Issue - meetings

That the Cabinet approves the request for funding to fund the costs of maintaining posts and implementing projects within the Climate and Nature Emergency Plan:

Employment costs until March 2030 - £416,383

Project costs - £7,275,160

The report was submitted by Cllr Craig ab Iago.

DECISION

That the Cabinet approves the request for funding to fund the costs of maintaining posts and implementing projects within the Climate and Nature Emergency Plan:

Employment costs until March 2030 - £416,383

Project costs - £7,275,160

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted stating that the Cabinet Member for Environment had had to leave the meeting in order to attend another meeting.

Reference was made to the Council's climate emergency declaration and the need for urgent action, and it was explained that specific plans to address those works were at hand. 

An inconsistency in the report was corrected, stating that the Welsh version of the report contained the correct figures for the decision sought. 

It was warned that the sources of funding were yet to be confirmed in relation to some of the projects. The list of projects was discussed detailing the sources of funding recommended by the Finance Department. With some of the projects, it was highlighted that borrowing through the Salix system was the recommended source of funding but there was a need to apply for it.  

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       It was explained that the risk register together with wider evidence highlighted that the cost of not taking action in this area would be much higher than the investments contained in the report in question. It was confirmed that some of the projects would save money as well as reduce carbon emissions, and the contributions of some of the projects to moving towards net zero and saving money in the long term were detailed. In addition, the benefits of using Salix as a source of funding for some projects were recognised.

·       Reference was made to the ‘National Emergency Briefing’ film, and it was asked if there was anything arising from the film that we could implement. In response, it was explained that the film looked at what the government could do centrally to change policies. The idea for the Cabinet to write to the British Government in relation to the wider screening of this vital film was supported.