Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

Cllr M. Sherwood declared an interest as an employee of Gower Power Co-Op C.I.C

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting(s) and agree as an accurate record.

The minutes of the Natural Environment Scrutiny Performance Panel meeting, held on 22 March 2021, were agreed as an accurate record.

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda. Questions will be dealt with in a 10-minute period.

There were no public questions.

Presentation including Climate Change Action Plan: consultation feedback

Invited to attend:

Cllr Andrea Lewis - Cabinet Member for Homes, Energy and Service Transformation

Cllr Louise Gibbard - Cabinet Member for Supporting Communities

Martin Nicholls – Director of Place

Rachel Lewis – Directorate Project Manager  

Suzy Richards – Sustainable Policy Officer

The Panel held a discussion on Council progress surrounding the Climate Emergency Declaration. The Panel also heard from the Director of Place regarding the recent public consultation feedback about the Climate Change action plan. Cllr Andrea Lewis and Cllr Louise Gibbard also contributed to discussions and answered questions. It was noted that the Council had received circa 1000 submissions in relation to the public consultation and the Panel expressed their gratitude to all officers involved in the design and implementation of the survey.

      Discussions focussed on:

·         The ongoing and embedded work already being done by the Council, ahead of the Climate Emergency Declaration in June 2019.

·         Progress and actions being implemented towards achieving a ‘net zero Council’ by 2030, covering points such as electric vehicle fleet, pension fund commitments, street lighting and solar panels.

·         Interlinked policies surrounding the Corporate Plan, Sustainable development and the Well-being of Future Generations Act (Wales).

·         Draft performance indicators outlined a forecast of year on year reductions.

·         Collaborative working and joint commitments, leading by example and challenging others to join.

·         By 2050, Swansea as a whole City and County aims to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions.

·         Survey results: A diverse and exceptionally high response rate.

·         Covid Gaps – more targeted engagement with children, young people, business and face-to-face offline opportunities are planned. Members discussed the ongoing need for better engagement with children and young people, and how the Council can better engage with these groups.

The Panel also took the opportunity to ask about the availability of electric car charging points and developments in this area. Cllr Lewis explained that new points are being installed across the city, which aim to give better access to charging points.

The Panel considered the information provided, asked questions, and gave views on the way forward. The Panel commented on the impressive and informative work presented at the meeting. The Chair thanked all for their input and efforts surrounding this ongoing and cross cutting area of work.

AGREED that the Panel write to the Cabinet Members with its views and recommendations.

The Panel received the correspondence sent by the Panel following the meeting of the Panel held on 22 March 2021.