Issue - meetings

To update on current climate change and biodiversity measures being undertaken by the Council and consider future options.

(Report of Chief Executive)

Members received an update on current climate change and biodiversity measures being undertaken by the Borough Council and considered future options as detailed in the report.

A briefing note in respect of the progress being made on climate change and biodiversity actions was attached at Annex 1.

Following consideration by the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change resolved that:

(1)             the growing priority of decarbonising heat and transport emissions from the Borough Council’s estate and operations, alongside existing Climate Change Action Plan measures, be endorsed; and

(2)             the options summarised below be explored further:

(i)               scoping and commissioning the feasibility of heat pump systems at Larkfield Leisure Centre and Tonbridge Swimming Pool and an options report presented to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(ii)              investigating potential options to reduce scope 1 and scope 3 transport emissions (as detailed in 1.2 of the report).

The report of the Chief Executive provided an update on current climate change and biodiversity measures being undertaken by the Borough Council and considered future options as detailed in the report.

A briefing note in respect of the progress being made on climate change and biodiversity actions was attached at Annex 1.

During discussion, it was recognised that Leisure Trust activities were a significant source of emissions within the Council’s estate and operations and suggested that solar panels be installed at Larkfield Leisure Centre.

RECOMMENDED: That

(1)            the growing priority of decarbonising heat and transport emissions from the Borough Council’s estate and operations, alongside existing Climate Change Action Plan measures, be endorsed; and

(2)            the options summarised below be explored further:

(i)              scoping and commissioning the feasibility of heat pump systems at Larkfield Leisure Centre and Tonbridge Swimming Pool and an options report presented to a future meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and

(ii)             investigating potential options to reduce scope 1 and scope 3 transport emissions (as detailed in 1.2 of the report).

*Decision taken by Cabinet Member