Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies.

An apology for absence was received on behalf of Councillor Ashley Taylor.

To note any urgent items of business which the Chairman has consented to being considered under the provisions of Section 100(B) 4(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no urgent items of business to be considered.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a) any business on the agenda;

b) any urgent additional items to be considered;

c) any matters arising out of those items;

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time

There were no declarations of interest made.

To consider the minutes of the Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting held on Tuesday the 14th of April, 2026.

Moved by Councillor Cathy Jeffery and seconded by Councillor Sandra Peake

RESOLVED that the minutes of a Climate Change and Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 14^th April 2026 be approved as a true and correct record.

Members should contact the officer whose name appears on the List of Key Decisions for any further information). NB: If Members wish to discuss an exempt report under this item, the meeting will need to move into exempt business and exclude the public in accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and Local Government Act 1972, Part 1, Schedule 12a for that part of the meeting only.

The Committee considered the List of Key Decisions and Items to be considered in private.

To a Member’s query on the contract award for the repair of concrete lintel features at various residential properties, the Strategic Director of Services offered to report additional information on the decision after the meeting.

RESOLVED that the List of Key Decisions and Items to be considered in the private document be noted.

The Scrutiny Officer presented the report to the Committee.

As part of previous Work Programmes, the Committee had put together 9 recommendations, as outlined in Appendix 1, with the aim of enabling the Council to clarify immediate priorities for action, as well as longer term planning to ensure the Council and District was net zero by 2050.

Attached at Appendix 2 was the progress of these recommendations to date.

Attached at Appendix 2 on the following agenda item was the Communications Plan, established following the Committee’s previous meeting – the Council’s website and other communication channels would be developed as projects moved forward and accompanied by press articles where appropriate, and these would help deliver recommendations 2.5 and 2.8.

However, in the interim the Council had additionally developed a DRAFT Climate Resilience Plan (CRP) – consultation pending and attached at Appendix 1 on the following agenda item.  This plan moved away from being focussed solely on Carbon Emissions to encompass the essential process of adaptation to climate change and a wider range of other environmental concerns, enabling greater resilience to the developing effects of climate change.

The Committee was informed recommendation 2.3 might not be applicable due to its narrow focussed baseline, whereas the proposed CRP would likely provide better service specific measures instead.

In answer to a question, the Scrutiny Officer informed Appendix 2 was a live document and updated as recommendations were achieved / extended.

A Member expressed approval on the progress being made.

Moved by Councillor Cathy Jeffery and seconded by Councillor Sandra Peake

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)    Scrutiny Members note the move away from a narrow Carbon Plan to a more comprehensive Climate Resilience Plan and review the validity of recommendation CCCSC22-23 2.3

The Projects and Programmes Manager and Climate Change Officer jointly presented the report to the Committee.

The Council had developed a DRAFT Climate Resilience Plan (CRP) – consultation pending and attached at Appendix 1.  This plan moved away from being focussed solely on Carbon Emissions to encompass the essential process of adaptation to climate change and a wider range of other environmental concerns, enabling greater resilience to the developing effects of climate change.

The CRP had been developed rather than a Carbon Reduction Plan to allow for a wider range of environmental elements to be delivered and for adaption to climate change be included.

The CRP had been developed in line with the Committee’s previous recommendations.

An internal Climate Resilience Group had been established to develop the CRP rather than bringing in external consultants.  This was to:

·       ensure staff had greater input into and ownership of the CRP;

·       help develop cross department collaboration – this had already resulted in departments working on projects together;

·       involve staff in the development so the Council could consider previous projects, decisions and history – projects could run more effectively; and,

·       many of the actions involved cross departmental working – this could be easier if departments had been involved in developing the action.

The Climate Resilience Group would include staff from key departments across

the Council and would involve topics such as:

·       Energy efficiency and asset optimisation;

·       On-site renewables and low-carbon heat;

·       Whole-building decarbonisation and compliance;

·       Housing retrofit, health and fuel poverty reduction;

·       Climate adaptation and household / community resilience;

·       Water efficiency and resource management;

·       Nature-based solutions and biodiversity net gain;

·       Sustainable mobility and modal shift;

·       Circular economy and waste reduction supply chain decarbonisation & skills uplift;

·       Business decarbonisation programme;

·       Governance, data and policy alignment; and,

·       Operational continuity and culture change.

