Decision details

The Chief Executive referred Members to his report, which presented the opportunities available for the Council to respond to the challenges posed by the Committee on Climate Change in its Net Zero report.

Members were reminded that in March 2018, the Council signed up to the UK100 Clean Energy Commitment to take appropriate action in order to transition towards being a fully environmentally responsible Authority by 2050, and the Chief Executive commented on the significant world wide escalation of environmental pressures over the past six months.

The Chief Executive commented on the recent Welsh Government publication adding that it was essential that the Council began to plan and take the necessary steps to ensure Rhondda Cynon Taf was able to take full responsibility for becoming a “Net Zero” Council and supporting the UK and Welsh Government to achieve their respective targets.

An overview of the work done to date by the Council in respect of ‘Net zero’ was provided and Members were advised of the opportunity for the  Council’s response to the Committee on Climate Change report to be incorporated into the new Corporate Plan and for it to be taken into account in preparing the Council’s Medium term Financial Plan for the period 2020/2023.

The Leader thanked the Chief Executive for his report and spoke of the work that the Council had undertaken to date in respect of energy efficiency savings and the reduction in the carbon footprint of the Council and the potential for the Council to do more in the future.

The Deputy Leader also referenced the new school buildings under the 21^st Century School programme which ensured not only the best education for the young people of the County Borough but also introduced measures that had positive environmental impacts and lower the carbon footprint, with sustainable energy.

The Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development & Housing confirmed that the actions needed to be taken forward in respect of ‘Net Zero’ would also be addressed through the LDP and SDP.

Other Members of the Cabinet discussed the report commenting on the work undertaken in respect of sustainable energy and the infrastructure in place across the County Borough to support and the practicalities with low carbon emission vehicles going forward and charging facilities to which the Leader responded.

Following detailed discussions, it was RESOLVED:

1.    To note the contents of the report;

2.    That a new draft Corporate Plan, that takes into account the Medium Term Financial Strategy is presented to a Cabinet meeting in October 2019 that sets out the Council’s response to the findings of the Committee on Climate Change as set out in its report – Net Zero.