Report of the Director of Neighbourhoods

This report provides the Committee with information about the Eco Schools programme and the work currently being undertaken with young people in Manchester Schools.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Neighbourhoods that provided Members with information about the Eco Schools programme and the work currently being undertaken with young people in Manchester Schools.

The Strategic Lead, Waste, Recycling and Street Cleansing referred to the main points and themes within the report which included: -

Providing a description of the Eco Schools programme;

Describing The Eco-Schools Seven Steps framework that participating schools follow in order to achieve the internationally recognised Eco-Schools Green Flag award; and

Providing case studies to highlight the range of activities undertaken by Schools around this programme.

Members also viewed a video presentation that showcased the activities and learning undertaken by the pupils at the Dean Trust Ardwick around the issue of plastic waste and recycling.

The Committee also heard from the Neighbourhood Officer for the Hulme ward who described the variety of work undertaken with residents to support then to engage with environmental projects and activities, such as developing walking plans for schools, wildlife project, greening projects and air quality. The Chair paid tribute to the wealth of activities undertaken in the Hulme Ward that were supported by officers within the Neighbourhood Team. She commented that that this should be replicated across all wards to drive forward this important work and she thanked all of the schools, staff and pupils for their work.

The Committee welcomed the Chair of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee who said that he welcomed the report, noting the importance of engaging young people in this subject and that children could then influence the behaviour of adults. He stressed the important role of school governors to promote this work in their respective schools and he has raised this issue with the relevant Executive Member.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         Could a list of all schools and partners engaged in this programme be circulated;

·         Noting that young people were taking the initiative in relation to the climate change agenda and they should be supported by the Council at every opportunity, for example using Section 106 money to plant trees and create green walls; and

·         The importance of linking these activities into other related projects such as the zero carbon activities.

The Keep Manchester Tidy, Project Manager advised that Keep Britain Tidy organised a variety of events and deliver a number of projects throughout the year and that the Eco Schools programme was available to all schools. She advised that 202 schools and early years providers had registered as Eco-Schools in Manchester since 2005. She commented that an audit of school’s progress against this programme would be undertaken and this would help understand any barriers. She commented that challenges were experienced when schools experienced staff turnover, and a member of staff who led on this activity left. 

The Keep Manchester Tidy, Project Manager further advised that a list of partners was being collated by the Manchester Climate Change Agency.

The Strategic Lead, Waste, Recycling and Street Cleansing advised Members that the Litter Assemblies offered by Biffa were available to all schools and a list of those schools that had taken up this offer would be circulated. She further commented that the Social Value element of the Councils procurement policy would help support communities and neighbourhoods deliver environmental projects.

The Executive Member for Neighbourhoods stated that he welcomed the opportunity to work with Keep Britain Tidy to support young citizens in this important area of work, noting that budget restrictions had impacted significantly on the ability to deliver and support this work.

Decision

1. To note the report.

2. To request a list of all schools engaged with the Eco Schools Programme is circulated to Members of the Committee.

3. To request a list of those schools that had received a Litter Assembly is circulated to Members of the Committee.

4. To request a list of all partners engaged with the Eco Schools Programme is circulated to all Members of the Committee.