Interview with Jennifer Hunt, EMS Project Manager and Brian Morgan, Assistant Director Regeneration & Cultural Services.

The Chairman welcomed Jennifer Hunt, EMS Project Officer. Ms Hunt came to present a draft version of the Climate Change Framework to gain the Committee’s feedback.

Ms Hunt gave the Committee a background to the draft report, explaining that the report was to demonstrate how Maidstone Borough Council planned to replace the Climate Change Action Plan. The Officer explained that the report was intended to be overarching and to put into context work that was already been carried out in the existing action plans. She explained that the objectives related to all current and future action plans and strategies.

Members felt that it was important that the language used was as simple as possible as it was a subject that could sometimes be difficult to immediately engage with for Members and the general public.  Ms Hunt responded to the request and agreed that this was important and she would ensure that this was taken into account when the document was revisited and revised.  The Officer explained that it was deliberately short and to the point for this reason.

Ms Hunt tackled the public scepticism that could exist with regard to Climate Change explaining that CO2  levels were at an unprecedented high since industrialisation and the climate had been reacting to a different gas make up and this was blocking energy leaving the atmosphere causing the Earth’s temperature to rise. Members questioned the natural methods of dealing with CO2  such as by planting trees. Ms Hunt explained that the Framework itself was overarching and that trees were a fundamental part of dealing with CO2.  Through the remit of the strategies in place they were aiming to reduce the level of CO2 the Council were producing.  A Member summarised the information presented explaining that the Council itself consumed a lot of energy so their contribution was to reduce it’s emissions by becoming more energy efficient.

Members recalled a County Scheme the previous year where trees were being given away free of charge which had benefited a number of communities. The Committee also made reference to the stipulations associated with new road building which meant trees have to be planted.  Members asked for a definition of the term ‘zero emissions’. Ms Hunt explained that the term referred to a building that generated enough energy to support itself in terms of heat and water measures to become self sufficient in terms of energy.  Members also sought understanding of the conversion factor used for carbon depending on the energy type. The Officer explained that some energy sources would have a greater impact and all were converted into a carbon equivalent for measurement. It was felt that reports like the Carbon Framework would help explain Maidstone’s efforts and inform the public.

Members discussed the inefficiency of older properties and the grants and initiatives that were available to tackle this.  The Officer informed the committee that the Heat seekers scheme was to be rolled out the whole borough so homes would be targeted directly with regard to their insulation needs.  Members expressed the need for Planners to take these issues forward so higher Sustainable Code Levels were set and enforced.  Members discussed this issue and the position of the Council; that they were unable to enforce anything over Level 1 and the expense of complying to a higher level was unattractive to developers. Ms Hunt informed the Committee that Housing Associations whose developments were required to reach a Level 3 in Sustainable Code were no longer moving towards level 4 and were now going to push the onus back on to district Council’s to align the requirements with their policies for developments.  Members discussed the lack of take up of insulation grants available to the elderly and those receiving some benefits. Ms Hunt explained that the schemes were promoted but hoped the new Green Deal would prove more successful.

Members questioned the innovation in the document and made reference to the Council leading the way by using an electric car as part of its fleet to help demonstrate its commitment.  The Officer explained that the innovation was found in the Carbon Action Plans that were already in place and this document remained an overarching framework for those.

It was resolved That Jenny Hunt be thanked for attending the meeting and it be recommended that the document should contain a glossary for technical terminology used to make it more accessible.