Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Grewal for whom Councillor Holloway attended as a substitute. Apologies for absence were also received from Councillor Thusu and Councillor Crofton.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2024 were approved as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

There were no declarations of interest.

Up to thirty minutes will be made available for questions from members of the public on issues relating to the work of the Committee and to receive any petitions.

There were no public questions or petitions.

Report of the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change)

The Climate Change officer took the Panel through the detail of the report.

A member asked whether Solar Together data could be mapped across the borough. Officers advised Dacorum was leading on this and would contact them to see if this was possible.

Post-meeting note - officers provided this information to members after the meeting: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=11A6dK9K5dvvVoT_BGSJBh0hghsC77eg&usp=sharing.

Members were impressed with the work taking place, noting the work taking place on the WENTA programme and how officers had taken a proactive approach to increasing the uptake. 

A member asked for more information about the schools project. Officers advised it had been launched this week; schools had been contacted, two had already signed up and the project would run again if take-up was successful. The Eventbrite invitation would be shared with members so they could spread the word.

Post-meeting note - officers provided this information to members after the meeting:

Sign up now to reserve your free place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sustainability-planning-virtual-workshop-with-lets-go-zero-part-1-tickets-1140641211569

The Chair suggested the ‘Your Tree, Our Future’ initiative would be a positive news story. Officers advised there had been some communications around this and would look into whether further communications would be helpful.

RESOLVED

The Panel noted the progress of specific projects/ actions within the Climate Action Plan, which is the main tool used to monitor our pathway to net zero as an organisation (2030) and as a borough (2050) and note the wider co-benefits of such actions.

To receive a presentation on the HCCSP annual event and Lara Workshop

The Graduate Trainee took the meeting through the presentation attached to the agenda pack.

Members commended the presentation and a member noted the positive snapshot of HCCSP’s work.

The Panel noted the presentation.

Report of the Executive Director (Resident Services and Climate Change)

The Climate Change officer provided an overview of the Climate and Nature Bill (formerly known as the Climate and Ecology Bill), a Private Member’s Bill, and advised  that the second reading was due to take place on 24 January 2025; approximately 374 county, district, borough and parish councils had already signed up in support of the Bill, including five of the ten local authorities in Hertfordshire.  

Members commented as follows:

• Members welcomed the opportunity for the Council to show its support for the Bill. A member encouraged those present to ask the local MP to support it and the Chair suggested a question could be asked at Full Council.
• A member supported the approach taken and asked whether any of the Council’s work did not align with the Bill and subsequent strategy. Officers were unable to fully answer this (they do not know what the details of the strategy will entail) but felt the Council was already on the right path and welcomed forthcoming guidance from central government that would have greater ambition and a sense of urgency.

RESOLVED

The Panel agreed to support the Climate and Nature Bill.