Meeting documents

To consider the final report of the Climate Change Task and Finish Group (to

be presented by the Chair of the Task Group, Cllr Phil Trumper) (reference

21/104) attached.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive (reference 21/104), which contained the final report of findings of the Climate Change Task and Finish group.

Cllr Phil Trumper, the Chair of the Climate Change Task and Finish group, emphasised the importance of the group’s report and its instrumental role in meeting the Council’s target of net zero by 2030. After paying tribute to the work undertaken by the review group members, he introduced the Climate Change and Carbon Reduction Officer, Mr Baross, who highlighted the key findings as detailed within the strategy document.

Following Mr Baross’s summation, the Economic Development Project Manager highlighted the occurrence of an evidence day done in partnership with organisations across the region that produced further opportunities for cooperation.

A Member commented on numerous points including the Council’s previous record on solar panels, the current reasons that inhibit their introduction, and the overall feasibility of the target; the proposed reduce, reuse repair strategy and how the Council would follow up on its recycling contributions, and how the Council could enforce the process so that rubbish does not end up in landfills; the legality of retrofitting lease agreements on properties that the Council owns but were occupied by tenants; enquired into more details on transitioning taxi driver vehicles to electric vehicles; and argued the Council could and should do more to increase biodiversity, such as the Miyawaki Method of planting trees.

The Chair of the Climate Change Task and Finish Group explained that discussions on biodiversity and tree planting had taken place with partners such as the North York Moors National Park and the National Farmers Union as it was recognised tackling climate change would encompass these efforts.

Mr Baross responded to Members questions in turn, he explained that solar panels would receive an updated feasibility study; that preventing landfill waste was the objective of the planned circular economy whereby recycling was done only after something could not be reused; that the focus was on newer leases wherein discussions with residents would consider what could and should be done in each property on an individual basis; that conversations with taxi drivers would determine the level of support needed from the Council; that the priority of climate change over biodiversity was a result of the terms of reference of the Task and Finish Group, but that there were areas in the report that would benefit biodiversity; and that although there was support for planting more trees, it should follow the principle of ‘right place, right tree, right reasons’.

The Chair thanked Officers for the reports and the Committee endorsed the work of the Task and Finish group.

RESOLVED: that:-

(1)  That the Members of the Climate Change Task and Finish Group be thanked for their efforts and hard work in producing the Scarborough Borough Council Climate Change Strategy document;

(2)  The Places and Futures Overview and Scrutiny endorses the Climate Change Strategy document as now submitted; and

(3) That the Climate Change Strategy document be now submitted to Cabinet for approval.