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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Carr, Green and Lloyd Jones.
Cllr Waldron declared a personal interests as his job sometimes involves advising on environmental policy.
The minutes of the meeting held on 13th June 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chairperson advised Committee that this item enabled Members to hear about the recently developed Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) and how it will be used to progress the One Planet Cardiff Strategy into the One Planet Cardiff Green Deal Proposition. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Cllr De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, Andrew Gregory, Director of Planning Transport & Environment and Gareth Harcombe, Head of Climate Emergency Response. The Cabinet Member was invited to make an opening statement after which Members were provided with a presentation from Officers. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members asked questions around the reliability of the models used to develop the plan, seeking assurance that they accurately reflect the outcomes and potential impacts. Officers explained that this was a hugely complex area to model. Energy Systems Catapult modelling and methodology, which references quite a few pilot/case studies including 3 in Wales, was being used. It is a tried and tested methodology, used by every Local Authority, which provides a level of consistency across the country. Members asked about commercial funding, whether there was an appetite for this or whether it was more likely that Government funding would need to be sought. Officers considered that it was more likely to be Government funding. Some schemes already exist such as LA flex scheme, whereby Local Authority’s can tap into energy company obligation funds. This was currently being implemented. Officers added that there would need to be a variety of funding methods for such a huge project. Officers went on to talk about the Solar Farm at Lamby Way which is delivering on its invest to save, the switch to heat pumps and the work that needs to be done to develop the market, reduce costs and increase public confidence. It was noted that there is lots of work ongoing and more to come in the next few years. Members noted the discrepancy between the number of rooftop solar panels mentioned in the Cabinet report (100,000) and the LAEP Executive Summary (115,000) and asked for clarification on this. Members discussed retrofitting existing buildings with renewable energy solutions and noted that some current developments are not including heat pumps and solar panels in new constructions and will therefore need to be retrofitted at some point in the future. Officers explained that some developments that are being built now, are being built to previous planning/building regulations conditions. Going forward, developments should be built to the new conditions which will include heat pumps and solar panels. Members discussed the potential for developing wave and tidal power. Officers explained that these are being looked at by the Western Gateway group of Authorities, who have set up a commission and a report has been published which reviews all of the various options that have been discussed to date. The next phase will be to look at what is feasible, this work is ongoing. Officers further explained that this is not included in the LAEP due to the LA boundaries, as is the case for the offshore options work that is ongoing. These will be brought together in a Welsh Government report at a later stage. Members asked whether discussions were happening already with Welsh Government, to ensure that new builds are complying with new planning/building regulations. Officers agreed to check on this specific point and come back to Committee but noted that Welsh Government is about to publish its Heat Strategy, which although not planning specific, does refer to retrofit and its policy plans ging forward. Given Cardiff's urban nature, members raised concerns about the competition for greenfield space needed for ground-based solar panels. Officers said that they are working with planners to explain that there is more flexibility in solar farms using greenfield space, as they are fundamentally a temporary structure, less intrusive and increase biodiversity. It was stressed however that each application is subject to rigorous planning assessment. Members considered there may be an argument for a regional approach as Cardiff as a City is limited in the amount of greenfield space it has and could possibly collaborate with neighbouring local authorities. Questions were raised about the availability of both internal and external expertise and resources necessary to execute such an ambitious plan. Officers stated that they have the expertise and resource in place, but it was the funding that was the challenge. They considered that National and Regional funding would be needed and that is what the Green Deal is about, the vision is in place, but the funding needs to be secured. Members stated that the report is very long, detailed and technical and therefore needs to be effectively communicated to the public as significant behavioural changes would be essential for achieving the desired outcomes. Members asked what be done to achieve this given the relatively slow response to retrofit and EV charging. The Cabinet Member explained that the communication/engagement would need to be set out in clear terms and language and there would be a Behaviour Change strategy in the near future. The Cabinet Member talked about the things that Cardiff already does as an Authority that many people are not aware of such as the Solar Farm at Lamby Way and the Hydro Electric pump at Radyr Weir, he stated that it is now important to show residents what is being done, what needs to be done and why, and that there is no alternative. Members stressed the importance of involving and engaging all Council Directorates in the plan's implementation and were pleased to hear that this happening with a newly recruited staff member sitting in the central governance team, looking at how carbon utility is embedded into all decision making. They were also pleased to hear about the various steering groups and boards that ensures join up on projects across the council. Members also heard that there was a focus on embedding 'carbon thinking' throughout the Council and ensuring adherence to the sustainable development principles of the Future Generations Act. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Members were provided with the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24. Members were advised that Environmental Committee pages had been before them previously, this was the final combined report which would go to Council for approval next week. This item was for information only however, Members were invited to provide any changes/observations that they may wish to make. No changes were requested. The Chairperson wished to note that the report was very clear, readable and contained useful infographics that set out the work of the scrutiny committees over the past year. The Chairperson wished to thank all Scrutiny Officers involved on the report and for their work on scrutiny over 2023/24.
None received.
Members were advised that the next Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 11 September 2024, 4.30pm.
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