Agenda item

Roger Parkin, Strategic Director Customer and Transactional Services briefly outlined the strategic framework in which the Council was proposing to address the  corporate priority of climate change.  It was noted that the strategy would directly contribute to the delivery of the Sustainable Community Strategy priority, a cleaner greener place to live, work  and play by

·  Improving public spaces

·  Creating a strong culture of recycling: by recycling 60% of waste by 2028

·  Improving energy efficiency:  by reducing CO₂ emissions by 20% by  2028

·  Promoting sustainable public transport: All public transport and Council’s vehicles to run on cleaner fuel by 2028.

In order to achieve the objectives with the Climate Change Strategy document, an Action Plan had been formulated to identify monitor and report on the work required and undertaken to develop the improvements needed to tackle climate change.  The action plan would outline the ways in which Slough Forward and the Council would try to limit the effects of the climate change by lowering carbon dioxide emission across the Borough and across their own operations.  The plan would also outline how the Council and the partnership were to work with members and the community to lower their emissions and to start preparing for the impacts of climate change.

It was highlighted that the Climate Change delivery group would be examining areas to identify where improvements of climate change could be made and influenced at a local level.  These would include various feasibility studies, addressing transport and air quality issues, liaising with Berkshire Climate Board, working with voluntary groups and working with the council’s Carbon Management Board and Asset Managements Team.  Members were informed that the Action Plan would be updated on an ongoing basis. 

In the ensuing debate a number of issues were raised, including the possibility of  a railway link into the Trading Estate, encouraging greater use of public transport by introducing an oyster card system and introducing financial incentives for individuals who recycled.  It was noted that information relating to the railway link into the trading estate and the possibility of recycling food waste would sent to members. The Chief Executive informed the Committee that the issue of oyster cards had been raised at a recent meeting with Mr Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport. It was noted that a new system was likely to be introduced for London within the next two to three years and there was a possibility of Slough joining in with that scheme  

Councillor Parmar, Commissioner for Environment and Open Spaces, informed the Committee that recycling rates within the Borough had increased from 8% in 2008 to 35% and that regular monitoring was taking place and reported in the Citizen magazine which was sent to all households in the Borough.

Resolved – That the actions proposed for the development of a Climate Change Action Plan be noted.