Agenda item

The Panel received an update on activity and next steps in relation to the Environmental and Sustainability Strategy.

There was a discussion and the following areas were highlighted;

Energy Co-operatives – A Member asked what was being undertaken to support residents in building energy co-operatives in Doncaster.  Members were informed that there were many different models in terms of supporting the community and energy engagement, which were being considered with this being one of those models.  It was explained that there was new capability being brought into the sustainability and energy side (as well as natural environment) unit to take forward this work.

Tree Planting Target – Concern was raised around how the Council was looking to promote its tree planting on private land to help towards its 1 million tree target.  It was recognised that this was a particularly high target with large delivery needing to come from private landowners.  Reference was made to support available through the likes of partnerships at a South Yorkshire level, local nature partnership, forestry commission and woodland trust, called the South Yorkshire Woodland Creation partnership. 

It was added that different funding streams were coming through organisations such as DEFRA, ultimately through the woodland trust and forestry commission.  It was outlined that there was active engagement with the forestry commission around some of their activity.  An example of this was a leasing scheme aimed at leasing land of 50 hectares for around 60 years or more, making a significant impact to the target.  It was explained that currently outside of tree planting season, the Council was actively engaged in preparation work regarding funding streams and the project pipeline.  This would involve looking at four elements of Doncaster assets of around 60 hectares, various funding streams currently available and how invitations would be going out to the community, business owners and private landowners who all contribute to the tree target.

A Member raised concern whether this target was realistic and it was responded that emerging climate change reports indicated that substantial ambitions were needed (alongside retrofitting, peatland restoration and other climate change interventions).  It was explained that Doncaster formed part of the South Yorkshire Woodland Creation Programme, which provided support and access to funding.  Members were also informed that there would be a dedicated post within the new Sustainability Unit that will focus on this area and engaging with private landowners. 

Members were also informed of other areas of work such the recent publication of a new national planning framework that would ensure that trees were a requisite of new developments.  It was explained that another piece of work was a Natural Capital Assessment for South Yorkshire, led by the Sheffield City Region.  This involved assessing Doncaster land, its current performance in terms of capturing carbon or emitting carbon and identifying opportunities areas for biodiversity improvement including tree planting.  Members were informed that this would will help guide the authority to the best location, to enable a dialogue with landowners and start recruiting the private sector in order to meet the objectives.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability raised the issue of addressing behaviour change, such as monitoring individual behaviour as well as tree planting and clarified that this was being picked up in the sustainability unit.   It was recognised that this work included all organisations such as schools and businesses.  It was noted that consideration had been given to forming a register where private individuals were encouraged to identify areas where they had planted trees and what types of trees they were.

Reference was made to resourcing the tress or saplings in-house.  The Natural Environment Officer stated that there was no current plan to have a nursery in-house.  It was outlined how community nurseries attract community support and something that could be considered (although questioned whether such a model would itself would provide the authority with the bulk that commercial forestry companies could provide).  It was acknowledged that there was a need to have supply chain that was reliable and part of a skilled industry as it was recognised that all local authorities were looking to access a large number of trees.

Habitat Banking – A brief explanation was provided about biodiversity net gain.  It was outlined how developers needed to provide some indication as to how they will maintain or compensate for biodiversity lost as part of development.

It was explained how biodiversity loss was calculated in units, and development applications needed to show how developers could restore the loss of biodiversity or purchase biodiversity units from a habitat bank to compensate.

Members were told how there was a reluctance for biodiversity loss to be offset remotely and it was recognised that communities needed to connect with what they had lost and what they had gained,

It was commented that dispersing net gain across a community i.e. a tree, grass verge, would mean having multiple sites and therefore difficult to assess in terms of their biodiversity baseline.  It was considered that this gave good reason for having habitat banks i.e. sites that were managed, and that there would be a greater biodiversity gain when there was a consolidated habitat.  It was noted that the scheme was a pilot for planning colleagues, to find out how biodiversity net gain works best.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability commented that when planning, developers may go onto greenspace and as part of planning considerations, trees were being removed and replaced in that area.  It was noted that there were times when developers were unable to fulfil that pledge although considered important when developers do develop, that there was a relationship balance that needed to be applied. It was felt that it was important to watch the responsibilities of planning and developers and that Members were mindful of those regarding applications in their ward areas.

Council Fleet – Members noted that they were pleased to see that the Council’s fleet was starting to become increasingly more electric powered including the new bin collectors with an additional 25 vehicles planned this year.  It was added that there was a plan to expand further its green fleet over the next few years to match its target of zero emissions.  The Assistant Director of Housing concurred how it was important to change the council vehicles moving forward and this formed a key part of the action planning targets. 

Members were informed by the Cabinet Members that new bin lorries were expensive to purchase although not the case to maintain them.  It was recognised that the issue was the infrastructure and being able to provide charging points such as within car parks.  The Assistant Director advised Members that feasibility work had commenced to consider charging options and a potential pilot scheme involving street charging and using lampposts to charge.

A Member raised concern around areas with roads, which experienced high pollution levels due to having busy roads.  It was recognised that there was a synergy between both the air quality and electrification agenda.

Communication and Engagement - The Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Waste updated Members about the work that was being undertaken to promote further engagement with Members through a regular newsletter (that would also be made available to public) along with ongoing achievements.  It was also noted that this newsletter would be also made available in the public domain.  Further to this, there would also be an environmental surgery and an opportunity to hold a dialogue with officers to share any ideas and concerns. 

Overview and Scrutiny Workplan - In terms of the workplan, Officers suggested that the following areas would be worth consideration by scrutiny;

·         Retrofitting of Building – it was commented that this was both an area of particular challenge but also a significant area as housing was one of the largest emitter of carbon emissions in the borough.

·         Behaviour Changes – key in tackling climate changes and would be good to have a session to mobilise confidence how residents for example, heat their home, vehicle, unlock potential and be reactive

·         Flooding preparation - Members were reminded of Flood Planning Preparation that was on the workplan for consideration at its October meeting.

·         Sustainability Update - It was suggested that there could be an update on the Environment and Sustainability Strategy around autumn to allow time to mobilise the 111 actions and begin to develop the action plan.

RESOLVED that the Panel note the report and information provided.