There was submitted a report by the Head of Policy and Commissioning providing an update on the Council’s response to the climate emergency.

The report provided a summary of the work undertaken, to date, by the Council to respond to the climate emergency at a strategic level.  It outlined the work undertaken specifically by the Climate Emergency Working Group, following the declaration of a climate emergency by Renfrewshire Council in June 2019.

The report also highlighted the key recommendations agreed by Council at its meeting on 27 February 2020 to respond to the climate emergency, and summarised the detailed actions approved at that time.  Whilst service level activities in relation to climate change had continued to be progressed in line with existing priorities, the report noted that, at strategic level, work on the climate change agenda had been paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following discussion on the appendix to the report, which outlined the key action plan, it was noted that the implementation of the pilot initiative to turn 75 local homes into low energy homes as set out in the 'Energy' section could not be taken forward at this time due to the costs involved.  It was proposed that the action set out in the ‘Waste’ section 'to reduce unnecessary single use plastic use' be changed to 'to eliminate unnecessary single use plastic’. This was agreed.

There was further discussion on various issues, including improving awareness of recycling and promoting better use of Household Recycling Waste Centres, engagement with communities, clarity of the Carbon Offset Plan, the conservation of mature trees in relation to new housing developments and the importance of planning and the Local Development Plan.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the update provided on the work undertaken, to date, by the Council to strategically respond to the climate agenda be noted;

(b)  That the update on recent policy developments and the impact of Covid-19, outlined in sections 4 and 5 the report, be noted;

(c)   That the next steps for progressing the Council’s response to the climate emergency, outlined in section 6 of the report, be agreed; and

(d) That it be agreed that the action set out in the ‘Waste’ section in the Appendix 'to reduce unnecessary single use plastic use' be changed to 'to eliminate unnecessary single use plastic’.

There was submitted a report by the Head of Policy and Commissioning regarding the meeting arrangements for the Climate Change Sub-committee.

The report advised that, at its meeting on 16 September 2020, the Leadership Board agreed to establish a Sub-committee of the Board, which would provide oversight of the strategic actions being undertaken by the Council in response to the climate change emergency.  The report also outlined the remit, membership and meeting arrangements for the Sub-committee, as agreed by the Leadership Board.

It was proposed that, when required, the membership of the Sub-committee should be extended to include additional non-voting members.  It was further proposed that Councillor Hood be appointed as the Vice-chair of the Sub-committee. Both proposals were agreed.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the remit of the Sub-committee, as agreed by the Leadership Board at its meeting on 16 September 2020, be noted;

(b)  That the membership of the Sub-committee should be extended to include additional non-voting members when required; and

(c)  That Councillor Hood be appointed as the Vice-chair of the Sub-committee, in line with the agreed terms of reference.

There was submitted a report by the Director of Communities, Housing and Planning Services regarding the requirements of the Climate Change (Duties of Public Bodies: Reporting Requirements) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2020.

The report advised that the Council was required to prepare an Annual Report, detailing progress in helping to mitigate and adapt to climate change.  Renfrewshire Council’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report for 2019/20, which covered the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020, was appended to the report.

DECIDED:  That Renfrewshire Council’s Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report for 2019/20 be noted and referred to the Leadership Board for approval at its meeting on 2 December 2020.

Under reference to Item 4 of the Minute of the meeting of the Infrastructure, Land and Environment Policy Board held on 26 August 2020, there was submitted a report by the Director of Environment and Infrastructure relative to the outcome of the consultation on the creation of biodiversity areas in communities, which had been undertaken during August and September 2020.

The Director of Environment and Infrastructure and Operations Manager also gave a presentation on the feedback from the consultation, the next steps that would be undertaken and future communication and engagement proposals.  Officers responded to members’ comments and questions.

DECIDED:

(a)  That the outcome of the consultation and support for the development of biodiversity locations in Renfrewshire be noted;
 
(b)  That the development of biodiversity areas in the locations that received 75% or more positive support from communities over the next 3 years be endorsed; and

(c)  That it be noted that regular updates on the creation of biodiversity panels and proposals to develop wider biodiversity areas would be submitted to future meetings of the Climate Change Sub-committee.