Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport the purpose of which was to update the Committee on Environmental Performance and a Progress Update for 2023/24. A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 9’, is filed with these minutes.

Arising from discussion, the following points were raised:

i)                 A Member emphasised the importance of delivering on targets set to address climate change and commented that the quick, easy gains had been achieved making future progress more difficult to deliver, particularly given the financial pressures the Council continued to face.

ii)                The use of electric vehicles was considered a step in the right direction but a Member raised concerns regarding the detrimental impact on the environment of having to mine rare materials used in creating the batteries and the impact of batteries being disposed of at the end of their expected lifespan.  Members were assured that every effort was made to repurpose batteries, reusing them for storage if no longer suitable for use in vehicles, and then further repurposing the rare materials.

iii)              A Member queried the percentage of homes (49%) that did not have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C or above, suggesting that this seemed high.  It was noted that the Warm Homes Grant administered by the Council’s Public Health Department would help residents to improve insulation within their homes and thus improve their EPC rating.  Members noted that an update would be provided to the Committee regarding the Grant scheme at an appropriate time.

AGREED:

That the report be noted.