Issue - meetings

This report outlines the consultation drafts of the Climate Change Framework (2010-2015) and the Climate Change Action Plan (2010-2013) for York and seeks permission to go out to public consultation on these draft from late June to late August 2010.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the consultation drafts of the Climate Change Framework and Climate Change Action Plan be approved.

REASON:      To progress the development of the CCF and CCAP.

                        (ii)        That the risks to delivery of the CCF and CCAP, due to the ambition of the scale of the task and the city-wide, partnership working nature of the agenda, be noted.

REASON:      To highlight the ambition of the CCF and CCAP, whilst noting the finite capacity of co-ordinating and delivering them through the Council’s existing Sustainability Team.

                        (iii)       That the Council’s role in delivering the CCF and CCAP, and ensuring delivery through the various delivery mechanisms for which they are responsible, be acknowledged.

REASON:      To ensure that the City of York Council plays a lead role in delivery of the CCF and CCAP.

Members considered a report which presented draft versions of a Climate Change Framework (CCF) for 2010-2015 and Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) for 2010-2013 and sought permission to consult on these from late June to late August 2010.

The preparation of these consultation documents had been outlined in a report to the Executive on 16 February 2010.  The draft CCF, attached as Annex 1, set out the direction of travel for York in terms of climate change mitigation and adaptation work.  The draft CCAP, attached as Annex 2, set out the specific action plans for delivery of the CCF.  Both the CCF and the CCAP would be delivered and implemented by the Climate Change Subgroup of the Environment Partnership Board and key organisations, including City of York Council and the Without Walls Partnership, with the Council’s Sustainability Officer continuing to adopt a co-ordination role.

Members were recommended to approve the draft documents for public consultation, in accordance with the draft communication plan at Annex 4, with a view to launching the final versions by October 2010.  The alternative option was to continue climate change activity on an ad-hoc basis.  This was not recommended, as it would risk failing to meet the City’s carbon reduction targets and failing to address key climate change adaptation measures.

With reference to the comments of the Labour Group spokespersons on this item, Members noted that the report and draft documents were not intended to be council-focused but rather to highlight the need for a partnership approach to this issue and to provide a basis for consultation.  A plain English summary would be provided to assist with the consultation.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the consultation drafts of the Climate Change Framework and Climate Change Action Plan be approved.¹

REASON:      To progress the development of the CCF and CCAP.

                        (ii)        That the risks to delivery of the CCF and CCAP, due to the ambition of the scale of the task and the city-wide, partnership working nature of the agenda, be noted.

REASON:      To highlight the ambition of the CCF and CCAP, whilst noting the finite capacity of co-ordinating and delivering them through the Council’s existing Sustainability Team.

                        (iii)       That the Council’s role in delivering the CCF and CCAP, and ensuring delivery through the various delivery mechanisms for which they are responsible, be acknowledged.

REASON:      To ensure that the City of York Council plays a lead role in delivery of the CCF and CCAP.