Issue - meetings

Developing the Council’s Green Agenda Task and Finish Group

To receive and consider the final report.

Councillor Steve Holgate, Chair of the Task Group, presented the final report of the Task Group on Developing the Council’s Green Agenda.

The Committee were advised that since its commencement in September 2019, the Task Group has met numerous times and has undertaken several sub-group meetings to consult with as many stakeholders as possible to help build an evidence base. Site visits to Lancaster City Council and GA Pet Food Partners Manufacturing Site in Bretherton also took place as well as students from Parklands High School meeting with Members in the Town Hall to discuss their concerns with regards to climate change.

Funding has been secured as part of the budget process to further the council’s commitment to become a carbon-neutral borough by 2030. The funding will help to appoint a climate change officer as well as setting aside reserves to help develop local climate change initiatives such as tree planting schemes.

The recommendations put forward were based on the evidence collated by the Task Group and if approved by Executive Cabinet in March would be progressed through the recommended governance arrangements including a Member steering group.

Members discussed the report, in particular, public transport and bus routes through Chorley, how supermarkets can reduce their usage of plastics, green accreditations for local businesses, solar panels and the inclusion of the green agenda in the Local Plan. This would all be considered in further detail by the proposed Steering Group.

Councillor Steve Holgate thanked Councillors and officers, as well as external partners, for their contributions to the inquiry. The Committee commended the report.

Decision: That the update be noted.