Agenda and minutes

The Former Members Sustainable Development Advisory Group (expired October, 2010) (See Sustainability Partnership) - Friday 31 October 2008 10.30 a.m.

Venue: Town Hall, Moorgate Street, Rotherham

Contact: Dawn Mitchell 01709 822062 Email: dawn.mitchell@rotherham.gov.uk

Items
No.	Item
79.	Minutes of the previous meeting held on 8th September, 2008 PDF 124 KB Minutes: Agreed:- That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Members Sustainable Development Action Group, held on 8th September, 2008, be accepted as a correct record. It was noted that the planning application for the ABLE Project was to be submitted in December, 2008. The Chair reported that LAGBI money (£25,000) had been earmarked for sustainable development themes. Spend would focus on 4 strands i.e. support to the ABLE project, general training opportunities and awareness raising, further support for World Environment Day/Rotherham Show and exploring the possibility of a car club in Rotherham.
80.	New Measures to Increase Energy Efficiency in Homes and to Combat Fuel Poverty - Paul Maplethorpe, Affordable Warmth & Sustainable Energy Co-ordinator to report Minutes: Emma Bridge circulated a briefing note prepared by Paul Maplethorpe who was on annual leave. A brief discussion took place on the report particularly on cold weather payments and what benefits individuals had to be on to qualify for certain initiatives. Agreed:- (1) That Paul Maplethorpe be invited to the next meeting to present his briefing note. (2) That Paul be requested to prepare a brief flier for all Members setting out what energy initiatives were available to whom and how they were entitled to them.
81.	Cutting through the Green Tape: The Powers Councils have to Tackle Climate Change PDF 173 KB - presentation by Emma Bridge, Policy Officer Minutes: Emma Bridge, Policy Officer, gave a powerpoint presentation on the powers Councils had to tackle climate change as follows:- Overview - LGA publication, part of wider campaign - Encourages Councils to: o Take responsibility for reducing carbon emissions o Prepare for the consequences of more extreme weather in their areas - Councils central to tackling climate change Purpose of the Report - Highlight key powers - Signpost tools, organisations and resources - Practical examples Wellbeing Powers - Enables a local authority to do anything it considers likely to promote or improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of its area e.g. Islington Council Climate Change Fund, Watford Council Home Energy Efficiency Project Powers to change own Estate and Operations - Invest in more efficient and alternative energy systems - Maintain and operate buildings at optimal environmental performance - Change staff behaviour – within the work place, travel to work, interaction Community Leadership Powers - Land use policies – balanced communities, local - Food policies – match gardeners with space, markets for local produce - Energy efficiency standards - Behaviour in energy use Power of the People - LGA poll – clear support across the country and all age groups for action to be taken at a local level - Elected Members can support this through Neighbourhood Forums, taking part in workshops, encouraging public participation in Scrutiny, public opinion surveys Joint Working Powers - Joint working through Local Area Agreement and/or Multi Area Agreements - LSP framework for joint work on climate change - Joint committees with other local authorities e.g. single planning framework for an area with a shared climate risk, Green Award Schemes, Association of Town Centre Management Business Climate Champions Planning Powers - Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 should be used to support initiatives designed to tackle climate change - Section 39 – statutory duty re sustainable development - Compulsorily purchase land to facilitate climate change infrastructure - Impose climate change ‘improvements’ as part of other large scale capital projects - Statement of community involvement - Mitigation and adaptation into Local Development Framework - Community Infrastructure Levy/Section 106 Transport Powers - Local Transport Bill 2007/08 offers more powers:- o Car, bike or van sharing o Fixed Penalty Notices for stationary idling o Congestion charging and workplace parking levy schemes o High occupancy vehicle lanes o Smarter driving o Park and ride o Section 106 Housing Powers - Provide shops/recreation grounds/other buildings in connection with housing provision - Lay out streets/roads/open spaces in connection with housing provision - Provide assistance for the purpose of improving living conditions - Build in energy efficiency - Fuel poverty and links to health Emergency Planning Powers - Powers to incur expenditure and make grants or loans - Facilitate investment in areas where potential climate change incidents are likely - Local authority powers may change in future following Pitt Review Environmental Protection Powers - Provide funding/support to local groups for promotion of environmental protection - Link air quality and transport plans - ... view the full minutes text for item 81.
