Issue - meetings

(Relevant Portfolio Holder: Councillors Gaynar Owen, Kevin Wilkie & Jenny Wilkie)

Councillor Jenny Wilkie introduced the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources, which set out the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee's final report in respect of a review undertaken entitled ' Action on Climate Emergency combined with 'Create/Designate Hedgehog and Wildlife Areas in Public Parks/Gardens Across the Borough', attached at Appendix A to the report, and sought approval of the recommendations contained therein.

In reaching the decision below, Cabinet considered the details set out in the report before it and the reasons contained therein.

RESOLVED:   That the final report of the Committee on the review undertaken on the Action on Climate Emergency' combined with 'Create/Designate Hedgehog and Wildlife areas in public parks/gardens across the Borough', attached as Appendix A to the report be noted, and the recommendations contained therein, be approved as follows:

A.        That the following completed Actions/outcomes highlighted by the Committee during the course of the review, be noted:

1.      Information regarding the Green Homes Grant has been sent to all residents who requested it, with links to the Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHIL) website, which provides further information, encourages householders to take up free energy efficiency measures in their homes and provides an online application form.

2.      An invite to the NW Energy Hub event in June was forwarded to all who expressed an interest, together with another similar event by Electricity Northwest (ENW) 'Powering our Communities' which launched a Fund to support community and local energy groups to develop and grow.

3.      A 2nd bid has been submitted to the Office of Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV) for their consideration.  This includes 32 charge points at 16 locations, the majority of which are in communal parking areas on housing estates in Skelmersdale, to ensure those living in properties without off-street parking have access to a convenient charging network. Should the project go ahead, it would attract £374,709.01 investment, at nil cost to the council.

B.      That interested parties be contacted to inform about the Rural Community Energy Fund.

C.      That the Council continue to investigate a community/group purchasing project for Solar PV, noting that early conversations are underway with NW Energy Hub regarding an application to the Rural Community Energy Fund, with possible partners.  The intention is to community fund a solar PV project on large scale building/s in Skelmersdale occupied by a high energy user to purchase the power (this could be a Council owned commercial building with a high user tenant).  The income generated could then be reinvested to fund a further project or offered back to investors, depending on the community model used.

D.        That representatives from North West Energy Hub and Electricity North West be invited to attend a West Lancashire community energy event, following the  outcome of a RCEF fund application in C above.

E.        That case studies, with performance and savings figures, from installed renewable technologies on Council housing, be developed and made available on the Council's website, including details of:

1.    How much will it cost to install a 2kw 3kw or 4kw?

2.    How much disruption will there be to install them?

3.    What potential returns are there, if any, besides the positive impact on the environment?

F.        That working with the Lancashire Woodland Connect Project, continue to identify locations for tree planting and hedgehog and wildlife areas, noting that potential sites currently identified include 2-3 hectares at Fairy Glenn for the Queens 'Green Canopy Scheme'; 2-3 hectares at Tawd Valley Park with the assistance of the 'Friends of Tawd Valley Park'; a community orchard at Whittle Drive, Ormskirk, working with Westend School; hedgehog gardens at the Halsall Lane site, where the Schools will be getting involved, with potential funding being made available from the housing environmental improvement fund.

G.       That the potential to provide for an alternative/reduced mowing regime be investigated in order to manage areas specifically for wildlife and wildflower habitats. 

H.      That consideration be given to climate change matters within the emerging Local Plan.

I.        That officers investigate / explore how businesses in the Borough can be supported with recycling.

J.       That 'Water Management Strategies' be considered as a future topic for consideration for inclusion in the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny work programme for 2022/23.

K.      That Members receive via a Members Update, frequent updates in respect of the 'Action on Climate Emergency Strategy and Action plan'.

L.      That a Lead Member and senior officer be identified to drive forward the Council's agenda for Carbon Reduction/Environment and the importance of appointing an Environmental Strategy Manager to facilitate the actions outlined in the Council's Climate Change Strategy, be expressed. 

M.     That an update on progress of the recommendations be reviewed at Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee in September 2022.

To consider the Draft Final Report of the Committee.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Transformation and Resources as contained on pages 193 to 196 and 219 to 228 of the Book of Reports, which was to consider the Committee's draft final report attached as an Appendix.

The Committee gave their consideration to the recommendations as contained in the draft final report, prior to submission to Cabinet on 25 January 2022.

During consideration of the draft report a number of changes to the Recommendations were AGREED.

RESOLVED:   That the final report of the Committee on the review undertaken of the 'Action on Climate Emergency combined with 'Create/Designate Hedgehog and Wildlife areas in public parks/gardens across the Borough' and the recommendations contained therein, attached as Appendix A to the report be approved for submission to Cabinet on 25 January 2022, subject to the following:

A.   That the recommendation at E be amended to read:

"E.  That case studies, with performance and savings figures, from installed renewable technologies on Council housing, be developed and made available on the Council's website, including details of:

1.    How much will it cost to install a 2kw 3kw or 4kw?

2.    How much disruption will there be to install them?

3.    What potential returns are there, if any, besides the positive impact on the environment?"

B.    That recommendation F be amended to include the following wording 'and wildlife areas':

C.   That the following two recommendations be added:

"J.   That 'Water Management Strategies' be considered as a future topic for consideration for inclusion in the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny work programme for 2022/23.

L.    That a Lead Member and senior officer be identified to drive forward the Council's agenda for Carbon Reduction/Environment and the importance of appointing an Environmental Strategy Manager to facilitate the actions outlined in the Council's Climate Change Strategy, be expressed."