Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

None.

Following written evidence previously submitted to the Committee, Dominic Scott from Welsh Water was in attendance to respond to questions raised by Members.  He agreed to look into specific issues raised by Councillors Geoff Collett, Fran Lister/Ron Davies, David Healey and Roz Mansell and would respond accordingly.

The Chair thanked Mr. Scott for his attendance and advised that a copy of the report relating to the Inquiry would be shared.  Mr. Scott indicated that Committee Members were able to email him directly with any further issues on the matter.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2024.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the Action Tracking report for the Climate Change Committee.

That the Committee notes the progress which has been made.

The Democratic Services Manager presented an update on progress with actions from previous meetings and noted that the third item from the March meeting had been closed.

On that basis, the recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the progress which has been made.

To approve the amended Terms of Reference for the Climate Change Committee.

That the amended Terms of Reference for the Climate Change Committee be approved, with the suggestion to incorporate additional primary objectives as follows:

• To work to ensure collective cross-portfolio responsibility on climate change, including advising and assisting other committees across the Council.

·         To undertake work to mitigate the impact of climate change on residents, the Council and businesses.

The Programme Manager for Climate Change & Carbon Reduction presented a report on the updated Terms of Reference.

It was clarified that the Terms of Reference would need to be submitted to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee prior to seeking formal adoption at full Council.

Councillor Allan Marshall agreed to email the Democratic Services Manager regarding formatting issues within the Constitution and would copy in the Chair of the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee.

Following discussion, additional primary objectives within the Terms of Reference were proposed by the Chair and Councillor David Healey.  On that basis, the recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the amended Terms of Reference for the Climate Change Committee be approved, with the suggestion to incorporate additional primary objectives as follows:

• To work to ensure collective cross-portfolio responsibility on climate change, including advising and assisting other committees across the Council.

·         To undertake work to mitigate the impact of climate change on residents, the Council and businesses.

To receive an update on the current status of the programme’s action plans including areas of risk.

That the Committee notes current progress of the Climate Change Strategy Action Plans, areas of risk/vulnerability and actions to mitigate these risks.

The Programme Manager - Climate Change & Carbon Reduction presented a report on the current status of the programme’s action plans including areas of risk.

The recommendation was supported, recognising concerns about access to funding to support ongoing activities.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes current progress of the Climate Change Strategy Action Plans, areas of risk/vulnerability and actions to mitigate these risks.

To receive a report on the impacts of extreme heat and approve the recommendation to ensure these impacts are appropriately considered within both local and regional climate risk and adaptation plans.

(a) That the Committee supports the work to identify specific risks from the impact of extreme heat on the public and on services, both locally and regionally; and

(b) That the Committee supports the development of an action plan to mitigate the impact of the identified risks, both locally and regionally.

Councillor David Healey, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Economy, presented a report on the impacts of extreme heat and sought approval of a recommendation to ensure appropriate consideration of those impacts within both local and regional climate risk and adaptation plans.

The Programme Manager - Climate Change & Carbon Reduction agreed to put forward points raised by Members:

·         Communication with parents on mitigation measures to reduce the impact of extreme heat on school learners.

·         A suggested ban on fires in rural areas during dry weather.

·         Educating the public on effective solutions to tackle extreme heat in homes without the use of air conditioning.

·         Consideration of heat reduction measures for new build homes.

·         Potential use of community centres as cooling centres for elderly and vulnerable people during extreme hot weather.

The recommendations were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Committee supports the work to identify specific risks from the impact of extreme heat on the public and on services, both locally and regionally; and

(b) That the Committee supports the development of an action plan to mitigate the impact of the identified risks, both locally and regionally.

To receive an update on the Public Inquiries and decide on next steps.

As suggested by the Chair, it was agreed that Members who had served on the Committee during the Flood Inquiries would be invited to join the Committee at an informal meeting to discuss the evidence received, prior to preparation of a formal report.

A date for hearing oral evidence on the Pensions Inquiry would be scheduled.

To populate the Forward Work Programme for the Climate Change Committee.

That subject to the above changes, the Forward Work Programme be agreed.

The Committee received the current Forward Work Programme for consideration and agreed the following:

·         November meeting - Update on fleet services and the ultra low emission vehicles (ULEV) transition plans.

·         January meeting - Car Parking Strategy and feasibility study for installing solar roofs over car parks.

·         November meeting - Council’s carbon footprint.

·         To be scheduled - Mineworking heat generation opportunities within Flintshire and lead mining at Milwr tunnel.

The Chair gave a reminder of the expectation for Cabinet Members to attend to answer questions on reports covering their portfolio areas.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the above changes, the Forward Work Programme be agreed.

None.