Agenda item

To receive an update on progress in developing and implementing the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality programme.

Contact:

John Atkinson, Project Manager, Major Projects Service (Climate Emergency) and Martin Wood, Operational Manager, Public Protection (Air Quality), Tel: 01484 221000

The Committee received a report which provided an update on progress in developing and implementing the Council’s Climate Change and Air Quality programme.

Councillor Naheed Mather, Cabinet Member, Greener Kirklees, John Atkinson, Project Manager (Climate Emergency) Martin Wood (Operational Manager, Public Protection, Air Quality) Rob Dalby (Greenspace Operational Manager), Wendy Blakeley (Head of Public Protection), Alex Carey (Communications) Will Acornley (Head of Operational Services) and Mathias Franklin (Head of Planning and Development) were in attendance for the item.

In introducing the item, Cllr Mather outlined the importance of this work and the additional funding that had been allocated across the council services.  The Committee were advised that for the year 2020/21, Kirklees Council had the largest budget in this respect.

Councillor Mather stated that it was important that everyone felt part of the conversation and to ensure that the most vulnerable residents weren’t left behind.

One of the Committee members sought clarification as to Cllr Mather’s earlier point as to Kirklees having the largest budget. In response, the Committee were advised that there had been a national review of how much councils were spending on climate change and in this current year, Kirklees Council’s budget was one of the largest. The Committee requested further information in this respect.

The Committee received a presentation which provided an update on the Council’s Climate Emergency and Air Quality programme since the November 2019 reports and provided detail on the progress of the Phase 1 programme, the proposed next steps for Phase 2 and how this fit into the established regional working structures.

The key areas of the Committee’s discussion and responses to questions are summarised below:

-      The Council was working with the National Trust on the work to boost the woodland and green infrastructure via the White Rose Forest.

-      The Committee were advised that lessons had been learned in relation to air quality management zones (AQMA) although it was recognised that individual areas had different pollutants, topography and layouts.  An example of lessons learned was cited as one of the original air quality management zones in Bradley, which was a traffic management solution using advanced technology on the traffic lights to move vehicles through the junction more effectively.  One of this year’s costed budget proposals was to expand and develop this trial and roll out into other areas.

-      As part of the heat network, work had been ongoing with the Future Highways Research Group and SSE to see if the Council could become a pathfinder.  This would mean that while trenching was being done for the heat network, private wiring from the Council’s own power network could be added which would also link into the delivery of 5G and the LED street lighting network, as well as on street charging.  This would ensure that disruption in digging up roads would be minimised.

-      The heat network would be done in Phase 1 and once the core was established, it would be possible to develop add-ons.  It was noted that the heat network would provide heat and power and would include electricity where possible in the town centre.

-      A Committee Member commented that whilst there was good work outlined in Phase 1, there was not a lot in relation to carbon saving.  Therefore more work would be required in Phase 2 if targets were to be achieved.

-      It was intended to plant circa 75k trees, form a social enterprise and use local endemic tree stock to develop a nursery and grow stock to order.  It was hoped to enter into partnership with a local wildlife charity which would assist with engagement  and education and stock could be sold if there was additional capacity.  The Committee were advised that if established, the nursery would be certifiable by the Woodland Trust.

-      With regards to resources, the Committee noted that this was a cross service piece of work.  There had been positive outcomes within the budget and new delegations had been set up.  Developments included a cross service project team, as well as a dedicated team within the Environment and Infrastructure Directorate to push forward progress.  The scoping of Phase 2 would determine how best to deploy resources across the Council.

-      Councillor Mather advised that 62 hectares of greening was going on Leeds Road.  It was also noted that the Council were keen to follow good practice and consider future-proofing and passive housing might not be the best option for Kirklees.

-      In relation to the correlation between climate emergency and planning policy and guidance, it was noted that sustainable development was a cornerstone of planning policy.  The Local Plan contained a number of policies which specifically addressed matters such as tree planting and retention, air quality and promoting renewable forms of energy generation and non-private car based travel. 

Whilst it was acknowledged that communication might be an issue, the narrative between planning policy and climate emergency were intertwined.  The current planning policy was up to date, with a new evidence base and advice from Public Health and Public Protection.  Opportunities for improving air quality through new development were being taken and planning conditions attached, eg electric charging scheme on all new developments. 

The Committee were advised that the Local Plan would not have been found sound if it had not responded to the basic principles of sustainable development.  In terms of policy formation, the Council had an up to date Local Plan and was developing as a series of planning policy guidance booklets.  The Committee were advised that there was already a bespoke air quality document in place, which was the cornerstone to advising on sensitive uses near air quality issues.

-      The Committee noted 2 regional working projects.  One was the North and West Yorkshire Emission Reduction Pathways which would look at what West Yorkshire would need to do between now and the 2038 target to achieve emission reductions across different sectors.  Kirklees had a seat on the Steering Group, and the work would be helpful in forming the type of intervention needed in transportation and the built environment.

The second project was a West Yorkshire Combined Authority project looking at developing a methodology that was consistent across the City region for carbon impact assessment methodologies associated with projects, which would be extremely useful for larger infrastructure schemes.

-      With regards to the Youth Summit, an officer group had been set up to look at the best way of establishing a youth summit and the related programme of engagement for young people.  One of the first actions was to look at what was currently already happening across the district and how the Council could work with them.

In terms of delivery of the summit, the Committee were advised that this was still being developed but it was envisaged that young people would have a key role.  Cllr Mather confirmed that the Youth Council were involved and that young people would be at the heart of the day.  The Committee asked that there be greater involvement of young people from the outset of discussions.

Councillor Bolt was in attendance as an observer and asked a number of questions, the responses to which are summarised below:-

-      Bus passes had been removed some time ago as it was felt that these had been paid for but weren’t being used.  The Council was looking at more innovate schemes to get young people out of private cars and onto public transport.

-      Discussions had taken place with the Stadium as to how they could be involved in climate change initiatives and they were keen to get on board.

-      In terms of trees, moss trees and moss walls, Cllr Mather advised that she was keen to look at what others were doing in this respect and this was being considered alongside the Council’s own work.

-      E-bikes were being looked at and workforce incentive schemes were being considered.  Moving forward, it was important to ensure that electric charging points also had the capacity to charge e-bikes.

-      Whilst there were no taxis situated at the Old Gate Site, awareness of the electric charging points at this location would be raised through communication.

Resolved:-

The Committee:-

1.    Thanked Cllr Mather and the officers present for attending the meeting;

2.    Requested further information as to the national review of councils’ spending on climate change;

3.    Acknowledged the work outlined in Phase 1 but asked that more focus be given to carbon saving in Phase 2;

4.    Recommended that young people be involved in Youth Summit discussions at an early stage;

5.    Advised that there should be further reference to the built environment and existing and housing and new housing within the Plan;

6.    Requested that local elected members be informed of and involved in work with school initiatives;

7.    Emphasised the importance of accurate communication messages;

8.    Recommended that there be more communication of planning guidance; and

9.    That consideration be given to the inclusion of a cycling policy, in relation to climate emergency, as part of the Action Plan.