The Environment Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to receive a verbal update on how Telford and Wrekin Council manages landfill. There was also to be a verbal report about the Green Pledge. The committee was also scheduled to note and review an update about the council's progress on its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Telford and Wrekin Council Becoming Carbon Neutral

A report was prepared to allow the committee to note and review the council's progress on becoming carbon neutral by 2030. This was a follow-up to a report presented to the Cabinet in September 2024. The report stated that:

Tackling climate change is one of five priorities set out in the current Council Plan. In July 2019, the Council declared a climate change emergency and made a commitment to reduce its carbon emissions to net zero by 2030. Through its support of a borough partnership the council is also playing a full part in helping the wider borough achieve the same target.

It stated that in 2023/24, the council had reduced its carbon emissions by 61% against a 2018/19 baseline. It attributed this reduction to a range of activities including: installing energy efficiency measures on council property, and providing grants to residents so they could install renewable technologies in their homes. The report highlighted that the council is building more energy efficient homes through NuPlace, its wholly owned housing company. It also cited the council's work to improve walking and cycling routes in the borough and its installation of electric vehicle charging points. It stated that the council was continuing to reduce waste and support reuse.

The report described what it said were the risks of the council failing to meet its target. It suggested that there would be serious reputational risks for the council as a community leader. It also said that not addressing issues like the energy efficiency of buildings or the development of renewable energy generation would lead to significant cost implications through increases in fuel bills and loss of income. It also suggested that doing nothing would also lead to a negative impact on the health and social / economic wellbeing of Telford and Wrekin businesses, communities and residents.

The report detailed a range of activities the council had undertaken in the previous 12 months, including: installing solar panels at Horsehay Village Golf Course, installing an air source heat pump and insulation at Oakengates Leisure Centre, and securing funding for energy efficiency measures at Wellington Leisure Centre. It stated that the redevelopment of Telford Theatre would incorporate renewable technologies, such as air source heat pumps, and that its roof would include an array of solar panels.

The report also described the progress that had been made on increasing the energy efficiency of the council's housing stock. It stated that the council was using its own funding to support residents who were deemed to be fuel poor.

The report stated that the council has been working with Fabweld Steel Products Ltd to install two publicly accessible electric vehicle charging points, and that it had provided funding to Hollinswood and Randlay Parish Council for the installation of solar panels on the roof of Randlay Community Centre.

An accompanying action plan included details of the council's plan to engage schools in its aim of becoming a plastic free local authority by 2027, potentially the first council in the UK to achieve that accreditation.

Work Programme Review

The committee was scheduled to review its work programme, which had been updated following a meeting held on 9 October 2024.

The Green Pledge

The committee was scheduled to receive a verbal update on the Green Pledge.

Landfill Management in Telford and Wrekin

The committee was scheduled to receive a verbal update on how the council manages landfill.