Agenda item

 

Report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

 

Recommendations:

 

That Cabinet approves the Climate Change Action Plan in Appendix 2, noting the key achievements and opportunities summarised in Appendix 1 and section 2 of this report.

 

Further to Minute No. 123 of the meeting of Cabinet held on 10^th February, 2025 consideration was given to the report which provided an update on the Council’s Climate Change activity for the previous year which were appended to the report covering the seven policy themes of Monitoring and Measurement; Energy; Housing; Transport; Waste; Built and Natural Environment; and Influence and Engagement. A theme covering Adaptation was subsequently added to the action plan to recognise the work to prepare for climate impacts and mitigate those already being felt throughout the Borough.

 

The Chair welcomed:-

 

·              Councillor Robert Taylor, Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy

·              Andrew Bramidge, Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment

·              Louise Preston, Climate Change Manager

 

Councillor Taylor confirmed this report, therefore, provided coverage of the eight policy themes and in addition included a summary of the Council’s progress on nature recovery action. A forward plan for 2025/26 was also proposed.

 

The Climate Change Manager described how the report had been split into themes and detailed a number of actions proposed within the 2025/26 action plan providing opportunities for monitoring and the development of a Net Zero 40 Strategy covering the wider Borough identifying further outcomes for delivery in future years.

 

An update was provided on the positive action that had taken place, notably development of the carbon footprint, total borough omissions, procurement of goods and services and understanding the carbon omissions for the transport fleet and buildings.

 

The report as submitted set out in detail against all the themes, but further information was provided on the trialling of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) by the Council in ten of its existing ICE vehicles over the last eleven months which had proven to be successful. Whilst the trial was confirmed as a suitable solution to reduce emissions of the Council’s fleet with minimal service disruption, this was not a long-term solution to reduce the carbon footprint.

 

Housing Services were also continuing to administer the installation of energy efficiency measures to properties which was being well received.   However, given the positive feedback received on the East Herringthorpe homes, the Council had also included a ‘net zero ready’ standard within its specifications for all future newbuild Council homes delivered as part of the current Housing Delivery Programme.

 

Engagement and community engagement activity was taking place with local residents who were encouraged to take up grants and look at climate-based actions to reduce waste and save money.

 

Public Health and Adult Care have been involved in a trial to introduce climate change mitigation and adaptation into service plans. The next phase of this work which included formalising documentation and training Property and Facilities Services, have been included in the 2025/26 Action Plan.

 

A number of challenges were still being faced.  The Council had not seen as greater reduction in carbon emissions and the heat network had not been delivered.  A lot of work had been undertaken on the decarbonisation of  buildings, but there remained the reliance on electricity.  Solar would be used on buildings where it could and the risks would be mitigated as much as possible.

 

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had suggested that recommendations focus on outcomes of the overall climate change programme and provide a number of key performance indicators that could be better monitored moving forward and improve delivery information to residents, including:-

 

·              Progress towards a net zero Borough by 2040.

·              An increase in access to publicly available EV charge points.

·              Healthier, warmer social homes.

·              Improved recycling and waste management.

 

Consideration would also be given to all engagement opportunities and would link in with the Children’s Capital of Culture Programme and development into Rotherham Show.

 

Every effort would be made to engage residents and business to support the 2040 Strategy transition to net zero.

 

A discussion and question and answer session ensued and the following issues were raised and clarified:-

 

·              The possibility of establishing EV charging points within three miles and the fuel usage of cars across the region.

 

The Climate Change Manager confirmed data provided was not always easy to use.  Part of work being undertaken on the back of Government fundings was to try and put provision in place before it was needed on the development of EV chargers.  Every effort was being made to prioritise locations where feasibly chargers could be put in. This was likely to expand as demand increased.

 

·              Was the Council actively contacting business to include EV charging and were there any incentives available.

 

The Council’s spend funding focus was on Council hubs, but over the year had reached outwards to engage with EV groups.  In a lot of cases EV chargers provided a  financial benefit to include.  Currently there was a problem with EV charges and their equipment getting stolen.

·              Page 87 of the report referred to four potential sites having been identified for habitat banking, but did not identify where the sites were.

 

Part of the biodiversity net gain was to receive sums into a pot to improve biodiversity at certain sites to improve and restore nature.  Specific details of locations of the sites would be made available.

 

·              Rotherham was ahead of the game with the installation of electrical charges, but were there plans for all new properties to be more self-sufficient with solar panels and heat pumps.    Would 2040 bring everyone together across the Borough and not just the Council.

 

The Strategic Director referred to the new NPPF management policies, where it was expected that some targets would be higher for builders to become net zero on new developments.  There were limited powers for Local Authorities to hold developers to account. 

 

·              Reference was made to a Doncaster company that ensuring EV chargers, solar panels etc. were including as part of their developments.

 

·              Were there any businesses asking for specific support, how many and  what support could be provided.

 

The Climate Change Manager confirmed there was an increase in business requests.  Since the launch of the Charter last year support was available to businesses or other organisations to see how they could decarbonate and take action. Requests for direct support was ad hoc at the moment, but information was available via RIDO for specific support.

