Agenda item

This is the third update to the Climate Change Action Plan since the Council’s declaration of a climate change emergency in 2019. The aims of the plan are to reduce carbon emissions to achieve net zero by 2050 and increase resilience against the impacts of climate change for both Medway Council and Medway “the Place”.

As well as updated actions, the proposed Climate Change Action Plan has been refreshed to reflect the Council’s current approach to climate action.

Discussion:

The Head of Sport, Greenspaces and Climate Response introduced the report. This was the third iteration of the plan and was focused on providing deliverable targets for the Council led by services.

The following issues were discussed:

Public Sector emissions – it was asked why the reduction in emissions in the ‘Industry, Commercial and Public Sector’ lagged behind other sectors. The Head of Sport, Greenspaces and Climate Response stated that the Council did not have direct influence over the sector, so its role was to provide knowledge and empowerment to others to reduce emissions. The team had recently been represented at a number business events to promote pragmatic green policies.

Funding – in response to a question whether services were properly funded to undertake the necessary work to fulfil the work in the plan, the Head of Sport, Greenspaces and Climate Response stated that the services had responsibility for funding their own plans so he could not speak to any financial risk. He added that progress by services against the plan was reported to the Climate Oversight and Implementation Board, which had senior officer representation.

The Chief Operating Officer added that the Council did not have a significant discrete budget with respect to Climate Change, services had their own budget to complete actions in support of the plan rather than a centralised budget. The role of the Council was principally to provide education.

Left behind communities – it was asked what how the plan would encourage left behind communities, officers stated that the focus of the plan was on empowerment and expanding knowledge of residents to enable them to make small modal shifts. Officers were in discussion with the Portfolio Holder about opportunities to bring forward options for future actions.

Progress reports – the Committee discussed how performance was monitored, the Head of Sport, Greenspaces and Climate Response explained that the team received quarterly update reports and produced an annual report including an update on emissions which could be provided to the Committee.

Link with other policies – it was asked whether the Council could promote green policies across Council activities for example could the Council increase areas which have ‘no idling cars’ signage, free bus weekends and storage for recycling in planning applications for new homes. The Head of Sport, Greenspaces and Climate Response undertook to discuss with other services and provide an answer following the meeting.

A Member asked how the Climate Change action plan aligned with other Council policies and to what extent they considered Climate Change implications in policy development. The Head of Sport, Greenspaces and Climate Change Response stated that the team worked with services to ensure the climate change implications on Council reports were relevant.

Voluntary Sector – The Head of Sport, Greenspaces and Climate Response was asked to comment on work with the voluntary sector. He stated that the Council tried to provide practical assistance and support.

Decision:

a)              The Committee commented on the proposed Climate Change Action Plan and supporting documentation and noted that the Cabinet will be asked to agree the Plan on 26 August 2025.

b)              The Committee requested a briefing note how the Council further green policies across the Council in policy development such as additional car idling car signage and in consideration planning applications.