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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
1.1 Chair welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting. 1.2 Apologies were received from Councillors Liam Cowles, Giles Davies, Elizabeth Haynes, Caroline Price & Alan Slade.
2.1 There were no Declarations.
3.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 16 April 2024 were confirmed as an accurate record.
4.1 Members noted the action sheet.
5.1 The EM introduced the report and the IDE&E then gave a detailed overview of the report and appendices to Members. 5.2 Members questioned and officers responses were as follows: • E&CRM – There was a question around the feasibility of achieving the target to hit Net Zero by 2030, the officer responded that the target was ambitious particularly as a large percentage of our emissions were not under our control, with 70% coming from our procurement partners and contractors. He did however state with confidence that what we were able to control ourselves was making progress towards that target. • E&CRM – The EV charger points that were installed across the Borough were only deemed suitable for electric cars and not bikes, as the voltage they used was deemed too high for them. However it was suggested that they might be suitable for electric motorbikes. • E&SM – Following a question around the numbers listed under Paragraph 4.6.1 of the report, the E&SM clarified that out of the 107 actions 2 had not been started and 1 had been abandoned, which had not been included in the report. • E&SM – Questions were asked on progress of the actions in the report that were classified as “red”. It was explained that these 3 actions had formed part of the Delivery Plan for 2024/2025 and progress had already been made on them. • IDE&E – When asked about improving recycling figures it was said that the Raise the Rate Campaign had made good progress in its targets and Members would be kept updated on its progress. • IDE&E – It was confirmed that Officers had attended local schools to promote Active Travel but due to limited resources they were not able to attend all schools as of yet; however it was their ambition to do this in due course. • HPP – When referring to Greenspace Management and the possibility of overgrowth on Active Travel routes, this currently worked on a 10-day cutting cycle, although it was stated that these arrangements were able to be reviewed. • IDE&E – In response to a question around lighting of the Borough it was explained that whilst lighting had been a concern a balance was needed between this and reducing our energy consumption, so it had been important to ensure that only the areas that needed to be lit were. • HPP – The team responsible for dealing with Fly-Tipping worked on a reactive basis mostly but had on occasion been utilised for planned work projects. • IDE&E – If Members had concerns around specific areas within their ward then the IDE&E asked that they raise this with him outside of the meeting. • IDE&E – Members raised concerns around the lack of bicycle parking at the Civic Centre and the IDE&E responded that this was being reviewed and updates would be provided when available. • E&CRM – When asked about the lack of EV charge points at the Civic Centre, it was said that funding had been secured for 3 charge points and discussions were underway on confirming a timeline for installation. • IDE&E – It was important to ensure the Council transitioned its fleet correctly, for example smaller vehicles suited transitioning to electric, but larger vehicles would require a different fuel source, such as hydrogen. It was also important that we kept informed on the latest technologies to ensure the long-term future of these vehicles. • E&CRM – Work had been completed on upgrading the electrical grid at Ty Blaen to ensure that we were technically able to support the transition of vehicles to electric. • JP – Guidance and training for staff around procurement had been issued and made available. Staff were encouraged to look at responsible providers when purchasing and to always consider carbon reduction and to look at using providers who were committed to net zero before 2050. • E&CRM – No decisions had been made around transitioning our large vehicles to hydrogen as we wanted to analyse all the options and ensure there were clear solutions around infrastructure and supply chains. • EM – Members would be briefed should any policy decisions be made around the transition of all vehicles, adding that Officers kept well informed on all developments around emerging technological advances. • GLEE&C – Following a question on Tree Management it was said that the intention moving forward would be to map the trees within the Borough to ensure managing and monitoring was developed. • IDE&E – It was explained that as a lot of the staff in the roles supporting the climate and nature emergency were on fixed-term contracts it had been a challenge to retain staff. A review was underway around the use of staff and the possibility to transition to more full-time staff. • TLE – It was confirmed that the Local Nature Plan was on target to be finalised. Some amendments had been discussed but progress had been made with the document. • TLE – The approach taken to increase biodiversity across the Borough had not always been understood by residents. It was said that more work was needed to be done around providing better communication to the communities explaining the reasons behind certain policies related to increasing biodiversity. • TLE – New guidance around planning policy was introduced in February 2024 and this was focussed around natural resources. Under the policy all new developments had to provide a net biodiversity gain, failure to show this meant some planning applications had been rejected. • IDE&E – The new policy also encouraged more to be done around Sustainable Urban Drainage and this has been a focus as well when planning applications were received. • TLE – The peatland and bogs that are in the Borough played a vital role in mitigating water runoff, as well as being important for carbon storage and biodiversity. Where possible we have worked in partnership with landowners to ensure these areas are retained and maintained regularly. Where TCBC owns the areas, we are able to put our own measures in place to improve them and help with our flood plan, usually at little cost to ourselves. • IDE&E – As mentioned previously bogs and peatland form part of our Flood Risk Management Strategy and are in fact fundamental to that strategy. In regards to residents installing artificial lawns, it was said that the focus around drainage had been mainly in areas where it would have a significant impact and therefore astroturf or similar materials being used in residents’ gardens had not been a concern. • TLE – Asked about our World Heritage sites, the officer responded that we had management in place at these sites and that he was confident that we had done all we can to protect and enhance these areas. 