Agenda item

To receive the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Annual Progress Report and make any observations to the Executive.

The Committee received an annual update on the work towards the objectives set out in the Council’s Environmental Sustainability Strategy, adopted in July 2020.

Councillor Lewanski, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Policy and Resources, outlined the work that had taken place over the past year, challenges and next steps. In addition, the agenda pack included Annex 1 which set out the progress on Environmental Sustainability Strategy (ES Strategy) Actions and Indicators for 2021/22.

As well as carbon emission data, the priority topics were:

• The Council’s own assets and buildings

• The Council’s vehicle fleet

• Rolling out electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and

• Domestic retrofit

Several advance questions had been received. The questions and responses can be viewed here:

Document Advance Questions OS 13 October 2022 | Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (moderngov.co.uk)

In addition, Members asked the following questions:

Natural Environment: Ecological Enhancement – Members commented that the planting of new trees was commendable but that some of these trees were dying due to lack of maintenance and watering and felt that a resource was necessary to care for the new trees. It was confirmed that residents were requested to water new trees and that the Council relied on residents’ goodwill. Members observed that this was not feasible if the trees were well away from housing, such as in parks and open spaces. It was suggested by Members that new trees planted in these areas could be smaller trees which required less watering.

The Environmental Sustainability Strategy has an action encouraging trees removed due to new developments be relocated elsewhere in the borough; Members asked whether this practice was in actively place. It was confirmed that although this had occurred on a few limited occasions it was not regularly used and that this was an aspirational target.

Energy and Carbon: Renewable Energy – Members asked how retrofitting of homes was facilitated in older homes with solid wall construction. It was confirmed that retrofitting presented challenges and could not be made mandatory by the Council. However, there were several options available to residents including government grants such as the Sustainable Warmth Grant and officers asked Members to make their constituents aware of these grants. Options were not limited to cavity wall insulation, other options for solid wall construction homes were available such as external wall insulation, internal wall insulation, loft insulation and window and door insulation.

Although noting that the number of upgraded properties was low compared to the total number of homes in the borough, Members commended officers for their work on raising awareness of and facilitating retrofitting and commented that there had been some significant successes.

Members enquired whether the Home Upgrade Grant would be applied for. It was confirmed that this grant was included in the Sustainable Warmth package.

Effective Implementation: Communications – Members asked how the Council communicates with residents regarding energy saving tips and similar information. It was reported that information is available on the Council website and through the Borough News publication regarding issues such as the Sustainable Warmth Grant and sign posting to other sources of information. The Council provides a wealth of communication pertaining to general ways of saving and works with the Surrey County Council Campaign, the voluntary sector, parish councils and food banks.

Electrical Vehicle Charging – Members noted that of 29 charging points in the Borough, only 7 are owned by the Council and were concerned that this number should be increased. It was confirmed that the Council is working on an agreement with Surrey County Council to provide further electric vehicle charging points.  

Members asked for the full fleet review and the consultant survey of buildings to be shared. It was confirmed that the fleet review report would be shared following the meeting but that the survey of assets had not yet been completed – the key outcomes from this work would be shared when it had been finalised.

Members asked that future information more clearly shows progress against targets with an analysis of targets met, factors resulting in reductions and next steps to address challenges. It was reported that the Environmental Sustainability Strategy had been written pre-COVID and was due to be reviewed next year, and a carbon trajectory is in the process of being produced; officers would be happy to work with Members to adapt future reporting to be more specific during the upcoming review.

RESOLVED that the Committee:

1. Noted the Environmental Sustainability Strategy Annual Progress Report at Annex 1 and made observations to the Executive.