Agenda item

To receive an update from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change and the Climate sustainability Officer.

The Group had before it and NOTED a report * from the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.

The following was highlighted within the report:-

·         The Council’s environmental sustainability work was split into corporate actively related to its own assets and the Council’s operations and community activities which enabled and facilitated community actions across Mid Devon as net zero targets could not be achieved alone.

·         Net emissions for areas in the Council’s direct control remained on a downward trend with an overall 35% reduction since 2018/19 when the net zero target was baselined.

·         Over the last few months the Cabinet Member had engaged with Sustainable Tiverton, Exe Valley Farmers and considering the importance of Neighbourhood Plans to support local action.

·         The Climate and Sustainability Specialist had been meeting with funders to enhance partnership working including promotion of the Green Enterprise Grant Scheme.

·         Work towards a big event in Spring next year was taking place.

·         Between April and September, Energy Boost Mid Devon had advised over 100 local residents and helped them to save nearly £5,000 on home energy costs.

·         External funding included £472,500 Warm Homes Local Grant which was great news for low-income households across Mid Devon especially for those with an annual income of less than £36,000.  The Warm House Local Grants would help low-income households with a poor energy performance certificates.

·         With regard to electric vehicle (EV) chargers the Deletti Partnership Project would help the Council to deliver on the Corporate Plan target.

·         Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) chargers would deliver more charge points at more than 20 other sites across Mid Devon.

·         The Exe Valley Leisure Centre, Tiverton, the tenant Instavolt had decided to upgrade their chargers to faster more powerful units.  This was something that the Council could not control however it did respond to the demand for faster charging.

·         The Local Nature Recovery Strategy had been out for public consultation by Devon County Council.   Mid Devon District Council promoted and responded to the consultation.

Discussion took place regarding:-

·         Whether the Council were engaging with the South West Net Zero Hub?  It was explained that the Council had been engaging with them and had attended a recent conference and were looking at ways they could support the Council with renewable energy investments.  They could help the Council to understand how to use “complex sites” status to group several sites for renewable power installation.   In terms of funding there was a community energy fund and although it currently had a limited scope, it was hoped that initiatives would be available.

·         The Dart/Exe Valley Farmers Regenerative Soils Event – and that the Council had supported some of the costs of running the event.  It helped to bring more farmers and the community together - farmers were keen to develop a landscape recovery project which would scale up the really good work already achieved.

·         Collaborative work with the Broadpath Landfill Liaison Group and the preparation work for the closure of the landfill site.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:-

·                     The Planning, Environment and Sustainability PDG tasked officers to work with the Net Zero Advisory Group and the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change to draft the 2026-28 Climate Change Action Plan in line with the Climate Change Strategy.

(Proposed by Cllr G Cochran and seconded by Cllr C Adcock)

Note: * Report previously circulated.