Issue - meetings

This report sets out a proposed OnePlanetCouncil (OPC) delivery framework which demonstrates how the council will deliver on its recent commitment to be a OnePlanetCouncil and provide city leadership amongst the emerging OnePlanetYork network. It also seeks consent from the Executive Member  to commence delivery of the new Carbon and Resource Smart Management Plan.

Resolved:

(i)           That the overall proposed framework be agreed and the OnePlanetCouncil commitment be delivered.

(ii)          That the OnePlanetCouncil Policy (Draft) and OnePlanetCouncil Action Plan – Phase 1 (Draft) be noted and arrangements be made for members of the public to comment.

(iii)        That the final OnePlanetCouncil Policy and OnePlanetCouncil Action Plan – Phase 1 be considered by the Executive Member for Environment at his Decision Session on 28 November 2016.

(iv)        That the Carbon and Resource Smart Management Plan be approved.

(v)         That the Integrated Impact Assessment Tool be noted.

(vi)        That the ongoing renewable energy work be noted.

(vii)      That an update report, covering all projects, be presented on an annual basis to the Executive Member for Environment.

(viii)     That an employee suggestion scheme on energy and water savings be established.

Reason: To agree a coordinated approach and commence delivery against the OnePlanetCouncil commitments. It will also help the council act as a city leader in this area, supporting the development of the emerging OnePlanetYork network.   

The Executive Member considered a report that proposed a OnePlantCouncil (OPC) delivery framework and demonstrated how the council would deliver on its recent commitment to be a OPC and provide city leadership amongst the emerging OnePlanetYork (OPY)network.

Officers gave an update and confirmed that on 17March 2016 Executive approved the OnePlanetYork programme that included two elements, a city facing partnership approach and a council approach. They explained the paper focussed on the OnePlantCouncil strand and discussed how the council could work towards becoming a sustainable organisation.

This included the introduction of a new:

1.   OPC Policy (to establish clear principles to work towards);

2.   OPC Action Plan (to deliver coordinated action across the council – including Phase 1 which would incorporate the council’s Carbon and Resource Smart Management Plan 2015 - 2019);

3.   Integrated Impact Assessment Tool (to embed OPC principles into all new projects, programmes and policies); and

     4. OPC communication campaign (to ensure all staff were  engaged and empowered to take action).

It was noted that the overall aim was to reduce economic, social and environmental impacts through a balanced approach using the clear principles (based on the international One Planet principles) for all council departments to work towards:

·        Zero Carbon

·        Zero Waste

·        Sustainable Transport

·        Sustainable Materials

·        Local and Sustainable Food

·        Sustainable Water

·        Land Use & Wildlife

·        Culture & Heritage

·        Equality & Local Economy

·        Health & Happiness

The Executive Member thanked officers for their detailed report and update. He felt this was a positive step forward that would build on successes already made over the last two decades and work towards putting sustainability at the forefront. He also welcomed the increase in applications for renewable power and agreed generating energy close to where it was being utilised was the most efficient way.

After further discussion, officers noted the Executive Member’s comments and agreed to:

·        report all results annually ensuring record keeping demonstrated performance without becoming an overburden bureaucracy.

·        make arrangements for residents to comment on the draft OnePlanetCouncil Policy or OnePlanetYork Action Plan (phase 1) by emailing sustainability@york.gov.uk by 30^th September 2016.

·        engage with all parts of the council and coordinate an employee suggestion scheme on energy and water savings.

·        include further details in the OPC Embedding Matrix and Self Assessment Tool.

·        use existing channels and engage with partners when developing the Communications Plan.

·        maximise goals where possible to achieve the best efficiency results.

Resolved:

(i)           That the overall proposed framework be agreed and the OnePlanetCouncil commitment be delivered.

(ii)          That the OnePlanetCouncil Policy (Draft) and OnePlanetCouncil Action Plan – Phase 1 (Draft) be noted and arrangements be made for further consultation on these documents.

(iii)        That the final OnePlanetCouncil Policy and OnePlanetCouncil Action Plan – Phase 1 be considered by the Executive Member for Environment at his Decision Session on 28 November 2016.

(iv)        That the Carbon and Resource Smart Management Plan be approved.

(v)         That the Integrated Impact Assessment Tool be noted.

(vi)        That the ongoing renewable energy work be noted.

(vii)      That offices note and action the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4