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Executive Response to the Net Zero Scrutiny Panel Report

Minutes:

7.1 It was recognised that to reach the UK’s net zero ambitions will require all tiers of government, businesses, institutions and communities to work closely together. The Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has been building its vision to transition to net zero since. Hackney has made good progress in reducing emissions over the last decade, but it was recognised that faster and more coordinated action will be needed to protect communities and the environment from the effects of climate change.

 

7.2 The Net Zero Review was established by the Scrutiny Panel in October 2021. It was set up to look at what is needed to meet national and local net zero targets set out by Government and the Council. This review also looked at how the Council planned to meet its ambitions in a manner that was affordable, efficient and fair. The review was an amalgamation of work by the overarching Scrutiny Panel and the thematic Scrutiny Commissions: Health in Hackney, Living in Hackney and Skills, Economy and Growth during the municipal year 2021/2022. The draft report and recommendations were finalised and agreed by the Scrutiny Panel in April 2023 and the Executive response was agreed by Cabinet in October 2023.

 

7.3 The Chair welcomed the Cabinet response and invited the lead Cabinet member for this policy area (Cllr Coban) to introduce the report.  The following is a summary of the Cabinet members response:

§  The Cabinet member thanked the Chair and Panel members for their support for this work, and its efforts to focus on the delivery of these climate ambitions.  It was important to focus on the social justice aspect to the delivery of climate change and to make sure that residents were not disproportionately impacted, but also to make sure that residents had access to all the new green opportunities which may arise from this work.

§  Scrutiny involvement had been important in supporting the development of the Climate Action Plan so the council can track and monitor progress.

§  It was important that scrutiny continued to hold the council to account on its climate goals and ambitions and the Cabinet member was keen to ensure that local governance arrangements reflected this.

 

7.4 (Written question from Cllr Binnie Lubbock) What are the plans for community oversight for the council’s response to climate change plans and ambitions?

§  Local residents have had an opportunity to have a say on proposals via the initial public consultation on his work as well as the Green Recovery event as well as local Climate Summit.  Feedback from these events noted that there was a desire for wider engagement and involvement beyond the ambit of the council, that is, what the community could do to progress local climate goals and ambitions. There was a desire to engage in more democratic technologies which may be able to support more neighbourhood led initiatives (e.g. citizen assemblies or juries).  In terms of the consultation, there was an overrepresentation of responses from residents with an income in excess of £100k, so it will be important to engage with those residents who may be differently impacted going forward.

 

 

7.5 (Written  questions from Cllr Binnie Lubbock) Does the council accept the National Infrastructure Committee report that the switch from gas boilers to hydrogen boilers as these are most likely to be more expensive and less efficient?

§  The Cabinet member noted that there would always be changes to the cost benefit analysis of certain climate action initiatives.  The following example was cited; a new refuse disposal truck would cost £190k which could use vegetable oil to reduce carbon emissions by 92%, but a wholly electric vehicle was available, but at a significantly higher price of £420k. There had to be an assessment as to what these additional monies might otherwise be used for in reaching the councils climate aims against the reduced carbon emissions of both vehicles. In terms of boilers, similarly, the council would always put environment and sustainability factors first but in the context of financial cost benefit analysis.

 

7.6 (Cllr Adejare) The report notes the commitments to encourage social housing landlords to push for the use of renewable energy.  Is this to be reflected in other planning policy regulations?

§  The Cabinet member noted that this was an important area for climate action and it was important that approaches across the capital were informed by best practice and were consistent.  Meetings had been undertaken with planning officers in other boroughs and it was hoped that some changes could be incorporated into the Local Plan and that there was appropriate guidance for developers to support these climate ambitions.  A report will be presented to Cabinet in January 2024 on the extending of solar provision on local estates to reduce emissions and of course, to reduce the costs to local residents.  In terms of the council's own building, the council was operating at 100% renewable energy but was looking to extend these to other leased buildings such as Hackney Marshes Centre and London Fields Lido, as it was important that the Council lead by example.  An audit had identified all of those buildings which could be converted to solar energy but central government needed to act to support this not only in terms of developing funding streams to support these conversions but also in updating national planning regulations.

 

7.7 The Chair agreed that this report should come back at a later date to review progress against the agreed recommendations.  The Chair thanked Cllr Coban for attending and presenting the Cabinet response.

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