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.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2021.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2021 be approved and signed by the Chair as an accurate record, with the following amendment. That minute 23. ‘The Director for Transport, Environment and Planning and the Sustainable

Transport Manager also gave an update on the Local Transport Plan.’ Be replaced with ‘Chairs Remarks: At this point in the meeting an additional agenda item was introduced. The committee considered an update on the council's draft Bus Service Implement Plan (BSIP) from the Director of Transport, Environment and Planning and the Sustainable Transport Manager, who were in attendance to provide a verbal update and answer questions.’

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Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this public meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The public meeting can be viewed on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts. During coronavirus, we've made some changes to how we're running council meetings. See our coronavirus updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

Debby Cobbert noted that she felt that insufficient information was being provided to the Committee in reports. She asked that the Committee consider further how to retrain and redeploy people in York away from ‘dirty jobs’. She recommended the Committee read Climate Jobs: Building a workforce for the climate emergency. She enquired about student participation on the Committee and made note of several upcoming events.

Christopher Copland raised concerns that the proposed St George’s Field car park in relation to its impact on climate change in the city. He asked that the Committee recommend to the Executive that any decision taken on the car park wait until the Councils climate change strategy was released to ensure that the car park would not go against the strategy.

An update from the Head of Sustainability at York Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on the progress made to reduce emissions associated with the hospital’s activities and future decarbonisation plans.

The Committee were joined by Jane Money Head of Sustainability for York Teaching Hospital Facilities Management, who provided the committee with a wide ranging presentation on Sustainability and Net Zero at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Members discussed the Hospital Trusts priorities and plans for net zero and raised a number of questions about the trusts polices, on areas including waste removal, laundry, and York Hospital buildings energy efficiency. It was noted that the Trust had built into its procurement its net zero targets and therefore it was confirmed new hospital contracts should take into account how different functions undertaken by the Trust can be more energy efficient.

The work of the Climate Commission was raised and the role of a city energy plan was discussed. It was noted that the Trust had been a part of a study by Leeds City Region on a district heating plan, however, a strong business case was never developed for the plan to go ahead. It was confirmed that the Trust would welcome involvement in future schemes and it was noted that joint funding opportunities would be welcomed by the Trust due to financial constraints and the requirements for ensuring day to day practice is maintained.

Resolved:

                   i.        That the Committee noted that update provided by Jane Money Head of Sustainability for York Teaching Hospital Facilities Management.

Reason:   To ensure the Committee remains updated on the work of key stakeholders in reducing carbon emissions.

The Committee will receive an update Climate Change Strategy for York, as well as, how it aligns with other strategies and the planned phase 3 engagement for climate change and carbon reduction.

The Committee received a presentation on Strategic Alignment and the developing Climate Change Strategy, and it was confirmed that the presentation would be published as a agenda supplement.

The Committee discussed the role of these strategies to meet the growing interest in electric vehicles (EVs). It was noted that uptake of EVs across the city, at the scale required for net zero, would likely require a switch away from everyone using a private vehicle, however, the EV charging strategy is modelled against the expected rise in electric vehicles to deliver sufficient charging points.

The Committee also raised the role of the Local Plan in facilitating the Council’s objectives to achieve Net Zero. It was confirmed that if the plan was agreed and implemented it would allow the Council additional control on new planning applications. It was also confirmed however, that the Local Plan not being in place would not be a barrier to the Council making interventions to cut carbon emissions.

Resolved:

                      i.         The Committee noted the update on the Climate Change Strategy.

Reason:     To ensure the Committee remain updated on the Climate Change Strategy.

The Head of Economic Development will provide a verbal update on the Economic Strategy for York, as well as, how it aligns with other strategies and the planned phase 3 engagement for climate change and carbon reduction.

It was confirmed that the reports for this item should have been published with the agenda and it was confirmed that they would be published as a agenda supplement. The Committee received a presentation on the Economic Strategy.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the Economic Strategy be brought back to a future meeting of the Committee.

Reason:     To allow the Committee to consider the reports for the item.

To consider the Draft Work Plan for 2021/22.

The Committee discussed their work plan for 2021/22 and agreed to request that the 8 March 2022 be altered from a forum meeting to a full committee meeting. The Committee agreed to amend the work plan with the 8 March meeting considering the Economic Strategy and the Climate Change Strategy. They also agreed to amend the 12 April 2022 committee to now consider the following items Transport model and how to use it to explore carbon reduction issues Part 2, LTP4 update, Climate Commission update Programme of activities.

Resolved:

                      i.         That the Committee enquire about the availability of changing the 8 March 2022 Forum Meeting to a Full Committee Meeting;

                     ii.         That the 8 March 2022 work plan items be amended to the Economic Strategy and the Climate Change Strategy;

                    iii.        That the 12 April 2022 work plan items be amended to Transport model and how to use it to explore carbon reduction issues Part 2, LTP4 update, Climate Commission update Programme of activities.

Reason:     To ensure the Committee has a work plan of items for 2021/22.