Agenda item

In December 2020 the Council adopted the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan (CNAP) 2020-2030 which contained a collection of actions that sets us on the path to deliver Waverley’s net zero carbon by 2030 target. This report provides the first annual progress update against the priority areas within the plan.

The plan was adopted as a “live document” that will continually evolve to reflect further funding, policy and technological changes as well as opportunities for new projects. A year on, there has been progress in several areas that this report aims to celebrate. But also highlights the scale of work that is still required.

We have engaged APSE Energy, a carbon consultancy, to review our baseline and trajectory and give us a more accurate indication of the costs of becoming a net zero carbon council.

Recommendation

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee provides comments and observations to the Executive and Council on the following documents:

a.    Carbon Neutrality Action Plan annual update report

b.    Annexe 1 – Carbon Neutrality Action Plan working spreadsheet

c.    Annexe 2 - CNAP version 2022

Fotini Vickers, Sustainability Manager, introduced the updated Carbon Neutrality Action Plan.  The committee were asked to give their observations and comments on the document.

Cllr Steve Williams, Portfolio Holder for Environment & Sustainability, thanked the Sustainability Team and the members of the Climate Emergency Board for their work in developing this plan.

Cllr Richard Seaborne, member of the Climate Emergency Board, advised that page five was the third trajectory drawn up since 2015 and was the first based on actual data and not theory.  He advised caution in looking at the graph as it showed a reduction in carbon emissions from Leisure centres but this was due to them being closed so gave a false impression.

It was felt the high level targets on page 109 for car journeys by Waverley staff being reduced by 60% was too crude. It should be the emissions from car journeys that need to be reduced, not the car journeys per se.

The Committee asked why the data being used as a baseline was 2015 when the work towards reduction was not started till 2018.  It was explained that 2015 was the last time before 2019 that a complete set of data was available.  It was also highlighted that 2020/21 had been an exceptional year and the data could show false successes due to Covid and the differing work practices. It was suggested that a note of explanation as to why 2021 was used should be included.

The committee commented that there was a lot of information in the report but it appeared to focus on heat pumps and there was little mention of other technologies.  Officers were asked how this action plan fitted into the government policies?  The committee asked for the narrative to include reasons why we are going down this route.

It was suggested that heat pumps were very expensive, grants not substantial enough and the technology not advanced enough. Member recommended a costed business plan be provided.

It was felt that the document used a lot  of ‘should and could’ which members felt was not strong enough and should be changed to ‘will and must’.

B5 – Members asked for an update on the review of the Home Improvement Policy to be put in the narrative.

GE3 – Officers were asked if work had been started with Towns & Parishes.

Members asked if the engagement survey had started yet?

The committee next discussed Active Travel and the need for Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP).

Fotini Vickers advised that Fig 5 of the report only refers to non-domestic properties and the team would be looking at funding opportunities for domestic stock. Peter David in the housing team is working on an Asset Management Strategy and will produce an energy action plan for our housing stock and at business cases for all areas.

Members cautioned the team on the manner of promoting efficiency measures as some residents may perceive it as ‘bullying’. Emphasis on walking and cycling was not appropriate for some.

It was highlighted that although the council only had the ability to make changes within their own property and that other areas were outside their control.  It was suggested that there was a need to educate responsibility to residents.

The Committee RECOMMENDED that:

1.    The Carbon Neutrality Action Plan be accompanied by a costed business plan including assessments of the realism of delivery

2.    The Indicative Action Plan be reinforced with additional S.M.A.R.T. targets

3.    Given that the Action Plan is a “living” document and green technologies are rapidly improving, the Carbon Neutrality Action Plan should include a continuous assessment of how the costs and benefits of different technologies are changing. Solar power was given as a particular example

4.    The Council should provide more public communications on actions to combat climate change which use a positive and proactive tone

5.    If they do not already, then the Asset Management Strategy and other policies related to retrofitting residential properties should make explicit provision for ensuring the process is as smooth as possible for tenants and leaseholders