The Cabinet Member for Environment introduced the report which provided an update on the Council’s response to the declaration of a Climate Change and Ecological Emergency, and an action plan which set out the activities required to adapt and mitigate against Climate Change.  The Cabinet Member for Environment explained that the action plan had already been considered by the Policy Development Review Committee (PDRC) and subsequently, there had been substantial changes to the original plan, including more detail throughout. He highlighted the ten key areas of priority on page 21 of the report. 

In response to a question from the Leader of the Conservative Group on what response had been received from Government on providing powers and resource to deliver the plan by the target of 2030, and how it would be delivered, the Cabinet Member for Environment advised that he had received a constructive response from the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, a less constructive reply from Gordon Henderson MP and no response from Helen Whately MP.  The Cabinet Member for Environment said that the targets were challenging, and that Government’s target was to reach 100% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050.  He highlighted the pathways followed to achieve reduction as on page 13 of the report and said he was confident that Government would come forward to changes in policy in order to reach the targets set.

The Leader of the Conservative Group referred to page 6 – Risk Management and Health and Safety - and, on behalf of another member of his group, drew attention to no risks being currently highlighted. He asked why the action plan made no reference to the impact and protection of residents by extreme weather conditions and questioned whether Swale Borough Council (SBC) could achieve the targets on its own?  In response, the Cabinet Member for Environment said that the full co-operation of many organisations and residents was needed to deliver the low carbon pathway. He highlighted the risks set out on page 41 of the report which addressed the issues raised and advised that SBC’s Emergency Planning Officer worked closely with Kent County Council (KCC) on adaptations to the climate change risk.

A Member applauded the work being carried out to address climate change but raised concern with the costs, drawing particular attention to the cost of the re-fit for Swale House and the purchase of electric vehicles.  He asked the Leader for the predicted cost savings for Members’ mileage due to virtual meetings, sought clarification on using electric bikes on a public highway and asked whether the bike storage at Swale House was for staff?  In response, the Leader said that officers were looking at the most cautious and cost effective re-fit to Swale House, and Cabinet would need to balance the costs against the financial difficulties that Local Government was facing.  He reminded Members that funding was not yet committed, it was an action plan to be considered at each stage and that the Medium Term Financial  ...  view the full minutes text for item 647