Agenda item

To receive a report from the service director Democratic Services and Communications to provide Members with the latest Audit Wales (AW) National report and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the recommendations in the context our work and the Council’s response.  Also, to note the position of the report in the wider context of Audit Wales 2021/22 work programme, which will be reflected in its Audit Summary published later this year.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication presented the report to provide Members with the latest Audit Wales (AW)

National report and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the

Recommendations in the context of our work and the Council’s response.

Also, to note the position of the report in the wider context of Audit

Wales 2021/22 work programme, which will be reflected in its Audit

Summary published later this year.

Feedback was provided around the risk of not reaching the very ambitious target for 2030 and Members emphasised that we need collaboration across all organisations, particularly in large organisations, where departments may work in silo and plans/ policies/ strategies may not be cross referenced.  It was noted that this could be improved upon.  For example, the decision made by Cabinet on moving to 3-weekly refuse collections and the contribution this will have in achieving net zero carbon targets.  A Member questioned if the Authority will be monitoring increased journeys to the recycling centres as a result of the above decision being implemented. 

The Service Director Democratic Services advised that Scrutiny can undertake a piece of work monitoring the impact of decisions and added that much of this is already detailed in performance reports presented to Scrutiny.  The Service Director also noted that the Council’s Carbon Reduction Strategy will also be scrutinised by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Authority has also been looking at a toolkit that has been developed by Manchester University, which scores all decisions in terms of Climate Change, this is being adopted by Welsh Government and we are looking to become the first local authority in Wales to see how we can implement this and how this can support the Scrutiny process.

A Member recommended the five Calls to Action and the questions “Senior leaders and those who scrutinise them may want to ask” be referred to Overview and Scrutiny as part of the Carbon Reduction Strategy report.

In response to a question around how the Authority works with other organisations who are all trying to achieve the same goal, the Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised that collaboration is detailed throughout the report and is an important consideration for the public sector as a whole.  He added that the Cwm Taf PSB Joint Overview and Scrutiny had met recently and provided challenge in respect of medium and longer term decisions in areas such as Climate Change.  The Carbon Reduction Strategy will include how we will work with other organisations and if all are keeping pace. This will include a more detailed action plan and data to include milestones.

A Member asked if the Council’s supply chains are also considered as part of the Strategy.  The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised the Committee that the Carbon Reduction Strategy does consider our supply chains and whilst there are many benefits of bringing supplies closer to home, such as reducing our Carbon Footprint, Value for Money also needs to be a consideration.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication advised in response to Members comments that the Authority is engaging with the public in working towards reducing carbon emissions and ensuring that it is understood and communicated as a shared responsibility.  He added that this is demonstrated in the Strategy.

Following discussion it was RESOLVED to

1.    Note the report of Audit Wales in respect of, ‘Public Sector Readiness for Net Zero Carbon by 2030’at Appendix 1.

2.    Reviewed and agreed to refer the ‘Calls for Action’ as set out in the Action Plan at Appendix 2 to Scrutiny when they consider the Carbon Reduction Strategy.