The Climate Emergency and Sustainability Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel met to discuss the development of the council's new Climate and Nature Strategy. The meeting focused on gathering feedback on the draft strategy outline, its sources, and its framework, as well as discussing the people-focused elements of the strategy, including empowering communities and businesses, enabling green jobs and skills, and supporting vulnerable groups.

Local Plan Update and National Planning Policy Framework

Councillor Matt McCabe, Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, provided an update on the Local Plan, explaining that government instructions had complicated its progression. He detailed how new national planning policies, outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), would necessitate the removal or amendment of several of the council's proposed local plan policies. Policies related to sites, habitats, species, ecological networks, flood risk management, sustainable drainage, trees and woodland conservation, ecosystem services, and landscape were identified as potentially duplicating or conflicting with the NPPF. Policies on sustainable construction for new build residential and non-residential buildings would also need to be revised to avoid exceeding government standards, with a particular focus on energy performance certificates (EPCs) for new homes. Biodiversity Net Gain targets would also be constrained by national policy, with the council exploring site-specific policies to achieve higher targets where viable. The new Local Plan is not expected to become the development management policy tool until summer 2027.

Somerset Coal Canal Restoration Concerns

Paul Watner, representing the Somerset Coal Canal Communities Alliance, presented concerns regarding the inclusion of a policy supporting the restoration of the Somerset Coal Canal in the draft Local Plan. He argued that this policy, HDSCCW, was at odds with the draft climate and nature strategy, as restoration would destroy mature habitats, remove existing public enjoyment of the canal corridor, and involve significant infrastructure changes with no clear evidence of public support, ecological or economic benefit, or feasibility. The Alliance urged the council to withdraw the policy and instead focus on conserving and protecting the existing canal corridor. Councillor Andy Wait, Member Advocate for Rivers and Waterways, noted the public concern and requested an update on the Local Plan's position on this issue.

Climate and Nature Strategy: Opportunities and Challenges

Alistair Singleton highlighted the urgency of the climate and ecological crises, referencing statements from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He praised the council's work on the climate and nature strategy, urging for ambition and courage to drive forward social justice and confront inequality. Singleton suggested adopting qualitative key performance indicators (KPIs) over quantitative ones, promoting community-owned renewable energy, and considering principles like those of Oxford County Council's future generations approach. He also cautioned against merchants of doubt, division, and disinformation.

Victoria Wells spoke about the interconnectedness of health and the environment, particularly for low-income families. She highlighted how indoor and outdoor pollution, housing, food, and transport choices contribute to increased health risks, including respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, and mental health issues. Wells stressed the need for inclusive climate and nature recovery efforts and accessible, affordable transport.

Gillian Risbridger made a plea for the preservation of mature urban trees, citing their environmental benefits and the slow replacement time for their ecological and aesthetic value. She criticised the practice of removing mature trees and replacing them with saplings that often fail to thrive, providing examples from Bath. Risbridger called for preservation orders on mature trees, a variety of tree planting, proper maintenance of new planting, and the use of permeable paving with vegetation instead of asphalt.

Jenny Lambert emphasised the council's role in education and norm-setting, suggesting that visible institutional signals can empower individuals to change. She highlighted opportunities in home retrofitting, reducing car dependence, cutting energy waste, protecting trees, and supporting business transitions. Lambert advocated for making plant-rich meals default in schools and council buildings, making energy visible through solar panels on public buildings, normalising water fountains, and integrating closed doors, solar panels, shade, and trees into everyday life.

Sue Poole, speaking on behalf of the Climate Hub, welcomed the strategy's focus on equity and engaging marginalised groups. She recommended adding the National Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss to highlight urgency and suggested policy shifts to address consumerism on high streets, reimagining them as community hubs. Poole also requested practical and financial support for the voluntary community sector's role in engaging communities and businesses.

Alex Jones, Director of Operations and Impact at Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE), presented the work of community energy organisations. He highlighted BWCE's 46 renewable energy projects, generating enough electricity for 5,200 homes annually, and their community fund which has donated £470,000 to local projects. Jones emphasised the success of the partnership between BWCE and Bath & North East Somerset Council in enabling community-owned solar projects and advocated for community energy as a key element of the climate and nature strategy.

Wessex Water's Sustainability Framework

Dan Green, Group Sustainability Director for YTL UK and Wessex Water, presented the company's holistic approach to sustainability, encompassing economic, social, and environmental dimensions. He detailed Wessex Water's work on biodiversity and river catchments, including nature-based solutions for water quality improvement and catchment partnerships. Green discussed climate mitigation efforts, including renewable energy generation from sewage sludge and the challenges of decarbonising the water sector, particularly concerning nitrous oxide emissions and embodied carbon in construction materials. He also addressed climate adaptation, noting the trend of wetter winters and more intense rainfall. On the social side, he highlighted the Tailored Assistance Programme for vulnerable customers and the sustainable development plans for the Brabazon new town. During the Q&A, Green addressed concerns about sewage pollution, explaining the limitations of Victorian-era combined sewer systems and Wessex Water's investment in storage and treatment capacity. He clarified that phosphorus, not storm overflows, is the primary driver of ecological damage in rivers.

Climate and Nature Strategy Development

The Panel engaged in a detailed discussion regarding the draft Climate and Nature Strategy outline. Feedback on the sources used included suggestions to incorporate information from the Canal & River Trust, Bath & Avon River Trust, and finalised internal strategies like the Movement Strategy and Air Quality Strategy. Concerns were raised about individual responsibility versus systemic change, the need for accessible local carbon emission data, and the importance of appealing to both altruism and financial self-interest. The framework itself was discussed, with suggestions to include a focus on economic practices, plant-based diets, regenerative farming, and the balance between resilience building and emission reduction. The role of the Council in influencing behaviour and supporting communities was a recurring theme. The need to consider historic buildings within the World Heritage Site context was also raised.

The discussion then moved to the people-focused elements of the strategy. Suggestions included expanding recycling facilities, ensuring meaningful consultation with children and young people, involving schools and colleges in developing local skills pipelines, and addressing the under-resourcing of public sector agencies. Funding for climate and nature initiatives was also discussed, with calls for better allocation of West of England Combined Authority funds, exploration of a tourist levy, and national government action on energy provider taxation. The importance of professional development within the care sector was also highlighted.

The meeting concluded with the Panel noting its workplan, with suggestions to include Home to School Transport and Play Provision.