The Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee met on 05 December 2024 and noted the interim carbon footprint for 2023/24. The Committee also discussed progress on the recently-endorsed Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, including progress on the switch to HVO biofuel, and updates on Cosy Homes in Lancashire and communication plans.

Council carbon footprint

The Committee received a report on the Council's Carbon Footprint 2023/24.

The Assistant Climate Change Officer, Chloe Cox, explained that like-for-like emissions in 2023/24 had decreased by 19.1% from the 2018/19 baseline. However, the Council was 5% off target for meeting its carbon budget. The report cited increased emissions from heating, electricity, and staff business travel as contributing factors.

Fleetwood YMCA¹ and the Civic Centre were identified as having high emissions.

It was explained that a switch to using HVO biofuel in the authority's fleet was projected to reduce emissions by 45.5%, exceeding the carbon budget target for 2024/25.

Councillors praised the recent work done by the Council to reduce emissions.

...the council is working hard to reduce their carbon footprint through a range of initiatives and preparation work for future projects.

This included:

• The completion of decarbonisation work at Fleetwood Market.
• The endorsement of the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan by the Full Council.
• A successful bid for £177,727 from the Phase 4 Low Carbon Skills Fund.
• Achieving Bronze level Carbon Literacy for Wyre Council.
• Securing funding from the Swimming Pool Support Fund to install solar panels at Fleetwood Leisure Centre.
• Tree planting initiatives.

Councillor Atkins suggested that the tree planting target needed more publicity.

Councillors raised concerns about energy bills, the use of HVO biofuel, and buildings with high electricity usage, and questioned whether thermal batteries and smart meters had been considered.

Update on the Communications Plan

The Committee received a verbal update on the Communications Plan from the Senior Communications Officer, Bethan McDonough.

McDonough stated that Wyre were committed to improving their communication on Climate Change. She explained that her team were working on a new communications plan that would focus on four corporate campaigns:

• Supporting people
• Wyre moving more
• Improving our environment
• Boosting the local economy

McDonough explained that the team were developing leaflets to target different audiences and were looking at more effective ways to reach people in the Borough who do not use digital communications. In particular, McDonough mentioned the Older Person's Festive Fayre as a good opportunity to engage with this audience.

Councillors expressed concern about the level of confusion amongst residents regarding recycling.

The Director of Environment, Mark Billington, clarified that Lancashire County Council was the Waste Disposal Authority. As such, the County Council has the power of direction on all aspects of waste collection and disposal.

Councillor Atkins stated that recycling would be discussed at the next meeting of the Helping Wyre Council prepare for the ‘Simpler Recycling’ rules Task Group.

Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee Work Programme 2023/24 – update report

The Committee received a report on the Overview and Scrutiny Climate Change Sub-Committee Work Programme 2024/25.

The Director of Finance and Governance, Clare James, submitted a report updating the Committee about the Work Programme.

Councillor Fail raised concerns about plans for incinerators at the Hillhouse Enterprise Zone.

He stated that

...the incinerator projects [should] be paused whilst an independent Environmental Impact Assessment was produced allowing the impact on Wyre’s Climate Change commitments to be understood.

He further called on the Committee to scrutinise big-ticket planning applications to understand their impact on Wyre's Climate Change commitments, and to be a stakeholder in the Enterprise Zone Masterplan.

Update on Cosy Homes in Lancashire in Wyre and opportunities via the new Warm Homes Local Grant

The Committee received a verbal update on the Cosy Homes in Lancashire (CHiL) scheme and the new Warm Homes Local Grant from the Assistant Director of Housing, Leisure and Communities, Mark Broadhurst.

Broadhurst explained that both schemes were designed to fund energy efficiency improvements for properties with low energy efficiency ratings.

He stated that the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG), which was currently available, was funding insulation, renewable heating, solar panels, windows and doors, and that Lancashire were on course to meet the target of improving 1400 properties by March 2025.

The new Warm Homes Local Grant will be available from 1 April 2025 for a period of three years, with a potential two-year extension. Unlike HUG, the new scheme will include properties with gas boilers.

Broadhurst confirmed that Blackpool Council had submitted a bid for £97m to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero on behalf of the CHiL consortium.

He also confirmed that CHiL had received £2m of funding from the Lancashire Devolution Deal.