Agenda item

30 minutes maximum in total for this item.  Questions may be submitted to be answered by the Scrutiny Committee or Council officers who are attending the meeting as witnesses, on any item that is within the scope of the Committee. Please see the procedure below for the submission of questions.

Question received from Mr Karl Barrow:

The Council's decision to cut costs and implement a 'pause on and reduction of project work relating to carbon reduction including feasibility work' seems perverse. Given the effects of the Climate Emergency already self-evident in Derbyshire, what will the impacts of this decision be in terms of outcomes to mitigate and adapt to climate change?

Response provided:

Due to the Council’s current financial position, the Climate Change Programme, as with all other Council services, must implement cost saving measures for this financial year (2023-24) and identify cost saving options for the next financial year (2024-25). As a non-essential spend, this means that any new spend from the Climate Change Programme budget is currently paused while these cost saving options and opportunities are identified and assessed, and as the scale of the impact is fully understood.  

Ensuring the Council is a net zero organisation by 2032, or sooner, and helping the county become net zero by 2050, requires significant financial investment. The implication of any reduction in future investment is being considered in detail and different funding approaches are being explored, particularly for areas where high levels of investment are required, such as for decarbonising the heating systems in the Council’s corporate buildings. This includes identifying where the Council can secure external funding for high-investment projects, such as through the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which has already been accessed by the Council to install a new low carbon heating system at Buxton Junior School.

Despite the current financial position, the Council remains focussed on its net zero ambitions and delivering its Climate Change Strategy. A range of no- and low-cost projects and interventions are ongoing, including energy reduction behaviour change initiatives, employee training, pilot projects in services that undertake high level of business mileage to reduce this mileage and increase the use of Electric Vehicles for business travel, the preparation of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Derbyshire, and strengthening the Council’s understanding of, and approach to, climate change risk and resilience. 

The Council is also involved in a range of externally funded projects with local authority partners across the region, focused on reducing Derbyshire’s emissions through joint working. This includes collaboration across Derbyshire, Derby, Nottinghamshire and Nottingham (D2N2) through an Innovate UK funded two-year project to identify the most effective pathway to decarbonising each district across D2N2 and undertake consistent engagement and communication with residents and businesses on climate change matters.  There is also a two-year project funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to facilitate the delivery of local approaches to home energy efficiency retrofitting advice and support. Projects such as these will ensure the Council continues to influence emission reductions across Derbyshire and maximises the opportunities offered through co-designing and co-delivering projects with its partners.

The following supplementary question was asked by Mr Karl Barrow:

The Leader admitted in the annual review that the Council would not meet emission targets and states a lack of finance being a factor. Have you looked at how other authorities have achieved this, and would you look at municipal bonds as other authorities have. As well as solar on your own buildings and solar farms to then generate income?

The response of the Chair of the Committee was:

Of course, we will do all we can to learn from best practice, we have looked at PV farms and the officers wanted a review. This has not worked in some areas and there is always a risk, and this is tax payers money. If you do see best practice, please inform us and we will review. The County Council is committed to the net 0 energy agenda. These are challenging financial times and statutory duties take priority. The Council need to look at how we invest in net 0 and utilise the money it has got as well as look at other funding methods. It has to be careful with commercial investments and their risk profile. They will look at alternative methods of funding and other options. DCC is determine on net 0 emissions.