Question session with Lead Councillor for Climate Change. Councillor Jan Harwood’s areas of responsibility are Innovation, Strategic Planning, Sustainable Transport, and Housing Delivery.
Minutes:
The Chairman welcomed the Lead Councillor for Climate Change. The Chairman reminded the meeting that it had been necessary to split the question session for Councillor’s Harwood’s portfolio into two. He stated that the first part had been held in September and looked at planning policy and Planning White Paper questions. The Chairman indicated that the current meeting would cover the remainder of Councillor Harwood’s portfolio, with a focus on climate change.
The following information and responses were provided during the ensuing discussion:
· A member of the Committee asked how the Lead Councillor for Climate Change would involve local people and climate action groups in the Council’s climate change strategy and its application. In addition, the Committee member suggested the importance of working with partners to deliver a climate change programme and asked how the Lead Councillor would create relationships with partners and who he considered the principal partners. In reply, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change identified three key groups for engagement: institutions, such as the Council, the University of Surrey, and Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust; a cross-section of local action and community groups; and the local business community. He advised the meeting of the need for action to implement strategy. A member of the Committee suggested the value in engaging schools in the climate change strategy and its delivery.
· In reply to a question about the climate change implications of the government’s Planning for the Future White Paper, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change identified possible advantages if national planning policies aimed to progress environmental aspects in development proposals.
· In reply to a request for an update on the progress of the climate change action plan presented to the Executive in July 2020, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change indicated that a new member of staff had been recruited and work was on track. He informed the Committee that APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) had been engaged and he hoped to present details to the next meeting of the Climate Change Board. The Lead Councillor for Climate Change stated he would be requesting additional resources to progress the action plan.
· In response to the suggestion that APSE training on climate change provided to Councillors and senior officers be rolled out across the Council, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change advocated lower-cost, in-house training for specific staff, led by himself and members of his climate change team. He indicated the format for future training on climate change was under discussion, but he intended that it would be open to all Councillors.
· The Lead Councillor for Climate Change was asked how action on climate change could be embedded into targets and performance plans for Council departments and officers. He indicated that, in the short-term, this was best done by ensuring relevant decision-makers were aware of the climate change consequences of their decisions.
· A member of the Committee questioned whether given the recent adoption of the Climate Change SPD (Supplementary Planning Document) the Lead Councillor for Climate Change would ensure the impact of climate change was listed on planning officers’ reports as a key consideration. In reply, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change indicated that environmental concerns were already given consideration, but this could be explained better in officers’ reports.
· A member of the Committee suggested establishing a task group to maximise the air quality benefits of roadside planting. In response, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change stated that air quality was currently addressed in a reactionary manner and funding from central government and Surrey County Council was insufficient to tackle the issue in a proactive way. He indicated a desire to improve air quality monitoring in the Borough to identify and address problems areas.
· The Lead Councillor for Climate Change indicated that he was aware of the Climate Emergency Centre community project and he supported fully its objectives.
· With reference to the removal of trees such as at for the M25 junction 10 / A3 Wisley interchange, a member of the Committee asked if planting of replacement trees could be required prior to any felling. In reply, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change advised that developments were required to demonstrate biodiversity net gains. In addition, he indicated his confidence in the Council’s arboricultural officers’ attention to such issues and indicated he felt the loss of trees was not a particular cause for concern as the portfolio holder. In response to a further question on the issue, the Lead Councillor for Climate Change confirmed that the felling of trees for development was not a significant issue in the Borough and it would be unfair to Council officers to suggest it was.
· A Councillor suggested that climate change should be addressed in a holistic approach that recognised the importance of other environmental issues such as air quality, biodiversity, and water shortage. In addition, the Councillor proposed the value and relevance of doughnut economics. The Lead Councillor for Climate Change indicated his agreement with such views.
· The Lead Councillor for Climate Change advocated measures to encourage the use of electric cars in the Borough, including increased availability of charging points.
The Chairman thanked the Lead Councillor for Climate Change for attending and answering questions.