Agenda item

The Committee received the 2023/24 Council’s Annual Report for approval.  The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability in introduced the report to the Committee. 

The following observations and queries were raised in regard to the report:-

• A number of observations were highlighted which were to be commended eg the reduction of carbon emissions by over a third, actions on renewable energy, new build schools and the Towy Cycle Path.

• In reference to statement ‘increasing our renewable energy’, it was requested that future reports include additional details to include specific site names and scales of deployment to demonstrate where renewable energy has been increased.  The Cabinet Member stated that a report on renewable energy was due to be presented at the next Scrutiny meeting in November which would be an opportunity to include the specifics.

• A number of suggestions were provided in regard to the solar panel materials and the increase the promotion and communication of the many projects that the Council is developing would be a significant benefit in demonstrating that this Council is acting on climate change.  Officers noted the suggestions.

• Reference was made to Action 16286 - Review the current vehicle fleet strategy with a view to utilising the most suitable and low emissions vehicle technology (including electric or other power sources) over the coming years.   It was concerning to note the ‘other power sources’ as it was felt that there were no other power sources to draw from.  The Cabinet Member stated that a report on the transition to ULEV would be soon presented to the Committee where an in-depth discussion on this topic would be welcomed.

• Reference was made to page 103 of the report – Circular Economy in practice.  It was asked, what was the cost to divert 4 tonnes of nappies?   In regard to the circular economy, the Cabinet Member offered a presentation on what is meant by circular economy and the work that had been achieved to date in regard to contributing to the circular economy.  The reuse of the fibres of nappies was a result of the work of a local company who had found a way of reutilising the fibres of the nappies which would otherwise have gone to landfill.  In terms of cost, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that there were no increase in the cost of using the fibres of used nappies compared to using virgin material from abroad or other recycled materials.

• Reference was made to 107 of the report – Highway maintenance.  Clarification was sought on who reports the statement that the number of customers reported surface defects and potholes had increased by 175%.  The Head of Environmental Infrastructure stated that it was difficult to ascertain if there was a compounding effect in terms of increased reporting or multiple reporting.  It was however, explained that the recording system does classify multiple entries of a defect as a single report.  Furthermore, it was confirmed that there had been a significant increase in the reporting of potholes.

• Council houses with no solar panels – additional cost for those renting with no solar panels compared to those who have solar panels.  The Head of Housing and Public Protection agreed that this was an interesting question and further consideration would be required as investments in the use of new technology increases. 

• Reference to Local Places for Nature outlined on page 81 of the report.  It was raised that more trees were needed to be planted throughout the County and more work should be done in liaising with Town and Community Councils to encourage more planting.  The Cabinet Member reminded the Committee that the Tree Strategy was scheduled in the Committee’s Forward Work Plan to be presented at the next meeting in November.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO CABINET that th Council’s Annual Report 2023/24 be approved.