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Question from: County Councillor Jackie Charlton Subject: Climate Emergency Specialist Support
Question:
The Climate Emergency is now well established in the council Vision and expectation of achieving Net Zero by 2030 is a real goal and ambition of the Council.
To achieve these outcomes a local (Powys) strategy has been consulted on with over 170 responses, some of those detailed and accepted as key findings. The strategy was received with a lot of positive responses especially in view of the urgency of the matter. Together with a strategy for nature recovery in line with a ‘third’ approach of dealing with the climate emergency alongside the ecological emergency it is crucial to have in place expertise and drive to move forward by 2030 to meet the target of net zero.
I understand we have an officer in place who is dealing with biodiversity and the ‘Nature Recovery Strategy’, one element of the ecological emergency but no officer in place for the climate emergency, a massive undertaking.
Are you able to confirm that this will be remedied as a matter of urgency to address the need to move forward on the Powys Red Kite Climate Vision Strategy and implement actions approved as part of this strategy to work with the Stakeholder group of which 36% of respondents of the Red Kite consultation highlighted that they would be interested in joining. Using local expertise and experience in buildings, mobility and transport, procurement, land, and governance will be a crucial factor in making net zero an outcome rather than just a goal.
Minutes: Response by the Portfolio Holder:
I can confirm that we do have a dedicated and permanent Climate Change Officer Post which is currently part of a wider Regeneration team restructure. The team are currently being consulted and posts will then be filled or recruited to over the next 4-6 weeks. As part of the wider restructure a further position has been included within the structure to take a lead on economic strategy and climate action. All posts within the team have also been revised to embed climate action and sustainability at the heart of all economic regeneration work and ensure we focus on climate action across all areas of work.
At the recent Climate Action Project Board the engagement responses were acknowledged as a fantastic opportunity for a wide ranging source of support and knowledge. The areas were considered and each priority area in the strategy now has an identified lead within the organisation, who are considering our draft action plan and a proposal on how the offers of support will be aligned going forward. Leads will update and plans will be considered at our next meeting. All those offering support have been thanked by the Head of Service for Economy and Digital with confirmation that we will be in touch once our plans are developed across the workstreams.
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