Agenda and draft minutes

To note any substitution of Members made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor J. Lake.

The following substitution of a Committee Member had been made in accordance with Council Procedure Rules: Councillor J. Cragg for Councillor J. Lake.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th January 2024 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2024 were approved as a correct record by the Chair.

There were no items of urgent business.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

Cllr Paul Zukowskyj declared an interest as a County Councillor.

Climate Change update report from Climate Change Officer.

Officer updated members that partnership with Affinity Water has been re-established for a two-fold work programme.

One aspect will be delivered by Affinity water, completely free and provide advice and expert help from water saving experts, as well as water saving installations.

The second aspect will be delivered by WHBC through:

1.         Planned Maintenance

2.         Responsive Repair

3.         Void properties

4.         Decarbonisation works

5.         New Developments

Member noted the re-establishment of relationship with Affinity Water is very positive and allows scope for future works and development. Officer confirmed work with service managers will take place to investigate the potential to expand the projects over time.

Officer noted the update on Development of a Sustainable Procurement Strategy will be delivered next meeting when the Procurement Manager is present.

Officer noted the closed workshop that is taking place after this committee meeting on Transition to Net Zero document.

Officer requested members approve the drawdown of funding from the climate reserves to pay for the commissioning of a designer to help make the document visually pleasing and user friendly, £2000.

Members agreed unanimously.

Officer updated members on the results from the Hertfordshire Retrofit Survey.

Member noted the surveys should be very well publicised by the Council to reduce risk of residents confusing it for a scam.

Member noted a really positive response (table 5) that residents feel confident with projects backed by HCC and districts/boroughs.

Member noted the County & Government are working together to establish strong policies to ensure sustainable projects are being delivered.

Officer noted the partnership with the BID team to host some in person events during the Great Big Green Week (8th – 16th June).

Officer noted that work was being done behind the scenes with the Comms team to update the Climate Hub page. This will go live and be promoted during the Great Big Green Week.