13.
A report by the Depute Chief Executive (Economy, Environment and Finance) sought agreement of the Council to adopt the Climate Change Strategy for 2020-2030.
Councillor Eagle welcomed the Strategy but expressed concern and sought clarification on the funding for achieving the Strategy including whether the Council Leader would write to both Westminster and Scottish Governments regarding funding streams to assist the Council in meeting its target of being carbon neutral by 2030.
In response, the Head of Economic Growth and Development confirmed that climate change is being embedded in all policies across government and although there are specific funds that can be applied to for external funding it is also embedded in some of the major infrastructure funds i.e school estate and any new school buildings the requirement wrapped around that funding will be that their performance and sustainability in carbon terms is excellent.
The Council Leader further added that following agreement of what is proposed in the report he would be happy to write to both Governments and highlight the strategy and that the Council would be keen to access any funding streams available.
He further added that he would write to the Scottish Government regarding Teach for the Future.
Councillor Wilson sought clarification on page 98 of the papers as he indicated there may be a word missing. In response, the Energy Officer confirmed that the word heritage was indeed missing and that he would arrange for the correction to be made to the strategy.
Councillor Feaver requested that the working 'as experienced recently with numerous gorse fires and a very large heather fire near Knockando' on page 97 be removed as she felt it was misleading, as it had subsequently been found that the fires were started deliberately. Councillor Nicol confirmed she was happy to remove the wording.
Following further lengthy debate and consideration the Council agreed to:
i) |
approve and adopt the Climate Change Strategy 2020-2030 in Appendix 1; subject to delegation to the Head of Economic Growth and Development to amend and publish the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan as outlined in Section 5 and in consultation with the Chair of the Climate Change Working Group; |
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ii) |
approve current draft action plan in Appendix 2 noting the further developments proposed in this report and noting the need for further development work for key actions in relation to hydrogen, buildings and transport; |
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iii) |
approve the budget and staffing resources proposals in summary:
- Revenue Budget of £20,000
- Staffing budget of £164,746 (subject to job evaluation);
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iv) |
note a request for a consultancy budget as set out in paragraph 7.8 is to be submitted through the Transformation funding review process; |
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v) |
that the Head of Economic Growth and Development reports progress to the appropriate Council committee on a 6 monthly basis; |
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vi) |
to embed Climate Change and Biodiversity considerations within Council/Committee reports through the inclusion of a dedicated paragraph in the Summary of Implications with effect from August 2021, once staffing is in post; |
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vii) |
that the actions for 2021/22 are added to service performance reports and included in individual service plans at the next review point; |
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viii) |
note the proposed next steps contained within Section 8; |
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ix) |
the Council Leader will write to the Westminster and Scottish Governments highlighting the Council's strategy and seeking funding opportunities and grants; and |
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x) |
the Council Leader will write to the Scottish Government regarding Teach for the Future. |