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The Cabinet was presented with a report and
received a presentation from the Head of Climate Action which
provided an overview of the measures the Council was implementing
to address climate change.  Specifically
the report detailed the most significant climate action efforts
undertaken across the themes identified in the 2020 Climate Change
Strategy.
 
The Portfolio Holder for Environment and
performance thanked his Cabinet colleagues for their collaborative
working and in particular Councillor Barr, Portfolio Holder for
Co-operative Council and Neighbourhoods for her work on the Climate
Change Community Fund (CCCF) Projects. 
Members recognised the importance of the Green Space Volunteers who
could be instrumental in running CCCF projects and that the
community engagement model followed by the Friends of Hampson Park
could be adopted elsewhere in the Town.
 
Members were pleased to note the launch of the
Stevenage Green Business Grant Scheme which assisted local
businesses in adopting greener solutions.  The report also highlighted a number of successes
including the Beryl Bike Scheme, reducing emissions from the
Council’s waste and recycling fleet and decarbonisation
projects in the Council’s Housing Stock.
 
Members noted that Stevenage was relatively
unique amongst District and Borough Councils in maintaining a
Biodiversity Action Plan.
 
The Leader of the Council reported that he had
been holding regular meetings with the Stevenage MP Kevin
Bonavia who had given reassurance that
he would be using his power and influence with Government to
support delivery against this key local and national agenda
item.
 
Members thanked the Head of Climate Action for
his thorough and informative report and presentation.
 
It was RESOLVED:
 

1. 
That the progress in delivering the Stevenage
Climate Change Strategy and action plan across the eight strategic
areas, and delegating powers to the Portfolio Holder to make
alterations following further engagement with other members be
acknowledged.

2. 
That the Stevenage Biodiversity Action Plan
2024-2028, attached as Appendix 3, with a one-page summary in
Appendix 4 and a neighbourhood breakdown in Appendix 5 be
approved.

3. 
That the release of the Climate Change Action Plan
tracker available at Stevenage Climate Action Plan (for further
details, see 5.17 in Appendix 1) be
noted.

4. 
That the updated national climate action context,
especially the new UK Government’s climate priorities
(further details in “Level 2 – UK National Climate
Action” in Appendix 1), and SBC’s
collaborative regional and countywide work be
recognised.

5. 
That the launch of the Stevenage Green Business
Grant Scheme to help local businesses implement greener solutions
to reduce their carbon footprint (details in Appendix 1,
“Level 6 – Stevenage Level” under
“Businesses”) be noted.

6. 
That the implementation of the “Pathway 3
– People & Processes”, focusing on ways of
working and service-related emissions, particularly the
establishment of the Staff Climate Champions Group (details in
Appendix 1, “Level 6 – Stevenage
Level” under “People”) be
noted.

 
Reason for Decision: As contained in the report.
Other Options
considered:As contained in
the report.