Agenda and minutes

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In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Equalities & Future Generations Policy Development Committee held on 26 November 2019 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy and Service Transformation presented a report on ‘Update on Progress to Council Notice of Motion Relating to Climate Change Emergency’ and highlighted the following updates: -

·            Swansea had volunteered to participate in a Welsh Government pilot on setting a standard ‘scope’ for the public sector

·            An appropriate date would be set to sign up to the Climate Change Charter with as many partners as possible

·            The Stakeholder

·            – possibility of using specialist organisation Environmental Forum had accepted the offer to engage as a stakeholder forum to assist the Council in developing its action plan

·            Development of public engagement

·            Work had begun on reviewing the relevant Council policies and looking at how they align

Questions and discussions focussed on the following: -

·            Monitoring the Charter

·            Progress of the action plan – Quick wins, medium and longer term goals, resource implications and baselining to monitor progress

·            Challenge of indirect emissions – incentives and control

·            Regular updates and contribution to the action plan

·            Heavy goods vehicles and alternative fuels / fuel stations available (such as hydrogen)

·            Sustainable transport

·            Recent grant of £189,000 for green vehicle charging points

·            Effect of online shopping – deliveries

·            Progress on public engagement and market-stall type event

·            Improved information / advertising on what the Council was doing

·            Implementation of the Charter – training to reach all levels staff

·            Consideration of large city events – carbon footprint of such events and ways to reduce / minimise impact i.e. possibilities of changes to licencing / procurement in respect of stands as well as improved transportation.

Resolved that the update be noted and regular updates be provided.

The Sustainable Policy Officer presented a report on the Sustainable Development Policy. She noted that the challenge going forward was to embed sustainable development policy into all levels of decision making to balance social, economic, environmental and cultural considerations taking into account of the short and long term impacts. The following was highlighted: -

·            Background

·            Rationale for a sustainable development policy

·            Opportunities and benefits

·            The 2012 sustainable development policy

·            Options for consideration in 2020

·            The corporate areas of change: -

o   Financial Planning

o   Asset Management

o   Performance Management

o   Risk Management

o   Corporate Planning

o   Workforce Planning

o   Procurement

·            The five ways of working

o    Integration

o    Involvement

o    Long Term

o    Prevention

o    Collaboration

The Committee discussed the potential working group recommended in the report as well as possible deadlines / timescales.

Resolved that: -

1)          The report be noted

2)          A working group be set up as recommended in the report

The Chair presented the Work Plan 2019/20 and noted that the Strategic Equality Plan was scheduled for the next meeting.

It was proposed that the Energy Strategy be added to the Work Plan for February and an update from Human Resources and Organisational Development be added to the Work Plan for March.

Resolved that the Work Plan 2019/20 be updated accordingly.