The Environment, Flooding and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Leicestershire County Council met on Monday 8 June 2026. The committee received briefings and updates on the council's environmental strategy, carbon commitments, air quality and health partnership action plan, resources and waste strategy, and the local flood risk management strategy. Discussions also covered the Environment, Flooding and Climate Change Performance Report and a draft Biodiversity Report.

Environment Strategy and Carbon Commitments

A briefing was provided on the council's environment strategy and carbon commitments, which aim for carbon neutrality by 2030 for the council's own emissions and by 2045 for the county. James O'Brien, Environment Team Manager, presented the strategy, highlighting that while the council's own emissions have reduced significantly, wider county emissions remain a substantial challenge, with transport, industry, and commercial sources being the largest contributors. The council is working on decarbonising energy, housing, and transport, with initiatives like promoting electric vehicles and improving cycling infrastructure. A new net zero roadmap is being developed, expected in autumn 2021, which will detail pathways to achieve net zero targets. The committee also discussed the interconnectedness of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource exploitation, and the need for integrated solutions.

Air Quality and Health Partnership Action Plan Update

An update was provided on the Air Quality and Health Partnership Action Plan 2024-28. The plan aims to improve air quality in Leicestershire and reduce its impact on human health and health inequalities. Progress in the first year of the plan includes embedding health considerations into local transport plans and local plans, developing health impact assessments, and delivering targeted interventions in areas like Oadby and Wigston to improve air quality around schools. The report noted a slight improvement in PM2.5 levels across Leicestershire, though the county remains in the fourth quartile for particulate matter levels compared to other English councils. The partnership is working to align air quality and health objectives, increase active travel, and improve public communication on air quality risks.

Resources and Waste Strategy

Vicki Cormie, Head of Service for Environment and Waste, and Anna Lowe, Team Manager, presented an overview of the UK's Resources and Waste Strategy and its implications for Leicestershire. They discussed the ongoing review of the Leicestershire Municipal Waste Management Strategy and the roles of waste collection and disposal authorities. The presentation highlighted the significant impact of upcoming government consultations on extended producer responsibility, deposit return schemes, and consistency in household recycling collections. These reforms aim to increase recycling rates, reduce waste, and promote a circular economy. The committee discussed the challenges of implementing these changes, particularly regarding the cost implications for local authorities and the need for effective partnership working.

Environment, Flooding and Climate Change Performance Report

The committee reviewed the Environment, Flooding and Climate Change Performance Report for June 2021. The report detailed performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) related to electric vehicle charging infrastructure, environmental risk management, household waste recycling rates, and carbon emissions from council buildings and street lighting. While some indicators showed positive trends, such as increased electric vehicle charging points and reductions in council building emissions, others, like the percentage of household waste sent for recycling, remained static or declined, falling short of targets. The report also highlighted the ongoing challenge of retrofitting existing housing stock for energy efficiency, although new build properties performed well. The committee discussed the complexities of interpreting the performance data and the need for clear, simplified reporting in the future.

Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) Update

An update was provided on the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy (LFRMS) and the council's role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA). The update noted an increase in reported internal flooding incidents and detailed how additional funding was being used to enhance staffing capacity and expertise. The importance of partnership working with other risk management authorities and effective community engagement was emphasised. The committee discussed the complexities of land drainage responsibilities and riparian ownership, and the ongoing efforts to improve public awareness and promote natural flood management techniques.

Biodiversity Report

A draft Biodiversity Report was presented, outlining the council's approach to monitoring and improving biodiversity in line with the strengthened biodiversity duty introduced by the Environment Act 2021. The report highlighted the need for a wider spatial framework for biodiversity beyond the county council boundary and the importance of ensuring that major developments contribute to biodiversity net gain. Concerns were raised about the cumulative impact of development on green spaces and the potential for new government initiatives to affect biodiversity programmes. The report also noted that Leicestershire has one of the lowest biodiversity quality scores in the country, indicating a significant need for action.

Other Discussions

During the meeting, members raised questions about the use of hydrogen in vehicles, the challenges of influencing government policy on environmental standards in planning, and the effectiveness of current waste management practices. The committee also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service delivery, including staff shortages affecting waste transfer station operations. The lead member for Environment and Transport, Blake Payne, emphasised the council's commitment to tackling climate change and encouraged members to bring forward suggestions for improving performance reporting and exploring new environmental initiatives.

The meeting concluded with a review of future meeting dates and a discussion about the suitability of the current meeting time, given potential transport issues on Friday evenings.