Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Pippa Heylings.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2022 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager introduced this report on the Greater Cambridge Shared Waste Service Circular Resource Plan. She explained that the Plan focussed on five key areas to work with partners in reducing waste.

Monitoring the Plan’s implementation

The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager explained that progress made on the implementation of the Plan would be monitored through Key Performance Indicators which would be included in a quarterly report.

Reducing consumption

It was agreed that more should be done to reduce waste, which was typically due to people buying more than they needed. Reducing consumption generally would reduce waste and the carbon footprint. The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager explained that the Council was attempting to reduce its consumption and the Committee would be updated on this. The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste explained that a national initiative was planned to reduce packaging.

Reusing and recycling

The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager explained that the new pink bins for recycling of small waste electrical and electronic goods were being monitored and this report could be shared with the Committee. The Council was promoting repair cafés and would use trials to evaluate the success of various initiatives.

Reducing food waste

The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste explained that the carbon balance was positive for collecting food waste separately and composting it or treating by digestion. Government direction on assisting with the additional cost of collection was awaited. It was understood that a significant percentage of food waste was being disposed of in black bins. The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager explained that providing a separate caddy for food waste could increase recycling and also inform residents on how much food was being wasted.

Educating young people on waste reduction

It was agreed that recycling should be promoted in schools. The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste explained that an education programme was being worked on and this would include liaising with schools in the District.

Timescales and targets

The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste stated that the Joint Waste Strategy was being revised in the coming year and this would include details of timescales and targets. There were various schemes expected from the Government, which would help inform the Strategy. The Committee would be updated on this matter.

The Committee thanked officers for their work and their presentation of the report, which was noted.

The Development Officer, Climate and Environment presented a revised Zero Carbon and Doubling Nature Action Plan which included changes made responding to points raised by the Committee at their previous meeting. It was noted that the annual review of the plan would take place in May or June next year.

Adapting heritage assets to climate change

Councillor Geoff Harvey suggested that the Greater Cambridge Local Plan proposed policy GP/CC Adapting heritage assets to climate change, should be included in the section of the ZCDNAP, which listed proposed climate-related policies. He expressed concern that the proposed policy appeared to be weaker than policy NH/15 in the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan, which it would replace. The Development Officer, Climate and Environment agreed to include it in the list of proposed climate-related policies.

Reducing waste

The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste explained that the Council was keen to work more closely with councillors and local residents to reduce waste in the District. Many parishioners could reduce their waste by putting out their black bin once a month or even less frequently. Councillor Dr Shrobona Bhattacharya reported that a village near Darjeeling that had gone completely plastic free.

Biofuels

The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste was pleased to report that the budget for substituting diesel with HVO bio-fuel in some of the Council’s refuse collections vehicles had been agreed for the financial year 2023/24.

Transport

The Development Officer, Climate and Environment explained that the Council was working with its partners to support community level projects to improve sustainable transport in the District. This included promoting car sharing and providing cycle storage. It was agreed that the section in transport should include a reference to the Local Plan.

Sustainable farming

It was noted that it was important to promote sustainable farming practices including the storing of rainfall and carbon sequestration.

Provision of EV charge points

The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager explained that officers were working with parish councils and its own sheltered housing schemes to provide EV charging points in the District. It was suggested that parish councils could be encouraged to use communal land for EV charging points. It was noted that the Climate and Environment Project Officer was writing a report on this issue.

Watercourses

The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste explained that the Council had to balance the need to keep watercourses clear with the need to promote natural habitats.

Provision of green space

The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste explained that whilst there were no plans to adopt a park, officers were working hard on the implementation of the Doubling Nature Strategy.

Trees on A14

The Development Officer, Climate and Environment explained that the Council’s planning enforcement team were working to ensure that trees on the A14 corridor were replanted. The Committee could expect to receive an update on this.

The Committee noted the report.

The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager presented a report that summarised the business case and implementation plan for the Waterbeach Renewable Energy Network (WREN).

Seasonal variation

The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager acknowledged that solar panels would generate less energy in the winter. She explained that it was expected that about 65% of the energy required to charge the electric fleet vehicles would come from the solar panels and 35% from the national grid. A power management and energy storage system allowed power to be stored when it was not required.

Concern was expressed regarding the capacity of the grid and how this could affect Waterbeach new town.

The Head of Climate, Environment and Waste explained that the implementation of the project was being carefully monitored and any significant delays would be reported. The Waste Policy, Climate and Environment Team Manager stated that alternative forms of sustainable energy generation would be considered in the future. The Committee noted the report.

The Development Officer, Climate and Environment reported that the Doubling Nature Strategy would be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.

Thursday 2 February at 2 pm.

Thursday 2 February 2023 at 2 pm.