To receive a verbal update of the Director of Corporate Estates on the following matters:
1. The Tree Planting Project
2. EV Charging Strategy & the Comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Minutes:
THe Tree planting project
The Director of Corporate Estates provided a verbal update in regards to the Tree Planting Project. To begin, he advised Members of the Councils annual rolling programme for replacing damaged or dead trees across Parks and Countryside’s areas in RCT. The Director of Corporate Estates confirmed that thus far, the team have been able to plant three times the number of trees than in previous years. He confirmed that currently the team are in the process of planting 1,200 trees across the three areas in RCT.
The Director of Corporate Estates was pleased with the excellent progress made towards tree planting across the area; To progress the project further, the Director of Corporate Estates confirmed collaborations with Welcome to Our Woods in order to discuss and share ideas and double the efforts of ensuring the right tree is planted in the right place.
The Welcome to Our Woods Representative advised Members of the significance of the project to Climate Change and the opportunity to demonstrate partnership working with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council . He provided Members with a brief overview of the three items discussed in relation to the Tree Planting Project; these included:
The Welcome to Our Woods representative echoed the importance of planting the right tree at the right place for the right reason. He advised Members of the value of the project which is aimed at leaving a positive legacy behind for local people and businesses within RCT.
The Chair was impressed with the work currently being undertaken by team; she advised the importance of the Local Authority working together with the Community.
One Member advised the importance of the Local Authority to display the appropriate message to the Community and residents detailing the significance of the right tree at the right place. An inquiry was also raised concerning ash dieback and its effect on the trees along with the Councils Corporate Plan for replacing the removed trees.
One Member advised the Steering Group of the importance of including the Tree Planting Project within the Green Space Forum in order to encourage staff input and involvement.
The Chief Executive advised the Steering Group that further updates should be provided to the Committee in relation to the Tree Planting Project in order to highlight the progress being made. He confirmed funding availability towards tackling Climate Change which can be utilised as a long-term favourable investment in order impact the environment positively.
EV Charging Strategy & the Comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee
The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction provided Members with a brief overview of the EV Charging Strategy. Members were reminded of the earlier work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the consideration of the development of the infrastructure to support for low carbon vehicles in RCT which formulated 10 recommendations for the Cabinet’s consideration in 2018. Members were advised that the recommendations were formed with 10 ambitions which were displayed in the strategy. The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised Members that the strategy was well received, and the efforts of the staff was commended by Councillors.
The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised Member that the strategy was published in January 2022 and is now available on the Councils website under Think Climate Change. Members were advised that the implementation plan is now in development with a small team under the remit and oversight of the working group. The plan is currently being produced with an inherent action plan that will set objectives and milestones to signpost the way forward. The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised Members that the anticipation for the second part of the project will formally be agreed upon by the wider working group during mid-March to enable it to be brought forward for scrutiny and comments by the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
The Head of Carbon Reduction informed Members of a new company called Connected Kerb which has been appointed to work on the Electric Vehicle Charing Points as the original supplier had been removed from the Contract by Cardiff City Region. The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction informed Members that the new company has met with Frontline Services and plans are in place to continue distribution of the first phase of the project for 30 plus EV Charging point in different locations. Phase two of the project will being in the future with a further roll out of 30 plus EV charging points.
The Chair advised that the increase in EV Charging Points will be welcomed by residents and Councillors. The Chair was pleased with the inclusion of the information on the Website as its keeps residents informed.
The Climate Change Cabinet Steering Group RESOLVED:
- To note verbal update