Report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer       

This report provides a progress update on delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan for Quarter 2 2021-22 (July-September 2021).

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer that provided a progress update on delivery of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan for Quarter 2 2021-22 (July-September 2021).

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

·         Reiterating the call for the need to emphasise the urgency of the issue of climate change and the need for all citizens and organisations to take immediate action to address this;

·         Recommending that a report be submitted for consideration at an appropriate time that collated all of the other Scrutiny Committees’ items on the issue of climate change;

·         More information on the modelling that was used to agree and set the suite of targets reported;

·         The need to reduce business travel, noting the use of technology during the pandemic to conduct meetings;

·         More information was requested on the active travel scheme for staff, with particular reference to the implementation of a mileage scheme for cyclists;

·         Was the assistance scheme to purchase a bicycle only applicable to Halfords, noting the need to support local independent traders;

·         Any cycle purchase scheme should also use the Council’s procurement policies to ensure Social Value was achieved and this should be subject to the appropriate audit process;

·         The cycle purchase scheme should also include e-bikes;

·         All staff should be encouraged to cycle to work;

·         Noting the figures reported in regard to the use of single use plastics at events, and calling for this to be rolled out and publicised;

·         Asking that consideration be given to including the Net Zero Carbon New Build Policy that had been launched by the Manchester Climate Change Partnership into local building regulations;

·         An update was sought in relation to the Civic Quarter Heat Network;

·         Noting that that Carbon Budget spend to date was recorded in the Annual Report that was submitted to the Committee;

·         The need to engage all stakeholders and sources of expertise that existed within the city to drive and progress this area of work to deliver the required savings for the city;

·         The continued call for all staff to complete the Carbon Literacy training; and

·         Consideration should be given to establishing a Climate Clock in the city, similar to that in Glasgow, noting that a Climate Clock was a graphic to demonstrate how quickly the planet was approaching 1.5? of global warming, given current emissions trends. It also showed the amount of CO? already emitted, and the global warming to date.

The Strategic Lead (Policy and Partnerships) stated that consideration was being given as to the Net Zero Carbon New Build and how this could be incorporated into the Local Plan. He further advised that the data and outcomes from the single use plastics events were being used to highlight the scale of the issue and was a powerful tool to influence local business, adding that such events were gaining in popularity. In response to the comment made regarding business travel, he commented that this would continue to be monitored, and IT was used wherever possible to minimise the need for any such travel. The Deputy Chief Executive and City Treasurer added that there were occasions where in person meetings were required; however, she recognised the comments from the Committee and suggested that a further update on business travel be included in the next reporting cycle. The Executive Member for Environment added that a carpool service was also available for staff to use.

In response to the comment regarding the need to understand the methodology and modelling used to establish and report targets, Officers stated that a training session would be arranged for Members to discuss this further.

The Executive Member for Environment commented that all Scrutiny Committees were encouraged to consider climate change through the lens of their respective remits, and she agreed to update the Committee on this activity. The Chair commented that she would also liaise with the other Scrutiny Chairs on this issue, adding that she had recently had a conversation with the Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee on this very subject. The Chair further added that she would discuss the issue of Social Value and the cycle purchase scheme with the Chair of the Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee.

The Strategic Lead (Resources & Programmes) informed the Members that the cycle purchase scheme was not restricted to Halfords and there was a mileage scheme for staff. He stated that he would circulate the information to Members following the meeting.

The Director, MCCA addressed the comments made by a Member regarding the Council’s Carbon Budget and the trajectory of savings reported. She advised that 75% of the Council’s direct emissions were attributed to the estate and that a detailed plan to decarbonise the estate was established, adding that the Committee had a report on this issue scheduled on their work programme.

The Director, MCCA advised that there was a Carbon Budget for the city, describing that this had been established utilising the expertise of the Tyndall Centre at the University of Manchester. The Strategic Lead (Policy and Partnerships) added that there was an extensive range of partnership working across the city to address climate change. 

The Director of Commercial Operations informed the Members that the Civic Quarter Heat Network should be operational from November.

Decisions

The Committee recommend that;

1. The Executive Member for Environment give consideration to establishing a Climate Clock in the city, similar to that in Glasgow;

2.  The Executive Member for Environment and Officers arrange a briefing session for Members on the modelling that was used to agree and set the suite of targets reported in the Action Plan.