Agenda item

Report of the Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Economy

The Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Economy submitted a report (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the revised briefing note for Scrutiny Committees drafted by the Sustainability and Climate Change Lead Officer, in relation to the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change.

The submitted report stated that, following the Local Government elections in 2023, the Climate Emergency Declaration was re-affirmed, and the Council’s carbon neutral target was brought forward to 2040. Further aims to increase engagement with residents and businesses were included with the intention of reducing wider borough emissions; and a further commitment to monitor the Council’s supply chain of emissions was also added.

It was reported that a revised briefing note (also previously circulated) had been drafted by the Sustainability and Climate Change Lead Officer, reminding Members that tackling climate change was a shared responsibility; was deeply connected to other policy issues and local action was necessary for sustainable solutions; and that Scrutiny had a critical role to play in these cross-cutting issues.

It was also reported that climate change as a stand-alone issue sat within the remit of the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee, however everything that the Council did either had an impact on, or was impacted by, climate change, so it was important that all Scrutiny Committees ensure that everything that came before them had considered this.

Members suggested that external organisations also be encouraged to include climate considerations in any updates provided to this committee.

RESOLVED –  (a) That the advice and guidance provided by Sustainability and Climate Change Lead Officer in the revised briefing note be noted.

(b) That the questions outlined in the revised briefing note appear as an appendix to our Agenda, and form part of any submitted Quad of Aims, to ensure that these questions remain in the forefront of Members’ mind when scrutinising reports.

(c) That all internal reports coming to this Committee have a small section at the end of each report entitled ‘Climate Considerations’, with a brief note about any considerations which have been given, where appropriate (This can come with the qualification that the staff within the department are not qualified in climate action).