Issue - decisions

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

a)    Acknowledges activities undertaken and efforts made by NFDC and its partners between 1 April 2024 and 31st March 2025 in response to the declared Climate Change and Nature Emergency.

b)    continues to support the development of longer-term Climate Change and Nature Emergency strategic objectives and an associated Action Plan, as informed by the Member Task and Finish Group, to ensure that the New Forest District is prepared for and resilient to the impacts of climate change now and in the future, especially in consideration on political and organisational changes expected as a result of Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution.

KEY DECISION:

Yes.

PORTFOLIO:

Environment and Sustainability

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST:

None

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability introduced the item. He thanked officers for their hard work in producing the annual update report, acknowledging that the Council had strengthened its programme management to ensure activity is coordinated, progress is monitored and accountability is maintained.

As part of this process, staff and Councillors have undertaken carbon literacy training, with members contributing through their involvement in the Place and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel, Task and Finish Group sessions and the dedicated Climate Change and Nature Emergency Steering Group.

The Portfolio Holder explained that since the Council declared a Climate Change and Nature Emergency in 2021, the Council had steadily embedded action across everything it does. The update report shows how this long-term commitment was delivering results, for example cutting Council carbon emissions to making communities more resilient whilst protecting biodiversity across the district.

Cabinet also heard that the Council remained committed to working its staff, communities and partners, to meet net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Service Manager for Public Realm and Sustainability provided additional information from the report, explaining that it covered the financial year 2024/2025. She highlighted that emissions data continues to decrease year on year steadily, albeit slowly. The higher emissions areas continue to be the Council’s fleet and across transport generally within the district. It was explained that the report captured the activities undertaken by the NFDC as well as by partners, in particular Hampshire County Council and the New Forest National Park Authority. Cabinet was reminded that the four programme areas were: Carbon Reduction, Climate Adaptation, Nature Recovery and Programme Management.

The Service Manager for Public Realm and Sustainability pointed out the importance of the member Climate Change and Nature Emergency Task and Finish Group, which contributed to guiding the direction of works against the key issues going forward. It was acknowledged that the Place and Sustainability Overview and Scrutiny Panel had discussed the report and provided valuable feedback.

A non-Cabinet member raised the concern of flood defences along the Waterside area of the District and explained that this area needed an appropriate coastal strategy to identify and address the increasing flood risk.

Finally, Cabinet was reminded that all Councillors were asked to complete a member risk-assessment form as requested by the Climate Change and Nature Emergency Task and Finish Group.