The Climate Emergency Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Wokingham Council met on Tuesday 15 September 2026 to review progress on the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP), focusing on transport and renewable energy projects. The committee also considered its work programme for the upcoming year.

CEAP Transport Review

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to scrutinising progress against the transport priority within the Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP). The report presented outlined the council's efforts to reduce transport-related carbon emissions across the borough. It highlighted progress in expanding sustainable travel choices, including the further delivery of public electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, improvements to bus services, and investment in active travel. The report indicated that annual savings of 73,803 tCO₂e were achieved in the transport sector in the past year. Key achievements included the installation of 415 public EV charge points, an increase in EV mileage share to 6.3%, and progress on active travel schemes such as the Woodley to Reading cycleway.

The report also identified areas requiring further attention, such as improving the quality of mode share data, developing a future freight strategy, and considering carbon reduction actions arising from the ADEPT Carbon Leadership Programme. The council's Local Transport Plan, adopted in March 2025, underpins these efforts, aiming to provide residents with more sustainable travel choices and reduce reliance on internal combustion engine vehicles. The report noted that while progress is being made, continued investment, monitoring, and behaviour change will be necessary to meet carbon reduction targets, especially given the borough's growth.

The report recommended that the committee note the progress made in delivering transport-related actions and comment on the progress, challenges, and planned next steps.

Renewable Energy Projects Update

The committee also received an update on the council's principal renewable energy generation projects, which are key to achieving the CEAP's goal of carbon neutrality by 2030. The report detailed the progress of three main projects:

• Barkham Solar Farm (CEAP Action 2.1.1): This project is progressing towards delivery, with detailed design work completed. A non-firm grid connection and energisation programme is anticipated for Autumn 2027. The report acknowledged uncertainties arising from national electricity connection reforms but stated that the project remained financially robust.
• Solar Farm 2 (CEAP Action 2.1.2): This project remains paused due to its allocation of Gate 1 status under the National Energy System Operator's connection reforms. Development is on hold pending greater certainty regarding grid connection arrangements, and the project will be monitored for future reassessment.
• Mereoak Park and Ride Solar Canopies (CEAP Action 2.1.3): This project is progressing through procurement and detailed design. It will deliver a 1.36MW solar canopy, battery storage, and an EV charging hub, with completion expected in summer 2027. The project aims to combine renewable energy generation with improved EV charging infrastructure.

The report recommended that the committee note the current position of these projects and make recommendations to the Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency as appropriate.

Work Programme and Action Tracker

The committee also considered its Work Programme for 2026-27, which outlined planned scrutiny items for future meetings. This included a review of CEAP priorities, community energy projects, and the ecological emergency. Additionally, the committee reviewed the regular Action Tracker report, which provides updates on actions agreed in previous meetings.