The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Rushmoor Council was scheduled to receive updates on the Climate Change Action Plan and consider the Work Plan for the upcoming municipal year. The meeting was also set to note appointments to the committee and its working groups.

Climate Change Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update from Emma Lamb, Community and Partnerships Service Manager, and Sophie Rogers, Climate Change Officer, on the progress of the Climate Change Action Plan over the past year. The report was expected to focus on key projects including community engagement, work with young people, and the development of Climate Change Impact Assessments. Councillor Sophie Porter, the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities and Active Lives, was also due to attend to answer questions.

The update was to cover various initiatives:

• Community Engagement: This included the activities of the Rushmoor Climate Community Group, which launched in October 2024 and meets quarterly to discuss climate and environmental issues. The introduction of Rushmoor Climate Community Monthly Updates was also to be noted. The Eco Festival 2025, held at the West End Centre in Aldershot, featuring stallholders, activities, and talks, was also part of this engagement.
• Young People Engagement: The report was to detail the Wonderseekers Climate Trackers scheme, funded by the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund, which aims to raise climate awareness and develop STEM skills in primary school children. The scheme, now in its third year, involved approximately 300 children from four local schools. Additionally, the introduction of the Youth Climate Ambassador group, which meets monthly to provide feedback on council initiatives and develop critical thinking skills, was to be discussed. The report was also to mention a Climate Debate held with Wavell School, where students debated the motion Fossil Fuels are essential for the future of the UK.
• Active Travel: The council's success in securing an Active Travel Grant from Hampshire County Council to deliver initiatives in schools, such as the Balance, Glide & Ride programme, was to be highlighted.
• Climate Change Impact Assessments (CCIA): The committee was to be informed about the CCIA, a tool designed to help the council assess and minimise climate impacts across projects and proposals. Training for officers was underway, and CCIAs were to become mandatory for Cabinet reporting from August 2026.
• Climate Change Scorecards: An update on Rushmoor Borough Council's performance in the Climate Emergency UK Climate Action Scorecards was scheduled. The report indicated positive progress, with a 10% increase in the overall score compared to 2023. However, it was noted that Rushmoor Borough Council would not be reassessed in the 2027 round due to Local Government Reorganisation.
• Climate Change Action Plan: A high-level update on the actions within the Climate Change Action Plan 2025-2028 was to be provided, with full details to be included in the forthcoming Climate Change Annual Report. Specific actions mentioned included work on reducing gas consumption and increasing renewable energy generation, exploring lower-carbon vehicle alternatives, reviewing capital programme processes to incorporate environmental impacts, and identifying ways to reduce single-use plastics.

Work Plan

The committee was scheduled to consider the Work Plan for the 2026/27 Municipal Year. This plan outlines the items scheduled for discussion at future meetings, including topics such as Policing and Community Safety, Skills, Economy and Regeneration, and the ongoing Homes for All priority. Potential future items for scrutiny were also listed, including Business Support and Economic Development, Royal Mail postal deliveries, North Camp Traders' concerns about parking enforcement, Quarterly Performance Reports, the Young People's Plan, and Climate Change Policy.

Appointments 2026-27

The committee was to note appointments made for the 2026-27 Municipal Year. This included the appointment of Councillor Steve Masterson as a Standing Deputy of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Additionally, appointments to the vacancies on the Committee's Working Groups, specifically the Council Tax Support Group and the Housing Oversight Group, were to be noted.

The previous meeting's minutes from 11th June 2026 were also scheduled for confirmation.