 

·              More recently there had been an increase in solar farm requests covering green belt land in the area.  Was the Planning Service working with them to explore other options rather than green belt land. Other countries used railways, central reservations and car parks so were there alternative option locations that could be shared.  Perhaps soil samples should be taken first before any formal consultation.  There was also an increase in battery storage requests in the area and given the fire in Liverpool were there any improved legislation to mitigate thermal runway problems.

 

The Cabinet Member explained there were two different types of applications.  The national decisions were outside of the local remit, but did consult with Local Planning Authorities as statutory consultees.  Rotherham would be contributing to any applications which, of course, would be decided by Government.   The smaller local schemes would form part of the normal planning process and the decision made locally.

 

Thermal runways were developing situations.  There was uncertainty with new technologies and it was a learning experience.

 

·              Disposal of lithium across the U.K. was an issue with them not being disposed of properly.  Was there any opportunity to raise awareness for lithium product disposal locally.

 

This was a good point made, with no serious incidents locally.  This was an opportunity to share information and it was confirmed that the South Yorkshire Fire Authority were looking at this currently.

 

·              Were there any plans for infrastructure for EV Chargers in areas where people had to park on the street.

 

This was being looked into.  There were a few challenges in Rotherham with potentially trailing cables and there was specific legislation as to what could be included in the public highway.   A working group was looking at this to see how this could be developed.

 

·              How confident was the service in managing to get the private sector to deliver the district heating project.

 

This was market driven and outside the Council’s control.  It was a deliverable project, but it was uncertain when it would be delivered and how.

 

·              Did the service have a Plan B?

 

More investigative work would take place.  Some buildings were challenging like the Town Hall where technology may not yet be ready.  Alternative solutions may have to be considered.   No surveys have yet been undertaken.

 

·              The delivery of the Herringthorpe properties was very much welcomed, but with the cancellation of some delivery elements due to cost, was other sites being considered.

 

Having discussed the issues with Housing Services development of all the buildings was not feasible.  There was no issue with the specific site.  Options were already being considered and being fed into the net zero forward plan.  The main difference was to be net zero ready.  Investigations were continuing.

 

·              Were there any plans around the existing Council house portfolio and making these energy efficient.

 

The Council was committed to the delivery of Band C properties with them being energy efficient for residents and more carbon effective.  There were no other plans beyond that at this stage. 

 

·              Hydrogen technology within the transport fleet was welcomed, but this was not a long-term solution.  There may be problems with EV transport companies not delivering if the complete infrastructure was not available or insurance was not available for drivers to take vehicles home.  It was simply not cost effective and could be a barrier to taking the target forward.   It was likely that there was too much focus on EV network and less attention being given to newer technologies.

 

The Climate Change Manager confirmed Rotherham had no hydrogen infrastructure, but was unable to comment if this would evolve in the future.  However, it was noted the Advanced Manufacturing Park had  hydrogen in place. 

 

All options were being considered for the delivery of electric vehicles whilst making sure this was reasonable for the fleet and budget.

 

·              If there was a request by a company to test new technology, would this be considered.

 

The Council would be receptive and consider the opportunity once it had been fully analysed.

 

·              What kind of vehicles were using Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil and were there any specific requirements for fuelling these vehicles. 

 

The transition to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) was easy to manage as only a small change to vehicles was needed in the form of filter replacements.

 

Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) had been used in minibuses.  The  Cabinet had approved the replacement of the fleet of refuse vehicles.  There were no plans to purchase electric vehicles at this stage as they were double the cost  of diesel vehicles.  The expansion of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) would be explored further.

 

·              Was localised electricity generation being looked at such as solar panels on car parks and on industrial sites.

 

The Local Area Energy Plan set out in detail information in order to see spatially what sites were available and what energy demand there was in future.  Key areas would be identified for localised energy generation and opportunities explored further in due course.   The final output for producing this type of data was 2027.

 

·              Would this be included in Climate report.

 

Further options would be included within a separate report to Cabinet and then form an action as part of the Annual Climate Change report.

 

·              Was there information available for residents for when wished to dispose or decommission solar panels in Rotherham to ensure they were disposed of in a responsible way.

 

It was assumed these would need to be disposed of through household recycling centres.  Consideration would be given as to how to get this information out to residents.

 

·              Had there been any consideration to EV charging for on-street parking.  Portsmouth had been doing this kind of thing for a number of years. 

 

The service were in discussion with a number of local authorities some of whom had rolled out trials of a gully system.  Further research would be made into the system used in Portsmouth.

 

Resolved:-  (1)  That the Cabinet report approving the Climate Change Action Plan in Appendix 2 and the key achievements and opportunities summarised in Appendix 1 and Section 2 of this report be noted.

 

(2)  That further information be provided on the sites for biodiversity habitable banking and for this to be shared with the Improving Places Select Commission.

 

(3)  That consideration be given to the safe disposal of lithium and how guidance could be provided to residents.