Issue - meetings

INFORMATION NOTE OF THE POLICY AND STRATEGY TEAM LEADER

This note highlights the topic for this Panel meeting as well as a Work Programme and new proposed Action Tracker (at Appendix A) for the Cabinet Panel on the Environment for 2024/25.

A presentation was provided by the Strategic Sites Planning Officer on the ‘Sustainability SPD’.

The Policy and Strategy Team Leader led a review of the ‘Work Programme and New Proposed Action Tracker for 2024/25’.

Audio recording – 4 minutes 31 seconds

N.B. Councillor Dominic Griffiths joined the Zoom call at 19:41.

The Policy and Strategy Team Leader presented the Information Note entitled ‘Work Programme and New Proposed Action Tracker for 2024/25’ and advised that:

·       The Sustainability Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) had been approved by Cabinet in September 2024 and this would be discussed later in the meeting.

·       A new action tracker had been formulated following feedback from previous meetings and this included SMART actions, which had not been included on the previuos action plan.

·       The action tracker would include items with an anticipated completion date and would confirm ownership of the item.

·       Members could suggest items for the action tracker, by contacting the Policy team or through the Chair at the wash up meeting.

·       The action tracker would be discussed at every meeting and could lead to items being recommended to Cabinet.

·       Successful engagement events had been held for stakeholders and residents regarding the Local Nature Recovery Scheme led by Hertfordshire County Council. Phase 2 of the project would commence in autumn 2024 with a draft strategy ready for March 2025. During the winter months there would be online engagement with stakeholders in Hertfordshire.

·       Stage 3 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was expected to be completed by the end of October 2024. Surveys have been completed and consultants will commence a review of the planning pack prior to applying the Heritage Foundation guidelines. 

·       Parish Councils and local groups had been encouraged to apply for funding under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The Grant Panel meetings considered applications last week and successful applicants would be advised and notices published as Delegated Decisions.

The Policy and Strategy Officer advised that:

·       The second round of the Solar Together scheme had closed, and installations had been finalised. In total 104 installations had been completed in North Herts and 514 installations in Hertfordshire.

·       The Hertfordshire Growth Board had launched their ‘Sustainable County’ mission with a specific focus on developing an energy plan for Hertfordshire. A working group would be formed shortly.

·       The Retrofit guidance document was now available, and a link was sent to attendees in the group chat.

·       The Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2) closed at the end of September 2024 and aimed to improve the EPC rating of homes in fuel poverty.

·       There were now 380 subscribers to the Engagement Hub and updates were sent out on a regular basis.

·       The presentation included as Appendix B was presented at the latest Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) meeting and highlighted the key priorities for the new government.

·       The focused objectives of GB Energy were to produce clean energy and reduce greenhouse gases. £8.3 billion had been invested by the government with £600M allocated to local authorities.

·       There were five functions of GB Energy, one being the Local Power Plan, a scheme for renewable energy projects in the local community with commercial assistance and this was detailed in Appendix B.

·       The restriction on onshore wind farms  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15