Agenda and minutes

At this point, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point, Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, prejudicial interest or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they may have in respect of business on the agenda.

Councillor Barnes declared a personal interest in relation to item 5 of the agenda, as he worked for an Offshore Renewable Energy company, Catapult.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15 October 2019.

Resolved: that the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 15 October 2019 be approved and signed by the Chair as an accurate record.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 11 November 2019. Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the Committee. To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast, or recorded,  and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission. The broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting. Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting. Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting. The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present. It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/11406/protocol_f

or_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings_201

60809.pdf

It was reported that there had been three registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Emanuela Buizza spoke about the importance of trees to CO2 reduction. They requested that the Committee recommend to the Executive a complete ban on tree felling on both public and private land. They also requested that the Committee recognise the importance of the Ecological Emergency alongside that of the Climate Emergency.

June Tranmer echoed the previous speaker and noted that more trees are chopped down than are planted. The speaker also raised a concern regarding recycling, noting that residents are often displeased to see their separated waste being merged during collection.

Debby Cobbett requested that the Committee consider a number of recommendations to the Executive including:

·        Changing the reimbursement transport policy for staff to not include travel by car or plane;

·        The introduction of subsidised public transport passes;

·        The introduction of electric charging points;

·        Diversifying away from the use of fossil fuels.

This report outlines the opportunity to co-opt a number of experts and stakeholders onto the Climate Change Policy and Scrutiny Committee. This has been suggested in order to widen the range of viewpoints and expertise considering the topics in this committee’s remit.

Before Members considered a report outlining the opportunity to co-opt a number of experts and stakeholders onto the Climate Change Policy and Scrutiny Committee, it was noted that Chloe Wilcox, Theo Steele, Amelia Barber, and Maisie Outhart were representatives from Youth Strike for Climate and not Extinction Rebellion. The Committee were also asked to consider the co-option of Terry Smithson from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The Scrutiny Officer noted that the four members from Youth Strike for Climate would have one place on the Committee and co-optees would be non-voting members of the Committee. Whilst Conservative and Independent Councillors did not currently have a seat on the committee due to City of York Council proportionality rules, it was noted that the Chair could still invite these Members to the Committee as non-voting participants. Finally, it was noted that Members had the option to invite representatives of the Stockholm Environment Institute to meetings on an ad-hoc basis, depending on whose expertise from the institute could support the Committee on particular topics.

Members unanimously agreed to all the recommendations.

Resolved:

                   i.        That the representatives of Youth Strike for Climate Chloe Wilcox, Theo Steele, Amelia Barber, and Maisie Outhart be co-opted onto the Committee.

                  ii.        That Terry Smithson from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust be co-opted onto the Committee.

                 iii.        That representatives of the Stockholm Environment Institute be invited to meetings on an ad-hoc basis, when appropriate.

                iv.        That the chair would invite Conservative and Independent Councillors to attend meetings as non-voting members.

Reason:     To ensure that the Committee continues to seek the thoughts of key stakeholders and experts on the issues considered.

This report introduces an update from the Chair of One Planet York, as requested by the Climate Change Policy and Scrutiny Committee at their meeting on Tuesday 15 October 2019.

Members considered several annexes about One Planet York and were joined by the Chair of One Planet York Mike Bonsall to help guide discussions with the Committee.

Mike Bonsall informed Members about the funding issues currently facing One Planet York and the reliance on external funding to carry out work. Low funding had meant that projects at One Planet York have not been taken forward. They confirmed that they would look at a number of funding options including having a host organisation, if it shared One Planet York’s ambitions.

Members noted the importance of One Planet York as a brand leader within the city. In response to Members questions, Mike Bonsall confirmed that the objective for One Planet York in the next 12 months would be four to five projects already happening in the city that could be supported or enhanced by One Planet York coordinating activity for.

The Director of Economy and Place reminded the Committee to consider the role of the third sector as a whole in achieving zero carbon by 2030, as well as what City of York Council could do to support these organisations in achieving this goal.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the information provided be noted.

                     ii.         That the Committee will consider further issues relating to third sector organisations in helping achieve zero carbon by 2030.

Reason:     To ensure that the committee are content with the relationship between the Council and One Planet York.

This report introduces a discussion on the Challenges and Opportunities of realising and operating a zero-carbon fleet. Members of key organisations such as Nestle, First Group and City of York Council are invited to give their perspectives on this challenge.

The Committee was joined by council officers, as well as Andy Griffiths, (Head of Value Chain Sustainability, Nestlé UK Ltd.) and Jon Harman (Head of Fleet, First Group UK Bus) for a round table discussion on the challenges and opportunities of realising and operating a zero-carbon fleet.

Andy Griffiths (Head of Value Chain Sustainability, Nestlé UK Ltd.)

Explained that Nestlé have focused on climate change management for a number of years and have reduced total carbon emissions by just over 60% since 2007. This has involved operations and transport and distribution. Delivery of change has been driven by efficiency and by renewable energy technologies. Key factors for reducing the carbon emissions of freight and optimising freight efficiency are fill rates (incoming and outgoing), and load share collaboration with other organisations (on backhaul and forward haul).   

These factors deliver both environmental and economic benefits.

Consolidation and distribution centres – at both local and national level - enable optimisation of fill rates, maximising efficiency and delivering the right transport modes to local demand areas.

Switching to renewable solutions is crucial. There is an expectation that electrification, currently the preferred model for domestic transportation, would be the best solution but battery sizes and weight, and maximum vehicle range (currently around 100km) pose significant challenges for freight vehicles. The other options are hydrogen and biomethane. A fourfold increase in electricity generation across the UK is needed to enable hydrogen to take off as a fuel so this is 10 to 20 years away from being a mainstream solution. Biomethane is an easier option than electricity or hydrogen. 44 tonne vehicles can operate on LMG and/or 100% biomethane. Vehicles running on biomethane not only have a positive environmental impact, there is also typically a 50% reduction in noise, and improvements to air quality. Biomethane is produced from waste. Capturing the methane from this waste stream reduces local carbon emissions. Biomethane is already being used around the UK and provides the best opportunity on a pathway towards a zero carbon fleet. 

Core challenges remain around infrastructure, with a need for recharging or processing facilities across the UK and York. Consolidation centres have a useful contribution to make, enabling refuelling points out on the perimeter and electrification within the city.

Jon Harman (Head of Fleet, First Group UK Bus)

Explained that First Group have reduced carbon emission by 13% as a group and by 8% in their bus fleet over the past year largely through the purchasing of more efficient (though largely diesel) vehicles. 2020 will see the arrival of another 20 electric buses in York, bringing the York fleet to approximately 30% zero carbon. First are committed to long term investment in clean green technology.

Whereas shareholders, the public, and stakeholders used to be primarily interested in economic performance their key interest now is about First’s work to reduce impacts of its operations on climate change. 

While First are seeing some growth, the bus industry as a whole is seeing a reduction in patronage.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To consider the draft work plan for the 2019/20 municipal year.

Members considered the committee’s work plan for the remainder of the 2019/20 municipal year.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the Chair and Vice Chair will discuss with the Scrutiny Officer and City of York Council officers, as to when a report on Carbon Budgeting should be brought to the Committee.

Reason:     So that the Committee has an agreed schedule of work in place in order to move forward with its remit.