Agenda and minutes

None.

A committee member noted that there was an attendee listed who was not in attendance and that the recommendation resulting from the vote was not properly noted.

With these changes, the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2021 were accepted as a true and accurate record

The Head of City Services introduced the report and a presentation. The Head of City Services noted that it is a draft report for consultation. The Head of City Services  highlighted that it was the Council’s strategy, and a Newport-wide strategy would be developed at a later date. The Head of City Services recognised the key influencing role that the Council have and acknowledged that plans were becoming firmer as the goal deadline was relatively near.

The Carbon Reduction Manager noted that annual total carbon emissions in the last four years had reduced due to a carbon management plan. The Carbon Reduction Manager noted that Covid had an anomalous reaction but hoped that the progress would continue. The Carbon Reduction Manager presented an overview of projects underway including the widespread roll out of solar PV, electric charging stations, the replacement of fleet vehicles including refuse lorries, cars and light vans which would all be transitioned to electric by 2022. Additionally, the Carbon Reduction Manager highlighted engagement activities with local school children, as well as replacing older lighting notably in the Velodrome to be more efficient LED lights, and noted that the Council have signed up to the Gwent Healthy Travel Charter launched in 2020 and had approved 2 low carbon housing plans.

The Carbon Reduction Manager highlighted that the climate strategy’s key difference was having to account for all of the organisation’s carbon emissions and that the team would be taking a broader view in new report with the key focus being the effect of procurement.

The Senior Policy & Partnership Officer highlighted that progress had been made but there was still much to do as a Council. The Senior Policy & Partnership Officer informed committee that they’d planning around six themes, based around Welsh Government guidance.

Committee Members asked-

·         Whether there would be a contractual expectation that suppliers could reach Net Zero and how the Council could enforce it?

The Head of City Services said that work was already taking place in this area, and noted the challenge in terms of technology and cost regarding building and vehicle emissions. The Senior Policy and Partnership Officer assured committee that new framework assessed new contracts for procurement that would address issues such as social values and carbon emissions. The Carbon Reduction Manager highlighted that new Welsh Government guidelines needed refinement, and assured Committee that this was a problem for the whole public sector in Wales which could lead to larger common supply chains between councils.

·         Would there be a framework put together for those who needed it?

The Carbon Reduction Manager confirmed there would, and that it would also support to assess the carbon impact and resource, which would have to be developed internally.

·         Would the Mayor’s car be replaced with a fully electric vehicle, and when?

The Head of City Services noted that the Mayor’s car was hybrid, but that all in the fleet should be electric by the end of the year. It was highlighted as important that the electric fleet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The committee agreed that they were content with the report as it was, with the main concern being the consultation and responses, but admitted this seemed to be well planned.

A committee member questioned whether they would be able to translate the consultation into other languages with the suggestion of video as a medium to be more inclusive of the BAME communities.

·         The committee suggested Newport’s two other largest spoken languages be considered.

a)      Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 1)

b)      Actions Arising (Appendix 2)

6 Scrutiny Adviser Reports (Pages 75 - 82)

a) Forward Work Programme Update (Appendix 1)

The Scrutiny Adviser confirmed the next meeting to be Friday 10^th December where Welsh Language Strategy would be presented.

The Scrutiny Adviser noted that due to committee being displeased with the previous consultation, a recommendation had been sent to Policy and Partnerships as they had partial control of budget to better address the issue.