The report associated with this item was circulated to all members with the agenda for the 22 February 2024 Corporate Management Committee.

The Committee noted that a substantial body of work had been delivered in the previous 12 months, in pursuance of the Council’s commitment to addressing climate change.

It was noted that the Action Plan was intended to be a ‘living’ document which evolved over time, both in terms of actions and reporting.  Progress updates on the Action Plan would be considered by the Corporate Management Committee twice a year.  Progress on each relevant action would be noted in these updates.

There was discussion about maintaining the Council’s commitment to climate change, particularly in light of the relevant team’s wide-ranging responsibilities.  Additionally, whilst the proposed Action Plan was aspirational, it also needed to be deliverable within the level of resource available to the Council.  The Chief Executive stated that he monitored officers’ workloads and would review the level of resource available for this work should it become necessary.  More general staff training was also being explored, as this was an important element in maintaining the Council’s commitments to addressing climate change.

It was resolved that the following recommendations be made to the Council:

1.     The Runnymede Borough Council Climate Change Action Plan, attached at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be adopted subject to the following matters being reviewed, for inclusion where required via the proposed officer delegation in 2 below:

a)    The text in action 3.8 of the Plan, in relation to London Heathrow, being amended to avoid giving the impression that the Council supported its intentions for expansion.

b)    Local Plan Review actions under the Active and Sustainable Transport section to being amended to reference the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods.

c)     The addition of figures to show the number of actions falling under the indicators of the Action Plan key, in relation to timeframes, indicative carbon impacts and costs.

2.     The Corporate Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development, in consultation with the Chair of the Corporate Management Committee and the Climate Change Members Working Party, be authorised to carry out annual high-level reviews and make minor amendments to the Climate Change Action Plan as necessary.

Note: Following Corporate Management Committee’s consideration of the report, officers are requesting the following minor adjustments:

·       In recommendation 2, that the post title be corrected to “Corporate Head of Planning, Economy and Built Environment”.

·       In recommendation 2, that the following be included in lieu of “annual”

“carry out periodic (at least on an annual basis) reviews”.

This adjustment is consistent with the content of the proposed Climate Change Action Plan and affords appropriate flexibility for the maintenance of a ‘live’ document.

The recommendations to the Council, with the above incorporated, would therefore read:

1.     The Runnymede Borough Council Climate Change Action Plan, attached at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be adopted subject to the following matters being reviewed, for inclusion where required via the proposed officer delegation in 2 below:

a)    The text in action 3.8 of the Plan, in relation to London Heathrow, being amended to avoid giving the impression that the Council supported its intentions for expansion.

b)    Local Plan Review actions under the Active and Sustainable Transport section to being amended to reference the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods.

c)     The addition of figures to show the number of actions falling under the indicators of the Action Plan key, in relation to timeframes, indicative carbon impacts and costs.

2.     The Corporate Head of Planning, Economy and Built Environment, in consultation with the Chair of the Corporate Management Committee and the Climate Change Members Working Party, be authorised to carry out periodic (at least on an annual basis) reviews and make minor amendments to the Climate Change Action Plan as necessary.

It was proposed (by Councillor Gracey), seconded (by Councillor Coen) and resolved that, subject to a review by the Corporate Management Committee in six months’ time:

1.     The Runnymede Borough Council Climate Change Action Plan, attached at Appendix 1 of the officer’s report, be adopted subject to the following matters being reviewed, for inclusion where required via the officer delegation in 2 below:

a)    The text in action 3.8 of the Plan, in relation to London Heathrow, being amended to avoid giving the impression that the Council supported its intentions for expansion.

b)    Local Plan Review actions under the Active and Sustainable Transport section to being amended to reference the concept of 20-minute neighbourhoods.

c)     The addition of figures to show the number of actions falling under the indicators of the Action Plan key, in relation to timeframes, indicative carbon impacts and costs.

2.     The Corporate Head of Planning, Economy and Built Environment, in consultation with the Chair of the Corporate Management Committee and the Climate Change Member Working Party, be authorised to carry out periodic (at least on an annual basis) reviews and make minor amendments to the Climate Change Action Plan as necessary.