Agenda item
SMARTER WORKING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - POLICY AND ACTION PLAN
- Meeting of Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Board, Wednesday, 19 October 2016 10.30 am (Item 9/16)
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Purpose of the report: Policy Development and Review
To outline the content and development process of the proposed new policy documents:
i) An overarching Environment Policy for the council and
ii) a Climate Resilience and Sustainability Action Plan.
Members are asked to consider and provide comments on this report and its annexes, prior to presentation to Cabinet in November 2016
Minutes:
Witnesses:
Lesley Harding, Place
and Sustainability Group Manager
Bronwen Chinien, Environment Policy Team Leader
Mike Goodman, Cabinet Member for Environment
and Planning
Declarations of Interest:
None
Key points raised in the discussion:
-
Officers outlined the Smarter Working for the
Environment (SWE) action plan which was part of Surrey County
Council’s overarching approach to the environment. While it
was acknowledged that many issues were global, it was the aim of
the plan to improve the County Council’s approach to
environmental services and manage any environmental impacts on
service delivery. The action plan would support income and grant
funding bids and would add value to the way we work.
-
It was highlighted that the SWE was a cross service
response that had the aim of creating an integrated approach to
managing future development risks.
-
The Member for Redhill
East expressed support for the initiative, noting the importance of
having a single policy framework for joined up delivery of the
environment plan. It was also highlighted that the plan presented
some value for money opportunities.
-
Members questioned air quality and carbon emissions
from motor vehicles within the Surrey region. Officers noted that
transport issues and carbon emissions had been a key aspect of the
strategy; however it was noted that there was no simple solution to
this issue. It was stated that district and boroughs were
responsible for monitoring air quality. Members also highlighted
that the service needed to engage with partners and with other
nearby authorities, such as Heathrow and Gatwick airports, London
local authorities and other partners to reduce carbon
emissions.
Mike Bennison left the meeting at 12.05am and returned 12.12pm
- Officers highlighted that development of the policy had included District and Borough Councils within Surrey and that the service was seeking to encourage those without their own policy to adopt the relevant aspects of Surrey County Council’s policy to promote best practice. It was noted that some district and boroughs already had policies in place.
- Members agreed the policy was encouraging but some parts of the action plan would need revisiting especially in relation to staff parking. Officers explained that the pay and reward strategy would pick up this issue.
- Members queried traffic congestion data and whether Surrey County Council could acquire access to these figures from District and Borough authorities in order to improve their environmental strategic planning. The Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, noted that possibilities for securing and utilising this information would be explored.
-
Officers stated that no consultation had been
undertaken with London boroughs although discussions had taken
place with Heathrow around local environmental impacts. Members
were concerned around the collection of air pollution data for
Surrey but the Cabinet Member stated that this was a local
responsibility which the county did not have control
over.
-
Members highlighted that the environmental policy
should include more provision for low carbon emission vehicles and
electric car charging stations. It was explained that there were no
charging points outside the front of County Hall.
Recommendations
The board noted the Smarter Working for the Environment policy and actions plan.
Actions
None
Supporting documents:
- Scrutiny Report PART 1 Final, item 9/16 PDF 168 KB
- Annex 1 SCC Smarter Working for the Environment Policy final, item 9/16 PDF 590 KB
- Annex 2 Smarter working for the environment Action Plan, item 9/16 PDF 222 KB