5.3 The Chair thanked the Officers and the EM for their participation, and they then left the meeting. The SO, AD&MSTL and TD&MSO remained for the recommendations. 5.4 Recommendations On completion of their scrutiny activity, the Committee concluded by offering the following recommendations and comments for consideration: - Recommendation 1:- Members supported the decision to rationalise the Council’s fleet, so that it reflects the need across the whole Council. Members recommended that this work continues and that all opportunities around electric, hydrogen and emerging technologies be explored as part of this process, in order to achieve a net zero fleet. Recommendation 2:- Members were pleased that in order to improve understanding, procurement colleagues are engaging with the Council’s high-carbon suppliers, contractors and service providers to see if they can supply more accurate data and to find out the steps they are taking to reduce the carbon footprint of the goods, services and / or works we procure from them and their supply chains. Members acknowledged that this was a complex area; however they recommended that future updates on the Climate and Nature Emergency Delivery Plan include details on the collaborative procurement work taking place amongst local authorities and procurement guidance towards net zero, including specific objectives for carbon suppliers, contractors and service providers. Providing access to the guidance prepared for staff in key procurement areas would be helpful. Recommendation 3:- Members were pleased with the commitment to develop an Action Plan to help drive down emissions associated with commuting and homeworking. Members recommended that officers explore the potential support available to staff to access more environmentally friendly vehicles (including bicycles/e-bikes) and gave examples such as 0% interest loans or leasing arrangements. Recommendation 4:- Members were concerned by the potential health and safety risks associated with Active Travel, particularly during the winter, and recommended that officers explore available options to improve the provision, such as reflectors or white lines along Active Travel routes and to ensure there is adequate lighting/reflective signage for walking and cycling routes in urban areas, which were not necessarily the designated Active Travel routes. Members acknowledged the climate and financial reasoning for some streetlighting being switched off in the past; however they suggested a review of some areas of known ‘dark spots’ would benefit the growth of Active Travel. Recommendation 5:- With regards to recycling, Members noted that the timescales related to the Raise the Rate Delivery Plan were under review; however Members recommended that the kerbside collection of small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (s/WEEE) be progressed as soon as practicably possible, in order to improve recycling rates. Recommendation 6:- Members noted that the Welsh Government’s new Climate Adaptation Plan is due to be published in October 2024 and would need to be reflected in subsequent iterations of the Climate and Nature Emergency Delivery Plan. Members recommended that a Member Seminar be organised in order to update all Members regarding this important development, when appropriate. Recommendation 7:- Members commented on the significant reliance that the Council had on some term-based staff posts and that they can often be responsible for valuable work around co-ordinating volunteers in order to assist with climate and nature emergency objectives. Members raised concerns around the sustainability of the Council’s workforce in this regard and recommended that it is a key consideration when making decisions around the Climate and Nature Emergency Delivery Plan (i.e. sufficient capacity to deliver all objectives). Recommendation 8:- Members recommended that greater engagement takes place with local community groups (e.g. the Climate Ambassadors Group) to assist with biodiversity objectives, such as reduced cutting regimes, flood risk mitigation and replacement tree planting. Recommendation 9:- Members commented that illegal off-roading by vehicles on peatlands was destroying the landscape and were pleased that officers agreed that improvements were required. Members recommended that off-roading be treated similarly to fly-tipping (within BER22), including surveillance initiatives to identify those involved and enforcement action where appropriate (it was noted this was particularly pertinent for protected landscapes, such as the World Heritage area). Recommendation 10:- Members were surprised that there was no specific mention of the Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen Local Nature Partnership (LNP) within the Climate and Nature Emergency Delivery Plan. Members recommended that future iterations of the Plan include the specific work of the LNP and any other relevant partners, including the location of peatlands and bogs, species in decline and what the Council and its partners are doing to protect these (including how this will be measured). Recommendation 11:- Members were pleased with the positive steps made in areas such as Active Travel and Biodiversity; however they recommended that officers explore ways of improving the promotion and engagement around such areas, as it was felt that some members of the public would benefit from a better understanding of the reasons behind certain strategies/plans. Community groups may also be able to help spread key messaging. In addition to this, Members recommended improved communications with Members around positive news stories, as many were unaware of the recent update around electric charging spaces to be installed at the Civic Centre car park. Additional Comments & Observations from the Committee: Members commented that they were pleased by the positive verbal updates (on ‘red’ rated actions) provided by officers during the meeting with regards to the review of travel expenses policies, to encourage uptake of sustainable travel (MT1.1) and the review of the cycle to work scheme, including for e-bikes (MT1.2); however it was suggested that updates of this nature should be captured within futures iterations of the report, for completeness. The Committee welcomed the offer from the Deputy Director, Highways and Climate Change to provide an update on the schemes involved as part of delivering the Flood Recovery Projects (post Storm Denis), as referred to within R6 on page 73 of the agenda. The attention being given to ‘red’ and ‘amber’ rated workstream elements was also noted and deemed fully appropriate. 5.5 The meeting ended at 3.50pm.
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