Agenda item

Climate Change Local Commission and Development of the Environment Strategy

Minutes:

The Panel was provided with a report and brief presentation updating them on what was taking place by the Climate Change Local Commission and around the development of the Environment Strategy.

 

It was explained that a refreshed Environment Strategy was being produced and progress was at the stage of data collections and evidence gathering.  This would be done prior to an analysis being undertaken and in addition to the development of costed proposals for proposed activities.  Members were informed that the strategy was expected to be finalised around the start of the financial year to coincide with the development of a new Borough Strategy.

 

The presentation covered the following issues;

 

  • Local Commission – who and purpose
  • Environment Strategy; and
  • Strategy interrelated with refresh of the Borough Strategy.

 

There was a discussion held and the following issues were raised;

 

Targets and Steps Going Forward - A Member commented that they had previously raised a number of concerns and was fearful that the Council would not be ready to meet its 2030 targets.   It was also believed that the Council was already in possession of a range of useful data and needed to be as forward thinking as other local authorities in meeting their own 10-year targets.

 

Other concerns included planning brownfield site developments in areas causing pollution through additional traffic.

 

Members were assured that real action was being undertaken and work was taking place with Leeds University, who had experience around this subject.  It was explained that the Commission would help set out what the next 10 years would look like.

 

It was acknowledged that there was a real opportunity presented through Doncaster’s new Borough Strategy, which would help set the tone going forward alongside a 10 year Environmental Strategy and provide an opportunity to embed it in the wider policy agenda.

 

A Member commented that more could have been done to involve residents to make small changes in the 4 months since the emergency was declared.  It was felt that although this may only make a small difference, it would help residents feel more empowered.  It was acknowledged that effective and immediate action already undertaken to date had involved trees, peat bogs and rewilding.   It was explained that making most of our natural assets would be moved forward over next few weeks through working with the Doncaster Nature Alliance.

 

It was recognised that to enable small changes, the right resources needed to be in place without limiting ambitions.  It was noted that the strategy needed to take account of investment opportunities and that effective communication with residents was important.

 

A Member expressed their desire to gain more confidence that what was outlined in the COSSHH document (that had been available since 2012) would be taken forward.

 

Concern was also raised around what was not being done by Streetscene to support this agenda.

 

Achievements - It was explained that recognising and celebrating what the Council was already achieving would form part of the strategy.  As an example, Members were reminded about the massively reduced landfill that had been achieved through the facility offered at Manvers. A Member also noted the success story where 3 and 5% landfill was being undertaken.

 

Businesses – It was questioned what businesses were providing towards climate change as they had to a point, contributed towards it.  It was acknowledged that there was a whole range of activities and commitments from Doncaster’s Business Community and that avenues would be agreed though the Doncaster Chamber (who were represented on the Climate Commission).  It was noted that 90% of business were micros businesses and that any changes in the short term may adversely affect productivity and taper out expectations. It was noted that the Council itself was one of the largest business organisations in the Borough and recognised that this was an issue for everyone.

 

Planning – Concern was raised about approved new housing development sites in Finningley and the adverse impact this would be having on climate change.

 

It was discussed whether planning would be involved in looking at issues such as how green will new houses be and it was felt that something would be needed in planning agreements to ensure that buildings were sustainable.  It was also commented that there should be more green spaces.  It was noted that discussions were taking place about what implications there were for the future and it was believed that this was something the Commission may want to take forward.

 

It was also queried whether the authority was reviewing its planning policy in respect of topping off tip sites.  Members were assured that this would be taken back to planning.

 

A Member raised their concerns over an area situated in Balby, due to it being  contaminated land that had been used for landfill (and was full of methane burned off for over a period of 30 years).  It was questioned how much methane there was in that land, how many other landfills were there and would this be continued.  Officers offered to provide a response to these questions outside of the meeting.  In respect of whether methane could be utilised as a resource, it was responded that different options would be considered.  It was commented that landfill sites would form one of the topic areas within the strategy alongside other options and considerations. Regarding the effect of peat extraction, it was acknowledged that Doncaster was the third highest (in the bottom three) in the country of carbon emissions release.

 

In terms of the local plan and where it stands with the emerging Environmental Strategy, it was explained that there were planning policies in place.  A Member stated that they had previously raised the issue of solar panels as part of planning consideration and this had not been implemented as it was not national policy.  It was commented that there was opportunity for the Commission to lobby, better and wider national standards.

 

Resources – It was stressed that there needed to be accurate financial planning and assurances were sought that the necessary finances would be in place to deliver the proposals as part of the Strategy.  Members stressed that there needed to be a realistic environmental programme with the right people driving it forward.

 

In terms of the necessary resources being made available, it was explained that the strategy was currently at a stage of ideas, proposals and prioritising.  It was recognised that certain proposals would be easier to deliver than others and that there would be a mixture of what was in the authority’s control and what was not.  It was also recognised that difficult decisions may need to be made with the possibly of a reallocation of resources.  It was acknowledged that the strategy’s aims, objectives and resources needed to be clear and transparent.

 

It was noted that the additional standards that might make a difference, would require increased costs and there would always be a certain amount of conflict. Members were reminded that there was also a range of economic growth aspirations in place as well.  In response, a Member commented that this might reach a stage where there was no choice, in light of the fact that there had been an emergency declared.

 

Tree Planting – It was felt that tree planting did not have the required budget in place and it was expressed by a Member that this was an issue that should be taken back to the Commission.  It was recognised that tree planting was very important in tackling climate change and would form part of the Commission’s final report. 

 

There was a discussion around what landowners could do in contributing towards this issue by planting the most appropriate trees in the right areas.  A Member explained that although trees needed a minimum of 9 metres clearance of drainage ditches as they could not be obstructed to reduce the risk of flooding.

 

Communication and Engagementwere considered as very important going forward and it was suggested that a Members Seminar would be very useful.  Members were also informed that there was the Team Doncaster Summit, website pages and further public engagement to take place.

 

Reference was made to the recent incident in America and in response to whether this could also occur here.  In response, it was explained that it was illegal to dump fuel and a Member requested that this be verified outside of the meeting.  It was confirmed that there was representation from the Airport on the Commission.

 

A Member requested that they would like to see the background and qualifications of all those on the Climate Commission. Members were assured that they had appropriate experience and expertise and that this information was available to view on the Doncaster Team website.

 

The Chair thanked officers for presenting and encouraged Members to contribute to the strategy.

 

RESOLVED that the Panel;

 

·         Note the progress outlined in the report; and

·         For a Members Seminar event to be arranged around the work being undertaken on climate change.

·         For the Communities and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Panel to receive as part of their workplan for 2019/20;

o      An in-depth updated report in conclusion with the findings of the Climate Commission in May 2020.

o      An update on the Environment Strategy

 

Supporting documents: