The Climate, Sustainability and Travel Policy and Accountability Committee held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday 30 June 2026. The committee noted its terms of reference and received a briefing on the role of Policy and Accountability Committees (PACs). The main focus of the meeting was an overview of the Council's climate and transport policy and the proposed work programme for 2026/27.

Climate and Transport Policy Overview and Proposed Work Programme 2026/27

The committee received a report outlining the Council's current approach to climate, sustainability, and transport policy, including key programmes, priorities, and delivery challenges. The report highlighted the Council's manifesto commitments to reduce energy bills, cut emissions, and improve air quality. It detailed existing programmes in energy and buildings, such as the H&F Healthy Homes initiative and retrofit programmes for social housing, as well as transport initiatives like micromobility hire schemes and cycle parking expansion. The report also addressed air quality improvements through measures like the Better Health Better Air programme and EV charging infrastructure.

Councillor Ross Melton, Chair of the committee, introduced the report, which was presented by Hinesh Mehta, Assistant Director for Climate and Transport. The report identified strengths in the Council's approach, including established programmes, a strong track record in securing external funding, and active partnerships. However, it also outlined significant challenges, such as the scale and pace of investment required to meet net-zero ambitions, limited local authority powers in key policy areas, market and delivery challenges, and the complexity of achieving large-scale behavioural change.

The report proposed a structured work programme for the committee for the 2026/27 municipal year, focusing on detailed examination of existing policies, engagement with external experts, and the development of informed recommendations. Suggested themes for the committee's work included energy bills and the cost of living, decarbonisation of buildings and retrofit, sustainable transport strategy, air quality improvement, climate finance and investment, and innovation and partnerships.

The committee was asked to note the contents of the report, agree the proposed approach to the work programme, identify priority themes, and agree on the next steps for developing the programme. Councillor Stewart Waine, Shadow Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Travel, was also in attendance. The committee's terms of reference, as outlined in the Agenda frontsheet, include scrutinising the Council's response to the climate emergency, transport policy, and planning policy's impact on the environment. The Public reports pack provided further detail on these matters.