Agenda item

To approve the 2023/24 Cyngor Gwynedd Climate and Nature Emergency Plan Annual Report.

The report was submitted by Councillor Nia Jeffreys. ⁠

DECISION

To approve the 2023/24 Cyngor Gwynedd Climate and Nature Emergency Plan Annual Report. ⁠

DISCUSSION

The Climate Change Programme Manager was welcomed to the meeting and she was thanked for her management of the programme and for a comprehensive report. The background to the Climate and Nature Emergency Plan was provided, stating that responding to the climate change crisis was one of 8 improvement priorities within the Council Plan (2023-28). It was noted that this report was the second annual report to be submitted since the Plan's inception at the start of the 2023/23 year and that the report had already been submitted before the Communities Scrutiny Committee in January.

Cabinet Members were guided through the report noting that carbon emission reductions were achieved during the year. It was noted that Cyngor Gwynedd's carbon emissions had fallen by 37% if procurement was ruled out It was added that there had been a reduction of 16% since 2019/20 if procurement was included in the figures. It was noted that this difference was true of all organisations across the country.

It was noted that a number of exciting projects were underway such as investing in an electric minibus to provide transport to schools. Reference was made to the important task of changing behaviour, which was not always easy. It was noted that despite the progress, much work remained to ensure a greener future for Gwynedd.

Reference was made to the financial risk, and it was explained that a £3m Climate Plan fund had been set up through the one-off revenue bid process. It was elaborated that there was £792,015 left in the fund with £2,207,984 spent or set aside to be spent. It was explained that the Council had added money from several different funds towards the £3m over the years as well as having been very successful with grants which resulted in an additional £6m for the Plan.

It was explained that the report referred to headlines about other specific plans such as the Green Fleet plan to convert Council vehicles from diesel to electric vehicles to save carbon and money for the Council. Reference was also made to a successful grant application where confirmation had been received yesterday about the success of the application to undertake work on Plas Ogwen residential care home. It was noted that the Council had attracted £1.7 million grant monies towards converting the building and improving its energy performance. The Council would also contribute towards this plan and the energy conservation unit was congratulated.

Observations arising from the discussion:

•           Congratulations were extended on the work undertaken so far.

•           The view was expressed that the Council had tackled the easiest changes first and this had led to significant reductions at the start of the process.  It was pointed out that the reduction in emissions had slowed down since 2022/23 with only a 1% increase being made in the reductions. It was thought that progress would slow down when moving forward to more difficult schemes and this may lead to the risk of not reaching the 0% target by 2030.

•           It was thought that it was difficult for Local Authorities to prioritise this work because no funding was received from the Welsh Government in terms of revenue towards the work area. It was hoped that the Council's success in being able to attract grants would continue.

•           It was thought that difficult decisions would have to be made in the long run by Cabinet Members when the time comes to complete a review of the upcoming scheme which will recognise the cost and recognise how little money is being received for this area. There was concern that a decision will need to be made between this area or other Council responsibilities.

•           It was asked what other projects were in the pipeline and if comparisons could be made with what other Councils are doing.

o          In response it was noted that a review was underway to look at all projects on Gwynedd's register and new ideas that had been submitted by Departments as well as new ideas received by looking at the activity of other external bodies. It was noted that these schemes needed to be assessed to establish their practicality, cost and how much carbon they would save. This information will need to be shared with Cabinet Members shortly to prioritise and see how many of the schemes can be funded.  Any new ideas were welcomed.