Agenda item

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 forward the plan for Internal Consultation and with Bolsover Partnership teams; and,

3)    Scrutiny Members review the amended Plan post consultation.