Agenda item

In August 2025, the Cabinet approved the refreshed Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2028, representing the third update since the Council’s declaration of a climate emergency in 2019.  The vision of the Climate Change Action Plan aligns with the One Medway Council Plan priority “enjoying clean, green, safe and connected communities.”

This report marks the first annual update on progress against the plan.  A progress report, highlighting key achievements in 2025, can be found in Appendix 1.

Estimated time: 30 minutes

Discussion:

The Chief Leisure and Environment Officer introduced the report. He highlighted the progress made by the Council in the first year of the action plan with 35 of 42 actions were underway. Many of the actions had a number of phases so would not be completed until the end of the four year cycle, however positive progress had been made.

Seven actions had not been started, this was primarily due to capacity within the relevant service, for example work with the property team has been delayed by the Gun Wharf Improvement Project. Many of the actions were managed by the relevant service, I further information was required by the Committee regarding those actions it would be provided in writing following the meeting.

There were a number of areas of development which were not currently in the action plan, for example the Warm Homes grant of £1.3m to improve housing for families with a combined income of less than £36,000. An updated action plan to take account of those developments would be proposed to Cabinet in due course.

The following issues were discussed:

Service based actions – in response to a request that Members receive contact information for the relevant services, the Chief Leisure and Environment Officer agreed to provide the information to the Committee.

Financing – it was asked what monies were provided by external grants and what was funded by the Council and what would the effect be if funding was withdrawn. The Chief Leisure and Environmental Officer stated that applications for grants and the management of the budgets were the responsibility of the relevant service manager, and they were aware of the four year action plan and the importance of funding for that period when managing those actions.

The Chief Operating Officer added that there was a great deal of activity taking place within a range of services, which was covered by existing resources and it would be necessary to estimate how much of that resource was delivering the Climate Change Action Plan. It was agreed that the Chief Leisure and Environment Officer would collate an analysis of the activity and estimated costs as a briefing note for the committee.

Burnham Wood – A Member noted that 1,300 trees had been planted in Burnham Wood, he asked if there was a management plan to ensure the trees become properly established as he was concerned that their growth had been hampered. The Chief Leisure and Environment Officer stated that there was a 3-year management plan to support the establishment of the trees in the area. He undertook to provide further detail about the specific scheme following the meeting.

Tree coverage – it was asked how the Council measured the tree coverage in the area. The Chief Leisure and Environment Officer stated that the service worked closely with the tree officers in the planning department and Medway Norse tree officers now reported to him to provide a streamlined approach. A tree survey was scheduled to take place to provide a baseline, however, the timing of this was dependent upon resources within the Planning Department.

Wild flowers – A Member commented that in their ward were rare species of orchid and asked what could be done to ensure they thrived, the Chief Leisure and Environment Officer undertook to review the situation and provide an update to the Member.

Emissions – the Committee discussed emissions. It was asked if the Council had measurements on its emissions, emissions in the area and use of resources including the effect of the Council’s investment in AI.  The Chief Leisure and Environmental Officer stated that some of the information was difficult to source but would endeavour to provides updates where possible. Further information was also requested regarding how much emissions had been reduced by through the various schemes the Council had undertaken and the cost of those schemes. The Chief Leisure and Environmental Officer undertook to provide further information regarding emissions following the meeting.

Partnership Working – in response to a Member question regarding partnership working within the Council to ensure services worked together effectively, the Chief Leisure and Environmental Officer explained that there was an Officer Oversight and Implementation Board, which had senior management representation and took responsibility for effective co-working between departments. Meetings were held six weekly and every second meeting all service managers attended to report on progress in their area. Thus, the Board was able to ensure that the different services worked together in tandem.

Procurement – a Member asked if there were sustainability targets in relation to procurement and suppliers with a strong environmental record were prioritised. The Chief Leasure and Environmental Officer stated that the issues would be for the procurement service.

Decision:

a)     The Committee noted the Year One progress update against the Climate Change Action Plan and recommends it is progressed through the appropriate governance processes for reporting Year One progress to Cabinet.

b)     The Committee requested a briefing paper providing an analysis of the activity and budget via the relevant services including the impact on the council’s climate change goals.

c)     The Committee requested a briefing paper outlining sustainability in procurement services in line with the Council’s climate change goals and prioritising sustainable suppliers.