Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence intimated. 

There were no declarations of interest intimated. 

Report by Head of Legal and Regulatory Services  

Having noted the purpose of the group is 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, the group gave consideration to a report setting out the governance arrangements and proposed future meeting dates to allow for recommended actions from the group to be reported back to the Council by August 2020 or earlier. 

Decision

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group:

1.    agreed to note the contents of the report; and

2.    agreed to the future meeting dates as outlined at paragraph 3.3 of the report. 

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services and Strategic Priorities, dated 7 November 2019, submitted.) 

Report by Head of Commercial Services

Having noted the requirement from the Council to submit a plan of activity to the December 2019 Policy and Resources Committee, the group gave consideration to a report highlighting ongoing works at both global and national levels, together with information on how the Council has been considering and addressing aspects of Climate Change on a number of fronts for over a decade.  The report included a proposed activity plan for the group, which aimed to focus resource and set ambitious yet achievable goals and targets to deliver maximum impact. 

Discussion took place in respect of carbon neutral targets; the existing Council and Corporate policy approach to addressing climate change and the decision not to include the Biodegradable Municipal Waste (BMW) project as part of the considerations of the Short Life Working Group. 

Further discussion took place in respect of the communications and engagement strategy and information gathering, particularly in relation to industries of interest, including renewables, timber, tourism and transportation. Members requested that the Head of Commercial Services liaise with colleagues from the Climate Change Board with a view to bringing forward a briefing report on the BMW project outlining the current position and where we will be by 2025 to the next meeting of the group in January 2020.  Mr McLaughlin also agreed to invite the Councils Projects and Regeneration Manager to the next meeting of the group to provide an update on the recently signed off renewable energy action plan to include information on windfarm developments in the area. 

Decision

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group agreed:

1.    to note the contents of the report;

2.    to approve the proposed plan of activity subject to the amendments made by Members during discussion;

3.    that the plan of activity be brought to each meeting of the Group to provide focus and aid in the setting of goals and targets to deliver maximum impact; and

4.    that the plan of activity be presented to the Policy and Resources Committee at their meeting in December 2019.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 7 November 2019, submitted.) 

Report by Head of Commercial Services

The group gave consideration to a report outlining the details of the Scottish Government consultation titled ‘The role of public sector bodies in tackling climate change.’

Decision

The Climate Change Environmental Action Group:

1.    noted the details of the live Scottish Government consultation;

2.    agreed to feedback any comments relating to the consultation to the Climate Change Board before their meeting on 11 November so they can be considered; and

3.    noted that the final consultation response will be presented to the group at their next meeting in January 2020.

(Ref:  Report by Executive Director with responsibility for Commercial Services, dated 7 November 2019, submitted.)