Decision details

RESOLVED:

1.    That Cabinet approves the Greener Futures Climate Change Delivery Plan for 2021 – 2025 (Delivery Plan).

2.    That Cabinet approve the Council’s 2030 Net Zero Carbon Programme (the 2030 Programme), which sets out how the Council’s organisational emissions will be reduced, on the basis that any resulting significant new policy will be brought to future Cabinet meetings for approval.

3.    That Cabinet approves the initial Greener Futures Finance Strategy (the Finance Strategy), noting the quantum of investment necessary to meet our 2030 and 2050 carbon reduction targets, that the plan will be reiterated over time and recognising that where appropriate future investment will need to be considered as part of the Council’s MTFS.

4.    That Cabinet approves the initial Greener Futures Communications and Engagement Plan (the Engagement Plan), whose priorities will be updated on a six-monthly basis; recognising the critical role of partners in delivering net zero carbon.

5.    That delegated authority for approving any further changes to the Delivery Plan is given to the Executive Director for Environment, Transport and Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, to enable the plan to evolve and adapt to local and national developments.

Reasons for Decisions:

The Delivery Plan and associated annexes document the proposed approach to meeting the targets set out in the Climate Change Strategy agreed by the SCC Cabinet in May 2020. The Delivery Plan is Surrey-wide, not a plan solely for SCC. It must have broad ownership by the public sector, residents, communities and business for successful delivery, and it must continue to remain relevant to existing and new partners to ensure continued ownership. National policy and technology are rapidly changing so the Delivery Plan must also be agile. Therefore, it is recommended that delegated authority be given to the Executive Director for Environment, Transport and Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment to evolve the Delivery Plan.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Communities, Environment and Highways Select Committee]