Issue - meetings

The Scrutiny Officer presented the Post-Scrutiny Monitoring Report on the recent Review of Council’s Approach to Carbon Reduction to the Committee.

The Committee had put together 9 recommendations, as outlined in Appendix 1, which would enable the Council to clarify immediate priorities for action as well as longer term planning to ensure the Council and District had achieved Net Zero by 2050.

6 out of 9 recommendations had been achieved – 2 were on track and 1 had been extended.  The outstanding recommendations were on track to be completed in late 2025.  It was noted that the Council had established a Climate Change Officer in July 2024, who was overseeing the completion of the outstanding recommendations.

Revised target dates and detail on the actions and progress taken were set out in Appendix 2.

The Climate Change Officer informed the Council’s transportation emissions would increase due to additional vehicles in the fleet.  The Strategic Director of Services explained functions previously delivered by North East Derbyshire District Council were now in-house.  The Climate Change Officer added the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in lieu of diesel from April 2025 would result in around a tenth of emissions – actual emissions and savings would be reported when available from April 2026.  This equated to 841 tonnes CO2 reduction to 12 tonnes (approx.).

The Strategic Director of Services informed the use of HVO had been delayed due to the higher cost of the fuel in previous years – it was currently 8-9 pence more per litre, but the environmental benefits outweighed this cost.

The Committee was informed that while Battery Electric Vehicles had been considered, the initial upfront price per vehicle and their high devaluation did not offset the lower running costs.

The Strategic Director of Services left the meeting at 14:44 hours.

The Scrutiny Officer noted the Portfolio Holder for the Environment was meeting with the Climate Change Officer monthly.  Considerations were being made for Local Government Reorganisation and the Council’s future corporate plans.

The other recommendations and their current statuses were discussed by the Committee.

The Climate Change Officer offered Members could request meetings be arranged at any point to discuss any / all climate change issues.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Anne Clarke

RESOLVED that: 1) Scrutiny Members note the progress against the review recommendations;

2)    Scrutiny Members acknowledge any exceptions to delivery and clarify the additional action required by the service;

3)    Scrutiny Members make its report and findings public, in accordance with Part 4.5.17(4) of the Council’s Constitution; and,

4)    Officers continue to implement the recommendations and submit a further report in six months’ time highlighting progress and any exceptions to delivery.