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The Climate Change and Nature Scrutiny Performance Panel heard updates on public electric vehicle (EV) charging and on the Local Area Energy Plan, a plan for cutting carbon emissions in Swansea's energy systems to reach net zero by 2050. The minutes record questions and discussion but no decisions. The Panel later asked the Cabinet Member for written answers on three points.
No disclosures of interest were received.
No declarations were made.
Panel agreed the Minutes of the meeting on 19 November 2024 as an accurate record of the meeting.
Letter to Cabinet Member following the meeting on 19 November 2024 was noted by the Panel.
No questions were received.
Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation and relevant officers attended to update the Panel on the work the Council is doing in terms of EV charging. Discussion Points: · Panel was informed the Department is continually looking for new grants to apply for in order to expand the EV network across the City and is in the process of looking at a pilot scheme for on street charging. · Panel asked questions about pilot study for on street parking in terms of timescales, legality, use of hubs; delays with EV charge point connection and installation; monitoring use of EV charging bays; Ecargo bike charging provision; Council’s thinking on use of hydrogen; cost of EV charging; stimulating growth in the private market.
Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Service Transformation and relevant officers attended to brief the Panel on the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) and answer the Panel’s questions. Rebecca Fogarty, Chair of the Climate Change and Nature Recovery Service Transformation Committee also attended to update the Panel on the work the Committee has done towards the development of the Plan. Discussion Points: · Panel was informed it is not a Council Plan but is a plan for the City and County of Swansea area and has been driven by Welsh Government priorities. Swansea is part of the southwest region, and the Council is successfully working with colleagues on a regional basis. All authorities are struggling with very limited resources to deliver on this agenda. · Panel heard the Plan is not just dependent on the Council’s actions, it is very much dependent on things outside of its control, UK and WG policy. The Council is trying to focus on the actions that are within its control and engage with stakeholders whose activity will impact on the delivery of net zero by 2050. · Panel asked questions about local residents not being included in the wider stakeholders in the Plan; housing stock and heat pump technology; grants for residents to install heat pumps; energy generation in council homes; potential dual use of car parks; planning around solar panels in old AONB area; technology along motorways to produce electricity; help for communities taking forward energy schemes; district heating networks; preparations in place for apprenticeships and training; use of micro hydro generation. Actions: · Panel to receive information on suitability of properties in West Cross for heat pump technology · Panel to receive information on grants available to install heat pumps · Information to be provided on what is available in terms of communities taking forward energy schemes.
Panel considered the work plan and noted items for the next meeting.
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