Agenda item

The Scrutiny Officer presented the Post-Scrutiny Monitoring Report to the Committee.

The Committee had previously received updates on progress against the Carbon Reduction Plan 2019-30 (CRP).  Following structural changes in 2021/22 and a change in lead officers, the existing action plans were reviewed.

In March 2022, the Executive had agreed to accept the proposed changes and move away from the more traditional monitoring to a live document that would track and evidence progress across all schemes and / or initiatives.

The Committee received an update in May 2022 and put together nine recommendations.  These were attached at Appendix 1.  Progress of the recommendations were attached at Appendix 2.

To date, five recommendations had been achieved with four extended and on track for completion in 2025.  The Scrutiny Officer introduced the Climate Change Officer, recruited July 2024, who would be overseeing the completion of the outstanding recommendations.

One key achievement was the Council ensuring that a lead Portfolio Holder for Carbon Reduction from within the Executive was agreed postelection May 2023.

A reason for the delay with outstanding recommendations was the recruitment of the Climate Change Officer.  The Scrutiny Officer reiterated it was expected all outstanding recommendations would be completed in 2025.

Since the previous Committee meeting, Figure 2.2 of Appendix 1 – “That a dedicated operational post be recruited to, in addition to the designation of a lead senior officer, to ensure that the delivery in relation to carbon reduction maintains momentum to reach the 2050 target” – with the recruitment of the Climate Change Officer.

Figures 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.8 were intended to be completed in the next few months.  The Climate Change Officer added these recommendations were all on track.

The Scrutiny Officer informed the next final interim report would be in six months’ time.

To a question on the Low Carbon Thematic Group, the Assistant Director for Development and Planning informed that this was an opportunity to review and explore the purpose of the Low Carbon Thematic Group in the future and how it would work closely with Bolsover Partnership.

With the recruited Climate Change Officer, new ideas could be brought forward to shape the Low Carbon Thematic Group.  The Committee were also informed that the Council could not achieve all desired aims; it was important to review the Low Carbon Thematic Group’s remit to achieve maximum results.

The Portfolio Holder for the Environment agreed with the Assistant Director for Development and Planning; it was important to review and find the appropriate purpose for the Low Carbon Thematic Group moving forwards.

To a question on why the Minutes of a Committee meeting held on 4^th July 2023 had stated recommendations were on track, the Scrutiny Officer explained the Committee had agreed at its 21^st May 2024 meeting to extend the original target dates to take into account the recruitment of the Climate Change Officer in the summer of 2024.

Moved by Councillor Emma Stevenson and seconded by Councillor Carol Wood

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.