Issue - meetings

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

Further to Minute No. 29 of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22 June 2023, the Council considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services indicating that the Council had declared a climate emergency in July 2019. Following that, declaration work had progressed within the Council and a climate emergency strategy and associated action plan had been created.

Annual reporting on progress made was required as part of the governance approach to the programme. Members were asked to note the progress made on achieving net zero carbon by 2030 and the programme of works supporting the Council’s transition to low carbon working.

A revised Appendix to the report had been circulated in a supplementary agenda.

It was moved by Councillor Lappin, seconded by Councillor Roscoe and

RESOLVED: That

(1)            the progress made on the targets in the Sefton climate emergency strategy and action plan be noted; and

(2)            it be noted that the proposal was a Key Decision but had not been included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. Consequently, the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services) had been consulted under Rule 27 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution, to the decision being made by Cabinet as a matter of urgency on the basis that it was impracticable to defer the decision until the commencement of the next Forward Plan because of the need to publish the report at the same time each year.

Report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services

The Cabinet considered the report of the Executive Director of Corporate Resources and Customer Services indicating that the Council declared a climate emergency in July 2019. Following that, declaration work has progressed within the Council and a climate emergency strategy and associated action plan created.

Annual reporting on progress made is required as part of the governance approach to the programme. Members were asked to note the progress made on achieving net zero carbon by 2030 and the programme of works supporting the Council’s transition to low carbon working.

Decision Made:

That

the Council be recommended to:

(1)            note the progress made on the targets in the Sefton climate emergency strategy and action plan; and

(2)            note that the proposal was a Key Decision but had not been included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions. Consequently, the Leader of the Council and the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services) had been consulted under Rule 27 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution, to the decision being made by Cabinet as a matter of urgency on the basis that it was impracticable to defer the decision until the commencement of the next Forward Plan because of the need to publish the report at the same time each year.

Reasons for the Decision:

To support the delivery of the Council motion that declared a climate emergency and ensure the Council is aligning with future regional area and national net zero targets.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not acting would increase the risks to Sefton in future years, on the themes of energy cost and security, and climate change resilience (increased incidence of extreme weather events, sea level rise etc.). Sefton will also be subject to regional (2040) and national targets (2050) around achieving net zero, beyond the current scope of work, which will require additional action. Therefore, ensuring net zero emissions for Sefton Council operations is the first stage of this wider body of work.