Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

(a)  To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th May, 2018

(b)  Matters arising

The minutes of the meeting held on 15^th May, 2018, were signed as a true record.

Further to Minute 49/17 St Mary’s Guildhall the item was on the work programme for the September meeting.  Further to Minute 50/17 Recommendations from Canal and Basin Task and Finish Group would be considered by Cabinet on 17th July, 2018.

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Board considered the work of the Energy and Low Carbon Team, including the Affordable Warmth Team, the Green Business Programme Team, Business Sustain, the Coventry and Warwickshire Energy Innovation Zone which is supported through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP), and the Climate Change Strategy which was to be reviewed in 2019 with a new strategy to be developed from 2021.

The Cabinet Member for Education led a discussion on energy efficiency in schools referencing a recent conference that he had attended with Head Teachers to encourage better energy use in school buildings.

The Board discussed:

•  Switch and Save scheme to enable bulk buying and therefore cheaper   energy supplies

•  Consideration as to whether Switch and Save could identify suppliers   with the lowest carbon footprint rather than lowest price

•  Consideration of a white label energy company to provide lower tariffs,   especially for those on lower incomes and pay as you go meters

•  How the information available on energy efficiency could be better co-  ordinated

•  Heatline as the Council’s energy source and its planned expansion

•  Energy efficiency as part of buildings regulations

RESOLVED that:

(1)   The Board agree to an item on Fuel Poverty and use of Switch and   Save to a future meeting

(2)   To establish a task and finish group to be involved in a new Climate   Change Strategy, to involve Cllrs McNicholas, Lancaster and Taylor

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Board discussed a Cabinet Report containing information about the Air Quality Action Plan and the full business case, response to the government’s consultation on the Clean Air Strategy and funding streams available to deliver an Air Quality Action Plan.

The Board discussed the following:

•  What measures had been considered to improve air quality, particularly   in terms of restricting cars and commercial vehicles

•  What a clean air zone would mean

•  The use and benefits of green corridors to improve air quality

•  Requests for more data on progress made in reducing NO2 and   particulates

•  The impact of the removal of bus lanes on air quality

•  The timescales to meet required targets and the implication of not   meeting them

•  Pollution from taxis and what powers the authority had

•  Which bus operators responded to the funding scheme

RESOLVED that:

(1)   The Board receive the Cabinet report with the final Local Air Quality   Action Plan before it goes to Cabinet later this year.

(2)  The Board support the recommendations to Cabinet and further   recommended that:

  The Local Air Quality Action Plan consider the following:

  a.  A strong emphasis on encouraging cycling and walking

  b.  Further investigation into the use of green corridors to   improve air quality

  c.  Use the Councils licensing powers to address pollution   caused by diesel taxis

  d.  Encourage all bus operators in the city to improve the quality   of their fleet to be Euro6 compliant

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place)

The Board considered the briefing note, noted the progress made to date, including the timescales for the internal and public consultation.

RESOLVED that:

1)   The Green Space Strategy task and finish group continue with Cllrs   Auluck, McNicholas and Taylor

2)   A report on the draft Green Space Strategy be received as part of   the public consultation process 

Report of the Scrutiny Co-ordinator

The Board noted the current work programme and discussed items to be added for the 2018/19 municipal year.

RESOLVED that:

The following be added to the work programme 2018/19

•  Fuel Poverty including Switch and Save

•  Air Quality Action Plan

•  Changes to the “high street” offer and impact on City Centre South

•  Brexit – joint with Scrutiny Board 1

•  Very Light Rail – visit to Warwick Manufacturing Group

•  Support to small businesses and start-ups – including the Chamber

There were no additional items of public business.