It was noted communication would form a key element, raising awareness of the CRP by educating and informing staff and Members and publishing all successes achieved.

The Climate Change Officer offered if Members had any questions to make contact.

The Projects and Programmes Manager informed the internal consultation would take place from July 2026 – September 2026.

The Chair expressed approval of the CRP.  A Member agreed, stating it was excellent.

In response to the proposition of installing photovoltaic solar panels on Council properties when roofs were being replaced (and scaffolding was already present), the Strategic Director of Services informed panels were being installed on new-build Council-owned properties and on sites with special business cases.  The Climate Change Officer added the Assistant Director of Housing Management and Housing Strategy and Development Officer were proving excellent at securing funding from retrofit programmes / grants and would continue applying for investment – the installation of panels when roofs were being replaced could be a viable option in future.

A Member thanked officers for the report and all responses.

Moved by Councillor Cathy Jeffery and seconded by Councillor Sandra Peake

RESOLVED that: 1) Scrutiny Members note the development of the DRAFT Climate Resilience Plan;

2)    Scrutiny Members put  ...  view the full minutes text for item CLI7-26/27

The Environmental Health Team Manager presented the report to the Committee.

The Animal Welfare Act 2006 had created an overarching welfare obligation on those who were responsible for animals.  The 5 ‘needs’ of animals identified were:

• The need for a suitable environment;
• The need for a suitable diet;
• The need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns;
• Any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals; and,
• The need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury, and disease.

The Council was responsible for the licensing and regulation of animal related activities (and safeguarding animal welfare) within the District under 4 separate pieces of legislation:

• Animal Activity Licences issued under The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities involving Animals) Regulations 2018;
• Primate Licences issued under the Animal Welfare (Primate Licences) (England) Regulations 2024;
• Dangerous Wild Animal Licences issued under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976; and,
• Zoo Licences issued under the Zoo Licensing Act 1981.

Following the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018, the Council had adopted its current Animal Welfare Licensing Policy (the ‘Policy’), which was adopted 16^th September 2019 – the Policy had remained unchanged since adoption and was attached at Appendix 1.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the General Licensing Committee was responsible for all licensing matters not covered by the Licensing Act 2003 or the Gambling Act 2005, while the responsibility for the final determination of policies was reserved for the Council.

The Joint Environmental Health Service had undertaken an extensive review of the Policy, resulting in a complete, substantive and appropriate rewrite – the draft revised Policy was attached at Appendix 2.  The draft proposals sought to:

• Modify the format of the Policy to ensure it was comprehensive and cohesive;
• Ensure the Policy was consistent with legislation and statutory guidance;
• Ensure the Council’s processes were transparent;
• Ensure the Council promoted the highest animal welfare standards; and,
• Ensure the Policy adequately safeguarded the public.

An equality impact assessment had additionally been carried out – a draft copy was attached at Appendix 3 (in relation to some activities including / promoting child participation, e.g. horseback riding).

Research had been undertaken resulting in Table 1 and Graph 1of the report.  These showed how animal activity had changed across the District since the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 and the Council’s current Policy.  It was found the number of animal licences had almost doubled since 2021, while service requests relating to animal welfare had increased between 2023 and 2025 before reducing to earlier levels.

The increase in animal licences and complaints was likely a consequence of greater awareness of the animal licensing regime amongst operators and the public.  Recurring themes included:

• Requests for advice to start or expand a business;
• Requests for advice on what activities required a licence;
• Requests to verify information on current licences / licensing registers;
• Reports of unlicensed activity;
• Concerns about animal welfare; and,
• Nuisance linked  ...  view the full minutes text for item CLI8-26/27

The Scrutiny Officer presented the Work Programme 2026/27, attached at Appendix 1, to the Committee.

Moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Anne Clarke

RESOLVED that Members review this report and the Programme attached at Appendix 1 for approval and amendment as required.  All Members are advised to contact the Scrutiny Officer should they have any queries regarding future meetings.