The meeting of the Climate Change and Nature Scrutiny Panel in Swansea focused on several key topics, including updates on climate change initiatives, nature recovery efforts, and a review of the panel's work over the past year.

The most significant topic discussed was the climate change update. Councillor Chris Davens asked about the biggest challenges in achieving climate goals, aside from funding. The response highlighted the difficulties in greening the council's fleet of 900 vehicles, particularly the high costs and infrastructure challenges associated with electric and hydrogen vehicles. The panel was encouraged to help spread awareness and engage the community in reducing energy usage and adopting greener technologies. Jane Richmond and Rachel Lewis emphasized the importance of community and educational engagement, suggesting that governors in schools could champion climate change and energy efficiency.

Councillor Mary Jones raised concerns about the weight and practicality of new recycling containers, especially for people with disabilities. It was suggested that alternative containers, such as canvas or recycled plastic bags, could be considered. The issue of No Mow May was also discussed, with the council deciding to limit the initiative due to damage caused to equipment by long grass. Instead, they will use new cut-and-collect vehicles to manage the grass.

The nature recovery and biodiversity update was led by Paul Edwards, who reported on the progress made since the 2018 inquiry. The council has incorporated climate and nature recovery as a corporate objective and has added resources, including additional ecologists and biodiversity officers. The focus is now on monitoring and evidence gathering to meet the 30 by 30 targets. Councillor Chris Davens asked if the Local Development Plan (LDP) would include stronger biodiversity protections, and it was confirmed that this is being considered.

During the panel review of the year, members discussed what went well and what could be improved. Flooding was highlighted as a significant issue that the panel had addressed effectively. However, there was a consensus that more progress is needed in areas like planning and the use of weed killers. Councillor Wendy Fisher raised concerns about the impact of building on greenfield sites on biodiversity, and the need for better management of invasive species like knotweed and Himalayan balsam was also discussed.

Overall, the meeting emphasized the importance of community engagement, the need for ongoing monitoring and adaptation, and the challenges of balancing development with environmental protection.