To identify items for the work plan for the Environment PDG.
Minutes:
It was asked if the PDG could look at the fee for the Garden Waste Bin and whether the fee could be paid in instalments? The Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste would provide an update at the next meeting in August.
The Clerk reminded the PDG of their Thematic area as set out in the Constitution at page 22, Article 8 – policy Development Groups, in order that the PDG could consider what areas they might want to build into their work programme.
Items suggested were:
· The Data Processing Centre at the Exmouth Swimming Pool.
· Hydro Electric Power
· Linking the Planning Policy Advisory Group and Environment PDG to discuss the subject of Anaerobic Digesters
· Looking at a robust form of green support for all future planning applications. – Planning couldn’t insist on very much when it comes to “Green” considerations. Cllr Holdman feeds these issues into the Planning Policy Advisory Group. – Perhaps we could link this PDG with that group?
· Developments around Cullompton and Air Pollution
· The Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste said that with regard to Fly Tipping, the Annual Review and First Quarter Enforcement figures will be on the Agenda for the next PDG meeting in August.
· Was there a tree planting plan? – The Climate and Sustainability Specialist answered that we hadn’t got a fund but we did have a target of the number of trees to be planted. – A tree planting event was a good idea, he would work with the open spaces officers.
· Observation of Planning policies – people bought properties with large trees in the garden and then apply for them to be removed altogether rather than being pollarded – perhaps more trees need TPO’s to be applied to them.
· The Climate and Sustainability Specialist informed the PDG that the Biodiversity duty to the Council has been upgraded and work is required this year. There may again be an overlap with the Planning Policy Advisory Group.
· The Scrutiny Committee would be looking at Motion 583 Protecting Rivers and Seas, where there may again be overlaps with Planning and the Environment PDG. – This PDG may want to look at that motion.
· Do we want to have a specific managing process as a specific focus group on ensuring that we can deliver net zero by 2030? The Climate and Sustainability Specialist said that this information was already included within the report that he would produce for each meeting of the PDG.
· Strengths and obligations on biodiversity net gains – The Climate and Sustainability Specialist responded that there are two main elements. Firstly the obligation for a 10% minimum biodiversity net gain on new developments. Local Authorities if they wish, could write in a higher obligation. Secondly nature conservation and enhancement of biodiversity – Government though the Environment Act 2021 requires plans to set out what local authorities will do and how – the Council needs to set some targets etc. The Climate and Sustainability Expert will pull a report together over the next six months.
The following areas were added to the Work Plan for this PDG:
· Garden Waste (the Corporate Manager for People, Governance and Waste will provide an update at the August PDG meeting)
· Renewable and Alternative Energy, Energy Efficiency including Community Energy Projects
· Green Standards in Planning
· Nature Recovery and Conservation within Planning