Agenda and minutes

Venue: by Skype

Contact: Lynsey Innis, Senior Committee Assistant; Tel: 01546 604338 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

 

There were no apologies for absence intimated. 

2.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

3.

Minute of previous meeting held on 10 March 2020 pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Minutes:

The minute of the previous meeting of the Climate Change Environmental Action Group, held on 10 March 2020 was approved as a true record. 

4.

Climate Change & Covid 19 pdf icon PDF 254 KB

Report by Head of Commercial Services

Minutes:

The group gave consideration to a report highlighting some of the short term impacts Covid 19 has had on our Council in terms of Climate Change. 

 

Discussion took place in respect of individual carbon footprint data specifically in relation to agile working; the reduction on greenhouse gas emissions over the lockdown period due to the reduction in travel and the strategy for disposing of PPE waste.  The Head of Commercial Services agreed to look into this matter more closely with colleagues and bring it back to the next meeting for discussion. 

 

Decision:

 

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group agreed to note the identified short term impacts that responding to Covid 19 has had on Council carbon emissions and associated activity. 

 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 28 August 2020, submitted.)

5.

Climate Change Environmental Action Group - Activity Plan Update pdf icon PDF 322 KB

Report by Head of Commercial Services

Minutes:

Following approval of the Climate Change and Environmental Action Group Activity Plan by the Policy and Resources Committee in December 2019, and the subsequent global emergency, where resources had been redirected from delivering items on the original Activity Plan, consideration was given to a report seeking to review and reset the workplan based on the current situation and resources available and to map out future work streams that can be delivered within timescale. 

 

Discussion was had in relation to the timescales for delivering the proposed activity plan; the engagement of the Community Planning Partnership together with the good work of local community groups throughout the pandemic and the proposed merging of action points 8 and 9 on the activity plan.  The Head of Commercial Services agreed to feedback the comments of the group to the Climate Change Board and agreed that it would be best that points 8 and 9 remain as separate actions.

 

Decision:

 

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group agreed the revised Activity Plan for Climate Change Environmental Action Group contained within Appendix 1 of the report subject to ensuring that action points 8 and 9 on the Activity Plan remain as separate items. 

 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 26 August 2020, submitted.)

6.

Council Climate Change Indicator Update pdf icon PDF 568 KB

Report by Head of Commercial Services

Minutes:

Following feedback and discussion at an officer workshop session which took place on 10 March 2020, consideration was given to a report outlining a new draft list of climate change indicators. 

 

Discussion was had in relation to the inclusion of climate change as an implication on all future Council reports and the process for implementing this; the delay of the Scottish Government in setting its Climate Change indicators due to the outbreak of Covid-19 and the recommendations from this group to Council specifically in relation to the setting of targets.  The Head of Commercial Services agreed to consider the scope and feasibility of targets ahead of the next meeting. 

 

Decision:

 

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group:-

 

  1. noted the update and agreed the minute from the officer/Councillor workshop session as outlined at Appendix 1 of the report; and

 

  1. agreed the updated indicators at Appendix 2 of the report for development and inclusion in Council corporate performance monitoring and inclusion within the proposed de-carbonisation plan. 

 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 12 August 2020, submitted.) 

 

7.

Proposed Council De-carbonisation Plan 2021 pdf icon PDF 305 KB

Report by Head of Commercial Services

Minutes:

The group gave consideration to a report outlining how the effects of the recent global health pandemic had given way to a re-focus of activities of the Climate Change Board, who now feel that a new Council De-carbonisation Plan would be timely and a useful tool to assist with overall recovery.  The new plan would aim to focus attention on reducing the Council’s carbon footprint and be an easy to read document accessible to all. 

 

Having noted the discussions that took place at agenda item 6 (Council Climate Change Indicator Update), and having noted that the group was a Short Life Working Group, set up to consider and advise on policy options and opportunities for strategic projects and activities that will form part of the ongoing commitment to deliver the Climate Change (Scotland) Act and efforts to enhance Argyll and Bute’s contributions to addressing the global issue, discussion took place in respect of the lifespan of the group and how it would pass recommendations to Council to move things forward. 

 

 

Decision:

 

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group agreed:

 

1.    to support the production of a new Council De-carbonisation plan for discussion in draft at the next meeting of the Climate Change Environmental Action Group on 9 November 2020; and

 

2.    to title the document ‘Our Climate Change Commitments – Argyll and Bute Council’s De-Carbonisation Plan 2021.’

 

(Reference:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services dated 12 August 2020, submitted.) 

8.

Communication to Support Climate Change pdf icon PDF 722 KB

Update by Communications Manager

 

 

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report providing the outline communication plan, which was intended to evidence the work the council is doing to address climate change, and to support others in playing their part. 

 

Decision:

 

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group agreed to note the update to the communication plan as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

 

(Reference:  Report by Communications Manager, dated 7 September 2020, submitted.) 

 

9.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Climate Change Environmental Action Group is scheduled to take place on Monday, 9 November 2020 at 2:00pm, venue to be confirmed. 

Minutes:

It was noted that the next meeting of the Climate Change Environmental Action Group would take place at 2:00pm on Monday, 9 November 2020.