modern buses to Essex where the council has more specific air quality requirements. The impact of this for Medway’s main bus users (young and old) was noted.

ACTION: Head of Transport and Parking to follow up with bus company on the deployment of modern buses in locations outside of Medway.

5.9.                The group supported working with other districts/counties etc on bids where appropriate noting that the climate emergency does not recognise political boundaries.

5.10.            The group noted that they have not seen Section 106 commitments on climate emergency improvements and asked that a specific fund is included in any draft Section 106 guide going forward which could be used to fund smaller projects.  The Chair agreed in principle on developers’ contributions but noted the balance needed to ensure we do not lose developers to elsewhere.

5.11.            The group noted in relation to developers that although we are getting better at pushing harder on landscaping schemes, the quality of these sites following completion does not match the applications and a more robust process is needed for holding developers to account over a longer period to ensure that landscape quality is maintained.

5.12.            The Planning Policy Manager advised that the group’s comments will be taken back to the Head of Planning for a response outside of the meeting.  The Planning Policy Manager acknowledged the issues on long term quality and noted that resourcing is likely to be an issue in terms of the ability to revisit schemes on a regular basis and that this needs consideration.  The group noted that the planning department doesn’t necessarily need to be responsible for this but that there does need to be some form of mechanism.

5.13.            It was noted that the Head of Planning is intending to present to members at the next meeting on planning’s contribution to climate change mitigation.

5.14.            The Chair noted how we are opening a dialogue with key developers to see what can be offered in relation to climate change and opportunities to work better together.

5.15.            A member of the group noted that with regard to buses, two thirds of the main bus companies’ buses are Euro 5 or 6 and that there are plans to replace some of the older buses in next few months.

5.16.            The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Place noted the discussions on S106 and deployment on climate change measures and that these will form a key part of discussions on the Section 106 refresh.  In relation to ongoing landscape quality, it was noted how climate change is now a significant issue for developers across the industry, not least due to efficiency gains in terms of products and how the Chair and Head of Planning are meeting with developers on these considerations.  The Chair noted that our awards should recognise contractors work on climate change.

ACTION: The Head of Planning to respond on comments raised regarding Section 106 and a robust process to ensure long term quality on developments.

ACTION: Head of Planning to review option for the Medway Design and Regeneration Awards to include a new award to recognise developers work on climate change.