Agenda item

To receive a Presentation on the Climate Emergency Consultation.

The Environmental Strategy Officer and Head Ranger provided the Committee with a Presentation in respect of a Climate Emergency Consultation which was launched on 14 May 2021 until 30 May 2021.

Members were informed that PR was undertaken for the launch and that Community Groups known to the Council were also encouraged to promote.  She explained that the Consultation tied in with the four areas linked into the Climate Emergency Action Plan 2030; Renewable Energy Generation; Waste Reduction Strategy; Developing/Supporting Biodiversity Projects and the Development of Water Management Strategies.

The Presentation provided information, which included the following:

·         Results – 123 responses

·         86% very concerned / fairly concerned about Climate Change

·         Areas currently taking action to reduce impact on the Environment – 93% recycle and reduce waste, examples included; home compost, litter picking, allotment, vegan/ vegetarian diet

·         Community Group Action - 48 interested in being involved

·         Rewilding/wildlife friendly planting - majority would like to see this delivered in the Community, followed by generating renewable energy and tree planting

·         The considered top priority for reducing emissions from homes was Generating renewable energy and insulating buildings

·         Green Homes Grant CHiL Scheme – 32 would like details of the Scheme

·         Renewable Energy Generation – It was considered by the majority that it would be helpful to receive more information in respect of the Community Group purchasing scheme. (details/data to be placed on the Councils website)

·         44% would like to be involved in a Community Energy Project in West Lancashire

·         Transport is the highest source of emissions in West Lancashire – 32 new vehicle charge points have been fitted in Ormskirk and Skelmersdale

·         The main considerations for people to be more likely to consider an electric vehicle in the future were being convenient / prominent electric vehicle charging infrastructure in communities / Home electric vehicle charging/ more information and details of the running costs

·         Waste reduction – More information on product packaging; buy local and seasonal; donation of unwanted items; work with businesses on credentials; work with Community/Schools

·         Biodiversity – areas to prioritise including tree planting; habitat protection; reduced mowing regime; natural woodland/wildlife corridors; water conservation measures

·         77% support reduced mowing regime in open spaces to encourage wildflower regeneration

·         49% interested in helping with a community planting or biodiversity/habitat creation project

The Environmental Strategy Officer listed numerous other areas of interest raised as a result of the Consultation, some of which included food waste/compost collection, cycling infrastructure and litter picking. 

Questions and comments were raised in respect of the following:

·         Public information on meadows and locations

·         If there was a breakdown of the Consultation by Ward

·         Varieties of crops on fields for bees

·         Accredited companies / schemes for renewable energy

·         Tree planting in Wards/ residential areas (appropriate species)

·         Recycling education and promotion

·         Community Action / Citizen Assembly

·         Behavioural change

The Environmental Strategy Officer outlined the next steps identified following the Consultation:

·         To provide further information to the interested households of details of the Cosy Homes in Lancashire Scheme (CHiL) and encourage to take up free energy efficiency measures in their homes.

·         To contact interested parties in respect of Community Energy and invite to a community event by NW Energy Hub and also inform about the Rural Community Energy Fund.

·         To develop and promote case studies with performance and savings figures from installed renewable technologies on Council housing.

·         To investigate a community/group purchasing project for Solar PV.

·         To progress a second bid for further funds for Office of Low Emission Vehicles to further expand the charging network in West Lancs.

·         To identify further locations for tree planting, working with the Lancashire Woodland Connect Project.

·         To investigate an alternative/reduced mowing regime.

RESOLVED:

A.        That the Presentation be noted.

B.        That the following next steps as listed below be actioned and the findings reported back to the next Committee meeting in September.

1. To provide further information to the interested households of details of the Cosy Homes in Lancashire Scheme (CHiL) and encourage to take up free energy efficiency measures in their homes.
2. To contact interested parties in respect of Community Energy and invite to a community event by NW Energy Hub and also inform about the Rural Community Energy Fund.
3. To develop and promote case studies with performance and savings figures from installed renewable technologies on Council housing.
4. To investigate a community/group purchasing project for Solar PV.
5. To progress a second bid for further funds for Office of Low Emission Vehicles to further expand the charging network in West Lancs.
6. To identify further locations for tree planting, working with the Lancashire Woodland Connect Project.
7. To investigate an alternative/reduced mowing regime.