Councillor Russell, the Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Arts, introduced the biannual report on the implementation of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Action Plan following the annual review of the Action Plan agreed by the Executive in April 2023.

The Cabinet Member explained that one action relating to the terms of reference of the Committee - 6.6 (Work with local farms and landowners to deliver landscape scale biodiversity initiatives Nature Recovery Strategy, including reconnection of habitats, flood plain restoration, reduced chemical inputs and reintroduction of lost native species) had yet to commence as delivery relied very heavily on partnership working with farmers and landowners.

In response to questions, the Cabinet Member/Officers explained that:

·  In terms of the actions aimed at encouraging a move to electric taxis, the location of additional rapid charge points had not yet been determined.  The terms of reference of this Policy Advisory Committee covered the communications element of working with the taxi trade to facilitate the move to electric vehicles.

·  With regard to the action aimed at increasing the Borough canopy, the terms of reference of this Policy Advisory Committee covered communications and partnership working to deliver tree planting and rewilding projects.  The Officers had been in discussion with the Woodland Trust regarding the cost effectiveness of tree planting schemes and the carbon sequestration and would promote the Woodland Trust tree planting scheme as much as possible.

·  The majority of the funding for decarbonising the Council’s buildings would come from applications to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.  Priority would be given to buildings where the biggest cuts in emissions could be achieved, or which had the oldest heating systems, and this would inform decisions going forward.  Maidstone House was a priority because its heating system was coming to the end of its life.  There was an opportunity to apply for Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding this Autumn.  In terms of the Leisure Centre, consideration would be given to the reduction in carbon emissions achieved as a result of the improvement works already planned and funded when prioritising projects.

·  The current Green Fleet Strategy which was to gradually transition vehicles to EV based on the market and operational need was considered to be a better approach than converting the entire fleet to electric in the medium-term.  Waiting for other emerging technologies for the fleet transition such as hydrogen and other fuel types particularly for heavier vehicles was likely to save costs in the medium term.

·  Investment in maximising the solar energy generation on Council property was considered to be good medium-term investment in terms of both savings to the Council and carbon reductions.

·  The Council would seek to maximise external funding, but it also had money in the Capital Programme that could be used to match that external funding, prioritising schemes that would meet its investment criteria; for example, the installation of new equipment which is energy saving.

·  The estimated costs of decarbonising key Maidstone Borough Council assets and the annual savings were based on site surveys and energy audits on each building by APSE Energy and were considered to be a good ballpark in terms of how much the Council would be saving.

·  In-person training would be provided for Councillors on carbon, climate change and biodiversity.

During the discussion reference was made to:

·  Planting projects undertaken by Parish Councils and community groups, and it was suggested that they be encouraged as partners.

·  The importance of maintaining existing woodland as well as encouraging people to plant more trees.  The Cabinet Member undertook to follow up concerns raised about the condition and maintenance of the Borough Council-owned Dove Hill Wood and to provide a briefing note for Members.

Members thanked the Officers for a very thorough report.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the CABINET:  That the Action Plan implementation updates and indicative costs of achieving net zero by 2030 for the Council’s operations be noted.