82.	World Environment Day - Emma Bridge, Policy Officer, to report Minutes: Emma Bridge reported that World Environment Day would take place on 5^th June, 2009 the theme of which was “Your Planet Needs You – Unite to Combat Climate Change”. The briefing note circulated set out what had been celebrated in previous years together with ideas for 2009. These included:- - Link with partner towns of St. Quentin, Reisa, Zabrze, Cluj-Napoca, Nashville, and KeochoCity - Set up a Council web page where schools/organisations/individuals could commit to either/all for a week or a day:- Reducing energy and resources Reducing waste Conserving/enhancing local wildlife Healthy eating options Sustainable travel - Link to a CO₂ calculator so that schools/organisations/individuals could see the benefit of their actions - Live communication, video and audio between schools on 5^th June - Produce a video of activities Discussion ensued on the report with the following suggestions also made:- o Link into the forthcoming Waterways Strategy o European elections o Inclusion on the agendas of any Council meetings taking place that week o Planting of fruit trees by schools It was noted that the issue would be discussed at the International Partners meeting on 7^th November and also suggested that it be included on the agenda of the International Links Committee. Agreed:- That the report be noted.
83.	Environmental Management System PDF 64 KB - report of David Rhodes, Property Environmental Manager Minutes: David Rhodes, Corporate Environmental Officer, presented an update report as follows:- - The scheduled EMAS verification audit had been successful. On receipt of the new certificate, a presentation would be arranged for the 3 schools that had implemented EMAS (Abbey, St. Mary’s RC and Wath C. of E.). - As an interim measure all Town Centre buildings were displaying a draft Display Energy Certificate. Surveys for all applicable buildings were approximately 80% complete. - Energy Performance Certificates were required for all new buildings or buildings that were being rented or sold. This had financial implications across the Council. - There were no accredited EPC assessors in the Council at present - A Climate Change Action Plan was being developed and would integrate the Corporate Environmental Policy and Action Plan. Agreed:- That the report be noted.
84.	Carbon Reduction Commitment Scheme Briefing PDF 108 KB - report of David Rhodes, Property Environmental Manager Minutes: David Rhodes, Corporate Environmental Officer, presented a briefing note on the above, the main points being:- - Carbon Reduction Commitment – emission trading scheme which will begin with a 3 year introductory phase starting 1^st April, 2010 with the aim of achieving savings of 1.2M tonnes of carbon by 2020 from business and public sector organisations. Rotherham would qualify for compulsory involvement. - Schools would participate in the scheme with emissions with a duty placed on them to supply the Council with annual energy use data for inclusion in Council emission report. - Private schools would only be included if their highest parent organisation passed the CRC inclusion threshold. Clarification was needed for PFI and outsourcing contracts with regard to who took responsibility for energy supply and CRC obligations. - Transport was not included. - Allowances would be distributed to participants by auction. - Following the 3 year introductory phase, a limit would be placed on the number of allowances available to participants in accordance with the emissions reduction path targeted to 2020. - Revenue raised by the sale or auction of CRC allowances would be recycled back to participants. The payment would be made in October approximately 6 months after the end of the emissions year to allow for reporting of emissions and reconciliation and to retain a sufficient gap between the auction and revenue recycling. - Payments would be made via BACS transfer. - At the end of the reconciliation period, organisations holding more allowances than they needed for compliance may wish to bank them for use or sale in future years and phases of the scheme. - The Council will be required to submit an annual data statement through an on-line registry identifying energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. Agreed:- That the report be noted.
85.	Local Action 21 PDF 90 KB - report of David Wilde, LA21 Officer Minutes: David Wilde (LA21’s), presented a progress report highlighting the following issues:- - Sustainable Schools INSET day organised with the ESD Partnership at Kiveton Park and Wales Village Hall alongside school travel plan awards event - Successful biodiversity project with Aston C. of E. and Lodge LaneSchools linked to school grounds and Austen park - Successful ‘global food’ project at HerringthorpeJunior School - Participation in ‘Working Heroes’ project with RedscopePrimary School Agreed:- That the report be noted.
86.	Policy Update - Emma Bridge, Policy Officer, to report Minutes: Emma Bridge circulated a Policy update drawing particular attention to:- - Launch of the new Nottingham Declaration website - Commitment to cut emissions by 80% by 2050 - Ministerial responsibilities at the Department of Energy and Climate Change Agreed:- That the Policy update be noted.
87.	Future Agenda Items Minutes: Allotment Strategy Fuel Poverty
88.	Any Other Business Minutes: There was no other business
89.	Date of Next Meeting - 9^th January, 2009 at 10.30 a.m. Minutes: Agreed:- That a further meeting be held on Friday, 9th January, 2009, commencing at 10.30 a.m.