Councillor Bernie Mooney introduced a report by the Assistant Chief Executive that set out a summary of the progress made in the implementation of the new climate change strategy for Wirral.  It documented the activities of the Wirral Climate Group, introduced the first annual progress report and detailed the current action plan in support of the strategy.

Attached to the report was:

·  Appendix 1 – The Annual Progress Report and Action Plan 2015; and

·  Appendix 2 – The Wirral Climate Strategy Rolling Action Plan – August 2015.

The Cabinet noted that, as part of the Council’s five year plan, the proposals in the report supported the following pledges covered in the plan:

·  Providing an attractive local environment for Wirral residents.

·  Wirral residents live healthier lives

·  Thriving small businesses

·  Assets and buildings are fit for purposes for Wirral’s businesses

Councillor Phil Davies informed the Cabinet that the Annual Progress Report was a very important document and that the Council would only under estimated the effects of climate change at its peril!

Councillor Stuart Whittingham informed that the Council was replacing 7557 existing lanterns with retrofit LED units.  The installations would start in July.

RESOLVED:

That the annual progress report and climate strategy action plan be noted and endorsed and used as the basis for public reporting to meet commitments under Climate Local.

The Sustainability Liaison Officer and the Senior Manager, Asset Management presented the report of the Deputy Chief Executive that presented a summary of progress to implement the new climate change strategy for Wirral.  It documented the activities of the Wirral Climate Group and introduced the first annual progress report and details the current action plan in support of the strategy.

Members were told of the important role played by Local authorities in the climate agenda, and how many including Wirral Council have a long-held commitment and track record of action. Wirral Council is a signatory to the Local Government Association’s (LGA) ‘Climate Local’ initiative (Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 29 January 2013, Minute 63).

The report informed of the Wirral Climate Change Group - a forum set up by Wirral Council to help coordinate climate action and develop a new climate change strategy. The Committee noted that the group includes officers and councillors as well as representatives from various public bodies, community and voluntary interests and that since its establishment the Wirral Climate Change Group had met three times, and had received presentations on the following subjects:

·  Carbon reduction at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Trust

·  ‘WARP-IT’ - Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership Trust use of an on-line portal to manage surplus materials and furniture across the organisation and beyond.

·  The carbon reduction work of Magenta Living

·  The carbon reduction and resilience work of Cheshire West and Chester Council

·  Better Food Wirral

·  The local climate impact profile for Wirral

·  The Resilient Parks Project

Members were told of part of the Council’s five year plan, the proposals in this report support the following pledges covered in the plan:

·  Providing an attractive local environment for Wirral residents

·  Wirral residents live healthier lives

·  Thriving small businesses

·  Assets and buildings are fit for purpose for Wirral’s businesses

Discussion took place on a variety of issues impacting on specific localities across the borough and the difficulty in responding to immediate issues, adapting to change, and balancing the need to progress statutory duties. Members discussed recent local flooding as a prime example of the impact of weather patterns, partnership working with the environment agency, the statutory role of the local authority and the impact of planning decisions being overturned on appeal – in effect overruling local member knowledge on flood risk.

In addition to flood risk, Members further discussed actions being taken to reduce demand and make Wirral more energy efficient. The Committee was keen to ensure that all Members of the Council were made aware of the content of the report.

Resolved: That the annual progress report and climate strategy action plan be noted and endorsed and used as the basis for public reporting to meet commitments under Climate Local.