Issue - meetings

The report seeks endorsement of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy, recognising the links between the Council’s Climate Change Strategy and Air Quality Action Plan

(Report of Chief Executive)

The report sought endorsement of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES) which outlined the approach to be taken to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions and improvements in air quality across the county.  The Strategy, attached at Annex 1, identified a number of priority actions (set out on pages 15-28 of the Strategy) and included a commitment to meet the UK Government target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.  The ELES had been formally adopted at the Kent and Medway Net-Zero Conference held on 27 November and district councils would work in partnership to support the implementation of the priority actions.

The report identified the links between the ELES and the Tonbridge and Malling Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and the Borough Council’s aspiration of carbon neutrality within 10 years.  In addition, the report recognised the synergies between the aims and objectives of the Strategy and the Borough Council’s Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), due to go out to public consultation in January 2021, which focussed on transport, planning and infrastructure, policy guidance and public health and well-being.

Following consideration by the Street Scene and Environment Services Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services resolved that:

(1)          the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy be endorsed; and

(2)          implementation in line with existing Borough Council Climate Change and Air Quality objectives be supported.

Decision Notice D200087MEM

The report of the Chief Executive sought endorsement of the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy (ELES) which outlined the approach to be taken to achieve a reduction in carbon emissions and improvements in air quality across the county.  The Strategy, attached at Annex 1, identified a number of priority actions (set out on pages 15-28 of the Strategy) and included a commitment to meet the UK Government target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.  The ELES had been formally adopted at the Kent and Medway Net-Zero Conference held on 27 November and district councils would work in partnership to support the implementation of the priority actions.

The report identified the links between the ELES and the Tonbridge and Malling Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan and the Borough Council’s aspiration of carbon neutrality within 10 years.  In addition, the report recognised the synergies between the aims and objectives of the Strategy and the Borough Council’s Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP), due to go out to public consultation in January 2021, which focussed on transport, planning and infrastructure, policy guidance and public health and well-being.

The Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Environment Services drew attention to a pilot scheme by Kent County Council and DEFRA to create community woodlands across the county and advised that preliminary discussions had been held regarding identification of a possible site within the Borough.

RECOMMENDED:  That

(1)          the Kent and Medway Energy and Low Emissions Strategy be endorsed; and

(2)          implementation in line with existing Borough Council Climate Change and Air Quality objectives be supported.